Beverly destroys Ronin’s candle
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Beverly arrives and confronts the possessed Felisa, desperately trying to break free from Ronin's influence and protect her friends.
Ronin appears, attempting to manipulate Beverly, but she reveals her knowledge of his true nature as an anaphasic lifeform using the candle and organic hosts to survive.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Surprised during the attack, then neutral (deactivated). Relief upon reactivation, though he misses the resolution.
Data scans Felisa's corpse with his tricorder, detecting anaphasic energy, but is deactivated when her reanimated body grabs him and envelops him in plasma. He remains inert until Beverly reactivates him post-confrontation, standing up unharmed but having missed the climax of the event. His tricorder readings were critical in identifying the threat.
- • Assist in diagnosing the anaphasic energy anomaly.
- • Support Beverly's investigation with technical data.
- • Anaphasic energy signatures can be measured and understood through scientific analysis.
- • Beverly's commands should be followed without question.
None (possessed by Ronin; her 'voice' reflects his seductive menace). Underlying pathos as a victim of the curse.
Felisa's corpse reanimates under Ronin's control, attacking Data and Geordi with crackling green plasma energy. She speaks in Ronin's hypnotic voice, attempting to lure Beverly into compliance before collapsing limp as Ronin departs her body. Her physical state is grotesque yet tragic—a vessel for Ronin's violence.
- • Serve as Ronin's vessel to attack Data and Geordi.
- • Lure Beverly into submission through familial manipulation.
- • N/A (possessed; Ronin's beliefs drive her actions).
- • N/A
Confused and pained during the attack, shifting to determined relief as Beverly regains control and ensures his safety.
Geordi scans Felisa's corpse with his tricorder but is violently attacked when she reanimates, enveloped in plasma energy that leaves him critically injured and dazed. He lies helpless as Ronin threatens his life to coerce Beverly, recovering only after she neutralizes the threat. His combadge is used to relay Beverly's order to Riker, indirectly aiding in Ronin's defeat.
- • Assist Beverly in investigating the anaphasic energy anomaly.
- • Survive Ronin's plasma attack to support the crew.
- • Scientific tools can uncover supernatural phenomena.
- • Beverly's medical and leadership instincts are trustworthy.
Initially seductive and possessive, shifting to threatened and desperate as Beverly dismantles his illusions, culminating in enraged futility as he is neutralized.
Ronin materializes after possessing Felisa's corpse, attacking Data and Geordi to eliminate obstacles to his merger with Beverly. He manipulates her with seductive promises of protection, but his facade crumbles when she exposes his dependence on the candle's plasma flame. Desperate, he threatens Geordi's life to coerce Beverly into surrender, only to be outmaneuvered when she destroys the candle and shuts down plasma conduits, forcing his dissipation.
- • Merge with Beverly to sustain his anaphasic existence through her organic host.
- • Eliminate Data and Geordi as threats to his union with Beverly.
- • His love for the Howard women is reciprocal and justifies his parasitic actions.
- • Beverly will ultimately submit to him, as her ancestors did, ensuring his survival.
Professional and trusting (no visible emotional range in this brief exchange).
Riker responds to Beverly's combadge transmission, acknowledging her order to shut down plasma conduits without question. His voice conveys professionalism and trust in her authority, though he is off-screen and unaware of the supernatural context. His action indirectly contributes to Ronin's neutralization.
- • Execute Beverly's order to support the mission.
- • Maintain operational security on the Enterprise.
- • Beverly's judgments are reliable and should be acted upon promptly.
- • Starfleet protocols must be followed, even in unclear situations.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Geordi's tricorder is used to scan Felisa's corpse alongside Data's, but the possession interrupts the investigation. Later, Beverly seizes Geordi's phaser from his belt, using it to vaporize the exotic candle—Ronin's power source—and fire sustained bursts at Ronin himself. The phaser symbolizes Beverly's shift from victim to aggressor, turning Starfleet technology against the supernatural threat.
Geordi's combadge is tapped by Beverly to relay her urgent order to Riker, shutting down plasma conduits—a move that indirectly neutralizes Ronin. The device symbolizes Starfleet's communication network and Beverly's authority as a senior officer, bridging the supernatural battle with institutional support. Its chirp cuts through the chaos, a reminder of the crew's reliance on each other.
The latches on Felisa's coffin are released by Data, allowing the lid to be lifted and exposing her corpse. Their mechanical click contrasts with the supernatural horror that follows, grounding the scene in tangible reality before the possession unfolds. The latches symbolize the fragile barrier between life and death, easily breached by Ronin's influence.
Felisa Howard's corpse is reanimated by Ronin, serving as his vessel to attack Data and Geordi. Her body convulses with plasma energy, her eyes snapping open to lock onto Data before lunging. The corpse's unnatural movement—sitting up, grabbing the men, spewing plasma—creates a grotesque spectacle, embodying the horror of the generational curse. It collapses limp as Ronin departs, leaving behind only the hollow shell of Beverly's grandmother.
Geordi's tricorder is used to scan Felisa's corpse alongside Data's, but the possession interrupts the investigation. Later, Beverly seizes Geordi's phaser from his belt, using it to vaporize the exotic candle—Ronin's power source—and fire sustained bursts at Ronin himself. The phaser symbolizes Beverly's shift from victim to aggressor, turning Starfleet technology against the supernatural threat.
The exotic candle burns with a bright plasma flame, serving as Ronin's temporary receptacle and power source. Beverly reveals its role in sustaining him, and in a decisive move, she vaporizes it with Geordi's phaser, severing Ronin's energy link. The candle's destruction marks the turning point in the confrontation, exposing Ronin's vulnerability and enabling his defeat. Its flame flickers ominously throughout, casting eerie light on the graveyard battle.
Data's tricorder detects the anaphasic energy signature in Felisa's corpse, confirming the supernatural threat. Its readings are cut short when Felisa reanimates and deactivates Data, but the data gathered earlier proves critical in Beverly's confrontation with Ronin. The tricorder embodies Starfleet's scientific rigor, clashing with the irrational horror of the possession.
Ronin's green plasma energy erupts from Felisa's possessed corpse, deactivating Data and critically injuring Geordi. It later surges around Geordi as Ronin threatens his life, coercing Beverly into feigning surrender. The plasma embodies Ronin's parasitic nature—unstable, destructive, and dependent on organic hosts. Its crackling discharge illuminates the graveyard in an eerie, otherworldly glow, heightening the horror of the confrontation.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Caldos Colony Cemetery serves as the battleground for Beverly's confrontation with Ronin, its rows of tombstones and hedge-lined clearing bathed in stormy night. The grave becomes the epicenter of the supernatural battle, with Felisa's coffin materializing atop it and her reanimated corpse attacking Data and Geordi. The cemetery's peaceful daytime funeral setting contrasts sharply with its nighttime horror, the overcast skies and distant thunder amplifying the tension. Gravestones cast long shadows, and the wind howls through the hedge, creating an oppressive atmosphere.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
Starfleet's influence is felt through Beverly's authority as Chief Medical Officer, her use of Geordi's phaser and combadge to relay orders, and the crew's reliance on tricorders and scientific protocols. While the confrontation is supernatural, Starfleet technology (phasers, tricorders, combadges) and institutional trust (Riker's immediate compliance) play crucial roles in neutralizing Ronin. The organization's scientific mandate clashes with the irrational horror of the possession, yet its tools ultimately turn the tide.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
Within this episode
"Felisa's corpse awakens, possessed by Ronin, which causes Beverly to arrive trying to break free from Ronin's control."
Felisa’s Possession and Ronin’s Exposure"Ronin attempts to manipulate Beverly, but she reveals that she has discovered his true nature."
Beverly Outmaneuvers Ronin’s ThreatAcross episodes
"Riker's voice is heard over Worf's combadge during his mission on Boraal Two, showing his authoritative presence in crisis situations involving crew members' families. This foreshadows his similar commanding but empathetic role when Beverly later confronts Ronin, where his voice is again heard over a combadge in a high-stakes confrontation."
Worf’s first confrontation with Boraalan distrust"Geordi's experience confronting unstable energy systems (plasmonic energy surges in the Holodeck) continues in Episode 14 with his confrontation of anaphasic energy. His technical and physical response to destabilized systems persists across episodes."
Geordi stabilizes Worf’s Holodeck deception"In Episode 13, Worf detects an anomalous power drain on Deck Ten, which Riker tasks him to investigate. In Episode 14, Beverly detects an anomalous anaphasic energy signature from Felisa Howard's grave and resurrecting corpse, indicating that Riker's investigation into anomalous energy sources foreshadows Beverly's later supernatural encounter with energy-based threats."
Worf dispatched to investigate Deck Ten anomaly"In Episode 13, Nikolai argues for deploying a shield despite Picard's rejection of violating the Prime Directive, framing it as a moral imperative. In Episode 14, Ronin similarly argues that his actions are justified by love and being together, despite being an anaphasic lifeform manipulating the dead. Both characters use emotional and moral appeals to justify their disruptive actions."
Nikolai’s Shield Proposal Rejected"Riker dismissing Lavelle's request for additional training echoes his earlier authoritative demeanor, reinforcing his consistent approach to staff evaluations and expectations."
Lavelle’s Rebuffed Training Request"Riker’s authoritative presence and quick decision-making in 'Lower Decks' are foreshadowed by his prompt response to Beverly’s emergency in 'Sub Rosa,' establishing his reliable command style across episodes."
Enterprise detects Cardassian escape pod"Riker's authoritative presence and tactical scrutiny in 'Lower Decks' echoes his role as a commanding figure evaluating crew performance, paralleling his later-season role in 'Sub Rosa' where he is called upon to respond to Beverly's crisis."
Sito’s hesitation exposes cracks in Alpha shift"Both Beverly’s confrontation with Ronin and Ogawa’s discussion about her personal life with Beverly revolve around the theme of 'influence'—Ronin’s undue influence over Beverly vs. Powell’s influence over Ogawa."
Ogawa’s promotion and Powell’s distanceKey Dialogue
"BEVERLY: Stop—NO! Ronin—stop this... please..."
"BEVERLY: You're not Nana... Nana's dead. Leave her alone."
"RONIN: Beverly, these men were trying to stop us from being together. Once they're gone, everything will be all right."
"BEVERLY: No, you're not. There's no such thing as a ghost... you're some sort of anaphasic lifeform... Anaphasic energy is extremely unstable... without an organic host to maintain your molecular cohesion, you'd die... isn't that right?"
"RONIN: Put it down—or I'll kill him."
"BEVERLY: You've got nowhere left to go..."
"RONIN: Yes, I do..."