The Schizoid Man

TNG Season 2 Episode 6
Air Date: January 23th, 1989

Plot

The Enterprise goes to a planet where a great cybernetic researcher, Dr. Ira Graves
 has lived in seclusion with his assistant Kareen. Graves is ill and has a terminal disease. He meets Data and was able to download his consciousness into Data's mind before passing. Oblivious to the crew he tries to pretend to be Data but fails as he does have emotion and is unable to replicate Data's mannerisms. Eventually he ends up hurting people and Picard convinces him that his time has passed and he should let Data live his life. He eventually agrees and downloads his consciousness into the Enterprise computer, where it can't manifest itself, but effectively he still lives (until the Enterprise is destroyed at least).

Commentary

Brent Spinner gets and opportunity a few times a season to play a character other than Data. While I really like watching his character grow, it is nice to see him get an opportunity to play something different. Much like Spock in the original series. At the beginning of the episode they even do some foreshadowing of what is to come as Data has a scene where he puts on a fake beard.

Quotes

"Did you damage your face, Data?" - La Forge
"It is a beard, Geordi." - Data

"I can safely say, that to know him, was to love him. And to love him, was to know him. Those who knew him, loved him, while those who did not know him, loved him from afar." - Dr. Graves

"That was a great speech, Data. To know him is to love him is to know him." - Wesley
"Verbal composition at its most sophisticated level. Your childlike mind cannot appreciate the time-worn wisdom of my words." - Graves
"Childlike mind?" - Wesley
"When you get to be my age, you will understand." - Graves
"Your age? Data, chronologically, you're not much older than I am." - Wesley
"Well, you are only as old as you feel. Try to remember that, boy." - Graves

"May I ask a question?" - Data
"I think you just did." - La Forge
"Quite correct. Then may I ask another question after this one?" - Data
"You can ask me anything you want." - La Forge
"Why am I lying on the floor in this undignified position, with the four of you standing over me, displaying expressions of " - Data
"I've heard more than enough. You're you again." - Picard