To be fair, while Data's closing statement is unintentionally ice-cold, you could also interpret it as sweet. In reference to the idea of interchangability, if Data could or would use his subroutine to act with anyone else in the future, he would hold onto it. To delete it means it was for her, with her alone, and is tantamount to saying "I'll never love anyone as I loved you."
Ronald D. Moore, who co-wrote the episode said it was inspired by stories of fans confessing their love for the character of Spock during the original run of TOS. He remarked, "So much of Leonard Nimoy's fan mail was from women, women who were falling in love with this remote, inaccessible character with the idea that 'I could touch his heart - I could get to Spock like no one else.' I was fascinated by that aspect of fandom." He thought it would be interesting to explore what would happen when the man completely lacked emotions, rather than just controlled them as Spock had.
Am I the only one who finds the idea of choosing someone who battles every day to control their emotions with the deliberate intention of changing their personality so that they break down pretty damn creepy?
The explanation of how Data thinks in this video is one of my favorite bits of analysis by Chuck. I actually feel like Ensigns of Command touched on this more positively, with Data 'calculating' McKenzie could use a kiss and giving her one.
3:50 we all know the real reason she is interested is because Tasha was telling EVERYONE just how fully functional Data is before her death, she just wasn’t to see how broad his functionality is.
@@danielmcguire3590 @danielmcguire3590 I'd imagine not long. Other than maybe blood loss and blood pressure drop it's not much different than getting cut in half. You'd probably pass out from shock within a few seconds, or sooner. Having just written this I actually think I am wrong. I remembered people who get crushed between two heavy objects around their waist area. Sometimes they live for quite a while before expiring, or survive in rare cases where the trauma/bleeding isn't that bad. In this specific case it all depends on how she is interfaced with the floor. Did she bleed out instantly, is the floor merged with her, keeping blood from flowing (and issues with organs) out entirely, blocking blood vessels, do her lungs above the floor still work? Too many unknowns.
@@danielmcguire3590 Depends on which bits are still intact and able to feed blood and oxygen to the brain. In general humans can survive a LOT of trauma before they die. By the looks of it, her heart and lungs are still intact, she would not be bleeding out and by her expression, she felt the pain.
@ptonpc yeh I agree, I think there are enough organs present to 'maintain life ' for a short amount of time, I suppose the only comfort might be that some form of shock might set in to...assuage the suffering. Hopefully that wouldn't last too long. I think the results of a more prolonged demise wouldn't be broadcastable on a 'family' show 😯
I wish this was an idea they revisited with a romantic interest that actually had realistic expectations for Data. Jenna clearly requires a lot of romance in her life given the reasons for breaking up with her ex. The only reason she would seemingly expect more of that from Data is because she was essentially looking for a rebound.
5:52 I believe it’s in time’s arrow he effectively says, loosely quoting “I would miss the stimuli that your presence brings me too”, or something to Riker and Troi in the turbolift
While I understand your score, I LOVE (see what I did there 🤓) this episode. I think the thing that holds is back is the techno babble plot being totally unrelated to the love story. I wish we had gotten a whole 45 minutes of either love story, or side plot that reenforces the love story.
Data may not have realized it, but he definitely had emotions. Or, at least, emotional intelligence. Doubt me? Listen to "Ode to Spot" just one time. He LOVED that cat.
One of my FAVORITE pieces of- commentary, I suppose- on Data, was a short webcomic of Data saying something along the lines of "My name is Data, I am an android and cannot feel emotions. This makes me very sad." I wholeheartedly agree with you!
The data part of this episode was a hilarious comedy of errors with an utter twit having a rebound relationship with someone who does care about her but just does not understand relationships. The secondary plot with the dark matter interfering with the ship was okay. It was par for the course for Star Trek, and not bad. Edit: also that moment where the female gold shirt dies half in a bulkhead is still horrifying to me. It's not one of those "scarred for life" things, but it is a successful moment where the show put some horror into exploration.
On the crew not being paid: it does not help that there is multiple indications of Starfleet ships are still designed with a lot of unappealing work needing to be done, that it seems questionable how multiple of them probably would not be that hard to automate (even at the time originally aired). Plus even if it this automation took some of volume within ships, pretty much every starfleet ship we saw had plenty of room to give; the Galexy class is only using a tiny fraction of habitable volume since had basically full quarters for several thousand non-crew to transport groups, DS9 while a Cardasian design at least was good enough to be classed as a station had massive sections unoccupied originally plus all the parts related to ore processing (with several Starfleet stations looking like a saucer section of ship used for most of station volume, which would make sense for easy transport, with a vertical engineering section instead of main hull; so should not take that long to set new one up), and even Voyager was not exactly tight on space. NX Enterprise might be the exception, but it being extremely unique ship for that era has a bigger draw to serving there than any ship we saw in TNG-Voyager era.
Yeah, that unnamed engineer's sudden intimate romance with the bulkhead was a more interesting turn than anything about Data's relationship with the guest of the week. Ironically that poor woman's name was Floorman.
As an asexual aeromantic on the Autism spectrum, his episode really spoke to me. While unlike Data I do have some strong emotions (humor, anger, anxiety, exhilaration, satisfaction, desire, compassion and an oxytocin boost when I'm surrounded by Pokemon plushies and/or in fursuit [I'm also a furry]), romance just isn't an emotion I've ever felt. Not out of fear of rejection or lack of self confidence...it's just alien to me. So while I have a slight curiosity towards the nuances and rituals of romance, I've always felt that trying to pursue it myself would result in something similar to what Data went through here. And since I do have a sense of compassion, I don't want to drag somebody else through all the awkwardness that such an attempt on my part would likely inflict upon them.
I feel like they missed the opportunity to build data's emotions based on these fundamental reactions. Data gets used to people, he prefers the company of some over others, and he experiences a notable gap in his day to day life when someone isn't there anymore. He really should be able to use these kinds of thought processes as a foundation to build an approximation of emotions. Especially if you add simulated physiological responses.
I have a rewrite for this episode to make it more heartbreaking. Have JENNA pilot the shuttle, not Picard. Then, as he's watching her risk her life for the ship, Data gets so worried about her that he has a technobabble brain problem thanks to the romance subroutine. When she comes back and finds out, then she breaks up with him because she realizes she cares too much for him to put that beautiful round peg in the square hole that is their relationship. It's not necessary, but if you can have Data give her a PADD that lets her delete the subroutine herself? Even better. :D
Respect 'em? Sure! Trust 'em? Not when one looks strongly like a man who's spent the better part of the last 35 years trying to fruitlessly murderize a rambunctious little hedgehog.
I was 9 when i first saw this episode, so a lot of it kinda went over my head. Given how much i identified with Data, i really wish i had taken the lesson to heart and avoided dating women like Jenna.
Thinking about Data when he dosnt have the emotions chip installed he is essentially a higher functioning sociopath (I believe it’s that disorder I do something mix them up but I think I’m right on this one) what dose anyone else think of that idea?
This was the first ever episode of TNG that I saw that got me into the show. I guess it hasn't aged well, but I loved it when I saw it. This was a long time ago, though.
I know it was made at a time when actual research into and proper representation of minorities wasn't quite a thing yet, but all i can think of when seeing Datas relationship approach is: Just ask an asexual and/or aromantic person for some input. It would've helped this script immensely.
To be fair, while Data's closing statement is unintentionally ice-cold, you could also interpret it as sweet.
In reference to the idea of interchangability, if Data could or would use his subroutine to act with anyone else in the future, he would hold onto it. To delete it means it was for her, with her alone, and is tantamount to saying "I'll never love anyone as I loved you."
Ronald D. Moore, who co-wrote the episode said it was inspired by stories of fans confessing their love for the character of Spock during the original run of TOS. He remarked, "So much of Leonard Nimoy's fan mail was from women, women who were falling in love with this remote, inaccessible character with the idea that 'I could touch his heart - I could get to Spock like no one else.' I was fascinated by that aspect of fandom." He thought it would be interesting to explore what would happen when the man completely lacked emotions, rather than just controlled them as Spock had.
As ridiculous as the romantic subplot is, it's actually the more entertaining part of the episode if you're used to the danger of the week formula.
Am I the only one who finds the idea of choosing someone who battles every day to control their emotions with the deliberate intention of changing their personality so that they break down pretty damn creepy?
@@Karajorma"I can fix him" has always been a creepy mentality.
@ Yeah. With Data it's okay since he desires human emotions. But Spock rejects emotions.
MILES THEY ARE DOING THE ANNOYING GIRLFRIEND EPISODE WITHOUT MEEEEEE!!!
2:56 "Doctor Crusher has an encounter with a poltergeist..."
Aww Chuck... It was right there man... Easy goal.
The explanation of how Data thinks in this video is one of my favorite bits of analysis by Chuck. I actually feel like Ensigns of Command touched on this more positively, with Data 'calculating' McKenzie could use a kiss and giving her one.
Yes, the episode where data gets a girlfriend. It's also the one with one of the most body horror deaths in the entire franchise.
Probably the most memorable thing about this episode.
3:50 we all know the real reason she is interested is because Tasha was telling EVERYONE just how fully functional Data is before her death, she just wasn’t to see how broad his functionality is.
Jenna is the most cutest subrutine
that has ever existed in Data' s neural network .
That would be Lal. Then Geordi. but a close third.
I like how the Orville did the same thing, only there they made the relationship work.
It was fairly enjoyable. They did take the out of giving him emotions sometimes though.
The thumbnail gives me nightmares
How long do you live after something like that happens?!😮
@@danielmcguire3590 @danielmcguire3590 I'd imagine not long. Other than maybe blood loss and blood pressure drop it's not much different than getting cut in half. You'd probably pass out from shock within a few seconds, or sooner.
Having just written this I actually think I am wrong. I remembered people who get crushed between two heavy objects around their waist area. Sometimes they live for quite a while before expiring, or survive in rare cases where the trauma/bleeding isn't that bad. In this specific case it all depends on how she is interfaced with the floor. Did she bleed out instantly, is the floor merged with her, keeping blood from flowing (and issues with organs) out entirely, blocking blood vessels, do her lungs above the floor still work? Too many unknowns.
@@danielmcguire3590 Depends on which bits are still intact and able to feed blood and oxygen to the brain.
In general humans can survive a LOT of trauma before they die.
By the looks of it, her heart and lungs are still intact, she would not be bleeding out and by her expression, she felt the pain.
@ptonpc yeh I agree, I think there are enough organs present to 'maintain life ' for a short amount of time, I suppose the only comfort might be that some form of shock might set in to...assuage the suffering. Hopefully that wouldn't last too long. I think the results of a more prolonged demise wouldn't be broadcastable on a 'family' show 😯
I wish this was an idea they revisited with a romantic interest that actually had realistic expectations for Data. Jenna clearly requires a lot of romance in her life given the reasons for breaking up with her ex. The only reason she would seemingly expect more of that from Data is because she was essentially looking for a rebound.
Which is not an unrealistic premise, though.
Data and a Vulcan would actually be an interesting and likely attainable relationship for both of them.
They both are very strong too
A relationship of such nature would be illogical with an android. The purpose of such coupling is reproduction.
Pretending that the bots pause was covering up something not safe for RUclips 😂
5:52 I believe it’s in time’s arrow he effectively says, loosely quoting “I would miss the stimuli that your presence brings me too”, or something to Riker and Troi in the turbolift
While I understand your score, I LOVE (see what I did there 🤓) this episode. I think the thing that holds is back is the techno babble plot being totally unrelated to the love story. I wish we had gotten a whole 45 minutes of either love story, or side plot that reenforces the love story.
Data may not have realized it, but he definitely had emotions. Or, at least, emotional intelligence. Doubt me? Listen to "Ode to Spot" just one time. He LOVED that cat.
One of my FAVORITE pieces of- commentary, I suppose- on Data, was a short webcomic of Data saying something along the lines of "My name is Data, I am an android and cannot feel emotions.
This makes me very sad."
I wholeheartedly agree with you!
The data part of this episode was a hilarious comedy of errors with an utter twit having a rebound relationship with someone who does care about her but just does not understand relationships.
The secondary plot with the dark matter interfering with the ship was okay. It was par for the course for Star Trek, and not bad.
Edit: also that moment where the female gold shirt dies half in a bulkhead is still horrifying to me. It's not one of those "scarred for life" things, but it is a successful moment where the show put some horror into exploration.
On the crew not being paid: it does not help that there is multiple indications of Starfleet ships are still designed with a lot of unappealing work needing to be done, that it seems questionable how multiple of them probably would not be that hard to automate (even at the time originally aired). Plus even if it this automation took some of volume within ships, pretty much every starfleet ship we saw had plenty of room to give; the Galexy class is only using a tiny fraction of habitable volume since had basically full quarters for several thousand non-crew to transport groups, DS9 while a Cardasian design at least was good enough to be classed as a station had massive sections unoccupied originally plus all the parts related to ore processing (with several Starfleet stations looking like a saucer section of ship used for most of station volume, which would make sense for easy transport, with a vertical engineering section instead of main hull; so should not take that long to set new one up), and even Voyager was not exactly tight on space. NX Enterprise might be the exception, but it being extremely unique ship for that era has a bigger draw to serving there than any ship we saw in TNG-Voyager era.
I do not want to think of Sub Rosa, ever, which is what I think of with Beverley and ghosts.
Yeah, that unnamed engineer's sudden intimate romance with the bulkhead was a more interesting turn than anything about Data's relationship with the guest of the week.
Ironically that poor woman's name was Floorman.
As an asexual aeromantic on the Autism spectrum, his episode really spoke to me. While unlike Data I do have some strong emotions (humor, anger, anxiety, exhilaration, satisfaction, desire, compassion and an oxytocin boost when I'm surrounded by Pokemon plushies and/or in fursuit [I'm also a furry]), romance just isn't an emotion I've ever felt. Not out of fear of rejection or lack of self confidence...it's just alien to me. So while I have a slight curiosity towards the nuances and rituals of romance, I've always felt that trying to pursue it myself would result in something similar to what Data went through here. And since I do have a sense of compassion, I don't want to drag somebody else through all the awkwardness that such an attempt on my part would likely inflict upon them.
I wonder if Data sought Jenna out after he got his emotion chip.....
re (5:55) or as he puts it, his neural pathways become accustomed to reacting to certain inputs and become more efficient with them.
re (9:54) hello normal people, welcome to autistic life.
I feel like they missed the opportunity to build data's emotions based on these fundamental reactions. Data gets used to people, he prefers the company of some over others, and he experiences a notable gap in his day to day life when someone isn't there anymore. He really should be able to use these kinds of thought processes as a foundation to build an approximation of emotions. Especially if you add simulated physiological responses.
I have a rewrite for this episode to make it more heartbreaking. Have JENNA pilot the shuttle, not Picard. Then, as he's watching her risk her life for the ship, Data gets so worried about her that he has a technobabble brain problem thanks to the romance subroutine. When she comes back and finds out, then she breaks up with him because she realizes she cares too much for him to put that beautiful round peg in the square hole that is their relationship. It's not necessary, but if you can have Data give her a PADD that lets her delete the subroutine herself? Even better. :D
0:37
The only scientist Chuck respects? Mythbusters.
Respect 'em? Sure!
Trust 'em?
Not when one looks strongly like a man who's spent the better part of the last 35 years trying to fruitlessly murderize a rambunctious little hedgehog.
I mean, her previous relationship was a guy who's name was Sam, but insisted on being called George, and wasn't a Kirk.
You going to do a review of section 31?
Star Trek and Kingdom Hearts both did a better job at showing beings without emotions than Darker Than Black ever did.
Oh no, do i watch this first or the red letter media section 31 review...
I was 9 when i first saw this episode, so a lot of it kinda went over my head. Given how much i identified with Data, i really wish i had taken the lesson to heart and avoided dating women like Jenna.
reupload, right? just checkin
"When I have some, I’ll let you know."
Women? Oh, advice. Damn it.
Thinking about Data when he dosnt have the emotions chip installed he is essentially a higher functioning sociopath (I believe it’s that disorder I do something mix them up but I think I’m right on this one) what dose anyone else think of that idea?
I'm at soup
Whadda you MEAN you're at SOUP?
@jurgenronaaz4695 I'M AT SOUP!
@jurgenronaaz4695 I'M AT THE SOUP STORE!
Jenna seems to have the intelligence of a toddler. This episode was tough to watch.
This was the first ever episode of TNG that I saw that got me into the show. I guess it hasn't aged well, but I loved it when I saw it. This was a long time ago, though.
What hasn't aged well? The only thing that ages isn't the media it's the stupidity of the younger people who consume it
"Based upon the preferences that his sapience provides for him." In other words, he's a sociopath.
I know it was made at a time when actual research into and proper representation of minorities wasn't quite a thing yet, but all i can think of when seeing Datas relationship approach is: Just ask an asexual and/or aromantic person for some input. It would've helped this script immensely.