Plot

When Data resigns his commission rather than be dismantled for examination by an inadequately skilled scientist, a formal hearing is convened to determine whether Data is considered property without rights or is a sentient being.

At Starbase 173, the crew have a bit of leave. Data learns some of the intricacies of playing poker while Captain Picard runs into an old friend of a sort, Captain Phillipa Louvois, who established a new JAG office at the base. She once prosecuted him, unsuccessfully, but there is admiration at least, on both sides. Problems arise however when Commander Bruce Maddox receives permission to disassemble Data to determine how he functions. When Data expresses doubts about Maddox's likelihood of success, he refuses to undergo the procedure and resigns his commission. He soon finds himself the center of a judicial inquiry to determine if he is just a machine and a piece of property or a sentient being who has the right to make his own decisions. Captain Louvois finds herself sitting in judgment with Captain Picard defending Data's claim against Commander Riker who is forced to present the opposing arguments.—garykmcd

Commander Bruce Maddox visits the Enterprise, docked at a star base, to claim Data as ultimate test subject for his study of his creator's revolutionary android type, confident it will teach him enough to create many more such superior robots. Data objects, as the intended tests are neither fully safe nor optimally prepared, in theory. Told he must submit under Starfleet orders, Data prefers resigning, but Maddox challenges his right to do so on the grounds of not being a (legal) person. The matter comes to court, presided by Picard's legal nemesis Phillipa Louvois, who commandeers him to defend Data, and Riker to act as prosecutor. For lack of proper legal grounds, both sides discourse rather philosophically on the nature of personality, intelligence and free choice, analyzing Data's own acts, opinions and choices.—KGF Vissers

At Starbase 173, the crew have a bit of leave. Data learns some of the intricacies of playing poker. Riker bluffs Data into folding a winning hand. Meanwhile Captain Picard runs into an old friend of a sort, Captain Phillipa Louvois (Amanda McBroom), who established a new JAG office at the base.

She once prosecuted him, unsuccessfully, but there is admiration at least, on both sides. Louvois led court martial proceedings against Picard after he lost the Stargazer ship. Picard says that Louvois enjoyed the adversarial process more than getting at the truth.

Problems arise however when Admiral Nakamura (Clyde Kusatsu) orders Picard to help Commander Bruce Maddox (Brian Brophy) to disassemble Data to determine how he functions. Maddox was the member of the admission committee at Starfleet academy who evaluated Data when he applied for admission. Maddox also was the only committee member who opposed Data's admission on account that he is not a sentient being.

But Maddox admits he has not solved the puzzle of the Positronic brain yet, which is the first step in creating an android. Maddox aims to take Data apart, study his Positronic brain with an aim to create a replica of the same. Maddox does not have convincing answers to the problems he might encounter in his experiments. Data expresses doubts about Maddox's likelihood of success, and he refuses to undergo the procedure.

Maddox had anticipated this and has orders ready to transfer Data under his command at Starbase 173. Picard speaks to Data in private and asks him to consider the possibility that Maddox might succeed and spawn an entire race of Cybernetic beings. Data says that Geordi's prosthetic eyes are far superior to human eyes, yet human officers are not required to get those implants. He deduces that his rights are limited precisely because he is not a human. Picard goes to Louvois for help, and she advises Picard that Data should resign his commission. Data resigns and starts packing his bags. Maddox is bitter and goes to court over Data's resignation. Data soon finds himself the center of a judicial inquiry to determine if he is just a machine and a piece of property or a sentient being who has the right to make his own decisions. Maddox argues that the computer on the Enterprise would not be allowed to refuse a refit.

Louvois's initial research of the law supports Maddox. Picard decides to challenge Louvois's ruling and she has to organize a hearing. Captain Louvois finds herself sitting in judgment with Captain Picard defending Data's claim against Commander Riker who is forced to present the opposing arguments. Starbase 173 is new and so is the JAG office and hence Louvois has no staff. To conduct a hearing that Picard has demanded, she has to make this arrangement. Riker objected as Data is his friend, but this is the only way ahead. Since, otherwise, Louvois will rule that Data is no more than a toaster and hand him over to Maddox.

Riker starts by stating Data is an android made by a human. He has abilities that no human possesses. He also turns off Data in front of the court. Picard is depressed that Riker's presentation was so good. He meets Guinan at the bar, who helps Picard realize that if you remove choice, Data is a slave. Picard goes back to court and proves that Data is sentient. Data had sex with Yar, he has sentiments and memories and feels emotions. He is intelligent, self-aware and is conscious. And thousands of Data's will be a race. And if they have no choice, they will basically be slaves. Louvois gives Data the freedom to choose.