I firmly believe that Soji’s existence in Star Trek will pave way for more synthetic beings in the franchise

Star Trek: Picard introduced the audience to the future of artificial lifeforms with Dahj and Soji Asha (played by Isa Briones). They are highly advanced androids, even capable of experiencing emotions like human beings.

They are the daughters of one of the more beloved characters from Star Trek: The Next Generation, Data (played by Brent Spiner). The identical androids were created by Bruce Maddox (played by John Ales) using one of Data’s positronic neurons.

Though Dahj finds her end in the hands of Zhat Vash agents, Soji escapes with the help of Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (played by Patrick Stewart) and friends. After the Synthetic ban by the Federation is lifted, Soji will take on the diplomatic route to spread awareness about synthetic beings.

Data was previously the only android main character in the Star Trek universe, with Soji’s presence, the franchise has the exciting opportunity to widen the scope around artificial lifeforms in Starfleet. It could even become an integral part of future Star Trek ventures, including the much-anticipated Starfleet Academy. The subject to also much closer to home as our world explores ideas around artificial intelligence and robotic humanoids.

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Soji’s role in Picard will help future organic synthetic lifeforms in Star Trek

The sun in the Romulan Star System was about to go supernova when they reached out to the Federation to help rescue the citizens. Synthetics were authorized by the Federation to work as laborers in Utopia Planitia shipyards orbiting Mars to make fleets for the rescue operation. Captain Picard was one of the people who oversaw the mission.

However, everything changed when, out of the blue, the synthetics went rogue and attacked the commanding officers. They destroyed the fleets and killed more than 90,000 people. The shocking turn of events compelled the Federation to put a complete ban on synthetics, and the move also stalled the rescue operation of the Romulans.

Dahj, who is unaware of her own circumstances, gets in touch with Picard. He would later access the Starfleet Archive Museum and learn that Dahj looks exactly like a painting done by his long-lost friend Data titled ‘Daughter’. Data had sacrificed his life to save Picard in Star Trek: Nemesis. In Star Trek: Picard, we see the Admiral often fondly reminiscing about his former crew member.

After Dahj’s origin is revealed, she is attacked and killed by Zhat Vash agents, who are a highly secretive faction of the Romulan police called Tal Shiar. They intend to kill synthetics and stop their creation as well. As per their centuries-old prophecy, the synthetics will destroy all organic lifeforms in the galaxy.

Dahj’s identical sister, Soji Asha, is working at the Borg Cube wreckage referred to as the Artifact. Unknown to her, a Zhat Vash spy, Narek (played by Harry Treadaway), befriends her. He would manipulate her to find information about her planet so the Zhat Vash could put an end to all the artificial lifeforms on it.

However, in the nick of time, Soji is rescued by Picard, and with the help of his friends, they arrive at her home planet, Coppelius. The planet had several other synthetic beings like her. After the synthetic ban, Dr. Maddox and Dr. Altan Soong (played by Brent Spiner) established the planet as a base to create a new generation of organic synthetic lifeforms away from the Federation.

During an intense showdown at the end of season 1, Zhat Vash will try to provoke Soji to take extreme steps, but Picard will help her stand down. Soji chooses peace over destruction.

The Federation is made aware of the existence of Zhat Vash, and it is concluded that they were likely responsible for synthetics going rogue on Mars. The Federation finally lifts the ban, ensuring that Soji and her siblings can now live in the world freely. To fight the stigma around synthetic life forms, Soji will even set out on a diplomatic mission across the galaxy to spread awareness and truth about them.

Data has been a constant in the Star Trek universe through The Next Generation and its subsequent movies. In one of the episodes in season 3, titled The Offspring, Data even creates a child using his own structural design. However, the technology was not up to par, and the android would die.

Soji and her siblings are created with a more advanced and refined technology. Star Trek: Picard also establishes the fact that they are not as dangerous as perceived to be by many. Soji is kind and sympathetic. She would display human emotions such as fear, anger, and sadness, even shedding tears. You read it right. The android is unlike anything else that existed in the Star Trek universe before. The fact not only makes its existence unique but also paves the way for more android characters in the franchise.

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