Datalore
- Episode aired Jan 16, 1988
- TV-PG
- 46m
The Enterprise visits the planet where Data was created and discovers another android like him, but when he's assembled, he's not exactly like him.The Enterprise visits the planet where Data was created and discovers another android like him, but when he's assembled, he's not exactly like him.The Enterprise visits the planet where Data was created and discovers another android like him, but when he's assembled, he's not exactly like him.
- Counselor Deanna Troi
- (credit only)
- Youngblood
- (uncredited)
- Operations Division Officer
- (uncredited)
- Command Division Officer
- (uncredited)
- Crewman Diana Giddings
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaRob Bowman credited Brent Spiner for making the episode work, giving one example, "He did the one scene in his own office with Brent sitting down and Lore discussing what it's like to be human. He did one side, we shot through a double, then turned around, read it the other way and shot the other half of it. Those two characters in those scenes are different people... he really painted those characters differently."
- GoofsAfter Lore has been transported off and Picard addresses Data asking 'Data, you all right?'. Data answers, 'Yes, sir. I'm fine', yet Data is not supposed to be able to use contractions.
- Quotes
Wesley Crusher: Sir, I know this may finish me as an acting ensign, but...
Capt. Picard: Shut up, Wesley!
[...]
Doctor Beverly Crusher: "Shut up, Wesley"?
Capt. Picard: Doctor.
Wesley Crusher: And since I am finished here, sir, may I point out that...?
Doctor Beverly Crusher: Shut up, Wesley!
Wesley Crusher: ...that everything that I have said would have been listened to if it came from an adult officer. - Request permission to return to my quarters, sir.
Capt. Picard: Agreed. Doctor, go with him.
Doctor Beverly Crusher: You're putting *me* off the bridge?
Capt. Picard: [sotto voce] I'm asking you to keep an eye on your son during all of this, Doctor.
- ConnectionsEdited from Alien (1979)
- SoundtracksStar Trek: The Next Generation Main Title
Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage
This is a mostly strong episode focussed on Data's origin, introducing a good antagonist and containing a great double performance from Brent Spiner. Unfortunately some bad creative decisions spoil the latter part of the story.
The plot is highly compelling for the first part of the episode. I found it intriguing to discover Data's beginnings and quite tense waiting for Lore to show his true colours. There are plenty of enjoyable exchanges between Data and Lore plus Lore and the other crew members.
Unfortunately as other reviewers have stated the episode becomes frustrating late on with its writing of Wesley Crusher and the behaviour of senior crew members. It would be fine if we were not expected to take them seriously as leaders in the next episodes, but that is the negative effect it has on the consistency of the characters. Also Wesley does not communicate his concern particularly well which feels like a contrivance just to get those reactions from the crew. The result is that the entire premise is annoying on all levels.
The visuals are done very well with good makeup, nice set design and solid effects creating the crystalline entity.
Performances are great with Brent Spiner dominating this episode with a superb turn as two quite different characters.
This is a 7.5/10 but I round upwards.
- snoozejonc
- May 19, 2021
Details
- Runtime46 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1