Picard’s Farewell in the Collapsing Dixon Hill Office
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Picard commands Data to carry the gravely wounded Whalen to Sickbay and insists he follow immediately, signaling a desperate evacuation from the dangerous office environment.
Data, Beverly, and Whalen carefully navigate through the Office and exit, leaving Picard alone to face McNary while tension builds with the rumbling floor.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Worried, sad, empathetic with underlying existential uncertainty about the fate of the simulation and his own connections to the fictional and real worlds.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard demonstrates resolute leadership by ordering Data to evacuate the critically wounded Whalen, then sharing a deeply emotional and solemn farewell handshake with Lieutenant McNary amidst the collapsing Holodeck environment, revealing his internal conflict and isolation.
- • Ensure Whalen's survival by orchestrating his evacuation to Sickbay.
- • Maintain order and composure amid crisis to protect remaining allies.
- • Say a meaningful farewell to McNary, acknowledging the gravity of their situation.
- • Prepare mentally for confronting the imminent dangers alone.
- • The collapsing Holodeck simulation poses genuine mortal danger.
- • Sacrifices are necessary to save the crew and preserve hope.
- • The boundaries between the simulated world and reality are perilously blurred.
- • His leadership requires balancing emotional vulnerability with practical command.
Calm and focused, masking the tension of the collapsing environment with logical clarity and unwavering loyalty.
Data obeys Picard's order promptly and dutifully, carrying the critically injured Whalen through the trembling office towards Sickbay accompanied by Beverly Crusher, exhibiting calm control and operational focus amidst the chaos.
- • Safely evacuate Whalen to Sickbay for urgent medical attention.
- • Follow Picard's command precisely to support crew survival.
- • Protect Whalen while navigating the deteriorating simulation.
- • Whalen's critical condition demands immediate medical intervention.
- • Obedience to Picard's command is essential for mission success.
- • The Holodeck's collapse requires rapid evacuation to preserve life.
Concerned and focused on Whalen's critical condition, ready to act swiftly to stabilize him.
Doctor Beverly Crusher follows closely behind Data carrying Whalen, her demeanor marked by concern and readiness to provide urgent medical care once in Sickbay, emphasizing her role as the crew's compassionate healer.
- • Ensure Whalen receives immediate and effective medical treatment.
- • Support evacuation efforts with medical expertise.
- • Maintain calm to manage medical emergency under pressure.
- • Whalen's injury is life-threatening and demands urgent treatment.
- • Her medical skills are crucial to saving lives in crisis situations.
Physically debilitated and helpless, reliant on others for survival, his condition raises the stakes for all involved.
Charles Whalen lies critically wounded, incapacitated and vulnerable, being physically carried by Data as he is evacuated from the collapsing simulation, embodying the human cost amid the crumbling fantasy world.
- • Survive the injury and receive medical aid.
- • Trust in his crewmates' efforts to save him.
- • His injury is severe enough to require immediate evacuation.
- • His fate is tied closely to the actions of Picard and the crew.
Somber and resigned, carrying the weight of duty and impending loss while showing steadfast loyalty to Picard.
Lieutenant McNary remains behind with Picard in the collapsing office, exchanging a somber handshake and final words, embodying a weary yet resolute lawman confronting imminent danger and the likely destruction of their fragile world.
- • Uphold justice by identifying and condemning the thug.
- • Support Picard emotionally during their final farewell.
- • Remain principled despite overwhelming odds.
- • The thug must be held accountable despite chaos.
- • Their friendship and shared duty bind them amid crisis.
- • The simulated world may soon cease to exist.
Aggressive and menacing, embodying the violent threat that imperils Picard and his allies.
Redblock’s Thug stands as the hostile antagonist held at bay by McNary’s accusation, a looming threat whose presence intensifies the tension in the collapsing environment.
- • Protect Cyrus Redblock’s interests and evade arrest.
- • Suppress opposition from law enforcement figures like McNary.
- • Violence is a necessary means to maintain control.
- • Loyalty to Redblock overrides personal safety concerns.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Dixon Hill Office Exit Portal serves as the critical escape route facilitating Data’s evacuation of Whalen and Beverly from the collapsing office. It represents the fragile threshold between the simulated world and reality, oscillating between safety and danger as characters pass through.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Dixon Hill's Waiting Room and Office acts as the collapsing battleground where Picard gives orders, shares a heavy farewell with McNary, and from which Data and Beverly evacuate Whalen. The location’s deterioration symbolizes the blurring of fantasy and reality, heightening the emotional stakes.
Enterprise Sickbay is the intended safe haven where Data and Beverly are tasked to bring the critically wounded Whalen for urgent medical treatment, marking the transition from danger to care within the narrative.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Picard's farewell to McNary and his uncertainty about the fate of this world echo the theme of fragile boundaries between simulated and real worlds, underscoring the story's core tension."
"Picard's farewell to McNary and his uncertainty about the fate of this world echo the theme of fragile boundaries between simulated and real worlds, underscoring the story's core tension."
"Picard's farewell to McNary and his uncertainty about the fate of this world echo the theme of fragile boundaries between simulated and real worlds, underscoring the story's core tension."
"Picard stepping through the portal and the subsequent darkness foreshadow the collapse of the simulated world and the finality of their separation from it."
"Picard stepping through the portal and the subsequent darkness foreshadow the collapse of the simulated world and the finality of their separation from it."
"Picard stepping through the portal and the subsequent darkness foreshadow the collapse of the simulated world and the finality of their separation from it."
"Picard's farewell to McNary and his uncertainty about the fate of this world echo the theme of fragile boundaries between simulated and real worlds, underscoring the story's core tension."
"Picard's farewell to McNary and his uncertainty about the fate of this world echo the theme of fragile boundaries between simulated and real worlds, underscoring the story's core tension."
"Picard's farewell to McNary and his uncertainty about the fate of this world echo the theme of fragile boundaries between simulated and real worlds, underscoring the story's core tension."
"Picard stepping through the portal and the subsequent darkness foreshadow the collapse of the simulated world and the finality of their separation from it."
"Picard stepping through the portal and the subsequent darkness foreshadow the collapse of the simulated world and the finality of their separation from it."
"Picard stepping through the portal and the subsequent darkness foreshadow the collapse of the simulated world and the finality of their separation from it."
Key Dialogue
"PICARD: Pick him up. Get him to Sickbay."
"DATA: What about you?"
"PICARD: I'll follow you. Now go!"
"PICARD: I can't think of a way to thank you. You know I can't take you with me."
"MCNARY: Someone's gotta book this creep. Once a cop always a cop, I guess."
"PICARD: Tell me something, Dixon. When you've gone.... will this world still exist?.. Will my wife and kids still be waiting for me at home?"
"PICARD: I honestly don't know. Good-bye my friend."