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Information AboutSpot (star Trek) |
In the '', Spot is Data 's Pet Cat and a recurring character. It is noteworthy that Spot is usually a Dog name, not a cat name; furthermore, Spot is not actually Spot ted. This is almost certainly to highlight Data's self-admitted awkwardness amidst Human s (particularly with some aspects of English Usage ) and a subtle attempt at Humour by Star Trek 's creators. __TOC__ OVERVIEW Data's attempts to train Spot were comical, as she would never listen. Although he was incapable of ''), Data did care for her well. When Data had to leave, his attempts to place the cat in someone else's care provided a source of humour. Commander Riker once received serious scratches from Spot. Geordi La Forge 's attempts to care for Spot also met with little success, as she ate some of his shoes and damaged furniture. When Data once asked Worf to take care of Spot, Worf proved to be Allergic to her. On the other hand, the Milquetoast Lieutenant Barclay seemed to like Spot and they got along. Data created several hundred different food supplements for Spot and composed an elaborate ''). In the seventh-season episode " Genesis ", a morphogenetic disease (later named "Barclay protomorphosis syndrome", after its first casuality) mutated Spot into an Iguana . Spot originally appeared as a Somali Cat , but she later became a normal house cat. Spot also changed Sex from male to female, giving birth to Kitten s in "Genesis". These inconsistencies are probably cases of bad Continuity , although the editors of the '' Star Trek Encyclopedia '' humorously proposed that Spot may have been a Shape-shifter or victim of a Transporter accident (depending on which edition of the ''Encyclopedia'' one reads). ODE TO SPOT In the episode " Schisms ", Data recited an Ode to Spot that he had written: ::an Endotherm ic Quadruped , Carnivorous by Nature . ::Your Visual , Olfactory , and Auditory Senses ::contribute to your Hunting skills, and natural defenses. :I find myself intrigued by your Subvocal Oscillation s, ::a singular development of cat Communication s ::that obviates your basic Hedonistic predilection ::for a rhythmic stroking of your Fur , to demonstrate affection. :A Tail is quite essential for your Acrobatic talents; ::you would not be so agile if you lacked its counterbalance. ::And when not being utilized to aide in Locomotion , ::it often serves to illustrate the state of your Emotion . :O Spot, the Complex levels of Behaviour you display ::connote a fairly well-developed Cognitive Array . ::And though you are not Sentient , Spot, and do not Comprehend , ::I nonetheless consider you a true and valued Friend . This is, of course, a tip-of-the-hat to '' The Major-General's Song '' from Gilbert And Sullivan 's '' Pirates Of Penzance '', though the Scanning is not perfect. Later, in the episode " A Fistful Of Datas ", Data had been connected to the ''Enterprise''-D computer as part of an experiment. However, a programming error caused part of his personal programming to replace various subroutines in the ship's computer. Due to the computer problems, the ode replaced elements of a play (written by Dr. Crusher ) Riker was rehearsing from his PADD and he started reciting it. At the same time, some of the Replicators also began producing nothing but cat food. APPEARANCES Spot appears in several episodes throughout the last four seasons of ''TNG'', first appearing in the Season 4 episode "'' (in which it was beheld by B-4 ). In actuality, three cats have been used to play the role of Spot. QUOTES '' Data is trying to train Spot not to jump on his computer console (" Force Of Nature "): ''Data picks up Spot from on top of his computer console and places her on the floor.'' Data: "This is down. Down is good." ''He picks her up and holds her near the computer console.'' Data: "This is up. Up is ''no''." '' La Forge and Data are discussing Data's attempts to train Spot (" Force Of Nature "):'' Data: "I suppose I must accept that possibility. It may be that Spot lacks the intelligence necessary to learn the appropriate responses to my commands." ''Spot looks up at Data.'' Spot: '' Meow ''? Data: "Mmm?" Spot: ''Meow''? Data: "Ah." ''Data takes a ball of yarn from his cabinet and lets Spot begin to play with it.'' La Forge: "I don't know about Spot, but your training is coming along just fine. Let's go." ''Data is confined to quarters after attacking Counselor Troi (" Phantasms "):'' Data: "May I ask a personal favor?" Worf : "Yes?" Data: "Will you take care of Spot for me?" Worf: "Your animal?" Data: "I am concerned that if I have another waking dream, I may injure him." Worf: "Of course. Spot, come here." Data: "Unlike a Canine , Spot will not respond to verbal commands." ''Data picks up Spot and hands him to Worf, who is not quite sure how to handle the cat.'' Data: "Goodbye, Spot. He will need to be fed once a day. He prefers feline supplement one-twenty-five." Worf: "I understand." Data: "And he will require water. And you must also provide him with a sand box. And you must talk to him. Tell him he is a pretty cat, and a good cat ..." ''Worf cuts him off.'' Worf: "I will ... feed him." Data: "Perhaps that will be enough." ''Worf turns around and walks out of Data's quarters; at the door, he sneezes.'' EXTERNAL LINKS |
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