Lavelle’s Failed Bonding Attempt with Riker
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Riker enters Ten Forward and greets Ben by his first name, causing Lavelle to express disbelief that Ben, a civilian, addresses a senior officer so informally.
Lavelle's friends encourage him to talk to Riker, suggesting common ground with Riker being Canadian. Seizing the opportunity, Lavelle decides to approach Riker at the bar.
Lavelle's attempt to connect with Riker by mentioning his Canadian grandfather falls flat when Riker reveals he grew up in Alaska, leaving Lavelle flustered and ending the conversation awkwardly and Riker shaking his head in disbelief.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Feigned confidence masking deep insecurity, transitioning to mortified embarrassment as his plan collapses.
Lavelle, clutching a nearly full drink, approaches Riker at the bar with feigned confidence, attempting to bond over a fabricated connection to Canadian heritage. His posture is rigid, his smile forced, and his dialogue stilted as he realizes his miscalculation. The moment culminates in his mortified retreat, leaving his drink untouched on the bar.
- • To ingratiate himself with Commander Riker and gain favor for career advancement.
- • To prove his worth to Riker and alleviate his fear of being overlooked.
- • That shared heritage (even falsely assumed) can bridge hierarchical gaps in Starfleet.
- • That Riker’s indifference toward him is personal, rather than a reflection of Lavelle’s own lack of visibility.
Indifferent with a hint of bemusement, viewing Lavelle’s attempt as trivial and unworthy of his attention.
Riker, engrossed in his PADD, initially ignores Lavelle’s approach. When Lavelle attempts to bond over Canadian heritage, Riker responds with polite but detached curiosity, correcting Lavelle’s assumption with a single, dry remark. His body language remains closed off, and he quickly returns to his work, signaling disinterest in the conversation.
- • To maintain professional boundaries and avoid encouraging Lavelle’s misplaced familiarity.
- • To focus on his duties, as reflected in his engagement with the PADD.
- • That junior officers should earn his attention through competence, not forced connections.
- • That his role as second-in-command requires maintaining a degree of emotional distance.
Amused but neutral, treating the moment as part of the lounge’s usual social tapestry.
The bartender approaches Lavelle and Riker, taking Lavelle’s order for a Trakian Ale after his failed conversation. His interaction is professional and efficient, but his glance at Riker after Lavelle’s retreat suggests quiet amusement at the junior officer’s mortification. He delivers the drink, which Lavelle leaves untouched as he departs.
- • To serve drinks efficiently and maintain the lounge’s atmosphere.
- • To remain neutral in crew interactions, even when they are awkward or humorous.
- • That his role is to facilitate social interactions, not participate in them.
- • That junior officers’ struggles are part of the ship’s culture and not his concern.
Neutral but internally satisfied, recognizing the gap between her progress and Lavelle’s struggles.
Sito, though not directly involved in this exchange, is present in the background as Lavelle’s attempt unfolds. Her earlier interaction with Worf—where she is endorsed for a high-stakes assignment—contrasts sharply with Lavelle’s floundering. Her confidence and Worf’s endorsement subtly underscore Lavelle’s insecurity and the stakes of their professional rivalry.
- • To prove herself in her upcoming assignment and live up to Worf’s endorsement.
- • To avoid being drawn into Lavelle’s insecurities or rivalries.
- • That her success is earned through competence and resilience, not favoritism.
- • That Lavelle’s struggles are a result of his own actions, not external bias.
Lightly amused and sympathetic, recognizing Lavelle’s struggle but not intervening.
Ben, the civilian waiter, observes Lavelle’s awkward interaction with Riker from a distance, balancing his empty tray. He exchanges a knowing glance with the bartender after Lavelle’s retreat, his expression amused but not unkind. His role is peripheral but underscores the social dynamics at play in Ten Forward.
- • To maintain the lounge’s welcoming atmosphere without overstepping.
- • To subtly encourage Lavelle to build connections, though his methods are flawed.
- • That junior officers like Lavelle need guidance but must learn from their mistakes.
- • That Riker’s off-duty demeanor allows for informal interactions, unlike formal Starfleet settings.
Mildly exasperated but emotionally detached, viewing Lavelle’s actions as illogical but not worth deep concern.
Taurik, seated at the table with Ben, observes Lavelle’s eavesdropping and subsequent approach to Riker with detached curiosity. His Vulcan demeanor prevents overt reaction, but his suggestion to Lavelle about finding common ground with Riker (e.g., jazz, poker, Canadian heritage) hints at his awareness of Lavelle’s social awkwardness. He does not intervene further, allowing the moment to play out.
- • To maintain the group’s cohesion without over-involvement in Lavelle’s personal struggles.
- • To provide logical suggestions when asked, even if they are ignored.
- • That social interactions should be approached with logic and mutual respect.
- • That Lavelle’s insecurity is self-inflicted and requires his own resolution.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Ben’s empty tray is a functional yet symbolic object in this scene. It represents his role as an observer and facilitator in Ten Forward, balancing practical service with subtle engagement in the crew’s dynamics. While he does not directly interact with Lavelle during this event, the tray grounds his presence and underscores his peripheral but attentive role in the lounge’s social ecosystem.
Lavelle’s nearly full drink is a physical manifestation of his social awkwardness. He clutches it as a prop to justify his approach to Riker, but its fullness betrays his pretext. The drink remains untouched throughout the exchange, highlighting the emptiness of his attempt to bond. Its presence serves as a silent critique of his desperation and poor judgment.
Though not directly involved in this specific event, Riker’s PADD is referenced as he engages with it throughout Lavelle’s attempt to bond. The PADD symbolizes Riker’s priorities—work over socializing—and serves as a barrier between him and Lavelle. Its presence reinforces the power dynamic, as Riker’s attention is divided between his duties and Lavelle’s awkward overtures.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Ten Forward serves as the intimate yet charged setting for Lavelle’s social blunder. The lounge’s usual bustle is subdued, creating a quiet backdrop that amplifies the awkwardness of the exchange. The dim lighting, the hum of conversation, and the presence of other crew members (even if peripheral) make the space feel like a fishbowl for Lavelle’s embarrassment. The bar itself becomes a stage for his failed performance, with Riker as the unwitting audience.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
Starfleet’s institutional culture looms over this event, shaping the power dynamics between Lavelle and Riker. Lavelle’s attempt to bond with Riker is rooted in his desire to navigate Starfleet’s hierarchical system, where favor and visibility can determine career trajectories. Riker’s dismissive response reflects Starfleet’s expectation that junior officers earn their standing through competence, not personal connections. The exchange underscores the tension between individual ambition and institutional protocol.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
No narrative connections mapped yet
This event is currently isolated in the narrative graph
Key Dialogue
"LAVELLE: My Grandfather was Canadian, you know. RIKER: Really... LAVELLE: Aren’t you one, too? RIKER: A grandfather? LAVELLE: Canadian, sir. Canadian."
"LAVELLE: Oh. Well... they both... get a lot of snow."
"TAURIK: He’s convinced that Commander Riker doesn’t ‘like’ him. BEN: Why? Did you crash the ship into something? LAVELLE: No. He just doesn’t like me."