What do you people think about the 4x03 Brothers episode?

[kurgana]

The kids subplot is completely useless. I understand why it was introduced (hey, we have brothers here and brothers there), but the parallel was ways too obvious to be interesting, the episode would work better without it.
Time wasted on the boys would be much better spent by showing how the crew tries to defeat Data (there was too little of that).

Otherwise it's a great episode. I loved the puzzle at the beginning, I loved the character drama on the planet. And I adored Spiner's performance. The episode proves he's a brilliant actor.

 

[ChickenPug!]

Even though bringing back Soong from the dead is a bit of Deus Ex Machina, I think the episode does exactly what any good science fiction (or any art for that matter) should do; ask the questions we all ask. Data has the opportunity to ask he maker, "Why was I created?" If you believe we have a "maker" or not, most people ask this same question at some point.

I wouldn't say this is a great episode but there is some good writing and acting.

 

[tomalak301]

Even though bringing back Soong from the dead is a bit of Deus Ex Machina, I think the episode does exactly what any good science fiction (or any art for that matter) should do; ask the questions we all ask. Data has the opportunity to ask he maker, "Why was I created?" If you believe we have a "maker" or not, most people ask this same question at some point.

I wouldn't say this is a great episode but there is some good writing and acting.

He wasn't brought back from the dead. Data thought he was dead, but he was just an old man near death.

 

[ChickenPug!]

All I'm saying is that from a writing standpoint, saying he was dead then bringing him back is a bit much. If he was presumed dead then brought back to play a larger role in subsequent episodes, I could "suspend disbelief" a little more. But bringing him back for one episode isn't that well thought out.

If I remember correctly, in later episodes Soong turns up in Data's dreams. That, in my opinion, works a little better.

But again, this episode is a good/great showcase for Spiner's work.

All said it's just an opinion/preference.