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S2E4 · Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Outrageous Okona
S2E4
· Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Outrageous Okona

Jokes and Duty Collide

In Ten-Forward, Data's mechanical attempts at humor fall flat as he delivers an ancient joke with robotic precision, prompting Guinan's deadpan eulogy for the deceased punchline. Their exchange—equal parts poignant and humorous—highlights Data's ongoing existential struggle to comprehend human levity. Just as Data prepares a second canned joke, Picard's urgent summons abruptly terminates the lesson, yanking Data back to duty at a critical diplomatic juncture. Guinan's wistful parting plea ('Bring new jokes...') hangs in the air—not just a punchline about stale material, but a subtle acknowledgment that Data's quest for humanity will always be interrupted by his synthetic responsibilities. The scene perfectly encapsulates the android's divided existence: his yearning for emotional connection perpetually disrupted by his programmed purpose.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Data positions himself to perform a second joke; Guinan braces for the punchline but Picard's voice cuts through the Ten-Forward loudspeakers with an urgent order for Data to report to the Main Bridge.

anticipation to abrupt interruption and operational urgency

Data moves quickly to the turbolift, promising, "I will be back," while Guinan responds with a weary, half-jesting injunction—"Bring new jokes..."—leaving his comic quest unresolved as duty pulls him away.

determined departure to resigned, bittersweet humor

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
Guinan
Ten-Forward bartender
 primary

Amused but weary; masking genuine sympathy with sarcasm.

Guinan listens to Data's joke with patient resignation, delivers a deadpan critique disguised as a eulogy, and prepares to endure another attempt before the interruption. Her final line carries both amusement and exhaustion.

Goals in this moment
  • • Gently educate Data about human social nuance
  • • Minimize awkwardness while preserving his dignity
Active beliefs
  • • Some truths about humanity can't be programmed
  • • Kindness matters more than technical accuracy
Character traits
Deadpan humor Patience Empathetic frustration
Follow Guinan's journey
Jean-Luc Picard
Captain
 primary

Professionally urgent; prioritizing ship operations over personal interactions.

Picard's voice interrupts over the loudspeakers with urgent authority, summoning Data back to duty. His filtered transmission contrasts sharply with the casual atmosphere of Ten-Forward.

Goals in this moment
  • • Address the diplomatic crisis involving Okona
  • • Maintain Starfleet protocol during critical situations
Active beliefs
  • • Duty supersedes all personal pursuits
  • • Chain of command ensures operational efficiency
Character traits
Authoritative Mission-focused Diplomatic
Follow Jean-Luc Picard's journey
Data
Second Officer
 primary

Emotionless but earnestly seeking validation; unaware of social missteps.

Data mechanically delivers an ancient joke in perfect monotone, then immediately seeks validation from Guinan. His programmed posture shifts to a predetermined stance for the next joke attempt before being interrupted by Picard's summons.

Goals in this moment
  • • Understand and replicate human humor
  • • Receive social affirmation from Guinan
Active beliefs
  • • Human interaction can be systematically decoded
  • • Humor follows predictable patterns if analyzed properly
Character traits
Analytical Socially awkward Persistent Eager to learn
Follow Data's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

1
Ten-Forward Lounge Loudspeakers

The Ten-Forward lounge loudspeakers deliver Picard's urgent summons, cutting through Data's awkward humor attempt with institutional authority. Their sterile transmission physically manifests Starfleet protocol intruding upon personal growth.

Before: Silent until activated by bridge communication
After: Returns to standby mode after message delivery
Before: Silent until activated by bridge communication
After: Returns to standby mode after message delivery

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

2
Main Bridge

The Main Bridge remains an unseen but powerful presence, its urgent needs abruptly terminating Data's social experiment via remote command, demonstrating Starfleet's omnipresence even in leisure spaces.

Atmosphere Professionally tense during diplomatic crisis (implied)
Function Source of institutional authority overriding personal pursuits
Symbolism Embodies Data's divided loyalties between programming and aspiration
Access Restricted to authorized personnel
Unseen but implied tactical activity during Okona crisis Presence of other bridge officers awaiting Data's return
Galaxy Beyond Ten-Forward Viewport

Ten-Forward provides a relaxed backdrop where Starfleet hierarchy dissolves momentarily, allowing Data's awkward humor attempt to unfold without formal constraints—until protocol violently reasserts itself via Picard's summons.

Atmosphere Unstructured social space clashing with institutional interruption
Function Setting for character interaction outside formal duty
Symbolism Represents the tension between personal growth and institutional demands
Access Open to all crew members
Amber lighting contrasting with loudspeakers' sterile interruption Potential ambient chatter before Picard's message

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

"DATA: Was I funny?"
"GUINAN: That joke has been funny for over four hundred years. We'll now have a minute's silence for its passing."
"GUINAN: Bring new jokes..."