Another interesting story line would be to have Lore know about the explosion and “plant” his own head in a place that it would be found and thought to be Data’s, only no one knows for say another movie or two or book or two. That would shake things up.

Are there many ways to bring back Data? Sure… this is SciFi we are talking about.

There comes a point, however, when repeating the same theme becomes tiresome.

Spock’s resurrection from the dead in Star Trek III was unique and emotionally valuable.

Kirk’s resurrection from the dead in Star Trek: The Return (novel) was interesting, though questionable on the part of many.

To raise Data from the dead would be both boring and tiresome. It’s been done twice (once on screen, once in books), it takes the sting out of Data’s death, and while I will concede that it might be interesting, questionable is just the beginning of the criticisims that at least I would level at it.

Data is dead. The novels need to leave it that way. Real life, even in the 24th century, has real consequences. Death is one of them… even for an android.

Rob+

And yes, since Data is a machine, there are many more ways to bring him back than a living being. This being Trek, there’s no shortage of ways to bring back living beings.

Anyone’s idea for bringing back Data would work. My version? The death of Data still haunts Picard. He reads the historical records of Kirk’s successful search for Spock. He then gets Geordie and the rest of the crew on the idea of searching for Data. And, of course, they find him. Of course, they have to throw in some details (I’m not a writer). Perhaps they have to use B4’s body or whatever. Perhaps Geordie locates a homing device for other positronic devices inside B4…

As for Brent Spiner’s aging? Data simply runs an “aging” routine to feel more a part of his aging friends and colleagues. I believe this was mentioned in a movie or a TV episode. And there you have it, wa-la, Data is back.

Try the DS9 Relaunch, Vanguard, the SCE etc.

While reading Mr. Lyons review, which I agree with, I started thinking that the Q&A novel would make an excellent script for a new TNG movie.

Having Q back, Riker in command of his own ship, Worf second in command on the Enterprise–all these elements would generate a huge interest in a new TNG movie. Anyone from Paramount reading these comments here? Hello?

Give us a new TNG move franchise starting with Q&A, and then we can have a JJ Abrams TOS movie one year, and look forward to the new TNG movie the next. And they can alternate release years for the next ten years!

Alternatively, there is always TV….