.gif)
A Fistful of Datas (TNG episode)
Encyclopedia
"A Fistful of Datas" is an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation
, which premiered in the United States
on November 9, 1992. It is the eighth episode in the sixth season. Its title is a play on the title of the Sergio Leone
"Spaghetti Western
" film A Fistful of Dollars
, or, in Italian
, Per un pugno di dollari.
, to accompany him on a trip to the "Ancient West
" on the holodeck
. Worf reluctantly plays the part of sheriff in the town of Deadwood, S.D.
, circa 1870. Alexander is his deputy, and Troi
(whose father was fond of tales of the Old West) enthusiastically plays 'the mysterious stranger', who is "in cahoots with the Sheriff, [and]...mighty mean with that Winchester".
Meanwhile, Data
and Geordi experiment with using Data's brain as a backup for the Enterprise
's computer. A seemingly small malfunction occurs. Soon, Data's programming begins to take over parts of the Enterprises computer, replicating what is stored in his memory. Data's poetry overwrites Crusher's stage-play lines, Picard's music is overwritten by Data's, and a number of replicators can only produce Data's customized cat food (intended for Spot).
In the holodeck, Worf has apprehended Eli Hollander—the "Butcher of Bozeman" who has "killed twenty-three men"—who, when placed behind bars, comments, "[when] my pa...comes to bust me outta this tin can, [the] gravedigger [will] be workin' overtime". Eli's father, Frank, has come to rescue him from jail, saying to Eli, "[d]on't you worry, son, Sheriff's gonna pay." Frank Hollander and his gang have kidnapped Alexander to use as bait. Frank also looks and sounds exactly like Data. At first Worf assumed that Data had been invited by Troi or Alexander to play the role of Frank, but it becomes apparent to Worf that something is seriously wrong when he (Worf) is shot and his arm is wounded by the holographic bullets. Worf and Troi have discovered that they cannot end the program, and that the holodeck's safety features are not functioning. The holodeck is replacing all the characters with replicas of Data (hence the episode's double entendre
title) and Troi discovers that not only do the characters appear to look like Data, they also have Data's strength, speed and reflexes. They realize, though, that if they can ride the story to its end, the program will terminate on its own. To that end, Worf and Troi make a deal with Frank: Eli will be exchanged for Alexander.
Worf thinks everything is settled, but Troi knows better—the outlaws are not concerned with honor, and will certainly try to kill them. They construct a personal deflector shield powered by a combadge and constructed from components of "[o]ld man Newsom's telegraph machine" to protect Worf from the deadly holographic bullets. During the shootout, the outlaws are defeated, but the program does not end until Data, in the character of an enamored woman, "Miss Annie", throws him/herself into Worf's arms. Finally, the program ends, much to Worf's relief.
Geordi determines the cause of the malfunctions aboard ship and fixes them. Data tells Riker: "[y]ou just sit tight, Commander. We'll have [this all] fixed up in time for supper."
Later, in their quarters, Alexander asks his father if he will ever want to visit Deadwood again, and smiles when Worf replies, "[t]he town of Deadwood may face danger again. If they do, they will need a sheriff... and a deputy." After rendezvouing with the supply ship Biko, the Enterprise breaks orbit and heads off towards the sunset.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
, which premiered in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on November 9, 1992. It is the eighth episode in the sixth season. Its title is a play on the title of the Sergio Leone
Sergio Leone
Sergio Leone was an Italian film director, producer and screenwriter most associated with the "Spaghetti Western" genre.Leone's film-making style includes juxtaposing extreme close-up shots with lengthy long shots...
"Spaghetti Western
Spaghetti Western
Spaghetti Western, also known as Italo-Western, is a nickname for a broad sub-genre of Western films that emerged in the mid-1960s in the wake of Sergio Leone's unique and much copied film-making style and international box-office success, so named by American critics because most were produced and...
" film A Fistful of Dollars
A Fistful of Dollars
A Fistful of Dollars is a 1964 Italian Spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood alongside Gian Maria Volonté, Marianne Koch, Wolfgang Lukschy, Sieghardt Rupp, José Calvo, Antonio Prieto, and Joseph Egger. Released in Italy in 1964 then in the United States in...
, or, in Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
, Per un pugno di dollari.
Plot summary
In this episode, Alexander convinces his father, WorfWorf
Worf, played by Michael Dorn, is a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation and in seasons four to seven of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also appears in the films based on The Next Generation. Worf is the first Klingon main character to appear in Star Trek, and has appeared in more Star...
, to accompany him on a trip to the "Ancient West
American Old West
The American Old West, or the Wild West, comprises the history, geography, people, lore, and cultural expression of life in the Western United States, most often referring to the latter half of the 19th century, between the American Civil War and the end of the century...
" on the holodeck
Holodeck
A holodeck, in the fictional Star Trek universe, is a simulated reality facility located on starships and starbases. The first use of a "holodeck" by that name in the Star Trek universe was in the pilot episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Encounter at Farpoint", although a conceptually...
. Worf reluctantly plays the part of sheriff in the town of Deadwood, S.D.
Deadwood, South Dakota
Deadwood is a city in South Dakota, United States, and the county seat of Lawrence County. It is named for the dead trees found in its gulch. The population was 1,270 according to a 2010 census...
, circa 1870. Alexander is his deputy, and Troi
Deanna Troi
Commander Deanna Troi is a main character in the science-fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and related TV series and films, portrayed by actress Marina Sirtis. Troi is half-human, half-Betazoid and has the psionic ability to sense emotions. She serves as the ship's counselor...
(whose father was fond of tales of the Old West) enthusiastically plays 'the mysterious stranger', who is "in cahoots with the Sheriff, [and]...mighty mean with that Winchester".
Meanwhile, Data
Data (Star Trek)
Lieutenant Commander Data is a character in the fictional Star Trek universe portrayed by actor Brent Spiner. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the feature films Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek...
and Geordi experiment with using Data's brain as a backup for the Enterprise
USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)
The USS Enterprise is a 24th century starship in the Star Trek fictional universe and the principal setting of the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series...
's computer. A seemingly small malfunction occurs. Soon, Data's programming begins to take over parts of the Enterprises computer, replicating what is stored in his memory. Data's poetry overwrites Crusher's stage-play lines, Picard's music is overwritten by Data's, and a number of replicators can only produce Data's customized cat food (intended for Spot).
In the holodeck, Worf has apprehended Eli Hollander—the "Butcher of Bozeman" who has "killed twenty-three men"—who, when placed behind bars, comments, "[when] my pa...comes to bust me outta this tin can, [the] gravedigger [will] be workin' overtime". Eli's father, Frank, has come to rescue him from jail, saying to Eli, "[d]on't you worry, son, Sheriff's gonna pay." Frank Hollander and his gang have kidnapped Alexander to use as bait. Frank also looks and sounds exactly like Data. At first Worf assumed that Data had been invited by Troi or Alexander to play the role of Frank, but it becomes apparent to Worf that something is seriously wrong when he (Worf) is shot and his arm is wounded by the holographic bullets. Worf and Troi have discovered that they cannot end the program, and that the holodeck's safety features are not functioning. The holodeck is replacing all the characters with replicas of Data (hence the episode's double entendre
Double entendre
A double entendre or adianoeta is a figure of speech in which a spoken phrase is devised to be understood in either of two ways. Often the first meaning is straightforward, while the second meaning is less so: often risqué or ironic....
title) and Troi discovers that not only do the characters appear to look like Data, they also have Data's strength, speed and reflexes. They realize, though, that if they can ride the story to its end, the program will terminate on its own. To that end, Worf and Troi make a deal with Frank: Eli will be exchanged for Alexander.
Worf thinks everything is settled, but Troi knows better—the outlaws are not concerned with honor, and will certainly try to kill them. They construct a personal deflector shield powered by a combadge and constructed from components of "[o]ld man Newsom's telegraph machine" to protect Worf from the deadly holographic bullets. During the shootout, the outlaws are defeated, but the program does not end until Data, in the character of an enamored woman, "Miss Annie", throws him/herself into Worf's arms. Finally, the program ends, much to Worf's relief.
Geordi determines the cause of the malfunctions aboard ship and fixes them. Data tells Riker: "[y]ou just sit tight, Commander. We'll have [this all] fixed up in time for supper."
Later, in their quarters, Alexander asks his father if he will ever want to visit Deadwood again, and smiles when Worf replies, "[t]he town of Deadwood may face danger again. If they do, they will need a sheriff... and a deputy." After rendezvouing with the supply ship Biko, the Enterprise breaks orbit and heads off towards the sunset.
Episode Notes
- During the sections of the episode that take place in the Old West, the musical score makes many references to the music of Ennio MorriconeEnnio MorriconeEnnio Morricone, Grand Officer OMRI, , is an Italian composer and conductor, who wrote music to more than 500 motion pictures and television series, in a career lasting over 50 years. His scores have been included in over 20 award-winning films as well as several symphonic and choral pieces...
, the award-winning composer noted for his groundbreaking scores to A Fistful of Dollars and many other Westerns. Near the beginning of the episode, the characteristic flute motif, as well as the first three notes of the melody, of the theme from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly are referred to.
- The final scene aboard the Enterprise shows a rare smile from Worf as he's practicing his quick-draw in a mirror, and the outside-the-ship scene depicts the Enterprise sailing directly toward a large yellow star, echoing the Western-finale cliché of 'riding off into the sunset'.
- Many events that take place on the holodeck are similar to events in the 1959 western Rio Bravo.
Goofs, Mistakes
- Around 3:10, WorfWorfWorf, played by Michael Dorn, is a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation and in seasons four to seven of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also appears in the films based on The Next Generation. Worf is the first Klingon main character to appear in Star Trek, and has appeared in more Star...
gives a device to the captain. Jean Luc reads the data, but after the cut he is holding it upside-down and still reading.