Star Trek: The Next Generation

Work Title: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Medium: TV Episode
Episode Title: The Big Goodbye
Year: 1988
Writer(s): Gene Roddenberry
"Original" Writer: Yes Writer(s): Tracy Tormé
"Original" Writer: Yes Own work?: No
Summary:

from wikipedia.com A computer malfunction traps Picard, Data, and Beverly in a 1940s gangster holodeck program.

  • Self-Written?:
  • Source Name: Wikipedia
  • Source URL:
Era/Year of Portrayal: distant_future
Distinctive characteristics of the world in portrayal:

Star Trek: The Next Generation takes place several years in the future - space travel and interaction with many differernt species other than human are common.

Technology

  • Name of portrayed presence-evoking technology: The holodeck
  • Description of the technology: In this epsisode, the audience learns that the holodeck can transport users to and create a fictional world for entertainment purposes. The user feels like he/she has stepped into a differernt time and place than the space ship. They interact with it merely by stepping into the holodeck, and then interacting with the characters as if they were real. It appears very real, and is of very high quality.
  • Nature of task or activity: Interacting with characters, trying to avoid being killed.
  • Performance of the Technology: the holodeck malfunctions, trapping them in the fictional world. Eventually, it works again.
  • Description of creator(s): unknown.
  • Major goal(s) of creator(s): unknown, either to entertain and/or transport users.
  • Description of users of technology: All are Starship officers, male and female, plus one android (Data).
  • Type(s) of presence experience in the portrayal: both
  • Description of presence experience: At first, it is entertaining and amusing. When they realize they are trapped, the experience turns darker and more fearful.
  • User awareness of technology during experience: The officers are aware, but the fictional characters think they are real.
  • Valence of experience: enjoyable, although scary when threatened.
  • Specific responses: more intense parasocial relationships, enjoyment, interest.
Long-term consequences:

The officers are able to escape and return to their own time, unscathed. The fate of the fictional characters is unknown.

Other:

Coder name: Amanda Scheiner
Coder email: amandags@temple.edu
Coder affiliation: Temple University