Mind-Blowing Revelation: How Data Rejected Humanity Decades Before Picard Season 3!
Data's missed opportunity to become human resurfaces 34 years later in Picard Season 3, reminding us of the emotional depth and philosophical questions that have defined Star Trek's beloved android character
Summary
Lt. Commander Data's desire to be human is a central theme throughout Star Trek: The Next Generation and beyond.
Data declined the opportunity to become human in TNG season 1 because he believed that genuine humanity derives from personal development and education, rather than external alterations.
In Star Trek: Picard season 3, Data ultimately realizes his aspiration to become human with the aid of a novel synthetic physique that enables him to genuinely feel emotions and physical stimuli, all the while staying faithful to his core identity as Data.
Lt. Commander Data, portrayed by Brent Spiner, declined the opportunity to become human during the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation, a staggering 34 years prior to Data's synthetic resurrection in the third season of Star Trek: Picard. Despite the turbulent reception of TNG, Data, the android operations officer, swiftly emerged as one of the highlights of early Next Gen. Ever since his debut in the premiere episode, "Encounter at Farpoint," Data exhibited a longing to experience humanity, a theme that persisted throughout TNG and beyond. Nevertheless, in "Hide and Q," the tenth episode of TNG season 1, Data chose to reject an immediate upgrade to becoming human.
Following his act of putting the crew of the USS Enterprise-D on trial in TNG's series opener, the all-powerful entity named Q, played by John de Lancie, made a return in the tenth episode of TNG season 1. Q discloses that Captain Jean-Luc Picard, portrayed by Patrick Stewart, and the Enterprise had so greatly impressed the Q Continuum that they now desired to study humanity further. Q then singles out Commander William Riker, played by Jonathan Frakes, to visit the Q Continuum as the representative of humanity. Q bestows upon Riker the abilities of a Q and gives him an opportunity to offer his comrades a gift before joining the Continuum. Filled with excessive self-assurance due to his newfound powers, Riker offers the other senior officers what he believes they desire most.
Data Could Have Been Human In TNG Season 1
First, Riker utilizes his Q abilities to bestow a unique gift upon acting Ensign Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton). Wesley frequently faces the frustration of not being taken seriously due to his young age, so Riker transforms him into an adult. Although taking a decade of a young man's life may not initially appear to be a gift, the entire crew on the Enterprise bridge is suitably impressed and understandably curious about what will happen next. Riker then turns his attention to Data, but before he can utter more than the android's name, Data interrupts him.
Riker contends that he can grant Data the humanity he has always desired. However, Data responds, saying, "I never wanted to compound one illusion with another. It might be authentic to Q, and perhaps even to you, sir. However, it would not hold true for me." Data comprehends that genuine humanity is something he must discover independently, something that even Q cannot provide. Data's voyage to uncover his own humanity is what ultimately transforms him into a human. Every experience and lesson he encounters along the way shapes him. Similarly, humans also evolve and mature as they undergo life, and the journey is often more significant than any destination they eventually reach. If Data had skipped over this vital journey, he would have merely possessed human-like appearances.
Data Is As Close As He'll Get To Human In Picard Season 3
After an arduous 30-year journey, Data's ultimate desire to become human is finally fulfilled in the third season of Star Trek: Picard. Despite his previous deaths in both Star Trek: Nemesis and the first season of Picard, Data is miraculously resurrected with the assistance of his loyal friends. Following his rescue from the classified Starfleet facility at Daystrom Station, the Soong android, formerly known as Data, embarks on yet another transformative journey.
Dr. Altan Inigo Soong, the son of Data's creator, Dr. Noonian Soong, constructs a pristine synthetic body for Data. This remarkable creation not only houses Data's own consciousness but also incorporates the essences of Lore, B-4, Data's daughter Lal (Hallie Todd), and Altan Soong himself.
Through a gripping battle of consciousness between Data and Lore, Data emerges as a reborn individual. Equipped with the ability to experience emotions and physical sensations, Data now stands on the brink of true humanity. Remarkably, he manages to retain his unmistakable identity as Data. Having undergone this remarkable upgrade, Data revels in his newfound emotional spectrum, finding joy in piloting the Enterprise and displaying unwavering dedication in protecting his comrades. While Data's Star Trek expedition has been fraught with countless challenges, his metamorphosis in the third season of Star Trek: Picard proves to be well worth the wait. Although Data could have potentially achieved his dream in the earliest days of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the gratification for both him and devoted Star Trek enthusiasts would not have been as profound.
