Story: The Measure of a Man
Written By: Melinda M. Snodgrass
Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Year: 1989
Data is an android. A machine. But he is also sentient. He has a mind of his own…does he not have rights? This episode touched on social issues that this show stayed away from at first.
When a man from Starfleet shows up to take Data away to experiment, disassemble, and destroy his mind on the slim chance that he can make more Datas. But Picard, Data and the rest of the crew disagree. It is not fair to force him because he is not yet considered more sentient than a toaster.
As a result we get one of the best courtroom dramas, one fantastic piece of drama, and a message that resonates for the rest of the series. A fantastic episode.
Sidenote: This is the first episode to feature the officer’s poker game, which would remain a running tradition in the series until it’s final scene. The Poker scenes that began here in the second season, as well as the addition of Guinan and Ten Forward really helped develop our characters and the rapport between them, something that was seriously lacking in the first season.
NEXT TIME: Wesley in Love
Written By: Melinda M. Snodgrass
Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Year: 1989
Data is an android. A machine. But he is also sentient. He has a mind of his own…does he not have rights? This episode touched on social issues that this show stayed away from at first.
As a result we get one of the best courtroom dramas, one fantastic piece of drama, and a message that resonates for the rest of the series. A fantastic episode.
Sidenote: This is the first episode to feature the officer’s poker game, which would remain a running tradition in the series until it’s final scene. The Poker scenes that began here in the second season, as well as the addition of Guinan and Ten Forward really helped develop our characters and the rapport between them, something that was seriously lacking in the first season.
NEXT TIME: Wesley in Love