In its nearly 60-year history,Star Trekhas delivered some incredibly brilliant and powerful episodes of television, and thisStar Trek: The Next Generationepisode encapsulates everythingTrekstands for in the best way. Following the adventures of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the USS Enterprise-D,TNGushered in a golden era for theStar Trekfranchise.
Combining humor and heart with clever social commentary,TNGbeautifully explored what it means to be humanand introduced some ofStar Trek’smost beloved characters. Captain Picard and his crew became just as beloved as Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his crew had been, and characters likeLt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner)and Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn) joined the likes of Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) among theStar Trekgreats. However,TNGseason 2’s “The Measure of a Man” reached another level of storytelling quality.
Why Star Trek: The Next Generation’s “The Measure Of A Man” Is So Good
The Episode Has Moments Of Humor, Heart, Wit, & Compassion
“The Measure of a Man” revolves around the android Data and whether he has the right to make his own choices. Whencyberneticist Dr. Bruce Maddox (Brian Brophy)comes aboard the Enterprise, he immediately declares his intentions to dismantle Data for further study.Maddox does not see Data as an individual but rather as a machinewho belongs to Starfleet. Data, of course, objects to being dismantled, and Captain Picard quickly comes to the android’s defense. This leads to a riveting trial, the consequences of which will reverberate throughout the Federation and theStar Trekfranchise.
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Although Data is at the heart of “The Measure of a Man,” the episode also boasts incredible performances from Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard andJonathan Frakes as Commander Will Riker. Forced to defend Maddox’s position, Riker delivers a devastating argument that rattles even Picard. After an enlightening conversation with Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg), however,Picard delivers one of the most powerful speeches inStar Trekhistory.Truly, everything about the episode works, from the stellar performances to the sharp dialogue to the moral philosophizing.
“The Measure Of A Man” Is A Great Representation Of What Star Trek Should Be
There’s Nothing More Star Trek Data’s Fight In This Episode
Data becamemy favoriteStar Trek: The Next Generationcharacterbefore the end of the show’s first season, so I may be a bit biased in that regard. But,“The Measure of a Man” represents everything I love aboutStar Trek.The episode delivers a solid story in its own right while also managing to have a powerful message and genuine heart. It’s clever and profound, but none of it would work if it wasn’t built around such great characters.
“The Measure of a Man” was the television debut for author Melinda M. Snodgrass, who had previously been an attorney. Snodgrass went on to write four more episodes ofTNG.
Up until this point,TNGand Brent Spiner have done such a great job of making the android likable thatit hurts a little every time Maddox refers to Data as an"it.“The same holds true for Picard, and it’s hard not to be affected watching the Enterprise captain wrestle with the possibility that he may not be able to save his friend. In his conversation with Guinan, she points out that establishing Data as property could lead to the creation of a slave race. Thisbrilliant scene in Ten Forwardputs things into perspective for Picard.
Data deserves “the freedom to explore” life’s biggest questions.
In most of its best episodes,Star Trekexplores the question of what it means to be human, often through the lens of its non-human characters like Spock and Data. Perhaps no episode explores this question better than “The Measure of Man,” which also underscores the importance of every life, no matter how different they may be from our own.In the end, Captain Phillipa Louvois (Amanda McBroom) rules that Data deserves"the freedom to explore"life’s biggest questions (like whether he has a soul) for himself.
“The Measure Of A Man” Still Holds Up When Rewatching It Today
The Arguments In The Episode Feel Equally Relevant Today
While someearly episodes ofStar Trek: The Next Generationhave become dated (mostly in season 1), the outing works just as well today as it did in 1989. Those who have watched every previous episode ofTNGmay get a bit more out of it, but"The Measure of a Man” stands on its own as a brilliant piece of television outside ofStar Trek.It’s a great representation of everything thatStar Trekcan be at its best, and its message feels just as relevant today as ever.
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There may be more exciting episodes ofStar Trek,with intense drama and epic space battles, but only a handful of scenes are as powerful as Data’s trial. There’s something so quintessentiallyStar Trekabout the episode even as it touches on topics far bigger than the beloved science fiction franchise. ManyStar Trekofferinhs have withstood the test of time, but if you only watch one,it should beStar Trek: The Next Generation’s"The Measure of a Man."
