Brent Spiner’s Lt. Commander Data is one of the most fan-favorite characters from Star Trek: The Next Generation. A successor to Leonard Nimoy’s iconic Spock, Data was a self-aware android in the show whose ultimate goal was to experience human emotions. While Data’s character had numerous traits to be a universal favorite, he became a significant figure among people having Asperger’s Syndrome or autism.
Data is the ultimate artificial lifeform with exceptional intelligence, strength, and computational skills. But throughout his entire journey, he tried to feel more human and understand different emotional nuances like his crewmates. Although he was not seen indifferently by the other USS Enterprise crew, he had always tried to fit in.
People with Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism resonated more with Data’s character. They connected deeply with Data’s struggles and according to Brent Spiner, he felt very overwhelmed by this side of the fanbase.
Brent Spiner was moved to see his Star Trek character’s impact on autistic people
Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek has been always lauded for its representation of different characters through the diverse cast. Data is also known for his unique representation of people who regularly face difficulties in understanding human emotions and blending in a society that looks too different to them.
Similar to Data, patients of Asperger’s also face tremendous problems in catching and showing human emotions, and having proper social interaction. According to Vanity Fair, Brent Spiner, the man behind Data was overwhelmed to see his character having such a positive impact on so many uncountable people. He urged that if he had known about it then, he would have encouraged the writers to explore it further.
At conventions I’ve had so many people say they had Asperger’s Syndrome, or autism, and that when they were kids Data was the only character they could relate to. His struggle to understand emotion, and his dealings with society and people. I am overwhelmed by that. Of course, I had nothing to do with it. If I had known at the time this was happening, I probably would have encouraged the writers to lean into it, and I might have blown the whole thing.
Episodes like The Measure of a Man, The Offspring, and In Theory have beautifully represented Data’s repeated attempts to form relationships and experience complex human problems. Across many other episodes, he is also shown trying different hobbies and struggling to understand his crewmates’ words beyond their literary sense.
Brent Spiner’s excellent performance made the character relatable to several people. He not only made the autistic people feel confident but also motivated as the character became a symbol of hope for his continuous effort to grow despite the shackles of his natural limitations.
Data had some emotional qualities that made him special
Data’s character beautifully portrays how even a hardcore science-fiction character can reflect such a problem and be relatable to so many people. Nevertheless, as per a report by Screen Rant, the book Autism in Film and Television has presented how Data did not have any emotions but he deeply cared for the people around him.
According to the author Dr. Ina Rae Hark, Data felt the loss of his loved ones, had some affection for his pet cat, and never thought twice before sacrificing himself for his crew. He might have been technically unsuccessful in ever fulfilling his desire but certain acts prove that he also had some emotional traits like humans.
Data may not have human emotions, but there are many indications that he has android equivalents. Data, that most atypical android curiosity, can’t read his own feelings as feelings, but that doesn’t mean the feelings are inauthentic.
People suffering from autism or other forms of neurodivergence also face this problem. Sometimes they do try to slowly understand and reciprocate the emotions in their way. Data proved that it is not wrong to express emotion in your way and it does not affect the validity of their concerns by any chance.
Star Trek: The Next Generation can be streamed on Paramount+.
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