Episode complete credited cast: | |||
Patrick Stewart | ... | Capt. Jean-Luc Picard | |
Jonathan Frakes | ... | Cmdr. William Riker | |
LeVar Burton | ... | Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge | |
Michael Dorn | ... | Lt. Worf | |
Gates McFadden | ... | Dr. Beverly Crusher | |
Marina Sirtis | ... | Counselor Deanna Troi | |
Brent Spiner | ... | Lt. Cmdr. Data | |
Rosalind Chao | ... | Keiko Ishikawa | |
Colm Meaney | ... | Chief Miles O'Brien | |
![]() |
Sierra Pecheur | ... | Ambassador T'Pel |
Alan Scarfe | ... | Adm. Mendak | |
Shelly Desai | ... | V'Sal | |
April Grace | ... | Transporter Technician Hubbell |
Second officer Lt. Commander Data has agreed to speak a complete record of a day in his functioning for the benefit of scientific android engineer Commander Maddox and concludes that his programming must be improved concerning interaction with human emotions - most puzzling given human practices such as irony. Chief Miles O'Brien's human wedding is amply confusing, even for Worf; bride Keiko Ishikawa's gibbers even more illogical. Learning dances and which are appropriate from Dr. Crusher proves easy. Arthur Conan Doyle's logic of elimination Data soon masters, in time to solve a mysterious accident during negotiations with a Romulan admiral. Written by KGF Vissers
This episode reminded me of those MASH episodes where one of the characters would write to a relative about what was going on daily in their lives. In this one, Data writes to the Daystrom Institute to tell of his efforts to assimilate himself into the crew by exploring and donning human traits. He has bee chosen to be the best man at Chief Obrien and Keiko's wedding and he experiments with all the intricacies of that process, including the seeming cold feet of the bride. In one of the funniest moments of the series, Beverly Crusher is enlisted to teach him to dance. She doesn't know it's for a wedding and teaches him to tap dance. He is very adept because he need only follow her moves When she realizes he misunderstanding, she tries basic ballroom technique with varied success. He does get it, but is stiff and awkward. She tells him to smile and he gets this plastered-on, ridiculous grin as he dances, first with her and then with a holographic partner.
There is also a serious event going on. A Vulcan ambassador is on board the Enterprise, ready to beam over to a Romulan ship to begin negotiations, representative of the Federation. She is killed as she transports over and the Romulans accuse Picard of underhandedness. It is well worth watching to see how this all plays out.