A Fistful of Datas is a sixth-season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The title as it appeared in most episodes opening credits. ...

In this episode, Alexander convinces his father, Worf, to accompany him on a trip to the "ancient west" on the holodeck. Worf reluctantly plays the part of sheriff in the town of Deadwood. Alexander is his deputy, and Troi plays "the mysterious stranger". Alexander Rozhenko is a character in the Star Trek fictional universe. ... Worf (worIv in the Klingon language) is a Klingon in the Star Trek fictional universe. ... In the Star Trek fictional universe, the holodeck is a form of virtual reality. ... A photograph of Deadwood in 1876. ... Commander Deanna Troi is a fictional character in the Star Trek universe, played by the actress Marina Sirtis in the series Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise (the latter two only in guest appearances), and in several Star Trek films. ...

Meanwhile, Data and Geordi experiment with using Data's brain as a backup for the Enterprise's computer. A seemingly small malfunction occurs. Soon, Data's programming begins to take over parts of the Enterprise's computer--Data's cat food (for Spot) appears when food is ordered from the replicators, and Picard's music is overwritten by Data's. In the holodeck, the outlaw characters start looking like Data. Data, played by Brent Spiner, is a character in the Star Trek fictional universe. ... LeVar Burton as Geordi LaForge Geordi La Forge, a character in the Star Trek fictional universe, holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander, and is the Chief Engineer of the USS Enterprise-D and later the USS Enterprise-E, both under captain Jean-Luc Picard. ... In the Star Trek fictional universe, the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) is the Galaxy class starship that is the principal setting of the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG). ... Spot with Data. ...

Worf has apprehended Eli Hollander, a cowboy accused of murder. Eli's father has come to rescue him, and kidnaps Alexander to use as bait. By this time Worf and Troi have discovered that they cannot end the program, and the holodeck's safety features are off. However, if they can ride the story to its end, the program will terminate on its own. They make a deal with Eli's father: Eli will be exchanged for Alexander. Worf thinks everything is settled, but Troi knows better--the outlaws will certainly try to kill them. They construct a shield to protect Worf from bullets. During the shootout, the outlaws are defeated, but the program does not end until Data, in the character of an enamored woman, throws herself into Worf's arms. Finally, the program ends.

Geordi determines the cause of the malfuctions aboard ship and fixes them. In their quarters, Alexander asks his father if he will ever want to visit Deadwood again, and smiles when he replies in the affirmative.

Commentary

• In this episode we see Captain Picard playing his Ressikan flute, which he learned to play in the episode The Inner Light.
• Why would the holodeck's command functions and safety features be turned off, even if the characters all looked like Data?