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Title: The Measure of a Man (11 Feb 1989)
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| Episode complete credited cast: | |||
| Patrick Stewart | ... | Capt. Jean-Luc Picard | |
| Jonathan Frakes | ... | Cmdr. William Riker | |
| LeVar Burton | ... | Lt. Geordi La Forge | |
| Michael Dorn | ... | Lt. Worf | |
| Marina Sirtis | ... | Counselor Deanna Troi | |
| Brent Spiner | ... | Lt. Cmdr. Data | |
| Wil Wheaton | ... | Wesley Crusher | |
| Diana Muldaur | ... | Doctor Pulaski | |
| Amanda McBroom | ... | JAG Capt. Phillipa Louvois | |
| Clyde Kusatsu | ... | Adm. Nakamura | |
 |
Brian Brophy | ... | Cmdr. Bruce Maddox |
| Whoopi Goldberg | ... | Guinan | |
| Colm Meaney | ... | Chief Miles O'Brien | |
At Starbase 173, the crew have a bit of leave. Data learns some of the intricacies of playing poker while Captain Picard runs into an old friend of a sort, Captain Phillipa Louvois, who established a new JAG office at the base. She once prosecuted him, unsuccessfully, but there is admiration at least, on both sides. Problems arise however when Commander Bruce Maddox receives permission to disassemble Data to determine how he functions. When Data expresses doubts about Maddox's likelihood of success, he refuses to undergo the procedure and resigns his commission. He soon finds himself the center of a judicial inquiry to determine if he is just a machine and a piece of property or a sentient being who has the right to make his own decisions. Captain Louvois finds herself sitting in judgment with Captain Picard defending Data's claim against Commander Riker who is forced to present the opposing arguments. Written by garykmcd
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In this episode, whether Data is a sentient being or merely property of Starfleet is determined, to see whether he has the free will to reject the request of unskilled cyberneticist Bruce Maddox to disassemble him. Initially, JAG captain Phillipa Louvois rules summarily in favor of Maddox, so Picard requests a hearing.
Louvois initially says "Data is a toaster", indicating that toasters are still popular in the 24th century and thus that toast can't be replicated.
One does wonder about the consequences to the Federation's supposedly superior morals if Data is property. We previously learned in "Datalore" that Data had been found on Omicron Theta by Starfleet officers and so if he's only property, Starfleet would be guilty of the theft of Dr. Sung's property.
Still, this is the best episode of season 2. It's what Star Trek is supposed to be about, an exploration of what constitutes a person, even if it does ignore some legal questions. The worst part here is Dr. Pulaski, as cynical and culturally insensitive as always.