4.03 Brothers

Rating: 2.5

A boy’s innocent prank leads to a near fatal accident for his younger brother. The boy needs medical attention at a Starbase immediately, but when Data suddenly takes over the ship and points the Enterprise at high warp for an unknown destination, the boy’s life becomes endangered.

Comments

Impressively, Brent Spiner plays three roles here – Data, Lore, and Dr. Noonian Soong, and manages to give them all distinct personalities.

Nits

Data refers to something called the ‘crystal entity’. Up to this point, it has always been referred to as the ‘crystalline entity’.

Lore really isn’t very bright. When Singh says that he is dieing, Lore, unbelieving, says, "You look fine." First of all, he doesn’t look fine to me. He looks really old and seems fragile. Secondly, since when does appearance give any definitive indication as to a person’s true health anyway?

Riker turns Data back on by pressing a switch that appears to be on Data’s lower back. I thought Data’s on/off switch was on one of his legs.

Memorable Moments

•    Brent Spiner is excellent and threatening as Lore.

Quotable Quotes

"The only way we knew we’d come out of warp was by looking out a window."
- Riker, frustrated by Data’s control of the ship

Data: The boys seem to have reconciled their differences.
Crusher: They’re brothers, Data. Brothers forgive.