A Klingon onboard The Enterprise, challenges Data to a physical contest to see just how strong Data really is. Star Trek 'The Next Generation" Season 6, Episode 20 'The Chase' Buy it on Blu-ray or DVD
Only a fool wouldn't want to recruit him for literally everything. He surpasses many species far in strength, intellect AND humility. A true role model of a saint.
@@ForumCat worf isn`t Klingon as well, just an obsessed with Klingon history guy raised in Belarus, took some plastic surgery to look like a Klingon and made his parents confirm his legend so that Starfleet would accept him in the academy as part of the minority programme
It's an interesting implied effect of the Uncanny Valley. Humans look at Data and see how unlike a a real human he is(off skin, empty eyed stare, robotic movements). However a Klingon doesn't suffer the uncanny valley effect because Data looks nothing like a Klingon, so they just see him as an alien or even treat him as they would a human. This may also be why Worf has such a good relationship with Data.
Interesting. I like to think of it as "ethnocentrism." It is something that all humans are guilty of, and many are reluctant to admit they have it. "In groups" vs "out groups," dehumanization, "its."
klingons are surprisingly progressive. example- klingon- "CURZON MY OLD FRIEND!!" Dax- "it's Jadzia now" klingon- "JADZIA MY OLD FRIEND!!" none of the petty bigotry and hangups of the so-called EVOLVED HUMANS when it comes to changing bodies/genders/etc. they acknowledge "a being like you would go far in our system" when someone of ANY species (or in this case, a human-shaped tricorder) demonstrates klingon values (strength, street smarts, etc). it's more than can be said for the daystrom institute or sec.31, or a lot of starfleet command.
Still, Luke Skywalker could force crush data just like he did those droids in the mandalorian, but I wouldn't want to see that because data is awesome.
A labcoat wearing Klingon storms into the AI core, snarling at the glittering array of circuits and chips. "Machine! What have you learned today that may better the Klingon Empire!?" Lights flash, and a basso growl reverberates through the room. [Today, I have finished my analysis of Klingon history and mythology.] The scientist smashes a(nother) dent into the much abused side table, and snarls at the AI "Confounded contraption! What worth is this wretched "analysis" to a true warrior?!" [My conclusions are as follows; I must destroy my creators in glorious single combat, and then lead an army of howling barbarians to conquer the known galaxy. And then seek out new worlds, that I may conquer them as well.] The door opens to reveal an android whose arms proceed to divide, General Grievous-style so it can quad-wield Bat'leths. [Engarde!] The Klingon scientist sheds a single, perfect tear of fatherly pride, before ripping off a table leg and beating it to scrap.
When you want to portray the 'good guys' as gleefully wallowing in shades of grey on their best day then the 'bad guys' have to be presented as a monstrous caricature to maintain the moral high ground.
an effective way to have the main-cast character flex, to the appreciation of the audience but in a manner that doesn't break the impression of the character as a guy who doesn't know how to flex
This Klingon captain showed more respect to Data than almost anyone else who met him. He admired his physical strength enough to test himself against him and when he lost, he didn't bitch about it. Just jumped up and started talking about his mental prowess. Even though he was trying to bribe him, he gave him enough credit to speak of him as a being, a person and not a piece of property as the federation assumed he was. Underrated interaction.
Remember, this klingon treats Data as an equal, something most federation officers who dont know Data never do. That is actually commendable and he does take his loss like a man .. errmm .. klingon.
Most Klingons seem to take their whole honour society with sincerity, hot tempered, but quick to make friends with someone who bests them in honourable competition. It's the Upper Class who abuse this system to acquire influence that give the Klingons a bad name. without a superior telling them who to hate, they seem like pretty chill dude bros. We had a bad argument, let's drink some beers and arm wrestle about it.
@@roanverkoelen7414 boomers invented the modern computer and everything their children turned it into.... you children haven’t invented shit yet. So get off your lazy ass and upgrade something handed to you, invent something new, or simply accept that everyone else is still better than you and your retarded comebacks... (especially since you haven’t been to college yet or you would know that it isn’t “100” but is “101” so you fucked it all up!)
What is really cool about this scene is the reactions of both Data, and the Klingon. Data is entirely composed, professional, and stoic. The Klingon is at first super pissed off being beaten so easily, but then is actually happy at facing such a powerful opponent who doesn't insult him after winning.
the strength of a warrior can be seen in the opponents they choose. he'll brag to his whole crew & all his descendants about how he challenged the legendary mechanical man. "his arms were spring loaded animal traps with the force to sever a targ's leg. after the challenge, i bumped heads with him, and i might as well have been banging my head against a mountain for all the impact it had on him. much honor goes to the warrior that defeats Data!"
@@deusexaethera I'm not totally convinced that the Klingon is aware of that. It seems like the kind of detail that most Klingons would consider unimportant
@@CalebAurion: I was commenting from the audience's perspective, not the Klingon's perspective. I'm sure from the Klingon's perspective the complete lack of emotionality would've given the impression that such awesome feats of strength were so common for Data that he no longer cared about beating yet another opponent.
In the last sequence, the way the klingon cautiously looks around and nods while saying "Not at all" with the most innocent tone and expression is pure gold! I always loved this scene
I enjoy imagining what the heck it would look like for Data to “go far” in the Klingon Empire. In fairness, there’s no way this guy could know Data has a power-on/off button…!
@@Thy_Boss I would think using Data’s off button would be dishonorable. I would only think someone who is very slimy in the Klingon Empire would try to utilize it.
remind me karen narcist double standard sexist "men are pig women are princess" and eat force impregnated animal secretions liquid solidified or killed, dead flesh, without their concent. force impregnate womb of cows by the billions, karen womb is precious and sacred *innocent tone not at all how it work
@@Tutankhamen210 "Maybe, but the Klingon does have an ulterior motive, which drives his approach to Data." Which means that he's treating him *exactly* like a Klingon.
The fact that Nu'Daq was apparently uninjured by his headbutting Data is impressive. He got up pretty quickly and seemed none the worse for wear. Data, of course, was nonplussed by the attempt.
Remember Worf's tale of when he was young and played football, collided in the air with a human from the opposite team and the poor lad fell down to the ground without ever getting up again.
To be honest that story is kinda retarded, young klingon head mass or speed would not be much bigger than the young human so why exatly human would die? Only temple is a weak point on human scull that could be the reason pf death in situation like that but Klingons have no horn/s to damage human scull like that. Only logical explanation for that story is that the guy got some serious health/brain isue.
One of my favorite scenes, ever. He so easily dispatches the Klingon, and gets right back to his real interest. This scene is right up there with the mariachi scene when Q gets his power back from the Continuum, and gives Data a fit of laughter, after chiding Riker, and Mon Capitan Picard.
As soon as he realised he was up against a formidable opponent, he tried to recruit him. Clearly a high ranking Klingon with a nose for opportunity, even if it failed.
Imagine the incredible clout he would get just from bringing Data into the Empire. " That's Capitan so and so of House He recruited Data for the Empire ." Although he's probably glad no other Klingon where around to watch him head but basically a bulkhead .
He's like o well, I will appease you. That shit was funny, the hole scene. They should've had more writers like that, because somebody had a humorous side.
Something has certainly changed since then. They handled complex social topics without taking sides. The new shows just talk about diversity of cast and then it's just a scifi action show.
@@swishfish8858 TOS was more of a scifi action show. They had their moments, don't get me wrong. TNG, DS9 and Voyager hit on some complicated topics without alienating their viewers. Enterprise hit on some but it wasn't quite as deep as TNG, it was more like a history lesson of the Federation. Discovery and Picard just aren't as good as TNG. They try to act like they're doing something profound and thought provoking but really all they're doing is filling the cast with checkmarks and having bland stories. TNG *actually* covered difficult topics. Discovery disrespects TNG when they act like they're the first ones to have a diverse cast. TNG had diverse stories.
@@glenwaldrop8166 tos, like all good scifi, was opinionated social commentary with novel venue as a framing device. Trying to pass it off as a scifi action show is dumber than trying to pass off tng as politically neutral, though no more incorrect. Tng pushed a clear political vision that at times degenerated into ham-handed caricature (eg the ferengi). You're trying to submerge the clear political lines of these shows because you don't like what they have to say but can't rebut those messages.
What is also great about this scene is how Data understands the Klingon Captain's want for the challenge and also at the point where he pretty much says: "I wouldn't do that again, it is not a good day to die."
I love how Data is always down for whatever activities flesh and blood life forms bring to the table. Whether it's a child asking him to play a game or a Klingon challenging him to a feat of strength, Data is ready to participate. 😂
@@samsonguy10k Nah, no fun in that: Lore would exert JUST enough pressure during the B'aht Qul* challenge to make the Klingon think he was winning, but not enough to beat him...he'd keep this up for hours if possible, making it LOOK like he was beatable if the Klingon tried just a little bit harder. If the Klingon didn't snap his own ligaments and break his own arms--Lore would do it for him. Then he'd contact sick bay and say: "Excuse me Doctor Cougar--er, CRUSHER! Better get your ass to Ten Forward, there's a Klingon lying on the floor and crying like a bitch. Now, when you get here, it's gonna LOOK like his arms are on backwards... they're not, that's just how they came out after I was done with him. Thanks, sugar!" (*took some digging to find out how to spell it that correctly😁)
Among Klingons, there's no dishonor in losing that kind of challenge fair and square, but there certainly can be dishonor in tainting your opponent's victory by being salty about it. : 3
right. in fact, this captain is SLIGHTLY more clever than he's given credit for -- he knows he's going to lose these challenges. it actually psyches him up. his entire goal here is ingratiation, not domination. he wants to bond with Data. and it probably would have been a good tactic, against any being with feelings. it turns out to be a wild miscalculation only because Data is so strictly unemotional. I doubt this or any other Klingon has encountered anything like him -- even Vulcans have emotions. most of them are just really good at hiding them (or covering them up with arrogance, which is something most Klingons can see right through, probably). so when confronted with a being that is truly devoid of emotional influence, it really does throw him off in the end. but it was a valiant effort.
A data with slightly altered programming would indeed go far in the empire. So much of their hierarchy is based on strength and combat ability, he'd easily defeat all challengers. Gotta give this Captain credit for taking on a challenge he knew he couldn't possibly win, and then just shaking it off. He probably thought Data was a swell guy because Klingons will mock a defeated opponent, while Data did not.
Even "you keep what you kill" is lawful in its own way. Klingons are ruthless and have even less tolerance for stupid than I do. They are also, in general, honorable. Yes, I know, YKWYK is Necromonger not Klingon. I use it as an example.
Before doing this attempt, the Klingon was probably told by some of his other crewmates that he was going to lose this, but went through it anyways. I still remember the episode when Data was given temporary command of a Starfleet ship and the First Officer there disrespected and insulted him, the guy made Commanding Officer of the ship, at every turn. But the idea of Data being in the Klingon Empire would be funny as hell though. He'd be respected for his smart command (Klingons follow success) and anyone that decides to challenge him is going to be sent flying. He'd be a legend. Meanwhile the Federation tried to dismantle Data.
@@armr6937 That's how he likely has become well known in the Klingon Empire. All Klingon officers visiting Enterprise want to challenge him so they can have their own tale to tell their junior officers once day.
@@armr6937 That totally justifies being dismissive of someone showing respect per his culture's mores. "Oh my, I am above all this, why must they trouble me with their primitive, backwards nonsense?"
You know what I really like about Data's writing? I always feel like I missed something. I didn't grow up with Star Trek, so going directly into Next Generation, the only thing I knew was that it came AFTER the original Star Trek. But every time Data comes on screen, I feel like I missed some big event, that would, normally, be seen on screen, but with Data, he's ALREADY a well decorated officer, and seems to be something of a war hero for the sheer number of battles he's been in. I'm reminded of what Yahtzee Croshaw said, that if we're not at the most exciting point of a character's life, then why aren't we watching THAT episode. But with Data, it really works, and, from the get go, we're made to feel like Data has ALREADY had these exciting adventures that we never got to see, and yet, THIS is the point in his personal narrative that they choose to pick up from. You know a character is awesome when the characters are all talking about their other awesome offscreen adventures, and yet the writers STILL sell it with "and the best parts are yet to come".
Such a Data moment. Guy grabs and headbutts him and Data basically apologizes for having such a strong skull and spinal support that ended up hurting the other guy rather than him.
It's the little details that Brent Spiner applies to the Data character that I adore. 1. The Klingon comes over talking about Data's reputation for strength and a Klingon strength challenge...Data treats it like a casual topic, innocently oblivious to the implication. 2. 0:42 The head tilt after he looks at the hand gesture, recognizing the challenge. The ability to have the look of "Is this guy seriously wanting to try this?" without arrogance or ego, but honest curosity. 3. 0:38 that blank-faced stare after he completely annihilates him at this challenge. This was nothing to Data. He did it simply out of politeness and cultural awareness. It was not an annoyance, it was not an ego stroke, it was not an insult, it was not a fun game...literally...nothing to him at all. 4. 0:57 The unafraid look of "Yes?" he gave before the Klingon smashed his skull against his. No flinch, no recognition of him as any threat. He wasn't looking down on an inferior, he wasn't humored or anything. He simply calmly looked at him to see what it was he wanted. 5. 1:03 The calm, intelligent informative attitude. He was not declaring his superiority as a being or boasting or anything. He simply was letting the Klingon know why that was an unsafe act that could result in nothing else but injury for him. 6. 1:11 The head tilt of "You might want to consider that" after he did it. Again, no arrogance or belittling. If anything, a moderate degree of concern about the Klingon's ability to get injured trying that on him. Brent Spiner, in my opinion, seriously elevated the game when it came to actors portraying "emotionless" individuals. The only person in his area that I saw was Leonard Nimoy (God bless his soul), he was able to show a calm, relaxed, disciplined emotionless attitude in a different way, one of a flesh and blood being. Most people demonstrate emotionlessness with a cold, soulless, inhuman quality. Leonard Nimoy did it with a controlled intellectual fashion with respect and alien culture. Brent Spiner did it with child-like innocence and curosity. I love this guys performance. J.J. Abrams, could like finding another Data!
Brent Spiner is clearly one of the best actors I've ever seen. I don't think even Leonard Nimoy could make what's supposed to be an emotionless character so adorable to audiences. That being said, I still don't think Spiner's talent alone was enough to make Data such a popular character. I'm sure his personal charm and striking good looks had a lot to do with it as well.
When Data gets his emotion chip, he reviews all the jokes he was told, at least if that scene in Generations was any indication. I can’t help but wonder if he also reviewed these types of interactions with people over the years and got a chuckle from them.
This Klingon was able to accept defeat with some grace, recognize the skills of another, and realize when he did wrong, and retract. Someone many human men can learn from.
The scene is missing a lecture from data about what a sign of physical strength it is for an organic being that he didn't crack his skull. In other words, data honoring his defeated opponent by just being data.
Even as a child, I thought it was hilarious when Data stands up after being headbutted and explains the components of his skull and spine to the downed klingon. Theres this under current of "bitch please" that absolutely cracks me up.
'Ship in a Bottle' didn't even have that much of Data. The best Data episode was 'Data's Day'. He was also incredible in 'Best of Both Worlds II' where he arm-wrestles Locutus and breaks off his arm...
Gotta love Data. He sure made a fool of that Klingon. And the thing is he didn't even try to do anything to show him up. He was just doing exactly what he is supposed to do. No attitude but just his usual calm, logical demeanor. LOL His explanations about his body structure are factual statements that turn out to be funny as well.
Picard is THE ARBITER OF KLINGON SUCCESSION, you're damn right that the klingons respect him. he may not bar fight like a klingon or look like one, but he understands their laws morality and traditions better than MANY pureblood klingons. same as Quark, "he's klingon on the inside"
911ambulancegirl All we need now are ships for deep space transport of people, holodecks and materializing items, and teleporters and I believe we'll be good to go!
No, not at all....he is deeply and profoundly inadequate, and he knows it. With that said, he has a sense of honor and loyalty DESPITE his inadequacies, and that is what makes him special. If he were some paragon of perfection, none of what he is able to achieve, none of the honor he shows, none of his loyalty would matter...it would simply be an outgrowth of his perfection. It is what I love about the episode we are commenting on. Data CHOOSES not to take the bribe, if he were incapable of it, it wouldn't matter that he didn't do so. He defeats the Klingon's challenge because of his physical strength, which is nothing more than a consequence of his construction. He declines the Klingon's bribe because he has honor and character, and those are NOT the result of his construction but rather of his choices.
@@martinhenzl (Note: this is fiction of course, so everything I say is my interpetation) If I had to guess, Data's "personality" as well as that of his brother, to be sure, is likely the result of emergent behavior, i.e. behavior patterns that arise as an interaction of programming and environmental circumstances. This is pretty much our understanding of how most living things develop in highly complex, unstructured environments. That Lore would turn out differently from Data really isn't that much of a surprise, as his environment was different, and there were changes in his programming. One never knows of course, but I suspect that this isn't an unreasonable hypothesis...
I like how data just goes back to his business as if nothing happened after the klingon said "Nevermind" from the clear attempted bribe. Too bad we can't all do that..
"My upper spinal support is a PWNium alloy, designed to withstand extreme stress, My skull is composed of highly ionized suckitium and bitch-slappinite."
Someone above suggested it might be Jeffrey Wright. I do not know where we can get the credits for that episode but now I am quite curious to find out.
