“The Most Toys” is a great episode but…

[CuriousCaitian]

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Watching this back, I've noticed something that I don't think has been mentioned in any of the threads on The Most Toys I've read and/or contributed to, and that leads me to agree somewhat with @Christopher that this is a flawed episode, a little lacking in the execution.

It has to do with the Varon-Ts. After Fajo kills Varria with his disruptor, and a second before Data emerges from the shuttle, Fajo throws it away, just chucks it off to the side of the bay, out of sight. He then walks away from it, and from the shuttle, completely ignoring the one Varria dropped earlier and had made a clumsy dive for, the same one Data then picks up to level at him.

Think about that. That's two weapons of such lethality and barbarity they're illegal just lying around the shuttle bay, and Fajo's ignoring them, seems to have forgotten they even exist. Why? Why make himself so very vulnerable, especially when dealing with a powerful, capable opponent who, through pure logic or some deep, rudimentary emotional drive, or both, has reason and motivation to take lethal action against him, or at the very least could use the threat of that weapon as a means of subduing or capturing him, as Data indeed tries to do at first? Yes, Fajo is complacent and arrogant, and is possibly shocked himself that he actually pulled the trigger, but it still seems a stupid, counter-productive thing to do.

Of course, in pure story terms, Fajo was required to be vulnerable for the final stand-off moment of the scene, but the contrived way he was made to be - one Varon-T inexplicably discarded and forgotten, the other conveniently ignored - undermines things more than a little. To be fair, such a confrontation is really hard to set up in a way that feels organic, a natural progression of events, especially with a character not normally given to killing; there's always some measure of forcing as a result, and thus, at least for me, always a sensation, even if only subsconcious, that something is off. In this case, a fair amount of this scene, including Varria's dive, feels a little off.

It's especially niggling here because of how good the rest of the episode is, not least Rubinek's layered performance, deep darkness glimpsed beneath facile, twitchy, somewhat flamboyant behaviour. That he managed such a performance when taking the role late, and in deeply unfortunate circumstances (of which I was unaware prior to reading this thread) is even more impressive.

 

[Laughing Dragon]

I always felt that Datas innocence and Fajo referring to how delightful it would be if he were to run around naked was an allegory for child molestation.

 

[Sisko_is_my_captain]

I think Fajo tossed the disruptor because he was genuinely shocked and horrified by his first actual murder. I don't think he had actually killed before. But then, a minute later, he was realizing that actually...he kind of liked it.

 

[Ragitsu]

As someone elsewhere noted, why would Fajo want to destroy Data's uniform? That's the original packaging he's wearing!

 

[CuriousCaitian]

I think Fajo tossed the disruptor because he was genuinely shocked and horrified by his first actual murder. I don't think he had actually killed before. But then, a minute later, he was realizing that actually...he kind of liked it.

That makes a lot of sense. Like he was teetering on the edge before, and coming up against an opponent as stubborn and challenging as Data finally pushed him over it. At first he's shocked, even disturbed, but then starts to, as you say, like it. The sociopath escalating.

It could also be that he was hoping to trick Data into thinking he hadn't done it, but immediately realises that won't work and starts bluffing like mad.

There are possibilities, but nothing concrete, and that's part of the problem. A little too much ambiguity.

 

[Mojochi]

Think about that. That's two weapons of such lethality and barbarity they're illegal just lying around the shuttle bay, and Fajo's ignoring them, seems to have forgotten they even exist. Why? Why make himself so very vulnerable, especially when dealing with a powerful, capable opponent who, through pure logic or some deep, rudimentary emotional drive, or both, has reason and motivation to take lethal action against him, or at the very least could use the threat of that weapon as a means of subduing or capturing him, as Data indeed tries to do at first? Yes, Fajo is complacent and arrogant, and is possibly shocked himself that he actually pulled the trigger, but it still seems a stupid, counter-productive thing to do.

Because he's arrogant enough to not think of Data as a threat to him, regardless of what's lying around, & how lethal it might ordinarily be in someone else's hands. The whole premise of the episode is that he underestimates Data on almost every level, especially, & most significantly, his character.

It's irony... that WE all know just how capable & powerful Data is, but the man who put so much effort into owning him as a thing of value, doesn't truly understand his real value. It's the same with the baseball card. He doesn't actually care about baseball, or the historic importance of such an antique thing. He brags about one of the most superficial aspects, that he had the scent of bubblegum preserved, which is ultimately meaningless.

He is a collector, who tragically has no true appreciation for what is actually valuable, least of all when it comes to the people with whom he interacts, which is why I think Rubinek captures him perfectly. He adds that indifference, & boredom to the performance

 

[Mojochi]

And actually, now that I'm thinking about it, the only flaw I find in this episode is that when Fajo points out to Data that he is part of a collection of original one-of-a-kind collectibles, the highly logical Data should've immediately pointed out that he isn't a one-of-a-kind original at all, & that Lore exists (Granted lost in space at the moment, but still more than likely out there)

I suspect that knowledge, once verified, would diminish Data's value to him altogether. I suppose though, after learning that, he'd have no choice but to destroy Data, or face the consequences of kidnapping him, or hold him there anyway, despite not being a rare collectible anymore

 

[CuriousCaitian]

Because he's arrogant enough to not think of Data as a threat to him, regardless of what's lying around, & how lethal it might ordinarily be in someone else's hands. The whole premise of the episode is that he underestimates Data on almost every level, especially, & most significantly, his character.

It's irony... that WE all know just how capable & powerful Data is, but the man who put so much effort into owning him as a thing of value, doesn't truly understand his real value. It's the same with the baseball card. He doesn't actually care about baseball, or the historic importance of such an antique thing. He brags about one of the most superficial aspects, that he had the scent of bubblegum preserved, which is ultimately meaningless.

He is a collector, who tragically has no true appreciation for what is actually valuable, least of all when it comes to the people with whom he interacts, which is why I think Rubinek captures him perfectly. He adds that indifference, & boredom to the performance

Fantastic post! I was nodding vigorously as I read it. Every beat sounds true. Add in @Sisko_is_my_captain's theory as to why Fajo throws the gun away, and I think that's everything covered. I still have my issues with it, but's that now entirely in the realm of the subjective and personal.

 

[Mojochi]

Add in @Sisko_is_my_captain's theory as to why Fajo throws the gun away, and I think that's everything covered.

I pretty much consider that explanation about throwing the disruptor away true enough too. The reaction he gives is one that almost seems like he's never even seen it fired before & seen what it can do to someone, even though he's heard the description that he recited earlier. He owns them too as bragging rights

Fajo must have been neglected as a child or something lol

Because, he spends his life & resources obtaining the rarest antiquities in the galaxy, but not because he actually appreciates them. He only appreciates the attention it gets him from the influential people who envy him because of what he has. Having Data in his collection isn't what matters to him. That he wears the right costume, and performs appropriately for his guests is, as the rare, one-of-a-kind Soong Android... important enough to endanger people to get it.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I think Fajo tossed the disruptor because he was genuinely shocked and horrified by his first actual murder. I don't think he had actually killed before. But then, a minute later, he was realizing that actually...he kind of liked it.

I'm sure there was precious little in the universe that was capable of shocking or horrifying Fajo.

Remember, earlier in the episode Varria says that Fajo's punishments for disloyalty are particularly brutal. I'm sure Fajo has indeed killed before, dozens if not hundreds of times.

Data should've immediately pointed out that he isn't a one-of-a-kind original at all, & that Lore exists

Fajo never knew how lucky he was. Imagine if he'd happened to capture Lore instead of Data?

 

[Mojochi]

Fajo never knew how lucky he was. Imagine if he'd happened to capture Lore instead of Data?

Or a defective one like B4

I'm sure there was precious little in the universe that was capable of shocking or horrifying Fajo.

Remember, earlier in the episode Varria says that Fajo's punishments for disloyalty are particularly brutal. I'm sure Fajo has indeed killed before, dozens if not hundreds of times.

That's why I lean toward him maybe having never used the Varon Ts before. A reaction like tossing it away in repulsion the way he did could be because he hadn't really understood how volatile it might be, like he thought for a split second it might harm the user or damage something more or whatever. It's a weird reaction

Even still, Varia's comment never really implied to me that he'd murdered, only that he was cruel & violent, & I'm sure she figured he was capable of it even if he hadn't before