Do Androids Dream Electric Nightmares?
| Star Trek TNG Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Do Androids Dream Electric Nightmares? |
| Author(s): | Bill Hupe |
| Date(s): | October 1988 |
| Length: | |
| Genre: | gen |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: The Next Generation |
| External Links: | |
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Do Androids Dream Electric Nightmares? is a Star Trek: TNG story by Bill Hupe.
It was printed in Eridani #1, where the publisher called it "nightmarish."
Summary
Data finds himself a human being, is it a blessing or a curse?
Reactions and Reviews
'Do Androids Dream Electric Nightmares' by Bill Hupe is a clever title, and interesting premise, but it lacks development. If I had edited this, I would have asked the author to expand on the idea. [1]
I decided to check out your zine when a fanzine editor that I trust said that ERIDANI contained a Data story that she totally disagreed with. Well, having read your zine and checked out the story, I can see why she would have problems with ”Do Androids Dream Electric Nightmares". For starters, there’s the problem with [Marie William's] illo. Somehow, the sight of Data the android on his knees, on the floor, tears streaming down his face. is a little hard to swallow. The image isn’t helped by the fact that it’s Riker of all people, who is leaning down, offering to help. You know, the fellow who insulted Data for trying to learn how to paint, and who thought that suggesting selling Data to the Ferengi would make a cute joke? But, what the hay. let's give Number One a break. This is also the same fellow who in "Skin of Evil” ordered Data not to help even though quite possible the lack of such assistance could have lead to Riker's premature demise. Actually, I to be fair, the story wasn't half bad. Yes, I can even see Riker, under the circumstances, ask Mister Data what’s wrong. The problem that I personally have with this story is the author’s idea that old age would be a concept that Data, an android I could emotionally accept, and that being old would be his greatest fear.
Let’s change topics for a minute. Remember the movie Logan's Run? Remember how the girl and the guy had to run for their life ’cause once you're 30, you’ve had it? — you get vaporized. Thems the breaks. Remember how near the end of the movie the girl and the boy ran into an actual old man? And remember what the girl asked the old man? She wondered what those things were (wrinkles) and did they hurt?
How could Data, an android, comprehend the concept of old age, and why would he fear it? As far as Data is concerned, if he was Human, and he could grasp the concept, he’d figure that he’d wind up looking like Leonard "Bones” McCoy, whom he has met once personally anyway. But, like I said, it was a competent story, except for the bit about getting old. [Editor’s Note: I disagree. The entire crew is experiencing hallucinations, and Data is also affected. Who’s to say what he would hallucinate or how he would react to it? - RL] [2]
I liked the Data story [Bill Hupe’s "Do Androids Dream Electric Nightmares?”]. I think that the hallucination of rapid aging would have been shocking to Data who is proud of his physical ability. And Data is capable of shedding tears; I have it from a reliable source: that medical text he mentioned in "The Naked Now. [3]
"Do Androids Dream Electric Nightmares" was different in the sense that Data was picturing all the drawbacks of being Human (I sometimes wonder if he takes that into consideration in his striving to become Human). [4]
"Do Androids Dream Electric Nightmares?” was a very interesting concept. Yes, I can see Data having such a dream, and I do agree that he would find being Human more of a burden than a blessing if he were given the opportunity to experience it for himself. But the action was a bit choppy here, and this is one where I did have a little trouble with the characterization. Everything seemed to happen too abruptly, and I somehow just didn't get the feel of the characters. Data could have been any android, and Riker any generic Starfleet officer. This is one story I think could have benefited from being expanded. With a little more background, perhaps everything could have been told more smoothly. [5]