Object
Data's Meerschaum Pipe
A finely crafted meerschaum pipe, its pale bowl molded into an ornate design with intricate carving, warmed to a soft glow from use. Geordi presents this iconic prop to Data with theatrical flourish, its weight resting comfortably in the android's precise grip as he adopts the mannerisms of Sherlock Holmes. The pipe becomes an essential accessory in Data's holodeck persona—clenched between teeth during moments of deduction, gestured with for emphasis, and used to punctuate his period-perfect performance as Victorian London's greatest detective. Its presence transforms Data's Starfleet bearing into something distinctly Holmesian, bridging 24th-century technology with 19th-century affectation.
3 appearances
Purpose
To serve as a key prop for Data's Sherlock Holmes holodeck persona, enabling authentic period-accurate roleplay and providing physical focus for deduction scenes.
Significance
Symbolizes the playful intellectual partnership between Data and Geordi as they transition from officers to detective duo. The pipe's gifting scene foreshadows the coming crisis by framing their adventure as harmless nostalgia—an underestimation of holodeck dangers that will soon manifest. As Data's primary Holmesian accessory, it visually anchors the simulation's reality while mirroring Geordi's earlier starship model as another antiquated object romanticized beyond its era.
Appearances in the Narrative
When this object appears and how it's used