Unveiling the Unbreakable Bond: The Top 10 Legendary Data and Geordi Star Trek Friendship Moments that Will Leave You Speechless

Summary

Data and Geordi's friendship is a central theme in Star Trek: The Next Generation, where Geordi helps Data explore his humanity.

Geordi unwaveringly stands by Data, despite the way others perceive him due to being an android. The enduring friendship between Data and Geordi is evident as they navigate through numerous obstacles and share emotionally charged moments, symbolizing their profound connection and unwavering faith in each other.

Lt. Commander Data and Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge share an inseparable bond as best friends in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Data, the only android in Starfleet, serves as the Operations Officer on the USS Enterprise-D under the leadership of Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Meanwhile, La Forge is the Enterprise's Chief Engineer, and the two often collaborate when faced with engineering challenges.

Their friendship is established early on, and their interactions provide some of the most memorable moments in the show's initially tumultuous first season. Despite being an ostensibly emotionless android, Data yearns to understand what it means to be human, and Geordi becomes his guiding companion on this quest. While some crew members treat Data differently due to his positronic nature, Geordi consistently treats him as an equal. Their friendship endures through all seven seasons of The Next Generation and all four subsequent movies, culminating in their eventual reunion in season 3 of Star Trek: Picard. Throughout their time together, Data and Geordi share numerous poignant and unforgettable moments, and here are the top 10 among them.

10 Geordi Realizes Data Didn't Follow Protocol in TNG's "The Most Toys"

When the Enterprise encounters a trader by the name of Kivas Fajo, he forcefully abducts Data to incorporate him into his personal collection. Believing that Data has perished in a shuttlecraft explosion, the Enterprise proceeds with its assigned mission. However, there is an unsettling element to the incident that perplexes La Forge. As Geordi thoroughly reviews Data's communications just prior to the explosion, he notices a deviation from the usual protocol in Data's final transmission. While such a deviation might not be significant for most officers, Geordi's familiarity with Data compels him to delve deeper into the matter, aided by Ensign Wesley Crusher. Eventually, the crew of the Enterprise realizes that Fajo's sole intention in making contact was to seize Data, prompting them to swiftly return and rescue him.

9 Geordi Gets A Look Inside Data's Head In TNG's "A Fistful of Datas"

In season 6's hilarious episode "A Fistful of Datas," Lieutenant Commander La Forge comes up with a brilliant plan to connect Data's neural network to the Enterprise's computer. This ingenious setup allows Data to take control of the ship's essential systems if there's ever an emergency. While Geordi busily tinkers with Data's positronic brain, a delightful conversation unfolds between them.

LAFORGE: I must admit, Data, I never get used to seeing you like this.

DATA: I do not understand. You are constantly working on similar electronic systems, yet their appearances do not disturb you.

LAFORGE: But you're not just another electronic system.

DATA: Thank you, Geordi. Nor are you just another biological organism.

This conversation perfectly encapsulates their friendship and emphasizes that Geordi has never seen Data as just a machine.

8 Geordi Doesn't Let Data Destroy The Emotion Chip In TNG's "Descent"

After the reappearance of Data's brother Lore (also portrayed by Brent Spiner), who assumes a leadership role among a collective of Borg drones, he cunningly manipulates Data into joining his cause. Lore successfully imposes his own array of emotions onto Data's programming, resulting in Data experiencing a newfound sense of anger. Data almost proceeds with an experimental surgical procedure on Geordi before his moral programming is reactivated. In the conclusion of "Descent, Part 2," Data deactivates Lore and retrieves the emotion chip that had been inadvertently implanted in Lore's neural pathways. Taking a decisive stance, Data initiates the destruction of the chip, firmly choosing to forgo emotions rather than risk causing harm to Geordi once more. However, Geordi, in a testament to their unfaltering friendship, encourages Data not to abandon his lifelong dream. Ultimately, Data carefully stores the emotion chip away, preserving it for safekeeping.

7 Data Goes to Geordi to Install His Emotion Chip in Star Trek Generations

After successfully convincing Data in the TNG episode "Descent, Part 2," Geordi plays a crucial role in the installation of the emotion chip in Data's system during the first TNG film, Star Trek Generations. Despite Data's prior realization of his own humanity throughout TNG, his yearning to embrace human emotions remained. Geordi accepts Data's plea and assists in the installation process, committing to deactivating the chip if any issues arise. Although the emotion chip primarily adds a touch of humor to Generations, it fails to function as seamlessly as intended by the storyline. Nevertheless, this narrative holds immense significance for the bond between Geordi and Data, successfully portraying their deep connection and unwavering trust.

6 Data and Geordi Discuss Death in TNG's "Time's Arrow"

In the TNG season 5 episode "Time's Arrow, Part 1," scientists uncover Data's head in a cave on Earth, prompting the Enterprise to launch an investigation. Geordi engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Data in Ten Forward, questioning whether the knowledge of his eventual demise troubles him. Surprisingly, Data finds solace in this fact, as it brings him closer to his aspiration of being human. This intriguing exchange of ideas reinforces the unwavering bond between Geordi and Data, highlighting Geordi's commitment to being there for his friend. Geordi's comment about never considering Data's perspective on his potential immortality further emphasizes the deep friendship that transcends Data's android nature.

5 Geordi Says Goodbye to Data In TNG's "The Measure of a Man"

TNG season 2's "The Measure of a Man" holds its place as one of the all-time greatest Star Trek episodes. When Dr. Bruce Maddox (Brian Brophy) boards the Enterprise, his intention to dismantle Data for study becomes known. In response, Data chooses to resign from Starfleet rather than become a subject of Maddox's experimentation. However, Maddox argues that Data lacks sentience. Despite the Enterprise crew's conviction that Data is indeed sentient, they are obligated to follow proper procedure and hold a formal trial. Through Picard's impassioned speech and Data's unequivocal individualism, Data emerges victorious in the trial, ultimately retaining his position as a member of the Enterprise crew. While the episode does not solely revolve around Data and Geordi's friendship, an exceptionally significant moment occurs when both characters believe Data is departing from the Enterprise.

4 Data Says Goodbye to Geordi in TNG's "The Next Phase"

In "The Next Phase," the 24th episode of season 5 in Star Trek: The Next Generation, a transporter malfunction causes La Forge and Ensign Ro (portrayed by Michelle Forbes) to become out of phase. While they can communicate with each other, they cannot interact with anyone on the Enterprise, leading the crew to believe they have perished. During a conversation with Lt. Worf (played by Michael Dorn), Data expresses his sorrow in his own unique way and discusses his bond of friendship with Geordi.

Data's friendship with Geordi has taught him the true meaning of companionship. Geordi's ability to treat him with dignity and equality, regardless of his android nature, has profoundly impacted Data's understanding of friendship. This pivotal moment marks an essential step in Data's quest to embrace his own humanity. However, bidding farewell remains a challenge unknown to him.

3 Data Helps Geordi After Geordi's Mother Dies in TNG's "Interface"

2 Geordi Is The Watson To Data's Sherlock Holmes

In the TNG season 7 episode "Interface," Geordi La Forge is devastated by the news of his mother's disappearance. She served as the captain of a ship, which is now believed to be lost with everyone on board. Geordi, along with Dr. Beverly Crusher, has been experimenting with a new feature of his VISOR that enables him to control a probe remotely. Determined to find his mother's ship, he utilizes this cutting-edge technology. During this difficult time, Data not only provides emotional support to Geordi but also predicts that Geordi will defy Captain Picard's orders and employ the probe once again to search for his mother. Despite the potential consequences Data may face for assisting Geordi, he chooses to help his friend, ensuring Geordi's safety.

In the TNG episode "Elementary, Dear Data" from season 2, La Forge and Data embark on an entertaining holodeck adventure, assuming the roles of Dr. Watson and Detective Sherlock Holmes, respectively. Data, with his remarkable ability to effortlessly recall every detail of every Holmes story, quickly resolves the initial mystery generated by the holodeck. When Geordi requests the computer to generate an adversary capable of outsmarting Data, the computer ingeniously brings forth Professor James Moriarty, a sentient holographic version of Holmes' notorious villain. Throughout the episode, Data and Geordi's deep bond of friendship is prominently showcased, as Geordi, solely driven by Data's desire to portray Sherlock Holmes, creates the entire holodeck program.

1 Data and Geordi's Reunion In Star Trek: Picard Season 3

Brent Spiner made appearances in both seasons 1 and 2 of Star Trek: Picard, however, it is in season 3 that Data truly returns to life. The USS Titan's away team rescues Data from Daystrom station, but Data's brother Lore tries to take control of his mind. Geordi, Data's friend, encourages him to fight back. Although it appears that Data is losing, he realizes that by giving his memories to Lore, he can merge their personalities. Data awakens, regaining control of his body, and immediately assists in saving the Titan.

Geordi's heartfelt pleas for Data to fight are devastating as he witnesses his friend seemingly die once more. Their reunion is well-deserved. When Geordi expresses his happiness to have Data back, Data emphasizes that although he may have changed, his gratitude for their friendship will always remain unchanged. The friendship between Data and Geordi was the essence of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and it receives a perfect conclusion in the final season of Star Trek: Picard.