The Wants of a Man

Story: The Ensigns of Command
Written By: Melinda M. Snodgrass
Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Year: 1989

A big step in the character of Data. This episode deals with whether or not Data is actually capable of command, can he tell people to do? It deals with an issue once dealt with Spock, in “The Galileo Seven”, that sometimes logic isn’t enough and it takes more to be a leader.
There is a great A and B story in this one, which are really well connected. A scary alien race wants the inhabitants on a planet to vacate or die. It is the Enterprise’s duty to both hold diplomatic relations (Picard’s B-Story) and relocate these inhabitants (Data’s A-Story). It is well crafted and both showcases Picard’s diplomatic skills and Data’s growth as a commander.

NEXT TIME: The Only Two Left