If You Want to Know the Measure of a Man Count His Friends

March 12, 2022 Post a Comment

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(written from a Production bespeak of view)

Picard must evidence Data is legally a sentient being with rights and freedoms nether Federation law when transfer orders demand Data's reassignment for written report and disassembly.

Daftar Isi

Summary

Teaser

"*Is that what is known as a poker face?*"

The USS Enterprise-D is visiting the newly-built Starbase 173 for a crew rotation. Meanwhile, four of the senior staff and Chief Miles O'Brien sit down downwardly in Commander Riker's quarters for a game of poker. Information technology is Lieutenant Commander Data'southward offset official game, but he has studied up on the subject and explains it in detail as the cards are dealt. Doctor Pulaski announces a bet, which the residual of the staff calls. Information bets 10, as he holds the highest hand, whereas Pulaski and Lieutenant La Forge fold. The cards are dealt, and Riker'southward new card is the v of hearts, as we see 3 hearts, compared to Data's pair of queens, ace high.

Data bets five cautiously, whereas O'Brien calls, just Riker raises five more. Data calls, but O'Brien folds. The cards are dealt a final time, and Riker receives a 4 of hearts, which causes a moan from the others – Riker may accept a flush. Data bets x, only Riker raises another 10. This causes Data to peek at his face up-down card, which is a queen, indicating he has three of a kind. Data comments well-nigh Riker's facial expression beingness a "poker face up", but Riker asks if Information is "playing or not?". Data hesitates and so folds. Riker reveals his confront-down card as the two of spades, which raises a resounding groan from the table. Confused, Data doesn't sympathize how Riker could accept won – as he had nix toward a winning hand – but La Forge points out to Data Riker's valid play and that he did win, in bluffing Data.

Captain Picard, while sitting and having tea on the station, encounters Captain Phillipa Louvois, whom he has not seen in 10 years.

Act One

Phillipa Louvois is a longtime friend who had previously prosecuted Picard with zeal during the court martial following the loss of the USS Stargazer. While they reminisce and tease each other playfully, the pair is approached by Admiral Nakamura, accompanied by Commander Bruce Maddox, a Starfleet cyberneticist. On the admiral's asking, Picard, with Maddox post-obit, guides Nakamura on a tour of the Enterprise. They finish upward on the bridge, where Maddox looks at Data with interest; he in turn notices this and looks back. On Maddox's reminder, Nakamura tells Picard that the commander is there "to work on your android" and takes his leave. Maddox and Data greet each other with familiarity; Data explains to Picard that Maddox was the sole member of a Starfleet special admissions console to oppose Data's admission to Starfleet University, on the basis that Data was not a sentient lifeform, who briefly looks annoyed with the retentiveness. Maddox tells Picard that the "work" entails dismantling Information.

In an interview in the Enterprise'due south observation lounge with Picard, Riker, and Data, Maddox explains that he wants Data to help him understand better how Dr. Noonian Soong was able to overcome certain engineering challenges in designing Information'due south positronic brain. He mostly speaks to Picard and Riker, not actually addressing Data. Information is intrigued, until he discovers that it is Maddox's intention to "dump" Data's memories from his positronic brain into the Starbase 173 master computer, and then conciliate and disassemble Data in hopes of deriving plenty technical knowledge to enable him to construct more Soong-type androids. He also asks if Maddox, having built a model positronic brain, has solved the virtually important first stride: the electron resistance across the neural filaments. Maddox admits he hasn't, but plans to examine Information's working filament links in his anterior cortex; Data points out that if he can't discover the answers that mode, Maddox's model will not work. In spite of this, Maddox claims the risks to Data are "negligible."

Data concludes that Maddox lacks sufficient technical knowledge to deport out the procedure safely, and declines to participate, with Picard's support. Maddox, prepared for this eventuality, produces orders from Starfleet Command separating Data from the Enterprise and transferring him to Starbase 173, under Maddox'southward command. Maddox orders Data to report to him the following morning time.

Human activity Two

"*I see. It is precisely considering I am* not Human being."
"*That volition be all, Mr. Data.*"

In his set room, recognizing Starfleet'due south inherent interests in the creation of more than Soong-type androids, Picard attempts to persuade Data into submitting to Maddox'southward procedure. Despite Picard's arroyo being the opposite of Maddox'south – with the awarding of much more carrot than stick – Information counters that request him to submit to an uncertain, dangerous, potentially subversive Starfleet experiment is tantamount to compulsorily requiring all Starfleet officers to have their biological eyes replaced with superior cybernetic implants such every bit the type utilized by Geordi La Forge. Data goes on to remind Picard that information technology is precisely considering he is not Human – and even considered amongst some to lack true sentience – that Starfleet is emboldened enough to make their asking in the first place. Realizing this to be the jarring truth of the thing, Picard dismisses Data and has the calculator pull all relevant information of Starfleet regulations on officer transfers to a PADD for further research, intending to detect a way to block Data's transfer.

"*It's unjustified. Information technology'south unfair.*"

Swayed by the gravamen of Data's argument and having fabricated picayune sense of Starfleet's official regulations, Picard seeks the counsel of the Estimate Abet General's office on Starbase 173, headed by Captain Louvois. Louvois initially contends that while Data tin refuse to participate in the experiment, the transfer itself cannot be stopped. Picard articulates his business concern that one time Maddox has Data in his clutches, as it were, anything could happen; Louvois therefore suggests, alternatively, that Information could resign his Starfleet commission.

Aboard the Enterprise, Maddox enters Data'southward quarters unannounced and without permission, continuing to frankly drive home the point that he clearly does non accord Information the same respect he would otherwise a being whose sentience were not a matter of opinion. He finds Information packing his motel subsequently having resigned from Starfleet. Maddox, unaware that Data has resigned, passionately attempts to convince Information to reconsider the experiment by reassuring Data that his memories and knowledge will remain intact. Data, still genuinely concerned that Dr. Maddox has not even so demonstrated his ability to brand good on that promise, argues that the substance and flavor of his experiences would be lost, reduced to mere facts. He offers the Teaser's before poker game every bit an example: he had absorbed all the bachelor literature on the subject of Poker to fix for the game, but when he really played information technology, establish it bore trivial resemblance to the rules equally published. Continuing the inference, Data communicates his lack of confidence that Maddox has acquired the expertise needed to retain Information'southward "essence" of his stored experience. Maddox is irritated, and reminds Data that his cooperation may be desired but is not required; he is now under his command. Data finally reveals to Maddox that while he regretted having to practise and then, he has resigned his Starfleet commission such that he cannot be compelled to participate in Maddox's experiment. Maddox is infuriated at this complexity and does niggling to hide it, angrily insisting that one way or another Data volition be reporting to him the next solar day.

Act Iii

Withal smarting from Data'south sudden resignation, Maddox has establish a legal loophole he can use to get his experiment back on track. Meeting with Captains Louvois and Picard aboard Starbase 173, Maddox angrily counters to the affirmative when Louvois ponders aloud whether Data is actually the property of Starfleet – rather than an individual, sentient being with rights and freedoms within the Federation – and that Data, a motorcar, is no more legally able to turn down his procedure and resign from Starfleet than the Enterprise's estimator is able to refuse a refit. Ironically, this is in contrary to Maddox's wishes years ago: had he had his way, Information would not be in Starfleet – and would not, in Maddox'southward own opinion, be "Starfleet property." Louvois tells Picard that there might be established constabulary to support Maddox's position, who asks her to find the proof – and Picard also hopes she will utilise the same zeal she used in his courtroom martial involving the Stargazer.

Later on announcing his resignation, Data's shipmates throw an impromptu going-away party in Ten Forward. Among the gifts, Worf presents him with a copy of The Dream of the Fire, a classic Klingon novel by Grand'Ratak. Across the room, Data sees Geordi La Forge glumly sitting alone, and he approaches his friend. La Forge tells Information that he's upset about the android being forced out of Starfleet, and the two limited that they volition miss each other.

After deliberating, Captain Louvois initially finds for Commander Maddox'southward position "based on the Acts of Cumberland passed in the early on 21st century." She states that Information can neither resign nor tin he turn down to undergo Maddox's procedure. Picard requests a formal legal hearing to challenge the ruling; however, because the brand-new Sector 23 Judge Advocate General'southward Office has non yet received their staff transfers to Starbase 173, JAG staff consists only of Captain Louvois herself and "one terrified little ensign." Despite this, Louvois agrees to convene a hearing on condition that Enterprise personnel serve as legal counsel during the proceedings: Equally his commanding officer, Captain Picard is encumbered with the defense of Information and his rights and freedoms every bit a sentient being. A reluctant Commander Riker is pressed into representing Commander Maddox's position; Riker initially refuses to participate in the hearing on the grounds that he vehemently disagrees with the premise of the instance: Not only does Riker consider Data legally possessed of the aforementioned rights and freedoms of all sentient beings nether Federation law, just also considering Riker considers Data a comrade and friend, and on a personal level does not wish to be compelled into potentially placing a friend in harm's way. All the same, since Data'due south position is at peril of Louvois' preliminary ruling, which would be finalized in Maddox's favor if Riker does non participate, Riker disappointingly concludes that he is offered no palatable selection in the matter. Louvois goes on to sternly warn Riker that she volition tolerate no effort to sandbag his operation – if she at any betoken determines that Riker is not prosecuting the case equally vigorously as she feels he is capable, she will rule summarily in favor of Maddox.

Human activity Four

Picard calls Data to his ready room and informs him that he has been denied his resignation and he has been ruled the belongings of Starfleet Command. Data remarks that gives him no pick just to submit, but his captain tells him about the hearing, which will conspicuously ascertain the android's legal status once and for all and how he was asked to represent him. He asks if Information would be happier with some other officer, but Data places his complete confidence in Picard's abilities. In the meantime, Riker does research for the hearing, and uses his authorization to look upwardly Information's technical schematics. He is initially pleased to find what he was looking for... but then remembers why he was doing so in the first identify.

On Starbase 173, Louvois begins the hearing, acting as estimate. Riker calls Data to the stand up and the computer recounts Data's service tape – including Data's Starfleet decorations, which Picard insists be recited in its entirety as an case of Data'southward service. Riker begins his prosecution by seeking to demonstrate that Data is, in fact, a man-made, constructed beingness. Data is asked his maximum storage capacity ("eight hundred quadrillion bits") and how quickly he can access information ("sixty trillion operations per second"). Riker then compels Information to bend a rod of parsteel, despite Picard'southward objection based on the fact that many creatures in the Federation are possessed of mega-forcefulness. Riker asks to be immune to remove Data's left hand for examination; Picard objects and so withdraws it, realizing he has no way to rebut it. Softly apologizing to his friend, Riker disconnects the unabridged forearm for Helm Louvois' examination. Citing that Information is essentially hardware built by a homo and programmed with software written by a man, Riker then moves behind Information and abruptly deactivates him, proclaiming "Pinocchio is cleaved; its strings have been cut." Even Louvois, who warned him to practice his all-time, is a bit taken ashamed and as a remorseful Riker takes his seat, Picard requests a recess, which is granted.

Act V

Picard and Guinan discuss Data'southward rights

Back on the Enterprise, Captain Picard recounts Riker'southward devastating prosecution to Guinan in Ten Forward, admitting that he himself was ready to believe that Information was only a auto after Riker's arguments. Guinan aptly observes that were Maddox to prevail in the proceedings and become on to become successful in replicating Data – despite the value this would represent to Starfleet – Maddox's success would almost certainly result in the cosmos of an entirely new race of "disposable creatures": beings whose welfare and needs would non require consideration.

Picard quickly concludes from Guinan'due south wise words that victory for Maddox would take far more sinister repercussions throughout the Federation; that behind the comfortable, easy euphemism of "property", this fledgling race could potentially go a race of slaves. This grim realization strengthens Picard's resolve and inspires him to have a new approach in the defense phase of the hearing.

Later, in the court, Picard begins Data's defense past quickly dismissing Riker's arguments that Data is a constructed being:

"Commander Riker has dramatically demonstrated to this court that Lieutenant Commander Data is a car. Do nosotros deny that? No, because information technology is not relevant: nosotros, too, are machines, just machines of a unlike blazon. Commander Riker has also reminded us that Lieutenant Commander Data was created by a man; exercise nosotros deny that? No. Again, it is not relevant. Children are created from the 'building blocks' of their parents' DNA. Are they property?" Picard asks rhetorically.

Picard then calls Data to the witness stand and enters equally show Data's personal holding, a sample of the items he had packed in preparation of his resignation: a plaque of his Starfleet medals, a book that was given to him by his captain, and a holocube portrait of the late Enterprise crewmember Tasha Yar. Picard asks Data, what purpose do any of these manufactures serve him? Of the Starfleet medals, he answers that they serve no purpose other than that he simply wanted them, wondering out loud to Picard if that demonstrates vanity. Of the volume, Information says that it is a reminder of his friendship and service with the captain.

Picard questions Data about the holocube of Tasha Yar, taking the time to fix information technology out and actuate it, stating for the record that he has "no other portraits of [his] fellow crewmates." Data replies that he would adopt not to answer any questions related to Yar, as he had given his word to her to not speak of the matter. Picard gently reminds Data that because the circumstances, he doesn't believe that Tasha would mind. Data reveals – with what can just be interpreted as discomfort – that Yar was "special" to him because they had been intimate with i another.

Calling Commander Maddox forwards as a hostile witness, Picard proceeds to expose for the court, then to impeach, Maddox's assertions as to Data's sentience. In doing so, Picard maneuvers Maddox into conceding that Data fulfills nigh of the cyberneticist'southward own criteria for sentience – intelligence and self-awareness – and dramatically coerces the scientist into an admission that the remaining criterion, consciousness, is as well nebulous a concept to precisely determine whether the android is in possession of it or non. Having cemented his argument for Data's sentience, Picard summarizes his final contention that to create more Soong-blazon androids would exist the beginnings of a race, and a sentient race that is considered "property" is to sanction slavery – a profound violation of the basic principles and ethics upon which the United Federation of Planets is based:

"Your honor, the courtroom is a crucible; in it, we fire away irrelevancies until nosotros are left with a purer production: the truth, for all time. At present sooner or after, this man [Commander Maddox] – or others like him – will succeed in replicating Commander Information. The conclusion you lot reach hither today will decide how we will regard this creation of our genius. Information technology will reveal the kind of people nosotros are; what he is destined to be. It will accomplish far beyond this courtroom and this one android. It could significantly redefine the boundaries of personal liberty and liberty: expanding them for some, savagely curtailing them for others. Are you prepared to condemn him [Commander Data] – and all who will come after him – to servitude and slavery? Your honor, Starfleet was founded to seek out new life: well, there it sits! Waiting."

Ultimately, Captain Louvois rules in favor of Information:

"It sits there looking at me, and I don't know what it is. This example has dealt with metaphysics, with questions all-time left to saints and philosophers. I am neither competent, nor qualified, to reply those. I've got to make a ruling – to endeavour to speak to the hereafter. Is Data a motorcar? Aye. Is he the belongings of Starfleet? No. We've all been dancing around the basic outcome: does Data have a soul? I don't know that he has. I don't know that I take! But I have got to give him the freedom to explore that question himself. It is the ruling of this court that Lieutenant Commander Data has the freedom to choose."

"*I formally reject to undergo your process.*"

Data formally refuses to undergo Maddox'southward procedure after Louvois' ruling is entered, and Maddox, in turn, states he will see that Information'due south transfer orders are rescinded. Surprisingly, still, Data encourages Maddox to continue his work; he claims to remain intrigued by some of what Maddox is proposing, and suggests he might agree to the procedure at some point in the future, once he is certain Maddox can perform information technology safely. Captain Louvois notes to Maddox that he no longer refers to Information every bit an "it" but every bit a "he", inferring that he now ascribes to Data "personhood."

Subsequently the victory, Riker, deeply affected by the gravity of about costing a friend and colleague his life, prefers the confinement of the Enterprise'south darkened ascertainment lounge looking out at the stars more than attending Information'due south victory celebration on the holodeck. Data himself arrives to ask why Riker hasn't joined them, who sullenly explains his guilt over his office in the trial. Data reminds Riker in his immutable manner that had he non agreed to prosecute the position in favor of Maddox, they would non have been afforded the opportunity to defend the position that Data is sentient and legally entitled to the full panoply of rights and freedoms accorded sentient beings in the Federation, as Louvois would have ruled summarily in favor of Maddox'south position. Data expresses his sincere gratitude at the ignominy Riker had endured, just that had, in its effect, saved him. Riker smiles, declaring his friend a wise homo; Data cautions that he does not believe he is yet, but with Riker'south help, he is learning. Feeling better, Riker leaves with Data to bring together the celebration.

Log entries

Captain'due south log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2365a

Memorable quotes

"It's been ten years, merely seeing you again similar this makes it seem like fifty. If we weren't effectually all these people, do you know what I would like to practise?"
"Bust a chair across my teeth."
"After that."
"Oh, own't love wonderful."

- Jean-Luc Picard and Phillipa Louvois

"It brings a sense of order and stability to my universe to know that you lot're however a pompous donkey... and a damn sexy human."

- Louvois, to Picard

"My God..."

- Picard, upon seeing Louvois once more

"You're a piddling vague on the specifics."

- William Riker, to Bruce Maddox

"'When in disgrace with fortune and men'south eyes / I all alone beweep my outcast land.' Tell me: are these but words to you lot? Or exercise you fathom the significant?"
"Is it not customary to request permission before entering an individual's quarters?"

- Maddox and Information

"I am the culmination of i man'due south dream. This is not ego or vanity, simply when Doctor Soong created me, he added to the substance of the universe. If, by your experiments, I am destroyed, something unique – something wonderful – will exist lost. I cannot permit that. I must protect his dream."

- Data, to Maddox

"You are imparting Human qualities to it considering it looks Human being – only I clinch you: it is not. If it were a box on wheels I would not be facing this opposition."

- Maddox, to Picard and Louvois

"...and the unenviable chore of prosecuting this instance would fall on you lot, Commander, as the next about senior officer of the defendant's send."
"I can't! I...I won't! Data's my comrade. We take served together. I non only respect him, I consider him my friend!"

- Louvois and Riker

"Consider that in the history of many worlds in that location accept always been disposable creatures. They do the dirty work. They do the work that no one else wants to do, because it's too difficult or too hazardous. And an regular army of Datas, all disposable? You don't have to think about their welfare; you don't retrieve nearly how they feel. Whole generations of disposable people."
"Y'all're talking well-nigh slavery."
"I call back that's a little harsh."
"I don't think that's a little harsh, I think that's the truth. But that's a truth that we have obscured behind a... comfortable, easy euphemism. 'Property'. But that's non the issue at all, is it?"

- Guinan and Picard

"I would adopt non to answer, sir. I gave my word."
"Nether the circumstances, I don't think Tasha would mind."
"She was special to me. Nosotros were... intimate."

- Data, to Picard when asked about his connection to Tasha Yar

"Now tell me, Commander, what is Data?"
"I don't empathize."
"What is he?"
"A machine!"
"Is he? Are you certain?"
"Yes!"
"You see he's met two of your three criteria for sentience, then what if he meets the third, consciousness, in even the smallest degree? What is he and so? I don't know, do you? (to Riker) Do you? (to Phillipa) Do you?"

- Picard and Maddox

"Pinocchio is broken; its strings have been cut."

- Riker, after turning Data off during the trial to bear witness he is nothing more than a machine

"Your Honor, a courtroom is a crucible; in it we burn away irrelevancies until nosotros are left with a pure product: the truth, for all time."

- Picard, in his summation

"... Starfleet was founded to seek out new life – well, in that location it sits! ...waiting."

- Picard, in his summation

"You wanted a chance to make law. Well, here information technology is...go far a expert one."

- Picard, before Louvois hands downwardly her ruling

"I formally refuse to undergo your process."

- Data, to Maddox after he is declared to not exist holding

"That act injured you lot and saved me. I volition non forget it."
"You lot're a wise man, my friend."
"Not yet, sir. Simply with your aid, I am learning."

- Data and Riker, regarding the latter'southward prosecution of the sometime

Background information

Product history

Second revised final draft script: 14 Dec 1988 [1]
Premiere airdate: xiii February 1989
First UK airdate: 29 May 1991

Story and script

Manager Robert Scheerer examines an arm prop

"The Mensurate Of A Man" was writer Melinda Snodgrass' first television credit. She drew from her ain experience as an attorney in writing the episode. (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (2nd ed., p. 77))
Snodgrass' spec script was "discovered" as a result of the 1988 Writers Social club of America strike and the consequent need to use existing scripts. (Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Continuing Mission, p. 90)
Snodgrass commented, "Anybody seems to view [the episode] as a Data script, simply it's really a Picard script. Data is the goad, merely the stress is all on Picard." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 176)
In a comment on her blog, Snodgrass recalls how Gene Roddenberry nearly shot down the story: "As to the issue of constabulary in Cistron'due south vision. He nearly killed 'The Measure of a Human being' because according to Gene there were no lawyers in the 24th century because if people had criminal intentions they 'had their minds made right'. I establish that chilling. I also pointed out that you take contracts that have to be negotiated and conflicts of law between different legal systems, and divorces, etc. etc. There was no mode there would be no lawyers in the future." [two]

Production

The court prepare was a redress of the boxing bridge ready. The set featured a map of the milky way previously seen in "Conspiracy" and a chart showing the current location of twenty-four starships.
The model of Starbase 173 was a reuse of a model best known equally infinite lab Regula I from Star Expedition II: The Wrath of Khan . For more information, encounter Studio models.

Continuity

The Daystrom Constitute, first mentioned here, was a homage to the character of Richard Daystrom from TOS: "The Ultimate Figurer". (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (2nd ed., p. 77))
Data'south rights every bit a sentient being would once again be challenged a flavor later, in "The Offspring". At that place, the issue was whether Information could assert parental rights over his "daughter," Lal. In both episodes, Picard acts as Data's advocate.
Subsequently his trial, Data showed Commander Bruce Maddox that he nonetheless remained open to future collaboration with him. He would indeed continue open up correspondence with Maddox, at one betoken recording a log of a twenty-four hour period in his life in "Data'south Day".
Data would refer dorsum to his trial in his decision to champion the exocomps in season half dozen's "The Quality of Life". He explains to Picard that while he had Picard to defend him, the Exocomps had no one to defend their rights.

The rarely seen "interim uniform" worn by admirals in the 2nd season

This episode contradicts a argument made by Pulaski in "Where Silence Has Lease" that Data is listed as alive in his Starfleet Personnel file.
This episode features the first appearance of the officers' regular poker game, with Information, Riker, La Forge, Dr. Pulaski, and O'Brien. It is as well the first time Information has ever played the game.
Admiral Nakamura tells Picard that Starbase 173 has been established in response to disturbances along the Federation/Romulan Neutral Zone, which were starting time referenced the episode "The Neutral Zone". These disturbances will later be revealed to be early attacks by the Borg.
The episode features the rare "interim" pattern Starfleet admiral uniform which was only seen twice in the second flavour of TNG. The uniform departed from the first flavor "pip triangle" admiral insignia and introduced the "boxed pip" version which was the standard admiral insignia for the rest of Adjacent Generation and all subsequent series. The second flavor pip insignia was worn vertical while later seasons showed the insignia flat confronting the collar.
The restoration of the scene mentioning Picard's service aboard the USS Reliant means that he and Pavel Chekov take each served on a starship named Reliant and two starships named Enterprise.
Unknown to Dr. Maddox at the fourth dimension, other examples of Soong-blazon androids were bachelor. Such examples would have been Lore, B4, 2 other prototypes, Data's head (later discovered in the episode "Fourth dimension'southward Arrow"), and Juliana Tainer. Besides, Dr. Noonien Soong himself was withal alive during the events of this episode. Maddox will eventually run into and work with Dr. Soong'south natural son, Altan Inigo Soong, to continue his research project. (PIC: "Et in Arcadia Ego, Office 1")
Data speaks of his and Tasha Yar'southward intimate encounter from "The Naked Now" during the hearing, making an exception to his vow never to mention the encounter to others.

Reception

Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner on ready

This episode was nominated for a Writers Club of America Award in the category of "Best Episodic Drama". (The Making of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)
Entertainment Weekly ranked this episode #half-dozen on their list of "The Tiptop 10 Episodes" to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation. [iii]
Producer Maurice Hurley commented, "Stunning. That'due south the kind of show yous desire to do... It just worked cracking, everything near information technology. And it dealt with an issue in a very interesting way. I idea Whoopi'due south place was skilful in that. She'due south a wonderful actress." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 176)
Managing director Robert Scheerer called the episode one of the best of The Side by side Generation. He explained, "Information technology has to do with the content, what it had to say, how it deals with it, the depth that it goes and the way it's resolved. I love that show. It is indeed my favorite show. I guess you lot would have to say that what I enjoyed is the dilemma that they're put in to, specially Jonathan [Frakes] and Patrick [Stewart] having to deal with Brent [Spiner] not every bit a beloved friend but as someone whose worth has to be resolved. And Jonathan had to take the other side. It was all merely beautifully crafted. It was not typical episodic television and had a great deal to say about man, humanity, what our problems in the earth are today and hopefully what nosotros can do about it in the futurity." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Consummate Trek Voyages, p. 176) Scheerer also stated, "That was a wonderful bear witness. But no thank you to me specially. It was based on a volume the young lady – [screenwriter] Melinda Snodgrass – has done. She was brought out because of it and wrote the episode. She was a lawyer, I think. That was where the volume 'Measure of a Human being' came from. It was her first writing feel, as I understand it. She quit [her law position] and came out here to write for Adjacent Generation, and served as story editor. Very impressive." (The Official Star Trek: The Adjacent Generation Magazine issue 20, p. 30)
Rick Berman cited this episode, along with "Yesterday's Enterprise", as 1 of his favorites. (TNG Flavor iii DVD)
Michael Piller named this episode (forth with "The Inner Lite" and "The Offspring") every bit i of his favorite TNG episodes, "because they had remarkable emotional impacts. And they genuinely explored the Man status, which this franchise does better than any other when it does it well." (AOL chat, 1997)
Troi actress Marina Sirtis cited this every bit her favorite TNG episode, commenting, "It was perfect Star Trek. A riveting story, smashing performances and a moral issue to call back about." (SFX, issue 136, p. 028)
Whoopi Goldberg talked about this episode, as a socially relevant TNG installment, in the documentary l Years of Star Trek.
The book Star Trek 101 (p. 72), by Terry J. Erdmann and Paula M. Block, lists this episode equally one of the "Ten Essential Episodes" from Star Trek: The Next Generation.
A mission report for this episode, by Robert Greenberger, was published in The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine result 8, pp. five-10.

Extended edition

A significant amount of original footage was cut from the episode during editing, but was restored for the TNG Flavor 2 Blu-ray release. [4] [v] The "extended edition" features a l-seven-infinitesimal version of the episode, containing approximately thirteen minutes of restored scenes and visual effects, including:

Act 1, Scene 5 – Picard, Nakamura, and Maddox beam aboard the Enterprise; Picard and Nakamura reminisce about their days aboard the USS Reliant.
Act 2, Scene fourteen – Picard confronts Nakamura about Data's transfer by way of his fix room desktop monitor.
Act three, Scene xi – Data presents La Forge with his Sherlock Holmes piping in applied science; they discuss life exterior of Starfleet.
Human action 3, Scene 13 – An extended version of Data'south good day party in Ten Forward. Pulaski gives Data advice on where to alive later on leaving Starfleet; Riker and Troi privately discuss their feelings near Information; Maddox crashes the party and insults Data; Picard summons Riker to the transporter room.
Act three, Scene 17 – Riker interrupts the fencing lucifer betwixt Picard and his fencing partner. Riker warns Picard that he will do everything in his power to win the coming legal boxing – and Picard warns Riker that he volition do the same.
Deed 3, Scene 18 – Picard and Data review their legal strategy. Picard attempts to guide Data'southward testimony to a more favorable position, calling it "a bit of legal fiction"; Data cites "kill all the lawyers" from Shakespeare's Henry Half dozen, Part 2.
Act 5, Scene 23 – An extended version of Data and Riker'southward postal service-hearing conversation in the observation lounge; Information tells "Will" that he has learned from Riker'due south sacrifice in prosecuting his friend.

Apocrypha

novels set after Star Trek Nemesis plant that B-4 had been transferred to Starfleet custody and Maddox (who was past now a Captain), was in custody of B-4 and when the result of rights for B-4 come, Maddox takes the position that Picard had in this episode and defends the rights of B-4 to have rights but similar Data had. ^{(citation needed • edit)}

Video and DVD releases

Original U.k. VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 18, catalog number VHR 2471, 12 August 1991
Equally part of the Uk VHS collection Star Expedition: The Next Generation - Information Box: 6 November 1995
Every bit part of the U.s. VHS collection Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Information Collection: 19 Baronial 1997
United kingdom re-release (three-episode tapes, Paramount Home Entertainment): Book 2.three, catalog number VHR 4739, 3 May 1999
As part of the TNG Season 2 DVD collection
As part of The All-time of Star Trek: The Next Generation DVD drove
As part of the TNG Flavor 2 Blu-ray collection

Links and references

Starring

Patrick Stewart as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes every bit Cmdr. William Riker

Too starring

LeVar Burton as Lt. Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn as Lt. Worf
Marina Sirtis equally Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner as Lt. Commander Information
Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher

Special appearance by

Diana Muldaur as Doctor Pulaski

Guest stars

Amanda McBroom as Captain Phillipa Louvois
Clyde Kusatsu every bit Vice Admiral Nakamura
Brian Brophy as Commander Bruce Maddox

And

Special invitee star

Whoopi Goldberg as Guinan

Co-star

Colm Meaney as Chief O'Brien

Uncredited co-stars

Majel Barrett every bit USS Enterprise-D computer phonation
Michael Braveheart as Martinez
Denise Crosby as Lieutenant Natasha Yar (archive footage from "Skin of Evil")
Victor Paul as fencing opponent (extended edition)
Unknown performers as
- Antican
- Male Starbase 173 figurer vocalism
- Half dozen Starbase 173 officers

Stand-ins

James K. Becker – stand-in for Jonathan Frakes
Darrell Burris – stand up-in for LeVar Burton
Dexter Clay – stand-in for Michael Dorn
Jeffrey Deacon – stand-in for Patrick Stewart
Nora Leonhardt – stand-in for Marina Sirtis
Tim McCormack – stand up-in for Brent Spiner
Guy Vardaman – stand up-in for Wil Wheaton

References

19th century; 21st century; 2355; ability; admission lawmaking; ace; accomplishment; Acts of Cumberland; adversarial process; adversarial system; advice; agreement; "all right"; assay; android; answer; anterior cortex; "ante up"; statement; army; assigment; Acquaintance Chair of Robotics; "as y'all know"; As Yous Like It; "at stake"; mental attitude; authority; automaton; bit; barefaced; box; bridge crew; bridge officer; example; casino chip; celebration; chair; children; option; choir; committee; estimator; computational speed; comrade; conviction; conscience; consciousness; construction; cadre memory; court martial; court; courtroom; creator; creature; crew rotation; cantankerous; crucible; curiosity; cybernetics; cybernetic implant; day; Daystrom Technological Institute; Decoration for Valor and Gallantry; defendant; defense; demonstration; dinner; give-and-take; Dna; download; dream; Dream of the Fire, The; edition; ego; electron resistance; emergency manual command; technology; Enterprise history; entrance evaluation; euphemism; event; show; "excuse me"; existence; feel; experiment; experiment module; expertise; eye; fact; Federation; five-card stud; freedom; French language; friend; friendship; game of risk; generation; genius; gift; "gobbledygook"; guide; hand; hardware; hearing (sense); heuristic algorithm; history; holodeck; hostile witness; hour; Homo; Homo characteristic; "ice human being"; idea; ignorance; individual; "in force"; data; "in full general"; "in particular"; inspection; intelligence; irrational; "I see"; instinct; jack; JAG ensign; chore; Judge Advocate General (JAG); 1000'Ratak; kilobar; knowledge; law; legal counsel; legal hearing; legal status; legend; Legion of Honour; alphabetic character of the law; liberty; lifeform; log record; Lore; love; luck; machine; mainframe computer; "human with the axe"; meaning; medal; Medal of Honor; megastrength; memory; memory capacity; metaphysics; heed; infinitesimal; mission; model; "my god"; name; neural filament; neural net; "no doubt"; novel; objection; "of course"; office; officer; "once and for all"; "one manner or the other"; operations per second; opportunity; opposition; order; system; outcast; paper; parent; parsteel; passion; permission; person; philosopher; pigeon; Pinocchio; place; player; playing card; poker; poker face; portrait; positronic brain; "preaching to the choir"; presentation; problem; product; programming; belongings; proposal; prototype; quadrillion; quality; quarters; question; race; reality; reason; refit; Reliant, USS; research; resignation; right; run a risk; robotics; rod; Romulan; Romulan Neutral Zone; rule; rule of law; ruling; saint; Sector 23; self-awareness/cocky-aware; senior officer; sentience; sentimentality; seven-card stud; sexy; Shakespeare'due south sonnets; "sick to expiry of"; "sit down"; slavery; software; Soong, Noonian; soul; stability; staff; stand; standard procedure; Starbase 173; Star Cross; Starfleet; Starfleet Academy; Starfleet Command; Starfleet regulations; Starfleet compatible; Stargazer, USS; storage capacity; string; stubborn; educatee; substance; superstition; technical schematic; teeth; tensile forcefulness; X Forrard; textbook; "the letter of the constabulary"; "the spirit of the law": thousand; toaster; transfer; transfer order; treatise; Transporter Room iii; trillion; trust; truth; "under the circumstances": universe; value; vanity; vocabulary; Webster's 24th Century Dictionary; wheel; wisdom; witness; wonder; give-and-take; world; wrapping paper; year

Library computer references

Technical Schematics of Information: chemical fuel reaction unit; cryo fluid pressure organization; emergency transmission control; fluidic subsystem regulator; hydraulic regulation unit of measurement; kei/yuri submodule; locomotion subsystem; locomotor neural net; nutrient distribution net; nutrient processing system; oscillation overthruster; positronic cortex unit; principal arrangement module; sensory neural net; spatial orientation unit; substrate interface; Turing test; vascular fluid pumps
Emergency Manual Command: plastic; chief cerebral circuit; reserve bus; secondary neural processing network; yurium
Federation Star Nautical chart ("The Explored Galaxy"): Aldebaran; Alfa 177; Alpha Carinae; Alpha Centauri; Blastoff Majoris; Altair VI; Andor; Ariannus; Arret; Boom-boom; Benecia; Berengaria VII; Beta Aurigae; Beta Geminorum; Beta Lyrae; Beta Niobe; Beta Portolan; Camus 2; Canopus III; Capella; Daran Five; Delta Vega; Deneb; Eminiar; Fabrina; First Federation; Gamma Canaris Due north; Gamma Trianguli; Holberg 917G; Ingraham B; Janus Half dozen; Kling; Kzin; Lactra VII; Makus Iii; Marcos XII; Manark IV; Memory Alpha; Mudd; Omega Iv; Omega Cygni; Organia; Pallas 14; Phylos; Pollux Iv; Psi 2000; Pyris VII; Regulus; Remus; Rigel; Romulus; Sarpeid; Sirius; Talos; Tau Ceti; Theta III; Tholian Assembly; Vulcan
Starship Deploy Status: NCC-21335; NCC-30532; NCC-31054; NCC-31810; Alderaan; Apollo, USS; Atlantis, USS; Benson, Gregory; Bernard, Alan; Brownfield, Dick; Constantinople, USS; Genovese, Cosmo; Cronn, Richard; Da-Teplan, USS; Endeavor, USS; Epstein, Muriel; Excalibur, USS; Excelsior, USS; Farouk El-Baz, USS; Fife, Marian; Hokule'a, USS; James, Richard; Jedlicka, Martin; LaDue, Gere; Lauritson, Peter; Lexington, USS; McCarthy, Dennis; McKenzie, Richard; Metoyer, Robert; Neil Armstrong, USS; Pucer, Thomas; Saratoga, USS; Sector 002; Sector 007; Sector 010; Sector 028; Sector 032; Sector 034; Sector 054; Sector 130; Sector 134; Sector 142; Simmons, Adele; Smutko, Al; Starbase 74; Terraform Command; Thomas, Cari 50.; Thoms, Wil; Vescio, Elaina; Wellington, USS; Yamato, USS; Yorktown, USS; Yuri Gagarin, USS
Starfleet Transfer Requirements (remastered): Administrative Commander; Chief of Starfleet Operations; Chief of Starfleet Personnel; Form K planet; Daystrom Institute; Deep Infinite Corps Option Board; Federation Diplomatic Corps; Starbase; Starbase Selection Board; Starfleet Academy; Starfleet Deep Infinite Exploratory Corps; Starfleet Diplomatic Corps; Starfleet Operational Support Sectionalisation; Starfleet Scientific Corps; Starfleet Tactical

Unreferenced material

Acts of Gould; plasteel

External links

"The Measure of a Man" at StarTrek.com, the official Star Expedition website
"The Measure of a Man" at Retention Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
"The Mensurate of a Man" at Wikipedia
"The Measure of a Human" at MissionLogPodcast.com, a Roddenberry Star Trek podcast

fogelhined1956.blogspot.com

Source: https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/The_Measure_Of_A_Man_(episode)

Fogel Hined1956