History Recap / StarTrekTheNextGenerationS3E20TinMan

* PowerIncontinence: Tam is unable to control his telepathy, which causes him to be bombarded with people's thoughts 24/7. And seeing as they're apparently powerful enough to sense a Romulan Captain's thoughts from ''a different ship passing by at presumably FTL speeds''...

* NoSocialSkills: Tam. Due to his PowerIncontinece he tends to respond to questions that aren't asked, or to criticisms that people don't say to his face.

While on a routine assignment, the ''Enterprise'' is suddenly approached by the ''USS Hood'', captained by an old friend of Picard's who informs him that the ''Enterprise'' has received new top secret orders involving a time-critical mission. Due to security concerns, they will be briefed by the Betazoid mission specialist, Tam Elbrun. Riker immediately bristles at the sound of the name, due to Tam Elbrun's involvement in the "[[NoodleIncident Gorushda Disaster]]" , which as it's later revealed resulted in the deaths of 47 Starfleet personnel including two of Riker's former classmates. Troi also recognizes the name and asks to see him, since she knows Tam from her university days studying psychology. When Picard asks if he was her professor, Troi dramatically replies that he was her patient. [[UnfortunateImplications The horrifying revelation that the guy attended THERAPY]] is enough to warrant a dramatic sting followed by the opening credits.

* UnfortunateImplications: The revelation that Tam was Troi's former patient causes Picard to put on his worried face to the sound of the sinister cold opening end theme. [[SarcasmMode Nice to see how "enlightened" Starfleet is in regards to the mentally ill.]]

* ArcNumber / The47Society: 47 victims.

* NoSocialSkills: Tam.

During said briefing Data describes their destination: the Beta Stromgren system on which a Starfleet probe recently arrived. The system contains a star about to go supernova. Tam cuts Data off to get to the real mission objective: orbiting the star lies a LivingShip, code named "Tin Man" by Starfleet, with an unknown power source. All subspace communications with the creature have yielded nothing but silence so Tam, Starfleet's top expert in communication with unknown life forms will attempt to communicate with it. Troi asks why this is so urgent and Picard mentions a [[SarcasmMode tiny]] detail that Tam "forgot" to mention: the Romulans. Tin Man is in a sector claimed by the Romulan Empire and since they monitor all Federation probes, they sent ships to get to Tin Man first, making this a race. After the briefing is over, Picard expresses his concern with Tam not having mentioned the Romulans right away. Tam apologizes claiming he was distracted, a comment which causes Riker to shoot a dirty look. Tam immediately reads his thoughts and claims Gorushda wasn't his fault. He does so again and claims he knows Riker doesn't believe him and storms away in a huff.

The crew assembles to meet Tam, who Troi describes as a gifted telepath, even by Betazoid standards. Once he is beamed over, Picard tries to be cordial but Tam is brusque and aloof, unceremonously handing Picard the orders on a USB dri...I mean "isolinear chip" to "save time". He acts a lot more cordially to Troi, who he greets like an old friend. When Data talks to Tam, however, the latter is at almost horrified in shock, asking him [[WhatAreYou what he is]]. Once Data explains he's an android, Tam becomes intrigued, since he can't read his mind. Tam then proceeds to use his telepathy to anticipate what people are trying to say, which comes across as grossly disrespectful. Picard is getting annoyed at this and calls for a formal briefing in 15 minutes which Tam wants to get over with as soon as possible.

The crew assembles to meet Tam, who Troi describes as a gifted telepath, even by Betazoid standards. Once he is beamed over, Picard tries to be cordial but Tam is brusque and aloof, unceremonously handing Picard the orders on a USB dri...I mean "isolinear chip" to "save time". He acts a lot more cordially to Troi, who he greets like an old friend. When Data talks to Tam, however, the latter is at almost horrified in shock, asking WhatAreYou. Once Data explains he's an android, Tam becomes intrigued, since he can't read his mind. Tam then proceeds to use his telepathy to anticipate what people are trying to say, which comes across as grossly disrespectful. Picard is getting annoyed at this and calls for a formal briefing in 15 minutes which Tam wants to get over with as soon as possible.

During said briefing Data describes their destination: the Beta Stromgren system on which a Starfleet probe recently arrived. The system contains a star about to go supernova. Tam cuts Data off to get to the real mission objective: orbiting the star lies a LivingShip, code named "Tin Man" by Starfleet, with an unknown power source. It's their goal to investigate it. Troi asks why this is so urgent and Picard mentions a [[SarcasmMode tiny]] detail that Tam "forgot" to mention: the Romulans. Tin Man is in a sector claimed by the Romulan Empire and since they monitor all Federation probes, they sent ships to get to Tin Man first, making this a race. After the briefing is over, Picard expresses his concern with Tam not having mentioned the Romulans right away. Tam apologizes claiming he was distracted, a comment which causes Riker to shoot a dirty look. Tam immediately reads his thoughts and claims Gorushda wasn't his fault. He does so again and claims he knows Riker doesn't believe him and storms away in a huff.

* UnfortunateImplications: The revelation that Tam was Troi's former patient causes everyone to put on their worried faces to the sound of the sinister cold opening end theme. [[SarcasmMode Nice to see how "enlightened" Starfleet is in regards to the mentally ill.]]

->'''Data''': Difficult to explain, Captain.

->'''Data''': Difficult to explain, sir.

->'''Picard''': Data, what ''happened'' out there?

->'''Troi''': And Tam?
->'''Data''': I believe he found what he wanted.

With Tam and Gomtuu off to parts unknown, Data tells Troi that Tam asked Data to explain Tam's reasons for staying with Gomtuu and hoped she would understand. Data adds he saw something "remarkable": Tam and Gomtuu, two beings individually broken and isolated yet both healed when joined, with their grief and loneliness turned to joy and belonging. Troi is amazed at Data's insight and he adds that when Gomtuu beamed him back to the ''Enterprise'', he realized that it's where ''he'' belongs.

The crew assembles to meet Tam, who Troi describes as a gifted telepath, even by Betazoid standards. Once he is beamed over, Picard tries to be cordial but Tam ends up behaving quite brusque and aloof, uncerimonously handing Picard the orders on a USB Dri...I mean "isolinear chip" to "save time". He acts a lot more cordially to Troi, who he greets like an old friend. When Data talks to Tam, however, the latter is at almost horrified in shock, asking WhatAreYou. Once Data explains he's an android, Tam becomes intrigued, since he can't read his mind. Tam then proceeds to use his telepathy to anticipate what people are trying to say, which comes across as grossly disrespectful. Picard is getting annoyed at this and calls for a formal briefing in 15 minutes which Tam wants to get over with as soon as possible.

On route to Beta Stomgren, Picard holds a meeting with Crusher and Troi due to his concerns about Tam's stability. After Crusher remarks about Tam's unusually powerful abilities, Troi explains Tam's problem: while most Betazoids develop telepathy during adolescence, Tam is part of a minority which are born telepathic. As you might expect, being bombarded with other people's thoughts all throughout your childhood can be quite taxing on one's mental state. Tam coped via regular therapy (which is how he met Troi) and seeking assignments where he is isolated from other humanoids.

The crew assembles to meet Tam, who Troi describes as a gifted telepath, even by Betazoid standards. Once he is beamed over, Picard tries to be cordial but Tam ends up behaving quite brusque and aloof, uncerimonously handing Picard the orders on a USB Dri...I mean "isolinear chip" to "save time". He acts a lot more cordially to Troi, who he greets like and old friend. When Data talks to Tam, however, the latter is at almost horrified in shock, asking WhatAreYou. Once Data explains he's an android, Tam becomes intrigued, since he can't read his mind. Tam then proceeds to use his telepathy to anticipate what people are trying to say, which comes across as grossly disrespectful. Picard is getting annoyed at this and calls for a formal briefing in 15 minutes which Tam wants to get over with as soon as possible.

Speaking of Tam, he decides to visit Data's quarters since he's in charge of monitoring Tin Man. Tam notes the curiousness of a being with such "spartan" quarters and no need for sleep and yet paints as a hobby. Data relates his findings on Tin Man, claiming that, true to the LivingShip trope, it has a layout consistent with a space vessel and an internal environment suitable for carbon based lifeforms but no crew. He wonders whether Tin Man was bred for that purpose or if it adapted itself to serve a purpose. Tam takes the opportunity to get philosophical and asks why must living beings have a purpose. Or do they exist for no reason but to exist? Data claims he doesn't know but Tam says that as a distant student of humanity he is the perfect person to do so. Data then asks if Tam CAN read his mind but he says that he can't, he just understands Data very well. Data asks Tam if it bothers him that he can't read his mind and that perhaps there is nothing there to read besides a series of algorithms. Tam replies that Data is different, and there's nothing wrong with that.

After that interlude, Data and Tam go to the bridge to see what the Romulans are up to. As if on cue, the Warbird starts powering up its weapons. Picard orders evasive action since they are sitting ducks due to the still damaged shields, but Tam claims Tin Man is their target and that their orders are to destroy it if it cannot be secured. Picard tries to hail them but Tam takes matters into his own hands by concentrating in one message:

Tin Man suddely comes to life and shoots out a massive energy wave that destroys the Warbird and damages the ''Enterprise''.

While repairs are being held, Picard confronts the exhausted Tam in Sickbay about his contact with Tin Man. He explains he only sent out a warning and that he has been in emotional contact with Tin Man, real name Gomtuu. Gomtuu is the LastOfHisKind: the last survivor of an ancient species possibly from beyond the galaxy of which there were once millions. Gomtuu knows the star will go nova and is there to commit suicide over the anguish of having lost his crew in a radiation burst. Tam gets visibly upset at telling this story which causes Troi to tell Tam to stop since he is "losing himself in this merger". Tam claims the only way to stop Gomtuu from killing himself is to go inside him. Picard doesn't want to send him there, given his stunt with the Romulans and the possibility of him losing perspective but Tam insists they have to trust him. Back at the ready room, Data and Troi agree Tam's motives are genuine but worry about his stability. Picard then proposes sending Data along to serve as an "anchor" given his friendship with Tam.

Data and Tam beam aboard Gomtuu. After a moment of distress, Tam claims Gomtuu has told him the story of his entire existence. He claims the crew and Gomtuu existed in a symbiotic relationship, hence Gomtuu's anguish at their loss. "Is that the purpose of existence? To care for someone?" Tam says it is for him - and he doesn't plan on leaving. Tam will fulfill the mission by taking the crew's place and giving Gomtuu a reason to live again. Meanwhile Gomtuu will also save Tam: he is now finally free of the deluge of thoughts that plagued him through his life: only Gomtuu speaks to him now.

Meanwhile, the other Romulan Warbird has arrived and plans to destroy Gomtuu in retaliation for the other ship. However Gomtuu, now merged with Tam fires another wave that blows both the ''Enterprise'' and the Warbird several ''billion'' kilometers away without damage just in time to witness the sun go supernova. Picard immediately expresses concern for Data...but he is beamed safe and sound aboard the bridge.

With Tam and Gomtuu off to parts unknown, Data tells Troi that Tam asked Data to explain Tam's reasons for staying with Gomtuu and hoped she would understand. Data adds he saw something "remarkable": Tam and Gomtuu, two beings individually broken and isolated yet both healed when joined, with their grief and loneliness turned to joy and belonging. Troi is amazed at Data's insight and he adds that when Gomtuu beamed him back to the ''Enterprise'', he realized that it's where he belongs.

Speaking of Tam, he decides to visit Data's quarters since he's in charge of monitoring Tin Man. Tam notes the curiousness of a being with such "spartan" quarters and no need for sleep and yet paints as a hobby. Data relates his findings on Tin Man, claiming that, true to the LivingShip trope, it has a layout consistent with a space vessel and an internal environment suitable for carbon based lifeforms but no crew. He wonders whether Tin Man was bred for that purpose or if he adapted itself to serve a purpose. Tam takes the opportunity to get philosophical and asks why must living beings have a purpose. Or do they exist for no reason but to exist? Data claims he doesn't know but Tam says that as a distant student of humanity he is the perfect person to do so. Data then asks if Tam CAN read his mind but he says that he can't, he just understands Data very well. Data asks Tam if it bothers him that he can't read his mind and that perhaps there is nothing there to read besides a series of algorithms. Tam replies that Data is different, and there's nothing wrong with that.

At 18 minutes away from Beta Stomgren, the cloaked Romulan Warbird suddenly decloaks and does a space drive by attack on the ''Enterprise'', causing a few casualties and dropping the shields to critical levels. Tam claims the attack was solely to delay the ''Enterprise'', which is supported when Data remarks that that action overloaded their engines to the point where that ship cannot return to Romulan space: they're ''really'' desperate about getting there first. Picard asks how Tam knew this and he says he read the Romulan Captain's mind ''as the ship was passing by''. With the other Romulan ship two days away, Picard orders the shields to be repair and begrudingly accepts that the Romulans will get to Tin Man first. Tam is naturally displeased at this.

While repairs are being held, Picard confronts the exhausted Tam in Sickbay about his contact with Tin Man. He explains he only sent out a warning and that he has been in emotional contact with Tin Man, real name Gomtuu. Gomtuu is the LastOfHisKind: the last survivor of an ancient species possibly from beyond the galaxy of which there were once millions. Gomtuu knows the star will go nova and is there to commit suicide over the anguish of having lost his crew in a radiation burst. Tam gets visibly upset at telling this story which causes Troi to tell Tam to stop since he is "losing himself". Tam claims the only way to stop Gomtuu from killing himself is to go inside him. Picard doesn't want to send him there, given his stunt with the Romulans and the possibility of him losing perspective but Tam insists they have to trust him. Back at the ready room, Data and Troi agree Tam's motives are genuine but worry about his stability. Picard then proposes sending Data along to serve as an "anchor" given his friendship with Tam.

After that interlude, Data and Tam go to the bridge to see what the Romulans are up to. As if on cue, the ship starts powering up its weapons. Picard orders evasive action since they are sitting ducks due to the still damaged shields, but Tam claims Tin Man is their target and that their orders are to destroy it if it cannot be secured. Picard tries to hail them but Tam takes matters into his own hands by concentrating in one message:

While on a routine assignment, the ''Enterprise'' is suddenly approached by the ''USS Hood'', captained by an old friend of Picard's who informs him that the ''Enterprise'' has received new top secret orders involving a time-critical mission. Due to security concerns, they will be briefed by the mission specialist, Tam Elbrun. Riker immediately bristles at the sound of the name, due to Tam Elbrun's involvement in the "[[NoodleIncident Gorushda Disaster]]" , which as it's later revealed resulted in the deaths of 47 Starfleet personnel including two of Riker's former classmates. Troi also recognizes the name and asks to see him, since she knows Tam from her university days studying psychology. When Picard asks if he was her professor, Troi dramatically replies that he was her patient. [[UnfortunateImplications The horrifying revelation that the guy attended THERAPY]] is enough to warrant a dramatic sting followed by the opening credits.

"Danger, Gomtuu. Do not allow."

While repairs are being held, Picard confronts the exhausted Tam in Sickbay about his contact with Tin Man. He explains he only sent out a warning and that he has been in emotional contact with Tin Man, real name Gomtuu. Gomtuu is the LastOfItsKind of an ancient species possibly from beyond the galaxy of which there were once millions. Gomtuu knows the star will go nova and is there to commit suicide over the anguish of having lost his crew in a radiation burst. Tam gets visibly upset at telling this story which causes Troi to tell Tam to stop since he is "losing himself". Tam claims the only way to stop Gomtuu from killing himself is to go inside him. Picard doesn't want to send him there, given his stunt with the Romulans and the possibility of him losing perspective but Tam insists they have to trust him. Back at the ready room, Data and Troi agree Tam's motives are genuine but worry about his stability. Picard then proposes sending Data along to serve as an "anchor" given his friendship with Tam.

On route to Beta Stomgren, Picard holds a meeting with Crusher and Troi due to his concerns about Tam's stability. After Crusher remarks about Tam's unusually poweful abilities, Troi explains Tam's problem: while most Betazoids develop telepathy during adolescence, Tam is part of a minority of Betazoids who are born telepathic. This is quite troublesome to their development since the noise of other people's thoughts prove overwhelming. Tam coped via regular therapy (which is how he met Troi) and seeking assignments where he is isolated from other humanoids.