“Data World” is episode seventeen of season four of Sliders.
The Sliders arrive on what looks like an abandoned world. They’re there for 8 hours and Colin asks if they’ve been to abandoned worlds before. Yes, and they’re usually not good. Then two people appear on the street in front of them. Then more. None paying attention and all looking like the walking dead more than anything. The Sliders head to the Chandler and go to the door. They instantly appear inside, where it’s busy and normal. Outside, their bodies sit up.
Inside the hotel, the Sliders are wondering how they got in; they don’t remember opening the door. A man comes over and introduces himself as Archibald Chandler, founder, owner and manager. Their usual suite is ready. He knows them by name, has Rembrandt’s favourite soda, a wardrobe for Maggie and exercise equipment for Quinn and Colin. Chandler explains the hotel has a very sophisticated computer system. There are no charges for service and a list of rules and regulations.
Heading to the bar, the barman knows their usual drinks. Quinn is reading the rules; Maggie thinks they are more like pet peeves. Quinn asks about the people outside; he’s told they’re the Empties. Noting up top. They won’t come in. Quinn sees a little guy who isn’t adhering to the dress code, but he’s gone before the others see. Rembrandt objects to no singing in public. The barman says that’s a biggie; Mr Chandler has perfect pitch. Rembrandt says he has too and starts singing. Then starts choking.
They take Rembrandt to the room where there’s an advert for the hotel playing. Quinn opens a curtain to find the window bricked up. He and Rembrandt head to check out the roof. Quinn leaves Rembrandt on the stairs and is on the roof looking down when Chandler appears. He says it’s not really there. Well, it is somewhere out there, but this is what Chandler lets Quinn see. He gives Quinn some binoculars and Quinn sees his own body wandering around.
Quinn asks what the place is and Chandler says they can talk in his office. He uses a device and they appear in the office. Quinn says nothing is real in the hotel. Chandler says he should have known Quinn would see through his little idea. He tells Quinn to look at his hand. It appears and disappears as Chandler uses a device. Chandler says Quinn is part of the hotel too.
Rembrandt is looking for Quinn. He heads to the roof then back to the room. The Quinn runs in and says they have to get out. He’ll tell them as they go. There’s no front door. Quinn is trying to explain and not making sense to start with as they try the back door and the basement, ending back up in the bar each time. Quinn says they’re in some kind of virtual environment. On the roof he saw himself. He thinks they’re all Empties. He looks at the timer then starts wondering if it really is the timer and what’s real. Then the man he saw earlier calls out to them. His name is Mac. He could tell them what’s going on, but not at the moment. He’ll be in touch. Mac disappears.
Chandler joins their table and says no-one has ever found a way out. Accept it and enjoy the place. Everything inside is data. Including them. Chandler explains how wonderful the place is. They have four Empties. He doesn’t; he’s pure data. They’re welcome, as long as they follow the rules.
Afterwards, Mac translocates them to the junk directory. The home of the deleted files; a place to hide. Mac warns them that everything is code and anything Chandler doesn’t like, he can change to suit him or delete and write over. The place was created after the anti-tech movement gained strength, but Chandler gained too much power.
Mac doesn’t want to risk going up against Chandler. The Sliders decide to see if they can change the rules themselves. But they’re in an environment where Chandler can change anything and also has the effective power to read their minds; that’s how he knew so much about them. And he can delete them if they annoy him.