Data, one should recall, endeavored constantly to be more human. He studied human emotions closely, trying to emulate feelings he never experienced. Data did possess curiosity and was often baffled, but his emotional expressions were distant and mechanical. Very occasionally, Data did appear to express something like a human feeling, as in “The Most Toys” (May 5, 1990) when he was so outraged by an evil criminal’s lack of remorse that he seemed to feel murderous hate. Although Data had no emotions chip (it was stolen by his evil brother, Lore), there were constant implications throughout “Next Generation” that his programming could evolve to incorporate them.
In “The Game,” Data was asked by a friend and colleague, Dr. Crusher, to help out with a medical task. Data, incapable of being annoyed or haggard, explained that he was perfectly capable of altering a tricorder in a hurry, doing it merely because a friend asked for a favor. In fact, he says “I would be happ–” right when Dr. Crusher shuts him off. It’s possible that Data, in that moment, actually achieved a moment of genuine, friendly, Platonic happiness. He felt happiness! That’s astonishing!
Sadly, because Dr. Crusher was operating under the game-influenced manipulations of Etana, she was too focused on her wicked task to notice what Data said. Ordinarily, Dr. Crusher, a compassionate figure, would have immediately noted that Data claimed happiness. It’s unbearably tragic that Data’s first-time joy went unremarked upon by his peers — peers who are familiar with his quest for humanity — because of a trifling brain manipulation.
Naturally, Data will be reactivated before the episode ends … but he doesn’t remark on the happiness he may have felt. Indeed, he seems to have no memory of it.
