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) and discovering his 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 originally 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 that what was reported as farmland now looks like barren rock with no trace of life in the soil.
Data reveals that he was given the colonists' memories, saying the last thing on their minds were fear and panic, but he doesn't recall anything afterward. He leads the team over to a depression on the ground which he indicates is 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 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 show a huge snowflake-shaped object in the sky and what appear to be 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 had tried to make Asimov's dream of the positronic brain a reality. However, when his research failed, he disappeared, apparently continuing his work at Omicron Theta.
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 to have the body parts taken to the ship.
The Enterprise resumes course to Armus; in the meantime, the android parts are taken to sickbay where both Dr. Crusher and Chief Engineer Argyle begin to reassemble them. 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 about what happened to 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 are to one another. Picard wonders which of the two was 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 to integrate with the ship's crew, but Picard is uneasy about him, due to 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 a cautious Data informs Lore that 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' 'Oftenwrong' 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; however, he was 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 this, and tells him that in the meantime, the Captain would like a report on 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, deciding 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. He loses control of his movement and falls to the floor. Lore coldly watches as Data writhes, saying "And let us toast also the great 'Crystal Entity'... Imagine its gratitude when I offer it the lives aboard this ship".
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 what appears to be Data seated at the computer and Lore lying on the deck. "Data" explains that Lore attacked him and was forced to switch him off. He was just about to report the incident to the Captain. Wesley is suspicious, and catches "Data" making the facial tic. "Data" explains he was imitating the twitch and asks if he got it right. Wesley is uneasy and leaves, pretending to accept the explanation. Alone, Lore uses a tool to correct the twitch problem, and to give Data the same twitch.
Back on the bridge, Worf detects an unknown object gaining on the ship. It appears to be the same crystalline entity that was depicted in the children's drawings. Lore, now dressed as Data, enters the bridge as the object hovers before the Enterprise. Picard asks "Data" how he "immobilized" Lore, to which he responds he has shut him off. Beverly is suspicious, since Data wished for as few people as possible to be aware he even had an off switch. Picard tells "Data" to extract whatever information from Lore he can, but Wesley stands and recommends Data be escorted back to his quarters. Riker decides to go along with "Data" and Wesley to his quarters where they find Lore still unconscious. "Data" warns them that Lore is violent, and makes him flail about, pretending he has switched him on and he's regaining consciousness. "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 crystalline entity scrapes the shields. Picard brings weapons to ready, but "Data" returns and tells Picard that he can communicate with it. "Data" informs the crystalline entity that it should back off since the ship's weapons can destroy it. He suggests 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, heads out to the cargo transporter. In the turbolift, Lore catches Worf off guard and winds him with a powerful punch to the chest.
Wesley tries again to convince Picard that "Data" is really Lore, but the captain refuses to listen and dismisses him. Beverly is just as suspicious, and leaves with her son to see for herself. Returning 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 that the shields will drop momentarily when the transporter is activated. Beverly sneaks up on Lore but he knocks her over and takes her weapon. Lore levels it at Wesley and warns her not to interfere or he'll incinerate her son. Data comes into view and expresses his disdain toward his brother. Beverly runs out, and Lore fires a shot at her, setting her arm on fire. 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 crystalline entity flies away. Picard and Riker rush to the cargo hold where the Captain 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.
