exercising self-control theme
A character notices their own emotional inclination to do (or not to do) something, and that obeying them is undesirable. The character makes a reasonable attempt not to do so.
Notes
There are two contraposed formulas for when the theme applies: wanting to do vs. wanting to not do. For example, a character may feel like taking a smoke, but stops themself from doing so because they know it is ultimately bad for them. Conversely, a character may be reluctant to stick their neck out and challenge a misbehaving superior they are afraid of, yet tries to do so because they know it is the right thing to do.
Examples
Riker urged Troi to exercise a modicum of self-restraint shortly after she picked up a young ensign on the turbolift in tng6x03 "Man of the People".
21 total · 2 choice · 6 major · 13 minor
| Story | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| tng3x23 | choice | Sarek battled with keeping his emotions under control. |
| tz1985e3x27 | choice | The story was about the singer persuading Jack to get a hold of himself. |
| ent1x17 | major | T'Pol was actively suppressing her emotions in contrast with the Vulcans who embraced their emotions. |
| movie: Dark Phoenix (2019) | major | Jean struggled to keep her pent up emotions in check after becoming possessed by a cosmic force of some kind. |
| movie: Firestarter (1984) | major | Charlie struggled to refrain from using her fire starting power. |
| movie: Impulse (1984) | major | Stuart in particular was struggling with himself to keep his violent impulses and sexual urges under control. |
| voy2x16 | major | Tuvok and Lon struggled to repress their violent urges. |
| voy2x22 | major | Tuvok educated the children in Vulcan self-control of emotions. |
| ds95x07 | minor | Worf explained that he needed to exercise self-restraint more than other Klingons and that's why he's such a prude. |
| ent4x04 | minor | Ensign Jeffrey Pierce struggled to control his fear while being held in a cage. |