Star Trek: The Next Generation
Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.

Suggested correction: It is true that in later seasons he is unable to use contractions. However, since that characteristic was not introduced in the first season, this is not a mistake. His behavior is consistent with the character's behavior throughout the first season.

It's still a possible mistake, even if it wasn't part of season 1 scripting. Just because we only learn later that Data doesn't use contractions, doesn't make this mistake invalid. We learn Data was specifically constructed that way and hadn't been able to use contraction since being created, which means all of season 1 he shouldn't be using contractions. Although it would probably be best to submit it as a mistake in season 2 when it's mentioned that it contradicts what was established.

Bishop73

Incorrect. It would be a mistake if he used a contraction after the trait was added to his character, but the mistake can't be retroactive as it wasn't a mistake for him to use it at that point in the show.

Where No One Has Gone Before - S1-E6

Character mistake: Mr. Kosinski is trying to explain what happened to allow them to travel so far. He says, "I applied the energy asymptomatically", when he meant "asymptotically." (The subtitles for this scene are correct). (00:13:50)

Datalore - S1-E13

Character mistake: When the away team transports down to the planet, Data is wearing three full rank pips denoting the rank of a full Commander, rather than his actual rank of Lieutenant Commander. (00:09:39)

Datalore - S1-E13

Character mistake: At the end of the episode, after Lore has been defeated, Picard asks Data if he is O.K. Data replies, "I'm fine." One of the plot points of this episode is that Data cannot use contractions.

Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.

Suggested correction: That characteristic was not added to the character until season two. In the first season, Data uses contractions on a number of occasions.

It's still a possible mistake, even if it wasn't part of season 1 scripting. Just because we only learn later that Data doesn't use contractions, doesn't make this mistake invalid. We learn Data was specifically constructed that way and hadn't been able to use contraction since being created, which means all of season 1 he shouldn't be using contractions. Although it would probably be best to submit it as a mistake in season 2 when it's mentioned that it contradicts what was established.

Bishop73

It would only be a mistake if he used the contraction after the trait was established for the character.

Possibly, but that's not how mistakes on this site work seem to work. It could still be a valid mistake in the context of the entire show since the character trait had in fact been established. It's the same way for when shows do something like establish a character's birth-date in later seasons, but when episodes from earlier season have the character at the wrong age. Although it would probably be best to submit it as a mistake in season 2 when it's mentioned that it contradicts what was established.

Bishop73

We'll Always Have Paris - S1-E24

Character mistake: When Data is on the planet, about to drop the material into the temporal rift, one of the three Datas asks which one of them should do it. The middle Data replies, "Me. It's me." Data is meant to be incapable of using a contraction.

Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.

Suggested correction: That character trait was not established until season 2. Data uses contractions multiple times in the first season.

While it was explicitly expressed in season 2 that Data can not use contractions, the fact that they did established this character trait means it could be a valid mistake since the trait is meant to show Data could never use contractions since his creation, not that he suddenly developed it some 30-odd years later. Although it would probably be best to submit it as a mistake in season 2 when it's mentioned that it contradicts what was established or at least make one character mistake for "all of season 1" than list every individual time it happened.

Bishop73

Suddenly Human - S4-E4

Character mistake: Captain Picard wonders why the boy would want to go back to his captors if they abuse him and Dr. Crusher tells him it's not uncommon, it's called the Stockholm Syndrome as if Picard doesn't know or understand. However, in S03E12, "The High Ground", Dr. Crusher is held captive and when Picard is talking to her (after he is captured trying to rescue her), she begins to appear sympathetic to her captors and Picard says "I don't have to remind you of the psychological impact of being a hostage." Picard would be aware of why the boy may wish to return.

Bishop73

In Theory - S4-E25

Character mistake: After Data asks Jenna about a drink, he uses a contraction in his response, saying "Excellent choice. I'll join you." He's supposed to be incapable of contractions at this point.

Movie Nut

I, Borg - S5-E23

Character mistake: When Commander Riker is assembling his away team to visit the planet's surface, he orders Dr. Crusher to bring a medical team. But when the away team is beamed down, Crusher is the only medical officer there.

Cubs Fan

Time's Arrow (1) - S5-E26

Character mistake: When the artifacts from the late 19th century, found in a cave, are identified by the away team, Data identifies the pistol as a "double action" Colt 45, circa 1873. The pistol is a Colt single action army, caliber .45. Certainly not a "double action".

Dark Page - S7-E7

Character mistake: When Troi is talking with Picard and Dr. Crusher about what's wrong with her mother, she says that "something was happening in her metaconscious mind." Dr. Crusher then asks "metaconscious?" As a Star Fleet doctor, she's had to study the neurology of Betazoids, Vulcans, and other telepaths. She should be familiar with the concept. (Yes, it's expository dialogue for us, the audience, however, Picard is in this scene too and it would have made more sense for him to ask about it.) (00:17:55)

Captain Defenestrator

Genesis - S7-E19

Character mistake: When Data and Picard discover Troi in her bathtub, Data scans her and comments that she is technically no longer "human." While Troi is indeed half human, she has the features of a Betazoid (black eyes and empathic abilities) and consistently describes herself and is described by others as a Betazoid. It is unusual for anyone to describe Troi as being "human", and it is unfathomable that Data would make that mistake.

BaconIsMyBFF

Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.

Suggested correction: This scene is set in the past (as you said). At this time Data was a Lt. JG.

No, Data was not Lt. Junior Grade at this point in the past. This was when they were going on the Far Point mission and Data already had the rank of Lt. Commander.

Bishop73

The Royale - S2-E12

Factual error: 30 seconds in Geordi says: 'surface temperature -291 degrees Celsius'. (The scale only goes down to -273.15 which is absolute zero). (00:00:30)

More mistakes in Star Trek: The Next Generation
More quotes from Star Trek: The Next Generation

Loud as a Whisper - S2-E5

Trivia: Guest star Marnie Mosiman, who plays a member of Riva's chorus, is married to John de Lancie, who had a recurring role as the omnipotent mischief-maker Q.

Cubs Fan

More trivia for Star Trek: The Next Generation

Skin of Evil - S1-E23

Question: Near the end when they are in the holodeck for the memorial ceremony for Lt. Yar, Dr. Crusher's uniform is green and seconds later it is blue. After watching it several times, it does not appear to be a trick of the light. What happened here? Why would she have on a green uniform in the first place?

con8iv

Chosen answer: The uniform does indeed change colour. It may be due to the need for a green screen in part, or perhaps some lighting altering our perception. That being said, it certainly looks green at the start, blue thereafter.

The show has been done in HD now and not sure if they fix this problem.

Dan23

More questions & answers from Star Trek: The Next Generation

Join the mailing list

Separate from membership, this is to get updates about mistakes in recent releases. Addresses are not passed on to any third party, and are used solely for direct communication from this site. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Check out the mistake & trivia books, on Kindle and in paperback.