What Episode Does Data Sleep with Tasha?

Data and Tasha Yar share an intimate encounter in "The Naked Now," the third episode of the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

The Context of "The Naked Now"

"The Naked Now" originally aired on October 5, 1987. In this notable early episode, the crew of the USS Enterprise-D becomes afflicted by a strange "polywater intoxication" from a damaged starship. This substance has a unique effect, causing the crew members to lose their inhibitions and act out their suppressed desires and emotions. This phenomenon leads to several unusual and memorable interactions throughout the ship.

Data and Tasha Yar's Encounter

Within this altered state, Security Chief Tasha Yar experiences a profound shift in her behavior. Known for her disciplined and professional demeanor, she becomes overwhelmed by a desire for intimacy. Understanding that Data, as an android, is immune to the effects of the intoxication, Tasha seeks him out. She explicitly states her desire to experience intimacy before it's "too late," given the highly emotional and potentially dangerous circumstances affecting the rest of the crew.

This encounter is significant for several reasons:

• It marks one of Data's earliest explorations of human emotion and physical intimacy, albeit under highly unusual circumstances.
• It provides a poignant look into Tasha Yar's character, revealing her deeper emotional needs and vulnerabilities before her eventual departure from the series.
• The episode itself pays homage to the original Star Trek series episode "The Naked Time," which featured a similar plot device leading to crew members losing their inhibitions.

Episode Details

For those looking to revisit this pivotal episode, here are the key details:

This particular episode remains a memorable moment in Star Trek: The Next Generation history, highlighting the early development of its characters and exploring themes of human emotion and artificial intelligence.