Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)

Schisms (1992)

Brent Spiner: Lieutenant Commander Data

Photos 

Quotes 

• Lt. Cmdr. Data : Throughout the ages, from Keats to Jorkemo, poets have composed odes to individuals who have had a profound effect upon their lives. In keeping with that tradition, I have written my next poem in honour of my cat. I call it "Ode to Spot":

  Lt. Cmdr. Data : Felis catus is your taxonomic nomenclature, / An endothermic quadruped, carnivorous by nature. / Your visual, olfactory, and auditory senses / Contribute to your hunting skills and natural defenses.

  Lt. Cmdr. Data : I find myself intrigued by your sub-vocal oscillations, / A singular development of cat communications / That obviates your basic hedonistic predilection / For rhythmic stroking of your fur to demonstrate affection.

  Lt. Cmdr. Data : A tail is quite essential for your acrobatic talents, / You would not be so agile if you lacked its counterbalance. / And when not being utilized to aid in locomotion, / It often serves to illustrate the state of your emotion.

  Lt. Cmdr. Data : O Spot, the complex levels of behavior you display / Connote a fairly well-developed cognitive array. / And though you are not sentient, Spot, and do not comprehend, / I nonetheless consider you a true and valued friend.

• [last lines] 

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Have we any idea what came through the rupture before we were able to shut it down?

  Lt. Cmdr. Data : No, sir. We were unable to track it once it left the cargo bay.

  Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge : Maybe it was a probe of some kind.

  Lt. Cmdr. Data : Possibly they were simply curious, explorers, like ourselves.

  Commander William T. Riker : Ensign Rager and I were lucky to have escaped. Lieutenant Hagler is dead. Whoever it was that sent that thing was more than simply curious.