Star Trek The Next Generation
S2E7
· Star Trek: The Next Generation - Unnatural Selection

The Engineered Perfection Unveiled

In the sterile observation booth of the isolation lab, Pulaski confronts the chilling reality of Mandel's genetically engineered 'children.' Mandel presents them with pride—physically flawless specimens with enhanced musculature, bone structure, and intellect. The demonstration escalates when Mandel raps on the glass, prompting two children to telekinetically vanish and reappear chess pieces mid-game. Pulaski's scientific curiosity wars with visceral unease as she probes deeper, honing in on their hyper-aggressive immune systems—the fatal flaw in Mandel's masterpiece. This moment crystallizes the ethical abyss between scientific ambition and natural order, as Pulaski recognizes the children aren't just advancements but potential biological weapons.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Pulaski and Mandel step into the observation booth and freeze on sight: a bank of children below stand out as physically exceptional. The visual revelation frames the stakes—these are not ordinary patients but engineered specimens.

neutral to stunned awe ['observation booth overlooking the isolation lab']

Mandel proudly crowns the children 'our ultimate achievement,' enumerating perfect bone, muscle and 'their brains' as Pulaski echoes the truth: these beings are genetically engineered. Boast meets recognition as scientific triumph settles into Pulaski's medical appraisal.

pride to awed recognition

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
Children
Genetic Specimens
 primary

Focused but eerily detached

The children appear physically flawless, focused on their chess game. At Mandel's signal, they demonstrate their telekinetic abilities by making chess pieces vanish and reappear with effortless concentration.

Goals in this moment
  • • Follow Dr. Mandel's instructions for the demonstration
  • • Continue their game uninterrupted
Active beliefs
  • • Their abilities are normal and expected
  • • Compliance with Mandel's requests is routine
Character traits
Controlled Obedient Uncanny
Follow Children's journey
Dr. Sara Mandel
Doctor
 primary

Proud and protective of her genetic achievements

Dr. Mandel presents the genetically engineered children with evident pride, enthusiastically detailing their enhanced physical attributes and demonstrating their telekinetic abilities by having them make chess pieces disappear and reappear.

Goals in this moment
  • • Showcase the children's perfect genetic modifications
  • • Validate their scientific breakthroughs to Dr. Pulaski
Active beliefs
  • • The children represent the pinnacle of human genetic engineering
  • • Their abilities are something to be celebrated, not feared
Character traits
Scientifically proud Enthusiastic Defensive of her work
Follow Dr. Sara …'s journey
Katherine Pulaski
Doctor (Chief Medical Officer)
 primary

A mix of scientific fascination and visceral dread

Dr. Pulaski stands in the observation booth, initially intrigued by the children's physical perfection but grows increasingly disturbed as she witnesses their telekinetic abilities and learns about their hyper-aggressive immune systems.

Goals in this moment
  • • Understand the true nature of the genetically engineered children
  • • Assess the potential biological threat posed by the children
Active beliefs
  • • Genetic engineering at this level crosses ethical boundaries
  • • These children may pose a significant danger to natural humans
Character traits
Scientific curiosity Professional skepticism Underlying unease
Follow Katherine Pulaski's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

2
Chess Pieces

The chess pieces serve as a chilling demonstration tool, used by the genetically engineered children to showcase their telekinetic abilities by making them vanish and reappear at will. Their ordinary appearance starkly contrasts with the eerie precision of the children's control.

Before: Present on the chessboard in the isolation laboratory
After: Vanish and reappear multiple times during the demonstration
Before: Present on the chessboard in the isolation laboratory
After: Vanish and reappear multiple times during the demonstration
Rina's Empty Glass

The clear glass of the observation booth serves as both a physical barrier and window into the horrors below. Mandel raps on it to signal the children's demonstration, making the glass a conduit for the disturbing display.

Before: Intact, separating observers from the isolation lab
After: Rapped upon, serving as both barrier and signal …
Before: Intact, separating observers from the isolation lab
After: Rapped upon, serving as both barrier and signal medium

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Darwin Laboratory

The observation booth, lined with polarized glass, serves as a confined space where Pulaski gets her first chilling view of the engineered children's capabilities, turning from clinical viewing area into a confessional of ethical horror.

Atmosphere Tension-filled with hushed revelations
Function Observation point for assessing the engineered children
Symbolism Represents the thin barrier between scientific curiosity and moral reckoning
Access Accessible only to visiting medical professionals
Polarized observation glass Diagnostic equipment

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

No narrative connections mapped yet

This event is currently isolated in the narrative graph

Part of Larger Arcs

Pulaski's scientific curiosity versus her Hippocratic duty as she exposes herself to the contagion

Key Dialogue

"MANDEL: "Our ultimate achievement.""
"PULASKI: "Genetically... engineered...""
"MANDEL: "Created! Perfect in every way. Better than perfect. Their bone structure, their musculature... their brains!""
"PULASKI: "What about their immune system?""
"MANDEL: "That was our masterpiece. An aggressive immunity that attacks any invader and destroys it genetically.""