Last nights episode (technically the second for that day, the joys of falling behind by a day) featured a hero who was both creepy and a bit annoying. Today's episode has a character with both those characteristics, but this time he is the villain. Today's villain is a classic super capitalist/egotist/collector who values his collection of rarities far more than life, well at least more than other peoples lives. There is a subplot about Geordi trying to figure out what really happened which never really pays off like it seems like it was intended to when they discover the cyanide poisoning was artificial, but whatever.
The episode begins with Data preparing to fly a shuttlecraft loaded with a dangerous cargo back to the Enterprise. The unstable unobtanium (they make up a different fake substance name, but it isn't much better) is needed to purify the water at a Federation colony and there is no other source for it within range. Just before departing Data is asked for a fingerprint to verify the transfer but it is a trap and the box knocks him out. On the way back to the Enterprise the shuttle (with the right proportions of materials to make up a fake Data) explodes for no apparent reason. The merchant seems sad, but of course Troi isn't on the bridge when you need her so they let him take off and head to the colony.
On the merchant ship Data awakens in a room filled with fine art. The merchant Fajo explains he is a collector of unique things and he has obtained Data for his collection. Data refuses to cooperate but escape seems impossible for the time. Back on the ship Geordi isn't taking the loss of Data well but nobody else seems to think his death was suspicious. Geordi keeps pushing and finds a problem with Data's communications with the ship but only Wesley seems to buy it. Data is busy pissing off Fajo and trying to convince his aide that she would be better off helping Data. Fajo makes this easier when he threatens to kill aide to convince Data and Data gives in and sits in the dumb chair.
The Enterprise arrives at the colony and discovers that the poisoning was a ploy. But the poison is so expensive there must be another reason. When they look into Fajo's history they find out he is a collector of rare objects and they put 2 and 2 together. Meanwhile the aide helps Data try and escape but Fajo catches them and kills her. Data is about to kill Fajo to stop his reign of terror but is transported back to the Enterprise just as he fires the weapon. Fajo is arrested and Data is back in action.
Review: There is a reason Data episodes are generally well thought of. The combination of Brent's acting and interesting writing makes this a somewhat disturbing but also thought provoking episode.
7 out of 10
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