

(written from a Production point of view Real World article

For the DIS episode with a similar title, please see " Brother ".

Data jeopardizes an emergency mission to save an ill child when he receives a signal from his creator, Noonian Soong.

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Summary

Teaser

Dr. Crusher is involved in a medical emergency as Willie Potts, a young child of the USS Enterprise-D, is infected by parasites from a cove palm that he ate during shore leave on Ogus II with his brother Jake. Willie ate the parasitic fruit while upset from a practical joke in which Jake pretended Willie had killed him with a toy laser pistol. With his health rapidly declining, Willie has to be quarantined to protect the rest of the crew and to be stabilized before he can be transferred to Starbase 416 for immediate medical attention. In the observation lounge, the older Potts recounts the incident to Commander Riker and Counselor Deanna Troi, explaining that he frightened Willie for amusement, but that he did not intend serious harm.

En route to sickbay in the turbolift with Jake Potts, Lieutenant Commander Data begins to reassure Jake when he uncharacteristically stops in the middle of his sentence and redirects the turbolift to the bridge while no longer even acknowledging the boy's presence. Jake clings to the turbolift wall out of sight and lets the door close, unsure of what to do.

Act One

Data quietly returns to the conn and begins to covertly and silently commandeer the ship by changing the ship's heading and increasing speed. When pressed by Picard as to an explanation, Data doesn't answer. Suddenly, a blue alert sounds, indicating a life support systems failure on the main bridge. Riker orders everyone to evacuate via the two main turbolifts as well as the emergency turbolift, which Data heads for. Picard orders the crew to reassemble in main engineering, which Riker and Data acknowledge. However, Data stops short of the turbolift and remains on the bridge. He assumes the aft science station and begins inputting commands, locking out functions by imitating Picard's voice and localizing command functions to the bridge.

In engineering, it doesn't take long for the crew to realize Data is orchestrating something. They attempt to regain control from engineering, which include an attempt to regain control of the secondary hull via a saucer separation, and towing the saucer section with a tractor beam. Unsuccessful, Lieutenant Worf, Commander Riker, and crew member Casey reestablish life support on the bridge and attempt to gain access to the bridge from deck 2 until Data activates a perimeter field charge, which then blocks the only access point left. Picard lastly has O'Brien disable the site-to-site transport, anticipating Data's escape.

Meanwhile, in sickbay, Doctor Crusher tends to Willie. She notes to Picard that he's OK now, as the sickbay's force fields are not affected, but won't stay that way.

Act Two

Counselor Troi and Jake enter to visit Willie, where Crusher is trying to keep up his spirits with conversation, but he refuses to speak to or acknowledge his older sibling. Frustrated, Jake storms out.

The Enterprise reaches the class M planet Terlina III. On the bridge, Data discovers that the crew has managed to disable site-to-site transport, and then programs a series of force fields to enable him to get to the transporter room without interference from security. He enters an extremely long and complex security code, locking all functions that were previously transferred to the bridge. He then makes his way to the transporter room, using the force field series he programmed. Seeing Riker's ambush on the transporter pad, he quickly commands the transporter pad force field activated and re-enables the site-to-site transport, and immediately beams down to his destination.

Once on the surface, Data travels through the thick jungle and enters an old cybernetics lab, where he is greeted by Dr. Noonian Soong, Data's creator who was presumed dead at the Omicron Theta colony.

Act Three

Soong reveals that it was he who controlled him and brought him to the planet by the use of a homing device implanted in Data's positronic brain. His combadge is not functional, but Soong assures him that his crew will arrive to take him back shortly and performs routine mechanical maintenance on the android. Data is puzzled that his creator is still alive, as he assumed that he had been killed on Omicron Theta by the Crystalline Entity along with the other colonists; Soong explains that he escaped the powerful entity via, as was his habit, a predetermined strategy, and that he is the sole survivor of the colony.

Back on board, Willie Potts still refuses to listen to Jake and on the bridge, the crew are still experiencing difficulty reestablishing control of the Enterprise, although the ship's sensors are functional. Lieutenant Worf is unable to locate Data, but his sensors detect a solitary Human lifeform on the surface of Terlina III. He also locates a vessel in orbit which appears to carry no lifeforms.

On Terlina III, Soong expresses disappointment in his son's choice in having entered Starfleet Academy, and inquires as to his reason, to which Data replies that he wanted to repay the people who first discovered him with dedication to service. Soong admits he would have preferred that Data follow in his footsteps and go into cybernetics instead. In the midst of their conversation, Lore enters the laboratory, dressed in Pakled clothing.

Act Four

Lore was brought to Terlina III via the same homing device as Data. Data insists that Soong not trust his brother, as he betrayed both the colony to which Soong belonged and the Enterprise once before. However, Soong, blinded by his love for his older creation, condones and excuses Lore's deviant behavior, claiming him to be "far from the maniacal android [Data has] made him out to be."

Meanwhile, Captain Picard, Riker, Worf, Crusher, Troi, and Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge conference in the observation lounge about their current predicament. Full control still has not yet been established on board, and Willie Potts' time is running short.

Back on Terlina III, Soong laments Lore's deactivation on Omicron Theta and insists that it was necessary to prevent widespread harm, as the android was severely malfunctioning and frightened the colonists. However, Lore is extremely bitter toward Soong and Data for the events prior to and following his deactivation, as he was left inactive for years before Data discovered him on their home planet, and when Data thwarted his scheme to betray the Enterprise, was left drifting through space for nearly two years. Soong apologetically informs Lore that he couldn't understand what went wrong with Lore's programing; that after decactiving Lore the next logical step was to activate Data and that had he known Lore was reassembled, he would have spent time with him and repaired him. In response to a query about Lore's superiority, Soong explains to Data that he and Lore are nearly identical in construction, and that they differ only in programming. [Lore's positronic net differed from Data's: it had a Type-"L" phase discriminator compared to Data's Type-"R". (TNG: "Time's Arrow")] To Data's astonishment and Lore's ferment, this invalidates Lore's earlier assertion that Data is the imperfect and flawed model.

Revealing the purpose for Data's summoning, Soong presents to him the emotion chip, designed to allow him to experience a broad palette of emotional feelings as Lore can. Soong explains that the upgrade is intended solely for Data, but decides to rest before attempting the procedure. As he leaves, however, Lore turns to Data and winks.

Act Five

As Soong rests, Lore incapacitates Data and switches his Starfleet uniform with him. Naturally thinking Lore to be Data, the doctor implants the chip in his older son, who reveals his true identity. Worried, his father warns him that the chip is not compatible with him and insists it needs to be removed, but Lore fatally wounds the elderly Soong and accessing some controls located beneath one of his thumbnails, makes an expedient escape by remotely beaming away.

An away team consisting of Worf, La Forge, and Riker beams down to Terlina III. Locating the Human lifeform, the group enters Soong's laboratory, now in disarray thanks to Lore's assault. La Forge and Riker discover Soong beneath a pile of lab equipment and debris, dying. Meanwhile, Worf finds an inactive Data behind another room, whom Riker reboots before the four attend to Soong. Data tries to explain what's happened to the other officers, but Riker tells him that he needs to release the Enterprise to get Willie the medical care he urgently needs. Soong tells Data how to clear his blocked memories, giving him the information he needs to restore control of the ship. Riker prepares to head back with Data and Soong, but Soong knows he hasn't got much time left and wants to die where he is most comfortable. Riker and La Forge agree to give Data and Soong a few final moments together alone. Bidding farewell, Data assures his father that as long as he remains active, a part of Soong will be immortalized. He notes that he will be unable to grieve, but Soong is sure that Data will in his own way. The two then say a final goodbye before Soong dies.

Once back on board the Enterprise, Data restores the command functions to the bridge, and the ship rushes back to Starbase 416 in time to restore Willie to full health. Data observes that the Potts brothers seem to have reconciled after their bitter dispute and Crusher tells him that "They're brothers. Brothers forgive", a comment which, after recent events, gives Data pause.

Log entries

Memorable quotes

"1 – 7 – 3 – 4 – 6 – 7 – 3 – 2 – 1 – 4 – 7 – 6 – Charlie – 3 – 2 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 7 – 7 – 7 – 6 – 4 – 3 – Tango – 7 – 3 – 2 – Victor – 7 – 3 – 1 – 1 – 7 – 8 – 8 – 8 – 7 – 3 – 2 – 4 – 7 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 7 – 6 – 4 – 3 – 7 – 6 – Lock."

- Data, entering a security code at breakneck speed using Picard's voice



"I always loved that face…"

- Noonian Soong, upon seeing Data



"This is your lucky day, Data. You've found your long-lost father and he's alive."

- Noonian Soong



"I, uh… I never felt too comfortable… living anywhere without a… prearranged route of escape. I admit I, uh, I wouldn't have guessed I'd be running from a giant snowflake."

- Dr. Soong, after Data mentioned that there were no survivors from the Crystalline Entity's attack on the colony where Dr. Soong was residing previously.



"Why does a painter paint? Hmm? Why does a boxer box? You know what Michelangelo used to say? That the sculptures he made were already there before he started, hidden in the marble. All he needed to do was remove the unneeded bits. Wasn't quite that easy with you, Data. But the need to do it, my need to do it, was no different than Michelangelo's need."

- Dr. Soong



"The sons of the prophet

Were valiant and bold

And quite unaccustomed to fear

But of all the most reckless

Or so I am told

Was Abdul Abulbul Amir."

- Lore (singing)



"You'd be surprised, Data. Feelings do funny things. You may even learn to… understand your evil brother."

- Lore, after Soong reveals the emotion chip he had created for Data



"Often-Wrong's got a broken heart

Can't even tell his boys apart."

- Lore, to Dr. Soong



"Where's Data? You didn't fill Data with substandard parts, did you, old man? No. That honor was bestowed upon me. You owe me, old man. Not him. Me."

- Lore, to Dr. Soong



"There were brave men aplenty

All well known to fame

Who served in the ranks of the Czar …"

- Lore (singing)



"I am not less perfect than Lore."

- Data, and later (mockingly) Lore



"Everybody dies Data… well, almost everybody."

- Dr. Soong, to Data, referring to Data's perceived quasi-immortality



"Looks like we have ourselves a… family reunion."

- Noonian Soong, after Lore appears to him and Data



"Goodbye, Data…"

"Goodbye… father."



- Dr. Soong, Data, calling his creator "father" for the first and only time



"Brothers forgive."

- Dr. Crusher, to Data



"The only way we knew we'd come out of warp was by looking out a window."

- Riker, reporting ship's status to Picard

Background information

Production history

Story and script

Rick Berman's initial story did not involve Lore. The character was added at Michael Piller's suggestion, who believed the story needed an additional jeopardy element. ( Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion , 2nd ed., p. 141; " Chronicles from the Final Frontier ", TNG Season 4 DVD special feature) Berman found writing the episode was profoundly enjoyable. ( Cinefantastique , Vol. 23, No. 6, p. 18)

, 2nd ed., p. 141; " ", TNG Season 4 DVD special feature) Berman found writing the episode was profoundly enjoyable. ( , Vol. 23, No. 6, p. 18) Piller recalled, " We were standing around going through Rick's story and my feeling was that after reading his first draft that the idea of Data going back to see Dr. Soong and the story of the child who was hurt in the practical joke were not enough elements to hold up the episode. Once Data goes back to see Dr. Soong, it's basically a chat and without some jeopardy or another event to go on I was afraid it was going to be flat. We talked about what we could do and, ultimately, the obvious thing was that we bring Lore back. I knew from the moment we came up with it that Brent Spiner in three roles was going to make for an unforgettable episode and I think it was. " ( Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages , p. 209)

" ( , p. 209) The song which Lore sings to Dr. Soong comes from the poem Abdul Abulbul Amir, written by William Percy French in 1877. That poem has been frequently misquoted and parodied, and the excerpts in this episode are also not accurate to the original text.

Production

Continuity

Reception

This is one of Rick Berman's favorite episodes. [3]

A mission report for this episode, by Patrick Daniel O'Neill, was published in The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine issue 15, pp. 9-12.

issue 15, pp. 9-12. This episode was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Makeup for a Series.

Video and DVD releases

Starring

Also starring

Guest stars

Co-starring

Uncredited co-stars

Stunt double

Stand-ins and photo doubles

References

2358; 2366; 47; "a bit"; "a little"; "a lot"; "Abdul Abulbul Amir"; aft: "all right" ("alright"); alternative; ambition; android; answer; April Fools' Day; arcade; arm; "as it were"; "at least"; "at one time or another"; atmosphere conditioning pump; auto separation sequence; auxiliary power; balloon; blackboard; blue alert; bogey; boxer; boxing; brain; "bring him home": broken heart; brother; "by comparison"; building; button; cadence; cascade force field sequence; Chase, Ilka; choice; church; circuit; clock; "come on"; command authorization code; command override (command function override); computer; conclusion; console station; coordinates; Costain, Thomas B.; course; cove palm; cove palm parasites; Crystalline Entity; cyberneticist; czar; "damn it"; day; "dead in the water":desire; diagnostic sweep; digit; dilithium vector calibration; dinosaur; ditty; dizziness; docking clamp; doctor; door; Dr.; Earth; emotion; emotion chip; environmental control sequencer; explanation; face; fame; family reunion; father; fear; feeling; file address; "follow in your footsteps"; force field; forest; friend; "from time to time"; fruit; Galaxy-class decks; "go ahead"; "go on": guest; Handy, Tom; heading; heart; homing device; homing circuitry; homing signal; hour; house; Human; Human Freedom; idea; immortality; impulse engine; impulse propulsion power system; "in a manner of speaking"; "in any case"; In Bed We Cry; input; inquiry; instruction; instruction 5155; interface terminal; intersection; interstellar space (space); isolinear subprocessor; J14-Baker; "keep it up"; "kind of"; laboratory; laser duel; laser pistol; lateral sensor array system; "let's see"; liberty; lie; lifeform; life support; lie; location; Lore's ship; main computer; marble; meaning; medical emergency; medical facility; memory block; memory file; meter; Michelangelo; microwave power distribution network; mistake; money; mortal; navigation; navigational sensor array system; navigational subsystem; Noophians; number one; Ogus II; "oh well"; old man; Omicron Theta colony inhabitants; Omicron Theta colony; "on my way"; order; "out of the woods"; override; painter; Pakleds; Pakled trade ship; panel; party; passageway; path; perimeter field charge; phase coil; plan; "Pop Goes the Weasel"; port; postmortem; Potts family; practical joke; primary sensor array; priority clearance; procreation; programming; prophet; quarantine; quarantine anteroom; quarantine field; question; rag; reaction control thruster system; recall loop; red pillion dye; rhyme; ricochet; "right on time"; risk; route of escape; ruins; sabbatical; safety interlock; saucer separation; saucer module; scan phase; school; Science Station 2; scientist; sculpture; second; section 8J; section 9K; section 12T; security code; security team; service crawlway; shelf; shrine; Silver Chalice, The; sincerity; "sit down"; site-to-site transport; site-to-site transport interlock; sleight-of-hand; "slow down": snowflake; son; Soong's dwelling; speed; star system; Starbase 416; Starbase 416 planet; Starfleet; station 6-02; story; subspace channel; subspace communication; surface; survivor; table; tactical station; "take it easy"; Terlina III; Terlina system; term; testing mode; "thank you"; thing; trace imprint; tractor beam; transport controller; Transporter Room 1; treatment; tree; Triceratops; tricorder; trick; turbolift; turboshaft; Tyrannosaurus rex; umbilical; velocity; vest; village; vocation; "wait a minute"; wall; warp engine; warp propulsion control system; water; "what a shame"; "what the hell"; whistling; window; Wonders and Workers; year; "you see"; "your lucky day"

Library computer references

Deleted references

atmosphere; communicator; fluidic equilibrium circuit; hygrometric level; land; Leg; moisture; percent; positronic net; skin; sublogic controller



