The Most Toys

This is one of the most-memorable NextGen episodes, of any season. Watching it for the second time last night (27 years after first seeing it!), I was reminded of the series' failure (in later episodes) to develop what is introduced here.

Data is put in an untenable situation, as he doesn't know he's about to be rescued. What should he do with Kivas? * The man is a murderer **, but Data's programming will not let him kill someone except in self-defense (or immediate defense of others). So why doesn't he just give Kivas a zetz im kopf and tie him up? (He has no trouble overpowering Kivas' goons.)

Instead, he decides to kill Kivas, a fraction of second after the transporter begins operating. He "explains" the weapon's discharge by saying "something might have happened". He later tells Kivas (in a subtly ironic tone) that he "has no feelings. I am an android."

Data's programming is (presumably) sufficiently complex for his experiences to alter his behavior, and even his world view. We see this in his speaking the literal truth, twisted to cover his real "feelings". But this potential for unexpected and even self-serving behavior isn't explored in later episodes. Perhaps it was decided that the audience would not tolerate turning a sympathetic character into a potentially threatening one.

* The name appears to be a reference to the "kivas and trillium" Spock was supposed to be a dealer in.

** Saul Rubinek gives a great performance going through the "agony" of deciding whether to kill his female companion.

During a transfer of dangerous chemicals to the Enterprise, Data's shuttlecraft explodes and apparently kills him. As the Enterprise flies off to complete its mission of mercy, Data finds himself captured by an eccentric collector of rare and valuable exhibits who plans for Data to complete his collection.

An otherwise ordinary episode benefits greats from Rubinek's appearance as Fajo who had the chance to be a rare recurring baddie for TNG in his own right. Sadly, we are treated to just this one episode which doesn't allow the character the room needed to breath. Fellow guest star Daly isn't all that great and the ending felt far too ambiguous for my liking. But apart from that, I really enjoyed this episode.

Yes, greed. Seen it. If I were God, I would convert all the greedy into one huge pile of money and burn it. But for now just line them up for the steam-roller queue and don't forget put in reverse for double-tap.

I was totally taken in by Fajo's despicable character. In just a few minutes, he made me despise him. His whiny being, his mean spiritedness, his entitlement, all lead one to find him as bad as they get. When he kidnaps Data so he can display him as a prize, he gets more than he bargained for. The only way he can get the Android to obey his wishes is through threat to another crew member who has been loyal to him for most of her life. He has not regard for life or loyalty and may be the most self-centered character on record. I did love that his collection of artifacts included a 1962 Roger Maris Topps baseball card (the year after he broke Ruth's single season record). The one thing that Data doesn't do for him is to perform for his friends when they come one board. What good is this stuff if you can't impress someone with it? Kudos to Saul Rubinek whom we've seen in countless character roles over the years. The diminutive elf with the razor's edge is inscrutable to the bitter end.

Treehouse of Horror X, Dr. Who (The Collector--"The Sun Makers") Saul Rubinek as Kivas Fajo

The main idea behind "The Most Toys" is very familiar. I cannot say exactly when the plot was first used, but it was the subject in "Dr. Who" back in the 1970s ("The Sun Makers") and was used later on "The Simpsons" ("Treehouse of Terror X")--so this "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode isn't exactly unique. Because of this, it cannot be one of the better episodes of the series--but I did really like the way it ended.

When the episode begins, Data is accidentally killed and the crew of the Enterprise grieves for this loss. However, what actually occurred is that a dirt-bag named Kivas Fajo (Saul Rubinek) stole Data in order to add it to his sick little collection of rarities. He really has no interest in Data as anything other than a curiosity--and because he and no one else in the universe can have him. Despite being very strong and bright, Data is unable to escape from this sociopath's clutches.

The bottom line is that Fajo's cruelty and Data's ultimate solution to this is makes this one memorable. Well worth seeing despite its familiarity.