4.11 Data’s Day

Rating: 2.5

As Data composes a letter to Dr Maddox of the Daystrom Institute on his development, we follow him as he narrates his day. He attempts to help Keiko and Miles keep their wedding hopes alive; Beverly teaches him to dance, and he gets involved in a possible peace initiative between Vulcan Ambassador T’Pel and the Romulans.

Comments

This episode was co-written by Ronald D. Moore (who was also script editor at the time). It has his stamp all over it, from the choice of "Isn’t It Romantic" as Data and Crusher’s dance music, to the way we actually learn about growing characters who have an arc. It’s not an exceptional episode, but I still can appreciate a script written by someone who cares about the characters.

Brent Spiner is one of the stronger actors, so any episode devoted to him is going to be a cut above the others.

Nits

Why was such an elaborate deception staged by the Romulan spy? Why not just get beamed over and never tell anyone she was a spy? Didn’t it make everyone more suspicious that she died?

Memorable Moments

•    The strange smile on Data’s face when he starts dancing with his beautiful holographic partner – was that supposed to be Tasha Yar?

Quotable Quotes

"Human bonding rituals often involve a great deal of talking and…dancing and…crying."
- Worf on weddings