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

Shared Stars and Professional Bonds

Geordi La Forge shifts the dynamic with Specialist Trainee Rina by bonding over their shared reverence for engineering and Starfleet Academy experiences. While Riker's flirtatious advances continue to fall flat—highlighted by Rina's pointed etiquette remark—Geordi's genuine enthusiasm for propulsion theory and their mutual admiration for Professor Tsiolkovski creates an authentic connection. This moment is contrasted beautifully as they both admire the stars outside the viewport—Geordi through his VISOR and Rina with newfound appreciation for his unique perspective. Amidst Riker's failed charm offensive, this exchange establishes Rina's technical credibility and sets the foundation for their future professional collaboration against the contagion crisis.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

1

Geordi steers the conversation toward academy life and a beloved professor, and Rina responds with warm professional esteem, establishing her technical credibility and a rapport with Geordi.

light banter to collegial respect ['Ten-Forward (social/technical exchange)']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
Katherine Pulaski
Doctor (Chief Medical Officer)
 primary

Professionally irritated yet strategically observant

Pulaski interrupts Riker's flirtations at the bar, sternly reminding him of missed medical tests while observing the engineering officers' interactions with professional interest.

Goals in this moment
  • • Enforce medical protocols with Riker
  • • Assess social dynamics among crew members
Active beliefs
  • • Starfleet health regulations must be respected
  • • Social distractions shouldn't compromise duty
Character traits
Professionally uncompromising Perceptive Direct
Follow Katherine Pulaski's journey
Rina
Specialist Trainee
 primary

Cautiously receptive to genuine technical connection

Rina deflects Riker's advances while warming to Geordi's authentic enthusiasm, transitioning from initial reserve to intrigued engagement as they discuss academy memories and observe cosmic phenomena.

Goals in this moment
  • • Maintain professional boundaries amid unwanted attention
  • • Establish credible technical credentials with senior officer
Active beliefs
  • • Engineering merits more respect than superficial charm
  • • Starship service requires authentic professional relationships
Character traits
Professionally guarded Intellectually curious Situationally aware
Follow Rina's journey
Geordi La Forge
Chief Engineer
 primary

Genuinely engaged with nostalgic appreciation for academic memories

Geordi enthusiastically engages Rina in technical conversation, reminiscing about their shared academy experiences while visually appreciating the warp-speed starlight through his VISOR's enhanced spectrum.

Goals in this moment
  • • Establish genuine professional rapport with new specialist
  • • Share technical enthusiasm about propulsion theory
Active beliefs
  • • Academic mentors like Tsiolkovski shape great engineers
  • • Cosmic phenomena hold deep scientific and aesthetic value
Character traits
Technically passionate Authentic Observant
Follow Geordi La …'s journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

2
Geordi La Forge's VISOR with Visual Acuity Transmitter

Geordi's VISOR enables his unique perception of the navigational shield's energy spectra and bursting starlight, becoming both a sensory tool and symbolic bridge between his perspective and Rina's conventional vision during their shared moment of cosmic appreciation.

Before: Functioning normally on Geordi's face
After: Still functioning, having facilitated meaningful connection
Before: Functioning normally on Geordi's face
After: Still functioning, having facilitated meaningful connection
Navigational Shield Display

The navigational shield's subtle visual effects transform streaking warp-speed starlight into a breathtaking cosmic display visible through Ten-Forward's viewports, serving as the visual centerpiece of Geordi and Rina's authentic bonding moment.

Before: Active, filtering warp space distortions
After: Continues normal operation as cosmic backdrop
Before: Active, filtering warp space distortions
After: Continues normal operation as cosmic backdrop

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Galaxy Beyond Ten-Forward Viewport

Ten-Forward serves as both social stage and cosmic observatory where professional boundaries are tested - its panoramic viewports framing the warp-speed stellar backdrop that facilitates Geordi and Rina's connection while Riker and Pulaski's medical confrontation unfolds nearby.

Atmosphere Socially tense yet technologically awe-inspiring
Function Simultaneous social testing ground and cosmic vantage point
Symbolism Represents Starfleet's balance between human interaction and cosmic exploration
Access Open to all crew members
Viewports displaying warp-speed starlight Bar area where medical confrontation occurs Network of tables hosting various social dynamics

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

Key Dialogue

"GEORDI: "What's it like these days at the academy? Is Tsiolkovski still teaching Propulsion Theory?""
"RINA: "Are you kidding? They'll have to tear down the building around him. The first time I saw him...""
"GEORDI: "The most beautiful thing I know.""