Object

Holodeck Training Ball (Lal Assessment)

A small, palm-sized holodeck training ball with a soft, slightly yielding surface and neutral matte finish, calibrated for safe throws and catches. Wesley tosses it while Data supervises; Lal reaches for it as Data records precise motor-coordination metrics. One bounced throw ricochets, revealing a delayed reflex in Lal when she fails to respond immediately.

1 appearances

Purpose

Serves as a safe, repeatable throwable stimulus for gross-motor coordination and catching exercises during Lal's holodeck assessment, enabling precise measurement of reflexes and learning progress.

Significance

Acts as the tangible instrument that turns gentle caregiving into clinical observation: the playful exchange with the ball both demonstrates Lal's emergent capabilities and exposes a technical vulnerability (a reflex lag) that propels concern and potential institutional intervention.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

1 moments

S3E16 · The Offspring

Holodeck Assessment: Lal Learns to Catch

The holodeck training ball functions as the primary test stimulus and play prop: thrown and caught to exercise gross motor skills and hand/eye coordination, used as the metricized input for Data's verbalized percentage improvements, and its unexpected rebound off the wall exposes Lal's reflex lag.

Before: In active circulation between Wesley and Data as a gently tossed training implement; under supervision.

After: Caught by Wesley after Lal's throw and subsequent rebound; remains intact and in play, having served its diagnostic purpose.

View full event