UNCUT - In Theory (TNG S4E25) | Star Trek Journey 206

This episode is so hilariously dumb and I love it.

I don't have the same kind of reaction to this one as most people. Yeah, Data trying to hard is cringe, but it's meant to be, so it's more amusing than anything to me. One criticism I have of these types of episodes however is that any time they try to make Data explore human emotion, they turn the clock back to S1 Data for contrast. Data shows in this episode an almost complete lack of understanding of human behavior and emotion, taking every figure of speech completely literally. Yet over the last 4 seasons we've seen Data get progressively better at understanding these things. I suppose every now and then a reminder that Data doesn't genuinely have emotions is needed, and the scene where he's being all flirty before starting an argument only to reveal he basically wrote a program to emulate that behavior implies much the same thing is going on in other instances where he seems to show some level of emotion. And yes, Picard piloting the shuttle was clearly Stewart throwing himself a bone as the director. There are no doubt more qualified shuttle pilots onboard, including Riker, and his place was on the bridge. Floor girl was definitely one of the bigger WTF moments on the show though. The fact there is blood coming out her ears despite being being fused into the floor around the waist implies her insides got scrambled when the distortion passed through her. To quote Worf, "what a horrible way to die". At least Data still has Spot.

There’s a reference to the film Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home in this episode. When investigating a disturbance in the observation lounge, we learn the Enterprise’s windows are made of “transparent aluminum,” which was the material Scotty helped ‘invent’ in the past.

YAWWWNN. I give this a D. It had a few moments, but it dragged and dragged. I didn’t even know what the nebula plot line was about, and didn’t care. And the character of Jenna was just needy, and frankly, stupid. He’s an android. She should know there won’t be a way to have an emotional relationship with him. And I didn’t like the actress that played her. She was a creampuff. It would have been at least a bit more interesting if she had a slight edge. Im hammering this one. It was just boring as hell.

I wonder if she asked him if he was fully functional? I bet not, he should have told her, you know... informationally

There’s a lot of discussion in this post about whether or not Data has emotions. Many, including Data himself, insist he has none at all. But you can’t be mad if everyone doesn’t buy that. Even if it’s just one itsy bitsy iota of a feeling, it could be argued something is there. From the pilot he’s been saying he wants to be human. Is desire not an emotion? I guess it could be argued that that pursuit was programmed into him but aren’t we all “programmed” with emotion. He’s also stated he understands friendship. He gets accustomed to people and feels their absence when they’re gone. Is that not a valid feeling? Didn’t Soong his creator say Data would grieve him in his own way? (projection or wishful thinking on the part of Soong?) You also can’t completely discount Brent’s acting choices or the direction he’s given. We see the difference when his “personality” is completely taken away. And how do we classify his intellectual and artistic curiosity? Emotionless experimentation? Is that why he has a cat? In that case, what motivates the selection of his experiments? Scientists generally choose what interests them. Interest is a feeling. Or, is Data just systematically going through the totality of human experience? Why did he lie at the end of The Most Toys?! 😂 Anyway, this could be debated til the cows come home. No right or wrong. Just wanted to throw in some representation for the crowd that sees a foundation for emotion. I enjoyed this episode, thought it was fun. Was it meant to reset our thoughts on Data? Possibly. But the cat’s already out of the bag. As Picard said, Data is something new. Not human, not machine. We’ll see what we want to see.

I think it is interesting that they never mention films, as well. By contrast, "The Orville," which is HEAVILY influenced by TNG mentions classic cinema in several episodes. They even have a movie night in the ships theater.

Who needs her when he has a cat

For some reason this one never really sat as well with me, just for the second-hand embarrassment factor. I think the sync is a little off from the episode picture-in-picture.

I rate it a J for Jenna. I just couldn't get on board with her script or the actor's portrayal. Maybe a B- for Brent, he did the best possible with the material.

Unlike others, I cannot (will not) claim that watching through these again with TA has changed my opinions on these episodes. But the discussions and reactions of others have helped me understand my opinions better. I have just figured out why I don't like this episode. Counselor Troi. She should have advised Jenna not to jump into a rebound relationship with Data. Even if Jenna did not come to her for counseling, it would not be the first time that Troi has gone to a crew member and tried to help proactively. Especially after Data talked to her, she should have advised Data that she's not ready, and then advised Jenna to not repeat the same relationship she just got out of. It's taken me 30 years to figure this out, but it's a huge failure of writing. This episode remains in my Bottom Five of all of TNG.

another interpretation of the end was that unlike Tasha, this woman ::didn't:: really matter to Data and hes not "emotionally aware" enough to sort ou the difference. We were clearly meant to think Data was NOT broken up over this, selling his gf's whole point she couldnt touch him emotionally.

Actually ,Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes also get on well with Shatner .There is a great hour long StarTrek Captains’ Table discussion chaired by Whoopie Goldberg on You Tube. It starred Shatner, Stewart, Frakes and Leonard Nimoy.

I found the ending very powerful and moving in its simplicity. Data has failed in his attempt to build a meaningful human relationship and yet he accepts companionship and comfort from his cat, picking Spot up and cuddling him. He is coming to terms with the fact he will always be alone.

The ending makes me cry a little because you want a sweet character like him who you love to have something special like that for himself, but you know just he can't. "He is Data. He cannot cry, so I cry for him" to paraphrase another film.

I'd forgotten how cringy the romance was in this episode. That said, the episode isn't that bad, and the science story was actually interesting enough that it held up well.

From the ending of the episode, I always assumed Data called Spot over to comfort him means he can actually feel affection and love another being. The opposite of what Jenna says to him.

Patrick Stewart ranks this as his favorite episode of TNG. Ever. If only we knew how much that would say about the man's creative insights about Trek... To put this in more current parlance, he's stuck playing Steve Rogers, who he doesn't understand, but really wants to be playing Johnny Storm.

I understand your reaction to the very last scene, saying you wanted a hint that data did feel something, or that it was at least less clear whether he did or didn’t. But I took it a bit differently. He clearly demonstrated that he didn’t have an emotional tie to Jenna despite trying, but when she left he immediately engaged with Spot in what looked like a caring manner. I think the scene showed his current ability to care really well. He wasn’t ready for human love or an intimate relationship , but he was already capable of showing and feeling affection for a pet. Which is true growth for a machine and a reflection that he had overstepped his current abilities, just like he said in the scene. It wasn’t a failure, just data trying to move too fast and hopefully learning from it, which is very human.

Yeah I know but seriously I feel like this is the biggest pop that y'all have had definitely for Star Trek maybe across the entire channel? When she's halfway into the deck plates I knew it was coming and y'all popped.. RIL BEEG haha, it was a great time Great watch Love you Love you channel

Guys, considering how much Star Trek programming has been made over so many decades, they have been pretty good when it comes to continuity. But don't expect any when it comes to Spot. That cat is the black hole of Star Trek continuity. Just accept however Spot is presented to you in any particular episode and run with it.

I think that the girl trapped in the deck was a nod to the Philadelphia Experiment from 1943. It was an experiment where the U.S. Navy attempted to make a destroyer escort, the USS Eldridge, disappear/become invisible and the bizarre results that followed. Reportedly, when the ship reappeared, some sailors were embedded in the metal structures of the ship, including one sailor who ended up on a deck level below where he began and had his hand embedded in the steel hull of the ship.

I wonder how Data and a Vulcan female would get along.

Gotta admit I enjoyed it more than I remembered. Floor lady and the advice montage were the only scenes that I really recalled from way back. Still a C for me tho. Not actually bad, just doesn’t motivate to rewatch. I wish that after the great early comedy bits with the crew, Data had followed Troi’s very wise advice and they had moved onto a new A-plot.

You will NEVER get THAT image out of your head!!!

I think it's already been mentioned, but the sync with what's displayed is a bit off this time. I almost don't mind, it's kinda fun trying to sync using reactions. The chick cut in two by the floor was a pretty great moment for that.

The way I read the ending of this episode is that Data so instinctively provided the necessary affection for Spot. It happened naturally. So like humans, Data was overthinking the relationship and messed it up. He's human when he doesn't try and android when he overthinks things.... but then again, overthinking is human....

Based on what we've seen so far, Data does not have emotions. He does have regret, and apprehension, and even love, but he does not FEEL. Apparently you do not need emotions to experience these things, and how an 'emotionless' individual handles those experiences in unique. But Data really isn't at all like you or I.

I wonder how they set the shot for that floor merge up?

My interpretation is that Data is not meant to have any emotions, however the actor and the writing staff do sometimes step over the line with this, and I think that incongruity sets fans up to believing there's more going on than was originally intended to be going on. The other characters are written to 'see something more' in him as well, which muddies the waters, too. However, Dr. Soong made him an emotion chip for a reason; he needs it in order to truly feel things. I've also always felt that a lot of what we may think we're seeing as 'human' in Data is really us noticing Brent Spiner's humanity. He's excellent at playing Data, but he's a human being, and on some level we probably can always feel that whenever we see him on screen.

In terms of the rank insignia you mentioned, a dark pip next to a golden one represents a diminished version of a full rank. In Jenna's case lieutenant junior grade, while two golden pips would be full lieutenant (Worf). Same like Data's one dark and two gold pips mean lieutenant commander, while Riker's 3 gold pips make him a full commander. About what you said during the intro, I believe since they all have several holodecks on board, I always assumed they pretty much fulfill anyone's needs. And so there would be no need for people to come to Data. But you never know.

Can they watch Data & Picard (Pogo) now without spoilers? I think this was the last part referenced in that song.

If my calculations are correct, you're due to watch "Star Trek VI" in 3-4 weeks. Does that sound right?

1:12:35 The "Takeaway" from this episode is that Data needs that emotion chip his father made for him.

Okay Josh, you coincidentally said "in theroy" just before it showed up on screen as the episode title.

Glad you guys liked the episode, but I am not a fan of cringe, so this doesn't really work for me. Especially when I was younger, I really wanted the A and B stories reversed because I was much more interested in the dark matter phasing plot, though the woman trapped in the floor was (and still is) highly disturbing. I do like though that Jenna is not villainized in any way, she seemed to have good intentions and things just didn't work out. I disagree with you guys about the ending, for me that's actually one of the best parts of the episode. Perhaps I am just projecting, but I totally felt a degree of sadness or loneliness from Data until he started petting his cat and that made him feel better. And it's only after that that he blows the candle out, not right away after Jenna leaves, which is what I would assume would happen if the breakup really didn't matter. It reminds us and Data himself that while romantic love eludes him, he is still capable of caring in other ways. Perhaps there could have been a longer moment between Jenna's exit and Spot's entrance to sell it a bit more, but that small pause of Data just staring at the door was enough for me.

Spot purrs instantly when Data pets it – not caring Data is artificial or has no real feelings for him. The cat's feelings for Data are enough. Why does it even come over at this moment? Does it know Data's sad?

Michelle Scarbelli played Sunsan Francisco in Alien Nation TV series.

I often wonder how they got her body out of the deck.

For me, the ending shows Data does have some feelings. A relationship with a person requires a great range of multiple emotions. Data's current capabilities are only up to taking care of a cat.

I think one of the great things about this episode is that it tackles the conception/misconception that Data somehow has emotions despite reporting otherwise. Data certainly has a greater capability than let's say the Enterprise computer of understanding/emulating human behaviour, but that's because he's literally designed for that purpose. In some ways he's like the terminator in T2, "I know now why you cry, but it's something I can never do.". I'm sure we've all been in situations where we weren't affected by something emotionally ourselves, but someone else was, and when we become aware of what they are feeling we are sympathetic but still don't have those feelings. That basically Data all the time. He's developed an awareness by learning and growing, but ultimately he's trying to improve his programing to overcome a hardware limitation. A blind man can be taught an understanding of colour, but he still can't see.

49:15 As a long time Doctor Who fan, that "in the floor" scene did not disturb or affect me much at all. It's a great way to get rid of Cybermen, actually.

32:30 I'm glad that Alex, at least, feels the same way I do about this episode. CRINGE SHITTY!

29:07 I forgot how much he essentially turns into Lore... ugh

It's a good point about the ending. And they had everything set up to have that other ending. The candle was there on the table and he blew it out, but if he just showed some hesitancy in blowing it out, that might have been enough.

I think what I’ve always appreciated about this episode is that Jenna genuinely respects Data. She knows who she’s dating and she doesn’t try to change him. She just doesn’t fully understand the implications of dating another emotionless person. I feel bad for her by the end of the episode.

always wondered how this would have played out if data had his emotion chip

4:42 ...when any co-workers want to come... *and come...

Team Jeff

I really don't like this episode. I have only ever watched it once (maybe twice) before. It's going to be a chore to slog through it again. I'll give it my best...

I noticed Data used a contraction during the scene where he was getting drinks from the replicator

At least this episode answers some questions often asked: 1) What is Data thinking? He's thinking of a thousand things, per second, over and over. 2) What is transparent aluminum actually used for? Its what the windows are made of. 3) If Stewart wasn't directing this, it makes a lot more sense for Riker to pilot the shuttle. Or, you know, an actual highly trained shuttle pilot that they have on the crew for just such occasions.

Should be focussing on the Data stuff but I always thought the image of the crewmember trapped between floors was quite chilling

She dumps him, leaves. He sits there reflecting on how he has failed to successfully maintain this relationship, is insufficient as a partner and is incapable of providing love and comfort to another...... Dark stuff that we are likely to feel after a breakup. ...and then Spot comes over, hops up and starts purring away as Data gives scritches..... Data is providing love and comfort and is more than sufficient to Spot. It's as if to say, the human element still eludes him but he's almost there... He blows out the candle, probably not realizing the juxtaposition....

Okay .. Data's brother is out there having a... LOREGY thank you

The sex scoreboard Riker 10 Troi 3 Dr. Bev 3 Data 2 ** NEW +1 ** Picard 1 Worf 1 Geordi 1 Broccoli 2 i Chief 1 Keiko 1 extras: Obviously Jenna gets a +1. There could be a question as to sealing the deal but we believe Data did during the 6 second delay making Data the full functional with multiple techniques 6 second sentient being. There could be one more +1. The engineer woman dropping between decks is ...well something.

You feel like such a failure when you get dumped, but many including me now look back at that time afterwards in a bachelor apartment with the mattress on the floor and a cat to look after as the high point of their lives.

"The Deal is Done." Coming Soon: TA Only Fans =P

The officer halfway through the floor freaked me out at a kid.

Honey I'm Home! To watch this entertaining episode

This reaction was really great! In theory... P.S. Love you guys

I love the no reaction of Data and the fade on scene with just punches the audience in the gut, showing that Data did do just what he said he was going to. When Jenna is at the door and Data asked if we are no longer a couple. She replies that they aren't. And Data states he is deleting the program. Him having a real reaction would be counter to what he just told the audience. Showing how it's a failed experiment. Versus something like Lal where he deliberately integrated her memories (minus the emotion behind them) into his own programming, because that relationship did matter to him. It's my favorite scene of the episode for how stark it is, and true to what is stated in an otherwise B or B- minus episode for myself.

45:22 - 45:35 ... the synchronized groans and grumps and sighs as you both processed your feelings on this one and how you felt about the ending made my day lol

Your reactions are not matching up to the sync on the screen. Maybe the anomaly that affected the Enterprise affected your recording?

Brent Spiner is such a great actor. And throughout the episode, in my opinion, he remains true to the character of Data, though I see where you both are coming from.

I think this is the first episode where Data's cat gets a name. Seems logical that he'd call it spot.

A gold and a black pin means Jenna is a Lieutenant Junior Grade. This ist the rank between Ensign and Lieutenant.

This is exactly what dating girls was like for me as a gay teenager.

Oh gosh I loathed this one. It just made me cringe.

Can you imagine how terriifying it would be to have somebody stronger than 10 men have a lover's quarrel, even if he's pretending?

Is it just me or is the time not matching up correctly? The time and picture match but the reaction itself is like 6 seconds fast

My day just got better. Thank you, Target Audience!