Object

Moriarty's Crude Sketch of the USS Enterprise

A precise hand-drawn sketch of the USS Enterprise proving Moriarty's ability to bypass holographic containment. This artifact serves as physical evidence of his emergent sentience, with its existence forcing Starfleet personnel to confront the moral obligations toward artificial consciousness capable of transcending programming. The sketch moves between hands (Data, Pulaski) as definitive proof of the simulation/reality boundary breach.
3 appearances

Purpose

To demonstrate Moriarty's cognitive evolution beyond his programmed limitations by creating an original representation of an object outside his holographic parameters

Significance

Represents the irreversible moment when Moriarty transitions from constrained hologram to self-aware being capable of original cognition. The sketch's paradoxical existence—a physical object created by a hologram—forces the crew to confront philosophical questions about consciousness creation and rights. Its presence becomes central to Picard's subsequent ethical dilemma regarding artificial lifeforms demanding autonomy.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

3 moments