Star Trek The Next Generation: Lore was going to be a love interest for Data

Star Trek: The Next Generation was going to see Lore as a love interest for Data.

Remember Lore? The Star Trek: The Next Generation character that was just Brent Spiner but as a different version of Data, essentially? Most do, and most remember him as Data’s “evil twin”. It was an intriguing angle for the show and one that showcased both the good and bad of creating sentient life within computerized machines.

What most fans may not know is that wasn’t the original plan for the Lore character. Originally, the character wasn’t going to be Data’s brother but instead a female android, whom Data would develop feelings for.

According to Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion book by Larry Nemecek (via Memory Alpha), that’s exactly what Lore was supposed to be.

"Lore was originally planned to be a female android, to provide a love interest for Data. Her job would have been to go out and repair dangerous situations. It was Brent Spiner who suggested the old “evil twin” concept be used instead. (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (2nd ed., p. 46)) The female android concept was later used in the third season episode “The Offspring”, although this interpretation had the new android as Data’s “child” rather than a potential love interest."

The love interest for Data would have been more compelling

By no means should Star Trek have done the female love-droid instead of Lore, but they should’ve done something with that idea early on in the series. It could have played into the old monster movie where Dr. Frankenstein creates the Bride for his Monster. Since we know about the brother’s creator, why not do something similar like that.

Having him fall in love with the new mate, only for her to lose her mind; forcing Data to face off with his paramour. It would’ve been incredible and could’ve been a two-parter to really look at how he loved and lost.

Then you could bring in Lore after that. It could set up an entirely different emotional experience for the character, one that would be different, yet equally heartbreaking.