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Star Trek: First Contact script analysis

Star Trek: First Contact script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Star Trek: First Contact follows the Enterprise crew as they battle the Borg, who travel back to 2063 to prevent First Contact. Picard leads a ground team to ensure Zephram Cochrane’s historic warp flight, while aboard ship Riker and Worf hold off the Borg. Data’s captivity and emergence of human emotions form the emotional B story. The finale reunites all threads as the Phoenix achieves warp and history is restored.

85 Save the Cat fit score 30% analysis confidence / 151 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

25%

The Borg Recon Center observing Earth history establishes the bleak oppressor force.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 2 / Page 1 / 5% target

25%

Captain Picard defiantly covers the Endeavor, hinting at resistance against inevitability.

Signal the Endeavor to fall back. We'll cover them.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 2-5 / Pages 1-10 / 10% target

30%

We meet Picard, Worf, Geordi, Crusher and see the Enterprise’s capabilities and the Borg threat.

4

Catalyst

Scene 5 / Pages 10-12 / 12% target

30%

Discovery of the Borg time vortex and their flight into 2063 kick off the main journey.

Time travel... they're attempting time travel...
5

Debate

Scenes 8-10 / Pages 12-20 / 20% target

25%

Crew debates risks of altering history while preparing to beam down and deal with Borg activity on the Enterprise.

6

Break into Two

Scenes 6-7 / Pages 11-13 / 25% target

30%

The Enterprise emerges in 2063 and Picard’s team commits to ground operations to find Cochrane.

Worf, have Doctor Crusher, Mister La Forge and a security team meet me in Transporter Room Three. Civilian...
7

B Story

Scenes 10-17 / Pages 18-30 / 30% target

30%

Data’s capture and initial resistance to Borg assimilation introduce the emotional subplot about humanity.

It would appear that resistance is not always futile.
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 9-16 / Pages 14-45 / 40% target

30%

Picard locating Cochrane, engineering challenges of the warp ship, Worf’s team fighting through Borg corridors provide action set pieces.

We're here to find Zephram Cochrane. He may be injured or dead.
9

Midpoint

Scene 63 / Page 70 / 50% target

25%

Picard and Geordi initiate the Phoenix’s five-minute countdown — stakes are high and the goal is clear.

Phoenix to control. Initiating five minute countdown... mark.
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 31-33 / Pages 35-50 / 65% target

30%

The Borg Queen intensifies interrogation of Data and on the Enterprise decks, drones overwhelm security.

Your resistance is... illogical. To us, your neural net is simply another piece of technology. We will learn...
11

All Is Lost

Scene 75 / Page 85 / 75% target

25%

Picard suspends the launch under Scrimm’s threat, jeopardizing the mission.

This is Picard. I've suspended the launch sequence.
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scenes 77-79 / Pages 86-90 / 80% target

25%

Stalled by Scrimm, Picard doubts success as the countdown and Borg threat loom.

13

Break into Three

Scenes 98-99 / Page 100 / 85% target

25%

Worf and Riker succeed in breaching the deflector dish, enabling the Phoenix engines to ignite.

14

Finale

Scenes 133-141 / Pages 130-135 / 95% target

30%

The Phoenix enters warp, Data and the Borg Queen perish in the hive, and the Enterprise chases to ensure history occurs.

15

Final Image

Scene 151 / Page 150 / 99% target

25%

Picard and Ruby at the Montana hilltop memorial mirror the initial destroyed timeline now restored.