They haven't finished the series yet.
News Brent Spiner Returned for "Picard" (and you could do the CGI better in 15 minutes, we get it)
- Thread starter Turtletrekker
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They haven't finished the series yet.
Oh Christ, I hope not. I was tired of Lore after "Datalore", and definitely after "Brothers".
Lore gave us one of the worst lines of dialogue ever:
"The sons of Soong have joined together, and together we will destroy the Federation."
There has to be a reason why Data exists in whatever form it is we will see him in. Seeing Lore in a drawer isn’t really going to explain anything.
My prediction, based on the trailer, and Spiner’s comments: Picard visits the lab where B4 is held in a drawer. Dr Jurati finds a way to extract Data’s memories from B4’s brain, and gives them to Picard. Picard then uploads the memories to a holodeck or similar to create a holographic Data he can consult with.
Hence why Spiner seems to think it’s B4 in the drawer, and fits with why he hasn’t filmed with anyone except Stewart so far.
My prediction, based on the trailer, and Spiner’s comments: Picard visits the lab where B4 is held in a drawer. Dr Jurati finds a way to extract Data’s memories from B4’s brain, and gives them to Picard. Picard then uploads the memories to a holodeck or similar to create a holographic Data he can consult with.
Hence why Spiner seems to think it’s B4 in the drawer, and fits with why he hasn’t filmed with anyone except Stewart so far.
Hey, it was the 90's.
So he's a mole?
Sounds like a line written for the trailer
I rewatched "The Measure of a Man" earlier. Spiner makes Data so artificial, mechanical, inhuman -- and yet so affable, endearing, likable and friendly. When Riker rips off Data's hand and hits his off-switch and leaves him limp and lifeless, I wanted to cry; I felt like my kind older brother figure had been turned off. Although I suppose being switched off is better than being exploded in a Stuart Baird movie.
It'll be good to have Data back. In some form.
It'll be good to have Data back. In some form.
I recently rewatched Measure of a man and Schizoid man . Brent did a great job developing Data's character over TNG seven seasons. He's always been one of my favorite TNG characters and one of the reasons I'm so excited to see him come back when I saw the Picard preview on scifi channel a few weeks ago.
Data is a timeless character, and by his android nature can last a very long time. I know the role is closely associated with Spiner, but it would be nice for the sake of the character if Data had a different body rebuilt for him, so that another actor can play him. His character could just keep on going like Dr. Who.
Would you also like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without the bread?
They literally say in TNG that data can age. It isn't out of character if he looks older.
Data is not a meal, he's a fictional character. Data at this point is no different from Spock, who can and was successfully recast with Ethan Peck.
Even so, Spiner himself felt uncomfortable playing an older Data in the past, even knowing full well this "explanation" himself.
“I’m a fan of Data, but I don’t want Brent Spiner to play him anymore.”
Right now, I feel that Data IS Brent Spiner. When we think of Data's defining characteristics, his gentleness, innocence, curiosity and mechanical approximation of humanity, these are all Spiner's contributions and creations. The first two seasons of TNG weren't even sure if Data had emotions or not. Currently, I feel that TREK has found a good approach to Spiner's aging (as he feels Data should, as an innocent, always look young) and keeping the role present: Spiner will play the role and be digitally de-aged in post. That should stand for now.
The issue with recasting Spiner is that once you lose the very specific mannerisms and body language and vocal presence that make Data the character he was, you don't have Data anymore. You have a completely different character with the same name. Recasting Spock worked because the two performers were playing Spock at a much earlier stage in the character's development. Zachary Quinto was not playing Nimoy's Spock; this was not a stately, aloof, alien scientist. Quinto's Spock was a younger, angrier character who was overtly still at war with himself.
Ethan Peck was also not playing the TOS Spock but a troubled, damaged man whose struggle with his dual identity had scarred him, whose mental and personal foundation had cracked. When Peck is costumed and styled as Nimoy's Spock at the end, it's the clothes and hair on top of Peck's Spock.
Data, as a character, resists such reinterpretation. It's difficult to find Data at a different stage of his life so that a new performer can come in and do his own spin; Data, at every point of his existence, is defined by the Spinerisms. A new actor playing Data would either be doing a shallow impression or playing a different android with the same name in which case it'd be better to just create a new character. Simply calling someone Data doesn't make them the character.
I am currently of the view that when Spiner is gone, Data should be gone. I don't feel anyone should take over the role. But I reserve the right to change that opinion when Spiner eventually passes away. It's possible that when Spiner leaves us, Data will continue as a CG character with technical artists pastiching Spiner's mannerisms and a voice actor imitating Spiner.
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They can not use B9. Lost in Space owns it. The robot is model B9.
No offense, but literally this entire essay is against what Data himself wants, which is to become more like a human, grow, and change. Exactly like peck nimoy spock. Data very much does not want to be stuck in some stasis for his lengthy android life. I feel this essay misses the entire point of Datas character
He's not a tumor!
I know this is writing about Data specifically but I think it is a good summary of Star Trek in general. This is not directed at any one in particular, just my general observations about fandom. There is a desire to keep Star Trek in stasis and keep on the feelings that have come before. I get that it is safe and familiar but I don't think that's what Star Trek was about.
I understood your point perfectly: you are so enamoured of Data that you'd accept any character going by that name even if that character had nothing of the voice, body language, mannerisms or behavioural traits that Brent Spiner brought to the role. If Data were played by a plush doll and voiced by Melissa Rauch, you'd take it.
Brent Spiner's obsessively detailed performance is what defines Data. If you lose Spiner, you lose pretty much everything that makes Data identifiable as Data. And I find your response disingenuous and insultingly devised to react to a strawman argument. There's a huge gulf between, "Keep Data exactly as he was in 'Encounter at Farpoint'" and "Keep Brent Spiner playing the role."