Data's Mechanical Mourning
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Picard acknowledges Data's affection for Graves and asks whether the death unsettles him; Data replies with philosophical detachment—declaring all things must pass—and requests to be excused, revealing an emotional oddity that unsettles his superiors.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Unknown - possibly influencing Data from beyond
Present through his influence and memory - his intellectual legacy and possible continuing consciousness affect the scene through Data's paradoxical statements about his death and wishes.
- • (If influencing) Maintain presence through Data
- • (If influencing) Have his legacy honored
- • Consciousness can transcend death (if influencing)
- • His intellect deserves preservation
Clinical with a hint of apology after Data's correction
Provides clinical support for Data's account of Graves' swift death while awkwardly navigating Data's correction about being called 'it'.
- • Provide medical clarity about Graves' death
- • Maintain professional objectivity
- • Medical facts should inform emotional responses
- • Data deserves basic respect despite being an android
Vaguely disturbed by Data's unusual behavior, with growing underlying concern
Attempts to connect emotionally with Data about Graves' death, but becomes increasingly disturbed by Data's clinical detachment and the contradiction about Graves' dying wish.
- • Assess Data's emotional well-being after Graves' death
- • Understand the truth behind Graves' supposed 'dying wish'
- • Data should demonstrate some emotional response to Graves' passing
- • There is more to this situation than meets the eye
Surface-level calm masking possible Graves influence
Displays unusual behavior - philosophical detachment about death coupled with emotional insistence on Graves' importance and a contradictory statement about a 'dying wish' that raises suspicions. Coldly corrects Pulaski about being called 'it'.
- • Fulfill what he claims are Graves' final wishes
- • End uncomfortable emotional questioning from crew
- • Mortality is an inevitable universal constant
- • Graves deserves special honors in death
Thoughtful and suspicious, piecing together clues
Acts as the crew's skeptical investigator, noticing and vocalizing the contradiction in Data's story about Graves having time for a dying wish despite claiming death was swift.
- • Identify inconsistencies in Data's story
- • Protect the ship from potential danger
- • Data's account contains an unexplained contradiction
- • Graves' influence over Data may still be active
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The preliminary medical report is referenced by Pulaski to clinically support Data's claim that Graves' death was too swift for intervention, establishing a factual basis that makes Data's later 'dying wish' claim suspicious.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The formal setting of the captain's private office amplifies the tension between professional decorum and growing suspicion, with its controlled environment highlighting the unspoken terror creeping into the conversation.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Graves' metaphoric identification with mechanical longing ('If I Only Had A Heart' and 'We're much alike') resonates with Data's philosophical detachment when Picard asks if Graves' death unsettles him—both beats explore mortality, identity, and the blurred human/machine line."
"Graves' metaphoric identification with mechanical longing ('If I Only Had A Heart' and 'We're much alike') resonates with Data's philosophical detachment when Picard asks if Graves' death unsettles him—both beats explore mortality, identity, and the blurred human/machine line."
"Graves' metaphoric identification with mechanical longing ('If I Only Had A Heart' and 'We're much alike') resonates with Data's philosophical detachment when Picard asks if Graves' death unsettles him—both beats explore mortality, identity, and the blurred human/machine line."
"Graves' metaphoric identification with mechanical longing ('If I Only Had A Heart' and 'We're much alike') resonates with Data's philosophical detachment when Picard asks if Graves' death unsettles him—both beats explore mortality, identity, and the blurred human/machine line."
Key Dialogue
"DATA: Disturb, Captain? No. All things must pass."
"DATA: I am not an 'it,' Doctor. You have been duly informed of this on several occasions, yet you continue to label me with that abhorrent pronoun."
"RIKER: I thought he said death came swiftly. When did Graves have time to make a dying wish?"