While there were many differences between Gene Roddenberry’s initial idea for Star Trek: The Next Generation and what ended up in the show, there were still some rules that the series reportedly had to follow. Called the ‘Roddenberry Box’, the rules forbade certain conflicts and storylines as creator Roddenberry did not feel they would fit into the future narrative.
However, actor Brent Spiner, who played Data, mentioned that despite the changes, the character felt true to what Roddenberry had instructed him before he began filming. Spiner mentioned that the evolution of Data from TNG to the final season of Picard was well in line with Roddenberry’s initial vision.
Brent Spiner’s Data Followed Gene Roddenberry’s Original Vision For Star Trek: The Next Generation
Brent Spiner played the role of the android Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation and subsequent films featuring the same cast. He shared the screen with actors such as Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes and was one of the most beloved characters in the successful series.
Spinner returned to the role of Data, albeit with some differences, in the spinoff show Star Trek: Picard. While initially focusing on Patrick Stewart’s Captain Picard, the show slowly reunited other members of the TNG cast, who were last seen in Star Trek: Nemesis, the film. Spiner’s Data was shown to have died in the film.
However, despite all the changes that occurred in the flagship show and the spinoff, Spiner assured fans that the character arc of Data remained on par with creator Gene Roddenberry’s vision for the show. He said to TrekMovie,
I think he would think it all went according to plan. Because one thing he said to me from the very beginning when I first met him, he said, ‘What I want is for Data is for him to get more and more and more and more human as time goes on, and by the end be almost human, but still not.’ And that’s kind of where we are, I think.
The actor also mentioned that Data had evolved from his TNG days and even said that he had become more like the actor’s real-life persona.
Brent Spiner Mentioned That He Relates More To Lore Than Data
Though Brent Spiner was best known for his role as Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation, he played a variety of roles in the show, including his creator Dr. Noonien Soong, and his evil twin Lore. Lore even appeared in the final season of Picard and merged with Data in a dramatic sequence.
Spiner mentioned that he felt closer to Lore, the evil android than the emotionally stunted but heartwarming Data. He said,
Actually of the two characters—Data and Lore—I’m much more like Lore. I mean, Lore was easy to play because I am evil. So the [Picard crew] said, ‘Yeah, just let yourself go, be yourself.’ So, okay!
While he was initially hesitant to revisit the character, Spiner mentioned that he would not mind reprising again with the TNG cast.
Star Trek: The Next Generation and Picard are available to stream on Paramount+.
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