The Measure Of A Man (episode)edit

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"The Measure Of A Man"
TNG, Episode 2x09 Production number: 40272-135 First aired: 13 February 1989
←	34th of 176 produced in TNG	→
←	34th of 176 released in TNG	→
	{{{nNthReleasedInSeries_Remastered}}}th of 176 released in TNG Remastered
←	140th of 727 released in all	→

Written By Melinda M. Snodgrass Directed By Robert Scheerer
42523.7 (2365)
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The Enterprise must defend Data's status when Starfleet demands his reassignment for study.

[edit] Summary

[edit] Teaser

Four of the senior staff and Chief Miles O'Brien began to sit down in Commander Riker's quarters for a game of poker. Lieutenant Commander Data explains the game in detail as the cards are dealt. Doctor Pulaski announces a bet which the rest of the staff calls. Data bets ten as he holds the highest hand, where Pulaski and Lieutenant La Forge folds. The cards are dealt but Riker's new card is the five of hearts, as we see three hearts, compared to Data's pair of queens, ace high. Data bets five cautiously, where Miles calls, but Riker raises to five. Data calls, but O'Brien folds. The cards are dealt one last time, but a four of hearts comes down, which causes a moan from the rest as Riker may have a flush. Data bets ten but Riker raises another ten. This causes Data to peek at his face down card, which is a queen, indicating he has a three-of-a-kind. Data quirks about Riker's facial expression as a "poker face", but Riker asks if he's playing or not. Data hesitates and folds. Riker reveals his face down card as the two of spades, which causes a resounding groan from the table. Confused, Data doesn't understand how he could have won as he had nothing, but La Forge said he bluffed him.

[edit] Act One

Upon arriving at the newly-built Starbase 173 aboard the Enterprise, Data, is approached by Commander Bruce Maddox, a Federation cyberneticist whom Data has met before: Maddox was the sole member of a Starfleet special admissions panel to oppose Data's admission to Starfleet, on the basis that Data was not a sentient lifeform.

Commander Maddox explains that he wants Data to help him understand better how Dr. Noonien Soong was able to overcome certain engineering challenges when designing Data's positronic brain. Data is intrigued until he discovers that it is Maddox's intention to "dump" Data's memories from his positronic brain into the Starbase 173 main computer, then deactivate and disassemble him in hopes of garnering enough technical knowledge to construct more Soong-type androids. Data concludes that Maddox does not posses sufficient technical knowledge to carry out this procedure safely, and therefore refuses to undergo it.

The Enterprise at Starbase 173

Maddox, prepared for this eventuality, produces orders from Starfleet Command separating Data from the Enterprise, transferring him to Starbase 173, and compelling Data to submit to the procedure.

[edit] Act Two

In private, Picard, recognizing Starfleet's inherent interests in the creation of more Soong-type androids, attempts to persuade Data into submitting to Maddox's procedure. Despite Picard's approach being the opposite of Maddox's – with the application of much more carrot than stick – Data counters, intimating that asking him to submit to a dangerous and potentially destructive experiment for the benefit of Starfleet is tantamount to compulsorily requiring all Starfleet officers to have their biological eyes replaced with cybernetic implants, such as the type utilized by La Forge.

Swayed by the gravity of Data's argument, Picard turns for help to the Starbase 173 office of Starfleet's Judge Advocate General, headed by Captain Phillipa Louvois – who had previously prosecuted Picard with zeal during the court martial following the loss of the USS Stargazer. Louvois contends that while Data can refuse to participate in the experiment, the transfer itself cannot be stopped. Picard articulates his concern that that once Maddox has Data in his clutches, as it were, anything could happen; Louvois therefore suggests, alternatively, that Data could resign his Starfleet commission. Rather than risk his memories, Data chooses resignation to participating in the experiment.

Maddox learns with displeasure of Data's impending resignation, and angrily counters that Data is the property of Starfleet – not an individual, sentient being with rights within the Federation – and is no more able to refuse his procedure and resign from Starfleet than the Enterprise's computer is able to refuse a refit.

[edit] Act Three

Surmising that there might be established law to support Maddox's position, Captain Louvois, after some research, initially finds for Commander Maddox "based on the Acts of Cumberland passed in the late 21st century." Picard requests a formal hearing to challenge the ruling; however, because the Judge Advocate General's Office staff on Starbase 173 consists of only Captain Louvois and "one terrified little ensign," Louvois convenes a hearing on condition that Enterprise personnel serve as legal counsel during the proceedings: Captain Picard is to defend Data and a reluctant Commander Riker is pressed into representing Commander Maddox. Riker initially refuses to prosecute on the grounds that Data is a comrade and friend; however, Louvois' direct threat of ruling summarily in favor of Maddox strongly compels him to do so.

[edit] Act Four

Riker, as prosecutor, demonstrates that Data is, in fact, a man-made, constructed being; after compelling Data to bend a rod of parsteel – despite Picard's objection, based on the fact that many creatures in the Federation are possessed of mega-strength – Riker removes Data's left hand for Captain Louvois' examination. Riker then abruptly deactivates Data, proclaiming "Pinocchio is broken; its strings have been cut."

[edit] Act Five

Picard and Guinan talk about Data's rights

During a recess, Captain Picard recounts Riker's devastating prosecution to Guinan in Ten Forward. Guinan aptly observes that were Maddox to prevail in the proceedings and go on to become successful in replicating Data – despite the value this would represent to Starfleet – Maddox's success would almost certainly result in the creation of an entirely new race of "disposable creatures;" beings whose welfare and needs would not require consideration. Picard quickly concludes that victory for Maddox would have far more sinister repercussions throughout the Federation; that this fledgling race could potentially become a race of slaves. This grim realization galvanizes Picard and ultimately changes his tack in the defense phase of the hearing.

Back in the courtroom, Picard begins Data's defense by quickly dismissing Riker's arguments that Data is a constructed being:

"Commander Riker has dramatically demonstrated to this court that Lieutenant Commander Data is a machine. Do we deny that? No, because it is not relevant – we too are machines, just machines of a different type. Commander Riker has also reminded us that Lieutenant Commander Data was created by a human; do we deny that? No. Again it is not relevant. Children are created from the 'building blocks' of their parents' DNA. Are they property?"

Picard then calls Data to the witness stand and shows the court some of the android's personal belongings: a plaque of his Starfleet medals, a book that was given to him by his captain, and a holocube portrait of Tasha Yar. Picard asks Data what purpose do any of these articles serve him. Of the Starfleet medals, he answers that they serve no purpose other than that he simply wanted them, indicating a sense of vanity. Of the book, Data says that it is a reminder of his friendship and service to the captain. And of the holocube portrait of Tasha Yar, Data bravely tells the court that she was special to him and that they were intimate, which makes Captain Louvois raise her eyebrows in wonder.

Picard goes on to grind away at Commander Maddox's views about Data; in doing so, Picard maneuvers Maddox into conceding that Data fulfills most of the cyberneticist's own criteria for sentience – intelligence and self-awareness – and dramatically coerces the scientist into admission that the remaining criterion, consciousness, is too nebulous a concept to precisely determine whether the android is in possession of it or not. Having cemented his argument for Data's sentience, Picard summarizes his final contention that to create a sentient race that is considered "property" is to sanction slavery – a profound violation of the basic principles and ideals of the United Federation of Planets:

"Your honor, the courtroom is a crucible; in it, we burn away irrelevancies until we are left with a purer product: the truth, for all time. Now sooner or later, this man [Commander Maddox] – or others like him – will succeed in replicating Commander Data. The decision you reach here today will determine how we will regard this creation of our genius. It will reveal the kind of people we are; what he is destined to be. It will reach far beyond this courtroom and this one android. It could significantly redefine the boundaries of personal liberty and freedom: expanding them for some, savagely curtailing them for others. Are you prepared to condemn him [Commander Data] – and all who will come after him – to servitude and slavery? Your honor, Starfleet was founded to seek out new life: well, there it sits! Waiting."

Ultimately, Captain Louvois rules in favor of Data:

"It sits there looking at me, and I don't know what it is. This case has dealt with metaphysics, with questions best left to saints and philosophers. I am neither competent, nor qualified, to answer those. I've got to make a ruling – to try to speak to the future. Is Data a machine? Yes. Is he the property of Starfleet? No. We've all been dancing around the basic issue: does Data have a soul? I don't know that he has. I don't know that I have! But I have got to give him the freedom to explore that question himself. It is the ruling of this court that Lieutenant Commander Data has the freedom to choose."

Data formally refuses to undergo Maddox's procedure after the ruling is given, and Maddox, in turn, cancels Data's transfer orders. Data encourages Maddox to continue his work; Data is still intrigued by some of what Maddox is proposing, and suggests he may agree to the procedure, once he is certain Maddox can perform it safely. Captain Louvois notices that Maddox at this point no longer refers to Data as an "it" but as a "he", regarding him as a person and not as a machine.

After the victory, Riker, deeply affected by the gravity of nearly costing a friend and colleague his life, prefers the solitude of the Enterprise's bridge wardroom to Data's victory celebration on the holodeck. However, Data seeks out Riker to express his gratitude at the personal injury Riker had endured that saved him.

[edit] Log entries

Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2365

[edit] Memorable quotes

"It brings a sense of order and stability to my universe to know that you're still a pompous ass... and a damn sexy man."

- Phillipa, to Picard

"'When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes / I all alone beweep my outcast state.' Tell me: are these just words to you? Or do you fathom the meaning?"
"Is it not customary to request permission before entering an individual's quarters?"

- Bruce Maddox and Data

"I am the culmination of one man's dream. This is not ego or vanity, but when Doctor Soong created me, he added to the substance of the universe. If, by your experiments, I am destroyed, something unique – something wonderful – will be lost. I cannot permit that. I must protect his dream."

- Data, to Bruce Maddox

"You are imparting Human qualities to it because it looks Human – but I assure you: it is not. If it were a box on wheels I would not be facing this opposition."

- Bruce Maddox, to Captains Picard and Louvois

"Consider that in the history of many worlds there have always been disposable creatures. They do the dirty work. They do the work that no one else wants to do, because it's too difficult or too hazardous. And an army of Datas, all disposable? You don't have to think about their welfare; you don't think about how they feel. Whole generations of disposable people."
"You're talking about slavery."
"I think that's a little harsh."
"I don't think that's a little harsh, I think that's the truth. But that's a truth that we have obscured behind a... comfortable, easy euphemism. 'Property'. But that's not the issue at all, is it?"

- Guinan and Picard

"We were... intimate."

- Data, when asked about his connection to Tasha Yar

"Your Honor, a courtroom is a crucible; in it we burn away irrelevancies until we are left with a purer product: the truth, for all time."

- Picard, in his summation

"... Starfleet was founded to seek out new life – well, there it sits! ...waiting."

- Picard, in his summation

[edit] Background Information

[edit] Story and production

"The Measure Of A Man" was writer Melinda Snodgrass's first television credit. She drew from her own experience as an attorney in writing the episode. (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion)
Snodgrass commented, "Everyone seems to view [the episode] as a Data script, but it's really a Picard script. Data is the catalyst, but the stress is all on Picard." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages)

[edit] Continuity

The Daystrom Institute, first mentioned here, was a homage to the character of Richard Daystrom from TOS: "The Ultimate Computer". (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion)
Data's rights as a sentient being would again be challenged a season later, in "The Offspring". There, the issue was whether Data could assert parental rights over his "daughter," Lal. In both episodes, Picard acts as Data's advocate.
After his trial, Data showed Commander Bruce Maddox that he nonetheless remained open to future collaboration with him. He would indeed collaborate with Maddox by recording a log of a day in his life in "Data's Day".

The rarely seen "interim uniform" worn by admirals in the 2nd season

The court room set is a redress of the battle bridge set. The set features a map of the galaxy previously seen in "Conspiracy" and a chart which shows the current location of 24 starships.
This episode features the first appearance of the officers' regular poker game, with Data, Riker, La Forge, Dr. Pulaski, and O'Brien.
The episode features the rare "interim" pattern Starfleet admiral uniform which was only seen twice in the second season of TNG. The uniform departed from the first season "pip triangle" admiral insignia and introduced the "boxed pip" version which would be the standard Admiral insignia for the rest of Next Generation and all subsequent series. The second season pip insignia was worn vertical while later seasons showed the insignia flat against the collar.
The model of Starbase 173 is a reuse of a model best known as space lab Regula I from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. For more information, see Studio models.

[edit] Reception

Entertainment Weekly ranked this episode #6 on their list of "The Top 10 Episodes" to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation. [1]
Producer Maurice Hurley commented, "Stunning. That's the kind of show you want to do...It just worked great, everything about it. And it dealt with an issue in a very interesting way. I thought Whoopi's place was good in that. She's a wonderful actress." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages)
Director Robert Scheerer called the episode one of the best of The Next Generation. He explained, "It has to do with the content, what it had to say, how it deals with it, the depth that it goes and the way it's resolved. I love that show. It is indeed my favorite show. I guess you would have to say that what I enjoyed is the dilemma that they're put in to, especially Jonathan and Patrick having to deal with Brent not as a dear friend but as someone whose worth has to be resolved. And Jonathan had to take the other side. It was all just beautifully crafted. It was not typical episodic television and had a great deal to say about man, humanity, what our problems in the world are today and hopefully what we can do about it in the future." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages)
Rick Berman cites this episode along with "Yesterday's Enterprise" as one of his favorites. (TNG Season 3 DVD)
Michael Piller named this episode (along with "The Inner Light" and "The Offspring") as one of his favorite TNG episodes, "because they had remarkable emotional impacts. And they genuinely explored the human condition, which this franchise does better than any other when it does it well." (AOL chat, 1997)

[edit] Video and DVD releases

Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 18, catalog number VHR 2471, 12 August 1991
As part of the UK VHS collection Star Trek: The Next Generation - Data Box: 6 November 1995
As part of the US VHS collection Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Data Collection: 19 August 1997
UK re-release (three-episode tapes, Paramount Home Entertainment): Volume 2.3, catalog number VHR 4739, 3 May 1999
As part of the TNG Season 2 DVD collection
As part of The Best of Star Trek: The Next Generation DVD collection

[edit] Links and references

[edit] Starring

[edit] Also starring

LeVar Burton as Lieutenant Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn as Lieutenant Worf
Marina Sirtis as Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner as Lieutenant Commander Data
Wil Wheaton as Ensign Wesley Crusher

[edit] Special appearance by

Diana Muldaur as Doctor Pulaski

[edit] Guest stars

And

Previous episode:
"A Matter Of Honor"

Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 2

Next episode:
"The Dauphin"

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