She would remain on the staff until the end of the third season. The script was accepted due to the impact of the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike, and resulted in Snodgrass being recruited as a staff writer and script editor. Captain Jean-Luc Picard ( Patrick Stewart) fights in a Starfleet court for Data's right of self-determination in order not to be declared mere property of Starfleet, while Commander William Riker ( Jonathan Frakes) is obligated to argue on behalf of the scientist.
Commander Data ( Brent Spiner) are threatened by a scientist who wishes to dismantle him in order to produce replicas of him.
#STAR TREK TNG THE MEASURE OF A MAN ANDROID#
In this episode, the rights of the android officer Lt.
#STAR TREK TNG THE MEASURE OF A MAN SERIES#
Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the Federation starship Enterprise-D.
It was written as a spec script by former attorney and Star Trek: The Original Series novelist Melinda M. It was originally released on February 13, 1989, in broadcast syndication. " The Measure of a Man" is the ninth episode of the second season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 35th episode overall. Star Trek: The Next Generation (season 2) Amanda McBroom – Captain Phillipa Louvois.Phillipa agrees with him, asserting that Data may be a machine, but he is owned by no one and has the right to make his own decisions regarding his life.9th episode of the second season of Star Trek: The Next Generation " The Measure of a Man" Making an impassioned plea for Data's freedom, Picard declares that in a sense, all beings are created but that does not necessarily make them the property of their creator. Certain of his defeat, Picard has a discussion with Guinan and she suggests that the Federation's desire to create and own a race of disposable androids is the recreation of slavery. A stickler for the law, Phillipa warns that if Riker does not give his best effort, she will summarily rule in favor of Maddox.įaced with no other choice, Riker must contend in his prosecution that Data is simply a machine - the creation of man - and dramatically emphasizes his point by approaching Data from behind and switching him off, leaving him lifeless in his seat. Insufficiently staffed, Phillipa explains that as senior officer, Picard would have to defend Data, while the next most senior officer, Riker, would have to prosecute. Picard announces that he will challenge that ruling at a hearing. (Judge Advocate General) officer of the starbase, Phillipa Louvois, an old acquaintance of Picard, rules that Maddox's contention is supported by a twenty-first century precedent. His decision to resign, however, is challenged by Maddox on the basis that Data is not a person with rights, but property of the Federation. When Captain Picard is unable to have the orders changed, Data's only option is to resign from Starfleet. Enterprisearrives at the newly established Starbase 173, Data is ordered to serve under Captain Bruce Maddox, who wishes to disassemble and study him so that more androids can be made for Starfleet's use.īut after Data learns that Maddox may not be able to reassemble him, he refuses to submit to the procedure.