Lal's First Lesson in Affection — The Kiss
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Lal observes human flirting behavior with detached curiosity, interpreting it through a logical lens.
Guinan explains human affection through physical touch, hinting at concepts beyond Lal's current understanding.
Lal witnesses a human kiss and misinterprets it as violence, demonstrating her literal interpretation of human behavior.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Amused at Lal's literalness but immediately protective; calm authority masks a quick, maternal concern for social propriety and Lal's wellbeing.
Guinan instructs Lal about flirting, translates observed behavior into human terms, intervenes quickly when Lal kisses Riker, using a corrective but gentle command to de-escalate and protect both Lal and the guest.
- • To teach Lal appropriate human social cues and boundaries.
- • To defuse the public embarrassment and prevent harm or misunderstanding.
- • Ten-Forward is a safe learning environment where social skills can be taught.
- • Lal requires gentle guidance rather than punitive correction when she misreads social signals.
Genuinely curious and eager to belong; emotionally uncalibrated — her imitation is earnest but lacks understanding of consent and social nuance.
Lal watches other couples, asks literal questions, mirrors the encouragement gesture she sees, then decisively takes Riker's hand and pulls him into an abrupt, sincere kiss — a direct, imitative performance of learned behavior.
- • To learn and practice human social behaviors observed in Ten-Forward.
- • To obtain approval or reciprocal affection by following visible social cues.
- • Observed human actions can be safely reproduced to achieve similar social outcomes.
- • If others display an encouraging gesture (a smile), it is an invitation to replicate the behavior directly.
Warmly receptive and playful; enjoying the small social exchange and comfortable with brief public flirtation.
The Unnamed Blonde Woman notices the ensign's glance, smiles encouragingly, then later accepts his approach — holding hands and kissing before the couple departs, providing the model behavior Lal copies.
- • To reciprocate mild flirtation and participate in a light romantic moment.
- • To exit the scene together after sharing an intimate gesture (kiss).
- • A encouraging smile is an acceptable social cue to invite approach.
- • Brief public affection is an ordinary, non-threatening expression of interest.
Concerned and resolute; his tone is formally protective, revealing paternal attachment and a willingness to invoke authority to safeguard Lal.
Data arrives as Guinan attempts to correct the situation; he addresses Riker with formal authority, demanding Riker's intentions toward Lal and thereby publicly asserting custodial and protective responsibility.
- • To protect Lal from inappropriate advances or misunderstanding.
- • To establish his guardianship and set boundaries for how others may interact with Lal.
- • Lal is under his care and therefore others must account for their intentions toward her.
- • Public assertion of guardianship is necessary to prevent misinterpretation and potential institutional complications.
Surprised and disoriented transitioning quickly to amused embarrassment; he tries to normalize the moment with light courtesy despite confusion.
Riker scans Ten-Forward, notices Lal, sits on a stool and flirts; he is abruptly kissed and reacts with shock, confusion, then sheepish courtesy as he processes the unexpected intimacy and the social oddity of the situation.
- • To engage socially and perhaps flirt lightly with an attractive newcomer.
- • To defuse the awkwardness and maintain civility after the unexpected kiss.
- • Casual flirtation is acceptable in Ten-Forward and usually reciprocal.
- • An awkward social moment can be smoothed over by good humor and politeness.
Optimistic and slightly nervous; buoyed by positive social feedback and seeking connection through a conventional ritual of affection.
The Young Ensign watches the table, receives an encouraging smile from the blonde, excuses himself from friends, approaches and holds hands with her, modeling the affectionate behavior Lal observes earlier in the scene.
- • To pursue a romantic/affectionate connection with the woman who smiled at him.
- • To enact the social script he perceives will produce intimacy (holding hands, kissing).
- • A smile indicates reciprocal interest and permission to approach.
- • Physical gestures like holding hands and kissing are appropriate steps toward intimacy.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Ten-Forward bar stool functions as the immediate physical platform where Riker seats himself and where Lal's sudden motion brings them into close proximity; it stages the kiss, making the act physically public and visually conspicuous to bystanders.
A Ten-Forward table serves as the visual template for Lal's lesson: it hosts the couple whose flirtation and kiss provide the prototype Lal imitates. The table thus functions narratively as the origin point of the social cue being copied.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
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Themes This Exemplifies
Thematic resonance and meaning
Key Dialogue
"GUINAN: "It's called flirting.""
"LAL: "He's biting that female.""
"DATA: "Commander, what are your intentions toward my daughter?""