Starfleet Really Did Waste Data's Potential, and Star Trek Totally Agrees

Data’s potential was wasted by Starfleet, and Star Trek itself agrees. The android Data has become a franchise icon, and his exploits in the Federation and Starfleet are legendary. Data is capable of feats of strength and intellect far beyond his Enterprise shipmates, and it would make sense for Data to hold an advanced position in Starfleet, but Star Trek: Lower Decks #3 makes the case that his potential was wasted.

Star Trek: Lower Decks #3 is written by Ryan North and drawn by Jack Lawrence. Lieutenant Rutherford is lamenting that his implants are not functioning properly. Rutherford complains to Tendi that his implants should boost his brain power and make him a better engineer. Rutherford mentions Data’s computing power, and that it made Data a better engineer than him (Rutherford) and “he wasn’t even an engineer.” Instead, Data was assigned to Ops on the bridge of the Enterprise. Tendi notes that Rutherford has a point, speculating that Data’s lack of emotions may have been his stumbling block.

Data's Arc in the Star Trek Universe is One of the Franchise's Most Compelling

Data's Superior Strength and Intellect Should Have Set Him Up For Great Things With Starfleet

There was no one else in the Star Trek franchise quite like Data. Played by actor Brent Spiner, the android Data endeared himself to fans with his combination of strength, intellect and innocence. Built by the famed cyberneticist Noonian Soong, Data has served in Starfleet with distinction, even if he has had to justify his existence to them. Data’s positronic brain, one of a kind within the Federation, was years ahead of its time, and Starfleet’s best cybernetics experts had been unable to duplicate Soong’s work. In a universe already full of wonders, Data stands out even more.

Data’s positronic brain, as noted earlier, allowed him to function at a level far beyond his Enterprise shipmates. In several episodes, Data finds a solution in record time by using his positronic brain. For example, in the fifth season episode “Hero Worship,” Data, using his positronic brain as well as the Enterprise’s computers, was able to prevent a catastrophe aboard the ship. If Data had not been present, the ship very likely would have been destroyed. This incident only scratches the surface of all the times Data’s intellect saved the ship.

Beyond his intelligence, Data was also physically hardy and resilient. Doctor Soong built Data well: he is super strong as well as faster than normal humans. In the first season Next Generation episode “The Naked Now,” Data’s super speed allows him to repair the ship’s computer core much faster than a human would, thus saving the ship. Data is so strong, in fact, he can fight, and defeat, even Klingons with ease. As seen in Star Trek: First Contact, Data is also bullet-proof. He also has a floatation device built into his body.

Instead of Running Starfleet, Data Has a Minor Role--One That Betrays His Talents

Data Fought Hard For His Right to Serve in Starfleet

Given Data’s strength, intellect and upstanding moral character, it might seem logical that he would hold some sort of advanced position within Starfleet, but this is not the case. Instead, Data was stationed at Ops on the bridge, and within the ship’s command structure, Data was next in line if anything happened to Captain Picard or Commander Riker. Despite this, Data’s attempts at climbing the command ladder were stifled, largely because of his android nature. Unfortunately, as seen in several episodes, some Starfleet personnel did not trust the emotion-less Data in a command situation.

There was also the issue of Data’s rights as a sentient being. Starfleet allowed Data to join, but for many years, he had to justify his existence and his service in the organization. These matters came to a head in the classic Next Generation episode “The Measure of a Man.” Doctor Bruce Maddox, a renowned Federation cyberneticist, tried to dismantle Data so he could be studied, and Soong’s work to be duplicated. Captain Picard argued for the android’s rights as a sentient being, and Starfleet agreed. From there on, Data would never have to worry about his rights again.

In addition to Data, his creator Noonian Soong built two other models: Lore and B4.

So instead, Data was relegated to the Ops position on the bridge. While Ops is an important role on the ship, as it ensures the starship’s smooth functioning, it nevertheless felt like a waste of Data’s abilities. With his positronic brain, Data could be working for Starfleet Command as some sort of tactician or in a vaunted research position. Data’s great strength and speed would make him suitable for black ops missions, or any instance where muscle and might are needed. Yet instead, Data works a rather ordinary position within Starfleet.

 

Does Anyone Else in Starfleet Think Data Was Wasted? Rutherford and Tendi Do

Data Could Have Saved Even More Lives If He Had Not Been on the Enterprise

While Data may be content to serve in Ops, certain elements within the Star Trek franchise believe his potential was wasted–and they have a point. Rutherford, whose cybernetic implants allow him to function at but a fraction of Data’s power, is jealous of the android’s abilities, and wishes he could duplicate them. Rutherford laments that Data wasted his potential at Ops, and Tendi agrees. While Data saved the Enterprise often, his unique abilities could have been put to good use in saving even more lives across the galaxy.

Star Trek: Lower Decks #3 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!