Overview

• The Enterprise’s “recreation room” holodeck prototype is tested for the first time in Season 3 Episode 4, placing early holographic simulation tech under scrutiny.
• During the trial, the system’s unexpected drain on the ship’s power reserves triggered safety protocol failures and raised alarms.
• Lieutenant La’An Noonien-Singh becomes trapped in a detective-style scenario and must navigate the simulation under mounting risk.
• Chief Engineer Scott’s proposal for a dedicated power source and separate processing unit is considered but ultimately rejected.
• Captain Pike concludes that the technology remains too perilous for active duty, providing an in-universe rationale for its absence in Kirk’s era.