Product Details

• Actors: LeVar Burton, Gates McFadden
• Directors: LeVar Burton, Gates McFadden, Gabrielle Beaumont, Robert Becker, Cliff Bole
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Language: English, French
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Paramount
• VHS Release Date: August 27, 1996
• Run Time: 46 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304111045
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #418,784 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

After receiving an unexpected and passionate kiss, Data becomes intrigued by the idea of dating Ensign Jenna Anaya (Michele Scarabelli). Incapable of experiencing human emotions, he seeks advice from friends and then creates a special program to guide him through the intricacies of love.

Meanwhile, when the Enterprise draws close to an unexplored nebula, objects around the ship mysteriously begin to disappear. When a section of the ship's floor vanishes, accidentally killing a crew member, Data surmises the disturbances may be caused by pockets of dark matter in the nebula.

Realizing the ship is in grave danger, Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) boards a shuttle and attempts to guide the starship to safety. But like Data's relationship, traversing the nebula proves to be a challenging and dangerous experience!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best stories are those about people's personal lives, July 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Star Trek - The Next Generation, Episode 99: In Theory [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Data has always been my favorite character of any star trek series. I've always liked those episodes that delt more with the personal lives of the crew rather than some planetary problem. Here, There are moments that are both interesting and histarical! For instance, people who know the Data character know that he never yells for no reason, but when he is told that all couples fight, he starts a fight with his girlfriend for no reason just because he thinks he is susposed to. It doesn't get much more funny than that.

P.S. MR. BERNADO! I am interested to know that name of that novel where Wesley finds out about Datas' program. If you could tell me I would happy. Thank you.=)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just reward for foolishness, August 20, 2002

By 

kallan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Star Trek - The Next Generation, Episode 99: In Theory [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is the story of two people whose romantic relationship falls apart because they got involved with each other for all the wrong reasons.
When Jenna D'Sora wonders aloud why she doesn't fall for someone like Data and then kisses him, the emotionless android ponders, on this minimal encouragement, whether to pursue a relationship with her. After asking advice of all and sundry, he does. And then both he and Jenna discover that Data's unique nature does not make romance an easy prospect.

"In Theory" tackled the subject of Data and romance very well, I thought. It's a sad tale, as we see Jenna's growing disillusionment with Data, and her painful realisation that she did not know him, or herself for that matter, as well as she thought she did. The lack of impact the whole business has on Data is a pointed lesson in itself.
In the other story thread, the Enterprise finds itself in difficulties on account of the mysterious "dark matter" surrounding it. It's a competent plot, but nothing special. And why does Picard always insist on doing the flying himself? Where are all the young hot-shot pilots with superior skills to those of their ageing captain?
It's nice to see that Data has friends and interests beyond the command crew, and you really do feel for him and Jenna as what seems to have been a very comfortable friendship is destroyed. But they are both very silly people. Jenna seems to have been convinced that Data had hidden depths to be discovered, and is quite definitely on the rebound. And Data's motivations seem all selfish; he seems to have no better reason to romance Jenna than "because I can". Perhaps that was another lesson about the character - thoughtlessness and an abysmal lack of understanding can still be possible for Data after so long amongst Humans.
I do find "In Theory" a difficult episode to watch. Data's behaviour makes me cringe, it is so awful. But it is a good episode; thoughtful, well-written, and moving.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In Theory Data's emotions aren't real, June 5, 2002

By 

picardfan007 (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Star Trek - The Next Generation, Episode 99: In Theory [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"In Theory" emotionally unavailable men aren't good at relationships

Take a guy like Data and the poor Ensign Jenna Anaya. She has a thing for men who are emotionally unavailable. I have to say why did you think Data could provide any real emotion? Before his emotion chip was available this romance was doomed from the start.

The Dark Matter part of the story is much better. While Data is attempting to get in touch with his feelings; parts of the ship start vanishing. There is a good part in this one where Picard has to travel through the nebula to stop the Dark Matter.