Data, the android officer aboard the USS Enterprise-D in Star Trek: The Next Generation, is one of the most beloved and complex characters in the Star Trek universe. Created by Dr. Noonien Soong, Data possesses superhuman intelligence, strength, and speed, but he is also burdened with the desire to become fully human. His pursuit of humanity is a central theme throughout The Next Generation, prompting audiences to ask: does Data ever achieve his goal of becoming truly human, or is that journey ongoing?
Data’s Struggle with His Humanity
From the moment Data is introduced in the pilot episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, it is clear that he grapples with his lack of human qualities. Unlike his fellow officers, Data does not experience emotions, making him different from those around him. While his intelligence and capabilities make him an invaluable asset to the crew, Data’s journey is marked by a deep longing to understand what it means to be human.
Data’s struggle is often portrayed through his interactions with others, particularly with his crewmates. He frequently seeks to emulate human behavior, attempting to experience emotions, form personal connections, and understand the complexities of human relationships. His observations and experiments with human actions — from humor to love — are central to his character’s development. Despite his advanced programming, Data is acutely aware of his limitations, and he strives to overcome them, seeking both self-acceptance and recognition from others.
The Quest for Emotions
One of the most significant obstacles in Data’s journey is his inability to feel emotions, which he sees as a defining characteristic of humanity. In The Next Generation episode “The Offspring,” Data creates an android daughter, Lal, who is able to experience emotions. This development sparks a deeper sense of longing in Data, as he begins to realize that the emotional component of humanity is not only essential to his self-concept but also a vital part of connecting with others.
Throughout the series, Data encounters various opportunities to experiment with emotions. In the episode “The Most Toys,” Data is briefly manipulated into a situation that causes him to experience a limited form of fear. Similarly, in “Descent,” Data’s interactions with the Borg Collective challenge his beliefs about individuality and emotion. These moments reflect Data’s desire to experience the emotional depth that humans do, yet he remains unable to achieve full emotional capacity in the way that he envisions.
In Star Trek: Generations (the first Star Trek movie following the series), Data is briefly able to experience emotions through the use of an emotion chip — a piece of technology that allows him to feel and process emotions. However, the chip also causes Data significant distress, highlighting the complexity and unpredictability of human emotions. While it grants him the ability to experience feelings, it also brings turmoil, leading Data to ultimately deactivate the chip. This event demonstrates that, while Data may desire emotions, the reality of experiencing them is far more complicated than he expected.
The Search for a Soul
In addition to his emotional limitations, Data also searches for something more metaphysical: a “soul.” In the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “The Measure of a Man,” Data is put on trial to determine whether he is a sentient being with rights or simply property owned by Starfleet. This episode highlights Data’s internal struggle, as he wonders if he is truly alive or just an advanced machine. The idea of possessing a soul is deeply tied to the human experience, and Data’s quest to understand whether he has one is emblematic of his broader desire to feel truly human.
Throughout the series, Data is shown reflecting on his status as an artificial being. His desire to be human is driven not only by a need for emotion but also by a deeper yearning for self-awareness and meaning. In the final episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, “All Good Things…,” Data’s philosophical questions about his nature continue, reinforcing the ongoing nature of his journey.
Relationships and Personal Growth
Despite his inability to become fully human in the way he desires, Data’s relationships with his crewmates reveal his capacity for growth. He forms strong bonds with Captain Picard, Geordi La Forge, and even the ship’s counselor, Deanna Troi. These friendships, while not based on emotional exchanges, are built on mutual respect and understanding. Data is able to develop his own sense of empathy and loyalty through these relationships, showcasing his growth as an individual, even if he does not completely embrace the emotional realm of humanity.
The episode “In Theory” also presents Data with an opportunity to explore romantic relationships, as he attempts to date a fellow officer, Jenna D’Sora. Though Data’s understanding of love is intellectual rather than emotional, the episode offers him a glimpse into the complexities of human relationships. It is clear that while Data may never experience love the way a human does, his desire to connect with others is genuine, and he is willing to make adjustments to accommodate the emotional aspects of a relationship.
The Final Chapter: Does Data Achieve His Goal?
By the time of Star Trek: Nemesis, the final film featuring the Next Generation crew, Data has made significant strides in his journey toward understanding humanity, though he still faces limitations. While he has acquired a vast knowledge of human emotions and developed meaningful relationships, he remains, at his core, a machine. In the film, Data sacrifices himself to save the crew of the Enterprise, choosing to give his life in an act of heroism. This final act of selflessness shows that Data, while not fully human, has achieved a profound understanding of what it means to be human: the willingness to sacrifice for others, to love and protect, even without full comprehension of what those emotions feel like.
The question of whether Data ever fully achieves his goal of becoming human is, ultimately, unresolved. While he never gains the emotional capacity or spiritual essence that defines humanity, his journey is one of growth, self-awareness, and understanding. The ongoing nature of Data’s quest for humanity is a central theme of his character and serves as a powerful commentary on the nature of self-improvement and personal evolution.
Conclusion: An Ongoing Journey
Data’s pursuit of humanity is a defining element of his character throughout Star Trek: The Next Generation and the subsequent films. While he may never fully achieve his goal of becoming completely human, his journey is a testament to the importance of self-exploration, connection, and sacrifice. The quest for humanity, whether in Data or in any of us, is a never-ending journey — one that values the pursuit itself as much as the destination. In the end, Data’s story is not about achieving perfection but about striving for understanding and personal growth, qualities that make him, in many ways, more human than any of his crewmates could have imagined.