Star Trek The Next Generation
S2E22
· Shades of Gray

Pulaski Reads Troi: Riker's Dream Is Erotic — Treatment Risk Revealed

In Sickbay Pulaski notices Troi's flushed face and presses the counselor about the content of Riker's induced memories. Troi admits the visions are intensely erotic, producing strong pleasure responses in the unconscious commander. Pulaski's wry smile at the personal revelation quickly hardens into clinical concern as she realizes those same endorphin surges may be energizing the alien organism; the exchange functions as a turning point, reframing the memory-dive from diagnostic tool to active danger and forcing an urgent rethink of the treatment protocol.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Pulaski clocks Troi’s flush and presses for an explanation; Troi admits the dream is flooding Commander Riker with intensely passionate emotions.

clinical concern to intimate disclosure

Pulaski tests the implication—'As in—erotic?'—and Troi confirms without hesitation; Pulaski smiles as Riker’s flashbacks keep surging.

uncertainty to wry confirmation

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
Katherine Pulaski
Doctor (Chief Medical Officer)
 primary

Wry curiosity that hardens quickly into professional alarm and focused problem-solving urgency.

Pulaski notices Troi's flushed face, probes with a clipped question, smiles at the personal revelation, then immediately shifts into clinical concern as she recognizes the therapeutic danger implied by erotic-driven endorphin spikes.

Goals in this moment
  • • To determine the exact nature of Riker's emotional responses.
  • • To reassess and modify the treatment protocol to prevent aggravating the infection.
Active beliefs
  • • Physiological responses (endorphin surges) can materially affect the behavior of biological agents.
  • • Clinical objectivity and rapid protocol adjustment are necessary to protect the patient and ship.
Character traits
observant wry decisive clinical
Follow Katherine Pulaski's journey
William Riker
Commander
 primary

Unconscious; physiologically registering intense pleasure from induced memories despite lack of conscious control.

Lying unconscious on the biobed, Riker is physically passive yet psychically active: his induced flashback memories continue, producing measurable emotional/endorphin responses that the clinicians observe and discuss.

Goals in this moment
  • • Biological stabilization and survival (implicit physiological goal).
  • • Return to consciousness and coherent awareness (implied patient priority).
Active beliefs
  • • His memories and bodily responses remain meaningful even when unconscious.
  • • The crew will intervene medically to protect him.
Character traits
vulnerable passive physiologically reactive
Follow William Riker's journey
Deanna Troi
Counselor
 primary

Mild embarrassment undercut by professional urgency and concern; motivated to be accurate despite awkwardness.

Troi stands at Riker's bedside, face flushed, offering an empathic readout: she candidly reports that the induced memories are 'passionate' and 'very much' erotic, balancing professional candor with personal embarrassment.

Goals in this moment
  • • To accurately describe Riker's emotional state so clinicians can interpret physiological responses.
  • • To protect Riker by ensuring the team understands the intensity of his internal experience.
Active beliefs
  • • Emotional states (especially pleasure) are relevant diagnostic data for the pathogen's behavior.
  • • Full disclosure of empathic readings is necessary even if personally awkward.
Character traits
empathetic honest slightly self-conscious
Follow Deanna Troi's journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Enterprise Sickbay

The Enterprise Sickbay provides the clinical frame for this exchange: a confined, well-equipped medical space where clinicians monitor Riker's physiological responses and debate the safety of emotionally driven diagnostic stimulation.

Atmosphere Clinical and intimate, low-key tension with a faint undercurrent of alarm beneath professional calm.
Function Sanctuary and diagnostics bay where medical assessment and treatment decisions are made and where private …
Symbolism Represents institutional authority and the intrusion of private memory into public, medical scrutiny; a locus …
Access Restricted to medical personnel and required attendants; access implied limited to clinicians in active treatment.
Cool clinical lighting and sterile surfaces emphasizing professional detachment. The presence of the biobed and ongoing monitors/flashback indicators that make internal states visible. A quiet hum of equipment that contrasts with the charged human exchange.

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

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Key Dialogue

"PULASKI: "Something wrong?""
"TROI: "No... it's just that... Commander Riker's emotions are rather... passionate.""
"PULASKI: "As in -- erotic?""
"TROI: "Very much so.""