10 Unforgettable Episodes Of Star Trek: The Next Generation

The Measure Of A Man

Data’s life is under threat when a superior office orders that he be dismantled in order to produce copies of him. He refuses, of course, but under Starfleet law, the android can do nothing about it as he’s legally counted as mere property and not an employee. Picard takes up Data’s defense in a court of law, arguing that Data deserves equal rights, but Riker’s forced to act as reluctant prosecutor on the case, pitting friend and friend.

The genius of “The Measure of the Man” is that it takes the age-old science fiction questions of artificial intelligence and the autonomy of androids and examines them in a fresh, dramatic way through the structure of a court room drama. As all great sci-fi – and Star Trek – should, the themes touch on real-world issues as well as you can read the whole thing as an allegory for slavery.

Also, the sparkling script is brought to life by very strong performances from Brent Spiner, Stewart and Jonathan Frakes, which makes this a TNG classic.