The Last Hour: Toasts, Jibes, and a Commander's Send‑Off
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Riker methodically samples an array of grotesque Klingon dishes, grimacing through each bite while Pulaski inspects and lifts one of the more repulsive items aloud, establishing Riker's willingness to embrace alien ritual and the scene's comic discomfort.
Pulaski riffs on Klingon toughness and declines a drink 'in honor of your last hour on board,' turning light banter into a small moment of foreboding that underscores the risk of Riker's exchange and the closeness of shipboard relationships.
Picard arrives from the turbolift, covers his reaction to the feast, and puts a restraining hand on Riker's shoulder—measured paternal caution that reframes the moment from jest to the seriousness of Riker's impending cultural immersion.
Picard frames the exchange as a rare, valuable opportunity and admits envy for Riker's assignment; Riker nearly takes another bite before catching himself, shifting the tone from conviviality to focused anticipation for the mission ahead.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Amused and teasing on the surface; privately cautious and slightly anxious about Riker's safety, using gallows humor to reduce tension.
Leans over Riker's place, inspects and lifts repulsive items, sits down, trades dry, slightly mocking comments, and arranges the tray of desserts into the remaining space—equal parts amusement and mild foreboding.
- • Tease and needle Riker to deflate theatricality and test his composure.
- • Signal practical concerns about Riker's wellbeing before the transfer.
- • Maintain social normalcy amid an uncomfortable ritual through small stabilizing acts (arranging desserts).
- • Klingon customs are brutal but survivable; cultural differences don't make them invulnerable.
- • Medical/biological realities are often the equalizer between species.
- • A bit of humor and practical intervention (desserts, sobriety) helps manage anxiety.
Calm and measured externally, quietly admiring and slightly envious internally, seeking to steady Riker and redirect the group's tone toward purpose.
Enters from the turbolift, momentarily conceals any disgust at the food, puts a steadying hand on Riker's shoulder, reframes the feast as a serious opportunity for learning, and confers quiet approval and even envy toward Riker's assignment.
- • Steady and reassure Riker before his departure.
- • Reframe a comic/awkward moment into a sober reminder of the mission's value.
- • Model respect for Klingon culture to the crew and preserve professional standards.
- • Direct cultural exchange yields essential strategic and human understanding.
- • Starfleet officers have a duty to learn from other cultures even at personal cost.
- • Respectful engagement (even with distaste) communicates professional seriousness and earns respect.
Externally jocular and resigned, masking underlying apprehension and the seriousness of leaving ship — a mixture of discomfort, pride, and anticipatory curiosity.
Sits at the Ten‑Forward table sampling a succession of Klingon dishes, grimacing openly, trading wry banter with Pulaski, preparing to rise and is physically steadied by Picard's restraining hand on his shoulder.
- • Maintain composure and not appear weak before his shipmates.
- • Acclimate to Klingon ritual to prepare for the exchange assignment.
- • Use the ritual to demonstrate respect for Klingon culture and secure trust.
- • Immersion in uncomfortable rituals is necessary to build credibility with Klingons.
- • Personal dignity and honor are preserved by enduring hardship with calm.
- • Professional opportunities often require personal discomfort.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Heart of Targ is identified by Riker as one of the ritual Klingon dishes on the table; it functions as a visceral symbol of alien tradition, provoking disgust and serving as a test of Riker's willingness to participate in cultural rites.
The Pipius Claw is called out by Riker as another Klingon delicacy; it functions narratively to heighten comic revulsion and to concretize the cultural gap Riker is about to cross, testing his composure and humor.
The Ten‑Forward meeting table physically supports the entire spread of Klingon dishes, drinks, and desserts; it acts as the social focal point where the ritual, banter, and Picard's intervention all play out.
A tray of small, civil desserts is delivered by a waiter and used by Pulaski to fill awkward empty space on the table; narratively it contrasts refined human fare with Klingon grotesqueries and serves to lighten and humanize the send‑off.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Enterprise turbolift provides Picard's entrance: a brief transitional space whose doors and movement stage the captain's arrival and allow him to shift the tenor of the scene simply by entering, covering a reaction, and applying a steadying hand.
Ten‑Forward functions as a warm social sanctuary turned cultural crucible: it's the send‑off stage for Riker's Klingon exchange, where humor, discomfort, and ritual meet. The lounge's convivial setting amplifies the awkwardness of alien food and allows Picard to reframe the moment publicly.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
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Key Dialogue
"PULASKI: "I'm abstaining in honor of your last hour on board.""
"RIKER: "Not if I weaken first.""
"PICARD: "This is a great opportunity, Number One. We really know so little about them. We have so much to learn. I think I envy you, Will Riker.""