Can Data be assimilated by the Borg?

los2188 · November 11 2012, 08:41 PM

There's something that I've always wondered about. Can Data be assimilated by the Borg? I remember him being called "obsolete" in Best of Both Worlds, but I also recall hearing more than a few times that the Borg needed their organic parts in order to survive. I ask this because for many years after watching First Contact, I could never quite figure out why Data wasn't assimilated so the queen Borg would be able to know that Data was playing along, but was still on the side of the Federation.

Stephen! · November 11 2012, 08:49 PM

los2188 wrote:

I could never quite figure out why Data wasn't assimilated

The queen wanted a counterpart, rather than just another mindless drone.

los2188 · November 11 2012, 09:01 PM

Stephen! wrote:

los2188 wrote:

I could never quite figure out why Data wasn't assimilated

The queen wanted a counterpart, rather than just another mindless drone.

Yes I understand that, but could he actually be assimilated??

sbk1234 · November 11 2012, 11:51 PM

no

Mr. Laser Beam · November 12 2012, 12:15 AM

Data is a technological device, and thus can be assimilated. It would be no different than the Borg subverting a ship's computer systems.

Whether or not Data can *fight back* is unclear. But the Borg can certainly try.

los2188 wrote:

I also recall hearing more than a few times that the Borg needed their organic parts in order to survive.

That applies to drones which had organic parts in the first place, yes. But we've seen Borg taking over computer systems, and Data would be the same. You don't need organic parts to survive if you never had them. The Borg are a collection of millions of different species; some of these surely were not organic.

Tiberius · November 12 2012, 05:20 AM

I don't see why Data couldn't be assimilated. After all, the Borg have never had any trouble assimilating completely technological things. The Raven, for example.

Ar-Pharazon · November 12 2012, 10:33 PM

"we will add your biological & technological distinctiveness to our own"

That's assuming your biological and/or technological distinctiveness is of any use to the Borg and not, in fact, "obsolete".

davejames · November 12 2012, 10:47 PM

If the Borg could assimilate portions of the Enterprise, surely they could assimilate Data.

Kooz · November 13 2012, 07:44 AM

Data could be assimilated; remember when Masaka rewrote his programming in Masks.

R. Star · November 13 2012, 10:57 PM

Locutus says Data is primitive and would be obsolete in the New Order.

First Contact says Data could've been the Borg King.

So it's a matter of opinion, since both arguments have supporting canon facts.

Captain McBain · November 14 2012, 03:26 PM

Data states in First Contact that he was incapable of being assimilated, or words to that effect. Data's system would have probably fought back against the nanoprobes and defeated them. In "Contagion," for example, Data is 'killed' by the alien influence, but his program eliminates it and Data regains consciousness.

T'Preea · November 15 2012, 04:25 AM

I don't see why Data couldn't be. Of course, his defense program would kick in; but ultimately, they very well could assimilate him into the Collective.

TheSeeker · November 16 2012, 08:30 PM

If Data can get "drunk", then he get assimilated IMO.

November 11 2012, 08:41 PM	#1
los2188 Commander Location: North Carolina	Can Data be assimilated by the Borg? There's something that I've always wondered about. Can Data be assimilated by the Borg? I remember him being called "obsolete" in Best of Both Worlds, but I also recall hearing more than a few times that the Borg needed their organic parts in order to survive. I ask this because for many years after watching First Contact, I could never quite figure out why Data wasn't assimilated so the queen Borg would be able to know that Data was playing along, but was still on the side of the Federation. __________________ Darling, you remain as aesthetically pleasing as the first day we met. I believe I am the most fortunate sentient in this sector of the galaxy.

November 11 2012, 11:51 PM	#4
sbk1234 Rear Admiral Location: Los Angeles	Re: Can Data be assimilated by the Borg? no __________________ In all the history of the world, a riot has NEVER broken out at a Sci-Fi convention. "It's a fucking TV show!" - Gary Lockwood

November 12 2012, 05:20 AM	#6
Tiberius Commodore	Re: Can Data be assimilated by the Borg? I don't see why Data couldn't be assimilated. After all, the Borg have never had any trouble assimilating completely technological things. The Raven, for example. __________________ The Best of Both Worlds eBook \| Every episode of Trek in viewing order Tiberius

November 12 2012, 10:33 PM	#7
Ar-Pharazon Admiral of the Rear	Re: Can Data be assimilated by the Borg? "we will add your biological & technological distinctiveness to our own" That's assuming your biological and/or technological distinctiveness is of any use to the Borg and not, in fact, "obsolete". __________________ Rimmer, on what period of history to live in- “Well, It’d be the 19th century for me, one of Napoleon’s marshals. The chance to march across Europe with the greatest general of all time and kill Belgians” - (White Hole).

November 12 2012, 10:47 PM	#8
davejames Vice Admiral Location: Sac, Ca	Re: Can Data be assimilated by the Borg? If the Borg could assimilate portions of the Enterprise, surely they could assimilate Data.

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November 13 2012, 07:44 AM	#9
Kooz Lieutenant Location: Stamford, CT	Re: Can Data be assimilated by the Borg? Data could be assimilated; remember when Masaka rewrote his programming in Masks. __________________ Star Trek stuff.

November 13 2012, 10:57 PM	#10
R. Star Commodore Location: Terra 3	Re: Can Data be assimilated by the Borg? Locutus says Data is primitive and would be obsolete in the New Order. First Contact says Data could've been the Borg King. So it's a matter of opinion, since both arguments have supporting canon facts. __________________ "I was never a Star Trek fan." J.J. Abrams

November 14 2012, 03:26 PM	#11
Captain McBain Commander Location: DS9 Mirror Universe	Re: Can Data be assimilated by the Borg? Data states in First Contact that he was incapable of being assimilated, or words to that effect. Data's system would have probably fought back against the nanoprobes and defeated them. In "Contagion," for example, Data is 'killed' by the alien influence, but his program eliminates it and Data regains consciousness.

November 15 2012, 04:25 AM	#12
T'Preea Commander Location: Stimulating Data's Synaptic Pathways.	Re: Can Data be assimilated by the Borg? I don't see why Data couldn't be. Of course, his defense program would kick in; but ultimately, they very well could assimilate him into the Collective. __________________ Who said sexy had to be human?

November 16 2012, 08:30 PM	#13
TheSeeker Vice Admiral Location: New York, NY	Re: Can Data be assimilated by the Borg? If Data can get "drunk", then he get assimilated IMO.