He may have looked weird, but he was using the bulk of his RAM on other things, which is why he turned his head jerkily (think lag) and didn't bother to use what little social grace he understands.
"I'm sorry sir. I will not look in your direction." Then proceeds to give him a lingering and incredibly creepy stare before turning away. "Cheers Data, I'll sleep great now ..."
The best part is, Data's probably the nicest person on the entire ship, he's probably just making sure the captain's all right, and Picard knows that... but holy crap, it doesn't really matter, does it?
I often wonder how many takes they had to do for the scene, not to mention the fist full of datas episode, which was one of the funniest episodes in star trek.
Brilliant use of timing-- the long pauses when Picard is lying there and Data is standing motionless in the background are priceless. The timing is half the humor.
Brent Spiner had such divine mastery of this role. Every micro-movement. An Android would never stammer and almost say “bed” instead of “shelf” nor look away slowly and hesitantly- but Brent knew when to play Data as human.
It's also possible that the proper classification was so obscure that Data ran multiple files and variables to conclude the best term for it, then included the pause to make the interaction sound more human to ease the captain.
I laughed when Data turned his gaze very slowly. It was almost like a part of the humor on set bleeding into the parts that made it on TV. A great touch that really worked. Made him seem more human and gave a slightly comedic tone to it.
"I will not look in your direction" and then turns around SLOOOOOOOOOWLY turning his head last with a creepy smile. Sure you weren't checking out, Data. Hahahaha.
@@iycephoenixx4249 I think it's a common uninformed opinion that Star Trek (and TNG in particular) is mostly dry, technical, nerdy space drama where everyone just sits around and talks. Before I started watching I knew there was more to it than that, but was still very pleasantly surprised at how hilarious it is on a regular basis. All the little character moments, quips, in-jokes, wild circumstances, etc have me cracking up way more often than I expected going in. Like when Picard accidentally calls Barkley "Mr. Broccoli" after reprimanding the crew for using that nickname earlier in the episode ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-pKoK9znaPSw.html
Picard: Data! What are you looking at! Data: I'm analyzing my next course of action sir. Picard: What do you suggest that is Mr Data? Data: I suggest we split up so it makes the search more difficult for our adversaries Picard: I believe that I concur, how may we accomplish this? Data: Kills Picard
PetersaberHD Wouldn't you be freaked out, too, if an android with the ability to murder you with its bare hands was staring at you while you tried to sleep? (I know I would. o-o)
I'm sorry captain I was analyzing the position of your spine when you laid down, it seems to deviate to the left from normal, it should put a terrible strain on your rectum when you defecate. I also noticed that you right hip is slightly out of alignment, do you have problems when urinating ? Doctor Crusher will find my observations very helpful !
Lol Brent Spiner played it perfectly as he kept his head on Picard jussst for a bit as he turned his body away. Just that little bit there is what made Data so funny
I was cracking up when I first saw this. I showed it to my friend and she said it wasn't funny at all. I'm not sure why, but I'm glad to see the clip here on RU-vid and that other people think it's funny too.
To get the joke you need to be familiar with Data's character. The scene is funny because Data doesn't understand how his behavior could be disturbing Picard.
@Leen B Um... no? What do you mean by your comment? That women can't find this funny? Well, I find it very funny. Please do away with such nonsensical prejudice.
@Leen B I find that hard to believe. But it's hardly a question that can be answered in any meaningful way, because I don't think there are any studies to back up either of our claims ;) Perhaps Data could conduct a quantitative analysis of all the available evidence in a short period of time, but I suspect he's too busy with more important matters ;) Have a good day.
Love this scene. If I were Picard though I would have said "Data would you mind to physically pretend to sleep as you process? Oh and would you be a dear and broadcast some white noise as well? Thank you so much."
Legion once asked: does this unit have a soul? To which I'll show him this video. You only get the lingering feeling of someone staring at you when they have a soul. Data had a soul.
This has always been one of my favorite Data/Picard scenes. Brent Spiner and Patrick Stewart possess incredible comedic timing and their characters' chemistry has rarely been better. Their performances here elevate the already funny writing in this scene to another level. Great stuff. ❤😅
This two-part episode had SIX of the funniest bits in all of Star Trek : i) This bit ("You were looking at me") ii) Worf : "Melota!" iii) Worf : Scares off the Zacdorn and then says, "A fat ferengi has entered the establishment". iv) The fat ferengi : "I never learned to speak hypothetical.", and then laughing at his own jokes. v) Spock : "Since it is logical to conclude you will kill us in any event..."; Sela : "I hate Vulcans!!!". vi) Data to Sela : "Perhaps you would be happier in a different job." Whoever wrote this two-parter is brilliant.
Also love Troi smugly telling Riker he doesn't outrank a self-important scrapyard quartermaster, then Riker smugly telling her the ship's counselor is the perfect person to deal with a self-important scrapyard quartermaster (also her face putting up with him). Several other great non-comedic scenes - Picard negotiating for use of this ship, and Spock and Data's conversation. The central story is so-so at best but all the details are solid gold.
"there is but a single sleeping space." "I'm sure the Klingons find it amusing to put us in here together." aaaaand that is literally a fanfic trope, lol
I wouldn't be surprised if the stare down as he turned ends up being an addition to the scene Spiner did live and they kept because it fit. We know they let him do this with Data from time to time and he is a big fan of pre-voices in movies so this is both right up his alley and perfectly executed on his part from the timing to the body language.
I think Data is too unnerving for anyone but fangirls to even consider that an option. Would be really creepy, and he would sit there completely still staring at you the whole time.
This scene is perhaps the funniest scene in all of TNG, funnier even than the Robin Hood episode. I find myself reminiscing about this bit about once a week, even many decades later. That inexplicable look of smug disgust on Data's face when he continues to stare at Picard while turning his body away is the beautiful icing.
Gotta admit, i would find it a bit odd as well to sleep next to an android. :P he is just standing there waiting. Like come on hurry, sleep already.. so we can get on with it lol
I seem to recall snorting breakfast cereal out my nose laughing when I first saw this scene on TV in the 1990s. It really is one of the funniest, simplest scenes in Star Trek!
It's even funnier because at first Data is actually looking away from Picard. He then turns towards Picard when he asks him, and keeps looking in that direction
I think most people can tell when someone is doing that, and it can end up feeling rather unnerving, like they're a predator waiting for you to fall asleep so they can maul you.
I guess, although I can't imagine why, if staring at my ass or my drooling face is entertainment for you, fine, I don't give a shit, knock yourself out.
Its an evolutionary mechanism. You are the most vulnerable when you sleep so in the past any set of eyes in the dark usually meant that a predator was lurking around.
@@evie8078 Not entirely creepy I find, knowing who he is and how he is, from watching the entire series, you know hes just either A - pondering that odd human behaviour or B - Quite literally toying with picard lol
