“Data’s Day” is episode eleven of season four of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Data is recording his log for transmission to Bruce Maddox, who originally wanted to dismantle Data in “The Measure of a Man”. Maddox’s latest letter said he lacked sufficient primary information on Data’s programming and operation. So, Data is sending him a complete record of his activities for one day, with an emphasis on Data’s perception of friendship.
Data is relieved 15 minutes early on the bridge by Commander Riker; Data is going to be the father of the bride as a wedding. Data finds human emotions puzzling, so has developed a program to help. He arrives at a woman, Keiko’s, quarters and says it’s time for the wedding rehearsal. Keiko has called off the wedding. No, her feelings for Chief O’Brien haven’t changed. She should be happy, but she isn’t. Would cancelling the wedding make her happy? Yes. Data introduced them, so Keiko wants him to talk to O’Brien.
Data believes that O’Brien should be happy because he wants to make Keiko happy. So, he tells O’Brien there is good news when he arrives in Ten Forward; the wedding is cancelled. Data was wrong. Geordi suggests that next time Geordi delivers the good news. Data concludes his program may need some adjustment.
Data next heads to greet the Vulcan, Ambassador T’Pel, as she is beamed aboard. He escorts her to see the captain. Captain Picard and Riker are in the captain’s ready room; T’Pel asks Riker and Data to leave. Next, Data heads to see Geordi who is having a haircut. He attempts friendly jibes and insults. He fails. Geordi suggests Data not try this on the captain. Data is confused about O’Brien’s reaction; Geordi says Keiko just got cold feet. She’ll change her mind again and Data had better find a gift.
Data then heads to see Worf, who is also looking for a gift. Data finds Worf a kindred spirit; both adopted and both outsiders in many ways in human society. Worf has never been an actual participant in a wedding. Yes, he would consider it an honour. But human bonding rituals involve too much talking. And dancing. And crying.
Data then heads to sickbay. He asks Dr Crusher if she’ll teach him to dance; he noticed she won first prize in a dancing competition in her service record (Gates McFadden, who plays Dr Crusher, is herself an accomplished dancer). The doctor is reluctant – she doesn’t want to be known as ‘the Dancing Doctor’ again – but agrees.
The captain summons Data to the bridge; he wants a tactical projection of possible Romulan deployments along the Neutral Zone. Data asks if he should concentrate on a specific area. The captain checks with T’Pel. No. The captain orders a course set to close to the Neutral Zone. Data enters the ready room when done. The current Romulan policy is one of confrontation to test Federation defences and Data is 90% sure that policy will continue. There is no indication of a more conciliatory attitude. T’Pel says the mission will proceed as planned.
O’Brien arrives in Data’s quarters; he wants to apologise for his outburst. And for Data to speak to Keiko. Data thinks Troi might be better. Troi tried. It didn’t help. Data eventually agrees. He makes a prediction of Keiko’s response when he makes a rational analysis of her actions. He is wrong. Data then heads to speak to Troi; the friend he understands the least, as her duties are emotional based, and Data has no emotions. Troi advises him that sometimes the best way to help a friend is to leave them alone. Data himself has considered marriage.
T’Pel calls for Data; she wants information on the ship’s navigation and weapons. A strange request. Data says he has the same safeguards as the ship’s computer. T’Pel claims she was checking on his security safeguards. They appear adequate.
The whole day is presented in this way, with Data dealing with two different matters. Keiko and O’Brien’s wedding, and heading to the Neutral Zone to deal with the Romulans. That matter ends up with some serious complications. Data also tries his smile. It is terrifying.