Brent Spiner’s advanced efficiency as Lt. Commander Information helped make the android considered one of Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s most beloved characters. Created by cyberneticist Dr. Noonien Soong (also Brent Spiner), Information was an extremely superior android who needed nothing greater than to be human. All through TNG and past, Brent Spiner delivered a layered and nuanced efficiency as Information grew nearer and nearer to his final aim.
From the start of Star Trek: The Subsequent Era, Brent Spiner made Information relatable and extremely compelling to observe, as his feelings peeked by means of his robotic android exterior. Information seemed to his crewmates aboard the USS Enterprise-D for perception into the human situation, and he grew to become one of the worthwhile members of Captain Jean-Luc Picard’s (Patrick Stewart) iconic crew.
“A Fistful of Datas”
Star Trek: The Subsequent Era Season 6, Episode 8
Star Trek: The Subsequent Era acquired numerous mileage out of the holodeck, and “A Fistful of Datas” marks one of many present’s most artistic makes use of of the Twenty fourth-century know-how. The story facilities on Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn) and his son, Alexander (Brian Bonsall), as they embark on a Wild West-inspired holodeck journey.
When the Enterprise laptop malfunctions, all the holodeck characters tackle the looks of Information and possess his superior android skills. In the meantime, Information begins utilizing Wild West language and mannerisms with out even realizing he is doing it. “A Fistful of Datas” is likely one of the many episodes that make nice use of Brent Spiner’s comedic chops, from Information spitting right into a potted plant to his Western drawl.
“Peak Efficiency”
Star Trek: The Subsequent Era Season 2, Episode 21
The principle plot of “Peak Efficiency” focuses on a struggle video games train between the Enterprise-D and the USS Hathaway that will get interrupted by the Ferengi. The subplot, nevertheless, facilities on Information’s disaster of confidence after he loses a sport of Strategema to an skilled named Sirna Kolrami (Roy Brocksmith).
Satisfied that he have to be malfunctioning, Information removes himself from obligation, however Captain Picard helps him to see that “it’s attainable to commit no errors and nonetheless lose.” After regaining his confidence, Information ends one other Strategema sport with Kolrami in a draw. This is likely one of the first occasions we have seen Information doubt himself, and Brent Spiner performs it with an understated depth.
“Time’s Arrow”
Star Trek: The Subsequent Era Season 5, Episode 26 & Season 6, Episode 1
On this Star Trek: The Next Generation two-parter, Information will get pulled right into a time portal that deposits him in 1893 San Francisco. As soon as there, Information struggles to mix in, however he places his poker expertise to good use to earn some cash and rapidly begins making associates. The locals might discover Information unusual, however even they can not assist however be charmed by his harmless curiosity.
The primary a part of “Time’s Arrow” opens with the invention of Information’s disembodied head amongst historical Earth artifacts, which causes the android to think about his personal loss of life. As Information discusses his potential demise with Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton), he stays as indifferent as ever. Nonetheless, Brent Spiner continues to imbue Information with delicate human qualities all through “Time’s Arrow,” and his scenes vary from humorous to heartfelt.
Premiered November 22, 1996 – Directed By Jonathan Frakes
In what many contemplate to be Star Trek: The Next Generation’s best feature film, Information comes face-to-face with the Borg Queen (Alice Krige). Whereas Captain Picard fights Borg drones on the Enterprise and the crew helps Zefram Cochrane (James Cromwell) put together for his historic warp flight, the Borg Queen tempts Information with the promise of recent pores and skin that may expertise bodily sensations.
Regardless of being tempted for 0.68 seconds, Data remains loyal to Captain Picard and his associates, and performs an important function in stopping the Borg Queen and saving the longer term. Information spends a part of First Contact together with his emotion chip deactivated, however the Borg Queen later reactivates it. Brent Spiner’s stellar efficiency highlights Information’s deeper understanding of humanity (in comparison with his time on TNG) and his willingness to sacrifice to save lots of his associates.
“The Measure of a Man”
Star Trek: The Subsequent Era Season 2, Episode 9
In Star Trek: The Next Generation season 2’s “The Measure of a Man,” Dr. Bruce Maddox (Brian Brophy) pays a go to to the Enterprise, saying that he needs to dismantle Information for additional research. Information has no want to be dismantled, which results in a trial to find out whether or not or not Information is the property of Starfleet.
Captain Picard, who argues in protection of Information, and Commander Riker, who argues in opposition to him, get some nice moments in “The Measure of a Man,” as nicely.
As at all times, Brent Spiner performs Information’s emotionlessness with a delicate undercurrent of feeling, because the android first prepares to depart the Enterprise and his associates and later solutions questions at his trial. “The Measure of a Man” is a superb and beloved episode of Star Trek for various causes, and Spiner’s efficiency as Information is a giant a part of that.
“Information’s Day”
Star Trek: The Subsequent Era Season 4, Episode 11
As its title would recommend, “Information’s Day” particulars a day within the lifetime of Information, as he describes his experiences aboard the Enterprise to Dr. Maddox. Information spends a lot of the day making ready for the marriage of Chief Miles O’Brien (Colm Meaney) and Keiko (Rosalind Chao), and finding out the eccentricities of human conduct.
From Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) instructing Information to bounce to Information attempting to coach his cat, Spot, “Information’s Day” comprises a number of the android’s most charming moments. Brent Spiner makes Information laborious to dislike, and his expressions and line readings are pitch-perfect. I particularly love the way in which Spiner delivers the road by which Information calls Geordi a “lunkhead” as a part of an experiment “with pleasant jibes and insults.”
Star Trek: Picard Season 3
Initially Aired From February 16 To April 20, 2023
Regardless of Information’s sacrificial loss of life in Star Trek: Nemesis (and one other “loss of life” in Star Trek: Picard season 1), Information made a triumphant return in Star Trek: Picard season 3, full with a newly upgraded android physique. After being rescued from Daystrom Station, the consciousnesses of Information and Lore compete for management of this new physique, leading to considered one of Brent Spiner’s strongest performances up to now.
In episode 7, “Dominion,” and episode 8, “Give up,” Spiner effortlessly switches between Information and Lore, and his expressions make it apparent which one is speaking earlier than he even says something. This results in a beautiful scene inside the android’s positronic mind that sees Information use his personal recollections to overwrite Lore. Spiner then takes on a extra human have an effect on for the ultimate model of Information, whereas nonetheless making him really feel just like the android followers love.
“The Offspring”
Star Trek: The Subsequent Era Season 3, Episode 16
In considered one of Data’s best episodes and maybe his most heartbreaking storyline, Information builds an android daughter named Lal (Hallie Todd). Information spends a lot of the episode exhibiting Lal find out how to work together with the crew of the Enterprise-D, taking over the function of a doting father. When Starfleet threatens to take Lal away, Information stands up for his daughter, mentioning the methods he’s being handled in another way from his human counterparts.
Brent Spiner imbues Information with extra humanity than ever, because the android clearly cares deeply for his daughter, regardless of his protestations that he is incapable of affection. When Lal suffers a catastrophic malfunction, Information fights to save lots of her simply as a lot as any father would, and Spiner superbly conveys Information’s quiet devastation when he is unsuccessful.
“The Most Toys”
Star Trek: The Subsequent Era Season 3, Episode 22
In “The Most Toys,” Information is pushed to his limits after being kidnapped by a wicked collector named Kivas Fajo (Saul Rubinek). Fajo tips the Enterprise-D crew into believing Information was killed in a shuttle accident, after which threatens his personal staff to get Information to observe his orders.
When Fajo kills his assistant after she tries to assist Information, Information factors a disruptor on the collector and fires simply as he is beamed again to the Enterprise. Information’s programming ought to forestall him from harming one other lifeform, however Fajo is so despicable that Information finds a approach to justify killing him.
“The Most Toys” gives fascinating perception into Information as a personality, and Brent Spiner portrays Information’s anger and disgust together with his regular subtlety. It is considered one of Information’s strongest moments, and Spiner’s efficiency (together with Saul Rubinek’s) makes this an episode to not be missed.
“Brothers”
Star Trek: The Subsequent Era Season 4, Episode 3
Brent Spiner does triple obligation in “Brothers,” portraying not solely Data, but also his evil twin brother, Lore, in addition to their aged creator, Dr. Noonien Soong. When Soong prompts a homing beacon in Information’s programming, the android singlehandedly takes over the Enterprise-D and flies it to Soong’s laboratory on Terlina III.
Spiner performs Information as suitably reserved when in comparison with Lore’s surroundings chewing and Soong’s eccentricity. In a single notably fantastic second, Information realizes that he was created after Lore, and says with surprise, “I’m not much less excellent than Lore.” Spiner delivers the road completely, expressing feeling whereas nonetheless being true to Information’s character in a approach that solely Brent Spiner can.
On the finish of “Brothers,” Information comforts his dying “father,” lamenting the truth that he will not be capable to mourn him. However Soong (and the viewers) is aware of that Information will grieve in his “personal approach.” It is a pretty scene that, once more, captures the essence of Star Trek: The Subsequent Era’s Information as an android who is just not as impassive as he seems.
- Launch Date
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1987 – 1994-00-00
- Community
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Syndication
- Showrunner
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Gene Roddenberry
- Administrators
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Cliff Bole, Les Landau, Winrich Kolbe, Rob Bowman, Robert Scheerer, Jonathan Frakes, Robert Wiemer, Gabrielle Beaumont, Alexander Singer, David Carson, Paul Lynch, Corey Allen, Patrick Stewart, Chip Chalmers, Joseph L. Scanlan, James L. Conway, Robert Lederman, Tom Benko, Timothy Bond, Robert Legato, Adam Nimoy, Robert Becker, David Livingston, LeVar Burton
- Writers
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René Echevarria, Maurice Hurley, Richard Manning, Melinda M. Snodgrass, Tracy Tormé, Hannah Louise Shearer, Stuart Charno, Ira Steven Behr, Sara B. Cooper, Peter Allan Fields, Herbert Wright, Frank Abatemarco, Burton Armus, Hilary Bader, Morgan Gendel, David Kemper, Michael I. Wagner, Philip LaZebnik, Robert McCullough, Susan Sackett, Nick Sagan, Fred Bronson, Robert Hewitt Wolfe, Sam Rolfe
