You're viewing a single thread.
They didn't have budget for an engineering lab set. They spent it all on the LEDs that went into Data's head subcutaneous superstructure.
They famously only got the engineering set built because Roddenberry insisted on writing it into the pilot episode.
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"THE CLOSET INCIDENT"
INT. ENTERPRISE - MAIN BRIDGEPICARD (turning to Geordi) Mr. La Forge, we need more power to the shields.
GEORDI On it, Captain.
Geordi hurries to a small, inconspicuous closet at the side of the bridge. He opens the door and steps inside. The closet is cramped, filled with various cleaning supplies and equipment.
INT. CLOSET
GEORDI (whispering to himself) Alright, let's see what we've got.
The lights in the closet flicker, and a low hum of machinery can be heard.
INT. MAIN BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
The crew on the bridge looks puzzled
WORF (raising an eyebrow) Did he... Go into the closet?
PICARD (trying to maintain composure) Starfleet decided the production was too expensive.
Riker stifles a chuckle. Suddenly, the console beeps and the shields increase power.
PICARD (exhales with relief)
Geordi emerges from the closet
GEORDI (tapping his combadge) La Forge to bridge, power levels are stable.
PICARD Nods awkwardly.
PICARD Excellent work, Mr. La Forge.
The crew exchanges amused glances.
FADE OUT.
Was it installed on Tuesday?
If it's dangerous enough to risk the ship, they should probably do that in a shuttlecraft far away from the ship or on some uninhabited moon or something.
They have those sets.
Probably the only thing that made sense in Into Darkness.