Episode Overview – A Starfleet scientist comes to
the Enterprise with the intent to disassemble Data so that he can build more
androids. Picard and Data embark on a legal battle to define the rights of the
Federation’s only mechanical officer.
Episode Score – 9/10. A solid courtroom battle episode. Great drama and suspense without the action sequences or special effects. Great performances by Patrick Stewart, Johnathan Frakes, and Brent Spiner. This episode is one of the earliest episodes to show what this new Trek series could do. I think it is one of TNG’s defining episodes.
Relevance – 3 points. Commander Maddox is the officer
that Data is corresponding with in the episode “Data’s Day”. We see the first
of many crew poker games. Data’s “encounter” with Tasha Yar is mentioned as a
part of Data’s defence (I liked how Picard said that even though Data had
promised Tasha that he would never reveal that they had been intimate together,
she would not have minded it, given the circumstances). The Daystrom Institute
is mentioned for the first time as a tribute to Richard Daystrom from the
Original Series episode “The Ultimate Computer”. The outcome of this trial
would be tested again when Data constructs a daughter (“The Offspring”), and
will impact future TNG episode “The Quality of Life”, as well as the Doctor in
Star Trek: Voyager. The space station on which this story happens was said to
have been built by the Neutral Zone incidents mentioned in the last Season 1
episode. Lots of relevance to Trek in this neat little episode.
Continuity – 3 points. Character continuity gets a
check, as all the main players are in line with what we have come to expect
from them. Storyline continuity is a check (although if Data had promised to
not reveal his sexual encounter with Yar to anyone, how did Picard know? The
captain might have figured it out, so I can overlook that). Universe
continuity, check. Nothing is out of place here.
Character Development – 3 points. Data and Picard get a great treatment
in this episode and grow a lot, but I would have to give a tip of the hat to
Riker. When commanded to serve as the prosecutor in the trial, Riker finds
himself in the toughest of situations. He has to do everything he can to win
the case, or Data will become property of Starfleet. The risk is that in doing
so he almost wins the case, which would again make Data property of Starfleet.
It’s one of the most difficult stories for Riker and with the exception of Data
he seems to have the most to lose: his friend and comrade and his self-respect.
The scene where he is researching and finds his “coup de grace” that almost
wins him the case, he shows excitement, followed by shock as he realises what
this may mean to his friend. Powerful acting on the part of Frakes.
Social Commentary – 3 points. The rights of individuals has
always been relevant in Trek’s history. In today’s world we are still trying to
identify what “basic rights” are, and to whom they apply. One would think that
by the 24th Century we would have figured it all out, but we have a
whole new batch of ideas in this as we look at the case for artificial life
forms. Guinan also has a great moment when she helps Picard realize that what
is being proposed by Maddox could easily become a form of slavery. Very astute
commentary.
Cool Factor – 2 points. OK, the first poker game? Cool!
Picard’s epic closing argument? Extremely cool! Beyond that, there is not much
else that is cool. Again, Picard’s ending argument is full of coolness, and one
of my favourite scenes in the series.
Rank – Admiral (23
points). As I said before, this episode is one of
the gems in the second season. Give it a watch and you will not be
disappointed.
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