‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Retro Recap – ‘A Fistful of Datas’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

There are a great many reasons as to why fans continue to enjoy and fawn over Star Trek: The Next Generation. For some, it’s the sheer fact that TNG is/WAS a worthy successor to The Original Series and grew the Star Trek Universe in a bold new manner. For others, it is about the sense of adventure the show provided us with and some… are all about the hopeful nature of the series. After all, it does present a wonderful future where mankind and the various species of the Federation enjoy true harmony and peace through and through. But one particular aspect of this series that every fan of the series enjoys to this day above all else, is the genuine sense of fun this that show exuded from time to time.
​ 
Because it always knew exactly when to break up the monotony or the darker storylines with an episode that just let loose and allowed for the cast to shine in a fun and silly manner and those stories are the kind that fans always look fondly upon. Because it sent a wonderful message our way, in that… we shouldn’t always take life or the assignment too seriously and that sense of fun is top of mind today, because it showed up once again in the next episode of this storied franchise. A feat ‘A Fistful of Datas’ accomplished, by giving the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise a little bit of down time while they waited for a rendezvous with another Starfleet vessel, the U.S.S. Biko.

Wherein the crew was able to enjoy some relaxing pursuits. For instance, Doctor Crusher was all about putting together a quality play with Commander Riker. Whereas the captain decided now was the perfect time to brush up on playing his Ressikan Flute. But not everyone was about that relaxing life, since Geordi and Data saw this quiet time as a grand opportunity to work on some computer enhancements using Data’s neural processor and of course, Alexander was looking forward to having his father join him in the Holodeck to take part in a Western. An adventure that started out in a fun manner until the Data experiment corrupted computer pathways and put lethal Datas inside the Holodeck, forcing Worf to fight a variant of a good friend and that’s really where the fun begins. 

Because for starters, this twist allowed for Brent Spiner to just do his thing as an actor and boy does he shine here. Since he plays no less than four different iterations of Data, each one with their own personality and flair and this outright wonderful twist allows for all kinds of laugh out loud moments to take place. The kind that are shockingly well balanced by Michael Dorn’s performance as Worf. Since his innocent approach to a Klingon being trapped in a Western, allows for a perfect fish out of water story to take place, one that allows for deadpan jokes to play out and keep the viewer in stitches and of course, it all comes together by way of an epic ending where Worf saves his son and the day in a classy and heroic manner. 

Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Data sees some of that bleed over happen in the real world as well. Since he hilariously drops into a southern drawl now and again and well… all of these elements just lead to one fun episode. One that is utterly devoid of meaning and commentary and that’s not a bad thing by any means. Because there is nothing wrong with just enjoying a little mindless entertainment set in the 24th Century, the kind that truly embraces the nature of fun and puts a smile on your face and that’s precisely what this episode does and there are no complains on this end. Just curiosity as to how many more silly and fun episodes await us, as we begin the march toward the end of The Next Generation. Until next time.   

---