Datalore
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Star Trek: TNG episode | |
| "Datalore" | |
 Data and his brother Lore, in "Datalore". |
|
| Episode no. | 13 |
|---|---|
| Prod. code | 114 |
| Airdate | January 18, 1988 |
| Writer(s) | Robert Lewin Gene Roddenberry |
| Director | Rob Bowman |
| Guest star(s) | Biff Yeager |
| Year | 2364 |
| Stardate | 41242.4 |
| Episode chronology | |
| Previous | "The Big Goodbye" |
| Next | "Angel One" |
"Datalore" is a first season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, first broadcast January 18, 1988. It is episode #13, production #114, teleplay written by Robert Lewin and Gene Roddenberry, based on a story by Robert Lewin and Maurice Hurley, and directed by Rob Bowman.
The episode establishes Data's backstory, with Data finding out who created him (Dr. Noonien Soong), an evil brother, Lore, and the Crystalline Entity.
[edit] Plot
On stardate 41242.4, the USS Enterprise stops by the planet Omicron Theta while on her way to Starbase Armus IX for computer maintenance. The planet is the site of a farming colony that had mysteriously vanished and also where the Tripoli found the android, Data. Data beams to the planet, along with Commander Riker, Lt. Yar, Lt. La Forge, and Lt. Worf. There, the team finds what was reported as farmland, now looks like barren rock with no trace of life in the soil.
Data indicates he was given the colony's memories, saying the last thing on their minds were fear and panic, but doesn't recall anything afterward. He leads the team over to a depression on the ground and indicates it as the spot where the Tripoli landing party found him. He was lying out in the open, and transmitting a signal.
Geordi soon finds a secret door disguised in the rock wall, and slides it open revealing a passage to a room filled with lab equipment. Heading inside, Data recalls vague memories of the room as his various functions were tested here. Riker finds some children's drawings which shows a huge snowflake-shaped object in the sky and what looks like tiny people fleeing in terror. Data recalls this too, saying it was something dangerous. He also remembers a name, Dr. Noonien Soong, who Geordi indicates was a leading robotics designer. He tried to make Asimov's dream of the positronic brain a reality. When his research failed, he disappeared, but apparently came here to try again.
In a storage area, Data finds an epidermal mold that matches his face. They eventually find a dozen more android arms and legs, and another complete head. Data guesses it could be his brother. He asks Riker for permission to try to rebuild him and the body parts to be taken to the ship.
The Enterprise resumes course to Armus and in the meantime, the android parts are taken to sickbay where both Dr. Crusher and Chief Engineer Argyle, try to reassemble it. Picard speaks with Data in the observation lounge where he looks over the children's drawings. Picard hopes the other android will be able to answer questions, not only for Data, but what became of the colony. Crusher calls for Data, requiring a look at his circuitry. He allows himself to be opened for comparison, but one of Data's concerns is his "off switch", hidden along his spine. He shows it to Beverly but asks her to keep it a secret. The second android is activated as Riker and Picard enter. The two are stunned to see how similar they mirror one another. Picard wonders which of the two were made first. Suddenly, the second responds coldly; "He was made first, but they found him imperfect, and I was made to replace him." The android looks up at them, and makes a nervous facial twitch. "You may call me Lore."
Lore begins his integration with the ship's crew, but Picard is uneasy about him, concerned about his calling Data "imperfect". Data believes he lacks certain abilities that Lore possesses but admits Lore's use of syntax may be strange due to his isolation. Data finds Lore on the bridge where everyone seems to be enjoying his presence, but they sees Data already becoming the jealous brother when he tells Lore the bridge is off limits to him until the Captain says otherwise.
Data takes Lore to his spartan quarters and immediately brings up Dr. Soong's information on the computer for analysis. Lore laughs, "Good ol' 'Often Wrong' Soong!", which puzzles Data, but Lore says Soong was quite brilliant by human standards. Data brings up the question of who was really made first. Lore admits that he lied, saying Soong made him first — and so "perfect" that the colonists were envious of him and petitioned Soong to make a more comfortable, less perfect android. Lore asks to use the computer terminal to learn more about the ship's customs and regulations. Data allows him, and tells him that in the meantime, the Captain would like a report about everything he knows of the colony.
Later, Picard reads over Lore's report where Lore explains a crystalline space entity, capable of stripping away all life force from a world, was responsible for the colony's demise. Data decides to check on Lore finds his brother sitting with a bottle of Champagne. Lore explains he's conducting a human ritual to celebrate an event of importance. He pours out two glasses and hands one to Data, offering a toast; "To our discovery of each other." Data is puzzled, but indulges his brother and takes a sip. Suddenly, he feels ill, and slumps over. Lore coldly watches as Data writhes to the floor saying "And let us toast also the great 'Crystal Entity'... Imagine its gratitude when I offer it the lives aboard this ship". With Data immobilized, Lore begins to change into his uniform.
On the bridge, Worf detects a signal transmitting from Data's quarters. Wesley indicates that Data has been doing research on Dr. Soong, but offers to check it out. Wesley finds Data seated at the computer and Lore laying on the deck. Lore (pretending to be Data) explains Lore attacked him and he was forced to shut him down. He was just about to report the incident to the Captain. Wesley is skeptical, then notices Data make the facial tic. Data explains he was imitating the twitch and asks if he got it right. Wesley is uneasy, pretending to accept the explanation and leaves. Alone, Lore picks up a device and raises it to his face correcting the twitch problem. He then uses the device on Data to cause his face to twitch instead.
Back in the bridge, Worf detects an unknown object gaining on the ship. It appears as the same snowflake crystal that is in the children's drawings. Lore, now dressed as Data, enters the bridge as the object lingers before the Enterprise. Picard ask Data how he "immobilized" Lore, to where he responds he shut him off. Beverly is suspicious since Data made her promise to keep his off switch secret. Picard tells Data to extract whatever information from Lore if he can, but Wesley stands and recommends Data be escorted. Riker decides to go along following Data to his quarters where they find Lore unconscious. Data pretends to activate Lore, pressing the switch to make him fail about. Data tells Riker and Wesley he will record whatever information he reveals. Riker, seeing the face twitch, is convinced Data is telling the truth and leaves taking Wesley with him.
Meanwhile, the ship is jarred when the crystal entity moves and scrapes the shields. Picard brings weapons to ready, but Data returns and tells Picard that he can talk to it. Picard is skeptical of what Data is claiming, but after another jolt to the shields, he tells Data to do it. Data calls over to the crystal, explaining that it should back off since the ship's weapons can destroy it. He suggest that Picard show a demonstration of force by beaming an object toward the crystal and then destroying it with a phaser. Picard approves, and Data with Worf in tow, head out to the cargo transporter. In the turbolift, Lore catches Worf off guard and knocks him out.
Wesley tries again to warn that Data is really Lore, but Picard refuses to listen and dismisses him. Beverly is just as suspicious, and leaves with her son to see for herself. Going to Data's quarters they reactivate the unconscious android and discover it is indeed Data. The three race to the cargo hold to stop Lore.
Lore speaks to the entity, telling it he will deactivate the shields so it can move in. He senses an ambush and manages to knock Beverly over and takes her weapon. Lore levels it at Wesley and warns her not to interfere or he'll kill her son. Data comes into view and expresses his disgust toward his brother. Beverly runs out, and Lore fires a shot at her. This gives Data the opportunity to rush Lore and a brawl ensues. Wesley runs to the transporter controls. Data manages to knock Lore onto the transporter pad and Wesley activates the beam sending Lore into space.
With Lore gone, the crystal entity flies away. Picard and Riker rush to the cargo hold where the Captian notices Data is dressed like Lore, and has been given the facial tic. He tells him to get rid of it and find a proper uniform. Once everything is back to normal, the Enterprise resumes course for the computer overhaul.
[edit] External links
- Datalore article at Memory Alpha, a Star Trek wiki.
- Datalore at StarTrek.com
