5.11– “Hero Worship”
Plot: The Enterprise rescues a boy survivor on a derelict ship, his parents killed along with the crew in an apparent act of piracy. The traumatized child takes a liking to Data, and soon decides to “become” an android.
Thoughts: This is the second directing effort of Patrick Stewart. His first, TNG 4.25, “In Theory,” was also a Data-centered episode depicting the android as essentially alien and emotionally unavailable, going against the grain of certain previous episodes that implied that Data may have feelings and just not realize it. This episode is somewhat more sympathetic to Data, and sweet, but it again takes a fairly clear stand against Data’s capacity for empathy and emotionality. Yet he wants to simulate these qualities, raising the question of why Data decides to do anything at all? His basic survival is assured without any of this.
The problem with “Hero Worship” is that it’s dull in a way that few other TNG episodes are dull, even the flawed episodes of the first and second seasons. There’s no B story to speak of, and precious little conflict to be found in the A story about the child’s hero worship of Data (does the boy have a name? Oh yes, Timothy).
A young boy fantasizes about or plays at becoming Data. I don’t know know what could be more natural, except pretending to be the Captain. Perhaps it’s a novel way to process trauma, but the idea that Picard would need or want get involved in armchair quarterbacking Timothy’s therapy sessions is deeply strange.
Also, do we need this episode right after an Alexander episode? Didn’t we just do an episode with kids in 5.5 “Disaster?” 4.4 “Suddenly Human?” 3.5 “The Bonding?” I must be missing some. Plus the whole Wesley Crusher years. Maybe this isn’t Star Trek’s best subject. People still harsh on TOS 3.4, “And the Children Shall Lead” (unfairly, IMO).
Why does the Chief Engineer go on away missions? Worf’s security team never goes anywhere or does anything.
I like the head motions in Timothy’s Data impression.
2 out of 5 bottles of android hair gel.
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