[Three of Seven]

The Measure of a Man
First aired: 13 February 1989
Series: The Next Generation (Season 2, Episode 9)

Introduction:
This episode puts Data in the limelight as Picard must prove that he is a sentient being, not one to be reassigned and experimented on. The decision made will have lasting effects on Federation law, as well as the future for how androids are treated.

Discussion:
Everyone is free to express their opinion of the episode, the situations within and how they felt about what happened. Does the decision make it difficult for the Federation to develop new androids with the same capabilities? Do you see any wider meaning to it, real world examples or otherwise? What did you make of Picard facing off against Riker in a trial setting?

Maybe even pose your own questions to everyone else!

[Tain]

I think the part I enjoyed the most was watching Riker having to prosecute the case. Despite the fact Data was a close friend, he did a great job in trying to prove his point.

If it wasn't for Picard's great defense, Star Fleet would now be mass producing androids. And we all now from Terminator, that might not turn out so well for humanity

[AgentZeus]

There is a reason this episode is constantly at the top of most Trek 'greatest episode' charts.

It is a fantastic insight into Data, Picard and Riker as well as introducing elements which then continued on throughout the series. This is the episode that introduced the crew poker games for instance!

A standout comedy moment must be when Data is carefully unwrapping some gifts before being told by Wesley that "You're supposed to rip the wrapping off a present" and then promptly tears the paper to shreds.

There is an extended version of the episode in the TNG boxset which is well worth a watch. Have a sneak peak at an extended clip below!

[Stormy]

Once again, Star Trek is on the cutting edge when dealing with social issues. This, of course, goes back to the TOS days and is at the center of Gene Roddenberry's focus when writing this show.

The episode featured multiple story lines, creating one of better episodes for that season. Some of those include:
- How do we as a society define a "person."
- Testing friendships- Can we separate friendship from responsibility?
- Loyalty and Call of Duty (as seen by Riker prosecuting the case)

Overall a very good episode.

[Mobeer]

I preferred the non-extended clip - it was simpler and more to the point.

[Mark Okuda]

This is one of my favorite episodes from TNG. I like Riker's use of Data's cutoff switch and Picard's closing.

[Al]

I showed this Episode to my "Problems of Philosophy" class in university. It raises important questions about personhood and identity we were looking into at the time. Pretty cool to fire up STNG and then have a deep philo discussion afterward it was awesome.

[Danska101]

I showed this Episode to my "Problems of Philosophy" class in university. It raises important questions about personhood and identity we were looking into at the time. Pretty cool to fire up STNG and then have a deep philo discussion afterward it was awesome.

I feel like that's exactly what Star Trek should be aiming for. Maybe not every episode, but exploring the nature of humanity and showing it overcoming its less agreeable tendencies is so much of what Star Trek is.

The Measure of a Man is one of the episodes that really defines what the show is about for me. It delves not only into the central theme of what it is to be a person, but also the consequences - foreseen or otherwise - that certain actions and ways of thinking can lead to. Most notably the fact that deciding Data was not a person would for all intents and purposes make him - and any mechanical lifeform - nothing more than property, or slaves. As I believe Picard pointed out, the MO of Starfleet is to seek out new life and new civilisations - and there's new life right in front of them. The whole episode sets out quite plainly what the show is about and where its heart and moral core truly is.