In Theory (1 Jun. 1991)

When a female crew member is infatuated with Lieutenant Commander Data, he decides to give a romantic relationship a try. Also, the Enterprise finds itself having to maneuver through a dangerous nebula.

Director:

Patrick Stewart

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (creator), Joe Menosky,

Stars:

Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Patrick Stewart	...	Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes	...	Commander William T. Riker
LeVar Burton	...	Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn	...	Lieutenant Worf
Gates McFadden	...	Doctor Beverly Crusher
Marina Sirtis	...	Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner	...	Lt. Commander Data
Michele Scarabelli	...	Lt. Jenna D'Sora
Rosalind Chao	...	Keiko O'Brien
Colm Meaney	...	Chief Miles O'Brien
Pamela Winslow	...	Ensign McKnight
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Guinan
Majel Barrett	...	Enterprise Computer (voice)

Storyline

When the Enterprise enters the unchartered Mare Obscura ('dark sea') dark matter nebula, Data is in charge of scientific observations, together with young Dr. Lieutenant Jenna D'Sora, who shows a romantic interest in him. The human crew is clearly unable and/or reluctant to give Data reliable advice, and Troi warns him against trusting in literature on the subject, but since Riker says nothing beats true love Data decides to try 'running' a romantic program with her, yet method is madness in a human lover's eyes... Arrived at a class N-planet's coordinates, the Enterprise finds it gone, inexplicably, while Worf fears disappearances and unexplained entries aboard constitute a major security risk. Indeed next strikes make victims among machines and crew, but according to Data all can result from proximity of so much dark matter causing gaps of space, which the ship phases' in and out of. The plan is to send an observational shuttle ahead, Picard decides to pilot it himself...

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Plot Keywords:

24th century

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 June 1991 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the first episode to be directed by Patrick Stewart, the second cast member after Jonathan Frakes to direct an episode (who has directed 2 others by this point in Star Trek: The Next Generation).

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Goofs

Data seems to break his contraction rule a few times in the episode, when he says "Honey, I'm home!" and "You're not my mother!" It is conceivable, though, that Data has drawn those phrases from his cultural and literary sources and integrated them into his program for romantic relationships. This becomes evident particularly when he explains the line "You are not my mother" (without the contraction!) as the appropriate response in the given situation.

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Quotes

Lt. Cmdr. Data: My programming may be inadequate to the task.
Counselor Deanna Troi: We're all more than the sum of our parts, Data. You'll have to be more than the sum of your programming.

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Connections

Referenced in Star Trek: The Next Generation: Phantasms (1993)

User Reviews

In theory, anything's possible?

ST:TNG:99 - "In Theory" (Stardate: 44932.3) - this is the 25th episode of the 4th season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Can an android feel romantic entanglements? After receiving a passionate kiss from Ensign Jenna Anaya, Data ponders dating her.

At the same time, this episode also brings the theory of dark matter to the forefront, as it's used to explain the disappearances of objects around the ship and then a section of the ship's floor! An intriguing episode about whether beings with artificial intelligence can feel emotions (such as love).

Trivia note: Data is in another live concert (playing the oboe), as well as Keiko O'Brien. We see Data's cat Spot again (this time finally mentioned by name), as well as Whoopi Goldberg as Guinan. Also. transparent aluminum is mentioned for the makeup of the windows. And, Data FINALLY dresses up his "spartan" apartment at the advice of Jenna.