Data in Encounter At Farpoint

Superman · Fleet Admiral Joined: 06 Dec 2003 Posts: 10220

* THIS POST WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS REGARDING STAR TREK:THE MOTION PICTURE (1979) SO PLEASE DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT. THANK YOU *

Today I viewed Encounter At Farpoint for the first time in years. Whilst is isn't the best TV pilot ever, it is decent enough.

I must admit to feeling some emotion (again) during the scene where Data meets Commander Riker for the first time. During a conversation, Riker says to Data, "So you think yourself superior to us." Data says, "I am superior but I would give it all up to become human." That's an emotional moment, one which I don't think is talked about enough.

We can only imagine what it would be like for a machine to desire to become human, to find purpose. None of us can truly know whether an android can have feelings.

This is what I love about Trek. It's the same with Star Trek:The Motion Picture (which I personally love). I wouldn't have wanted every film to be like it but I love the very, very deep plot about a probe that had developed sentience and desired to learn and evolve and become one with it's creator. When Spock cried for V'Ger (the name of the probe), it was an emotional moment.

This is what I love about Trek. You have episodes such as What Are Little Girls Made Of? (TOS), The Measure Of A Man (TNG) and movies such as Star Trek:The Motion Picture and Star Trek IV:The Voyage Home. All, to a certain extent, take a long hard look at what it means to be alive. They may be short on action but as far as deep storytelling goes, they are great!

But getting back to that scene with Data in Encounter At Farpoint, what a truly wonderful and emotional scene.[/i]

Solitary Poet · **Thu Sep 16, 2004 5:34 pm**

You have a point.

Ronevick · **Thu Sep 16, 2004 6:01 pm**

Indeed he does. I never really thought of it as an emotional moment before.

mighty mouse · **Fri Sep 17, 2004 12:04 am**

and you can't forget the most emotional movie yet, nemesis.
i cry every time i watch it

Captain Skyline · Vice Admiral Joined: 09 Aug 2001 Posts: 6646 Location: UK

Yeah you have some very good points,

Indeed, that data scene in encounter at farpoint is emotional,

In regards to the nemesis scene, i wasnt too impressed, perhaps it would have been a bit more emotional if the other data wasnt retaining his memories.

1/1 · **Fri Sep 17, 2004 1:07 pm**

^^^You weren't too impressed.

I cried so much at Datas death

Sorry for those who like Spock but him crying over a probe seems a bit un vulcan like. Maybe even unmanly.

Founder · **Fri Sep 17, 2004 6:39 pm**

Men cry too. What we don't have emotions? Women are the criers? Sounds a bit sexist to me....

Anywho back on topic.....

Another good emotional episode was the DS9 episode "Beyond the Stars." It was this episode that made me love Sisko. Great acting and amazing emotion.

1/1 · **Sat Sep 18, 2004 10:32 am**

I know men cry too. I didn't mean to sound sexist or anything

. Maybe should have said unhumanly to cry over a probe or something. I mean crying over a probe!

Superman · Fleet Admiral Joined: 06 Dec 2003 Posts: 10220

1/1 · **Mon Sep 20, 2004 2:22 pm**

The probe had feelings!!!

Well, I never saw that one coming

Sorry Dentist (Toothie)

[/quote]

starnova · **Mon Oct 11, 2004 2:06 am**

didnt the probe need a human component?

gul Lemek III. · **Mon Oct 11, 2004 2:31 pm**

Yes, and it did receive it, right?

Sonic74205 · **Mon Oct 11, 2004 3:23 pm**

I couldn't agree with you more starfleet dentist.