Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)

The Measure of a Man (1989)

Brent Spiner: Lieutenant Commander Data

Photos 

Quotes 

• [Picard activates Data's hologram of Tasha Yar] 

  Capt. Picard : You have no other portraits of your fellow crew members. Why this person?

  Lt. Commander Data : I would prefer not to answer that question, sir. I gave my word.

  Capt. Picard : [softly]  Under the circumstances, I don't think Tasha would mind.

  Lt. Commander Data : She was special to me, sir. We were... intimate.

• Capt. Picard : Data... I understand your objections. But I have to consider Starfleet's interests. What if Commander Maddox is correct? There is a possibility that many more beings like yourself can be constructed.

  Lt. Commander Data : Sir, Lieutenant La Forge's eyes are far superior to human biological eyes, true?

  Capt. Picard : M-hm.

  Lt. Commander Data : Then why are not all human officers required to have their eyes replaced with cybernetic implants?

  [Picard considers this shortly, then looks away without giving an answer] 

  Lt. Commander Data : I see. It is precisely because I am *not* human.

• Lt. Commander Data : Sir, there is a celebration on the Holodeck.

  Commander William T. Riker : I have no right to be there.

  Lt. Commander Data : Because you failed in your task?

  Commander William T. Riker : No, God, no. I came that close to winning, Data.

  Lt. Commander Data : Yes, sir.

  Commander William T. Riker : I almost cost you your life!

  Lt. Commander Data : Is it not true that had you refused to prosecute, Captain Louvois would have ruled summarily against me?

  Commander William T. Riker : Yes.

  Lt. Commander Data : That action injured you, and saved me. I will not forget it.

  Commander William T. Riker : [Brightening at his friend's perspective]  You're a wise man, my friend.

  Lt. Commander Data : Not yet, sir. But with your help, I am learning.

• [Commander Maddox has proposed to dismantle Data in order to study him] 

  Capt. Picard : Well, we have a problem.

  Lt. Commander Data : I find myself in complete agreement with that assessment of the situation, sir.

• [in a tricky poker round between Data and Riker] 

  Lt. Commander Data : Is that what is known as a 'poker face'?

• Lt. Commander Data : As Doctor Pulaski would at this junction no doubt remind us, life is rarely fair.

• [Data has formally refused to submit to Maddox] 

  Lt. Commander Data : And Commander, continue your work. When you are ready, I will still be here. I find some of what you propose... intriguing.

• Lt. Commander Data : I am the culmination of one man's dream. This is not ego, or vanity. But when Dr. Soong created me, he added to the substance of the universe. If, by your experiments, I am destroyed, something unique, something wonderful will be lost. I cannot permit that. I must protect his dream.

  Commander Bruce Maddox : And so must I.

• Capt. Picard : Data, Captain Louvois has issued a ruling. You are the property of Starfleet Command. You cannot resign.

  Lt. Commander Data : see. From limitless options I am reduced to none, or rather one. I can only hope that Commander Maddox is more capable than it would appear.

  Capt. Picard : Data, you're not going to submit. We're going to fight this. I challenged the ruling. Captain Louvois will be compelled to hold a hearing. She may be overly attached to the letter of the law, but I suspect that she still understands its spirit. We will put to rest this question of your legal status once and for all. Now, I have been asked to represent you, but if there is some other officer with which you would feel more happy?

  Lt. Commander Data : Captain, I have complete confidence in your ability to represent my interests

• Lt. Commander Data : [to a glum Riker in the extended version of the episode]  But Commander... .Will... I have learned from your example.

  Commander William T. Riker : What could you have possibly learned from that ordeal?

  Lt. Commander Data : That at times, one must deny one's nature. Sacrifice one's own personal beliefs to protect another. Is it not true that had you refused to prosecute, Captain Louvois would have ruled summarily against me?

  Commander William T. Riker : Yes.

  Lt. Commander Data : That action injured you, and saved me. I will not forget it.

  Commander William T. Riker : [Riker instantly cheers up]  You're a wise man, my friend.

  Lt. Commander Data : Not yet sir. But with your help, I am learning.