Riker Confronts the Temptation and Burden of Omnipotence
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Riker approaches Picard's desk as Picard angrily challenges him, expressing frustration over how to advise him about his new godlike powers.
Riker probes Picard by asking if anyone has offered him godlike power, prompting Picard to respond with a sharp warning about the overwhelming nature of 'Q's offer and its implications of immortality and control over space and time.
Picard leans forward, expressing deep concern and questioning whether Riker can resist the temptation to use his immense power despite 'Q's manipulations.
Riker confidently assures Picard of his resolve to resist temptation, giving his word despite the difficulty posed by 'Q'.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Frustrated and deeply concerned, grappling with the heavy responsibility of leadership amid a cosmic test.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard sits at his desk, visibly angry and urgent. He challenges Riker's confidence, emphasizing the near-immortality and cosmic scale of Q's gift and questioning Riker's strength to resist temptation, embodying the burden of command and concern for his first officer's moral compass.
- • To ensure Riker fully comprehends the peril of godlike power
- • To prevent Riker from succumbing to temptation
- • To maintain focus on the critical rescue mission
- • That Q's power can corrupt absolutely
- • That it is a captain's duty to protect his crew from such corruption
Neutral and focused, embodying an unflappable professionalism that contrasts with the charged emotional exchange.
Data's voice interjects through the com system, providing a calm, factual update about the rescue team's readiness in orbit of Quadra Sigma III. Although physically absent, Data's communication momentarily shifts the scene's tension toward operational urgency.
- • To update command on the rescue mission status
- • To maintain operational readiness and communication flow
- • That clear, precise communication is critical in crisis
- • That the mission's success depends on coordinated effort
Determined and resolute, with a calm exterior masking the weight of temptation and responsibility he faces.
Commander William Riker enters the Ready Room decisively and halts before Picard's desk. He engages in a tense, resolute dialogue affirming his ability to resist the corrupting godlike power granted by Q, demonstrating firm confidence and readiness despite the underlying pressure.
- • To reassure Picard of his resolve against using Q's godlike power
- • To maintain moral integrity and loyalty to Starfleet principles
- • To prepare mentally for the upcoming rescue mission
- • That omnipotent power risks corrupting even the strongest
- • That resisting temptation is essential to preserving humanity and duty
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Captain Picard's desk serves as the focal point of this intense exchange, physically anchoring the confrontation. It symbolizes Picard's authority and the heavy burden of command as he leans forward to challenge Riker, embodying the weight of leadership amid cosmic stakes.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Captain's Ready Room acts as the private, tense arena for this confrontation. It provides a psychologically charged setting where leadership, loyalty, and cosmic temptation collide. The room's atmosphere underscores the gravity of the moral trial and the weight of command decisions.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Riker's questioning of Picard about godlike power leads to Picard's deep concern about the temptation and implications, shaping their dialogue about power's dangers."
"The confrontation between Picard and Riker regarding the burden of godlike power continues into Troi's apprehensive observation of Riker's dangerous transformation."
"The confrontation between Picard and Riker regarding the burden of godlike power continues into Troi's apprehensive observation of Riker's dangerous transformation."
"Riker's questioning of Picard about godlike power leads to Picard's deep concern about the temptation and implications, shaping their dialogue about power's dangers."
Key Dialogue
"PICARD: Will, how the hell do I advise you what to do?!"
"RIKER: No one has ever offered to turn you into "God?""
"PICARD: (snaps) Don't joke with me! What the Q has offered you has got to be close to "immortality," Will. They're not lying about controlling space and time; we've seen it in what they can do. But..."
"PICARD: Of all things, that troubles me most, Will. Are you strong enough to refuse to use that power?"
"RIKER: Certainly!"
"PICARD: No matter how tempted? No matter how difficult "Q" makes it?"
"RIKER: (beat; then firmly) You have my word."