Risa

I'm rewatching TNG and season 1 was pretty.... Off. Most of the characters seemed to be cheap knockoffs of their established personas. The most distinctive for me was Brent Spiner (Data), where, I can't put my finger on it, but he just seemed off the the data that I know and love.

I chalk it up to him coming off of being a comedic bit actor and he was still finding himself for the more dramatic role of data. He hadn't really nailed down the robotic methodology of his actions and speech that really makes data stand out. His responses were often quick, to the point of speaking over others, and his actions were fairly fluid and organic, which isn't Data at all.

It really didn't take long for him to work his way into the role (and into our hearts), I'm not criticising Brent by any stretch. He was and I'm sure still is, an incredible actor.... Judging by his fairly recent role reprising Data on Picard, he really hasn't lost his touch.

There's plenty of other things about season one that are odd, but I found Data to be the most notable. Still, worf was a lot more brooding, Picard seemed almost more timid, Riker didn't have a beard.... The only person from season one who I can point to with certainty and say that they didn't seem off from season 1 (compared to how I know the character), was Dr. Crusher. She was hitting it out of the park from day 1.

No matter the oddity, almost all of it was simply gone by the end of season one. I'm partway into season two now and I wouldn't be able to differentiate the characters on screen from any other season of the show, or from their movies.