Data's Distraction Halts Sergeant's Harassment
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Beverly, Whalen, and Data explore the police station set, initially fascinated by its historical details; Beverly encounters lecherous attention from the desk sergeant reflecting period attitudes.
Data disrupts the sergeant's lecherous advance by swiftly manipulating a vending machine, bewildering and interrupting the sergeant's intentions.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Uncomfortable and wary, suppressing frustration and maintaining controlled dignity.
Beverly Crusher endures the desk sergeant’s unwelcome and lecherous advances with guarded composure, visibly struggling yet maintaining professionalism while clutching her handbag, embodying discomfort and resistance to the period’s pervasive sexism.
- • Preserve personal and professional dignity amidst harassment
- • Seek subtle means to deflect unwanted attention without escalation
- • The era’s social norms can be oppressive and threatening
- • Maintaining decorum is essential despite personal discomfort
Curious and somewhat detached from the immediate conflict.
Charles Whalen moves around the interrogation room with childlike curiosity, fascinated by the period-specific details such as chairs and light bulbs, providing a light-hearted counterpoint to the prevailing tension.
- • Explore and understand the historic setting
- • Maintain morale through fascination with details
- • The simulation offers a rare chance to experience history firsthand
- • Engagement with surroundings can ease tension
Calm and calculated, focused on problem-solving without emotional interference.
Data calmly observes the escalating social tensions, then strategically manipulates the vending machine’s levers at high speed to divert the desk sergeant’s lecherous attention from Beverly Crusher, demonstrating resourcefulness and situational awareness.
- • Protect Beverly Crusher from harassment
- • Disrupt the hostile social dynamic in the interrogation room
- • Logical intervention can defuse social hostility
- • Maintaining crew safety is paramount even within simulation constraints
Annoyed by interruptions yet unapologetically predatory.
The desk sergeant makes persistent lecherous advances toward Beverly Crusher, using his position to impose unwelcome attention; however, his focus is disrupted repeatedly by Data’s mechanical interference.
- • Flirt and engage Beverly Crusher
- • Maintain dominance through harassment
- • Era’s social norms permit such behavior
- • He can intimidate others through his position
Angry and confrontational with undercurrents of personal stress.
Detective Bell aggressively interrogates Captain Picard with physical intimidation, shoving him roughly and verbally abusing him, his hostility unchecked until restrained briefly by McNary; his suspicion and anger permeate the atmosphere.
- • Coerce a confession from Picard
- • Assert dominance within the interrogation setting
- • Picard is guilty or withholding truth
- • Forceful tactics are legitimate interrogation methods
Supportive and cautious, balancing loyalty to partners with moral compass.
Lieutenant McNary acts as a moderating force, restraining Detective Bell’s aggression and providing Picard with sympathetic support, establishing a fragile trust and offering practical help to facilitate Picard’s release.
- • Prevent excessive violence against Picard
- • Establish trust and assist Picard’s escape
- • Violence undermines justice and cooperation
- • Picard deserves fair treatment as a potential ally
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The arc lamp casts harsh, unforgiving light on Captain Picard during his interrogation, intensifying the oppressive atmosphere and physically exposing him to Detective Bell’s hostile scrutiny, amplifying psychological pressure.
Beverly Crusher’s handbag is a personal item she struggles to maintain grip on amid the hostile environment, symbolizing her vulnerability and attempt to retain modern dignity within the oppressive interrogation room.
The interrogation room vending machine becomes a critical tool when Data experiments with it, activating levers at super speed to create noise and distraction that diverts the desk sergeant’s lecherous attention away from Beverly Crusher, mitigating social harassment.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The 1941 Dixon Hill Interrogation Room serves as the claustrophobic and oppressive setting for the event, its harsh lighting, thick cigarette smoke, and period-specific props embody the brutal justice system and social mores, heightening both physical and psychological tensions.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"McNary's assistance in freeing Picard from harsh interrogation continues the supportive dynamic, offering a moment of respite before the later final separation."
Key Dialogue
"BELL: "You think you're tough, Hill! But you're nothing! You're garbage!""
"SERGEANT: "You're a pretty hep lookin' broad.""
"DATA: "Do you mind if I experiment with this device?""
"MCNARY: "Don't take him too seriously, Dix. His old lady's been giving him a hard time. You know how it is.""
"PICARD: "Thank you. For helping me.""
"MCNARY: "Forget it. When you comin' over for supper? The kids'd love to see you, and you know how much you love Sharon's cooking.""