S2.E9

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The Measure of a Man

Episode aired Feb 11, 1989
TV-PGTV-PG
45m

IMDb RATING

9.1/10

5.5K

YOUR RATING

Amanda McBroom in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)

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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

5.5K

YOUR RATING

- Robert Scheerer
Writers
- Gene Roddenberry
- Melinda M. Snodgrass
- Leonard Mlodinow(story editor)
Stars

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Videos1

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)

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)

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)

Storyline

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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

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.

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