dataentryspecialist

[dataentryspecialist]

"you have awakened a memory fragment"

It seems some of the information didn't transfer over in the same way computer files would (if that makes sense). My best explanation for this is, due to the way memories were transferred (a very early version of synaptic scanning that was likely prone to translation/transition errors) caused some memories to be less accessible than others.

They were *there* but unless Data specifically knew to go rooting around for them, he may not have ever accessed them.

He had always believed himself to be singular and alone and so it didn't occur to him to try to sift through the colonist's memories for a long lost brother?

Another possible explanation is that Noonien specifically went through after the fact and erased any memories pertaining to his "failed" son. The result of that, again, could have muddled the memories in such a way that, until Data was standing back on Omicron Theta, he didn't know they existed and even then it was very spotty.

He did make it clear that he doesn't have ALL of their memories.

In truth, Datalore is just a very, very hard episode to reconcile with canon. First season stuff can be a little wonky that way.

If Data has all of the memories of the colonists why wouldn't he know about Lore?? 🧐

[dataentryspecialist]

[dataentryspecialist]

The ability to turn reblogs off has really added a new dimension to shitty posts

[dataentryspecialist]

Re-reading Electric Excavations and OH MY GOD THE TIARA VIRUS PLANET. ITS SO AWFUL AND PERFECT AND YOU DID SO AMAZING. It hurts so much. And also it’s cathartic in a way.

😅 thank you!! It was really fun writing it and also really ... I don't know, sobering? Looking up the CDC timeline of how the pandemic spread and the steps that were taken while remembering what it was like going through it was quite an experience.

I'm glad you find it so good even upon reread!

[dataentryspecialist]

[dataentryspecialist]

[dataentryspecialist]

Last song: Choke - I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME

Favorite color: 💙

Currently watching: Star Trek TNG (again 😅)

Last movie: uhhhh. I'm struggling to remember. I think it was actually a movie screening and the film only had a working title (which I don't remember 😅)

Sweet/savory/spicy: yes/yes/nooooooo (but if I have to pick one, definitely sweet)

Currently reading: The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama and Awaken the Highland Warrior by Anita Clenney 😏

Current obsession: Other than the Soong twins, Astarion 🥰

Currently working on: my Durge run in BG3, keeping my sanity

If you see this, consider yourself tagged ✌️

'get to know you better' tag game

tagged by @emmrichrook. thank you! 😊

last song: Cocteau Twins - Eyes are Mosaics

favorite color: black, purple, golden yellow, teal

currently watching: my partner play Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 :o

last movie: oh, it's been so long now not sure i remember :s, but i think it was Sonic the Hedgehog 3

sweet, savory, or spicy: savoury

currently reading: The Wolf, Pet by bitterling on ao3

current obsession: Elgar'nan from Dragon Age x_x

currently working on: multiple Dragon Age drawings, most of them featuring Elgy :]

tagging @soongtypehuman @broodwoof @bonesandivy @katshi @tanyayoung-322 @fiannaai

[dataentryspecialist]

[dataentryspecialist]

Great timing on reblogging this as I just watched the episode last night and I was absolutely (re-)noticing this body language while watching the scene.

This episode is one of the best in Trek. I mean all of it. And that's not just me being a Data fan. It's recognizing that this is peak Star Trek.

There's no pew pew here

No universe-ending boogie man

There's *is* definite and visceral conflict*but* it's not solved with violence. It's not solved by force (although Maddox certainly does what he can to strongarm the outcome)

It's resolved by getting everyone together in a room, arguing both of their sides, and then coming to a conclusion and accepting that conclusion.

(it helps that it's the morally RIGHT conclusion)

The scene between Data and Riker is so important, too, and absolutely needed to be included. They could have chosen to show the celebration in the holodeck Data mentions. They could have chosen to end the episode on a high note with cheers and applause.

It was a deliberate choice to instead show Will Riker staring solemnly out the window, pained over what he was forced to do. And a needed choice to have Data walk in, and not forgive him (because he did nothing wrong), but rather show his sincere appreciation for what Riker had to do in order to secure Data's right to choose. His life.

The whole episode is full of visual cues in addition to the fantastic writing. (Maddox staring Data down like a PS5 on clearance is another visual example).

A masterpiece of storytelling

Another scene in The Measure of A Man I want to touch on is the scene in the Observation Lounge, in which Maddox explains his plans for Data to Picard and Riker. First and foremost, we need to talk about the seating arrangment; how and where each character sits around the table.

Picard, of course, sits at the head of the table. Riker sits to Picard's right, Maddox sits to Picard's left (across from Riker), and Data sits left of Maddox.

By sitting in this manner, Maddox can talk to Picard and Riker while literally turning his back on Data, thereby not only verbally excluding him from the conversation (by not addressing him at all until forced to, and, one could argue, by calling him "it", although that's a bit more nuanced) but also literally blocking Data from joining the conversation with his body. Maddox sits leaned forward, which means Picard must lean sideways to even be able to see Data behind Maddox, which we can see him do.

And this seating arrangement is important!! It is a beautiful piece of visual storytelling; it shows precisely what the dynamic between Maddox and Data is and adds to the verbal cues we get.

But there's so much moreeee!

Like I said, Maddox doesn't actually address Data until Data asks him if he's constructed a positronic brain. He looks to Data with full confidence-- even a degree of smugness-- and confirms that he has. When Data bombards him with (VALID ASF) questions about how he'll work around certain issues, Maddox averts his gaze, only looking at Data sporadically, until he doesn't look at him anymore at all. Then he turns fully to Picard and Riker when he says: "I do not anticipate any problems", a sense of finality to his tone. It effectively stops Data from asking further questions.

Fortunately, Riker and Picard aren't convinced either, and here is where the dynamic of the scene shifts. Instead of Maddox's intended triangle of himself, Picard and Riker with Data on the outside, it now seems more like he sits surrounded; trapped between Picard, Riker and Data as they each ask him critical questions. We can physically see the shift in Maddox's body language-- he ducks his head, shifts around and makes himself look smaller. It's clear he now feels intimidated. Backed in a corner and with Picard telling him he won't allow Data to submit to the tests, he finally pulls out the transfer orders.

This scene is SO POWERFUL in how it visually sets up the dynamics between each of these characters, and how Maddox physically disrupts the pre-existing dynamic. It's a prime example of how the placement of characters and camera work can be used to tell a whole story without words. Idk who was in charge of this creative decision, but they deserve a standing ovation OMGGG

Again, I have the scene here-- it's zoomed and sped up but it's the only one I could find. I cut it off after Picard tells Maddox no, but immediately after that he pulls out the transfer orders and the scene ends.

[dataentryspecialist]

[dataentryspecialist]

[dataentryspecialist]

(affirming myself in the mirror) if that fictional man was real he would fuck you. He would fuck you. You're his exact type. If he saw you he'd get a boner instantly. He would fuck you he would fu

[dataentryspecialist]

villain and violent :(

[dataentryspecialist]

[dataentryspecialist]

[dataentryspecialist]

I can't draw but if I could...

Ohh, so I was looking at my storage and found these! I originally shared them on twitter before yeeting the platform. Anyway, feel free to use! Art memes for your oc :D

[dataentryspecialist]

I love when he plays dress up