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{{realworld}}
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{{real world}}
{{sidebar episode|
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{{sidebar episode
<!-- See [[Memory Alpha:Episode data project]] -->
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|<!-- See [[Memory Alpha:Projects/Episode data project]] -->
| aSelf = Brothers
+
|image = Noonien Soong, 2367.jpg
| sTitle = Brothers
+
|writer = [[Rick Berman]]
| sSeries = TNG
+
|director = [[Robert Bowman]]
| nSeason = 4
+
|date = 44085.7 ([[2367]])
  +
|<!-- Arcs -->
| nEpisode = 3
 
 
|arc = [[Lore]]
|sProductionSerialNumber = 40274-177
 
  +
|arc prev = Datalore (episode)
| nAirdateYear = 1990
 
  +
|arc next = Descent (episode)
| sAirdateMonth = October
 
| nAirdateDay = 8
+
|arc number = 2
| sImage = Noonian Soong, 2367.jpg
+
|arc count = 4
| wsWrittenBy = [[Rick Berman]]
 
| wsTeleplayBy =
 
| wsStoryBy =
 
| wsDirectedBy = [[Robert Bowman]]
 
| nNthProducedInSeries = 76
 
| nNthReleasedInSeries = 76
 
| nNthReleasedInAll = 183
 
| bFeatureLength = 0
 
| nSerialAirdate = 19901008
 
| wsDate = 44085.7 ([[2367]])
 
| aNextReleasedInAll = Suddenly Human (episode)
 
| aPrevReleasedInAll = Family (episode)
 
| aNextReleasedInSeries = Suddenly Human (episode)
 
| aPrevReleasedInSeries = Family (episode)
 
| aNextProducedInSeries = Family (episode)
 
| aPrevProducedInSeries = Suddenly Human (episode)
 
|aNextInUniverseTimeline = Suddenly Human (episode)
 
|aPrevInUniverseTimeline = Family (episode)
 
 
}}
 
}}
  +
{{ep disambiguation|DIS|Brother}}
Data jeopardizes an emergency mission to save an ill child when he gets a signal from his creator.
+
Data jeopardizes an emergency mission to save an ill child when he receives a signal from his creator, Noonien Soong.
   
 
== Summary ==
 
== Summary ==
 
=== Teaser ===
[[Doctor|Dr.]] [[Beverly Crusher|Crusher]] is involved in a medical emergency as [[Willie Potts]], a young child of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}, is infected by parasites from a [[cove palm]] that he ate during shore leave on [[Ogus II]] with his brother [[Jake Potts|Jake]]. Willie ate the parasitic fruit after being tricked by Jake into thinking the former had killed Jake. 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]] [[William T. Riker|Riker]] and [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi]], explaining that he frightened Willie for amusement, but that he did not intend serious harm.
+
[[Dr.]] [[Beverly Crusher|Crusher]] is involved in a medical emergency as [[Willie Potts]], a young child of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}, is infected by [[parasite]]s from a [[cove palm]] that he ate during [[shore leave]] on [[Ogus II]] with his brother [[Jake Potts|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]] by stuffing a [[balloon]] with [[red pillion dye]] into his vest. With his health rapidly declining, Willie has to be [[quarantine]]d 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]] [[William T. Riker|Riker]] and [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi]], explaining that he frightened Willie for amusement, but that he did not intend serious harm to come to his brother.
   
''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. He then drastically alters the course ordered and begins to commandeer the ship, first by removing the atmosphere from the main bridge. Under protest, the rest of the bridge staff evacuate to main [[engineering]], giving Data enough time to very effectively establish himself as the sole commander of the ship (using his precise imitations of [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]]'s voice). He also blocks all of [[Captain]] Picard's attempts to regain control from engineering, which include aborting an attempt to regain control of the secondary hull via a saucer separation, and towing the saucer section with a tractor beam. [[Lieutenant]] [[Worf]], Commander Riker, and another crew member reestablish life support on the bridge, and attempt to gain access to the bridge from deck 2, until Data activates a force field blocking the only access point left.
+
''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 ===
Meanwhile, in sickbay, Doctor Crusher tends to Willie and keeps conversation with him. Counselor Troi and Jake enter to visit Willie, but he refuses to speak to or acknowledge his older sibling. Frustrated, Jake storms out.
 
  +
[[File:Data pretends to leave bridge.jpg|thumb|Data pretending to leave the bridge.]]
  +
Data quietly returns to the [[operations station]] and begins to covertly and silently commandeer the ship by changing the ship's heading and increasing speed. When pressed by [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard|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 [[turbolift|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 with a nod. However, Data stops just short of entering the turbolift and remains on the bridge. He assumes the aft [[science station]] and begins rapidly inputting commands, locking out functions by imitating Picard's voice and localizing [[command function]]s to the bridge.
   
  +
In engineering, the crew soon 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 {{dis|Casey|security}} reestablish {{dis|life support|system}} 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.
On the bridge, Data discovers that the crew has managed to disable [[site-to-site transport]], and then programs a series of [[force field]]s to enable him to get to [[transporter room]] 1. He enters a 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, traps the awaiting ambush within the [[transporter]] pad, re-enables the site-to-site transport, and [[beam]]s down to his destination, the [[Class M]] planet [[Terlina III]].
 
   
  +
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.
Once on the surface, Data travels through the thick jungle and enters an old [[cybernetics]] lab and is greeted by Dr. [[Noonian Soong]], Data's creator, who 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 brain. His communicator 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 he had been killed on [[Omicron Theta]] by the [[Crystalline Entity]] along with the other [[Omicron Theta colony|colonists]]; Soong explains that he escaped the powerful entity via a predetermined strategy, and that he is the sole survivor of the colony.
 
   
  +
=== Act Two ===
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 senses a solitary Human lifeform on the surface of Terlina III. He also locates a vessel in orbit which appears to carry no lifeforms.
 
 
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, so he programs a series of [[force field]]s to enable him to get to the [[transporter room]] without interference from security. He enters an extremely long and complex [[security code]], locking out all command functions that were previously transferred to the bridge. He then makes his way to the transporter room, using the most efficient way possible and by 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 [[beam]]s down to his destination.
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, brought to Terlina III via a [[Pakled]] trade ship and summoned inadvertently via the same homing device Data was intentionally. 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."
 
   
  +
Once on the surface, Data travels through the thick jungle and enters an old [[cybernetics]] lab, where he is greeted by an elderly man, who turns out to be Dr. [[Noonien Soong]], Data's creator who was presumed dead at the [[Omicron Theta colony]].
Meanwhile, Captain Picard, Riker, Worf, Crusher, Troi, and [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Geordi La Forge]] conference in the ready room about their current predicament. Full control still has not yet been established on board, and Willie Potts' time is running short.
 
   
  +
===Act Three===
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 had he known he 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. To Data's astonishment and Lore's ferment, this invalidates Lore's earlier assertion that Data is the imperfect and flawed model.
 
 
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 [[Omicron Theta colony|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. He admits to Data that he did not anticipate fleeing a "giant [[snowflake]]" and shrugs. Data is now convinced that this is indeed his creator.
   
 
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.
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: However, as Soong rests, Lore incapacitates Data and switches clothing with him. Naturally thinking Lore to be Data, the doctor implants the chip in his older son, who reveals his true identity before fatally wounding Soong and making an expedient escape.
 
   
  +
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 on Omicron Theta with dedication to service. Soong admits he would have preferred that Data follow in his footsteps and go into cybernetics instead. Data decides to ask Soong why he had created him in the first place. Soong rhetorically asks why a {{dis|painter|occupation}} paints or why a [[boxer]] boxes. He then asks Data why Humans are so attached to old things. Data believes it gives Humans a tie to the past and also gives them a sense of continuity in their lives. Soong asks if this continuity runs one way, back into the past. Data responds that it may be a factor in the desire of Humans to procreate. Soong asks Data if he believes that Humans having children gives them a sense of immortality in some way. Data responds that that is a reasonable answer to his query. Suddenly, in the midst of their conversation, [[Lore]] enters the laboratory, dressed in [[Pakled]] clothing.
An [[away team]] consisting of Worf, Geordi 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. Geordi and Commander Riker discover Soong beneath a pile of lab equipment and debris, dying. Meanwhile, Worf finds an inactive Data behind another room, who he reboots. The four attend to the doctor, who insists they leave him to die where he is most comfortable. Bidding farewell, Data assures his father that as long as he remains active, a part of Soong will be immortalized. With this in mind, Soong dies.
 
   
  +
===Act Four===
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; Ironically, and in the closing line of the episode, Crusher explains to him that brothers forgive each other.
 
 
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'' [[Datalore (episode)|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 reestablished on board, and Willie Potts' time is running short. Riker asks La Forge if it is possible that Data had devised a way to bring himself back aboard the ''Enterprise''. La Forge admits it is possible, so Riker asks if they can use Data's trace pattern to fool the computer into thinking an [[away team]] is multiple Datas. La Forge informs him he will have to access the transporter controller and reset it to a testing mode. The problem is there will be no use of the ship's main computer, but La Forge believes it can be done by networking a few [[Starfleet tricorder|tricorders]] together. Picard orders that it be tried.
== Memorable quotes ==
 
"''1 - 7 - 3 - 4 - 6 - 7 - 3 - 2 - 1 - [[47|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 (so fast the computer could not keep up with him)
 
   
 
Back on Terlina III, Soong claims Lore's deactivation was necessary, 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 deactivating 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. To Data's astonishment and Lore's ferment, this invalidates Lore's earlier assertion that Data is the imperfect and flawed model.
   
  +
[[File:Noonien Soong holding emotion chip.jpg|thumb|Soong shows Data his emotion chip.]]
"''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.''"
 
 
Revealing the purpose for Data's summoning, Soong presents to him an [[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.
: - '''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.
 
  +
  +
=== Act Five===
  +
As Soong rests, Lore incapacitates Data and switches his [[Starfleet uniform (2350s-2370s)|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.
  +
  +
[[File:Riker reactivates Data.jpg|thumb|"''Would you mind telling me what's going on here?''"<br />"''He surprised me.''"]]
 
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 Data reflects upon.
  +
  +
===Log entries===
  +
*[[Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2367#Diversion to Starbase 416|Captain's log, USS ''Enterprise'' (NCC-1701-D), 2367]]
  +
 
==Memorable quotes==
  +
"''What the hell was that?''"<br />
  +
"''He has activated a forcefield, sir.''"<br />
  +
"''Great. Just great.''"
  +
:- '''Riker''' and '''Worf''', after Data activates a forcefield
  +
  +
  +
"''Sir, we have to get this ship to a starbase medical facility.''"<br />
  +
"''It seems, Doctor, that Mr. Data has other plans for the ''Enterprise'' right now.''"
  +
:- '''Picard''' and '''Crusher'''
  +
  +
 
"''The only way we knew we'd come out of warp was by looking out a window.''"
 
:- '''Riker''', reporting ship's status to Picard
  +
  +
  +
"''1 &ndash; 7 &ndash; 3 &ndash; 4 &ndash; 6 &ndash; 7 &ndash; 3 &ndash; 2 &ndash; 1 &ndash; [[47|4 &ndash; 7]] &ndash; 6 &ndash; Charlie &ndash; 3 &ndash; 2 &ndash; 7 &ndash; 8 &ndash; 9 &ndash; 7 &ndash; 7 &ndash; 7 &ndash; 6 &ndash; 4 &ndash; 3 &ndash; Tango &ndash; 7 &ndash; 3 &ndash; 2 &ndash; Victor &ndash; 7 &ndash; 3 &ndash; 1 &ndash; 1 &ndash; 7 &ndash; 8 &ndash; 8 &ndash; 8 &ndash; 7 &ndash; 3 &ndash; 2 &ndash; 4 &ndash; 7 &ndash; 6 &ndash; 7 &ndash; 8 &ndash; 9 &ndash; 7 &ndash; 6 &ndash; 4 &ndash; 3 &ndash; 7 &ndash; 6 &ndash; Lock.''"
 
: - '''Data''', entering a security code at breakneck speed using Picard's voice
  +
  +
  +
"''I always loved that face&hellip;''"
  +
:- '''Noonien Soong''', upon seeing Data
  +
  +
  +
"''This is your lucky day, Data. You've found your long-lost father and he's alive.''"
  +
:- '''Noonien Soong'''
  +
  +
 
"''I, uh&hellip; I never felt too comfortable&hellip; living anywhere without a&hellip; 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.''"
 
"''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'''
 
: - '''Dr. Soong'''
  +
  +
 
"''Looks like we have ourselves a&hellip; family reunion.''"
  +
: - '''Noonien Soong''', after Lore appears to him and Data
  +
  +
 
"''I am not less perfect than Lore.''"
  +
:- '''Data,''' and later (mockingly) '''Lore'''
  +
  +
  +
"''You'd be surprised, Data. Feelings do funny things. You may even learn to&hellip; understand your evil brother.''"
  +
: - '''Lore''', after Soong reveals the emotion chip he had created for Data
   
   
Line 77: Line 119:
 
''Or so I am told''<br />
 
''Or so I am told''<br />
 
''Was Abdul Abulbul Amir.''"
 
''Was Abdul Abulbul Amir.''"
: - '''Lore''' (singing)
+
:- '''Lore''' (singing)
   
   
 
"''Often-Wrong's got a broken heart''<br />
 
"''Often-Wrong's got a broken heart''<br />
 
''Can't even tell his boys apart.''"
 
''Can't even tell his boys apart.''"
: - '''Lore''', to Dr. Soong
+
:- '''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''<br />
 
"''There were brave men aplenty''<br />
 
''All well known to fame''<br />
 
''All well known to fame''<br />
''Who served in the ranks of the Czar ...''"
+
''Who served in the ranks of the Czar &hellip;''"
: - '''Lore''' (singing)
+
:- '''Lore''' (singing)
   
   
 
''"Everybody dies Data&hellip; well, almost everybody."''
"''I am not less perfect than Lore.''"
 
 
:- '''Dr. Soong''', to Data, referring to Data's perceived quasi-immortality
: - '''Data'''
 
   
   
 
"''Goodbye, Data&hellip;''"<br />
''"Everybody dies Data... well, almost everybody."''
 
 
"''Goodbye&hellip; father.''"<br />
: - '''Dr. Soong''', to Data, referring to Data's perceived quasi-immortality
 
 
:- '''Dr. Soong''', '''Data''', calling his creator "father" for the first and only time
   
   
 
"''Brothers forgive.''"
"''Looks like we have ourselves a... family reunion.''"
 
: - '''Noonian Soong''', after Lore appears to him and Data
+
:- '''Dr. Crusher''', to Data
   
 
==Background information==
  +
===Production history===
  +
*Final draft script: {{d|13|July|1990}} (with revisions up to {{d|6|August|1990}}) {{Star Trek Minutiae|resources/scripts/177.txt}}
 
*Filming of rehearsal shots with [[Brent Spiner]]'s [[photo double]]s [[Brian Tomlinson]], [[Guy Vardaman]], and [[Dana Vitatoe]]: [[26 July]] 1990
  +
*Premiere airdate: {{d|8|October|1990}}
 
*First UK airdate: {{d|20|April|1994}}
   
 
===Story and script===
"''Goodbye, Data...''"<br />
 
 
[[File:Filming brothers.jpg|thumb|Director Rob Bowman instructing Brent Spiner]]
"''Goodbye... father.''"<br />
 
 
*[[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. ({{tngc|2|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)
: - '''Dr. Soong''', '''Data''', calling his creator "father" for the first and only time
 
 
*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)
 
*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 ===
 
 
[[File:Brent Spiner madeup to become Noonien Soong.jpg|thumb|Brent Spiner during the makeup process]]
"''Brothers forgive.''"
 
 
*[[Brent Spiner]] plays three of the main characters in this episode: [[Data]], [[Lore]], and Doctor [[Noonien Soong]]. He received billing for the latter two in the end credits.
: - '''Dr. Crusher''', to Data
 
 
*At one point it appeared having Spiner in three distinct roles would not be feasible and several older Asian male actors (including [[Keye Luke]]) were considered for the role of Dr. Soong. ({{tngc|2|141}}; ''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p. 209)
 
 
*This was the final episode to be directed by [[Rob Bowman]], who had been the show's lead director during the [[TNG Season 2|first]] and [[TNG Season 2|second season]]s.
 
 
*Bowman, Spiner and [[Robert Legato]] spent three days rehearsing on the [[Paramount Stage 16|Stage 16]] set. Producer [[David Livingston]] recalled, "''They worked out some of the motion control shots and did a lot of preparation in terms of figuring out what to do, because that kind of preparatory time on the stage when everybody is standing around is not a good idea. What we did was we taped out the floor like in a stageplay or a multicamera show, and then actually blocked it out and staged it. I'm glad we did, because it saved us a lot of time. If we hadn't, it would have been really dicey.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p. 209)
"''The only way we knew we'd come out of warp was by looking out a window.''"
 
 
*During filming in Soong's lab, Spiner shot one day as Lore and Data, and the next as Dr. Soong. Spiner recalled, "''It was difficult because I had to hear dialogue that I hadn't read yet coming out of somebody else's mouth before I would get to it. [I had] to remember where I was when I was Data, and so on.''" To help Spiner, the set was closed during the two and a half days in which the actor performed solo. ({{tngc|2|141}})
: - '''Riker''', reporting ship's status to Picard
 
  +
*On playing Dr. Soong, Spiner commented, "''I didn't have a clue as to who the character was. He was just a generic old man. It wasn't until I saw the makeup on my face that I knew what to do. At least seventy-five percent of that performance was due to [[Michael Westmore]]. He put the idea onto my face, and I suddenly understood.''" He added, "''People started treating me like I was old, even though I had worked with them for three years at that point. Everybody was treating me with so much more respect, because I was a man who had lived a long life. And the older I acted between scenes, the nicer people treated me. It was incredible.''" (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation 365]]'', p. 171)
 
  +
*Westmore recalled, "''The first thing I did in creating Brent's makeup for Dr. Soong was build up his cranial structure to suggest that he had more brain cells than a normal human being. We then did a full four-hour aging makeup on him. We had special contacts made for his eyes to simulate cataracts. I made an old-looking set of teeth to cover his real teeth. We covered his entire face with a thin layer of appliances. And we made pieces to cover the backs of his hands.''" (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation 365]]'', p. 171)
== Background information ==
 
=== Story and production ===
 
[[File:Filming_brothers.jpg|thumb|Director Rob Bowman instructing Brent Spiner]]
 
[[File:Soong makeup.jpg|thumb|Brent Spiner during the makeup process]]
 
* [[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]]''; "''Chronicles from the Final Frontier''", [[TNG Season 4 DVD]] special feature)
 
* 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]]'')
 
* The final draft of the script was dated {{d|13|July|1990}}, and revisions were made as late as [[6 August]].
 
* [[Brent Spiner]] plays three of the main characters in this episode: [[Data]], [[Lore]], and Doctor [[Noonian Soong]]. He received billing for the latter two in the end credits.
 
* At one point it appeared having Spiner in three distinct roles would not be feasible and several older Asian male actors (including [[Keye Luke]]) were considered for the role of Dr. Soong. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'')
 
* This was the final episode to be directed by [[Rob Bowman]], who had been the show's lead director during the first two seasons.
 
* Bowman, Spiner and [[Robert Legato]] spent three days rehearsing on the [[Paramount Stage 16|Stage 16]] set. Producer [[David Livingston]] recalled, "''They worked out some of the motion control shots and did a lot of preparation in terms of figuring out what to do, because that kind of preparatory time on the stage when everybody is standing around is not a good idea. What we did was we taped out the floor like in a stageplay or a multicamera show, and then actually blocked it out and staged it. I'm glad we did, because it saved us a lot of time. If we hadn't, it would have been really dicey.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'')
 
* During filming in Soong's lab, Spiner shot one day as Lore and Data, and the next as Dr. Soong. Spiner recalled, "''It was difficult because I had to hear dialogue that I hadn't read yet coming out of somebody else's mouth before I would get to it. [I had] to remember where I was when I was Data, and so on.''" To help Spiner, the set was closed during the two and a half days in which the actor performed solo. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'')
 
* 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.
 
 
* In April 2007, the Pakled costume worn by Spiner as Lore in this episode was auctioned off in the [[It's A Wrap! sale and auction]] and sold for US$2,155.00.
 
* In April 2007, the Pakled costume worn by Spiner as Lore in this episode was auctioned off in the [[It's A Wrap! sale and auction]] and sold for US$2,155.00.
* [[Comics|Comic book]] artists [[Jerome K. Moore]] and [[Arne Starr]] met Spiner on set during the filming of this episode. Starr presented Spiner with a caricature of Spiner as [[Superman]], titled "The Man of Shlameel." Written on it was the phrase "''It's a bird, it's a plane, no... It's Spinerman!''" Spiner reportedly kept the picture on his desk in his office for many years, so Starr was told. [http://jerome-k-moore.deviantart.com/art/HOLO-ELEMENTARY-42037599] (''Additional information provided by Arne Starr'')
+
*[[Comics|Comic book]] artists [[Jerome K. Moore]] and [[Arne Starr]] met Spiner on set during the filming of this episode. Starr presented Spiner with a caricature of Spiner as [[Superman]], titled "The Man of Shlameel". Written on it was the phrase "''It's a bird, it's a plane, no&hellip; It's Spinerman!''" Spiner reportedly kept the picture on his desk in his office for many years, so Starr was told. [http://jerome-k-moore.deviantart.com/art/HOLO-ELEMENTARY-42037599] (''Additional information provided by Arne Starr'')
 
*The dinosaur skeleton head seen in Dr. Soong's laboratory was rented from the Museum of Natural History. ([[James Mees]], "Inside Starfleet Archives Year Six &ndash; Sets & Props", [[TNG Season 6 DVD]] special feature)
* Rehearsal shots with Brent Spiner's [[photo double]]s [[Brian Tomlinson]], [[Guy Vardaman]], and [[Dana Vitatoe]] were filmed on Thursday, {{d|26|July|1990}}.
 
* The dinosaur skeleton head seen in Dr. Soong's laboratory was rented from the Museum of Natural History. ([[James Mees]], "Inside Starfleet Archives Year Six - Sets & Props", [[TNG Season 6 DVD]] special feature)
 
* First UK airdate: 20 April 1994
 
   
 
=== Continuity ===
 
=== Continuity ===
* [[James Lashly]] (who plays [[Ensign]] [[Kopf]] in this episode) later plays [[George Primmin]] in the ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' episodes {{e|The Passenger}} and {{e|Move Along Home}}.
+
*[[James Lashly]] (who plays [[Ensign]] [[Kopf]] in this episode) later plays [[George Primmin]] in the {{s|DS9}} episodes {{e|The Passenger}} and {{e|Move Along Home}}.
* The interior and components of a [[combadge]] are seen for the first time when Dr. Soong adjusts Data's. The top and bottom sections are connected by a hinge on the (wearer's) left side. Among the interior components is a red light.
+
*The interior and components of a [[combadge]] are seen for the first time when Dr. Soong adjusts Data's. The top and bottom sections are connected by a hinge on the (wearer's) left side. Among the interior components is a red light.
[[File:Data's security code.jpg|thumb|Computer display of [[#Memorable quotes|Data's lockout code]]]]
+
[[File:Data's command authorization code.jpg|thumb|Computer display of [[#Memorable quotes|Data's lockout code]]]]
* The strength of Data's lockout code would potentially require trying 36<sup>52</sup> combinations to break it, or 846,700,936,056,091,894,301,310,586,236,842,935,416,138,248,772,949,513,519,821,268,414,868,295,354,679,296 (8.467{{exp|80|sup}}) combinations &ndash; equivalent to cracking a 269-bit key in symmetric cryptography, something that is currently impossible to do.
+
*The strength of Data's lockout code would potentially require trying 36<sup>52</sup> combinations to break it, or 846,700,936,056,091,894,301,310,586,236,842,935,416,138,248,772,949,513,519,821,268,414,868,295,354,679,296 (8.467{{exp|80|sup}}) combinations &ndash; equivalent to cracking a 269-bit key in symmetric cryptography, something that is currently impossible to do.
* The numbers in the seventh and twenty-third positions of his sequence, three and four, respectively, are missing on the computer display. Also the computer has incorrectly inserted a one ahead of the triple eights later in the sequence.
+
*The numbers in the seventh and twenty-third positions of his sequence, three and four, respectively, are missing on the computer display. Also the computer has incorrectly inserted a one ahead of the triple eights later in the sequence.
* In a re-use of prop lighting, Dr. Soong turns out to have the exact same model of wall fixture as [[Kivas Fajo]] had in his gallery room in {{e|The Most Toys}}. The design apparently uses dichroic filters, as we see two pairs of colors and their complements being produced from the upward pointing white light source.
+
* In a re-use of prop lighting, Dr. Soong turns out to have the exact same model of wall fixture as [[Kivas Fajo]] had in his gallery room in {{e|The Most Toys}}. The design apparently uses dichroic filters, as we see two pairs of colors and their complements being produced from the upward pointing white light source.
* This is the second episode in a row to deal with crew members and their families. The following episode also deals with the family issues of a guest star.
+
*This is the second episode in a row to deal with crew members and their families. The following episode also deals with the family issues of a guest star.
 
*It is the first time after the pilot {{e|Encounter at Farpoint}} where Data mimics someone's voice, this time Captain Picard's.
 
*It is the first time after the pilot {{e|Encounter at Farpoint}} where Data mimics someone's voice, this time Captain Picard's.
* Data whistles the same tune, ''[[Pop Goes the Weasel]]'', in this episode as he did in the pilot {{e|Encounter at Farpoint}}. He still has not mastered the human act of whistling.
+
*Data whistles the same tune, "[[Pop Goes the Weasel]]", in this episode as he did in the pilot {{e|Encounter at Farpoint}}. He still has not mastered the Human act of whistling.
* Lore was first left inactive for years before Data discovered him, and then when Data thwarted Lore's scheme on the ''Enterprise'', he was left drifting in space for two more years. ({{TNG|Datalore}})
+
*Lore was first left inactive for years before Data discovered him, and then when Data thwarted Lore's scheme on the ''Enterprise'', he was left drifting in space for two more years. ({{TNG|Datalore}})
  +
*In {{e|Inheritance}}, after Data meets his mother, Dr. [[Juliana Tainer]] six years later in [[2370]], he told her of meeting his father and to her shock, that he was dead, which she was not aware of. He did not mention Lore's involvement, probably because he had already been deactivated and dismantled earlier that year, in {{e|Descent, Part II}}.
* The [[emotion chip]] stolen by Lore is a major plot device in the TNG two-part episode {{e|Descent}} and a minor plot device in the movies {{film|7}}, {{film|8}}, and {{film|9}}. It is also referenced in the TNG episode {{e|Inheritance}}.
+
*The [[emotion chip]] stolen by Lore is a major plot device in the TNG two-part episode {{e|Descent}} and a minor plot device in the movies {{film|7}}, {{film|8}}, and {{film|9}}. It is also referenced in the TNG episode {{e|Inheritance}}.
* In this episode, Dr. Soong indicates that Data and Lore are identical, except for some programming. Here, Dr Soong installs the emotion chip directly beneath Lore's right ear. However, in {{film|7}} Geordi installs the emotion chip at the top of Data's head.
 
  +
*Data apparently did not have the opportunity to tell Dr. Soong of his own, short-lived android child, [[Lal]]. ({{e|The Offspring}})
   
=== Reception ===
+
===Reception===
* This is one of Rick Berman's favorite episodes. {{st.com|rick-berman-answers-your-questions-part-2||article}}
+
*This is one of Rick Berman's favorite episodes. {{st.com|article/rick-berman-answers-your-questions-part-2}}
* A mission report for this episode by Patrick Daniel O'Neill was published in ''[[The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine]]'' Vol. 15, pp. 9-12.
+
*A mission report for this episode, by Patrick Daniel O'Neill, was published in {{STNG|15|9-12}}.
 
=== Awards ===
 
 
* This episode was nominated for an [[Emmy Award]] for Outstanding Achievement in Makeup for a Series.
 
* This episode was nominated for an [[Emmy Award]] for Outstanding Achievement in Makeup for a Series.
   
=== Video and DVD releases ===
+
===Video and DVD releases===
* Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, [[CIC Video]]): Volume 39, <!--catalog number x, -->''{{d|17|February|1992}}''
+
*Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, [[CIC Video]]): Volume 39, <!--catalog number x, -->''{{d|17|February|1992}}''
* As part of the UK VHS collection ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - Data Box]]'': {{d|6|November|1995}}
+
*As part of the UK VHS collection ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - Data Box]]'': {{d|6|November|1995}}
* As part of the UK VHS collection ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - 10th Anniversary Collector's Edition]]'', under the "Data" section, {{d|29|September|1997}}
+
*As part of the UK VHS collection ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - 10th Anniversary Collector's Edition]]'', under the "Data" section, {{d|29|September|1997}}
* UK re-release (three-episode tapes, [[Paramount Home Entertainment]]): Volume 4.1, {{d|19|March|2001}}
+
*UK re-release (three-episode tapes, [[Paramount Home Entertainment]]): Volume 4.1, {{d|19|March|2001}}
* As part of the [[TNG Season 4 DVD]] collection
+
*As part of the [[TNG Season 4 DVD]] collection
   
== Links and references ==
+
==Links and references==
=== Starring ===
+
===Starring===
* [[Patrick Stewart]] as [[Captain|Capt.]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]]
+
*[[Patrick Stewart]] as [[Capt.]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]]
* [[Jonathan Frakes]] as [[Commander|Cmdr.]] [[William T. Riker|William Riker]]
+
*[[Jonathan Frakes]] as [[Cmdr.]] [[William T. Riker|William Riker]]
   
=== Also starring ===
+
===Also starring===
* [[LeVar Burton]] as [[Lieutenant Commander|Lt. Cmdr.]] [[Geordi La Forge]]
+
*[[LeVar Burton]] as [[Lieutenant Commander|Lt. Cmdr.]] [[Geordi La Forge]]
* [[Michael Dorn]] as [[Lieutenant]] [[Worf]]
+
*[[Michael Dorn]] as [[Lieutenant]] [[Worf]]
* [[Gates McFadden]] as [[Doctor|Dr.]] [[Beverly Crusher]]
+
*[[Gates McFadden]] as [[Dr.]] [[Beverly Crusher]]
* [[Marina Sirtis]] as [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi]]
+
*[[Marina Sirtis]] as [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi]]
* [[Brent Spiner]] as [[Lieutenant Commander|Lt. Commander]] [[Data]]
+
*[[Brent Spiner]] as [[Lieutenant Commander|Lt. Commander]] [[Data]]
* [[Wil Wheaton]] as [[Ensign]] [[Wesley Crusher]]
+
*[[Wil Wheaton]] as [[Ensign]] [[Wesley Crusher]]
   
=== Guest stars ===
+
===Guest stars ===
* [[Cory Danziger]] as [[Jake Potts]]
+
*[[Cory Danziger]] as [[Jake Potts]]
* [[Colm Meaney]] as [[Miles O'Brien]]
+
*[[Colm Meaney]] as [[Miles O'Brien]]
   
=== Co-starring ===
+
===Co-starring===
* [[Adam Ryen]] as [[Willie Potts|Willie]]
+
*[[Adam Ryen]] as [[Willie Potts|Willie]]
* [[James Lashly]] as [[Ensign]] [[Kopf]]
+
*[[James Lashly]] as [[Ensign]] [[Kopf]]
* [[Brent Spiner]] as [[Lore]]/[[Noonian Soong|Dr. Soong]]
+
*[[Brent Spiner]] as [[Lore]]/[[Noonien Soong|Dr. Soong]]
   
=== Uncredited co-stars ===
+
===Uncredited co-stars===
* [[Rachen Assapiomonwait]] as [[Nelson (Starfleet)|Nelson]]
+
*[[Rachen Assapiomonwait]] as {{dis|Nelson|Starfleet}}
* [[Majel Barrett]] as {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} [[computer voice]]
+
*[[Majel Barrett]] as {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} [[computer voice]]
* [[Joe Bauman]] as [[Garvey]]
+
*[[Joe Baumann]] as [[Garvey]]
* [[Karen Baxter]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Female operations ensign (2366)|operations division ensign]]
+
*[[Karin Baxter]] as [[USS Enterprise-D ops operations 001|operations division ensign]]
* [[Michael Braveheart]] as [[Martinez]]
+
*[[Michael Braveheart]] as [[Martinez]]
  +
* [[Debbie David]] as [[Russell]]
* [[George Colucci]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Security officer (2366-2367)|security officer]]
 
* [[Gerard David]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Male operations division ensign (2367)|operations division ensign]]
+
*[[George Colucci]] as [[USS Enterprise-D security guard 009|security officer]]
* [[Elliot Durant III]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Operations division Ensign|operations division ensign]]
+
*[[Gerard David]] as [[USS Enterprise-D ops operations 006|operations division ensign]]
* [[Margaret Flores]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Female science officer|science division officer]]
+
*[[Jeremy Doyle]] as [[USS Enterprise-D tactical operations 015|operations ensign]]
* [[Carrie Henger]] as a [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Female security officer (2367)|security officer]]
+
*[[Elliot Durant III]] as [[USS Enterprise-D ops operations 009|operations division ensign]]
* [[Mark Lentry]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Candlelight lieutenant|science division officer]]
+
*[[Margaret Flores]] as [[Enterprise-D science officer 007|science division officer]]
* [[Noriko Suzuki]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Female engineer|operations division ensign]]
+
*[[Carrie Henger]] as a [[USS Enterprise-D security guard 017|security officer]]
* [[Young (actor)|Young]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Science division officer (2367)|science division officer]]
+
* [[Mark Lentry]] as [[Enterprise-D science lieutenant 001|science division officer]]
  +
*[[Jerry Spicer]] as [[USS Enterprise-D security guards 001|security officer]]
* [[Unknown performers]] as
 
  +
*[[Noriko Suzuki]] as [[USS Enterprise-D engineer ensign 003|operations division ensign]]
** [[Casey (security)|Casey]]
 
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Female relief ops ensign (2367)|Female ops ensign]]
+
*[[Uchizono]] as [[USS Enterprise-D conn officers command 003|command division officer]]
  +
* [[Harry Young]] as [[Enterprise-D science officer 028|science division officer]]
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Security officers (2367)|Two security officers]]
 
 
*[[Unknown performers]] as
 
**{{dis|Casey|security}}
  +
** [[USS Enterprise-D ops operations 005|Female ops ensign]]
  +
** [[USS Enterprise-D security guard 018|Female security officer]]
  +
**[[USS Enterprise-D security guards 001|Two security officers]]
   
=== Stunt double ===
+
===Stunt double ===
* [[Unknown stunt performer]] as [[stunt double]] for [[Brent Spiner]] (as [[Noonian Soong]])
+
*[[Unknown stunt performer]] as [[stunt double]] for [[Brent Spiner]] (as [[Noonien Soong]])
   
=== Stand-ins and photo doubles ===
+
=== Stand-ins and photo doubles===
* [[Nora Leonhardt]] - stand-in for [[Marina Sirtis]]
+
*[[Nora Leonhardt]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Marina Sirtis]]
* [[Tim McCormack]] - stand-in for [[Brent Spiner]]
+
*[[Tim McCormack]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Brent Spiner]]
* [[Lorine Mendell]] - stand-in for [[Gates McFadden]]
+
*[[Lorine Mendell]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Gates McFadden]]
* [[Randy Pflug]] - stand-in for [[Colm Meaney]]
+
*[[Randy Pflug]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Colm Meaney]]
* [[Richard Sarstedt]] - stand-in for [[Jonathan Frakes]]
+
*[[Richard Sarstedt]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Jonathan Frakes]]
* [[Brian Tomlinson]] - [[photo double]] for Brent Spiner
+
*[[Brian Tomlinson]] &ndash; [[photo double]] for Brent Spiner
* [[Dennis Tracy]] - stand-in for [[Patrick Stewart]]
+
* [[Dennis Tracy]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Patrick Stewart]]
* [[Guy Vardaman]] - stand-in for [[Wil Wheaton]]/photo double for Brent Spiner
+
* [[Guy Vardaman]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Wil Wheaton]] / photo double for Brent Spiner
* [[Dana Vitatoe]] as photo double/ stand-in for Brent Spiner
+
*[[Dana Vitatoe]] as photo double / stand-in for Brent Spiner
* [[James Washington]] - stand-in for [[Michael Dorn]]
+
*[[James Washington]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Michael Dorn]]
   
=== References ===
+
===References===
  +
[[2358]]; [[2366]]; [[47]]; "[[Abdul Abulbul Amir]]"; [[aft]]: [[alternative]]; [[ambition]]; [[android]]; [[answer]]; [[April Fools' Day]]; [[arcade]]; [[arm]];[[atmosphere conditioning pump]]; [[auto separation sequence]]; [[auxiliary power]]; [[baboon]]; [[balloon]]; [[blackboard]]; [[blue alert]]; [[bogey]]; [[boxer]]; [[boxing]]; [[brain]]; [[broken heart]]; [[brother]]; "[[by comparison]]"; [[building]]; {{dis|button|electronics}}; [[cadence]]; [[cascade force field sequence]]; [[celebrity]]; {{revname|Ilka|Chase}}; [[chimpanzee]]; [[choice]]; [[church]]; [[circuit]]; [[clock]]; [[command authorization code]]; [[command function]]; [[computer]]; [[conclusion]]; [[console|console station]]; [[coordinates]]; {{revname|Thomas B.|Costain}}; [[course]]; [[cove palm]]; [[cove palm parasite]]s; [[Crystalline Entity]]; [[cyberneticist]]; [[czar]]; "[[damn it]]"; [[day]]; "[[dead in the water]]":[[desire]]; [[diagnostic sweep]]; {{dis|digit|numerical}}; [[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]]; "[[Idioms|follow in your footsteps]]"; [[force field]]; [[forest]]; [[friend]]; [[fruit]]; [[Fūjin]]; [[funny]]; [[Galaxy class decks|''Galaxy''-class decks]]; [[gorilla]]; [[guest]]; {{revname|Tom|Handy}}; [[heading]]; [[heart]]; [[homing device]]; [[homing circuitry]]; [[homing signal]]; [[hour]]; [[house]]; [[Human]]; ''[[Human Freedom]]''; [[idea]]; [[immortality]]; [[impulse engine]]; [[impulse drive|impulse propulsion power system]]; ''[[In Bed We Cry]]''; [[input]]; [[inquiry]]; [[instruction]]; [[instruction 5155]]; [[interface terminal]]; [[intersection]]; [[interstellar space]] ([[space]]); [[isolinear subprocessor]]; [[laboratory]]; [[laser duel]]; [[laser pistol]]; [[sensor array|lateral sensor array system]]; [[shore leave|liberty]]; [[lie]]; [[lifeform]]; {{dis|life support|system}}; [[lie]]; [[location]]; [[Lore's ship]]; [[main computer]]; [[marble]]; [[meaning]]; [[medical emergency]]; [[medical facility]]; {{dis|memory block|computing}}; [[memory file]]; [[meter]]; [[Michelangelo]]; [[microwave|microwave power distribution network]]; [[mistake]]; [[money]]; [[mortal]]; [[navigation]]; [[navigational sensor|navigational sensor array system]]; [[navigation|navigational subsystem]]; [[Noophian]]s; [[number one]]; [[Ogus II]]; [[old man]]; [[Omicron Theta colony inhabitants]]; [[Omicron Theta colony]]; [[orangutan]]; [[order]]; "[[Idioms|out of the woods]]"; [[override]] (aka [[command function override]]); {{dis|painter|occupation}}; [[Pakled]]s; [[Pakled trade ship]]; [[panel J14-Baker]]; [[party]]; [[passageway]]; [[path]]; [[perimeter field charge]]; [[phase coil]]; [[plan]]; "[[Pop Goes the Weasel]]"; [[port]]; [[postmortem]]; [[Potts family]]; [[practical joke]]; [[sensor array|primary sensor array]]; [[priority clearance]]; [[procreation]]; [[programming]]; {{dis|prophet|occupation}}; [[quarantine]]; [[quarantine anteroom]]; [[quarantine field]]; [[question]]; [[rag]]; [[reaction control thruster|reaction control thruster system]]; [[recall loop]]; [[red pillion dye]]; [[rhyme]]; [[ricochet]]; [[risk]]; [[route of escape]]; [[ruins]]; [[sabbatical]]; [[safety interlock]]; [[saucer separation]]; [[saucer module]]; [[scan phase]]; [[school]]; [[science station|Science Station 2]]; [[scientist]]; [[sculpture]]; [[second]]; [[section 8J]]; [[section 9K]]; [[section 12T]]; [[security code]]; [[security team]]; [[service crawlway]]; [[shelf]]; [[shrine]]; ''{{revname|The|Silver Chalice}}''; [[sincerity]]; [[site-to-site transport]]; [[site-to-site transport interlock]]; [[sleight-of-hand]]; [[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]]; [[Terlina III]]; [[Terlina system]]; [[term]]; [[testing mode]]; [[thing]]; [[trace imprint]]; [[tractor beam]]; [[transport controller]]; [[transporter room|Transporter Room 1]]; [[treatment]]; [[tree]]; ''[[Triceratops]]''; [[tricorder]]; [[trick]]; [[turbolift]]; [[turboshaft]]; ''[[Tyrannosaurus rex]]''; {{dis|umbilical|cable}}; [[velocity]]; [[vest]]; [[village]]; [[vocation]]; [[wall]]; [[warp engine]]; [[warp drive|warp propulsion control system]]; [[water]]; "[[Hell|what the hell]]"; [[whistling]]; [[window]]; ''[[Wonders and Workers]]''; [[year]]; "[[luck|your lucky day]]"
[[47]]; ''[[Abdul Abulbul Amir]]''; [[April Fools' Day]]; [[arcade]]; [[atmosphere conditioning pump]]; [[blue alert]]; [[cove palm]]; [[cove palm parasite]]s; [[Crystalline Entity]]; [[cyberneticist]]; [[czar]]; [[dilithium vector calibration]]; [[dizziness]]; [[Earth]]; [[emotion chip]]; [[environmental control sequencer]]; [[family reunion]]; [[force field]]; [[Tom Handy|Handy, Tom]]; [[homing device]]; [[homing signal]]; [[isolinear subprocessor]]; [[laser duel]]; [[marble]]; [[Michaelangelo]]; [[money]]; [[Noophian]]s; [[Ogus II]]; [[Pakled]]s; [[Pakled trade ship]]; [[perimeter field charge]]; [[phase coil]]; [[pillion dye]]; "[[Pop Goes the Weasel]]"; [[Potts family]]; [[practical joke]]; [[procreation]]; [[Sabbatical]]; [[saucer separation]]; [[scan-phase]]; [[site-to-site transport interlock]]; [[Starbase 416]]; [[Unnamed Alpha and Beta Quadrant planets#Stabase 416|Starbase 416 planet]]; [[Terlina III]]; [[USS Tripoli|''Tripoli'', USS]]; [[tricorder]]; [[turbolift]]; [[whistle]]
 
   
 
====Library computer references====
 
====Library computer references====
*'''[[Starship mission status]]''': [[USS Ajax|''Ajax'', USS]]; [[Alpha Laputa IV]]; {{Class|Ambassador}}; {{Class|Apollo}}; [[USS Aries|''Aries'', USS]]; [[USS Berlin|;''Berlin'', USS]]; [[Beta Mahoga system]]; [[USS Bradbury|''Bradbury'', USS]]; {{Class|Bradbury}}; [[USS Charleston|''Charleston'', USS]]; {{Class|Constellation}}; [[Epsilon Ashanti III]]; {{Class|Excelsior}}; [[USS Fearless|''Fearless'', USS]]; [[USS Goddard|''Goddard'', USS]]; [[USS Hood (Excelsior class)|''Hood'', USS]]; {{Class|Korolev}}; {{Class|Merced}}; [[USS Merrimac (NCC-61827)|''Merrimac'', USS]]; [[USS Monitor|''Monitor'', USS]]; {{Class|Nebula}}; [[pulsar]]; {{Class|Renaissance}}; [[USS Repulse|''Repulse'', USS]]; [[Romulan Neutral Zone]]; [[sector]]; [[Sector 21538]]; [[Sector 21602]]; [[Sector 21834]]; [[Sector 22036]]; [[Sector 22055]]; [[Sector 23079]]; [[Starbase 174]]; [[Starbase 414]]; [[USS Thomas Paine|''Thomas Paine'', USS]]; [[USS Trieste|''Trieste'', USS]]; [[USS Victory|''Victory'', USS]]; [[Vulcan Science Academy]]; [[Warp drive]]; [[USS Zhukov|''Zhukov'', USS]]
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*'''Starfleet Operations &ndash; Sectors 21166-23079''': {{USSr|Ajax}}; [[Alpha Laputa IV]]; {{Class|Apollo}}; {{USSr|Aries}}; {{USSr|Berlin}}; [[Beta Mahoga system]]; {{USSr|Bradbury}}; {{Class|Bradbury}}; {{USSr|Charleston}}; {{Class|Constellation}}; [[Epsilon Ashanti III]]; {{Class|Excelsior}}; {{USSr|Fearless}}; {{USSr|Goddard}}; {{USSr|Hood|Excelsior class}}; {{Class|Korolev}}; {{USSr|Merrimac|NCC-61827}}; {{USSr|Monitor}}; {{Class|Nebula}}; {{class|New Orleans}}; [[pulsar]]; {{Class|Renaissance}}; {{USSr|Repulse}}; {{Class|Rigel}}; [[Romulan Neutral Zone]]; [[sector]]; [[Sector 21166]]; [[Sector 21502]]; [[Sector 21834]]; [[Sector 22036]]; [[Sector 22055]]; [[Sector 23079]]; [[Starbase 174]]; [[Starbase 414]]; {{USSr|Thomas Paine}}; {{USSr|Trieste}}; {{USSr|Victory}}; [[Vulcan Science Academy]]; [[warp drive]]; {{Class|Yosemite}}; {{USSr|Zhukov}}
   
===External link===
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====Deleted references====
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[[atmosphere]]; [[communicator]]; [[fluidic equilibrium circuit]]; [[hygrometric level]]; [[land]]; [[Leg]]; [[moisture]]; [[percent]]; [[positronic net]]; [[skin]]; [[sublogic controller]]
*{{Wikipedia|Brothers (Star Trek: The Next Generation)}}
 
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*{{Wikipedia-quote|Brothers (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Brothers}}
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*{{startrek.com|database_article/brothers|"Brothers"|external}}
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*{{ml|brothers|"Brothers"|external}}
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*{{st-minutiae|resources/scripts/177.txt|"Brothers" script|external}}
   
 
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Latest revision as of 16:41, 19 January 2024

Real world article
(written from a Production point of view)

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, Noonien Soong.

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 by stuffing a balloon with red pillion dye into his vest. 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 to come to his brother.

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 pretends to leave bridge

Data pretending to leave the bridge.

Data quietly returns to the operations station and begins to covertly and silently commandeer the ship by changing the ship's heading and increasing speed. When pressed by Captain 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 with a nod. However, Data stops just short of entering the turbolift and remains on the bridge. He assumes the aft science station and begins rapidly inputting commands, locking out functions by imitating Picard's voice and localizing command functions to the bridge.

In engineering, the crew soon 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, so he 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 out all command functions that were previously transferred to the bridge. He then makes his way to the transporter room, using the most efficient way possible and by 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 an elderly man, who turns out to be Dr. Noonien 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. He admits to Data that he did not anticipate fleeing a "giant snowflake" and shrugs. Data is now convinced that this is indeed his creator.

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 on Omicron Theta with dedication to service. Soong admits he would have preferred that Data follow in his footsteps and go into cybernetics instead. Data decides to ask Soong why he had created him in the first place. Soong rhetorically asks why a painter paints or why a boxer boxes. He then asks Data why Humans are so attached to old things. Data believes it gives Humans a tie to the past and also gives them a sense of continuity in their lives. Soong asks if this continuity runs one way, back into the past. Data responds that it may be a factor in the desire of Humans to procreate. Soong asks Data if he believes that Humans having children gives them a sense of immortality in some way. Data responds that that is a reasonable answer to his query. Suddenly, 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 reestablished on board, and Willie Potts' time is running short. Riker asks La Forge if it is possible that Data had devised a way to bring himself back aboard the Enterprise. La Forge admits it is possible, so Riker asks if they can use Data's trace pattern to fool the computer into thinking an away team is multiple Datas. La Forge informs him he will have to access the transporter controller and reset it to a testing mode. The problem is there will be no use of the ship's main computer, but La Forge believes it can be done by networking a few tricorders together. Picard orders that it be tried.

Back on Terlina III, Soong claims Lore's deactivation was necessary, 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 deactivating 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. To Data's astonishment and Lore's ferment, this invalidates Lore's earlier assertion that Data is the imperfect and flawed model.

Noonien Soong holding emotion chip

Soong shows Data his emotion chip.

Revealing the purpose for Data's summoning, Soong presents to him an 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.

Riker reactivates Data

"Would you mind telling me what's going on here?"
"He surprised me."

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 Data reflects upon.

Log entries

Memorable quotes

"What the hell was that?"
"He has activated a forcefield, sir."
"Great. Just great."

- Riker and Worf, after Data activates a forcefield


"Sir, we have to get this ship to a starbase medical facility."
"It seems, Doctor, that Mr. Data has other plans for the Enterprise right now."

- Picard and Crusher


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

- Riker, reporting ship's status to Picard


"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…"

- Noonien Soong, upon seeing Data


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

- Noonien 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


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

- Noonien Soong, after Lore appears to him and Data


"I am not less perfect than Lore."

- Data, and later (mockingly) Lore


"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


"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)


"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)


"Everybody dies Data… well, almost everybody."

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


"Goodbye, Data…"
"Goodbye… father."

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


"Brothers forgive."

- Dr. Crusher, to Data

Background information

Production history

Story and script

Filming brothers

Director Rob Bowman instructing Brent Spiner

  • 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)
  • 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)
  • 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

Brent Spiner madeup to become Noonien Soong

Brent Spiner during the makeup process

  • Brent Spiner plays three of the main characters in this episode: Data, Lore, and Doctor Noonien Soong. He received billing for the latter two in the end credits.
  • At one point it appeared having Spiner in three distinct roles would not be feasible and several older Asian male actors (including Keye Luke) were considered for the role of Dr. Soong. (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (2nd ed., p. 141); Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 209)
  • This was the final episode to be directed by Rob Bowman, who had been the show's lead director during the first and second seasons.
  • Bowman, Spiner and Robert Legato spent three days rehearsing on the Stage 16 set. Producer David Livingston recalled, "They worked out some of the motion control shots and did a lot of preparation in terms of figuring out what to do, because that kind of preparatory time on the stage when everybody is standing around is not a good idea. What we did was we taped out the floor like in a stageplay or a multicamera show, and then actually blocked it out and staged it. I'm glad we did, because it saved us a lot of time. If we hadn't, it would have been really dicey." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 209)
  • During filming in Soong's lab, Spiner shot one day as Lore and Data, and the next as Dr. Soong. Spiner recalled, "It was difficult because I had to hear dialogue that I hadn't read yet coming out of somebody else's mouth before I would get to it. [I had] to remember where I was when I was Data, and so on." To help Spiner, the set was closed during the two and a half days in which the actor performed solo. (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (2nd ed., p. 141))
  • On playing Dr. Soong, Spiner commented, "I didn't have a clue as to who the character was. He was just a generic old man. It wasn't until I saw the makeup on my face that I knew what to do. At least seventy-five percent of that performance was due to Michael Westmore. He put the idea onto my face, and I suddenly understood." He added, "People started treating me like I was old, even though I had worked with them for three years at that point. Everybody was treating me with so much more respect, because I was a man who had lived a long life. And the older I acted between scenes, the nicer people treated me. It was incredible." (Star Trek: The Next Generation 365, p. 171)
  • Westmore recalled, "The first thing I did in creating Brent's makeup for Dr. Soong was build up his cranial structure to suggest that he had more brain cells than a normal human being. We then did a full four-hour aging makeup on him. We had special contacts made for his eyes to simulate cataracts. I made an old-looking set of teeth to cover his real teeth. We covered his entire face with a thin layer of appliances. And we made pieces to cover the backs of his hands." (Star Trek: The Next Generation 365, p. 171)
  • In April 2007, the Pakled costume worn by Spiner as Lore in this episode was auctioned off in the It's A Wrap! sale and auction and sold for US$2,155.00.
  • Comic book artists Jerome K. Moore and Arne Starr met Spiner on set during the filming of this episode. Starr presented Spiner with a caricature of Spiner as Superman, titled "The Man of Shlameel". Written on it was the phrase "It's a bird, it's a plane, no… It's Spinerman!" Spiner reportedly kept the picture on his desk in his office for many years, so Starr was told. [2] (Additional information provided by Arne Starr)
  • The dinosaur skeleton head seen in Dr. Soong's laboratory was rented from the Museum of Natural History. (James Mees, "Inside Starfleet Archives Year Six – Sets & Props", TNG Season 6 DVD special feature)

Continuity

Data's command authorization code

Computer display of Data's lockout code

  • The strength of Data's lockout code would potentially require trying 3652 combinations to break it, or 846,700,936,056,091,894,301,310,586,236,842,935,416,138,248,772,949,513,519,821,268,414,868,295,354,679,296 (8.467e80×1080) combinations – equivalent to cracking a 269-bit key in symmetric cryptography, something that is currently impossible to do.
  • The numbers in the seventh and twenty-third positions of his sequence, three and four, respectively, are missing on the computer display. Also the computer has incorrectly inserted a one ahead of the triple eights later in the sequence.
  • In a re-use of prop lighting, Dr. Soong turns out to have the exact same model of wall fixture as Kivas Fajo had in his gallery room in "The Most Toys". The design apparently uses dichroic filters, as we see two pairs of colors and their complements being produced from the upward pointing white light source.
  • This is the second episode in a row to deal with crew members and their families. The following episode also deals with the family issues of a guest star.
  • It is the first time after the pilot "Encounter at Farpoint" where Data mimics someone's voice, this time Captain Picard's.
  • Data whistles the same tune, "Pop Goes the Weasel", in this episode as he did in the pilot "Encounter at Farpoint". He still has not mastered the Human act of whistling.
  • Lore was first left inactive for years before Data discovered him, and then when Data thwarted Lore's scheme on the Enterprise, he was left drifting in space for two more years. (TNG: "Datalore")
  • In "Inheritance", after Data meets his mother, Dr. Juliana Tainer six years later in 2370, he told her of meeting his father and to her shock, that he was dead, which she was not aware of. He did not mention Lore's involvement, probably because he had already been deactivated and dismantled earlier that year, in "Descent, Part II".
  • The emotion chip stolen by Lore is a major plot device in the TNG two-part episode "Descent" and a minor plot device in the movies Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, and Star Trek: Insurrection. It is also referenced in the TNG episode "Inheritance".
  • Data apparently did not have the opportunity to tell Dr. Soong of his own, short-lived android child, Lal. ("The Offspring")

Reception

Video and DVD releases

Links and references

Starring

Also starring

Guest stars

Co-starring

Uncredited co-stars

Stunt double

Stand-ins and photo doubles

References

2358; 2366; 47; "Abdul Abulbul Amir"; aft: alternative; ambition; android; answer; April Fools' Day; arcade; arm;atmosphere conditioning pump; auto separation sequence; auxiliary power; baboon; balloon; blackboard; blue alert; bogey; boxer; boxing; brain; broken heart; brother; "by comparison"; building; button; cadence; cascade force field sequence; celebrity; Chase, Ilka; chimpanzee; choice; church; circuit; clock; command authorization code; command function; 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; fruit; Fūjin; funny; Galaxy-class decks; gorilla; 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 Bed We Cry; input; inquiry; instruction; instruction 5155; interface terminal; intersection; interstellar space (space); isolinear subprocessor; laboratory; laser duel; laser pistol; lateral sensor array system; 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; old man; Omicron Theta colony inhabitants; Omicron Theta colony; orangutan; order; "out of the woods"; override (aka command function override); painter; Pakleds; Pakled trade ship; panel J14-Baker; 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; 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; site-to-site transport; site-to-site transport interlock; sleight-of-hand; 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; Terlina III; Terlina system; term; testing mode; thing; trace imprint; tractor beam; transport controller; Transporter Room 1; treatment; tree; Triceratops; tricorder; trick; turbolift; turboshaft; Tyrannosaurus rex; umbilical; velocity; vest; village; vocation; wall; warp engine; warp propulsion control system; water; "what the hell"; whistling; window; Wonders and Workers; year; "your lucky day"

Library computer references

Deleted references

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

External links

"Brothers" at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works

Previous episode:
"Family"
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 4
Next episode:
"Suddenly Human"