Who Is Data in Star Trek?
One of the most well-known characters in the Star Trek franchise is Data, an android, and a unique and beloved character within Star Trek: The Next Generation and its spinoff productions. He’s considered an integral component of the series. Data's origins can be traced to his creator - the reclusive Noonian Soong, an exceptional scientist, inventor, and geneticist whose legacy lives through several other androids (Lore and B4) and who made an effort to study the boundaries of Synthetic Life. Despite the brilliance of his "father", Data, often struggled with his human-like design and understanding - and embarked on an exciting journey to grasp human emotion and become "more" than simply an android.
The impact of Data's journey has been essential to both Star Trek fans and the overall Star Trek universe, which has often focused on those compelling interactions with both those in the Starfleet and those who oppose the Federation, specifically Data’s involvement in the Attack on Mars. In essence, Data's journey, often showcases what it means to be human in the Star Trek universe and often provides a sense of understanding of how others, even those in an alien world - perceive the differences between artificial life and living beings. Those interested in exploring Data's journey would recognize his growth across several seasons in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Why Did Starfleet Ban Research on Soong-Type Androids?
Those interested in Star Trek: The Next Generation will know about Data's "family", a collection of other androids that were built by the geneticist and creator of Data: Doctor Noonian Soong. After his initial creation, Data was followed by B4 (which was shown in Star Trek: Nemesis) and, perhaps, even Lore. His quest was to further understand cybernetics and robotics in hopes to create synthetic life, which often gave us a glimpse of how Starfleet, along with The Federation, was changing the Star Trek universe.
These events created several notable, complex stories throughout Star Trek: The Next Generation. However, there are moments that show The Federation's stance against synthetic life, as the "technology" is a threat - due to an incident known as The Attack on Mars. The Attack on Mars brought significant attention in how synthetic life could not only threaten to destroy entire star systems but also create the possibility for a new level of violence within the Star Trek universe. This act ultimately resulted in The Federation placing an official ban on research into synthetic life and those projects connected to creating synthetic beings, similar to Data, Lore and B4.
Is the "Data" Created in Star Trek: Lower Decks A Clone?
While Data's background is widely-known among Star Trek lovers. Those interested in exploring more of the show will be surprised to see that he appears in another series - a Star Trek Lower Decks episode. This episode was made as part of a Star Trek #500 anthology - an IDW Publishing comic, known for producing a multitude of Star Trek comics. In "Go See Cal," we discover a storyline where a "new" Data appears, one created by the engineers on the USS Cerritos - a ship led by Captain Freeman - and is specifically attributed to Rutherford.
Those who follow Star Trek Lower Decks might not be surprised to discover a version of Data as a key part of a new narrative. While there are numerous stories, including one with Badgey, an AI that wreaked havoc for the ship and the crew - this story emphasizes how Data was seen as an impressive creation but has one problem - he was influenced by an illegal component. The part came from the Ferengi - a race known for their business strategies and penchant for making deals (one could say that a Ferengi merchant had the "black market" component needed for Rutherford and Tendi’s creation.) It appears to be one that was a complete contrast to Data and what made his creation such an impactful moment for both The Federation and the Star Trek franchise, while also showcasing the Star Trek: The Next Generation era.
Does Star Trek: Lower Decks Have a Character Similar to Data?
While the Star Trek Lower Decks crew has had their fair share of adventure and mischief, those who watch the show have noted several notable storylines, especially regarding the Cerritos crew - but none that were centered around a character as distinctive as Data. Even so, those watching "Go See Cal," from Star Trek #500 - the IDW Publishing comic book anthology will discover a key addition in a character who acts as a near-clone - the Rutherford Android.
Fans of the Star Trek universe - might remember that the Rutherford android - was built as part of Rutherford's experiment in creating a new, unique and special type of Soong-type android. Rutherford's quest is fueled by his desire to create an incredible invention. The new Android serves as a "remake" of Data and, with the introduction of the Rutherford android into the storyline, viewers learn a bit more about how this process occurs, how a synthetic being is made and how the new Android works - creating an extraordinary experience and a new perspective for audiences. This has led to discussions about how this process might take shape in other, possible iterations for the Star Trek universe .
What’s The Difference Between Data and Lore?
Data’s creation by Doctor Noonian Soong, who often showed how far he had gone to push those limits in cybernetics, had significant effects on the Star Trek franchise and those who love the franchise. It was one of those defining moments where science and science fiction merged in ways that offered up intrigue and even mystery, in a world that featured a variety of cultures.
Those fans who have seen Star Trek: The Next Generation, will recall how Data is not alone. He is part of a "family" that was made up of several androids that each have their unique qualities and distinct flaws. In essence, those androids created several moments throughout Star Trek - and perhaps even Data's journey to understanding what it means to be human became even more prominent when Data's "brother" Lore made an appearance as the main villain. It set the foundation for a challenging conflict and a storyline where Data had to constantly prove himself as a powerful, loyal ally for the Federation. He went on to have many battles - often leading those viewers who enjoy this series into the complexities of artificial intelligence and human emotion as it intertwined with Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Enterprise, Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, in addition to The Next Generation.
Is There Anything Bad About Data's Journey?
Data's attempt to explore human emotions has brought both positive and negative elements to his personality, but one that might stick out, is a very difficult and even uncomfortable scene: In Star Trek: The Next Generation's episode, "The Offspring," Data - eager to discover the joys and complexities of fatherhood - created a Soong-type android that was, in his eyes, going to be a "child." The Offspring is an iconic storyline for Data, and those who have watched the series will remember this story - which involved Data, building "Lal", an android that became a symbol of fatherhood and one of those heartwarming Star Trek stories.
However, there is one issue that comes with the production, and how it was received. The story showed a stark divide with the Federation's attitude toward synthetic life - and how Data's actions had to be dealt with, resulting in the Starfleet Command issuing a dire order for Data to destroy Lal before her positronic matrix begins to breakdown - and ultimately cause more problems for those who had not consulted with Data's creation and for the Star Trek world. This is a common thread throughout Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Where Did Noonian Soong Create Data?
Doctor Noonian Soong, or Noonian Soong for those more familiar, made his presence felt as one of the most impactful creators of synthetic life, in the Star Trek timeline. His origins can be traced to his early studies of robotics, cybernetics, as well as genetic modification that led him on a path to create not one, but multiple androids.
Data was created in an unknown location that was never officially confirmed - as it was not a public-facing organization, laboratory, or medical institute. Data often found himself trying to uncover where he was made to try and learn about the origin of his existence but his creator always kept his whereabouts hidden.
Who Created The New Android In The Star Trek: Lower Decks Episode “Go See Cal”?
One of the main aspects of this Star Trek Lower Decks episode is the introduction of a new, synthetic being - one who has become a point of attention: The Rutherford android. Created by one of the main engineers, Rutherford on the USS Cerritos - he made a daring experiment and creation of an android
His motivations and actions centered on gaining recognition as one of the Star Trek Lower Decks crew members, which could also be connected to an "All Fleet Robotics Prize," which had been put forward by Starfleet, for those seeking to develop synthetic life.
