Fabula
S1E3 · The Naked Now

La Forge Quarantined and Riker Initiates Data Inquiry

As Lieutenant Geordi La Forge exhibits baffling symptoms of emotional instability and excessive perspiration with no discernible physical cause, Dr. Crusher orders his immediate confinement to Sickbay, signaling the onset of a medical crisis aboard the Enterprise. On the bridge, Captain Picard receives this unsettling update with growing concern. Meanwhile, Commander Riker, sensing the mysterious nature of Geordi's condition, enlists Data's analytical skills to search the ship's archives for any precedent of similar symptoms, marking a decisive pivot from confusion to active investigation. This event establishes the medical mystery's seriousness and sets the crew on a path to uncovering the invisible contagion threatening their command and lives.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

1

Dr. Crusher confines Lieutenant La Forge to Sickbay due to unexplained symptoms, alerting Captain Picard and raising initial medical concern.

uncertainty to growing concern ['Enterprise Main Bridge']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

7

Neutral, focused on duties though possibly unsettled by the contagion's effects.

Enterprise Conn Crewman operates at the Conn station, witnessing the medical update and bridge exchanges, embodying the often unseen operational backbone maintaining ship control.

Goals in this moment
  • Maintain ship navigation accuracy
  • Support bridge coordination
Active beliefs
  • Trust in chain of command
  • Belief in protocol adherence
Character traits
Disciplined Observant Quiet
Follow Replacement Conn …'s journey

Quietly concerned and focused, maintaining readiness amid uncertainty.

Lieutenant Natasha Yar remains at the Ops station on the bridge, alert and attentive to the unfolding crisis, supporting command operations silently but with visible concern.

Goals in this moment
  • Support bridge operations
  • Monitor for emergent threats or anomalies
Active beliefs
  • Trust in command decisions
  • Commitment to crew safety
Character traits
Alert Supportive Professional
Follow Tasha Yar's journey

Concerned and cautious, carefully balancing alarm with steady leadership.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard receives the medical update from Sickbay via Dr. Crusher’s comm voice. He processes the information with growing concern and maintains command presence on the bridge, seeking clarity about the nature of Geordi’s symptoms.

Goals in this moment
  • Gain clear understanding of the medical crisis
  • Maintain order and command efficacy amid growing uncertainty
Active beliefs
  • Belief in the professionalism of his medical staff
  • Faith in the crew’s ability to handle the crisis with discipline
Character traits
Authoritative Concerned Composed
Follow Jean-Luc Picard's journey

Neutral and analytical, with a hint of dry humor in social interaction.

Data responds to Riker’s request for information search, entering commands and accessing the ship’s archive. He maintains a neutral, logical demeanor while providing progress updates and engaging in brief banter about the doctor’s opinion of his capabilities.

Goals in this moment
  • Locate relevant historical data on the symptoms
  • Assist command through precise and efficient information retrieval
Active beliefs
  • Confidence in data archives’ comprehensiveness
  • Belief in the value of empirical evidence
Character traits
Logical Methodical Curious
Follow Data's journey

Alert and disciplined, prepared to respond swiftly to any escalation.

Worf stationed at Ops demonstrates vigilant watchfulness over ship systems and crew status, helping maintain situational awareness as the medical crisis unfolds.

Goals in this moment
  • Maintain operational readiness
  • Support command with accurate tactical data
Active beliefs
  • Belief in Starfleet protocols
  • Confidence in his role as protector
Character traits
Focused Disciplined Alert
Follow Worf's journey

Focused and pragmatic with subtle humor, channeling concern into proactive inquiry.

Commander William Riker enters the bridge and initiates an investigative response. He directs Data to search the ship’s library-computer for any historical data on similar symptoms, blending tactical focus with a mild amusement at Data’s methodical nature.

Goals in this moment
  • Identify precedent for the medical symptoms
  • Leverage Data’s analytical capabilities for rapid information retrieval
Active beliefs
  • Belief that the symptoms have occurred before
  • Confidence in the ship’s technological resources
Character traits
Decisive Focused Slightly amused
Follow William Riker's journey

Ill and confused, overwhelmed by unexplained symptoms and the sudden loss of autonomy.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge is the afflicted subject exhibiting baffling symptoms including excessive perspiration and emotional instability. His confusion and illness manifest physically and mentally, prompting immediate medical intervention and confinement to Sickbay.

Goals in this moment
  • Seek medical aid and understanding of his condition
  • Comply with Starfleet protocols despite personal distress
Active beliefs
  • Trust in Starfleet medical procedures
  • Belief that the cause of his symptoms is unknown but serious
Character traits
Vulnerable Disoriented Physically distressed
Follow Geordi La …'s journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

1
Tsiolkovsky Bridge Corridor Viewscreen

The viewscreen is referenced implicitly as the medium through which Data’s accessed information begins to flash, serving as a visual interface for the unfolding investigation into Geordi’s symptoms. Although not directly focal, it anchors the scene’s technological atmosphere.

Before: Operational and ready on the bridge, displaying standard …
After: Displaying search results initiated by Data, aiding bridge …
Before: Operational and ready on the bridge, displaying standard operational data.
After: Displaying search results initiated by Data, aiding bridge crew’s information assessment.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

2
Main Bridge

The Main Bridge serves as the nerve center where command decisions are made and critical communications occur. It hosts the tense exchange of medical updates and the strategic shift from uncertainty to investigation, embodying Starfleet’s command resilience amidst crisis.

Atmosphere Tense yet controlled, permeated by concern and focused professionalism.
Function Command center and communication hub facilitating rapid response and decision-making.
Symbolism Represents the fragile but steadfast control amidst encroaching chaos.
Access Restricted to senior officers and bridge crew during this emergency.
Dim lighting with focus on illuminated consoles Ambient hum of starship systems Sparse but attentive bridge personnel present
Sickbay (USS Enterprise)

Enterprise Sickbay functions as the medical quarantine zone where Geordi La Forge is confined for observation and treatment. It symbolizes both the sanctuary for healing and the containment of an unknown threat within the ship.

Atmosphere Clinical and tense, underpinned by urgency and cautious vigilance.
Function Medical isolation area to prevent contagion spread and provide care.
Symbolism Embodies the frontline of the medical battle against the invisible contagion.
Access Restricted to medical personnel and designated patients to maintain quarantine integrity.
Bright, sterile lighting Diagnostic equipment active and humming Quiet except for urgent medical communications

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

"BEVERLY'S COM VOICE: Sickbay to Bridge..."
"PICARD: Picard here. Go ahead, Doctor."
"BEVERLY'S COM VOICE: I'm confining Lieutenant La Forge to Sickbay until further notice."
"PICARD: Do we have a problem, Doctor?"
"BEVERLY'S COM VOICE: I don't know yet."
"RIKER: Data, I need help in locating some library-computer information."
"DATA: Specifics, sir?"
"RIKER: All I have is a vague memory of reading somewhere about someone taking a shower in his or her clothing."
"DATA: Ah. The body Geordi discovered."
"RIKER: And I believe it may have happened before."
"DATA: To "someone," "somewhere.""
"RIKER (amused): Should be easy for someone written up in biomechanical texts."
"DATA: About that... did the doctor believe I was boasting?"
"RIKER (dryly): Probably."
"DATA: At least several hours. But what I said was a statement of fact."
"RIKER: You can depend on it."