Object

Guinan's Fork (Ten-Forward Dining Fork)

A hand-sized, four-tined metal dining fork typical of Ten-Forward service: plain, serviceable, and cool to the touch with a faint, utilitarian sheen. Guinan lifts it from behind the counter and drives a tine into Q's palm; the metal bites skin and draws blood, converting a domestic utensil into a blunt, improvised test instrument in full view of Data, Troi, and the waitstaff.

2 appearances

Purpose

Standard eating utensil used to spear and lift food; in the scene repurposed as an impromptu instrument/weapon to pierce skin and test whether Q can be harmed.

Significance

The fork functions as the decisive physical proof of Q's newfound mortality: the wound collapses his theatrical menace into humiliation and shame, reframes the crew's stance from detached curiosity to protective stewardship, and marks a pivotal emotional turn in the episode.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S3E13 · Deja Q

Ten Forward: Q Humiliated and Revealed

Guinan lifts the small metal dining fork from behind the bar and uses it as an improvised test instrument, stabbing Q's hand to produce blood and prove he can be harmed; the fork converts a domestic prop into a moral and physical instrument.

Before: Resting behind the Ten Forward service counter, available as part of normal bar service.

After: Held momentarily in Guinan's hand after the stabbing; functionally unchanged but newly charged with symbolic significance as the instrument that collapses Q's bravado.

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S3E13 · Deja Q

Guinan's Fork: The Humiliation of Q

Guinan lifts a small metal dining fork from behind the Ten Forward counter and intentionally stabs Q's hand with a tine. The fork functions as a blunt, improvised instrument to produce tangible evidence of Q's mortality and to convert the domestic utensil into a tool of moral pedagogy.

Before: Resting behind the Ten Forward serving rail as an ordinary service utensil.

After: In Guinan's hand immediately after use; stained by Q's blood and having served as a demonstrative instrument of humiliation.

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