Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series) The Measure of a Man (1989) User Reviews

Best episode of the ST:TNG series.

[Mike_Wiggins · 10/10 · 6 December 2007]

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.

It could be used in an ethics class!

[mtdavies · 10/10 · 30 November 2006]

Too many people look at the Trek stories and shows as "just science fiction" but Gene Rodenberry had much more in mind. This episode stayed true to Rodenberry's vision and made us think and question. It looked at themes of Civil Rights and Slavery.. it looked at ethics, morality and science all intermingling.

There was some excellent acting in this one. Whoopi Goldberg, Diana Muldaur, Patrick Stewart & Brent Spiner all played their prospective roles particularly well. But, in my opinion, it was the character of Riker that played the most difficult role in this story and Jonathan Frakes pulled it off excellently!

The character of Lt. Commander Data, the android crew member, was an ingenious invention of the Next Generation writers. Each time they explored his character the more interesting he became. This story, by Melinda M. Snodgrass, however, is the best of those explorations of character. It could be used in an ethics class! It is a definite "must see!"

No disassemble!

[Mr-Fusion · 10/10 · 6 May 2016]

So, the Enterprise pulls into a starbase where some incredible jackass is waiting to take Data apart for study, come hell or high water. Does Data get a say in this? Course not, so Picard drags everyone into the courtroom to hash this out. Is this a legal drama? Yes. Boring? Hell no, and that's part of why 'The Measure of a Man' is the best episode of the show thus far: it's riveting. Jean-Luc lets righteous indignation do the talking, and to see Patrick Stewart all fired up is to watch a gifted actor command the screen.

But it also asks the important questions about Data. Sure, he has some sweet superpowers, but is he more than an appliance, there to acquiesce to Starfleet's whims? It's a story about slavery, basic rights and free will. And very well done at that.

10/10

Where is the line drawn?

[jimmybettinson27 · 9/10 · 21 January 2014]

The usual reaction from the uninitiated when you tell them you like Star Trek is, why? Some people will just never get it, and while I concede that some people are also in danger of getting it a bit too much, classing Star Trek as just sci fi can mean you miss out on some real gems. I have to confess I'm a sci fi fan, conventions attended by uniform wearing devotees is not really my bag but what I do think is that the genre has offered some of the most profound work that has ever been put on film. The original series suffers a great deal from parody and the fact that like any vision of the future it doesn't age well, but it was a real envelope pusher in it's day, a black female regular cast member at a time of palpable racial tension in the United States is a bold move, having her perform the first interracial kiss on network television is not only bold it's historically important. Using science fiction as a metaphor for relevant issues of the day worked very well, and people dig funny aliens and scantily clad green women. Though far from perfect the series never shied away from a hard story line or controversial character and managed to break barriers on the screen and off it. The two decade interval between the cancellation of the original television show and the revival of the franchise with the Next Generation and it's subsequent off shoots meant that the real world was given a bit of time to catch up to Star Trek's ideals if only in spirit than real action. The producers of the new show (which for a time included Star Trek deus Gene Roddenberry until he went on to the greater adventure) did an amazing job with casting. The original crew had long since been elevated to the pantheon of sci fi gods due to syndicated repeats and the successful movie spin offs and they left some pretty big moon boots to fill, but the newbies were up to the job and within a short time they had amassed their own cult following. In fact the antecedent had a far shorter run and after birthing the superfan it soon ran out of steam. It was then drip fed in to pop culture with animation and feature films. By the end of the eighties the well oiled machine that is American television production focused grouped together a superior sequel. The superior part is of course just my opinion. Most of the aliens were still rather obviously guys in rubber suits, and a shaky camera more than often doubled up as a strike from an enemy vessel. In both series the main cast was anchored by the captain, in the original series William Shatner played Kirk as a louche man of action, who would usually get himself in trouble by disregarding orders and not keeping it in his space trousers. The decision was made for the next captain to be less kinetic and more cerebral and Patrick Stewart was able to imbue Picard with an air of Shakespearean authority. While a classic Kirk episode would involve a punch up, a neurotic but deadly cosmic female in not much clothing and a gorn, Stewart's theatre background allowed classic Picard episodes to become more talky affairs. "Measure of a man" is an almost perfect vehicle to show this off. At the start the Enterprise and her crew are visiting a nice big space station for some essential maintenance, little aware that some old flames and new slimeballs are waiting to disrupt the interstellar harmony aboard ship. In a moment that has viewers thinking that they should just get it on and get it over with, Picard meets up with Captain Phillipa Louvois, a blast from his pre Enterprise past who is now the senior legal officer in that neck of the galaxy and it is established that much tension, sexual and otherwise still exists. Elsewhere an Admiral getting a tour of the federation's flagship nonchalantly gives a transfer order to Brent Spiner's Commander Data, ordering him to report to the robotics laboratory of Brian Brophy's awfully greasy Commander Maddox. When pushed for a little more detail Maddox reveals to Picard that the transfer will involve the dismantling our favorite android with little or no hope of putting the tin man back together. How outrageous. With any serial the writers are able to present us with different scenarios for our fave characters to be tested with each week while staying true to the core themes. A sci fi show can just as easily take the form of a detective drama, or as in this case a courtroom debate. The problem is having a cast talented enough to pull this off and with Star Trek TNG we are very lucky to have justthat. Brent Spiner will forever be in the hearts of innumerable geeks(myself included) as the pale faced golden eyed metal man who wants nothing more than to be what we take for granted, human. He lives life cut off from emotion but manages to teach lessons to one and all from the morally superior high ground one gains through the inability to feel anything.Patrick Stewart is a stage animal, give the man the words and he will make them seem as sent by god, have him argue that an artificial life form is as sentient as you or I and you might not hit your toaster with the same venom you used to next time it burns your crumpets. Add to this the ever classy Whoopie Goldberg drawing some parallels from history to the debate raging today, and a show about aliens becomes an impeccably presented morality play, asking where does the line between service and slavery fall? And they are doing all this on a wicked cool space ship. Awesome.

Great little piece of television.

[das-19 · 10/10 · 3 December 2012]

From the setup to the finale, this is a well paced, well acted and well plotted drama. There are moments of humor amid a true detailed exploration of the meaning of humanity, reminiscent of the works of Asimov.

Guinan is never used more effectively, and Whoopi's performance is uncannily nuanced, dripping with the precocious wisdom that defines her character. Shows what a strong dramatic actor Whoopi is, and makes me wish the character was used more with this level of effect. The best ethicist on a ship full of them.

Falters a little with Riker's reticence and feelings of betrayal, Frakes just can't deliver the internal pressure at the same level as his peers though he does his best and it's not offensive.

Ending is predictable but satisfying nonetheless, with an epilogue that caps the affair nicely. On par with the best television has to offer, and certainly the best episode of the season if not the series.

problem with the premise of this plot line

[losmwl · 9/10 · 21 January 2011]

This episode does a great job of exploring the nature of humanity and freedom. But there's always been one thing that bothered me about this episode as it relates to the whole Star Trek universe. Commander Maddox makes the statement that Data is a piece of machinery, no different than the ship's computer. However, Data is COMMANDER Data, a commissioned Starfleet officer, who graduated from Starfleet Academy. The ship's computer can make statements and recommendations, which crew members can evaluate, then either accept or reject. As a command officer, if Data gave an order and a crew member chose not to obey it, that crew member risked a court martial. This directly implies that Starfleet recognized Data as a sentient being, and not a "calculator" to be experimented upon. In all fairness, I also realize that by using this argument, Gene Roddenberry would have ended up with a very short episode.

Data Has Rights!

[Samuel-Shovel · 10/10 · 1 August 2019]

In "The Measure of a Man" a Federation scientist wants to declare Data "Star Fleet Property" so he can turn Data off and take him apart and see how he takes. Commander Maddox's grand plan is to create thousands of Data's so they can be of help all over the galaxy. Data wants to resign from Star Fleet because he's worried Maddox doesn't know what he's doing and won't be able to revive Data with his memories and functions intact.

They two sides go to court at a new JAG outpost supervised by an old flame/nemesis of Picard's. She initially declares Data property similar to the Enterprise's computer. Picard is tasked with defending Data in court. As the second highest aboard, Riker is forced to prosecute against his desire. If he doesn't (or does his job badly), JAG Captain Phillipa Louvois will call the trial off and let Maddox do what he wishes to Data.

The trial starts off badly for Data with Riker bringing up valid points and turning Data off at one point. But a recess does Picard a world of good. He heads to Ten Forward where Guinan gives him some sagely advice on what this precedent what mean for Data as the first of his race: basically slavery

Using this argument and proving Data's sentience, Riker tears down Maddox's arguments and claims. Louvois doesn't feel comfortable dooming an entire race of androids to subservience and let's Data walk and free man and rejoin the Enterprise.

This is the first truly great episode of TNG. I typically dislike courtroom episodes of any of the Star Trek series but this one is by far the best of the bunch. It's got a great moral dilemma, superb acting from Stewart and Spiner, and a topical analogy that will be questioned for decades to come.

I don't really have much to criticize about this episode. I guess I don't really understand the regulations: why does Riker have to be the prosecution here? Why can't they make Maddox or Admiral Nakamura do it? If Nakamura is the highest ranking officer here, can't he do it? Also Maddox is the same rank as Riker. Can't they substitute him in? He's got more of a horse in this race anyways.

But I'm nitpicking. This episode is an all time classic that still holds up in 2019!

The Essence of What Star Trek Has Always Been About

[spasek · 10/10 · 7 July 2022]

It has been said that you can determine how evolved a civilization is by how well it treats the least among its members.

This is one of the most profound episodes in the history of Star Trek, providing the type of discussion that you might find in university philosophy classes. It asks questions that--as Captain Louvois aptly states--are best left to saints and philosophers. Indeed, humanity--whether it be from religion, philosophy or science--has been asking since the dawn of time.

What is Life? What is a soul? What is consciousness? And who fits into these answers?

Data has been ordered to submit to a research project that might endanger his memory and all that he is. He refuses. Due to Commander Maddox, Starfleet rescinds an order that Data can resign. In short, he is viewed as the property of Starfleet. And so the argument begins as Captain Picard challenges the ruling, with Commander Riker given in the unpleasant task of proving that Data is just a machine.

Riker's argument is so convincing that Picard is stymied--until he speaks with Guinan. I love Guinan in how she doesn't provide answers, but asks questions that help someone find those answers on their own. Such is a true teacher. Guinan helps Picard understand the magnitude of this case, and why it is so important, as well as how history is riddled with "disposable people" who had no rights, but were considered to be property. This is one of the most memorable and profound scenes of the series.

Star Trek beautifully puts the aforementioned questions to the test, with one additional question that may be the most important of all: Does Data have the right to choose? Freedom of choice is considered by many to be the greatest gift of all; a gift that every single lifeform is entitled to.

There have been many stories involving machines and whether or not they are sentient and have rights. Stories from Isaac Asimov to 2001: A Space Odyssey to Blade Runner, to The Terminator series, and--perhaps one of the best that went down this road in tremendous detail--Battlestar Galactica.

This is an episode that should be required viewing in high schools and universities. Perhaps even middle schools and elementary students could learn a thing or two. For I'm often amazed at how humans treat other humans. How humans treat animals. How humans treat things. Much of this is very revealing in our progress as a civilization and a species, and how much farther we have yet to go. This episode could easily be titled, "The Measure of Humanity."

There it sits!

[gritfrombray-1 · 10/10 · 4 May 2007]

At the start of this, trivia buffs should know, we get to see the first poker game seen. Shortly later an Admiral comes aboard and brings a cybernetics expert on board who wishes to disassemble Data and fit him with an experimental new positronic brain. Data asks a few questions about the procedure and Commander Maddox is a little vague and Data declines and is then handed reassignment orders to Starbase 173 under Maddox's command. Picard tries to block these orders and the whole thing eventually ends up in a court. Is Data person or property? Riker is ordered to prosecute and Picard to defend. This courtroom drama is brilliant character stuff and Frakes puts in one hell of a performance. Stewart puts on almost as good a show and is crushed as Riker begins to prove a better case. Guinan puts Picard on the right track and it is about Maddox eventually creating a entire generation of slaves to be used at mankind's discretion. After winning the case Data goes to Riker and asks him to join the celebration. Riker declines as he almost won his case against him. Data tells Riker flatly, that had he not prosecuted, Captain Louvois would have ruled against him. By prosecuting, he actually saved him. Riker smiles and leaves with Data in the final uplifting scene. This is what Star Trek is all about. Equality and character definition.

Best Generation

[Fluke_Skywalker · 8/10 · 19 October 2017]

Plot; When a Starfleet scientist wants to disassemble Commander Data in an effort to reverse engineer him for future mass production, a hearing is held to determine if the android is Starfleet property or if he has individual rights.

Though I watched the first few seasons of Next Generation (and all of its subsequent movies) growing up, I've always tended to like my Trek of the original series variety. There are a number of reasons for this. For one, I prefer the Kirk/Spock/McCoy trifecta to the more ensemble approach of TNG (though I respect the latter and the actors who bring it to life). I also tend to think of TNG as a bit too... I dunno, self righteous? Goody goody? Woke? For my tastes, anyway. I like the (relative) rougher edges of the original series. But I've wanted to go back and explore a little TNG, so I figured, why not start w/one of its best regarded episodes. Good call, that.

"The Measure of a Man" is fantastic television. On paper a Picard vs. (a reluctant) Riker courtroom drama over Data's rights sounds a little dull, but as written it's smart and compelling stuff. This is an episode that nourishes the mind and the soul, earning its happy ending w/o cheats and never once becoming cloying. The performances are also quite good. Patrick Stewart has rightfully won many accolades over the years, but his cast mates don't typically find themselves listed among the great thespians of their age. That said, they're all very good in their roles, and Jonathan Frakes was never better than he is here.

I don't know that one episode is enough to make me a Next Gen convert, but I'm very pleased to say that watching an episode regarded as one of its best by those who love it, I'm inclined to agree.

Data is more than a toaster or a talking computer...

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 13 November 2014]

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.

What is the measure of a man?

[russem31 · 14 April 2006]

ST:TNG:35 - "The Measure Of A Man" (Stardate: 42523.7) - this is the 9th episode to air in the second season of The Next Generation. This is one of the more intelligent of the TNG episodes dealing with an ethical and moral dilemma - what is the measure of a man, is Data just the property of Starfleet to do with whatever they want just because he's an android (and therefore has no personal freedoms) - would that border on slavery as Whoopi Goldberg (in another appearance as Guinan) points out? Also, Picard meets someone from his past - Judge Advocate General, Phillipa Louvois who was at Picard's Stargazer court martial hearing. Trivia: this is the first time you see the Enterprise crew playing poker together (including Data, Geordi, Riker, Pulaski, and O'Brien) - Data learns the meaning of bluff and what a poker face really means. This is also the first of 3 appearances by Clyde Kusatsu as Admiral Nakamura and a hologram appearance by Tasha Yar. VERY intelligent writing in this episode which makes it one of my favorites.

Outrageous injustice against any Decorated Officer

[jseph1234-262-617488 · 7/10 · 17 July 2022]

I first of all enjoyed the "I, Robot" and "I think, therefore I am" subject matter of this episode BUT I believe the basic premise of ANY Decorated Military Officer being subject to this type of scrutiny is Outrageous!

I recall from "A Few Good Man" how the Residing Judge warned Tom Cruise about dangers of questioning a Decorated Officer as portrayed by Jack Nicholson and the honor he BETTER be afforded!

I couldn't fathom how anyone would allow something like that "Kangaroo" court to be adjourned to question Lieutenant Commander Data.

Have the Traditions and Honor handed down from those 20th Century Militaries been so lost by the 24th Century??

Bold Concept, Poor Execution

[dwanuga · 3/10 · 30 November 2020]

The primary issue investigated in this episode is what separates life from machine, and if there is ever a point at which the two become indistinguishable from each other. At it's core, it is a very powerful and thought provoking discussion; however, the presentation of this discussion is infuriating in this episode.

Lt. Commander Data is initially described as a possession of Star Fleet and, as a result, lacks the ability to make choices to determine the course of his own existence; choices like resigning from Star Fleet. Captain Piccard is responsible for defending Data against this claim, but the inherent flaws in this claim are never addressed. Data was found on a distant planet after being created by Dr. Sung. He was allowed to enroll in Star Fleet Academy. He was required to undergo all of the same training and procedures as every other Star Fleet officer, and was treated much the same as other officers prior to this episode. He is explicitly compared to the computer of the Enterprise as a piece of property belonging to Star Fleet despite the fact that the two have never been treated the same prior to this episode. In fact, Data has been treated exactly the same as other humanoid officers within Star Fleet. He has been awarded medals for exemplary behavior, reprimanded for actions that jeopardize relations with other species, and expected to learn and grow as he experiences new, unfamiliar events, but suddenly, after serving in Star Fleet for years, he is now property. This is the infuriating aspect of this episode. This is a tremendously engaging and intriguing area of discussion, but to begin the episode with such overwhelming hypocrisy and flawed logic is tremendously disappointing. Ultimately, the episode concludes with the recognition of Star Fleet's inability to conclude authoritatively on Data's "humanity" which does redeem the episode a good deal, but it is not sufficient to remedy the failings of the first act.

I used this as a Sunday School lesson

[victorosborn-67171 · 10/10 · 31 January 2020]

This is easily one of the best episodes of this wonderful series. It challenges all of the issues concerning who is capable of love and who is worthy of love.

Amazing, food for thought

[acsiracuse · 10/10 · 17 April 2014]

This was the first episode of Star Trek I have ever watched, as it was assigned for my philosophy class at UB. Words cannot explain the power of this episode. It directly touches on the concepts of dualism, individualism, and identity. The parallels between the scenarios in this episode and in philosopher Bernard Williams' identity thought- experiments are too strong not to mention.

If this episode peaked your interest, I strongly recommend that you look into Frank Jackson's argument of knowledge. There is a wonderful YouTube video that illustrates it (search "Frank Jackson - The Knowledge Experiment - Mary's Room). It's a short video that perfectly explains the validity of Data's concern over losing the substance (definition: Qualia) of his memories despite retaining the knowledge of them.

I think it's safe to say that this will not be the last Star Trek episode I watch.

What, Indeed, Is Sentience?

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 6 August 2014]

So much depends on an arrogant, bigoted jackass. A man who has had failings in the science of cybernetics, gets permission from Starfleet to dismantle Data in order to see what makes him tick. He believes his experiments will be fortified if he can find the missing link that Data's creator has placed in him. This man refers to the Commander as "it," and insists Data is strictly a machine. Since those in a superior position have decided to allow this, a trial ensues, where Riker must take the role on prosecutor and Jean-Luc the defense attorney. Also involved is an old love interest of Picards who finds him a challenge. There are sparks. What happens, eventually, is a moral dilemma as to what constitutes sentience. What is "the measure of a man"? Data's accomplishments, while impressive, don't seem to stand up very well. However, what of his emotional being? One other thing is brought up. If this man, who is insensitive and full of himself, can break through, he plans on making hundreds, even thousands of Data-like creatures. This may constitute a race that is to be used as the slaves were in our early history. The trial and the issues are extremely interesting and would be food for thought when one evaluates a species. A very good episode.

TNG's first perfect 10

[bwalker-73751 · 10/10 · 15 November 2021]

Great script from Melinda Snodgrass exploring the rights of an individual, race and sentience. Nothing fancy, just dialogue, and it's an absolute Trek classic!

A Star Trek episode for everyone. Masterfully done.

[axlrhodes · 10/10 · 16 November 2021]

If this episode is a measure of Star Trek: The Next Generation, we'd be talking about a near perfect show. I'm watching them all in order and this is going to take some beating. Brilliant dialogue and use of characters. I honestly forgot everything around me while it was on. I used to work with a guy who claimed TNG was not 'proper Star Trek'. Clearly he never saw Measure of a Man.

What makes Data tick

[bkoganbing · 9/10 · 6 December 2018]

This TNG story concerns Brent Spiner as Lt.Commander Data and an order that Captain Picard has received to have Data report to Brian Brophy a cybernetics professor with Star Fleet. Data is to report to be disassembled to find out just what Dr. Sung did that makes Data the unique creation he is. The theory is that if we can build a race of Datas, the Federation would be invincible.

From Patrick Stewart on down the Enterprise crew regards Data as one of them and don't like him being dissected like a lab rat. Brophy throws the whole matter into the Federation's futuristic JAG office in the person of Amanda McBroom.

Every player out there loves courtroom scenes and that is no less true in the Star Trek franchise. Patrick Stewart is Data's Counsel and Jonathan Frakes is dragooned into prosecution.

Ironic as all get out in that Data's never ending quest for humanity he should be put through a procedure like this to prove him worthy of being treated like a living being. Not Clarence Darrow, not F. Lee Bailey could have done a better job of defending him than Captain Picard.

Of course a little advice from Guinan helps which occurs in a key scene with Patrick Stewart and Whoopi Goldberg.

One of the best episodes in the series.

It measures up.

[thevacinstaller · 9/10 · 8 March 2021]

A beautiful episode.

I just loved how the stakes of this episode start out as being the fate of one androids ability for self determination but the use of the word ownership leads to the revelation that this has the potential to legitimate slavery of an entire species.

Guinan had a small part in this episode but she did so much with it. The impact of what she is saying has additional impact with her voice / earth history of slavery. Guinan always seems to know how to get to the heart of the matter --- boy, I wish I had this well of advice/wisdom during certain moments of my life.

Maddox excels at being a jerk. You just want to smack the guy when he barges into Data's quarters and rummages through his personal belongings with no care for Data's privacy.

Riker has some great moments in this one too ----- The scene when he discovers that Data has an on/off switch and he delivers a smile followed immediately by dejection as he realizes the gravity of his discovery. The pinocchio reference was a nice callback to episode 1 ---- and remember, Pinocchio did become a real boy.

It was getting a bit dusty at my house during Picard's cross examination of maddox --- This was a beautiful speech about life, self determination and the potential for this decision to legitimatize slavery.

The best episode of TNG to date.

MOAM the #1 TNG episode in the series.

[JJC-3 · 10/10 · 13 September 2011]

Data is forced by Starfleet regulations despite his rank of Commander to take part in a refit that has been ordered by Maddox a cybernetic expert from Starfleet. Data questions Maddox's proposals and "decides" to retire his Command. However Maddox goes to the JAG Officer Louivois who prosecuted Picard in his Stargazer Trial where the end result left the two with bad feelings. Maddox goes to the JAG and gets he to see his side of the story and she then orders Data to the refit and voids his retirement request. Picard then intervenes and has Loiuvois call for a trial board where Picard will defend Data and Riker, by order of the JAG will prosecutor for Maddox & Starfleet. Riker does his diligent research and when he discovers Data's "off" switch he is initially proud that he found an important piece if evidence to help his case and quickly realizes the damage he will do to Data and turns sad at the prospect of using it. Meanwhile Picard & Guinan are talking about the case and how Starfleet decided that Data is a machine with no rights. Now able to build a race of Disposisable creatures to do the work that corporeal beings can not due to the danger involved. Guinan forces Picard to see that a race of Data's doing the dirty work that no one else is willing to do (as in slaves, illegals, etc.) is wrong and when the court reconvenes Picard uses he newly gained knowledge to gain Data a victory for self awareness and for self decision.

In the end Riker & Data meet up where Data asks Riker why he isn't at Data's victory party. Riker tells Data I came this close to winning. Yet Data reminds Riker that he was an unwilling participant by the courts order since if Riker refused to prosecute then the JAG would have ruled summarily that Data is a "toaster" send him to Maddox for an experimental refit. Data recognized that Riker was put in a "no win scenario." 11 of 10 actually

Obviously, toast can't be replicated

[skiop · 7 February 2016]

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.

Smarmy b**tard

[robertm-85323 · 7/10 · 13 July 2023]

I loved this episode but hate that smarmy Maddox. Very satisfying to know how he dies. The episode handles how we view life, what qualifies as life. This is handled in several episodes of the series. I think it's funny how all of the news about how people are worried about AI taking over, and from what I've heard from experts, the AI of today is much like an amoeba. AI doesn't have to be a bad thing, just how we use it.

It was interesting to see Riker put into an adversarial role, the "bad guy", even though he didn't believe it himself.

LOVED Whoopie as Guinan in this episode. She really pointed out to Picard where this was going.

poor writing

[Baseballcoachn · 1/10 · 26 July 2020]

Everybody knows in this episode they want to take Data apart to study him! The scientists want to construct more Data's. Data resign's and Captain Picard agreed. But basically itGoes something like this: the scientist asks would you stop a upgrade to Enterprise's computers Picard says no.The scientist says of course you would allow it, Enterprise is property of Star Fleet and Data is property of Star Fleet. The Judge Advocate rules yes Data is property and must submit to being taken apart. But the whole thing is wrong cause Data was found not designed by StarFleet! So the whole episode was a waste. So the writers just made Picard the Captain off enterprise forget that Data was found. Data was found therefore Data was not property. Badly written episode!