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Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 6 Episode 8

A Fistful Of Datas

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8.0

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 11/9/92

Stardate: 46271.5 Worf and his son, Alexander, become trapped in the holodeck when their Wild West program malfunctions. However, they must find a way to defeat the holographic bandits who have Data's appearance and abilities.

Fan Episode Reviews (7)

The Good, the Bad, and the Klingon

8.0

By Celedorian, Jul 08, 2012

This offbeat Worf episode (which serves as a vehicle for Brent Spiner to flex his acting muscles) is a fan favorite, thanks to everyone clearly having a great time paying homage to the great Westerns. (Personally, I would have stuck with the episode's original title: "The Good, the Bad and the Klingon.") The plot allows the cast and crew to film outside in a back lot for a change, and director Patrick Stewart makes the most of the opportunity. And while the episode is another "malfunctioning holodeck story", most fans give it a pass, because it's so darn entertaining. (DS9 would even go on to reinvent the premise and improve upon it with their fourth season episode, "Our Man Bashir".)moreless
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The “Enterprise” crew gets to experience some free time. Picard is in his quarters practicing his music. He keeps getting interrupted. First he is interrupted by Data and LaForge.

9.1

By Pink_Floyd_AL, Jun 14, 2011

The “Enterprise” crew gets to experience some free time. Picard is in his quarters practicing his music. He keeps getting interrupted. First he is interrupted by Data and LaForge. They want permission to run tests on an interface that would allow Data to control ship functions in case a computer failure arrives. Next he is interrupted by Dr. Krusher. Then by Lt. Worf, who is all work and no play. Picard suggests he uses the free time to relax. Data experiences a power surge while attach to the computer interface causing a ship full of Data’s personalities.moreless
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Exactly the kind of quality one should expect from a great series!

9.8

By Xyberbratt, Jun 14, 2011

This episode reminds us that "The Great Bird of the Galaxy" himself, Gene Roddenberry called Star Trek the "Wagon Train to the Stars". Sure, the wagons got a bit more spiffy, and the distances grew, but at heart, Star Trek is just a fancy cowboy story. Everything about this episode reminds us of those great spaghetti Westerns from the 60's that had a huge impact on Gene Roddenberry, and his vision of the future. And the highlight of the episode isn't just one moment, but dozens, as Brent Spiner shows off his wide range of acting talents. From the costumes to the accents, it's a real spectacle, and a joy to watch!moreless
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When Data and LaForge try an experiment interfacing Data with the ship's systems, malfunctions begin to occur in several areas, including the holodeck. Unfortunately, Worf, Alexander, and Troi are in the middle of an Ancient West story that turns deadly.moreless

10

By beckylarae, Jun 14, 2011

This is one of my favorite episodes of TNG. Anything that gives Brent Spiner a chance to show off his acting chops is a good thing. I know it's another holo-deck-malfunctions-story but it's a lot of fun. Michael Dorn seems to enjoy his role as well, and Marina Sirtis gets to be a gun-slinger; lots of fun seeing her in something totally different. Then you have the Enterprise riding off into the sunset, a perfect ending to a really great episode. I gave it a 10, and kudos to Brent Spiner who does a great job playing several different characters.moreless
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The Magificent Two and a Half. Ye-haw!

9.1

By AvatarBlue, Jun 14, 2011

A quinticential holodeck episode, with a quinticential western setting. The episode is driven by Alexanders desire to spend quality time with his father playing the roles of two law-persons in the old wild west of 'ancient' Earth.

What starts out as a chore for Worf, becomes surprising enjoyable for the Klingon as the violence aspect of the program kicks in. The essential portion of plot has Worf play the sheriff after a wanted man, in the saloon. The man happens to be the son of the most powerful, rich man in the county. Troi joins the fun when the program gets a little harder, when Alexander ups the challenge to his dad.

Queue Data's malfunctioning interface with central computer causes holograms of him to take over key characters in the holo program, one by one - until his persona inhabits all the programs holodecks posing real problems with his superior abilities. This threat is increases when the holo safety controls are deactivated and Worf is shot.

A well concieved story, well-paced action that starts of with a low threat and gradually increases in severity. With three of my fav characters. Whats not to like?! The Earth fantasy setting makes a nice change from the blackness of space and the matt colours of the Enterprise interior.

You will find this episode great fun if you love the setting and the established plot pattern of the WW and the malfunctioning program. I loved them both so.... Add to that Worf, Alexander and Troi as the main antaganists and this just doesnt get any better. So mount your stead, spur your horse, gallop on in to town blasting ya six-shooter all over the place. Pure fantasy and no real consequences. Ye-haw!moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Michael Dorn	Lt./Lt. Cmdr. Worf
LeVar Burton	Lt. Cmdr. Geordi LaForge
Jonathan Frakes	Cmdr. William T. Riker
Marina Sirtis	Counsellor/Lt. Cmdr. Deanna Troi
Gates McFadden	Dr. Beverly Crusher
Brent Spiner	Lt. Cmdr. Data

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Joy Garrett	Annie	Guest Star
John Pyper-Ferguson	Eli Hollander	Guest Star
Jorge Cervera Jr.	Bandito	Guest Star
Brian Bonsall	Alexander	Recurring Role
Majel Barrett	Computer Voice	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (3)
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- Trivia: Picard is seen playing the Ressikian flute he received in "The Inner Light."
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- Trivia: By the 24th century, the "Old West" of our time has become the "Ancient West."
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- Near the beginning of the episode when Worf hands Picard the padd in the Captain's quarters, Picard holds it in his hand with the screen on top and buttons on the bottom. In the next shot, we see the padd is suddenly upside-down and the position of Picard's hand has changed.
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QUOTES (6)
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- (upon knocking out some of Eli's men)
  Worf: I am beginning to see the appeal of this program!
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- Data: Commander. You just sit tight. We'll have this fixed up in time for supper.
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- Data: Spot, you are disrupting my ability to work.
  (Spot jumps on desk)
  Spot: Meow.
  Data: Vamoose ya little varment.
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- (Eli shoots a "Wanted" ad with his picture)
  Eli: If I ever find the varmint that drew this, he'll be sorry he ever put pen to paper. I'm 10 times uglier than that, ain't I?
  (a bandito laughs out loud)
  Eli: Shut up! You laugh so much, it's a wonder you ain't got flies in your mouth.
  Bandito: You're a very funny man, Senor Eli.
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- (upon seeing prostitute in holodeck)
  Worf: You wrote this holodeck program yourself?
  Alexander: Well, Mr. Barclay helped a little.
  Worf: I must have a little talk with Mr. Barclay.
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- Eli: (to Worf) I've killed 23 men; one more wouldn't make much of a difference... Of course, shooting someone as ugly as you couldn't be considered much of a crime, now could it? Was you born that way, or did your momma marry an armadillo?
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NOTES (2)
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- This episode won an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Mixing.
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- At the end the Enterprise is "riding" towards the sunset...just like the way many Western movies ended.
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ALLUSIONS (1)
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- Title
  A reference to the 1964 Sergio Leone Western A Fistful of Dollars, starring Clint Eastwood.
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