‘A FISTFUL OF DATAS’ (TNG)
Please feel free to comment on my review.
This is another one of my favourite episodes from the ‘Star Trek: TNG’ series in Season 6. It has Worf and his son Alexander in the holodeck on a Wild West adventure where they face a group of evil Datas.
By the way, this episode is directed by Patrick Stewart for this season. Patrick directed previous ‘Star Trek’ episodes before like ‘In Theory’ and ‘Hero Worship’. The direction for this episode is superb here.
In the episode, the Enterprise has arrived early for a rendezvous with a supply ship in space. Thus, the Enterprise crew take the opportunity to pursue personal activities whilst they wait for the supply ship.
I love that opening scene where Picard gets interrupted constantly during his flute playing in his quarters by first Data and Geordi; then Beverly and then Worf. He has that flute from ‘The Inner Light’.
When Data and Geordi interrupt, they want to set up systems where Data’s processing abilities are used in case of a main computer failure. When Beverly interrupts, she wants Picard to star in her play.
When Worf interrupts, he wants to run security maintenance checks aboard the ship. Picard encourages Worf not to spend his time working and to ‘enjoy’ his free time. Thus Worf reluctantly agrees.
Worf returns to his quarters where his son, Brian Bonsall as Alexander, waits for him. Apparently Worf ‘can go’ since Picard relieved him of his duties. Alexander then dons a cowboy hat on his father’s head.
Alexander says “Saddle up, father” and they go to the holodeck to enjoy a Wild West Adventure. It is set in the town of Deadwood, South Dakota in the American Old West (or ‘ancient’ as Alexander says).
Alexander created this holodeck program himself. Well okay, Barclay helped too. With some sensational results to Worf’s disapproval. When in the holodeck, Worf and Alexander hear a gunshot.
Worf is the sheriff of Deadwood and Alexander is his duty. They both enter the saloon where they find Eli Hollander, a wanted murderer and thief known as the ‘Butcher of Bozeman’. Worf tackles with him.
Rather too quickly for Alexander’s liking. I found it funny when Worf fights off Eli too easily and Alexanders decides to up the difficulty level for them to start again. This gets more appealing for Worf.
At first, Worf was reluctant to take an interest in Alexander’s cowboy holodeck program. When he’s into it with the action-packed role of sheriff, he is really enjoying it. I found that entertaining to watch.
I liked it when Counsellor Deanna Troi enters, invited by Alexander, to take part in the cowboy program. She’s into her role of mysterious Wild West stranger too. She loved cowboy stories as a child.
Meanwhile with Data and Geordi, they work on their new interface in engineering until a brief energy surge occurs. The ship’s systems react strangely to this as they soon depend on elements related to Data.
This includes Beverly’s play replaced with Data’s poetry whilst performing in rehearsal. Also when people request food and drink from the replicator, they receive cat supplements for Data’s cat, Spot.
Data is also affected as he takes up with stereotypical Wild West mannerisms and vernacular such as “I reckon!” Data is unaware this is happening. Other crew members notice this as they fix the problem.
Most importantly however, characters in the Wild West program appear like Data. Eli Hollander’s father, Frank, appears like Data. I greatly enjoyed seeing a Data-like character in dark Wild West garb!
This episode gives Brent Spiner a chance to play a variety of Wild West characters. As well as playing Frank Hollander, he also plays his son Eli who turns into Data; a Mexican bandito and many other guys.
Things become dangerous when the holodeck safety protocols are turned off and the Wild West characters that look like Data have the same strength as Data. It gets tense before the final showdown.
I like how the episode ends where Worf exchanges Eli and Frank Hollander exchanges Alexander before a gunfight ensues. Worf protects himself by creating a personal shield around him. Will he win?
‘A Fistful of Datas’ is a brilliant episode in the ‘TNG’ series that’s wonderfully directed by Patrick Stewart. It’s a good fun Wild West adventure for Worf and Alexander and Brent Spiner gets to show off his acting talents.
‘A Fistful of Datas’ (TNG) rating – 9/10
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