"Star Trek: The Next Generation" Data's Day (1991)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Robert Wiemer

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (creator)
Harold Apter (teleplay) ...

TV Series:

"Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987)

Original Air Date:

5 January 1991 (Season 4, Episode 11)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Plot:

Data tries to comprehend the complex emotions between O'Brien and Keiko, who are about to be married.

Plot Keywords:

Character Name In Title | Captain | Security | Mother Son Relationship | Space Shuttle

Cast

Patrick Stewart	...	Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes	...	Commander William T. Riker
LeVar Burton	...	Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn	...	Lieutenant Worf
Gates McFadden	...	Doctor Beverly Crusher
Marina Sirtis	...	Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner	...	Lt. Commander Data
Rosalind Chao	...	Keiko Ishikawa
Colm Meaney	...	Chief Miles O'Brien
Sierra Pecheur	...	Ambassador T'Pel
Alan Scarfe	...	Admiral Mendak
Shelly Desai	...	V'Sal
April Grace	...	Transporter Technician Hubbell

Trivia:

The first episode to feature Data's cat, Spot, although (s)he is not named until later. Also, (s)he is a brown, long haired cat, whereas in all subsequent episodes, Spot becomes an orange tabby.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the scene where Lt. Commander Data enters his quarters, he walks up to the replicator and orders "feline supplement number 74" and a small, clear glass bowl materializes containing a portion of cat food. The quantity in the bowl greatly increases from the time it materializes to the time when Data sets it on the floor. Also, apparently feline supplement number 74 is flavored with bugs as when the cat begins to eat the food; an insect can be seen crawling along the inside of the bowl from the viewer's left to right.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Lt. Commander Data: Second officer's personal log, stardate 44390.1 - Record entry for transmission to Cmdr. Bruce Maddox, cybernetics division, Daystrom Institute. Dear Cmdr. Maddox. In reference to your most recent letter, I agree that your study lacks sufficient primary source information on my programing and operation. Therefore, in response to your request, this correspondence will include a complete record of my activities during a normal day, with particular emphasis on my perceptions of friendship.

Movie Connections:

References "Star Trek: Balance of Terror (#1.14)" (1966)

Soundtrack:

Isn't It Romantic?

Not just space battles!

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Colm Meaney and Rosalind Chao make an excellent couple and are also brilliant actors. The on/off wedding plans are fun to watch and Data running between the two is a great laugh. His genuine lack of understanding of Keiko's indecision and Miles angst is great Data character stuff. The Romulan side story is interesting but certainly does not detract from the two leads here. Data turning to Beverly and pleadingly asking her to teach him to dance is fun and it is funny when she teaches him tap dancing, Data reveals he is now ready to dance at the wedding! Beverly is aghast and tells him that there won't be any tap dancing at the wedding! He eventually gets it right! The Romulan plot is uncovered and the O'Briens wedding goes without incident and Data dances with the bride. Great to see that life in Star Trek isn't all space battles and aliens. Our own Colm Meaney getting a more integral role in the show was good to see as well.