Graves' Cruelty Unleashed
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Data flashes violent history into words, deliberately crushes an object from the table and threatens brutal retribution—announcing a newfound appetite for physical dominance and cruelty.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Shifting from tentative hope to escalating terror, with underlying grief for the man Graves once was
Initially hopeful upon recognizing Graves in Data's body, then increasingly frightened and horrified as his violent tendencies emerge, culminating in physical injury when he unconsciously squeezes her hand too hard.
- • To understand what has happened to Graves
- • To prevent further violence
- • That Graves is still the man she knew beneath the monstrous behavior
- • That she might be able to reach him emotionally
Bewildered and terrified by the sudden violent turn from a Starfleet officer
Two guards attempt to contain the situation after Worf is attacked; one is shot immediately when reaching for his phaser, the other feigns compliance but is shot in the back as he leaves.
- • To neutralize the threat to ship security
- • To protect Kareen from harm
- • That they are responding to a standard security situation
- • That Starfleet officers don't attack their comrades without warning
Alarmed but maintaining command composure
Arrives post-violence, immediately recognizing that Data is no longer himself and issuing a ship-wide security alert with specific parameters.
- • To contain the security threat posed by Graves-in-Data
- • To prevent further harm to the crew
- • That extraordinary measures are now necessary
- • That the entity in Data's body is not their crewmember
Euphoric at newfound power, with undercurrents of childhood trauma and desperate longing for immortality and love
As Graves-in-Data, reveals himself with triumphant euphoria, demonstrates sadistic cruelty by crushing an object and attacking security personnel, then makes disturbing romantic overtures to Kareen before accidentally hurting her.
- • To assert control through violence and intimidation
- • To convince Kareen to join him in android immortality
- • That his physical transformation erases all previous limitations
- • That Kareen should welcome this new version of him
Bewildered by the sudden attack from a trusted colleague
Attempts to escort Data/Graves at Picard's request, but is brutally attacked from behind before he can react, left unconscious on the floor.
- • To carry out his security duties professionally
- • To escort Data to the captain without incident
- • That he is dealing with the usual compliant Data
- • That standard security protocols will suffice
Serious and focused on understanding the crisis
Arrives after the violent confrontation has ended, assessing the damage and questioning Kareen about what happened.
- • To gather information about the security breach
- • To protect the remaining crew from further harm
- • That Data has been compromised in some fundamental way
- • That immediate action is required to contain the threat
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Worf's phaser is taken from him when Graves-in-Data knocks him unconscious, then used to shoot two security guards—demonstrating Graves' willingness to turn Starfleet's own weapons against its personnel.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Observation Lounge transforms from a place of quiet reflection to a violent battleground, with its starlit views contrasting starkly with the brutality unfolding within. The room's panoramic windows underscore the isolation of the confrontation from the rest of the ship.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Graves gives Data a searching look that Data misses (a subtle, filmic seed); later Data announces that 'Ira Graves lives inside me'—the missed glance foreshadows the transfer having been initiated without Data's full awareness."
"Graves gives Data a searching look that Data misses (a subtle, filmic seed); later Data announces that 'Ira Graves lives inside me'—the missed glance foreshadows the transfer having been initiated without Data's full awareness."
"Graves gives Data a searching look that Data misses (a subtle, filmic seed); later Data announces that 'Ira Graves lives inside me'—the missed glance foreshadows the transfer having been initiated without Data's full awareness."
"Graves gives Data a searching look that Data misses (a subtle, filmic seed); later Data announces that 'Ira Graves lives inside me'—the missed glance foreshadows the transfer having been initiated without Data's full awareness."
"Data first voices Graves' private sentiments to Kareen (signaling inside knowledge); that escalates into the explicit revelation that Graves' consciousness inhabits Data—an immediate narrative follow-through from intimacy to possession."
"After Data demonstrates lethal violence on the observation lounge (knocking out Worf and killing guards), the next escalation is his physical appearance on the bridge armed with a phaser—an intensification and relocation of the earlier brutality to the ship's command center."
Key Dialogue
"DATA: "If they try, I'll simply break their necks.""
"KAREEN: "Ira... I don't understand... what's happening to you?""
"DATA: "I know what you're thinking, but there's no need to worry. I'll create an android body for you as well. We'll witness the end of infinity together.""