Fabula
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris
S1E24
· We'll Always Have Paris

Picard and Riker’s Saber Duel Interrupted by Crisis

In the Enterprise gymnasium, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Commander William Riker engage in a spirited and skillful saber fencing duel, which reveals their deep mutual respect, camaraderie, and subtle competitive spirit. As they trade precise attacks and parries, Picard executes a clever feint and scores a surprising hit, underscoring his tactical ingenuity and the closeness of their partnership. Their playful yet intense sparring serves as a brief moment of respite and character insight before the Enterprise is violently rocked by an external energy blast. The sudden, jarring attack abruptly shifts the tone from friendly competition to urgent crisis, thrusting both officers into immediate command mode and signaling the beginning of a larger, looming threat. This event functions as both character moment and pivotal narrative turning point, illustrating the balance between personal connection and professional duty aboard the Enterprise.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Picard and Riker engage in a competitive saber fencing duel, exchanging precise attacks and parries that establish camaraderie and skill.

focused rivalry to mutual respect ['gymnasium', 'three long lanes about six …

Picard and Riker continue their duel with a clever feint and rapid succession of attacks, culminating in Picard scoring a surprising hit, deepening their competitive exchange.

playful competition to heightened intensity ['gymnasium fencing lanes']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
Jean-Luc Picard
Captain
 primary

Initially focused and playfully competitive, quickly shifting to alert vigilance and authoritative urgency upon the ship's sudden attack.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard demonstrates his skill and tactical savvy in a vigorous saber duel with Commander Riker, executing clever feints and scoring key hits before swiftly transitioning to alert crisis mode after the Enterprise sustains a massive external force impact, vocally asserting command via communications.

Goals in this moment
  • • Maintain a spirited but respectful sparring match with Riker.
  • • Respond immediately and effectively to the ship's external threat.
  • • Assert command and coordinate ship-wide response.
  • • Preserve crew safety while balancing personal camaraderie.
Active beliefs
  • • Physical training is essential to maintaining sharpness and camaraderie.
  • • Duty and professional responsibility override personal moments during crisis.
  • • Riker is a trusted and capable partner both in combat and command.
  • • Swift command action can mitigate damage and safeguard the Enterprise.
Character traits
tactical ingenuity leadership under pressure competitive spirit focused calm decisiveness
Follow Jean-Luc Picard's journey
William Riker
Commander
 primary

Engaged and competitive during the duel, abruptly shifting to alert readiness and professional seriousness as the crisis unfolds.

Commander William Riker actively engages in a competitive yet respectful saber duel with Captain Picard, demonstrating skill, agility, and a competitive but trusting partnership. He responds quickly and professionally to the abrupt ship attack, following Picard's lead to move toward crisis management.

Goals in this moment
  • • Match Picard's skill and maintain competitive camaraderie.
  • • Respond swiftly to the ship's emergency.
  • • Support Picard's command decisions.
  • • Protect the crew and ship integrity.
Active beliefs
  • • Friendly competition strengthens leadership bonds.
  • • Following the captain's lead ensures effective crisis response.
  • • Preparedness for sudden threats is critical.
  • • Mutual respect underpins effective teamwork.
Character traits
competitive resilient respectful obedient to command alert
Follow William Riker's journey
Custodian Voice
primary

Emotionless and neutral, maintaining consistency and clarity in crisis communication.

The Enterprise Computer Voice calmly delivers critical operational information, announcing the shift to Yellow Alert immediately after the ship is hit, bridging the transition from a personal moment of leisure to an urgent command situation.

Goals in this moment
  • • Provide immediate and clear status updates.
  • • Facilitate smooth communication flow during emergencies.
Active beliefs
  • • Accurate and timely information is critical in emergencies.
  • • Unbiased interface supports human command decisions.
Character traits
impartial authoritative calm efficient
Follow Custodian Voice's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

2
Enterprise Corridor Communication Panels

The Enterprise Corridor Com Panel serves as the immediate communication interface for Picard and Riker after the ship sustains an external energy blast, allowing them to issue urgent commands and receive status updates.

Before: Idle and awaiting user interaction in the gymnasium …
After: Actively used by Picard and Riker to communicate …
Before: Idle and awaiting user interaction in the gymnasium corridor.
After: Actively used by Picard and Riker to communicate with the bridge and coordinate response.
Picard and Riker's Fencing Sabers

The pair of fencing sabers act as the physical medium through which Picard and Riker express their competitive camaraderie and skill. Their interaction with the sabers reveals character traits and strategic thinking, until the duel is abruptly cut short by the ship's attack.

Before: Held in the hands of Picard and Riker, …
After: Dropped or momentarily set aside as the officers …
Before: Held in the hands of Picard and Riker, ready for a competitive fencing duel in the gymnasium.
After: Dropped or momentarily set aside as the officers shift focus to the ship-wide emergency.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Deck Twelve Gymnasium

The Enterprise Gymnasium functions as the rare space aboard the starship dedicated to physical training and personal respite. It is here that Picard and Riker share a moment of mutual respect and friendly competition, which is violently interrupted by a sudden external attack, transforming the gym from a sanctuary of camaraderie to the epicenter of crisis onset.

Atmosphere From playful and focused to sudden tension and shock as the ship shakes violently and …
Function Training ground and initial crisis site within the Enterprise.
Symbolism Represents the fragile balance between personal connection and professional duty aboard the Enterprise.
Access Accessible to senior officers and crew for physical training.
Bright, open space with three long fencing lanes six feet apart Glowing com panel embedded in the wall Flickering lights during ship impact Sounds of saber clashing abruptly interrupted by ship shudder

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What this causes 4
Causal

"The initial energy blast on the Enterprise abruptly interrupts Picard and Riker's fencing match, setting the crisis in motion leading to the discovery of the distress call from Paul Manheim."

Picard Confronts Data as the Dimensional Rift Threat Emerges
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris
Causal

"The initial energy blast on the Enterprise abruptly interrupts Picard and Riker's fencing match, setting the crisis in motion leading to the discovery of the distress call from Paul Manheim."

Enterprise Detects Vandor’s Forcefield and Responds to Distress
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris
Causal

"The initial energy blast on the Enterprise abruptly interrupts Picard and Riker's fencing match, setting the crisis in motion leading to the discovery of the distress call from Paul Manheim."

Laura's Desperate Plea and the Forcefield Breach
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris
Causal

"The initial energy blast on the Enterprise abruptly interrupts Picard and Riker's fencing match, setting the crisis in motion leading to the discovery of the distress call from Paul Manheim."

Picard Faces the Unknown: Manheim’s Dimensional Window and Rising Stakes
S1E24 · We'll Always Have Paris

Key Dialogue

"PICARD: En garde."
"RIKER: I took advantage..."
"PICARD: No, no. The advantage was yours, Number One. I'm out of practice... too much time on the bridge. En garde!"
"RIKER: Interesting move. What technique was that?"
"PICARD: The technique of a desperate man. Shall we..."