Star Trek: First Contact
In the twenty-fourth century, the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E has been ordered to patrol the Romulan Neutral Zone by the Federation to avoid interference with their battle against the insidious Borg. Witnessing the loss of the battle, Captain Jean-Luc Picard ignores orders and takes command of the fleet engaging the Borg. But the Borg plan to travel back into the twenty-first century through a vortex with the intention to stop Earth's first contact with an alien race (the Vulcans). Following the Borg sphere, Picard and his crew realize that they have taken over the Enterprise in order to carry out their mission. Their only chance to do away with the Borg and their seductive Queen is to make sure that Zefram Cochrane makes his famous faster-than-light travel to the stars.
Despite a respectable budget of $46.0M, Star Trek: First Contact became a commercial success, earning $146.0M worldwide—a 217% return.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 8 wins & 21 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Star Trek: First Contact (1996) showcases meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Jonathan Frakes's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 51 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Picard awakens from a nightmare of his assimilation by the Borg, establishing his trauma and the psychological scars that will define his arc. He stands at his window, haunted and isolated.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Picard defies Starfleet orders and takes the Enterprise into battle against the Borg cube. The decision is made when he hears the desperation in the fleet's communications - the status quo of following orders is shattered.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The Enterprise follows the Borg sphere through the temporal vortex to April 4, 2063 - the day before humanity's first warp flight and first contact with Vulcans. They commit to preventing the Borg from assimilating Earth's past., moving from reaction to action.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat The Borg Queen seduces Data by giving him human flesh, revealing her plan to use him to access the Enterprise computer. What seemed like a tactical battle becomes personal - the Borg can offer Data what he's always wanted. False defeat: the enemy has found their greatest weakness., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 82 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Picard kills an assimilated crewman and Lily confronts him about his obsession with revenge. He breaks the display case with his phaser rifle in rage. The "whiff of death" - he's become like Ahab, willing to sacrifice everything for vengeance. His humanity is dying., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 88 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Picard orders the crew to abandon ship and activates the self-destruct sequence, but then chooses to go back for Data alone. He synthesizes his tactical knowledge with his regained humanity - he won't sacrifice others for his vendetta, but he won't abandon Data either., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Star Trek: First Contact's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Star Trek: First Contact against these established plot points, we can identify how Jonathan Frakes utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Star Trek: First Contact within the action genre.
Jonathan Frakes's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Jonathan Frakes films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Star Trek: First Contact takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jonathan Frakes filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Jonathan Frakes analyses, see Star Trek: Insurrection, Clockstoppers and Thunderbirds.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Picard awakens from a nightmare of his assimilation by the Borg, establishing his trauma and the psychological scars that will define his arc. He stands at his window, haunted and isolated.
Theme
Lily asks Picard, "How much does it cost?" about the Enterprise. His response about the economics of the future hints at the film's theme: transcending our primitive instincts (revenge, greed) to become better than we are.
Worldbuilding
The Enterprise patrols the Neutral Zone while a Borg cube attacks Earth. Picard is ordered to stay away due to his history with the Borg. We see the crew, their relationships, and Picard's command in peacetime before the invasion.
Disruption
Picard defies Starfleet orders and takes the Enterprise into battle against the Borg cube. The decision is made when he hears the desperation in the fleet's communications - the status quo of following orders is shattered.
Resistance
The Enterprise joins the battle and destroys the Borg cube, but a Borg sphere escapes and creates a temporal vortex to Earth's past. The crew debates whether to follow, understanding the risks of time travel and changing history.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Enterprise follows the Borg sphere through the temporal vortex to April 4, 2063 - the day before humanity's first warp flight and first contact with Vulcans. They commit to preventing the Borg from assimilating Earth's past.
Mirror World
Picard meets Lily Sloane, a 21st-century human who embodies humanity's resilience and moral clarity. Unlike Picard, she hasn't been violated by the Borg - she represents the uncorrupted human spirit he's lost.
Premise
Two parallel missions unfold: on Earth, Riker helps Zefram Cochrane prepare for the warp flight while on the Enterprise, Picard fights the Borg infiltration. Data is captured by the Borg Queen. This is the "fun" of the premise - time travel adventure meets Borg horror.
Midpoint
The Borg Queen seduces Data by giving him human flesh, revealing her plan to use him to access the Enterprise computer. What seemed like a tactical battle becomes personal - the Borg can offer Data what he's always wanted. False defeat: the enemy has found their greatest weakness.
Opposition
The Borg assimilate more of the Enterprise. Picard becomes increasingly ruthless and obsessive, refusing to abandon ship. His crew begins to question his judgment. The Borg gain ground while Picard's trauma-driven decisions push away his allies.
Collapse
Picard kills an assimilated crewman and Lily confronts him about his obsession with revenge. He breaks the display case with his phaser rifle in rage. The "whiff of death" - he's become like Ahab, willing to sacrifice everything for vengeance. His humanity is dying.
Crisis
Picard sits in devastation after Lily's confrontation, facing the truth about his behavior. He recites Moby Dick, acknowledging he's been Captain Ahab. He must choose between his need for revenge and his duty to his crew.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Picard orders the crew to abandon ship and activates the self-destruct sequence, but then chooses to go back for Data alone. He synthesizes his tactical knowledge with his regained humanity - he won't sacrifice others for his vendetta, but he won't abandon Data either.
Synthesis
Picard confronts the Borg Queen to save Data. On Earth, Cochrane completes the warp flight and the Vulcans make first contact. Data, given the choice, remains loyal to Picard and destroys the Borg Queen. Both timelines resolve - humanity's future is saved and Picard reclaims his humanity.
Transformation
Picard watches first contact between humans and Vulcans from the Enterprise, at peace. Unlike the opening nightmare where he was isolated and traumatized, he's now surrounded by his crew, having overcome his demons. He's transcended his need for revenge.