History Recap / StarTrekTheNextGenerationS2E9TheMeasureOfAMan

Maddox was the only member of a Starfleet board to oppose Data's admission to Starfleet, out of [[JustAMachine his insistence that robots aren't alive]]. However, now he's interested in learning Data's secrets, determined to use him as a template to build more androids like him for manual labor and use in dangerous situations. Picard and Data are intrigue by Maddox's work, but once Maddox explains his plans in detail, they realize that he doesn't yet have the ability to avoid damaging Data during his dissection. Maddox's plans will likely kill Data, so Picard refuses to allow it. But Maddox is prepared for this eventuality and whips up transfer orders that go beyond Picard's ability to refuse.

Forced to chose between Starfleet and his life, Data reluctantly chooses to resign. The bridge crew throw a going-away party, and Geordi takes Data's departure particularly hard. But before he can leave, Maddox argues that Data is property of Starfleet and therefore doesn't even have the ability to resign. Louvois reviews his case and agrees with him, but Picard tenders an official complaint, forcing Louvois to stage a summary trial. Because she has no staff yet, Picard will take charge of Data's defense, leaving Riker to to play prosecutor against his strong objection. Louvois warns Riker that she will dissolve the trial and uphold her original ruling if she senses that Riker is in any way sandbagging his prosecution.

Riker presents his case by proving that Data is a man-made machine with a computer for a brain, robot limbs, and an off button. The display of Data's inhumanity proves very persuasive and leaves Picard calling for a recess to regroup. He confides in Guinan, who notes that if Maddox gets his way, it will certainly benefit the Federation to have thousands of new Datas as a subservient worker race. Picard realizes that she's effectively describing slavery. He leaves with a new strategy.

In court, Picard counters Riker's arguments by asserting that the property's of Data's physical construction are not relevant and that Data ''does'' have sentience by Maddox's own definitions, the marks of a legal person who thus cannot be property. Further, he argues that creating a legion of Datas for labor use would bring be tantamount to Federation-sanctioned slavery, a profound affront to its most basic ideals. Convinced, Louvois decides to rule in favor of Data. Free to choose his own destiny, Data remains in Starfleet and officially refuses the procedure. FOr his part, Maddox rescinds Data's transfer, allowing him to return to the ''Enterprise'', and Data encourages him to continue his work. Back onboard the ship, Data alleviates Riker's guilt for his part in the trial by noting that he he only [[IDidWhatIHadToDo did what he had to do]] to ensure that Data got the chance to achieve his freedom.

Maddox, was the only member of a Starfleet board to oppose Data's admission to Starfleet, out of [[JustAMachine his insistence that robots aren't alive]]. However, now he's interested in learning Data's secrets, determined to use him as a template to build more androids like him for manual labor and use in dangerous situations. Picard and Data are intrigue by Maddox's work, but once Maddox explains his plans in detail, they realize that he doesn't yet have the ability to avoid damaging Data during his dissection. Maddox's plans will likely kill Data, so Picard refuses to allow it. But Maddox is prepared for this eventuality and whips up transfer orders that go beyond Picard's ability to refuse.

Forced to chose between Star Fleet and his life, Data reluctantly chooses to resign. The bridge crew throw a going-away party, and Geordi takes Data's departure particularly hard. But before he can leave, Maddox argues that Data is property of Star Fleet and therefore doesn't even have the ability to resign. Louvois reviews his case and agrees with him, but Picard tenders an official complaint, forcing Louvois to stage a summary trial. Because she has no staff yet, Picard will take charge of Data's defense, leaving Riker to to play prosecutor against his strong objection. Louvois warns Riker that she will dissolve the trial and uphold her original ruling if she senses that Riker is in any way sandbagging his prosecution.

In court, Picard counters Riker's arguments by asserting that the property's of Data's physical construction are not relevant and that Data ''does'' have sentience by Maddox's own definitions, the marks of a legal person who thus cannot be property. Further, he argues that creating a legion of Datas for labor use would bring be tantamount to Federation-sanctioned slavery, a profound affront to its most basic ideals. Convinced, Louvois decides to rule in favor of Data. Free to choose his own destiny, Data remains in Star Fleet and officially refuses the procedure. FOr his part, Maddox rescinds Data's transfer, allowing him to return to the ''Enterprise'', and Data encourages him to continue his work. Back onboard the ship, Data alleviates Riker's guilt for his part in the trial by noting that he he only [[IDidWhatIHadToDo did what he had to do]] to ensure that Data got the chance to achieve his freedom.

** By the episode's own admission, the Federation had already officially confirmed that Data is a life form and able to serve as an officer in Star Fleet, yet here, a random JAG officer on a distant space station feels confident to reverse that decision on her own authority. Any normal legal system would require a higher court to reverse a previous ruling.

* CharacterizationMarchesOn: The Federation that was on the verge of declaring its own Star Fleet officer as having no rights is the same government that was [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS1E6LonelyAmongUs previously established]] as refusing to raise livestock on the grounds that they would be "enslaving" animals for food.

The ''Enterprise'' is parked at a newly established starbase for crew rotation and resupplying/offloading. Data gets his first taste at poker (which he fails at, due to Riker's impenetrable bluff), while Picard meets and catches up with an old friend/foil of his, Captain Phillipa Louvois, currently assigned as a JAG officer on the station. They immediately bleed out some bad blood and BelligerentSexualTension between them. It seems that Louvois was Picard's love interest before she tore him apart during the court martial hearing held for him losing his previous command. They're interrupted by a Starfleet admiral and a Commander Maddox, who has some history of his own with Data.

* RealitySubtext: Guinan, played by the African-American Whoopi Goldberg, notes that Data's case could evolve into state-sanctioned slavery, something that Goldberg's own ancestors suffered under.

For once, the ''Enterprise'' ''isn't'' dinking about on some far-away planet, instead parking its aft at a newly established starbase for crew rotation and resupplying/offloading. Data gets his first taste at poker (which he fails at, due to Riker's impenetrable bluff), while Picard meets and catches up with an old friend/foil of his, Captain Phillipa Louvois, currently assigned as a JAG officer on the station. They immediately bleed out some bad blood and BelligerentSexualTension between them--it seems that Louvois was Picard's love interest, before she tore him apart during the court martial hearing held for him losing his previous command. They're interrupted by a Starfleet admiral, and a slimy-looking commander, the latter of whom has an unhealthy interest in Data.

Apparently, they have some bad blood between them as well; the commander, named Maddox, was the only one on the Starfleet board to oppose Data's admission to Starfleet, out of [[JustAMachine his insistence that robots aren't alive]]. However, now he's interested in learning Data's secrets, determined to use him as a template to build more androids like him for manual labor and use in dangerous situations. Interestingly, both Picard and Data are actively interested in this proposal--until they sit him down in the conference room, hear his rather lackluster plans, and determine that Maddox doesn't have a lick of the mechanical ingenuity needed to avoid harming Data during his dissection. And Data is not the least bit shy about making that abundantly clear to everyone at the table. They refuse, but Maddox, [[{{Jerkass}} being the dick that he is,]] anticipated their refusal and whipped up transfer orders forcing Data into his negligent care.

Torn, Picard is forced to swallow his pride and ask for help from Louvois, first asking for a way out of the transfer (Data resigning, which results in an unusually poignant argument about why CyberneticsEatYourSoul), then demanding a hearing be held after the out provided turns out to not be possible due to laws set ''three centuries ago'' that confirm that Data is "Starfleet's property." Because of a lack of staff on-hand, Louvois assigns Picard as the defense and ''Riker'' as the prosecution, completely ignoring Riker's protests over the apparent conflict of interest by threatening to stand on her ruling if he doesn't, or if she ever gets the impression he's not trying his hardest to win. Then, during the trial, Riker argues that Data is not sentient by [[CaptainObvious making clear that Data is a robot]], including having him bend a steel bar (while Louvois overrules Picard's justified objection that there are ''organic, sentient beings'' with the strength to bend the bar just as easily). Riker then goes so far as to shut Data off, proclaiming ''"Pinocchio is broken; its strings have been cut."'' After Riker sits down while looking [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone utterly ashamed of himself]], Picard breaks his StunnedSilence and requests a recess, which Louvois grants.

Picard is about to give up, when a talk with Guinan convinces him to start anew--by countering Riker with the argument that Data being a constructed being is not relevant, since all beings are constructed "from the building blocks of DNA," showing that Data ''does'' have consciousness, intelligence, and sentience, the marks of a legal person who thus cannot be property, and further that creating a legion of Datas for labor use would bring about UnfortunateImplications that the Federation is sanctioning slavery, a profound affront to its most basic ideals. Convinced, Louvois decides to rule in favor of Data, and the show ends with Data refusing the procedure (though encouraging Maddox to continue his research, to make it safer), and thanking Riker for [[IDidWhatIHadToDo doing what he had to do]] to ensure Data's personal freedoms.

* ArtisticLicenseLaw: For RuleOfDrama, Riker has to serve as prosecutor despite the clear conflict of interest, having known Data personally. This is handwaved as being because Louvois has no legal staff on hand. But Louvois could simply argue for a change of venue on these grounds.

* CallBack: In "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS1E1EncounterAtFarpoint Encounter at Farpoint]]," when he first met Data, Riker called him "Pinocchio" after he said his dream was to be human. Here, he calls him that again after turning Data off.

* CharacterizationMarchesOn: The Federation that was on the verge of declaring Data as having no rights is the same government that was [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS1E6LonelyAmongUs previously established]] as refusing to raise livestock on the grounds that they would be "enslaving" animals for food.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: While the senior staff playing poker would become a regular fixture of the show, O'Brien would not be shown at the table again.

** Subverted, but in an unusually positive way for this kind of trope. It seems like Data is just forgiving Riker, but Data explains why Riker's actions still saved Data, by allowing a trial to give him a chance.

** Note, also, that Data is an emotionless android, and is therefore incapable of an emotional response such as holding a grudge.
* GracefulLoser: Maddox shows no desire to contest Louvois' ruling, and it's clear that the trial has caused him to [[HeelRealization reevaluate some of his assumptions]] about Data's being.

--> '''Picard:''' Are you prepared to condemn him, and those who come after him, to servitude and slavery? Your Honor, Starfleet was ''founded'' to seek out new life; well, '''there it sits!''' Waiting... You wanted a chance to make law? Well, here it is; make it a good one.

* MoodWhiplash: When Picard asks Data about his hologram of deceased crew-mate Tasha Yar, you'd expect a big sentimental moment to prove Data's humanity. What do you get? Data reminding everyone of... that one time they were both high on an alien virus and did the nasty, although that still comes across as touching, since he obviously cared for her. The sentiment is there, though understated: Data is reluctant to kiss'n'tell on Tasha, and has to be assured that she would not mind under these circumstances.

* UnfortunateImplications: {{Invoked|Trope}}, and a turning point in the episode. Guinan, in her own subtle way of course, nudges Picard toward thinking of the bigger picture of Data losing his basic rights.

* TheMainCharactersDoEverything: Despite the major conflict of interest, Riker serves as the *prosecution*, instead one of the numerous Starfleet officers that aren't currently serving on board the Enterprise.

* DudeWheresMyRespect: Data has been a worthy member of Starfleet from the first second he has been on screen, and this episode makes clear that he has obtained multiple condecorations because of it. But because of Maddox's insistence that he is JustAMachine, all of this is pretty much deemed worthless by the court.

And now a man will shut it off."'']]

** Data breaks Picard's first view -- that perhaps {{the needs of the many}} could be served with this procedure and Data should volunteer--with one simple question:

** Picard stocked up on these before his defense of Data. For instance, as soon as Picard says this, Maddox starts looking significantly uncomfortable:
--->'''Picard:''' A single Data -- and forgive me, Commander -- is a curiosity. A wonder, even. But thousands of Datas... isn't that becoming... a ''race?''

--->'''Picard:''' You see he's met two of your three criteria for sentience, so what if he meets the third, consciousness, in even the smallest degree? What is he then? I don't know! Do you? ''[to Riker]'' Do you? ''[to Louvois]'' Do you?\\\

[[caption-width-right:350:''"It is a collection of neural nets and heuristic algorithms. Its responses are dictated by an elaborate software program written by a man. The hardware was built by a man.\\

Torn, Picard is forced to swallow his pride and ask for help from Louvois, first asking for a way out of the transfer (Data resigning, which results in an unusually poignant argument about why CyberneticsEatYourSoul), then demanding a hearing be held after the out provided turns out to not be possible due to laws set ''three centuries ago'' that confirm that Data is "Starfleet's property." Because of a lack of staff on-hand, Louvois assigns Picard as the defense and ''Riker'' as the prosecution, completely ignoring Riker's protests over the apparent conflict of interest by threatening to stand on her ruling if he doesn't, or if she ever gets the impression he's not trying his hardest to win. Then, during the trial, Riker argues that Data is not sentient by [[CaptainObvious making clear that Data is a robot]], including having him bend a steel bar (while Louvois ignores Picard's justified objection that there are ''organic, sentient beings'' with the strength to bend the bar just as easily). Riker then goes so far as to shut Data off, proclaiming ''"Pinocchio is broken; its strings have been cut."'' After a StunnedSilence, Picard requests a recess, as Riker sits down, looking [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone utterly ashamed of himself]].

--->'''Picard:''' A single Data--and forgive me, Commander--is a curiosity. A wonder, even. But thousands of Datas. Isn't that becoming... a ''race??''

-->'''Riker:''' Pinocchio is broken. Its strings have been cut.

** Riker's reaction after he turns Data off. Later he tries to OptOut of the party because he very nearly won the case, but Data finds him and forgives him, knowing [[IDidWhatIHadToDo he didn't have a choice]] but to try his best.
** This even applies before the trial. Riker accesses Data's schematics and discovers the off-switch. He reacts with a pleased look of "Yay, I can win!" only to realize moments later, "Oh crap, I can win."

* RuleOfThree: The three criteria for sentience--intelligence, self-awareness, and consciousness.

* VillainyFreeVillain: Maddox's goal is certainly altruistic, but his blatant disregard for Data's desires and well-being make him thoroughly unlikable. He's a downplayed example of this trope, since despite his attitude, Maddox is honest and forthright during the trial, and gracefully accepts defeat. In the expanded canon he goes on to become one of Data's most valued and best friends.

** Data breaks Picard's first view--that perhaps {{the needs of the many}} could be served with this procedure and Data should volunteer--with one simple question:

--->'''Picard:''' You see he's met two of your three criteria for sentience, so what if he meets the third, consciousness, in even the smallest degree? What is he then? I don't know, do you? ''[to Riker]'' Do you? ''[to Louvois]'' Do you?\\\

* BreakingSpeech: Guinan plays a benevolent version of this for Picard, who is still simply worried for one of his officers' well-being, and not seeing the bigger picture yet.
-->'''Guinan:''' Consider that in the history of many worlds, there have 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 army of Datas, [[WeHaveReserves all disposable...]] You don't have to think about their welfare, you don't think about how they feel. [[WhamLine Whole generations of disposable people.]]\\

'''Picard:''' [[HeelRealization 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 not the issue at all, is it?

* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: A very dramatic, non-humorous example. It's no accident that Guinan, played by a black woman, is the one who points out to Picard that having Data legally designated "Starfleet property" means consigning him (and all other androids to follow him) to a life of slavery.
* DudeWhereIsMyRespect: Data has been a worthy member of Starfleet from the first second he has been on screen, and this episode makes clear that he has obtained multiple condecorations because of it. But because of Maddox's insistence that he is JustAMachine, all of this is pretty much deemed worthless by the court.

* MoodWhiplash: When Picard asks Data about his hologram of deceased crewmate Tasha Yar, you'd expect a big sentimental moment to prove Data's humanity. What do you get? Data reminding everyone of... that one time they were both high on an alien virus and did the nasty, although that still comes across as touching, since he obviously cared for her. The sentiment is there, though understated: Data is reluctant to kiss'n'tell on Tasha, and has to be assured that she would not mind under these circumstances.

* OppressedMinorityVeteran: For all of Data's exemplary service to Starfleet, up to and including multiple awards both scientific and military, all it takes is one man deciding it would be more valuable for Starfleet to dissect him and Data has to fight for his right to exist in court, wherein all of said recognitions are suddenly worth jack.

* WhamLine: The climax of Guinan's gently BreakingSpeech.
-->'''Guinan:''' Whole generations of [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman disposable people]].\\
'''Picard:''' ''[horrified]'' You're talking about slavery!

For once, the ''Enterprise'' ''isn't'' dinking about on some far-away planet, instead parking its aft at a newly established starbase for crew rotation and resupplying/offloading. Data gets his first taste at poker (which he fails at, due to Riker's impenetrable bluff), while Picard meets and catches up with an old friend/foil of his, Captain Phillipa Louvois, currently assigned as a JAG officer on the station. They immediately bleed out some bad blood and BelligerentSexualTension between them - it seems that Louvois was Picard's love interest, before she tore him apart during the court martial hearing held for him losing his previous command. They're interrupted by a Starfleet admiral, and a slimy-looking commander, the latter of whom has an unhealthy interest in Data.

Torn, Picard is forced to swallow his pride and ask for help from Louvois, first asking for a way out of the transfer (Data resigning, which results in an unusually poignant argument about why CyberneticsEatYourSoul), then demanding a hearing be held after the out provided turns out to not be possible due to laws set ''three centuries ago'' that confirm that Data is "Starfleet's property." Because of a lack of staff on-hand, Louvois assigns Picard as the defense and ''Riker'' as the prosecution, completely ignoring Riker's protests over the apparent conflict of interest by threatening to stand on her ruling if he doesn't, or if she ever gets the impression he's not trying his hardest to win. Then, during the trial, Riker argues that Data is not sentient by [[CaptainObvious making clear that Data is a robot]], including having him bend a steel bar (while Louvois ignores Picard's justified objection that there are ''organic, sentient beings'' with the strength to bend the bar just as easily). Riker then goes so far as to shut Data off, proclaiming ''"Pinocchio is broken; its strings have been cut."'' After a StunnedSilence, Picard requests a recess, as Riker sits down, looking [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone utterly ashamed of himself.]]

* ApologeticAttacker: Riker was basically drafted into serving as the prosecution, being the next most senior officer after Picard (who's defending Data). If he hadn't done it, Louvois would have automatically ruled against Data and provided no chance for a counter argument. When he goes to remove Data's arm to support his argument, he quietly whispers "I'm sorry" and looks absolutely miserable after he rests his case.

** Data breaks Picard's first view - that perhaps {{the needs of the many}} could be served with this procedure and Data should volunteer - with one simple question:

--->'''Picard:''' A single Data - and forgive me, Commander - is a curiosity. A wonder, even. But thousands of Datas. Isn't that becoming... a ''race??''

* DevilsAdvocate: A scientist wants to disassemble Data for study, and Data refuses as a sentient being. A hearing is held to determine whether Data is sentient. Picard is Data's defense counsel, and Riker is appointed as the prosecution - so he has to argue that Data isn't sentient. He risks summary judgement against Data if he slacks off on the job. Riker feels guilty about doing it, but Data is grateful - or anyway as grateful as an android who allegedly has no emotions can be - since if Riker had refused to do it, they would have decided against Data (for if he isn't a sentient being, he lacks the right to bodily autonomy; such are the rules of procedure in the 24th century).

** Commander Maddox refers to Data as "it" throughout the episode--until the end, when Data encourages him to keep working on his project, and his response is "He is remarkable." Louvois immediately points the change out to him.

* TenMinuteRetirement: Played with. Data decides to resign from Starfleet to avoid Maddox's order, and has a retirement party and everything. Not one to give up easily, Maddox opposes this resignation, and argues that a machine legally can't resign. So instead, we get the legal hearing. Either way, in the end, Data's definitely sticking around.

* MoodWhiplash: When Picard asks Data about his hologram of deceased crewmate Tasha Yar, you'd expect a big sentimental moment to prove Data's humanity. What do you get? Data reminding everyone of... that one time they were both high on an alien virus and did the nasty, although that still comes across as touching, since he obviously cared for her.
** The sentiment is there, though understated: Data is reluctant to kiss'n'tell on Tasha, and has to be assured that she would not mind under these circumstances.

* TenMinuteRetirement: Played with. Data decides to resign from Starfleet to avoid Maddox' order, and has a retirement party and everything. Not one to give up easily, Maddox opposes this resignation, and argues that a machine legally can't resign. So instead, we get the legal hearing. Either way, in the end, Data's definitely sticking around.

For once, the ''Enterprise'' ''isn't'' dinking about on some far-away planet, instead parking its aft at a newly established starbase for crew rotation and resupplying/offloading. Data gets his first taste at poker (which he fails at, due to Riker's impenetrable bluff), while Picard meets and catches up with an old friend/foil of his, Captain Phillipa Louvois, currently assigned as a JAG officer on the station. After bleeding out some bad blood and sexual tension between them (seems like Louvois was Picard's love interest, before she tore him apart during the court martial hearing held for him losing his previous command), they're confronted by a Starfleet admiral and a slimy-looking commander, the latter of whom has an unhealthy interest in Data.

Apparently, they have some bad blood between them as well; the commander, named Maddox, was the only one on the Starfleet board to oppose Data's admission to Starfleet, out of [[JustAMachine his insistence that robots aren't alive]]. However, now he's interested in learning Data's secrets, determined to use him as a template to build more androids like him for manual labor and use in dangerous situations. Interestingly, both Picard and Data are actively interested in this proposal--until they determine that Maddox doesn't have a lick of the mechanical ingenuity needed to avoid harming Data during his dissection. They refuse, but Maddox, being the dick that he is, anticipated their refusal and whipped up transfer orders forcing Data into his negligent care.

Torn, Picard is forced to swallow his pride and ask for help from Louvois, first asking for a way out of the transfer (Data resigning, which results in an unusually poignant argument about why CyberneticsEatYourSoul), then demanding a hearing be held after the out provided turns out to not be possible due to laws set ''three centuries ago'' that confirm that Data is "Starfleet's property." Because of a lack of staff on-hand, Louvois assigns Picard as the defense and ''Riker'' as the prosecution, completely ignoring Riker's protests over the apparent conflict of interest by threatening to stand on her ruling if he doesn't, or if she ever gets the impression he's not trying his hardest to win. Then, during the trial, Riker argues that Data is not sentient by [[CaptainObvious making clear that Data is a robot]], including having him bend a steel bar (while Louvois ignores Picard's justified objection that there are ''organic, sentient beings with the strength to bend the bar just as easily''). Riker then shuts Data off, proclaiming ''"Pinocchio is broken; its strings have been cut."''

** Data breaks Picard's first view that perhaps {{the needs of the many}} could be served with this procedure and Data should volunteer with one simple question:
--->'''Data:''' Sir, Lieutenant La Forge's eyes are far superior to human biological eyes. True? Then why are not all human officers required to have their eyes replaced with cybernetic implants?

* CruelToBeKind: Thanks to a shorthanded staff at the starbase, Riker ''has'' to be the prosecutor and ''has'' to give a strong argument, so that Data and Picard can have a platform to defend themselves. Riker hates himself for it, but Data understands exactly why Riker did what he did, and forgives him.

* VillainyFreeVillain: Maddox's goal is certainly altruistic, but his blatant disregard for Data's desires and well-being make him thoroughly unlikable. He's a downplayed example of this trope, since despite his attitude, Maddox is honest and forthright during the trial, and gracefully accepts defeat.