Why were Data's and Worf's quarters so small?

[Ottens]

I know the real-world explanation: there were two types of crew quarters, so at least some of the regular cast had to be assigned the small one, otherwise why build the set?

But in-universe, it doesn't make a lot of sense. There are plenty of windows on the Enterprise-D saucer, many of which are presumably for crew quarters. All the other senior staff had the big quarters with windows.

We can make the in-universe explanation for Data that, as an android, he doesn't need a lot of space, nor would he care for a view.

But Worf? Especially once Alexander moves in to live with him on the Enterprise, it seems unfair to keep him in such small quarters. Beverly and Wesley shared an apartment with windows.

I don't remember if we ever saw Geordi's quarters?

 

[UssGlenn]

Worf, as a lieutenant, is the lowest ranking member of the senior staff. He would have gotten larger quarters after his promotion, had the ship not been destroyed.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Maybe they didn't need or want larger quarters?

Worf is obviously not one for luxury, and I doubt Data would require much space either (since he doesn't need to sleep).

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Data, you already answered yourself.

Worf, as a Klingon would feel obligated to have a small spartan quarters as close as he could get to something on a Klingon ship as could be done on the luxury cruise ship Enterprise-D. I bet he could have had larger quarters and refused because it would somehow make him less Klingon in his eyes.

 

[Ottens]

I find that explanation -- Worf wanted for spartan quarters -- more believable than "he was just a lieutenant". The number of windows on the saucer suggests there should be enough large quarters for ever lieutenant and above on the ship.

 

[Ottens]

Looked it up - we did see Geordi's quarters, in "Galaxy's Child", when he's prepared dinner for Dr Brahms.

His quarters were of the small type too.

Possible in-universe explanation: they're close to main engineering?

 

[Ragitsu]

 

[Takeru]

I don't remember if we ever saw Geordi's quarters?

We did, when he made dinner for Leah Brahms and when he shot the changeling dog for example. He also had small windowless ones.

Data makes a lot of sense, all he probably really wants is a computer terminal, I wouldn't be surprised if most of his quarters were Spot's territory and I can biuy that Worf preferred more minimalistic quarters but Geordie doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

[Richard S. Ta]

Really Data's quarters should have had a cat-flap so that Spot would be free to wander the ship.

 

[Ottens]

Maybe apartments aren't assigned according to rank, but family status? Couples and families get priority for large apartments with windows, and the rest are filled according to rank?

 

[Richard S. Ta]

I’m not sure I agree that Data wouldn’t have wanted larger quarters and would have been happy in a wardrobe with a computer terminal or whatever.

We see over the course of the series that he’s constantly trying things that humans do in an attempt to understand emotions and so on. He goes dating, has a pet, takes up painting etc.

I imagine he would have liked a room with a view, purely from the perspective of trying to understand why people like to have rooms with views.

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

Perhaps Geordi doesn't want a room with a view because he wouldn't get the benefit of it with his VISOR.

Personally I'd probably choose the smaller quarters too, as I don't want aliens staring at me when I sleep. It'd also dramatically decrease the chance of all my stuff getting blown into space through a hull breach while I was at work.

 

[UssGlenn]

It's still generally allocated by rank. Ensigns have roommates, Captains get multiple rooms. I know the 24th century is evolved and egalitarian, but Starfleet needs to give you something for taking on additional responsibility, even if the restrictions on space are artificial.

Lt. Commanders seem to be the transition to the larger quarters. Troi has windows, Data and Laforge don't. Strangely, Data has been. Lt. Commander longer than Troi, so he really should have priority there.

 

[Kor]

Worf was working with what was available on a Starfleet ship. By Klingon standards, even his smallish quarters were too comfortable. Look at all that space with the sleeping area and the living/sitting room, and then there's all that cushy furniture! Maybe an unfurnished corner in the cargo bay would have been better for him.

Kor

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

At least he only had to put up with it for 8 years or so, before moving to the nice cramped uncomfortable Defiant.

 

[Ragitsu]

Hey, there are no lavatories; I consider the absence of that particular necessity "spartan" enough!

 

[Skipper]

Did we ever see civilians/family's quarters?

 

[at Quark's]

...I doubt Data would require much space either (since he doesn't need to sleep).

Going by what Data required, he probably only would have needed a place to stand, a computer interface directly into his positronic brain for information /energy upload , and perhaps a closet for storing some maintenance tools.

It's his endless quest for emulating humanity that made him 'require' things like a bed, room to paint, Spot, etc.

 

[Ottens]

Lt. Commanders seem to be the transition to the larger quarters. Troi has windows, Data and Laforge don't.

But if only lieutenant commanders and up get apartments with a view, there must be a lot of empty apartments in the saucer section!

Perhaps Geordi doesn't want a room with a view because he wouldn't get the benefit of it with his VISOR.

That's a good point! Maybe, like Worf, he requested smaller quarters, because he's single and wouldn't benefit from windows anyway.

 

[Ottens]

Did we ever see civilians/family's quarters?

Beverly and Wesley Crusher shared quarters. In "Lonely Among Us", for example, Beverly got "home" and asked Wesley about his homework.

Marla Aster and her son also had large quarters with windows in "The Bonding".