I left a comment about this on Tiktok but i wanted to expand a little here. (also my tiktok is lt-commandertom but i haven’t posted anything yet im jus a lurker.)
When Lal is first activated her first experiences of the gender binary in humans/many humanoids (including Betazoids) is Data, her father, who created her and gave her life, and Deanna Troi. Deanna is the first woman Lal ever sees, and Data is the first male-presenting humanoid being she ever sees.
Before Lal chose her physical appearance and gender identity, she remarks that she would like to look like Deanna (of course, it’s Marina Sirtis, she’s beautiful). She likes Deanna, and Data is her father, so of course she is strongly attached to him and feels like they are a family. So this is Lal’s first true social bond created with someone outside of her family (Data).
Now, call me crazy… But the face and body Lal ends up choosing look almost like a mixture between Deanna and Data’s features. I could be reaching, but she shares Deanna’s mouth shape, cheekbones, and a similar jawline. She also has a nose similarly shaped to Data’s, and the same shaped eyebrows and chin.
I doubt this was intentional, but it is a heartwarming coincidence that Lal, not knowing or understanding any of the processes or accompanied social and cultural undertones of parenthood, chooses to model her features after the first two connections she makes in her life, almost like a child. (This is not a Deanna/Data ship post but i see yall out there and i respect and love yall)
It likely is just a coincidence with casting, but it makes watching this episode even more fascinating, in my opinion. Just another brilliantly android-human about these characters.
And, of course, its Lal, whom I love and adore so much. Love this sweet angelic mayfly. Sleeping angel in Data’s memory banks.
