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"Star Trek: The Next Generation" The Measure of a Man (1989)
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Overview
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Original Air Date:
11 February 1989
(Season 2, Episode 9)
Plot:
When Data resigns his commission rather than be dismantled for examination by an inadequately skilled scientist, a formal hearing is convened to determine whether Data is considered property without rights or is a sentient being. | add synopsis
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Best episode of the ST:TNG series.
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This is the first episode to feature a poker game in Commander Riker's quarters. This would become a common feature of the show for its duration with various officers and crew participating.
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Continuity: During the trial, Picard clasps his hands in front of him and looks down; the shot then changes to show Picard still looking down but his arms are apart.
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Captain Phillipa Louvois:
Overt sentimentality is not one of Captain Picard's failings. Trust me, I know.
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Of all the episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, this is the episode that I consider, without hesitation, to be the best episode of the series. Its brilliant writing explores many facets including the right to choose your pathway in life (be you android or not), what makes a "sentient being" ("Does Data have a soul?"), the ethics of robotics (do we have the right to make slaves out of them?), friendship, camaraderie, and other factors.
As MTDAVIES mentioned, this is the type of storyline that Gene Roddenberry wanted for "Star Trek". By the time this episode came along, most of us who watched the series were already attached to the Enterprise crew, and especially to Data as he was the foil for exploring ourselves and the human condition. To have Data be told that he didn't have the right to choose for himself was inconceivable. The resulting JAG case was riveting as well as emotional.
You just can't ask for better Star Trek than this. This also ranks very highly in the "Best Science Fiction ... period" category.