| "Elementary, Dear Data" | |
|---|---|
| Star Trek: The Next Generation episode | |
 | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 3 |
| Directed by | Rob Bowman |
| Written by | Brian Alan Lane |
| Featured music | Dennis McCarthy |
| Cinematography by | Edward R. Brown |
| Production code | 129 |
| Original air date | December 5, 1988 |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Elementary, Dear Data" is the third episode of the second season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 29th episode overall. It was written by Brian Alan Lane and directed by Rob Bowman. It was originally released on December 5, 1988, in broadcast syndication.
Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the Federation starship Enterprise-D. In this episode, a holographic adversary is created on the holodeck of the Enterprise when Data and Geordi take some time off to play a Sherlock Holmes game. The plot line from this episode was continued in the sixth season episode "Ship in a Bottle", and the Moriarty character appeared a third time in "The Bounty" (the sixth episode of Star Trek: Picard season 3).
In 1989, "Elementary, Dear Data" was nominated for two Emmy Awards: Outstanding Art Direction for a Series, Richard D. James, Art Director; Jim Mees, Set Decorator and Outstanding Costume Design for a Series, Durinda Wood, Costume Designer; William Ware Theiss, Starfleet Uniforms Creator.[1]