Star Trek keeps finding ways to make Brent Spiner break his data promise (and long may it continue)

Warning: HUGE spoilers ahead Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5, Episode 7, “Fully Dilated.”Star Trek: Lower DecksSeason 5, Episode 7, “Fully Dilated,” proves that Brent Spiner’s “Commander Data” remains one of the most popular Star Trek characters, and he will hopefully continue to return time and again to the world of Gene Roddenberry’s massive space opera. Having starred in all seven seasons of Data Star Trek: The Next Generation and the sequel films of the series, Spiner has reprized the character and adjacent roles in several other spin-offs. There was no doubt about his importance to them Star Trek: The Next Generation Cast, but Spiner cameo Star TrekHe consolidated his legendary status with his animated comedy.

Spiner has also played several members of the Soong family, including its creator, Dr. Noonien Soong. This has allowed Spiner to become involved around the world Star Trek Timeline without constantly playing data. However, Spiner’s most productive comeback recently was his announcement as part of the Star Trek: Picard Cast – a show that became a spiritual and ultimately direct successor to Star Trek: The Next Generation. After the end of Star Trek: Picard season 1, Spiner made a bold Data predictionBut Star Trek: Lower Decks proved the statement false for the second time.

Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5 marks the second time Spiner has played Data since he said in 2020 that he would never do it again

Spiner most recently returned as Data in the third season of Star Trek: Picard in 2023

Speaking to TV Guide in 2020: Spiner discussed his role in Star Trek: Picard Season 1who struggles with the idea of ​​playing Data again after so long. One of his biggest concerns was his age, but then he explained that he “did it in such short sequences that it was fine.” In the same interview, the actor also stated that he “I wouldn’t really consider doing it again,” with fears that it would be so “unrealistic.” Luckily he played Data again Star Trek: Picard Season 3 and did so again Star Trek: Lower Decks‘ last season.

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Spiner was not absent Star Trek since his comments in 2020 when he returned to the cast of Star Trek: Picard for a second season. The difference was that he played Adam Soong, another member of Data’s creator’s family tree. Plus his return as Data in Star Trek: Picard also allowed him to take on another long-standing role – Lore, Data’s brother. So, Spiner’s love for the franchise is obviousSo it doesn’t seem to take much to tempt him every time. Hopefully there will be more of Brent Spiner as Data in the future of the saga.

“Star Trek” continues to find inventive ways to get Brent Spiner’s data back

Data’s origins make it difficult to write him out forever

Data’s story came to a natural end decades ago, so there had to be a good canonical reason every time he was brought back. His resurrection in Star Trek: Picard Season 1 was well writtenand the fact that he ended the run by being re-tendered also worked. Other than that, there was no option Star Trek: Picard Season 3 reunion Star Trek: The Next Generation The cast would have been the same without Data’s presence, and the writers allowed for this by directly addressing Spiner’s concerns about his age compared to the characters’ prime.

Star Trek: Lower Decks The fifth season delved deep into the franchise’s collection of famous sci-fi themes to bring Spiner back once again as Data in “Fully Dilated.” Prime Universe Data is dead at the time of Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5like his victim in 2002 Star Trek: Nemesis not yet been reversed Star Trek: Picard. Therefore, Spiner’s scoring of “Data from the Purple Universe” is a great way to have the actor reprise his most famous role. Additionally, Purple Data is so similar to Prime Data that they could very well have the same character despite the color scheme.

Spiner’s cameo as Purple Data proves why Star Trek’s animated content is so important to the franchise

Animated Star Trek shows may lead to more legacy characters appearing throughout the franchise’s timeline

Although Brent Spiner was able to put aside his worries about being too old to play Data in live-action againthe concern is not entirely unfounded. Star Trek has been an active franchise for a very long time, and so many actors are no longer able to reprise their roles in certain eras. Although de-aging technology has been used at times to resolve this issue, animated Star Trek Shows are a far more elegant solution that allows for a much greater degree of flexibility.

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Using Purple Data as an example, it wouldn’t have made sense for Spiner to play him in live-action, as Purple Data would have looked older than his Prime Universe counterpart. Another supporting argument is Kate Mulgrew’s comeback as the voice of Admiral Janeway In Star Trek: Prodigy. Although Mulgrew could still return as Janeway at her current age, it would only really make sense if she did so around the same time Star Trek: Picard. For these and many more reasons Star Trek must continue to make more animated shows after this Star Trek: Lower Decks ends.

Source: TV Guide

The animated comedy series Star Trek: Lower Decks follows the escort crew on one of Starfleet’s most insignificant ships, the USS Cerritos, in the year 2380. Ensigns Mariner (Tawny Newsome), Boimler (Jack Quaid), Rutherford (Eugene Cordero) and Tendi (Noël Wells) often have to fulfill their duties and social life. At the same time, the ship is rocked by a variety of science fiction anomalies.

Release date

August 6, 2020

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