AFOD is the rare comedy episode of trek that actually works. This is the first episode since The Trouble with Tribbles that manages to be both funny and also have a good story going on without feeling just terrible in the process. I am not saying this is as perfect an episode as TTWT, but I really enjoyed watching it and found myself laughing out loud several times. It is also the first Alexander centered episode that works for me. I had forgotten that in addition to taking over the holodeck Data's programming also causes other problems across the ship including replacing Crusher's play with Ode to Spot and causing the replicators on several decks to make nothing but cat food.
The episode opens with the crew getting ready for some down time. Picard is trying to practice his flute but is constantly interrupted. First Data and La Forge want to try interfacing Data with the ships computer to test using him in the event of a computer failure. Then Beverley wants to recruit him to play the role of a butler in the play she is putting on and finally Worf wants to do some work, but Picard has to tell him to relax instead. We follow Worf home where he tells Alexander they will be able to do that recreation program he has created. Worf grabs his cowboy hat and the two of them head to the holodeck. They find themselves on the streets of Deadwood Arizona wearing sheriffs badges. Gun shots erupt and they head to the saloon. Worf apprehends the outlaw but it is too easy for Alexander who turns the difficulty up and they try again. Worf succeeds again, but needs help from the mysterious stranger (Troi) who save the day just in time.
Down in engineering Data has been hooked up to the computer. Tests initially go well, but something goes wrong and they have to disconnect. Everything seems to be fine, but Data starts dropping western slang into his normal routine. Back in the holodeck Worf and Alexander are holding the outlaw in jail until the marshal arrives to bring him to trial. Troi demands payment for her assistance so Alexander heads to the bank. On his way back he is kidnapped. His abductors take him to an old mine where he meets the outlaws father, only instead of being a normal holodeck character it is Data. Alexander tries to pause the program but nothing happens, something has gone wrong. Across the ship other problems crop up. Picards flute music has been replaced by eastern European dance music, Crusher's play is now Data's poetry, and the replicators are making nothing but cat food.
Back in the holodeck outlaw Data confronts Worf and tells him he will trade Alexander for his imprisoned son. Worf is ready to just do the exchange but luckily Deanna is there to warn him it is probably a trap. They come up with some sort of plan to make a shield from the power in a communicator (a la A Fistful of Dollars). More and more characters keep getting replaced by Data including all the henchmen of the villain and also his son. The shootout goes down and the shield barely works, but it allows Worf and Deanna to win the day. Before they can leave though Worf is confronted by the local madam, but instead of her normal appearance, she is also now Data. Geordi gets it all fixed and the final scene Alexander asks Worf if he would do it again and Worf tells him Deadwood may need a sheriff again, and a deputy. And they fly off into the sunset.
Review: This is a pretty cheesy episode and normally I would be complaining here about the unreasonableness of the holodeck safety protocols failing, AGAIN, but come on wild west Data's are just cool.
7 out of 10
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