Chang Declares the Final Psychological Trial
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Chang announces the final test, revealing it as a psychological evaluation, setting the stage for the next phase of the Academy trials.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Confidently attentive, balancing competitive drive with genuine concern for a rival
Wesley Crusher engages with the Carlundrum test with focused confidence, skillfully predicting complex patterns while maintaining composure. Importantly, he quietly encourages and aids Mordock amidst the intense pressure, demonstrating compassion and maturity despite the competitive stakes.
- • Complete the Carlundrum test quickly and accurately
- • Support Mordock to succeed despite competition
- • Helping others does not diminish personal achievement
- • True merit includes character as well as intellect
Tense and frustrated, shifting to emotional relief tempered with regret
Mordock struggles visibly with the test's rapid pace, his mounting frustration giving way to emotional vulnerability when Wesley offers guidance. Despite internal conflict and feelings of inadequacy, he ultimately completes the test, deeply affected by the experience and Wesley’s kindness.
- • Successfully complete the Carlundrum test
- • Overcome mental blocks despite pressure
- • Failure reflects personal weakness or loss of honor
- • As a competitor, one must rely primarily on oneself
Neutral and dispassionate
Enterprise Computer Voice delivers clear, impartial announcements guiding the candidates through the Carlundrum test. It functions as the unemotional, procedural backbone of the testing environment.
- • Provide accurate instructions and timing
- • Maintain orderly conduct of the test
- • Procedural clarity facilitates fair competition
- • Detached operation ensures test integrity
Driven and determined, occasionally frustrated by the test's demands
Oliana Mirren attacks the test with bursts of energetic effort interspersed with pauses, suggesting a highly competitive and reactive approach. Her presence adds tension and dynamic contrast among the finalists.
- • Excel quickly to secure top ranking
- • Outperform rivals through aggressive problem-solving
- • Winning requires assertiveness and speed
- • Competition is a proving ground for personal worth
Emotionally neutral, focused entirely on logical problem-solving
T'Shanik approaches the test with calm, methodical precision, maintaining steady focus and composure throughout. She quietly performs her task without distraction or visible emotional fluctuation, embodying Vulcan logic and discipline.
- • Complete the test efficiently and accurately
- • Maintain composure under stress
- • Emotions are distractions from objective performance
- • Logic and discipline ensure success in trials
Measured composure underscoring a subtle pride in candidates' character displays
TAC Officer Chang presides over the test with calm authority, introducing the Carlundrum I.Q. Test, briefly leaving the room to allow the candidates to work independently, then returns to acknowledge their efforts. He specifically recognizes Wesley's compassionate choice to assist Mordock, indicating his awareness of the test's deeper aims beyond mere intellect.
- • Administer a rigorous cognitive and psychological examination
- • Assess candidates’ mental resilience and character under pressure
- • True leadership and Starfleet aptitude require more than intellect
- • Acts of compassion reveal essential qualities in future officers
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Terraforming Base Computer Screens serve as the interactive interface for the Carlundrum I.Q. Test, displaying complex, rapidly changing patterns of Platonic Solids in various colors and rotations. Candidates input their predictions through these screens, which track performance in real-time, creating a high-pressure environment where speed and accuracy are paramount.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Relva 7 classroom is the controlled, high-stakes environment where the finalists undertake the Carlundrum I.Q. Test. Its sterile, formal atmosphere underscores the gravity of the test, while the spatial separation of candidates at individual stations emphasizes both competition and isolation.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Wesley’s choice to help Mordock during the Carlundrum I.Q. Test, sacrificing his own time and points, reflects his established compassionate character trait and directly impacts the final Academy selection."
"Wesley’s compassionate choice during the test causes his slightly lower score, leading to Mordock’s selection as the Academy candidate from Relva 7, deepening the bittersweet outcome."
"Wesley’s compassionate choice during the test causes his slightly lower score, leading to Mordock’s selection as the Academy candidate from Relva 7, deepening the bittersweet outcome."
"Wesley’s compassionate choice during the test causes his slightly lower score, leading to Mordock’s selection as the Academy candidate from Relva 7, deepening the bittersweet outcome."
"Wesley’s compassionate choice during the test causes his slightly lower score, leading to Mordock’s selection as the Academy candidate from Relva 7, deepening the bittersweet outcome."
"Wesley’s choice to help Mordock during the Carlundrum I.Q. Test, sacrificing his own time and points, reflects his established compassionate character trait and directly impacts the final Academy selection."
Key Dialogue
"CHANG: This test will be graded as to the number of problems you complete within the allotted time."
"MORDOCK: No... no. Wesley, I can't do it."
"WESLEY: Don't fight it. Relax into it and just do it automatically."
"CHANG: Yes. I know. An interesting choice, Mister Crusher. Especially considering how close you and Mister Mordock are in overall score."
"WESLEY: The Psych Test, sir?"
"CHANG: We prefer to think of it as a psychological evaluation based on reactions to various individual problems."