Television Review: In Theory (Star Trek: The Next Generation, S4X25, 1991)

In Theory (S04E25)

Airdate: 3 June 1991

Written by: Joe Menosky & Ronald E. Moore
Directed by: Patrick Stewart

Running Time: 45 minutes

By the time Star Trek: The Next Generation reached its fourth season, the show had evolved far beyond its initial sci-fi premise to become a mature, complex entity that commanded a significant portion of the television landscape. With a solidified fanbase and its place in television history effectively secured, the production team was afforded the luxury of the series' considerable run and episodic structure. This allowed for a degree of creative freedom, enabling the creators to indulge in some brave experiments that pushed the boundaries of the genre. However, not all of these ventures resulted in undisputable successes, and In Theory serves as a prime example of a promising concept that struggled to find its footing.

The episode pivots intently on the character of Data, the android with a childlike curiosity about humanity. The narrative opens in the Enterprise's torpedo bay where Lieutenant Jenna D'Sora (Michele Scarabelli) confides in Data about a recent breakup. Data’s attempt to offer comfort resonates with her. The dynamic shifts when D'Sora expresses genuine affection, culminating in a kiss on the lips. For Data, this gesture is baffling and intriguing, as he lacks the capacity for emotion. Seeking guidance, he consults various crew members, each offering disparate advice. Armed with computer programmes based on human psychology and relationship dynamics, Data attempts to simulate a romantic relationship. Initially, D'Sora is impressed by his flawless execution and lack of unpredictability, but the lack of spontaneity becomes a stumbling block. When Data tries to inject "realism" into his performance by introducing quirks or flaws, the artificiality becomes glaringly obvious, ultimately leading to a break-up. The episode ends with Data alone with his cat, Spot, highlighting his solitary existence and the fundamental incompatibility between his nature and human romance.

While Data deals with his emotional labyrinth, the Enterprise's exploratory mission coincides with a series of inexplicable phenomena within the Mar Oscura nebula. Objects begin to vanish or rearrange, suggesting a poltergeist-like presence that rattles the crew. This culminates in the ship approaching a planet that simply isn't there. Data deduces that pockets of dark matter are causing spatial distortions, a phenomenon that has already claimed the life of a crew member, Lt. Van Mayter (uncredited Georgina Shoe). With standard navigation rendered impossible, Captain Picard volunteers to pilot a shuttlecraft out of the nebula. The shuttle is destroyed, but Picard is beamed aboard in the nick of time, allowing the Enterprise to escape the impending destruction.

In Theory holds the distinction of being the directorial debut of Patrick Stewart. Having previously portrayed a stage director in an earlier episode, Stewart was eager to translate his experience to the screen. He was guided by his colleague Jonathan Frakes, an accomplished director of TNG episodes. The script was penned by Joe Menosky and Ronald E. Moore. Interestingly, the concept was reportedly inspired by fan mail from The Original Series, specifically female fans expressing romantic fantasies about Spock. The writers adapted this for Data, though they recognised it was a far more challenging task; whereas Spock suppressed his emotions, Data possesses none, making the simulation of love a much steeper mountain to climb and resulting in a more sterile execution of the trope.

Visually and tonally, the episode didn't look particularly engaging or original. While the series had precedent for Data exploring his humanity—most notably with Tasha Yar—this specific iteration felt derivative and somewhat hollow. However, Brent Spinner delivers a strong performance, anchoring the episode with his trademark earnestness. Michele Scarabelli is equally good, though her character's arc from vulnerability to infatuation and then to disappointment feels somewhat abrupt and underdeveloped. For viewers familiar with the episodic nature of Star Trek, the fleeting nature of the relationship between Data and D'Sora was a foregone conclusion, reducing the emotional stakes significantly.

Furthermore, the episode was further undermined by an obligatory B-plot involving the space anomaly. It felt like a routine necessity to advance the plot rather than a compelling narrative in its own right. The bizarre death of Lt. Van Mayter represents one of the more memorable and disturbing moments of the season, but it feels tonally at odds with the rest of the episode, disrupting the balance between the two storylines.

Upon its premiere, despite Data being the show's most popular and iconic character and the romantic angle being a fascinating concept for fans, In Theory suffered from low ratings and generally underwhelming reviews. This reputation has largely been maintained to this day, cementing the episode as a missed opportunity within the Star Trek canon.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

Blog in Croatian https://draxblog.com
Blog in English https://draxreview.wordpress.com/
InLeo blog https://inleo.io/@drax.leo

LeoDex: https://leodex.io/?ref=drax
InLeo: https://inleo.io/signup?referral=drax.leo
Hiveonboard: https://hiveonboard.com?ref=drax
Rising Star game: https://www.risingstargame.com?referrer=drax
1Inch: https://1inch.exchange/#/r/0x83823d8CCB74F828148258BB4457642124b1328e

BTC donations: 1EWxiMiP6iiG9rger3NuUSd6HByaxQWafG
ETH donations: 0xB305F144323b99e6f8b1d66f5D7DE78B498C32A7
BCH donations: qpvxw0jax79lhmvlgcldkzpqanf03r9cjv8y6gtmk9