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Star Trek: The Next Generation
S2.E9
All episodes
All
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

The Measure of a Man

  • Episode aired Feb 11, 1989
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 45m
IMDb RATING
9.1/10
5.6K
YOUR RATING
Amanda McBroom in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
Clip: Data on trial
Play clip1:33
Watch The Best of Star Trek: The Next Generation
1 Video
18 Photos
ActionAdventureSci-Fi
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... Read allWhen 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.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.
IMDb RATING
9.1/10
5.6K
YOUR RATING
    • Robert Scheerer
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry
    • Melinda M. Snodgrass
    • Leonard Mlodinow(story editor)
  • Stars
    • Patrick Stewart
    • Jonathan Frakes
    • LeVar Burton
    • Robert Scheerer
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry
    • Melinda M. Snodgrass
    • Leonard Mlodinow(story editor)
  • Stars
    • Patrick Stewart
    • Jonathan Frakes
    • LeVar Burton
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 41User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    The Best of Star Trek: The Next Generation
    Clip 1:33
    Watch The Best of Star Trek: The Next Generation

    Photos18

    Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, Wil Wheaton, LeVar Burton, Patrick Stewart, and Diana Muldaur in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Amanda McBroom in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Amanda McBroom in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Amanda McBroom in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Patrick Stewart and Amanda McBroom in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Patrick Stewart and Amanda McBroom in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Brian Brophy and Clyde Kusatsu in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Diana Muldaur in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Jonathan Frakes and Brent Spiner in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, Wil Wheaton, and Diana Muldaur in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Patrick Stewart
    Patrick Stewart
    • Captain Jean-Luc Picard
    Jonathan Frakes
    Jonathan Frakes
    • Commander William Thomas 'Will' Riker
    LeVar Burton
    LeVar Burton
    • Lieutenant Geordi La Forge
    Michael Dorn
    Michael Dorn
    • Lieutenant Worf
    Marina Sirtis
    Marina Sirtis
    • Counselor Deanna Troi
    Brent Spiner
    Brent Spiner
    • Lieutenant Commander Data
    Wil Wheaton
    Wil Wheaton
    • Wesley Crusher
    Diana Muldaur
    Diana Muldaur
    • Doctor Katherine Pulaski
    Amanda McBroom
    Amanda McBroom
    • JAG Capt. Phillipa Louvois
    Clyde Kusatsu
    Clyde Kusatsu
    • Adm. Nakamura
    Brian Brophy
    • Cmdr. Bruce Maddox
    Whoopi Goldberg
    Whoopi Goldberg
    • Guinan
    Colm Meaney
    Colm Meaney
    • Chief Miles O'Brien
    Majel Barrett
    Majel Barrett
    • Enterprise Computer
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Michael Braveheart
    • Crewman Martinez
    • (uncredited)
    Denise Crosby
    Denise Crosby
    • Lieutenant Natasha 'Tasha' Yar
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
      • Robert Scheerer
    • Writers
      • Gene Roddenberry
      • Melinda M. Snodgrass
      • Leonard Mlodinow(story editor)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Picard's scene with Guinan was not in the original script. Melinda M. Snodgrass was told that they needed a "Ten-Forward" scene to accommodate Whoopi Goldberg coming in that week.
    • Goofs
      Data tells Picard that Maddox was the only dissenting member of a screening committee that approved his entrance into Starfleet. This implies that the majority approved him. Since only sentient beings can take the oath of a service personnel officer, this would be the grounds for Data's status as a living being, but this is overlooked at the trial.
    • Quotes

      [Picard activates Data's hologram of Tasha Yar]

      Capt. Picard: You have no other portraits of your fellow crew members. Why this person?

      Lt. Commander Data: I would prefer not to answer that question, sir. I gave my word.

      Capt. Picard: [softly] Under the circumstances, I don't think Tasha would mind.

      Lt. Commander Data: She was special to me, sir. We were... intimate.

    • Connections
      Edited into Young Sheldon: An Ugly Car, an Affair and Some Kickass Football (2022)
    • Soundtracks
      Star Trek: The Next Generation Main Title
      Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage

    User reviews41

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Data is more than a toaster or a talking computer...
    A Starfleet officer, Commander Maddox, has a plan--to take Data apart in order to learn how he works and so he can make more. However, the Commander's competence is questionable and Data is worried that he won't be re-assembled properly and will, in effect, die. So, in order to avoid this possible fate, Date decides instead to resign from Starfleet. However, the Commander contents that Data is NOT a living, sentient being and cannot have the right to refuse to his disassembly. So, it's up to Picard to represent Data at a hearing in which his fate will be in the balance.

    The questions as to what constitutes life, the rights of the individual and many other ethical considerations are discussed and made for interesting viewing. While I was NOT as bowled over by the episode as some (one considers it the best show from the series), it was a very good episode. Well crafted and worth seeing.
    helpful•10
    1
    • planktonrules
    • Nov 13, 2014

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 11, 1989 (United States)
      • United States
      • Official site
      • English
      • Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 45 minutes
      • Color
      • Stereo
      • Dolby Digital

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