Data ' s Day ( episode ) Data records a day in his life for Commander Bruce Maddox , including observations on Chief O ' Brien ' s wedding , and the mystery of a Vulcan ambassador who apparently dies in a transporter accident . Summary . Teaser . Data , in voiceover , dictates a letter to Commander Maddox , continuing correspondence with the scientist that began after Data ' s trial regarding his rights . Maddox apparently last wrote to Data for help , expressing that his study on Soong - type android s lacks primary source information on Data ' s programming and operation . Agreeing with Maddox , Data decided to record a typical day of his life from his point of view , with particular emphasis on friendships . The day begins with the handover of the bridge from night watch to day watch , with Data ceding command to Commander Riker . Riker has arrived 15 minutes early so Data , a member of the O ' Brien wedding party , will have more time to prepare which the second officer appreciates . He relates his not - quite - emotional anticipation regarding his participation in the wedding . Data updates Riker , which essentially sums up the action to come : Lieutenant Juarez went into labor , and the ship is at station awaiting the arrival of the ship , the , bearing Ambassador . Data ' s narration continues as he departs the bridge and travels to his first off - watch destination . He describes in voiceover his difficulty in maintaining friendships , and detailing how he has developed programs to handle these relationships . He then drops in on Keiko Ishikawa in her quarters to inform her that the wedding rehearsal is to begin . Keiko informs Data that she ' s unhappy , and that she would like to call off the wedding to Miles O ' Brien , and that this decision would make her happy . In the mistaken belief that making Keiko happy by canceling the wedding will in turn make Chief O ' Brien happy , Data allows himself to be talked into taking the " bad " news to O ' Brien in Ten Forward , who reacts entirely opposite to Data ' s prediction . " " I have good news , " " he informs the chief . After O ' Brien storms out , Geordi La Forge advises Data that he should let him deliver any further " good news " of this type . Act One . Data ' s log continues as he walks down a corridor , with statistics regarding the service of the " Enterprise " . This is the 1 , 550th day since its commissioning . There will be four birthdays , two transfers , a celebration of the Hindu Festival of Lights , two chess tournaments , one secondary school play , and four promotions . Overall it is an ordinary day . Data arrives at the transporter room and gives the order to Hubbell to bring Ambassador T ' Pel aboard . She coldly informs Data that she wishes to meet with his captain . He then compares his emotional state to that of Vulcan s , noting that he finds their stark philosophy to be somewhat limiting . Upon bringing T ' Pel to the captain in his ready room , Data and Commander Riker are asked to leave . Data returns to the bridge , where Riker mutters to him that T ' Pel is a " charming woman , " and Data ' s narration notes Riker ' s sarcasm , a form of expression he has failed to master . Data ' s narration continues in the ship ' s barbershop , where Geordi La Forge and V ' Sal are exchanging friendly insults and banter regarding La Forge ' s haircut and V ' Sal ' s skill at it . Data tries out a friendly jibe : " " My hair does not require trimming , you lunkhead . " " La Forge advises him not to try it on the captain , which Data agrees with . Data then attempts to understand the interplay of Keiko and Chief O ' Brien earlier in the day , and explores the terms " cold feet " and " jitters " with La Forge ' s help . La Forge ends the exchange with his firm belief that the wedding will in fact proceed and tells Data he ' d better get a gift . Resuming the voiceover , Data describes his relationship with Lieutenant Worf as he comes across him already in the replicating center . He notes their similarity as orphans and outsiders who have been raised by Human s and joined Starfleet as a result . Worf confirms that he ' s picking out a wedding gift and agrees to help Data in finding something appropriate , having attended weddings . Worf points out a selection of crystal glasses as a typical traditional gift his adoptive parents would give for family weddings . When he pauses the display on a crystal swan however , Data mentions that it was his understanding that the item selected should reflect the personality of the giver ; a swan doesn ' t remind him of Worf . Data changes the subject to actual participation in a wedding . Worf notes his discomfort with the overall sentimentality of the wedding ritual and notes that though he would be honored to participate in one , he is not sure about all of the " talking , dancing , and crying " that would be involved . Data pauses at the notion of dancing . The narrative continues in sickbay as Dr . Crusher examines the expectant Lieutenant Juarez . Data explains that he rarely requires the services of Dr . Crusher , but that he often learns a great deal about Human interaction from her practice of medicine . He then asks her in passing if she would teach him how to dance . Crusher pulls him quickly into the privacy of her office after Martinez notices them talking about this while walking by . She informs Data that she will help him , but he is not to speak of her dancing abilities to anyone , as she does not wish to be known as the " Dancing Doctor " again . Data is then paged to the bridge by Captain Picard , who asks him to research Romulan deployments along the Neutral Zone . The captain then orders the ship to set a course for 130 . 246 at warp 7 , which takes the ship very close to the Neutral Zone . Data finishes by voicing over that he is fortunate to not have emotional distractions in his duties , as a sudden course correction towards the Neutral Zone would otherwise make him nervous . In the meantime his right hand is seen tapping the console apparently of its own accord . Act Two . Data enters the ready room and gives his analysis of the Romulan strategy , deployed to support a policy of confrontation , with 90 % probability that they will continue that policy . Ambassador T ' Pel rejects the notion of an escort for " the mission " but the purpose of said mission is not revealed . Data then goes to his quarters and orders feline supplement 74 for Spot , a long - haired orange cat . Data is shortly joined by Chief O ' Brien , who comes to apologize for his outburst earlier in the day in Ten Forward . Data makes multiple and finally overly - friendly attempts to make the chief more comfortable , offering pillows , music , and drink . O ' Brien gets to the point by appealing to Data to talk to Keiko to try and get the wedding back on . Data concludes by noting that Keiko may not have fully analyzed her position . He resumes his personal log as he walks down the corridor , noting to Commander Maddox that Keiko was calm and reserved when she made her decision , and concludes that reviewing the available facts should help , and that emotional considerations do not seem to have clouded her judgment . Data meets Keiko in the arboretum and logically and aggressively points out Keiko ' s " errors " , to which Keiko responds with an emotional appeal to leave her alone . Data continues the voiceover as he describes his relationship with Counselor Troi . Data then describes his research to Counselor Troi regarding various wedding customs . Troi advises him that the best way to help Miles and Keiko is to stay out of the process . They then move onto the concept of Data getting married and his reservation that he cannot grow old with someone . They are interrupted when Ambassador T ' Pel summons Data to her quarters . T ' Pel attempts to make use of Data ' s Priority 3 clearance on the ship to gain information about the deflector shield s ' field strength at maximum output , using her access code of Kappa Alpha 4601704 . Data informs her that while the code is valid , he must report any inquiry regarding restricted information to the captain . T ' Pel lamely backs out of the request by telling Data she was merely interested in his security safeguards , and that they appear to be adequate . Data continues the narrative , telling Commander Maddox that he wishes for a gut feeling regarding T ' Pel , even though he does not believe that she , a Vulcan , could have lied about her request . Act Three . Data arrives at the holodeck , where Dr . Crusher is finishing up some pre - exercise stretching in a dance studio . She gives him one beginning lesson in dancing . Data informs her after this lesson that she should simply teach him the final lesson . Data then perfectly mimics Dr . Crusher ' s tap - dancing routine , which becomes increasingly elaborate . Crusher has to interrupt Data ' s exploration of routines with the refrain of " " Stop , Data ! " " After mastering tap - dancing , Data informs the doctor that he is now prepared to dance at the wedding . Dr . Crusher explains that tap is not used at weddings , though she doesn ' t know why when Data asks . She figures that the waltz , the appropriate dance , will be much easier , but contrary to her expectations Data finds the act of dancing with a partner extremely difficult as he is unable to look at her feet , or understand the variables and nuances . Instead , Crusher leads while Data observes their feet as she explains the movements , and then to look into his partner ' s eyes while they switch leads , with Data being much improved . Crusher is called to look in on the laboring Lt . Juarez and leaves Data to practice with a holographic partner . In parting she orders Data to smile , which he does with a mannequin - like enthusiasm . Data next arrives on the bridge as Commander Riker is telling a gruesomely funny story to two other officers and Ensign Kellogg who is monitoring the security console , and narrates his speculation that humor and sex appear to have a correlation but notes the need for additional research is clearly indicated . The fun comes to an end as a Romulan warbird , the " Devoras " , is detected and sends them a message telling them to proceed on a heading of 037 . 005 to the agreed - upon coordinates which end in the Neutral Zone . T ' Pel informs Data to hold position at a specified set of coordinates . Admiral Mendak appears on the viewscreen and agrees to allow the ambassador to be beamed aboard . T ' Pel refuses any attempt to have an escort , or to have the conference held aboard the " Enterprise " , and departs to the transporter room by herself . Over the intercom the bridge crew monitors the transport as the transporter pattern breaks down and the ambassador is killed . Act Four . Data continues with a supplemental entry to his personal log , describing how he misses out on Human emotion at a time like this when the rest of the crew is suffering from the loss of a comrade aboard a starship . Chief O ' Brien begins as the narrative ends to describe the accident and Data supplies that it is unlike any transporter malfunction ever recorded on a Starfleet vessel . La Forge establishes that the transporter is in perfect working order , and O ' Brien follows up with the statement that the transition coil was replaced only the week before , and that there was no interference from the Romulans ' shields . Dr . Crusher then reports that there isn ' t enough left of T ' Pel to do an autopsy , only some molecular compounds left on the transporter pad . Worf calls Picard over the intercom that Admiral Mendak is hailing . Picard returns to the bridge and reports the apparent death of T ' Pel . Mendak compliments him for a well - played maneuver , accusing him of arranging for T ' Pel ' s death , and recommending that both ships leave the Neutral Zone . Picard gives Data the task of investigating the accident . Data ' s voiceover continues with his relation of the methods of Sherlock Holmes which he notes Picard had introduced him to and how he applies the adage of " " Once you have eliminated the impossible , whatever remains , however improbable , must be the truth . " " Data then arrives at sickbay and asks for a comparison of the ambassador ' s last transporter ID trace with the remains , with the caveat that he may be chasing an " untamed ornithoid without cause . " The genetic code is examined and found to be identical , except that there are single - bit errors in the base - pair sequence as if it were replicated material . Dr . Crusher postulates that the DNA was mutated by the accident , or that the remains are not those of the ambassador . Act Five . Data , La Forge , and Riker are in the ready room as Data explains to Captain Picard that the only explanation of the evidence is that a second transporter signal appears to have been operating during the accident , and that the ambassador was beamed off the " Enterprise " pad while fake remains were beamed onto the pad in her place . Picard queries Lt . Worf on the bridge as to the whereabouts of the " Devoras " . Worf replies that it is on heading 079 , 125 at warp 2 and still in the Neutral Zone , on its way home . Data voices over his prediction of the 17 % chance that Captain Picard will call for advice from Starfleet , and is rewarded with Picard ' s call to red alert and an order to intercept the " Devoras " . The Romulan ship drops out of warp and the " Enterprise " confronts her , ready for battle . Admiral Mendak hails and begins to complain about Picard , who interrupts with an accusation that Ambassador T ' Pel has been kidnapped . At that moment a second Warbird decloaks to starboard , and Mendak suggests that Picard leave . Picard states flatly that he will take any action necessary to rescue the ambassador , as she is a Federation citizen . Data muses in voiceover his analogy of this event to a game of poker , and suggests that the captain is calling Mendak ' s bluff . Mendak relents stating he is not ready to start a war today , and signals to his right , revealing Ambassador T ' Pel , now dressed in a Romulan uniform with the traditional Romulan bowl cut . She identifies herself as Sub - commander Selok , a spy , and thanks Picard for his help in getting home . Mendak notes that as there are no Federation citizens on his ship , he informs Picard that the game is over and expects them to leave peacefully before closing the channel ; Worf reports three more Warbirds entering the sector on long - range sensors . The Romulans have scored a point on Starfleet today . Riker quietly sums up the situation as " " Some days you get the bear , and some days the bear gets you . " " Picard orders a reverse course back into Federation territory at warp 6 . Keiko is in the arboretum as Data approaches with an apology for interfering in her plans . She informs him that it would be best if he got dressed for the wedding , leaving Data confused as she hands him a white carnation for the " father of the bride . " The wedding takes place in Ten Forward . Traditional Japanese - sounding flute and string music plays , and Captain Picard officiates , stating the privilege of ship captains to perform weddings . Data voices over in his personal log how he still does not comprehend most of the emotions of violence , anger , or revenge but that he does understand the desire to be loved and the need for friendship . The wedding commences with a now - skillful Data leading the bride in a dance . Back in duty uniform , Data looks for Dr . Crusher in sickbay and comes across Picard . The captain has dropped by the nursery after the wedding to see Lt . Juarez ' baby boy , cooing softly in a crib . Noting that the child was born at the same time they were facing destruction , Picard welcomes him aboard . Finally , Data leads his night watch team onto the bridge . Worf reports that all systems are normal , they are on course for Adelphous IV , engineering is realigning the main deflector dish , sickbay reports that Lt . Umbato broke two rib s on the holodeck , and sensors continue to gather long - range information on the Murasaki quasar . Data ' s final voiceover expresses his belief that being Human is a way of thinking , acting , and feeling , and that he may one day discover his own Humanity . The lights dim as the bridge ' s night watch commences . Memorable quotes . " " Uh , Data , I ' ve decided not to go through with it . " " " " You do not wish to rehearse ? " " " " No , I ' m calling off the wedding . " " " " She what ? Cancelled the wedding ? Today , without even a word ? ! Of all the childish , selfish irresponsible things to do ! " " " " This is my first officer , Commander William Riker . " " " " Leave us , please . " " " Charming " woman . " " " " The tone of Commander Riker ' s voice makes me suspect that he is not serious about finding Ambassador T ' Pel " charming " . My experience suggests that in fact he may mean the exact opposite of what he says . " " " " I could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without cause . " " " " My hair does not require trimming , you lunkhead . " " " " Have you ever been an actual participant in a Human wedding ? " " " " NO . " " " " You would not consider it an honor ? " " " " An honor perhaps , but Human bonding rituals often involve a great deal of talking , and dancing and . . . crying . " " " " There may be a correlation between humor and sex . The need for more research is clearly indicated . " " " " I don ' t want to be known as the dancing doctor . " " " " Am I dancing , doctor ? " " " " They don ' t do a lot of tap - dancing at weddings . " " " " Why ? " " " " Well , Data , because . . . I don ' t really know why , Data . " " " " I could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without cause . " " " " A wild goose chase ? " " " " Some days you get the bear , and some days the bear gets you . " " " " Since the days of the first wooden sailing ships all captains have enjoyed the happy privilege of joining together two people in the bonds of matrimony . And so it is my honor to unite you , Keiko Ishikawa , and you , Miles Edward O ' Brien , together in matrimony . . . " " " " There are still many Human emotions I do not comprehend ; anger , hatred , revenge , but I am not mystified by the desire to be loved or the need for friendship . These are things I do understand . " " " " Welcome aboard . " " Links and references . References . Adelphous IV ; ; Andorian ; arboretum ; Aurelia ; autosequencer ; barbershop ; bear ; biomechanical maintenance program ; Bluff ; Bolian ; ; bride ; carnation ; carrier wave ; chess ; count ; Crusher 4 ; cybernetics ; ; dance ; " " ; day shift ; Daystrom Institute ; " Devoras " ; ; dress uniform ; father of the bride ; Federation ; feline supplement 74 ; fluidic sensor diagnostic ; friendship ; Galvin V ; goose ; hairstick ; high school ; Hindu Festival of Lights ; Hinduism ; ; " Isn ' t It Romantic ? " ; Japanese ; jazz dance ; letter ; lunkhead ; ; matrimony ; " " ; mitochondria ; Murasaki quasar ; night shift ; Number one ; patriotism ; phase transition coil ; play ; poker ; promotion ; rabbit ; red alert ; rehearsal ; replicating center ; rib ; Romulan ; Romulan Neutral Zone ; Romulan Star Empire ; ; ; security clearance ; sickbay ; St . Louis ; Saint Louis Academy ; subspace frequency ; swan ; tap dance ; transporter carrier wave ; transporter ID trace ; tricorder ; turbolift ; Umbato ; Vulcan ; wedding ; wedding dress ; wedding gift ; wedding rehearsal ; yellow alert ; Unused production references . Mexler