Movies

Data was originally going to die in Star Trek: Insurrection…at the hand of his captain

BBG News

As a dedicated Star Trek fan, I cannot help but feel a deep sense of disappointment and frustration when I reflect on the proposed death of Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) in Star Trek: Insurrection. The thought of Data perishing at the hands of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) is simply unthinkable, especially considering Data’s superior abilities and intelligence.

In Star Trek: Nemesis, Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) met his demise for the first time. However, had the initial script by Michael Piller for Star Trek: Insurrection been implemented instead, Data would have perished much earlier in that film. The fact that Data passed away in Nemesis was a significant blow to fans, as they are still grappling with this loss, particularly since his character has been revived several times, much like Spock’s death. We are left pondering the purpose behind Data’s demise.

As a passionate Star Trek fan, I was dismayed to learn from “The Fifty-Year Mission: The Next 25 Years” via Fandomwire that Data and Captain Jean-Luc Picard were supposed to engage in a fatal battle. Although the specifics of this confrontation remain unclear, it was heartbreaking to imagine Data meeting his end at Picard’s hands. Thankfully, Patrick Stewart stepped in and successfully prevented this tragic turn of events. Consequently, the movie evolved into an inspiring tale of renewal rather than a somber farewell for one of Star Trek: The Next Generation’s most cherished characters.

It was Patrick [Stewart], frankly, who said, ‘This is dark and dreary and it’s not fun,’ and he was the one who put us back on the fountain of youth course that ultimately really leads the story to its current state.

Michael Piller

Pondering this scenario, could Captain Picard truly have prevailed against Lt. Cmdr. Data in a confrontation? Given Data’s superior strength, speed, and cognitive abilities that surpassed all crew members on the Enterprise, how might Picard have defeated him? It seems plausible that Picard could have somehow disrupted Data’s circuits; however, I ponder, why would such a fight be conceived in the first place? What was the purpose behind this imagined battle between Picard and Data?

It’s uncertain what Piller may have intended (given that he passed away in 2005 at the age of 57), but we’re thankful that Stewart and other film executives opted against producing a darker version of Insurrection. Data ultimately met his end in Nemesis, as well as during the first season of Star Trek: Picard. However, he was revived in the third season of Star Trek: Picard.

Read More

2024-07-14 01:23

Previous post UFC Denver live results & highlights
Next post Julie Nimoy assured William Shatner of her father’s love after Leonard Nimoy’s death