Star Trek The Next Generation
Object

Graves' Written Material (Including Final Instructions)

A collection of Graves' personal writings, including his philosophical reflections, scientific notes, and final funeral instructions. These documents hold the imprint of Graves' intellect, existential angst, and posthumous wishes, bearing the weight of his mortality and obsessive contemplation of artificial consciousness versus human experience.
4 appearances

Purpose

To document Graves' thoughts, research, and personal reflections regarding artificial intelligence, human consciousness, and existential philosophy.

Significance

Represents the tangible intellectual legacy of a dying genius grappling with mortality through the lens of artificial existence. When Data processes these materials at breakneck speed, they become a battleground of understanding between organic and synthetic minds—Graves' fading human intellect contrasted against Data's perfect recall. The writings foreshadow Graves' ultimate attempt to cheat death through transferring his consciousness, making them dangerous knowledge that could enable his desperate plan.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

4 moments
S2E5 · Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Schizoid Man
Frail Hearts and Asphalt Circuits

Graves' written materials serve as Data's initial distraction until the song interrupts his analysis. Their presence establishes the lab as a workspace of intellectual rigor, then become irrelevant when Graves initiates their deeper conversation about emotion versus existence.

Before: Under Data's rapid physical examination
After: Abandoned as focus shifts from academic study to existential debate
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S2E5 · Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Schizoid Man
Purgatory of an Android's Existence

Graves' written materials serve as silent witnesses to the conversation—scattered pages that Data had been reviewing earlier, now abandoned as their discussion turns into an existential confrontation.

Before: Being scanned by Data at superhuman speed
After: Left unattended as focus shifts to emotional confrontation
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S2E5 · Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Schizoid Man
The Walking Purgatory of Desire

Graves' written materials serve as physical manifestations of his intellectual legacy and existential angst. Data interacts with them at superhuman speed, underscoring the contrast between Graves' mortality and Data's artificial cognition.

Before: Scattered throughout Graves' laboratory
After: Potentially reorganized after Data's engagement
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S2E5 · Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Schizoid Man
The Purgatory of Feeling and the Irony of Mortality

Data interacts with Graves' written material at superhuman speed, absorbing its contents in moments. This action demonstrates Data's capabilities and sets the stage for their deeper conversation about human emotions and existence.

Before: Scattered throughout Graves' laboratory workspace
After: Processed by Data, their contents absorbed
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