Home > Star Trek: The Next Generation

Frame of Mind

You're absolutely right, Doctor.

Right now...

I can't imagine ever hurting anybody.

DOCTOR: How do you feel about that person you used to be?

I feel terrible, but thanks to you, I'm... I'm doing much better now and I'm... confident that when I leave

I will be ready to take my place in society.

And when do you think that will be?

Well, now.

Right away.

Why do you say that?

Well, you said that when I was able to... accept what I'd done and I understood the consequences of my actions that I would be... I would be free to go.

"Free to go."

You mean you don't think you should stand trial for what you did.

No, I'm looking forward to proving my innocence.

I thought you said you accepted what you did.

No.

That's-that's not what I meant.

( Riker sighs )

I was sick when it happened.

I wasn't responsible for what I did.

How do I know you're not just telling me what I want to hear?

Perhaps we should continue this discussion next week.

No. I-I want to talk about this now.

You're starting to sound angry again.

Maybe you need another treatment.

What I need is to get out of this cell.

I've been locked in here for... for days.

You've controlled my every move.

You've told... you've told me what to eat and what to think and what to say, and then... when I show a glimmer of independent thought you strap me down, you inject me with drugs.

You call it a "treatment."

You're becoming agitated.

You bet I'm agitated.

I may be surrounded by insanity, but I'm not insane and there's any... there isn't... there's nothing you...

( laughs softly )

I'm sorry.

Could-could we go back to, uh... to "you're becoming agitated"?

No. Why don't we take a break for tonight?

I think we've made a lot of progress.

I'm still not comfortable with that last speech.

There's such a thing as over-rehearsing, Will.

You're going to be fine.

I don't know.

Maybe I'm just not right for this part.

Most humanoids have the potential to be irrational.

Perhaps you should attempt to access that part of your psyche.

Thank you, Data.

Your character feels at odds with everyone-- as if the world's against him.

Like my first year at the Academy.

Yes. That's what your character is going through but I want you, Will Riker, to relax.

I'll do my best.

It'll be wonderful.

You're going to knock 'em dead.

Right.

( door opens )

You control my every move.

You tell me what to say, what to think, what to eat, what to say what to think, what to eat.

And then when I show a glimmer of independent thought you strap me down, inject me with drugs call it a "treatment."

I may be surrounded by insanity, but I am not insane.

Excuse me.

Space, the final frontier.

These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise.

Its continuing mission--

to explore strange new worlds

to seek out new life and new civilizations

to boldly go where no one has gone before.

Tilonus IV?

Didn't their government just collapse?

It's in a state of total anarchy.

When the prime minister was assassinated a Federation research team was on the planet.

It's believed that they were forced into hiding.

Will, your mission will be to locate and to evacuate them.

Can't they go to the local authorities?

There are no local authorities.

The government is splintered.

It seems that... there are various factions vying for power and they're desperate for weapons or technology of any kind.

Apparently, some of the factions have resorted to torture to gather their information.

Well, a Starfleet research team would be a prime target.

Then I'll have to go down there alone, undercover.

Agreed.

Mr. Worf is ready to give you a detailed briefing on Tilonian culture.

Well, I guess I'll have to back out of Beverly's play after all.

Oh, no. No, there will be plenty of time for that.

We don't arrive at Tilonus for another five days.

And besides, if you back out she'll come after me to play the part.

This is the last known location of the research team.

They had occupied a small building in the southwest quarter of the city.

You will begin your search there.

The southwest quarter is over 200 square kilometers.

That's a lot of land for one man to cover.

I guess I'd better pack an extra pair of boots.

This apparel will help you pass as a common merchant.

This Tilonian pendant is equipped with a communicator circuit.

Hmm... doesn't really match the outfit.

I suggest you pay closer attention, Commander.

Your life will be at stake.

Do you understand what I am saying?

Of course I do.

Because you will be posing as a merchant you will need to know how to use the nisroh for the traditional bartering ceremony.

You will be judged on your prowess with the blade.

I-I'm sorry, Commander. I did not intend...

It's okay.

I guess I really wasn't paying attention.

I'd better go to Sick Bay.

We'll continue this later.

Boy, you will do anything to get out of doing this play but you're going to have to do something better than this.

The play's not till tomorrow night.

I've still got 24 hours.

( regenerator whirring )

Well, don't get any ideas.

I will see you onstage at 1800 hours.

Right.

Oh... it still hurts.

( tricorder beeping )

There was no damage to the nerves, so you shouldn't be feeling any pain.

Probably just a symptom of stage fright.

CREWMAN: Oh! It hurts! Oh!

He was working on a conduit on deck 39.

A plasma torch blew up in his hands.

Oh, it hurts. Please!

Hypospray. Yes, Doctor.

( groaning )

CRUSHER: Get me 20cc's of leporazine.

Treat the surface burns with the anabolic proto-plaser.

Yes, Doctor.

WOMAN: Should we get a stasis unit on line?

CRUSHER: Have one standing by just in case and get me an epidermal sample right away.

Begin dermal regeneration and have tissue regrowth standing by.

I want him sedated.

I've been on a lot of missions.

I've seen a lot of people injured, but I have never been affected by anything like this.

He was looking right at me.

And that was disturbing to you.

It was as if he was blaming me for something.

And this wasn't the only incident.

The last several days

I've felt like everybody's been staring at me or talking about me.

It's as if I was in frame of mind.

"Frame of Mind"?

Beverly's play.

Ever since I began rehearsing for the role,

I've been uneasy and restless.

You're probably drawing on feelings that you're not used to expressing.

Right.

The play is full of disturbing images-- people losing their minds, being tortured by doctors.

I can't get it out of my mind.

Sometimes it's healthy to explore the darker side of the psyche.

Jung called it "owning your own shadow."

This could be a sign that you're a real actor.

This is becoming more than just a role to you.

Maybe you're right.

Don't be afraid of your darker side.

Have fun with it.

Who's that?

You just missed him.

Is there a new lieutenant on board?

I'm not sure.

Do you want me to check the personnel logs?

No, I'll check them tomorrow.

I'm going to bed early.

The performance is tomorrow night.

I want to be up for it.

I'm looking forward to it.

Break a leg.

I'll try not to take you literally.

You're becoming agitated.

You bet I'm agitated!

I may be surrounded by insanity, but I am not insane and nothing you or anyone else can say will change that.

And I won't let you or anyone else tell me that I am.

You may be able to destroy my mind, but you can't change the fact that I'm innocent.

I didn't kill that man!

And that's what's driving you crazy.

I can see we have a lot of work to do.

Nothing you can say will change the fact I'm innocent!

I'm not crazy!

I'm not crazy!

I'm not crazy.

( applause )

( all shouting bravo )

( applause continues )

Bravo, bravo!

( applause stops abruptly )

I can see we have a lot of work to do.

Where am I?

How did you get me off the ship?

The ship again?

What's going on?

I understand this must be disturbing for you but try to relax.

Tell me, where were you a moment ago?

I was on the Enterprise.

I was in the middle of a play.

But it was here.

It was not real, it was on a stage.

I can assure you, this is not a stage.

Do you remember your name?

I'm Commander...

Commander...

A second ago, I knew who I was.

I was on the ship, I was in a play... and now I'm having trouble remembering anything.

That's good.

You're starting to come out of your delusional state.

Delusional? It was not a delusion.

I was there.

We discussed this. Do you remember?

We contacted Starfleet and asked them about you.

No.

We spoke with Admiral Budrow.

Starbase 29.

He had never heard of me and they had no officer that fit my description.

That's right.

Now, I want you to focus on who I am.

Do you remember me?

I don't know.

I'm Dr. Syrus.

Do you remember anything about where you are now?

My head hurts.

Somebody hit me.

You tried to escape.

You struggled with one of the attendants and hit your head on a door.

Do you remember that?

Yes.

I remember that now.

But I thought it was a Klingon who had cut me with a knife.

That's called transposition.

You're projecting elements from your delusions onto events that really happened.

But that's good.

There was a time when you couldn't break away from your starship fantasy at all.

Now... if what you say is-is true... where am I?

You're in ward 47 of the Tilonus Institute for Mental Disorders.

Why am I here?

We'll talk more later.

You don't have to remember everything today.

You're making excellent progress.

Wait!

Oh...

( ragged breathing )

MAN: Good afternoon.

I've got some good news for you.

Dr. Syrus suggested that you might enjoy a couple of hours in the common area today.

Well?

I guess so.

( door slides open )

I hope you're hungry.

They're serving spiny lobe-fish today.

You won't need that.

( chuckles )

That's what you said the last time.

( man screams )

( man yelling )

( patient talking quietly )

( patients talking quietly )

( door buzzer )

I'll be back with your lunch.

I hear you're a Starfleet officer.

I'm Commander Bloom from the Yorktown.

There are at least a dozen of us here, maybe more.

We were kidnapped-- brought here against our will.

Sanders was on the Yosemite.

They did something to his mind.

I think they're trying to get neurochemicals from our brains.

Stafko was with me on the Yorktown.

I don't know what they did to him.

We're going to get out of here.

I've made a communicator.

You have? Yes.

There are three starships in orbit.

They're going to beam us out of here any day now.

I'll ask them to get you out, too.

Commander Bloom to Yorktown.

Come in, Yorktown.

I've made contact with another officer.

Talking to your starship again, Jaya?

No.

Don't let them tell you you're crazy.

You know you're not supposed to take utensils from the common area.

You're welcome to try it.

I'm not that far gone, am I?

Of course you are.

( laughing )

Your name is...

Mavek.

That's right. Not bad for a crazy man.

I am beginning to remember certain things.

Why am I here?

I remember when they brought you in.

You were struggling... screaming.

We could barely hold you down.

In fact, just getting the blood off your hands took over an hour.

Blood?

On your hands, clothes...

You didn't just kill that man-- you mutilated him.

What are you talking about?

I didn't kill anybody.

I'm afraid you did. You stabbed him.

They found you near the body, the knife in your hand.

( whispers ): No... that's not true!

Yes, it is.

And if you ever get out of here, you're going to stand trial.

You're lying!

I imagine the punishment will be quite severe considering you stabbed him nine times.

( yelling ): No!

( panting )

( gasps in pain )

( gasps )

I was there.

I was in ward 47, just like in the play.

Everyone thought that I was insane that I had actually killed someone.

But it was all real.

CRUSHER: Deanna mentioned that you went to bed early because you were feeling a little anxious about the play, but I had no idea.

You said that in your dream, we performed the play.

How did it go?

It was a smash.

We got a standing ovation.

Well, let's hope it goes that well tonight.

Well, we have one hour before curtain.

How are you feeling?

I feel like an actor.

Well, you're certainly beginning to look the part.

Perhaps we should continue this discussion next week.

No, I want to talk about this now.

You're starting to sound angry again.

Maybe you need another treatment.

What I need is to get out of this cell!

I've been locked up in here for days.

You've controlled my every move.

You've told me what to eat, what to think, what to say.

And when I show a glimmer of independent thought...

And when I show a glimmer of independent thought you strap me down, inject me with drugs and call it a treatment.

You're becoming agitated.

You bet I'm agitated!

I may be surrounded by insanity, but I am not insane and there's nothing that you...

( door clangs shut )

What's happening?

I can see we have a lot of work to do.

Nothing you can do will change the fact that I'm innocent!

I'm not crazy!

I'm not...

You're the key to all this, aren't you?

Who are you?!

Lieutenant Suna, sir.

Will, are you all right?

No... uh... yes...

I don't know.

Why don't we go down to Sick Bay?

There's nothing wrong with you neurologically, and I can't find anything that could have caused the hallucinations but your heart rate is way up and your blood pressure is above normal and you are physically exhausted.

This is not a case of simple fatigue.

Will, you know that when you're under conditions of extreme stress the mind can manufacture all kinds of things.

Drugs... they injected me with drugs.

See if there are drugs in my system.

( sighing )

( tricorder whirring )

( sighing )

Nothing.

In that dream, they gave me drugs.

Didn't anyone else at the theater see anything strange happen during the performance?

No, nobody.

Get some rest, will.

The play is over. Don't give it another thought.

Right.

How's Lieutenant Suna?

A little shaken, but all right.

I feel like such an idiot.

It's nothing to be embarrassed about.

We're your friends.

We all know the stress you've been under.

I'm sure everyone understands perfectly.

Commander, I must congratulate you on your performance this evening.

Oh?

Your unexpected choice to improvise was an effective method of drawing the audience into the plight of your character.

You gave a truly realistic interpretation of multi-infarct dementia.

Thank you.

Well, maybe not everyone understands.

I think I'd better get a little rest, clear my mind a little.

I want you to try some relaxation techniques as well.

Remember the ones I showed you a few months ago?

They never seem to work for me.

SYRUS: Maybe you need another treatment.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Nothing.

Will, I want you to get some sleep.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Okay.

( doors open )

It's not real. It's not real!

Don't let them tell you you're crazy.

( door clangs shut )

No!

Let me out of here!

Let me out of here!

Help me!

Help me.

( ragged sigh )

I need help.

I don't want to be at the mercy of these hallucinations anymore.

So you've accepted you're not from a starship that it's all a delusion?

All I know is when I go back to the ship reality breaks apart, nothing makes sense, and then when it's over, it fades away like a dream.

But when I'm in the hospital everything here seems real, and I remember everything that happens here.

And what about how you got here?

Maybe I did kill someone.

I don't know...

But I want to know how.

I'm glad to hear you say that because I just had a long talk with the hospital administrator.

He told me there are certain legal questions that have to be resolved relatively soon.

Meaning?

Meaning we can't keep you here much longer.

We're the only mental health facility on Tilonus IV.

We have many people who need our help.

I don't want to put any undue stress on you, but we have to settle this case one way or another within the next few days.

What does that mean?

You're facing a choice.

We can try to help you remember what happened using reflection therapy.

If it's successful you'd be fit to stand trial.

Reflection therapy?

It's a way for you to interact with the various facets of your personality.

We scan the regions of your brain that control emotions and memory and then project them holographically.

And what is the second option?

A complete synaptic reconstruction of your cerebral cortex.

Surgery.

We would neutralize the synaptic pathways responsible for your mental instability.

And it doesn't sound like you care for that option.

I don't.

The procedure is irreversible.

You'd be left with a completely altered personality.

The person you are now would cease to exist.

Option one is beginning to sound better.

I agree.

Reflection therapy, then.

When do we begin?

This afternoon, if you're ready.

I want you to understand that this isn't going to be easy.

You'll be interacting with aspects of your psyche you've never dealt with before and... and you may be disturbed by what they have to say.

Close your eyes. Try to relax.

Clear your mind.

( whirring )

Now... think back to before you came to the hospital...

But don't try to remember specific incidents.

Concentrate on how you felt.

( inhales and exhales )

I was afraid.

Terrified.

She was with me on the ship.

That's because she represents an aspect of your personality and there are many parts of you that still believe you're on that starship.

Why her?

I asked you to get in touch with your feelings and this is the part of you that responded.

Talk to her about how you felt before you came here.

You said I was terrified.

Of what?

I was in a dark place-- cold... frightened.

Someone was there.

Who?

I felt threatened by them, trapped.

You're doing very well.

Now, let's try to find out how you responded to these feelings.

Try to focus on your actions.

You felt trapped. What did you do?

I was angry.

They were attacking me.

I fought back. I felt pain.

I was injured.

I began to panic.

There was a struggle, and I...

You what? What happened?

Try to associate your actions and emotions with logical thoughts.

What do you think caused you to act and feel this way?

It was cold and dark... because... I was outdoors at night.

I was in a narrow place.

I was walking through an alley.

I felt threatened.

I was being watched.

Someone must have followed me into the alley.

That's why I started to walk faster.

Someone grabbed me from behind.

I panicked.

I tried to fight them off.

How many of them were there?

Three-- humanoid.

I only saw the face of one of them.

What did he look like?

I saw him on the ship, too.

I also saw him here in the hospital, but I don't know who he is.

That's Mr. Suna, the hospital administrator.

You met him when you first arrived here.

What part of me does he represent?

I don't know.

Don't believe this, Will.

None of it's real.

You're with us on the Enterprise.

Doctor?

PICARD: We're your colleagues.

You can trust us.

Everything will be all right.

Do you have anything to say to them?

( heavy breathing )

You're all delusions.

Do not listen to him, Commander.

He is trying to trick you.

You are in danger here.

Let us help you.

TROI: Listen to me, Will.

In all the years we've known each other have I ever lied to you?

No... please... leave me alone!

Will... please?

No!

( crying )

You've taken a big step today.

You finally turned your back on those delusions and all that they represent to you.

We'll continue later.

( heavy sigh )

( door buzzer )

( beeping )

( door clangs shut )

It's not real.

Commander, do you know who I am?

Do you know where you are?

If you can't answer, just listen.

You were on an undercover mission to Tilonus IV, something happened.

We were told that you killed somebody.

We do not believe it's true.

We're being blocked at every turn.

The hospital administrator denies you're here at all.

We are beginning to think that there's some sort of conspiracy going on.

I had to come in here posing as a health official.

Sit tight, Commander.

We are going to get you out of here.

( sighing )

Not real.

( rattling )

( footsteps )

( door opening )

Commander...

Get away from me.

Commander, you must come with us.

You are in danger here.

No!

WORF: Silence!

( groaning )

Commander, are you all right?

Help me! Help me!

Who are you?

Take them to Security Ward.

Worf to Enterprise.

The pattern enhancer has been activated.

Three to beam up.

MAN: Acknowledged.

( tricorder whirring )

( beeping )

There's damage to the parietal lobe.

It's as if someone's trying to access his long-term memory, and he's in a severe state of neural shock.

It's going to take him a while to recover.

Number One, do you remember what happened?

You were abducted during the mission to Tilonus IV.

You were put into a psychiatric hospital.

It's still bleeding.

It's minor.

Don't worry about it.

( whirring )

We have been checking on the hospital administrator.

Mr. Suna.

It appears that he's involved with one of the rival factions.

We believe that he is responsible for what happened to you.

It still hurts.

It's bleeding again.

Why? You just healed it.

Will, try to calm down.

This isn't real.

What are you doing, Will?

If I'm right, you're not really here.

This isn't a real phaser.

It's all a fantasy, and I'm going to end it no matter what it takes.

And what if it isn't a fantasy?

Are you willing to take that chance?

You're right. I won't.

But I'm going to find out what's real and what's not.

Will, don't do it!

( glass shattering )

How is he progressing?

Syrus: He's not responding to the reflection therapy.

His delusions are growing more elaborate.

He broke out of his cell last night.

We found him running down a corridor claiming people had come to take him back to his starship.

Then, I see no other choice.

We'll have to perform the synaptic reconstruction.

I still have a phaser. Why do I still have a phaser?

It's not a phaser-- it's a knife.

You stole it from one of the food trays.

Give it to me.

We don't want you to hurt yourself.

( groans )

I don't believe you.

( glass shattering )

If this is a knife, what happened to Mavek?

It's very complicated.

I'll answer all your questions, but first I want you to put that down.

No. If this is a real phaser, then I was on the Enterprise, but I fired it on myself so I should be dead.

None of this is real.

I'm setting this to level 16.

Wide field.

That should destroy half of this building.

Unless, of course, this isn't a real phaser.

( glass shattering )

It's all about you, isn't it?

You're the only constant the only person in both places.

There's a lot more going on here than you realize.

This isn't real, either.

What's happening to me?

Listen to me.

We can still save you, but you must stop fighting us.

( groans )

You're lying.

Let me help you.

No!

I'm warning you...

No!

( audience yelling, "bravo!" )

( glass shattering )

( beeping )

He's conscious.

I haven't finished the neuro drain!

Get him sedated!

Riker to Enterprise.

WORF: Enterprise here.

Are you all right, sir?

Emergency transport. Get me out of here.

( angry grunt )

PICARD: Captain's Log, Stardate 46778.1.

Commander Riker has returned safely

from his mission to Tilonus IV.

Dr. Crusher has repaired the damage

to his long-term memory.

Evidently, you were abducted two days after beaming to the surface.

I remember now. I was in an alley.

They attacked me from behind.

I tried to fight them off with a nisroh that Worf had given me.

I managed to get one of them off me, but I think they injected me with some sort of drug.

We believe that they were trying to extract strategic information from your memory using a neurosomatic technique.

I was in a hospital, then I was back on the Enterprise, then I was back in the hospital.

I kept shifting from place to place.

I couldn't tell what was real.

Your mind must have created a defense mechanism that helped you resist the neurosomatic process.

Your unconscious fastened on to elements of your real life in an attempt to keep you grounded to keep you sane.

The preparation for the mission, the play.

Those were recent memories fresh in my mind.

You should get some rest.

We can talk some more tomorrow.

There is one thing I'd like to do first.

Are you sure you want to do this by yourself?

The stage crew and I were going to do it tomorrow morning.

I'm positive.

After everything that I've experienced

I don't think I could sleep knowing it was still up.