UNCUT REACTION - Star Trek TNG S2E9 - The Measure of a Man
Added 2024-02-15 15:30:02 +0000 UTC
Comments
Without a doubt one of the most iconic episodes of TNG. It's not my favourite of the series, but it's in the top 5. This is absolutely the kind of story where TNG is at it's best. Bottle shows or other low budget type episodes like this really force the writers to get creative with the story when the episode is basically just people talking. So many shows have massive budgets these days, relying on VFX and spectacle and high octane action sequences to keep the audience engaged, but the quality of writing tends to suffer in a big way. One thing with that episode, is I always wish it had happened a bit later, early in S3, more or less solely for the reason that the S1/2 pyjama uniforms are a bit of a distraction to me in the otherwise flawless court scene. It's a minor gripe, and the scenes so good it barely affects it, but I do feel the more formal S3 uniforms would elevated it even more. I think these kinds of stories are important, especially today when we're seeing AI being developed more and more. These types of stories get you to think about the issues around AI and ask yourself what you would do in that position. I may know I'm sentient as I'm subjectively aware of myself, I'm conscious of my thoughts and actions, I know who I am, etc... However I don't know how I could objectively prove that, or for that matter how anyone else could. Because I know subjectively I am sentient, it stands to reason other human beings would be as well, and if we ran into aliens with similar intelligence and capability, it would make sense they are as well. But I can't say why I'm self aware and possess consciousness. Theoretically everything I do could be a simple matter of stimulus and response, with my brain and body doing everything I do, having the same conversations, habits, etc.. but without me being conscious of any of it, or rather without any "me" at all. Just a body operating on autopilot. Obviously I don't think my PC or cell phone is sentient, but when you start to get into AI, and especially when you get to a point where you have synthetic beings like Data, how can anyone know for sure where that line of consciousness is? It's why I think as individuals and as a society, it's best to adopt a policy of erring on the side of caution. If it seems an AI "may" have attained consciousness, it should be assumed that is indeed the case. If the AI is not actually sentient, at worst we look a little foolish showing that level of courtesy and respect to a machine with no sentience. If it has attained consciousness and we choose to ignore it, we're guilty of enslaving a sentient being. The latter scenario says something significantly worse about us as a people. As the episode established, it doesn't matter that Data is a machine. Physiologically we're not all that dissimilar to some of the animals we eat by the millions. We tend to more protective generally of smarter animals like corvids, apes, whales and such. Intelligence, self awareness, consciousness... any being possessed of these traits must be respected, regardless of how they were made or how their bodies work. Riker was great in the last episode, and he's even better here. I thought it was a little on the nose to have him smile and then realize he's NOT happy about finding out about Data's off switch. I feel he wouldn't have forgot for a second that he WANTS to lose, but still has to put up a convincing prosecution. I really like how after he makes his argument, Maddox is sitting there smirking and Riker just looks disgusted with himself. The final scene is also a really touching moment between him and Data. While this episode obviously concerns Data most of all, it's Picard who really comes into his own. The question of Data's personhood was teased in a few eps leading up to this, and Picard has generally been the one defending him as an equal, such as in Schizoid Man. But it's when the issue is forced in a court of law that we get to see who Picard really is, and why many, including myself, consider this fictional character a role model. No matter the opposition, no matter how much easier it would be to just go along with it, Picard's sense of justice and ethics, his integrity, and his devotion to his crew will not allow him to be silent when he sees something happening that he knows is wrong. Extraordinary episode, with some top tier performances.
Timothy Nikiforovs
2024-07-10 00:10:15 +0000 UTCI think in this case you could say perhaps Starfleet allowed Data to serve because why not, ships need crews and he passed the tests. I think once certain people in starfleet started to realize just how capable an officer Data was, greed and ambition took over and they said "every ship could use one of these androids, and if I give the orders that make it happen, I'll get invited to all the nice parties". In short, Data flew under starfleet's radar for a while, and when he got noticed, they cared more about making copies of him than his rights.
Timothy Nikiforovs
2024-07-09 03:38:54 +0000 UTCI've been really looking forward to watching this along with you guys, and I wasnt disappointed! One thing I find really hilarious about the shitty new Trek shows, is that one of them actually establishes that Starfleet DOES create a zillion androids to do basically slave labor, completely invalidating this episode. Very sad, because I want more new stuff, but not at the expense of the old Trek I hold so dear. Love you guys.
Clyde Frog
2024-03-06 00:48:41 +0000 UTCOne of my top 10 episodes of all time. So glad you guys enjoyed it.
Andrea R
2024-02-29 08:29:10 +0000 UTCThis is the best season 2 episode. There's Worf & Riker ones and an "Oh Fuck" one, but everybody agrees this is the best. Edit: Geordi bums me out hard. They're my BFFs.
Juan Tutrífor
2024-02-25 03:08:33 +0000 UTCAnd some really big crap. Almost like stuff got cut for a reason...
Andreas Schmitt
2024-02-23 00:25:59 +0000 UTCStonyD. I think Goldberg's performance of Guinan is what makes the character work. She plays it in a more subdued way (incl. body language) and just quietly suggests Guinan's people's unique abilities. The character would otherwise be in danger of coming across as what a die-hard TNG fan would write as a character they'd like to play in the series. I can't go into details on that due to spoilers.
Numinous2019
2024-02-20 15:57:38 +0000 UTCYes, I can't argue with your point about how the Enterprise D reflects that specific vision of the The Federation.
Numinous2019
2024-02-20 15:47:23 +0000 UTCYeah...one case where they orginally left really good stuff on the cutting room floor....
Greg Quinn
2024-02-18 03:11:37 +0000 UTCThey accepted data into the academy. Made him an officer and 3rd in command of the flagship enterprise…they clearly accepted him as a sentient being with rights
Derek Orr
2024-02-17 14:46:02 +0000 UTCStarfleet has never treated artificial life in any other way. Kirk himself might have. But Starfleet has always been searching for that "Ultimate Computer" to put on starships. Just ask Prof Daystrom.
StonyD
2024-02-17 14:30:23 +0000 UTCI think TNG presents the luxuries of living on an enormous ship with all the technological advantages and very few of the downsides, as the show was meant to transport you away to somewhere better than normal 20th century life. The show explores, implicitly, being accepted for who and what you are, and how that is beneficial to an organization that actively appreciates such diversity, as well as an environment that is never personally judgmental due to class, social interaction (Barclay aside), or physical appearance. I think THAT is why so many fans point to this specific ENT as where they would want to go, versus Kirk's ENT or some other point in the Federation. TNG offers them the fantasy. DS9 offers them the reality.
StonyD
2024-02-17 14:25:30 +0000 UTCNow that you guys have seen this episode, it's definitely time for y'all to react to the HD extended version of this episode. Literally.
Anthony Goodwin
2024-02-17 11:05:50 +0000 UTCWe are starting to see this season, the stronger adult dramatic story telling, coupled with the actors (and the writers) having a better grasp of who their characters are. We jettison the lame epilogue that is either humorous and out of place or just so preachy as to weaken the dramatic weight of the story. And then coupled as well with a real moral issue. For example we also see that in Elementary Dear Data with the issue of what is Moriarty and what has he grown into. But here it has much more weight as we have had 30 plus episodes seeing the growth (and of course really growing to love what Spiner has done with Data) of the character of Data. So the threat to his existence has real drama to it. There is still a few moments of characters dialogue (and the acting) that just doesn't work well for me, its a very minor criticism), and in both cases its with the two guest stars, which of course makes sense as those actors haven't had a year and a half to learn their character. There are several wonderful moments (and a couple full scenes) that just propel this episode. Picard putting Data on the stand. Just near perfect. Then the use of Guinan to highlight the race/ slavery angle. It's very much manipulative in how it's done, but it works so well. Having a person of color, huge plus. Having the actress who had become a household name thanks to her stunning work in the Color Purple (where as a women she is only slightly more free then a slave) just hammering it home. And to make it even more obvious lighting the scene in purple..... The first 5 star (out of 5) episode of TNG.
Mark Wood
2024-02-17 09:05:23 +0000 UTCStonyD. I've heard a lot of TNG fans (and I don't mean on the Target Audience comments) say that they'd like to serve on the Enterprise-D. Now, that's fandom. Myself.....it's an unrealistically positive and exciting idea of what that kind of starship life would be like. There are moments in later seasons of TNG where we get small glimpses of the daily grind, work-load, boredom, limitations, etc. of starship life. I wouldn't even be able to remain within the confines of a ship as idealised as the Enterprise-D. Ten Forward, some small 'green' spaces on board, even the holodecks......I'd be unable to deal with the restrictions for even a week.
Numinous2019
2024-02-17 08:22:22 +0000 UTCDerek Orr. Yes, I do accept your point. Again, I'm only making a minor point about this scene. I think the episode is very strong, but it does blur some 'edges' in order to tell its story in only 45 minutes. And I don't expect realism from TNG, just solid stories told in an engaging way. If this was realism, I do think Riker would have spoken to Data at the earliest possible opportunity (i.e. before the party), or Picard would have spoken to Riker to reassure him after the trial, or Troi, or Guinan, etc.
Numinous2019
2024-02-17 08:04:54 +0000 UTCThat's a very fair point. I still think that final scene is more for drama than logic.
Numinous2019
2024-02-17 07:59:06 +0000 UTCI wonder if they haven't commented on Stewart's acting as much as the others because they're already so used to him from other roles. Whereas we were all seeing him for the first time.
Dan Halstead
2024-02-17 03:19:34 +0000 UTCYou guys have said a lot in the past about the acting of Spiner, Frakes, and McFadden. But I think Stewart deserves a nod here as well. Perhaps you're used to him by now from other roles, but this is where he was discovered. Imagine seeing him for the first time, and when he turns it on, he knows how to deliver the feels: "... to seek out new life, well THERE. IT. SITS!" Whoopi Goldberg brings a refreshing level of humanity to her scenes too.
Dan Halstead
2024-02-17 03:17:28 +0000 UTCIf Star Trek has taught us anything, it's that it's one thing to understand a concept logically, and quite another to know how deal with it emotionally.
Dan Halstead
2024-02-17 03:10:21 +0000 UTCWelcome back Justin
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-02-17 00:24:52 +0000 UTCIn the final edit when judge calls Picard "A Damn Sexy Man" do one of those SpongeBob Zoom in Gags on a weird Frame of Picard's face with text saying "Sexy Man" maybe add a fart sound effect
Justin DiBari
2024-02-17 00:23:58 +0000 UTC😝😝😝
Rich Cirivilleri
2024-02-16 13:05:00 +0000 UTCI don’t know about you, but I intend to be a lot nicer and a lot less abusive to Alexa from now on.
Rich Cirivilleri
2024-02-16 13:01:48 +0000 UTCI'm not saying Guinan scenes have never fallen into that trope, but I don't think this scene is as textbook as you think it is...
Brendon Waldron
2024-02-16 05:02:45 +0000 UTCHey there! :)
Lady Beyond The Wall
2024-02-16 01:51:55 +0000 UTClol. Guinan is 1000% the trope of the Magical Negro. I know why you'd be reluctant to see it especially because you like her and/or the character. No worries. ;)
Michael Nemo
2024-02-16 00:48:44 +0000 UTCthis is one of my favorite episodes because while it is Data focused it also brings up an interesting question, When we create Androids or something of like them how will we treat them? because how we treat them shows what kind of people we have become. This question also comes up in the Game Detroit Become Human
GamingHour2018
2024-02-16 00:46:38 +0000 UTCTotally agree Alex’s emotional reaction. I think it’s the love from Data’s comrades that closed ranks to support him that caused all the feels.
Charles Regazzi Jr
2024-02-16 00:34:09 +0000 UTCWas really looking forward to this one.
DustmanNorochj
2024-02-15 22:53:02 +0000 UTCIt's not a "trope" if it's a complex, defining character trait. Get out of here with that noise. Guinan is amazing.
StonyD
2024-02-15 22:45:05 +0000 UTCFireball Bros!
StonyD
2024-02-15 22:43:39 +0000 UTC"Patrick Stewart uses his voice in this episode with the beauty and sensitivity of a musical instrument, building carefully to the huge climax of the final hearing scene. Note especially the beginning of the scene: Picard sounds misleadingly weak, almost defeated, as he gears himself up for the devastating arguments he knows he is about to unleash." Dude....spot on.
StonyD
2024-02-15 22:42:50 +0000 UTC*"it is a nice scene to end on"* I think that's really the point. You and I both understand the "reality" of the scenario, but it's still a show that has to deliver an emotional bow on the end.
StonyD
2024-02-15 22:41:44 +0000 UTCI don't think everyone in Starfleet is of the same personal opinion as to whether he was alive or not. Obviously the board that allowed him to enter Starfleet was fine admitting him as an "alien life form" the same as they would any other species. Being considered sentient or not shouldn't make a difference to an organization that less than 80 years previously was trying to test the "Ultimate Computer" to install on starships. Data would be seen as the result of Noonian Soong consolidating that concept. Thus Maddox's attitude. To them, Data is the TNG era "Ultimate Computer". This episode expanded on the concept in its own way.
StonyD
2024-02-15 22:39:16 +0000 UTCFireball Bros!
StonyD
2024-02-15 22:30:09 +0000 UTC"Hostile witness," of course, means an adversarial witness. When a lawyer asks to call someone "as a hostile witness," it means the style of questioning can be like cross-examination, with leading questions instead of open-ended questions.
James H
2024-02-15 22:24:14 +0000 UTCyes but even that stuff aside...its still hard to believe how they treat artificial life in this episode
Derek Orr
2024-02-15 21:57:09 +0000 UTCWell cause we know what’s ahead now then we didnt
Scarpad’s Domain
2024-02-15 21:53:37 +0000 UTCBack to back bangers. Now back to some mid eps. But both of these last two showed what the series was capable of
Scarpad’s Domain
2024-02-15 21:52:55 +0000 UTCThis was the best episode so far., and PS was excellent in his speech.
Ken R
2024-02-15 21:10:05 +0000 UTCI think Frakes was at his best in season 2, it seems that by 3 he became more blasé.
Philbot
2024-02-15 21:06:26 +0000 UTCThey never really explained the Phillipa Picard backstory it would seem that they were lovers then she prosecuted him in the Stargazer court martial. Like Areel Shaw and Kirk from “Court Martial”
Philbot
2024-02-15 20:38:57 +0000 UTCOne of the best Star Trek episodes ever, but I have to admit on rewatch it does not hit quite as powerfully.... it feels a bit dated and silly now....the 3rd in command of the flagship of the fleet, that by all appearances and actions is just as sentient as any other species in the Federation, that anyone in Starfleet would casually refer to him as an it or machine is just much of stretch of believability...but to then believe starfleet would seriously consider trying to forcibly conduct medical/scientific experiments on Data is just too much to believe. And yes I know unfortunately what is to come in later, more recent shows.....
Derek Orr
2024-02-15 20:35:59 +0000 UTCIt would have been cool if Data resigned and he was tending bar in 10 Forward. 😆
Philbot
2024-02-15 20:35:28 +0000 UTCI disagree, I can absolutely see Riker being ashamed of the role that he had to assume, even though everyone understands the nuance...its easy to see why someone who is such an extraverted social person would be worried about how it feels on the surface to go to a party celebrating Datas win
Derek Orr
2024-02-15 20:29:54 +0000 UTCto be honest it feels a bit dated and silly now....that the 3rd in command of the flagship of the fleet, that by all appearances and actions is just as sentient as any other species in the Federation, that anyone in Starfleet would casually refer to him as an it or machine is just much of stretch of believability
Derek Orr
2024-02-15 20:27:13 +0000 UTCThe "Man with the Axe" is one of the King cards. He's carrying an axe.
tyranusfan
2024-02-15 19:20:49 +0000 UTCI still think the show plays fast and loose with Data's past. I do take your point about Starfleet 'retrieving' Data. It is vague as to exaclty why Data joined Starfleet. While Starfleet could argue he doesn't have the rights of organic creatures, why would Starfleet Academy have accepted him? It's never consistent.
Numinous2019
2024-02-15 19:12:17 +0000 UTCThis is one of the more seminal episodes of not only TNG but of all of Star Trek.
Turtleboy
2024-02-15 18:58:29 +0000 UTCMaddox's smug little pursed lips still piss me off 30 years on. Git.
Mara
2024-02-15 18:37:36 +0000 UTCI am not aware of any non-TNG reason for Troi's irregular appearances. I think that at some point during TNG's run, the writing team should have modified Troi's abilities. This might have been reducing those abilities, or clarifying exactly what she could and could not do and then being consistent. I think she was omitted due to her abilities probably de-railing plots, rotation of cast members, the introduction of Guinan, etc. There is an opportunity to 'reset' Troi's character.......I'm sure you can think of the episode. (I have to avoid saying any more).
Numinous2019
2024-02-15 18:31:50 +0000 UTCA great episode. A textbook example of the what Star Trek can be, unfortunately mired by a textbook example of the "magical negro" trope.
Michael Nemo
2024-02-15 17:48:49 +0000 UTC47:15 The court seen in the pilot was a period piece... our future but far in the past from the 24th century perspective. It was the result of the extermination of all the lawyers in the post-atomic (e.g. WWIII) horror.
Jovet
2024-02-15 17:46:21 +0000 UTCI really appreciate how you guys have both the immediate after-episode reaction and then your more studied reaction separately later in time, I think it's a great all-around look at how you feel. That said, I'm taking bets as to which season Alex starts bringing a whole handle of Fireball to the watchalong.
JD Nevesytrof
2024-02-15 17:45:24 +0000 UTCIt's funny how the door sensors only work when it's convenient for the plot. LOL
Jovet
2024-02-15 17:44:57 +0000 UTCWe finally got here. One of the greats in the franchise
Strife
2024-02-15 17:34:50 +0000 UTCGreat episode genuinely emotional and some fabulous acting.
AzoriusMage
2024-02-15 17:33:00 +0000 UTCThis is Star Trek at its best, as conceived by Gene Roddenberry: dealing with social, political, religious, moral, or other issues within the context of a science fiction setting. And this episode was done very well in that regard.
Collin Freeman
2024-02-15 17:26:36 +0000 UTCWhat I find so admirable about Data is just how ... open he is to everyone. Think about how Maddox treated him and that he put him through this whole court thing. Afterwards I surely wouldn't want to go to that person and talk to him. But Data does exactly that and even encourages Maddox to continue his work and get back to him later when he's ready. It just impresses me that there are no hard feelings whatsoever.
DataDroid
2024-02-15 17:20:37 +0000 UTCAnother good sci-fi story that addresses the issue of androids/machines as slaves is Blade Runner (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sleep). Great film.
Collin Freeman
2024-02-15 17:19:21 +0000 UTCTroi was absent from multiple Season 1 episodes because the writers had difficulty getting a handle on the character. Marina Sirtis thought she was in danger of being fired, and it may have been only the departure of the other two young women in the cast that saved her job. Troi has one brief scene in the extended version of this episode: during Data's going-away party, Riker asks if she senses anything from Data. It's a shame it was cut, because, although it's nothing groundbreaking for the character, it was one of Sirtis' best moments in the series so far simply due to the quality of the writing.
Anthony Bernacchi
2024-02-15 17:13:34 +0000 UTCSon. Of. A. Bitch. I knew that, too.
Steven Johnson
2024-02-15 17:11:55 +0000 UTCMinor correction: This was a Dennis McCarthy episode, not a Ron Jones episode.
Anthony Bernacchi
2024-02-15 17:10:10 +0000 UTCMeh. It was okay. “The Measure of a Man,” the best episode of TNG Season 2 and the best Star Trek TV episode since “Yesteryear,” is a strong and credible contender for the title of best episode of TNG overall, or even of the entire Star Trek franchise. I do not rate it *quite* that highly myself – in fact, my pick for the franchise’s best episode is not from TOS, TAS or TNG. (In addition to some of the later TNG episodes, I would also rank “Amok Time” above “The Measure of a Man,” although it really is like comparing apples and oranges.) This episode is, however, unquestionably a timeless classic, and as far superior to the superb “A Matter of Honor” as that episode was to “The Child.” IMDb currently ranks it as the sixth-best episode of the series. It is the favorite TNG episode of both Brent Spiner and Marina Sirtis; Sirtis’ selection of it is especially impressive because she originally appeared in it for only one scene and disappeared entirely from the broadcast version! (I believe I said something similar on YouTube about “The Doomsday Machine” being James Doohan’s favorite TOS episode, but Doohan’s role in that episode is much larger than Sirtis’ in this one.) Writer Melinda M. Snodgrass, who has a law degree, submitted “The Measure of a Man” to TNG through her agent as a “spec script,” that is, a script intended to get the writer’s foot in the door to pitch other stories. Normally, TV series never purchase spec scripts. When Snodgrass met with Maurice Hurley on the strength of the script, she was extremely nervous and began babbling as she pitched other ideas. Hurley gently shushed her and pointed to a whiteboard in the office, which Snodgrass had neglected to examine, listing the episodes on the upcoming production schedule. And there was “The Measure of a Man,” listed on the whiteboard – its quality was so high, and the need for fresh scripts in the wake of the writers’ strike was so great, that the TNG staff had put it on the schedule before even informing Snodgrass that she had sold it. Gene Roddenberry, however, resisted doing this story at all. His vision of humanity’s future had become so optimistic by this point that he believed there would be no lawyers in the 24th century! (Ironically, Gene’s own lawyer, Leonard Maizlish, had done more than anyone else to sabotage Gene’s relationships with his colleagues during TNG Season 1, causing many of them to leave the show.) Also, Gene thought that Data should have willingly gone along with Maddox’s planned experiments for the benefit of science. With scripts in short supply, the TNG staff convinced Gene that, even in a society without crime, lawyers would still be necessary to handle divorces, inheritances, and other issues. Gene’s comments about Data’s motivation resulted in the addition of the beautiful moment at the end of the episode when Data tells Maddox he would like to help him once his work is on a firmer basis. Note how, only two episodes after we learned his name for the first time, O’Brien is already a sufficiently prominent semi-regular character that his presence in the opening poker game feels natural. It was, of course, due to Colm Meaney’s great talent and the likeable everyman quality he projects that the TNG writers began expanding his role. Amanda McBroom (Phillipa Louvois) is a singer-songwriter as well as an actress. She wrote the song “The Rose,” which Bette Midler sang in the 1979 film of the same name, and which won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. The computer beginning to read the list of Data’s decorations when he takes the stand, Riker offering to stipulate to them, and Picard objecting that the whole list should be read is an obvious callback to “Court Martial,” in which a precisely equivalent exchange about Kirk’s decorations occurs between Areel Shaw and Samuel Cogley. As if Riker’s turning Data off in court were not gut-wrenching enough, what Riker says afterward, “Pinocchio is broken; its strings have been cut,” is a callback to his very first meeting with Data in “Encounter at Farpoint,” when he said to Data, “Nice to meet you, Pinocchio.” As he returns to his seat, Riker is clearly in greater pain than when Captain Kargan knocked him across the bridge of the Klingon ship. Guinan’s line, “I think that’s a little harsh,” is one of the most powerful moments in the Star Trek franchise due to its context and the understatement of Whoopi Goldberg’s delivery. This is what you get when you cast a future EGOT winner on your show. Amazingly, Melinda Snodgrass only wrote the Ten-Forward scene, which became the story’s dramatic fulcrum, because Goldberg happened to be available that week! Reportedly, Stewart and Goldberg devised much of the dialogue in the final version of the Ten-Forward scene themselves. The version of the scene in the 2nd Revised Final Draft script, available on the Star Trek Minutiae website, is almost totally different and far inferior to the aired version. Picard spends part of it telling Guinan about the breakup of his past romantic relationship with Louvois due to the Stargazer court-martial (an irrelevant issue at this point). The climactic exchange does not crackle the way it does in the aired version; Guinan, not Picard, is the first to use the word “slavery,” making the moment far less powerful. Picard’s description of the courtroom as a “crucible” may be an oblique allusion to The Crucible, Arthur Miller’s play about the Salem Witch Trials (at one time, at least, a staple of American high school curricula). Although I have left the task of keeping the “scorecard” for TNG’s characters to Prof Moff, it occurred to me on my most recent rewatch that Louvois’ acceptance of Picard’s invitation to dinner may mean more than that. Given that both Picard and Louvois would likely welcome a chance to release the tension they built up during the hearing, I would not be surprised if Picard extended his regrets when invited to the celebration for Data on the holodeck, saying he had business to finish up on Starbase 173. (If I am right, I think this may be the first time in TNG’s run that Picard has appeared on the “scorecard.”) What lifts “The Measure of a Man” above almost every other TOS or TNG episode we have seen thus far is that it is one of the few to feel like an undiluted realization of the writer’s concept for the episode, almost as if we had gotten to see the original Harlan Ellison version of “The City on the Edge of Forever” on screen. Intriguingly, a key scene in this episode bears strong similarities to a scene in the Ellison version of “City.” (The similarity is even more obvious in the extended version of the episode.) Years later, Melinda Snodgrass contributed an afterword to a book edition of the Ellison script, so it seems quite possible that she had already read the script, or James Blish’s novelization of “City” (which reinstated the scene in question), prior to writing “The Measure of a Man.” However, I am not sure I should describe the similarity in more detail because it would be a spoiler for Ellison’s version of “City” if Alex and/or Josh ever reads it or the IDW graphic novel adapted from it. Fans have sometimes pondered the question of who this episode’s title character is. While the issue at stake may seem to be whether Data fits the definition of humanity, the title may come from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s statement, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Therefore, fans have suggested that the episode’s title refers to Picard, not Data. Certainly, it is remarkable that it took TNG almost a season and a half to provide its star with material truly worthy of his talent. Patrick Stewart uses his voice in this episode with the beauty and sensitivity of a musical instrument, building carefully to the huge climax of the final hearing scene. Note especially the beginning of the scene: Picard sounds misleadingly weak, almost defeated, as he gears himself up for the devastating arguments he knows he is about to unleash. I think, however, that the man who most truly demonstrates his inner qualities in this episode is Riker, and he is the character my admiration of whom it enhances the most. Despite coming immediately after “A Matter of Honor” and primarily featuring Picard and Data, the episode gives Jonathan Frakes his strongest role as Riker in the series so far, and it is highly appropriate that the final scene focuses on him.
Anthony Bernacchi
2024-02-15 17:08:08 +0000 UTC9:05 The look on Josh's face... LOL!!!!!
Jovet
2024-02-15 17:07:23 +0000 UTCThis is just a small 'nit-pick'. I do like the sentiment of that final scene with Data and Riker in the meeting room. However, both of them would have known the score about Riker having no choice in the trial and both would have known the other implicitly understood this. Also, we've seen that Riker can easily interact & socialise with other ranks onboard the Enterprise, so I believe he wouldn't have hesitated in approaching Data and making clear his motivations, once the trial ended. Data wouldn't have had to go looking for Riker to 'clear the air'. Don't get me wrong, it is a nice scene to end on.
Numinous2019
2024-02-15 16:57:20 +0000 UTCWhen the guys noticed the bloopers about doors not opening for Picard, it reminded me of the story on the bridge set where the director kept telling Patrick to act more dramatically in a scene, and on the third take he accidentally fell straight through the wall behind Wesley and out of the set. Will Wheaton instantly shouted "hull breach on deck 1!" apparently and it cost tens of thousands of dollars and a couple of days to fix the bridge! Definitely don't want the actors walking into those doors.
Smear Campaign
2024-02-15 16:53:19 +0000 UTCI agree it's the thing that we are so attached to the characters by now that this topic just hits different. Maddox and Louvois talking and acting like Data has no feelings and no opinion and no voice to speak for himself is so jarring because we've been with him so long and we could see first hand that he's not just a machine.
DataDroid
2024-02-15 16:52:41 +0000 UTCSerious question for my fellow trek fans... what's the real reason Troi has been completely absent from so many episodes? Did she have something going on outside of TNG, or something in the Writer's Bible made them leave her out? Just too crowded in the scripts?
Smear Campaign
2024-02-15 16:50:16 +0000 UTCYeah, Jeff makes a solid point. People like to simplify Data's joining of Starfleet, but I don't sincerely think it was as cut and dry as "Data chose to do it."
Steven Johnson
2024-02-15 16:50:15 +0000 UTCSomeone said, many years ago, that the musical cue when Maddox appears on screen should only play for a character with an alien monster inside of them... and yeah, Ron Jones made his music motif in this episode *really* sinsiter for some reason.
Steven Johnson
2024-02-15 16:48:40 +0000 UTCYes, even in the 1980's, they had not progressed to being able to move those doors any faster automatically.
Collin Freeman
2024-02-15 16:44:34 +0000 UTCStarfleet officers found him abandoned outside Dr. Soong's laboratory. If he's a mere thing, then salvage rights would make him Starfleet property. The fact that he was later instated as an officer is a separate issue.
Jeff Cornell
2024-02-15 16:32:12 +0000 UTCThis fluctuates back and forth with another episode down the road as my #1, not only because of the story arc, but the acting. Patrick Stewart really comes on with all his years of experience on stage, Jonathan Frakes as well. It was here I realized the potential this show had.
A Surprisingly Moist Fart
2024-02-15 16:29:53 +0000 UTCThe same thing that makes anyone's rights subject to revocation: prejudice and bigotry.
badvertised
2024-02-15 16:23:36 +0000 UTCHeh. Their faces when Maddox presents the transfer orders….yeahhhh, this episode has gottem. Love it. 😊
Ragnarok
2024-02-15 16:20:08 +0000 UTCThe reaction at 40:20 is so validating. I remember this episode as the one where I realized, oh, _this_ is when Patrick Stewart turned it up to 11, but it's remarkably satisfying to see that it wasn't just my imagination or an impression tinted by nostalgia.
badvertised
2024-02-15 16:12:40 +0000 UTC8:13 Yep. Going all the way back to HMS Enterprise in the Royal Navy. She's always been a ship of legend, which is why using that name in Star Trek was such a great idea.
Steven Johnson
2024-02-15 16:10:03 +0000 UTCHeyyyy, ᐰ!
Ragnarok
2024-02-15 16:05:33 +0000 UTCWhat I don't get is... Data CHOSE to join Starfleet. What makes him Starfleet's property???
Ee'char
2024-02-15 16:04:37 +0000 UTC5:48 Always took it to be a tin man reference. Data, the tin man.
Steven Johnson
2024-02-15 16:02:43 +0000 UTCFixed, thanks
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-02-15 16:02:01 +0000 UTCTNG door technology did not improve from the 60's. I've seen bloopers all the way up to the 2008 JJ film of people walking in to doors because the stage hands were a hair late on the pullies. All the more reason for the cast to be nice to the teamsters!
EnigmaticPenguin
2024-02-15 15:58:25 +0000 UTCForgot about the Fireball! As soon as I saw the notification that this vid was live, I poured myself a blackcurrant vodka... Lent has gone out of the window on day 2 then
Ee'char
2024-02-15 15:57:45 +0000 UTCGotta admit, the alternate ending in which the court rules that Data's future will be determined by poker game is a DVD extra I'd pay to see.
badvertised
2024-02-15 15:54:06 +0000 UTCTitle should say S2E9
Shibster
2024-02-15 15:50:13 +0000 UTCFinally made it to one of my all time favorites ❤️
Glenn Johnson Barnes
2024-02-15 15:45:06 +0000 UTCYay!!!
Monty Crawford
2024-02-15 15:34:18 +0000 UTCWhat a lovely way to start my day! I've been eagerly awaiting this episode.
John Deadcorn
2024-02-15 15:33:54 +0000 UTCSo excited!
Lady Beyond The Wall
2024-02-15 15:31:34 +0000 UTCAnd here, we, go
SinocTheHodgeheg
2024-02-15 15:30:42 +0000 UTC
