Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)

Tin Man (1990)

Harry Groener: Tam Elbrun

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Quotes 

• Lt. Commander Data : You said in the transporter room that you could not read my mind.

  Tam Elbrun : True enough. But I think I understand you pretty well. It worries you that I can't read your mind?

  Lt. Commander Data : Perhaps there is nothing to read - nothing more than mechanisms and algorithmic responses.

  Tam Elbrun : Perhaps you're just different. It's not a sin, you know. Though you may have heard otherwise.

• Tam Elbrun : Beautiful creatures, the Chandrans. Their minds are glacial. They have a lovely three-day ritual for saying 'hello'.

• Tam Elbrun : Having to get to know someone - just once - has its appeal.

• Tam Elbrun : All my life I have waited for this - a chance to find peace. Finally all the voices are silent. Only Tin Man speaks to me now. Don't you see, Data? This... is where I belong.

• Tam Elbrun : All right, all right! I should've... brought up the Romulans earlier, but I was... distracted.

  Tam Elbrun : [suddenly, to Riker]  And no, Billy-boy, I wasn't distracted on Ghorusda. If Darson had listened to me, no one would have died!

  [he is about to leave, but turns around to Riker once more] 

  Tam Elbrun : No? Well, I don't care whether you believe that or not!

• Tam Elbrun : [looking around Data's quarters as Data works]  You do a lot of your work here?

  Data : Yes. I have configured these instruments to display information with greater speed and efficiency than stations used by the others.

  Tam Elbrun : Nice...

  [Tam strolls through a doorway, out of sight. Data pauses to look in his general direction. Tam peeks around the jamb] 

  Tam Elbrun : A little Spartan.

  Data : "Spartan"?

  Tam Elbrun : Lots of work space; not much room to live. I don't guess you sleep.

  Data : I have tried it from time to time, but you are correct, I do not require rest.

  Tam Elbrun : But you paint!

  [Tam lifts the tarp from a painting of a wormhole and admires it. Data briefly reacts with a hint of modest embarrassment before proceeding] 

  Data : The creature's anatomy appears... most peculiar.

  Tam Elbrun : [pauses, as if to filter out more voices]  In what way?

  Data : It is indeed laid out as a vessel with what appear to be chambers and corridors. An internal environment suitable for carbon-based lifeforms is being maintained, yet there is no evidence of a crew aboard. Tin Man is a living being which has been bred, or has adapted itself to serve a purpose. I find that interesting.

  Tam Elbrun : Why? Must living beings have a purpose? Or do we exist for no reason but to exist?

  Data : [overwhelmed take]  I do not believe I am qualified to express an opinion.

  Tam Elbrun : Oh, Data, you are uniquely qualified! You think a great deal about humanity. And, you're an honest researcher. You don't treat anything as trivial or irrelevant. You want to try it all.

  Data : [scrutinizing]  You said in the transporter room that you could not read my mind.

  Tam Elbrun : True enough, but I think I understand you pretty well.

  [pause] 

  Tam Elbrun : It worries you that I can't read your mind?

  Data : [turns attention to his displays again]  Perhaps there is nothing to read. Nothing more than mechanisms and algorithmic responses.

  Tam Elbrun : Perhaps... you're just different. It's not a sin, you know; though you may have heard otherwise.

• Tam Elbrun : [first meeting Data; startled]  Who... What are you?

  Lt. Cmdr. Data : I am Data. I am an android.

• Counselor Troi : You want them to dislike you. Why?

  Tam Elbrun : Because I'm not a nice man.