Brothers

En route to the nearest starbase with a gravely ill child on board, the Enterprise is hijacked by Data who begins behaving very strangely and diverts course and speed to another destination. While the rest of the crew try to take back the ship, Data beams down to a planet to meet with possibly the last person he ever expected to meet...

I found this a frustrating episode, one with a brilliant opening that sadly loses its way towards the end. Spiner pulls triple duty, playing three roles with very distinct personalities and does really well - even if he is saddled with some awkward looking makeup for one of the roles. But the episode sets up several stories for the future including some of the movies but unless you're a fan of Data, this episode felt a little underwhelming given the stakes involved.

Unlike some reviewers, I think having Brent Spiner in the three main roles was a weakness.

The true weak premise of this story is that Soong implanted a compulsion into his creations that made them an unconcious threat to those around them -- the inventor's monomania.

I really enjoyed this episode because it opens with Data commandeering the Enterprise with ease. We get to see the full range of his abilities and the scene highlights just how helpless the crew is to stop him.

This TNG story is a tour de force for Brent Spiner whio for long periods of time is on the same screen playing Data, brother Lore and their creator Noonien Sung. A Sung family reuinon.

Without knowing he has pout a sick child in danger who needs to get to a star vase for medical attention, Data takes over the ship in response to a homing beacon his creator implanted in him. Said beacon also brought Lore in and neither Dr. Sung or Data knew he was active.

Seeing Brent Spiner in all three parts at the same time is a treat.

Lieutenant Data forcibly takes control the Enterprise on a personal mission.

This is an enjoyable episode due to an impressive three character performance by Brent Spiner.

The story is nothing particularly memorable but it gets us to where we need to be for the great character moments. It starts well with Data having some very cool moments whilst making his big move, but as it cuts back to the quite forced subplot about Willie Potts I found myself getting a bit bored.

For me it's all about Brent Spiner's acting and the clever filmmaking that makes his three character interactions work in all his scenes. It is an important episode for the general arc of Data's character.

The rest of the cast give good supporting performances.

For me it's a 7.5/10 but I round upwards.