Star Trek · The Next Generation · s04e14 · Clues Thanks for clicking, thanks for watching, hope you got what you came for. BuyMeSomeBeans: ko-fi.com/tjwparso / paypal.me/tjwparso Intro Audio: Star Trek TNG: s03e06 'Booby Trap' & s03e12 'The High Ground' Outro Music: kzread.info/dash/bejne/mZyoxZWbhdinfqQ.html , kzread.info/dash/bejne/k6lnj8qkXdO-o7A.html & kzread.info/dash/bejne/aY6Ls6-veLG1nqw.html Discord: discord.gg/2PAjZf8TeV

@michelguy5569

2 жыл бұрын

A perfect exemple of the 4th law of Robotics in Asimov novels. Every one know the first 3 laws of robotics, positronic brain robots, Data is an incarnation of the dream of Azimov. But in the novels, the need of a 4th law appears : if the interest of all humanity or a big number of humans is in the balance, a robot can sacrifice the fate of 1 human or a small number of humans. This is also the robotic version of the Vulcan principal explained by Spock when he sacrifice himself to save the Enterprise, the need of the many is more important than the need of the few. Here Data accept the risk of hurting Deana Troy and sacrifice is own career to protect all the crew.

@willjohnson846

2 жыл бұрын

Democracy, rule by numbers. Whether those numbers be many or few. And if few, how much weight do the few carry?

@SyzygyNoon

2 жыл бұрын

@@willjohnson846 Few. Enough to make a difference. Look, I don’t want you to be unhappy or to get the short end of the stick. I’m on your side, which is the American Way. I want everyone to prosper and be okay. I really, really do. So very much.

@berndtherrenvolk1951

3 ай бұрын

@@willjohnson846 It depends on who's counting the votes.

“I’m not saying that at all, I’m just giving you one hell of a clue that you’re not picking up…. Sir.”

@josephmanno4514

2 жыл бұрын

Oh, he picked it up. He just couldn’t let it go.

@FutureDeep

2 жыл бұрын

Picard: Contractions? The clue is that you're Lore!

@Argonnosi

2 жыл бұрын

@@FutureDeep What a twist!

@nacrokill9921

8 ай бұрын

2:00 I had to go back and check... Just to be safe. 😂

@WillConley

6 ай бұрын

He said "I am not saying that at all. I merely state that..."

Brent Spiner does an excellent job making Data seem unnerving and creepy in the rare moments throughout the show where he, for whatever reason is untrustworthy.

@IrishCarney

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah - like the one where he rattles off those command codes in Picard's voice. Obviously they dubbed in Stewart's voice but the acting was Spiner's and it was great. And when he portrays Lore it's terrifying.

@arpussupra

7 ай бұрын

It was actually Brent Spiner's voice. He did a perfect Patrick Stewart impression. Another testiment to his acting ability. There are other examples on KZread where Spiner does a Stewart impression. @@IrishCarney

@IrishCarney

7 ай бұрын

@@arpussupra Wow!

@jmackmcneill

7 ай бұрын

​@@IrishCarney That was a little joke. Spiner **does** have an amazing Patrick Stewart impression, but in that episode it was dubbed.

@ehtresih9540

7 ай бұрын

Yeah the way Data just silently stares at Picard after he gets caught in the lie is scary.

2:01 "Are you saying that by not cooperating, you are actually protecting us?" "Not at all. It is merely a possible alternative explanation." Brilliant way to say "Yes!" without cooperating.

@mattakins3422

3 ай бұрын

"say yes without saying yes"

@grahamspragg7494

2 ай бұрын

Seems to me it’s Data’s equivalent of Spock’s “Needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few” quote.

"Clues" is one of TNG's most underrated episodes. It's a top notch mystery with one of Brent Spiner's best performances.

@gsofficial

2 жыл бұрын

A great episode, but what bugs me is that it seems pretty clear that if an officer gave an order, and then the same officer gave another order contradicting the first, you would be obliged to follow the new one... otherwise, how the hell would any officer ever change his mind, or alter his course, or react to new information at all?

@victorconway444

Жыл бұрын

@@gsofficial But this is an exceptional situation where the officer is making this order not because he changed his mind on it, but because he doesn't remember his previous order. And Data understands that if Picard did have his memory, he wouldn't want Data to reveal anything about it.

@newdefsys

7 ай бұрын

That stone cold look on Data's face when Picard drops the bomb on him. Not even a hint of emotion.

@ryanshannon6963

7 ай бұрын

@@newdefsys That's because Data doesn't have any emotion. Are you complimenting Brent Spiner's acting or taking notice of the traits of the character he portrays?

@newdefsys

7 ай бұрын

@@ryanshannon6963 What ? I was just commenting on the scene itself. Maybe it was the director, or the editor.

My favorite moments of Brent Spiner's performance as Data are those that illustrate his alien nature as an android, and this clip is one of the best. He is so calm, reasonable, and implacable that it is unnerving. He inexorably uses logic to reach a conclusion, speaking in an inhumanly dispassionate manner about his own court martial and possible dissection, that it's chilling to listen to.

@feathersigil2048

2 жыл бұрын

Yet there's also a subtle sadness to his responses when he's questioned, first by his best friend (Geordi) and then by his mentor and CO (Picard). He's in a terrible situation and yearns to come clean but he can't.

@BoopSnoot

2 жыл бұрын

They should cast Mark Zuckerberg in a Next Generation reboot.

@IrishCarney

2 жыл бұрын

@@feathersigil2048 Yes. Spiner is such a good actor that when a normal character would be pleased with himself and either smile or at least clearly convey such happiness, he gives Data an ever-so-tiny, mini Mona Lisa dorky half-smile with some quirky bird-like head movements. While not strictly complying with the canon that Data has zero feelings, it really helps the storytelling.

@IrishCarney

2 жыл бұрын

@@BoopSnoot Not enough warmth

@feathersigil2048

2 жыл бұрын

@@IrishCarney Data doesn't have zero feelings, per se. Even when asked about whether he does by Tasha's sister, Data says "Not as such." If he had absolutely no emotions he wouldn't clarify it in that way. In that same episode he elaborates that he experiences friendship, pleasure at the presence and wellbeing of his friends, longing when they are absent, sadness and concern when they are suffering. It would be more accurate to say that Data's ability to register and display emotion is very limited compared to humans, but not nonexistent.

Clues is one of my very favorite episodes of TNG. It’s such a great episode!

I love this scene because it demonstrates how clever Data is. It also shows his android propensity for compassion in a manner of speaking. He's still thinking of the welfare of the crew over himself even when it is impossible for him to explain why.

0:39 Data's technically perfect poker face that says, "I'm 100% bluffing"

@aggressiveattitudeera887

2 жыл бұрын

1:51-2:00. Would that be a tell?

@ireallyreallyhategoogle

2 жыл бұрын

Wrong, it says i'm 100% telling the turth.

@zombieshoot4318

2 жыл бұрын

I think it's saying, "Can I kill these two and make it look like an accident? In my quarters? Maybe blame the cat?" :D

@casswhiteman8955

2 жыл бұрын

@@aggressiveattitudeera887 Id say possibly, but more likely Data is considering how to tell Picard that there is a very good reason for his disobedience considering the episode

@IrishCarney

2 жыл бұрын

I think he looks guilty, not in the sense of remorse, but in the sense of having been caught and fearing the consequences. Not saying Data feels that, but I'm saying that maybe Spiner and the director were going for that look.

Picard is so damn intimidating, especially when he's calm.

These TNG episodes were Star Trek at its best

I love how Data is subtly screaming at the captain to just let it go.

If he gets discharged from Starfleet following his court martial than surely they'd have no right to "strip him to his wires". They had a hearing about it.

@ThatWolfFromHyruleGaming

2 жыл бұрын

I think Picard merely meant it as a threat, to illustrate the gravity of the situation

@mikevignola4213

2 жыл бұрын

I dunno about that what he did is tantamount to sabotage, there is the possibility of espionage charges

@freeagentforlife4717

2 жыл бұрын

He would become a prisoner after the court martial, which means he would have much less rights, if any at all, after the court martial.

@annoyed707

2 жыл бұрын

Only Tasha has stripped him anywhere near his wires.

@beingsshepherd

2 жыл бұрын

Seems he is the "property of Starfleet" after all.

I just wish Data had said something along the lines of 'Knowing what you know about me, could you accept that there is a legitimate reason for what I've done and that I wouldn't take this choice out of your hands if there was any other way?"

@sheepwshotguns42

4 ай бұрын

as a machine, data has been compromised so many times lol, i wouldn't know what to think. but thats part of the tension building here. is this programed mutiny? worse, a personal betrayal from data? or some higher problem we cant even see that can rationally cause these actions? picard can have data literally disassembled and yet he's powerless in this scene.

@matthewshelton1975

4 ай бұрын

Too much of a hint. Picard would still follow that trail.

This is what honor looks like.

I was not planning to get sucked into another TNG binge so soon after the previous one, and then you come along! 😆

@Zukiwi1

2 жыл бұрын

Same!

@zagnorch1336

2 жыл бұрын

Resistance is indeed futile.

@Cellinator

2 жыл бұрын

Same!

@ezrazonable4992

2 жыл бұрын

Yes.

@1stMemberEver

2 жыл бұрын

Same here, working 8-20 and career is so overrated anyway.

As usual, the scripts were just so incredibly strong. Incredible writing.

Data's network of lies is unraveling around him, like a house being ripped apart by a tornado. But of course, being Data, he keeps calm and carries on.

@IronDino

7 ай бұрын

"This is fine."

@JDoe-gf5oz

5 ай бұрын

Data Aurelius.

Once, long ago, my family and I lived in a house but had no cable. We did however have a VCR. I had always liked Star Trek, and got my wife into watching it. Someone gave us a box full of VHS tapes, all of them full of Next Generation episodes from the 90's. We literally had Star Trek TNG on all day, old ads and everything. It was great. My wife never saw this episode, it was nice to watch her reactions to Mr. Data's behavior this episode. Good times.

If Data is prepared to sacrifice himself then shut up and pay attention.

@imofage3947

2 жыл бұрын

YES! Especially after his actions in Measure of a Man where he tried to resign rather than submit himself to disassembly for study.

@develynseether4426

2 жыл бұрын

@@Scyllax no, I was right the first time.

I love the way they didn't use music all the time, they just let the scene hang in silence as it should, too many shows nowadays use music too much, it is especially annoying when the actors have revealed a dramatic moment all too clearly, we understand the emotions involved we don't need those piano strikes to start to tell us.

@benbarclay5546

6 ай бұрын

This episode stands out from the earlier season where the music swells as the trial of Data's sentience heats up...

@specialnewb9821

Күн бұрын

The music only comes in at the end to set the viewer in the proper mood to think about the implications of the scene during the commercial break so the audience is ready to follow on from that context when the show returns. Not saying I like commercials, but there's something to be said about giving the audience a minute to ruminate on a scene before they go on to the next.

And yet, while he interrogates the android for the suspicious behavior, Picard trusts Data. He is threatening to dismantle him while alone with him...the android with superhuman speed and strength.

@roetemeteor

2 жыл бұрын

I think my favorite part about this scene it's a look that Captain Picard has when data confirms he realizes the results of his actions. He's legitimately thinking about what could be so horrific and so important that he's willing to risk his own being by disobeying him. Clearly, there's a good reason why, he just can't see it.

@nunyabiz7699

4 ай бұрын

@@roetemeteor It just Highlights the level of these two actors. Most the main actors for the NG were awesome. But these two really were outstanding. Picard is obviously fishing for info. Probing any angle he can and drawing conclusions. Data is going through and standing behind his decision. This is a battle. With Picard attacking from different angles looking for answers and Data trying to mount a defense while staying true to his (original) orders and duty as a Star Fleet officer. Its one of the reasons it had to be alone between the two. No interference and no distractions. Picard actually got a LOT of info from this. Not enough. But enough to know Data was not acting of his own will. But was not being controlled. Enough to know that the Crew its self was in danger. But not enough to know from what. Data's Defense was excellent. But Picard's attack was just BARELY better. Just not good enough to get enough info to really tell him what happened.

@limemobber

Ай бұрын

This episode must be from before they decided on the full history of Data. The script implies that Data was created by Starfleet and is considered SF property. Funny since they give him rank, authority over of living beings, and even award him medals for his actions. Interesting choices if you just consider him a tool to be torn down if it "malfunctions".

@Wolfsbane1100

3 күн бұрын

@@limemobber I think it's been a while since you've seen TNG. This is from season 4. Measure of a Man is from season 1. Data's rights are already enshrined in law. If you were to become the third highest-ranking officer on a Naval Destroyer and suddenly start disobeying orders, falsifying records, and otherwise causing issues, you would 100% be put in prison and then interrogated by government officials to determine the reason behind your actions. Your entire life would be ripped apart to find any inkling or indication of why you did what you did. Data just happens to be in the unique position of being a machine that can literally be disassembled.

I feel that this scene is an ultimate test of everything Data has learned and how he has grown. You recall that after his trial he said to Cmdr Riker that had he not stood in prosecution to Data, it would have been a summary judgement against Data in 'The Measure of Man'. He recognised that action hurt Cmdr Riker but Riker did it any way for the greater good. I like to think Data is applying the same logic here, he is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice, to injure is career and future in order to do the right thing.

@cupofearlgreytea7651

6 ай бұрын

You raise a good point, and honestly, You can easily see that in this episode.

This show is a master class in leadership, sacrifice, and accountability.

Ah, one of my favorite things. Data is true to his argument he poses: he would put the safety of the crew over an individual. He had already made that choice. And he was well aware that the safety of himself was included in that choice. It was not personal or cowardly, he was truly putting the needs of the many over the individual.

@beingsshepherd

2 жыл бұрын

Yet they're happy to fire upon Borg cubes containing tens of thousands.

@Eternal_Tech

2 жыл бұрын

@@beingsshepherd As the Borg as actively trying to cause harm to the people aboard the Enterprise and members of the Federation, the Enterprise is permitted to defend themselves and the citizens of the Federation.

@beingsshepherd

2 жыл бұрын

@@Eternal_Tech Which therefore makes a nonsense of _"The needs of the many ..."_

@Eternal_Tech

2 жыл бұрын

@@beingsshepherd The saying, _"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few,"_ is not meant to apply to those actively trying to harm you. Self-defense is acceptable. Even Vulcan ships have weapon systems. in addition, the Borg do not need to assimilate others; they want to assimilate.

@beingsshepherd

2 жыл бұрын

@@Eternal_Tech I imagine that the forcibly-assimilated would probably want to continue breathing. Hugh, Picard and Seven were all rescued; _Where there's life, there's hope_ as they say.

Top quality writing and acting.

How to end the episode in 10 minutes: Data: Captain, I am under orders to not say anything. Picard: Whose orders? Data: Yours. We need to leave this area immediately. I shall explain later Picard: Get us out of here!

@ducminhduong9873

Жыл бұрын

The moment he revealed it was Picard's order himself, the alien on board would have prevented them from leaving, maybe even kill them outright. It literally did in the show, and somehow spared the crew and allowed them another try. Data wouldn't risk that, however. The only way is to trick Picard and co. into leaving, which is exceedingly difficult.

@zadkiel242

Жыл бұрын

@@ducminhduong9873 The episode is frought with problems. - the aliens apparently have listening devices all over the ship as they can hear Data having a private conversation with Picard. - Data, as an officer, should be able to communicate in code when using unencrypted communication - It's unreasonable for the alien species to go through that much trouble to mind wipe an entire vessel with 1014 people. Since non-human species are aboard there's no way to know if the mind wipe worked. - Current security systems will show when logs are wiped. The Enterprise apparently has security systems from the 1950s. - A xenophobic race that can cloak an entire planet won't be able to cloak the gravity well and the infrared light coming from it. This whole premise of hiding in such a manner is stupid. - Why is the Enterprise even that close to the planet? It has scanners that have a range of 17 light years. If the Enterprise REALLY wanted to scan the planet, it could have done so within a light year. The writing is ridiculous.

@clubcyberia8572

7 ай бұрын

how to make them leave. data: 10 borg cubes incoming, and 2 borg spheres! picard: maximum warp to anywhere but here

@hub5343

5 ай бұрын

@@clubcyberia8572 But then wouldn't they travel for a few hours, stop, and then go "Now then Data, let's have a look at those sensor logs"?

@IamJustJ.

4 ай бұрын

@@hub5343It wouldn't even take that long. Tactical, Ops, and Engineering would be going over the sensor scans almost immediately (we saw this a few times in various Trek series) to determine where they came from in an effort to determine the threat not only to the ship but to the nearby systems and the Federation itself. That particular hoax wouldn't last more than a couple minutes under scrutiny. It should be known that Data processes outcomes and probabilities extremely quickly. Indeed, he mentioned that in Encounter at Farpoint as having had Honors Distinction in that particular area in the academy. He would have already computed all the probable questions and answers he could provide. In First Contact (movie), he said what was seemingly a joke to Picard but actually true: "0.68 seconds. That is nearly an eternity for an android." He's not wrong. The writers already considered other more outlandish outcomes and decided this one was a better story. They were not wrong either.

Jean-Luc. If you hadn't ordered him to silence he could answer you! You silly Billy

1) stripping him down would be unethical 2) given everything he's said it should be clear he's doing this for a good reason

@roetemeteor

2 жыл бұрын

That look that Picard has at the end shows that he clearly recognizes that. He just has a duty, and he's torn about what he has to do.

As brilliant as Captain Picard was he couldn't figure out to leave well enough alone

@benjamindeh873

8 ай бұрын

I mean Data can and has been compromised. So it is hard for picard to ignore all the clues at this stage. Yet at the end of the episode he does as you say. He got a feeling, and decided to leave it well enough alone and trust data.

@livinlicious

7 ай бұрын

​@@benjamindeh873 Only after fixing all the missed traces. When the reality was not warranting suspicion. I actually didnt like this episode that much. If Data tells you at this point "leave it alone, trust me". Then you just leave it alone. Well... maybe not exactly at this point, since I am already calculating the character Data from all his actions (later in the story) as well. For example First Contact, Nemesis, etc. The only redeeming scene from Star Trek: Picard "Did you ever doubt Commander Data" - "Never". But yeah, at this point their relationship had been altered. This was the Commander Data that saved all of humanity, his friends and ship uncountable times. This person was always trusted. But then again, in Star Trek: Picard Jean-Luc asks for a ship and gets told to fuck off. Jean-Luc Fucking Picard gets told to fuck off. Yeah, this series was stupid.

@benjamindeh873

7 ай бұрын

@@livinlicious Yeah I havent watched Picard but someone told me it wasnt good. That Picard was no longer the " THERE ARE 4 LIGHTS" Fricking master picard. Writing is clearly hard, and TNG clearly had considerable writing talent. Maybe the series Picard did not.

@roguishpaladin

7 ай бұрын

@@benjamindeh873 Picard's fine. There's a lot of folks out there who think that, because something isn't the best, it's the worst. Plus, there's plenty of folks who are just contrary folks who stand in opposition to anything new. Decide for yourself, and be skeptical of people who tell you things are bad for they often have ulterior motives. Do be prepared, however, to recognize that Picard got old and age often leads to lessened effectiveness. Trauma will do that to you.

@TonyTylerDraws

7 ай бұрын

He does mysteries in the holodeck and is an archeological student. He loves to solve puzzles

This episode gave off such a creepy vibe, the most trustworthy officer on board was hiding something and it took the entire crew to get it out of him.

This is a great episode! Underrated! Has a cool mystery vibe to it and depicts Data in a difficult position between a rock and a hard place.

@stevieboymkii

2 жыл бұрын

The mystery episodes tend to be amongst the best.

@J0nath0n.

2 жыл бұрын

@@stevieboymkii that’s what I love about Star Trek, there’s an abundance of mystery and problem solving throughout the series

@Zikar

2 жыл бұрын

It's probably underrated because the answer, and subsequent solution, are a bit dumb. Which is a shame because all the lead up is great.

@sabiondo1629

2 жыл бұрын

@@Zikar How would you have changed the ending?

Data lives by the old but truest saying “ snitches get stitches “

@yaketythack

3 ай бұрын

Rats get bats seems more threatening

Wife: did u spend $5000 on a gaming PC? Husband: I cannot verify that hypothesis. Wife: but u dont deny it? Husband: No darling.

@JedForge

2 жыл бұрын

My wife would simply reply "OK, now where is mine?"

@DICKNSful

2 жыл бұрын

@@JedForge I like your wife!

@CallinWire

2 жыл бұрын

@@JedForge "My memory banks do not contain any record of you ever owning a $5000 gaming PC. Therefore it is not possible to state where it is."

@PCJ52

2 жыл бұрын

You made me laugh! I'm glad I wasn't drinking my coffee when I read this. Coffee probably would have been sprayed.

@adgtheone

2 жыл бұрын

Underrated comment. ROFL!

Just like Spock in Star Trek 2. “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.”

@zagnorch1336

2 жыл бұрын

Or the one.

@Earthboundmike

2 жыл бұрын

Zathras

One of the greatest TNG episodes!

Picard and LaForge standing there like school administrators about to give a detention.

One of my favorite episodes

"I cannot verify that hypothesis." I am so using that. I bet it will piss more than a few off.

@thomasfletcher4765

2 жыл бұрын

I cannot verify that hypothesis , sorry

@jakep1979

2 жыл бұрын

I actually used that line as a kid when I secretly ate all the cookies from the cookie jar. I was unsuccessful in satisfying my parental unit of that claim and subsequently was send to the brig to think about my answer.

@potaterjim

2 жыл бұрын

@@jakep1979 SO YOU _DID_ TAKE THE COOKIES I'VE BEEN WAITING YEARS FOR YOU TO SLIP UP

@BlitkriegsAndCoffee

2 жыл бұрын

Somehow I don't think that will work as well in real life.

the best scifi show to ever exist

Wife: did you forget our anniversary and go drinking with your friends? Husband: I cannot verify that hypothesis.

@geonerd

5 ай бұрын

It's worth a try!

@nsnopper

3 ай бұрын

I’ve played the “I have amnesia” card. It didn’t work.

The biggest problem is that if Picard had entered in his log that he was leaving the system unexplored because of his trust for Commander Data, it would actually make the situation worse because it would have brought Data under more scrutiny and starfleet would probably have sent a different vessel to explore the system, or ordered the Enterprise back in.

@mariolawrence897

4 ай бұрын

If I recall, didn’t he delete the log entry on purpose?

@AlexandarHullRichter

4 ай бұрын

@@mariolawrence897 I don't recall. I'd have to watch it again.

“Stripped down to your wires” Again starfleet was a real issue with accepting Data’s individual rights as citizen of the federation

@beingsshepherd

2 жыл бұрын

Quite.

@aguyhere7945

2 жыл бұрын

The Federation was always really weirdly racist against machine life.

@beingsshepherd

2 жыл бұрын

@@aguyhere7945 Toasters' Lives Matter?

@Xostriyad

2 жыл бұрын

seemed super odd to say that. Would have been better if data at retorted "Do you meat bags get your nerve endings stripped out for a being found guilty in a court martial?"

@neilkurzman4907

2 жыл бұрын

@@aguyhere7945 The same thing in the Star Wars universe.

What bothers me is how Data keeps saying, "I *cannot* say." I think a better answer would have been, "I am not *allowed* to say. It would reveal that there is *some* reason for Data's odd behavior, without giving away too much detail.

@carminemurray6624

2 жыл бұрын

When the Pharasees were asked a directly incriminating question by Jesus, their answer also was: We cannot say.

@wildgurgs3614

2 жыл бұрын

Still, that runs the risk of receiving the response of, "Not allowed by whom?" Data isn't allowed to say by whom either, though, so that question might be moot, but still

@DrClawizdead

2 жыл бұрын

If he said he isn't allowed to say, he would be admitting to a third party involved. The deal Data made was to get the Enterprise to leave the area and stop scanning the planet. There's no way Picard would have done that if he knew Data was being influenced by these beings.

@paul16451

2 жыл бұрын

@@carminemurray6624 or they said, we do not know.

@erikblaas5826

2 жыл бұрын

I guess that would be enough clue for Picard one way or the other to keep looking and sending probes or going back there as they did. In every way you look at this, Data is already revealing that something happend, that he knows something, and that he is not able or not allowed to talk about it.

The writers kept forgetting that Data was classed as a one of a kind being with all the rights of humans and other species as the writers keep having Starfleet threatening to kill him for research or other purposes against his will.

@zombieshoot4318

2 жыл бұрын

They didn't forget. If Data had been given a court martial Starfleet would claim he's too dangerous to be left on and they would shut him off. And they would be right. Data is super dangerous. I'd imagine he could easily break out of any penal colony he wanted too. Once he's shut off Starfleet would than claim it needs to open him up to find out what went wrong. Some admiral in Starfleet wouldn't give a damn about Data's rights even with that ruling in place.

@Mikewee777

7 ай бұрын

I am surprised that none of them were court martialed after interfering with the development of LAL .

@oldtwinsna8347

6 ай бұрын

From what we've seen, Starfleet is one of the most dishonest organizations in existence. Eddington even stated how they are worse than the Borg, since at least the Borg is upfront and honest with you to what they will do. Frankly, I easily see Starfleet disposing of any such previous ruling made and just do whatever they want do to. In this case, it would be an excuse to analyze Data further to a level that would otherwise never present itself.

This is one of my all time favorites. I remember it vividly from when I was a kid. Seen several reviews over the years saying this episode is one of the worst and most convoluted but I think that's what makes it great. It's not the same old. It's a fresh plot that explored Data's character in both meanings of the word as well as a real time example of some of the flaws in Starfleet protocol. Typically when they would dive into Starfleets shortcomings it was some 1 episode Admiral invented to cause trouble in the plot. I love how it's just them. It shows Captain Picards fallibility and also the loyalty his crew and Data have for him. Great episode. I'd say, Measure of a Man, This one, and then Darmok for my top 3 TNG

Nice to see how Starfleet treats sentient life forms. "Stripped down to your wires to see what's gone wrong." Would they do this to any meat-being?

@erikblaas5826

2 жыл бұрын

I can imagine Starfleet ordering a highly skilled mind reader to do that to an unwillingly or uncooperative person when there is much at stake. What Picard realy meant with this is probably a computer core download from Data's processors and memory banks.

@busterfixxitt

2 жыл бұрын

@@erikblaas5826 Is there enough at stake in this episode to do this? And I absolutely do not think Picard was speaking metaphorically. Frankly, Starfleet should have a protocol for this kind of situation, whereby a Captain can provide their future self with evidence that they authorized a mind-wipe that must not be investigated. E.E. 'Doc' Smith called it a 'Lensman's Seal'.

@roetemeteor

2 жыл бұрын

What do you call a electromagnetic image and a open skull biopsy on somebody who's clearly gone insane? They would absolutely do the same thing on another person that suddenly shifted personalities, it's just in this case that it's a physical construction rather than biological.

@busterfixxitt

2 жыл бұрын

@@roetemeteor I wouldn't call either of those 'stripping down to their wires'. MRI is non-invasive, biopsy removes a tiny sample. We see the equivalent of a biopsy on Data many times throughout TNG. I don't think your comparison fits. I think they're contradicting his life form status.

@busterfixxitt

2 жыл бұрын

@@Spearca My impression is that Picard is referring to a Bruce Maddox-level disassembly. The very thing he defended Data against in 'Measure of a Man'. I think the writer screwed up by inserting that line.

One thing that always bothered me about this episode was how Data claimed they had been out for 30 seconds twice, when in actuality an entire day had passed both times. Wouldn’t the rest of the crew invariably notice something was off the next time they visited another Federation outpost or planet and realized their calendar was two days off?

@nullyberd

6 ай бұрын

he could have just said "you were out for two days, your beards didn't grow because of blah blah space anomaly. the computer memory was also wiped because of said blah blah anomaly. as the only and highest ranking conscious officer at the time, i placed a warning beacon and set a course for the nearest starbase." but i guess that wouldn't have made for an intriguing episode

@onothankyou

6 ай бұрын

You don't notice when we did it to you!

@CaptainTyler148

6 ай бұрын

They could have the computer move the clocks slightly faster until it synced with what it was supposed to be

@WillConley

6 ай бұрын

The time distortion was explained by Data early in the episode. The crew accepted that explanation.

@hansolo631

6 ай бұрын

Plus they are constantly moving at warp, I'd imagine they are regularly out of whack with standard federation time - we forget what an absurd feat the warp engines are. At light speed, we'd never get anywhere. Space exploration would be futile

shaggy: it wasnt me data: i cant verify

@zagnorch1336

2 жыл бұрын

Scooby: Ruh-roh...

@Darict

2 жыл бұрын

Riker: What did you say?

@zagnorch1336

2 жыл бұрын

Q: And I would have gotten away with it, too, if it hadn't been for that meddling Picard!

Probably because it wasn't the point of this episode, that last "...stripped down to your wires..." comment is interesting. We know Picard (in the original TNG series) firmly believes in Data's rights as a sentient individual, and thus has all the same rights as a human. A couple of possibilities here. Some others have suggested that, with the implication of imminent danger, Picard felt compelled to deliver a threat to Data that he doesn't actually believe in. Alternately, Picard could be telling Data something he knows and Data probably suspects as well, that Starfleet has groups within it that consider the function and existence of Starfleet as more important than its Prime Directives (Section 31 for instance) and would completely ignore all rights held by an individual in Starfleet simply "to find out what the hell has gone wrong." Maybe if they had time, one more line from Data or Picard could have acknowledged this, but it works for the episode anyway, which is one of my favorites.

@OuterEdgeOutpost

7 ай бұрын

I think that would be considered a sort of “medical examination.” If one of the human crew suddenly had a drastic and harmful change in behavior, they might also be examined invasively.

@youdesklamp

7 ай бұрын

@@OuterEdgeOutpost There doesn't seem to be a need for invasive examination at that point in the future. Sensors seemed fine for diagnostics on the show. Also, I really don't think any biological crewman would get threatened with an invasive examination, if that is even a thing. It just doesn't seem like something Starfleet would make a standard practice.

@OuterEdgeOutpost

7 ай бұрын

@@youdesklamp I also thought it sounded strange especially given that he’s basically echoing what the scientist was threatening to do in “Measure of a Man.” Just speculating on what the writers might have intended.

@yaketythack

3 ай бұрын

Perhaps, Picard is feigning exasperation in hopes of DATA giving up. "Captain Picard, you seem far too baffled for me to continue withholding." Then they could all retire to the Lounge sooner.

Good TV like this simply does not exist anymore. 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

3:09 - There's some irony in Picard, of all people, threatening Data with being dismantled by Starfleet if he were found guilty in a court-martial.

@segtendonerd64

2 жыл бұрын

I think it's less a threat but more the logical recourse to figuring out why a machine won't work as intended.

@ASimoneau

2 жыл бұрын

@@segtendonerd64 But he's not the property of Starfleet, even if found guilty in a court-martial. He can no more be lawfully dismantled against his will than a human could be forced to undergo exploratory brain surgery against his will.

@segtendonerd64

2 жыл бұрын

@@ASimoneau I haven't seen all episodes of ST:TNG, isn't he just abandoned property?

@ASimoneau

2 жыл бұрын

@@segtendonerd64 Not according to Starfleet. kzread.info/dash/bejne/qJ6ps7R8d8LZhdo.html

@ASimoneau

2 жыл бұрын

@Kristopher Chavez Whether or not Data was truly a living being is beside the point. It was, at this point, understood that Data wasn't Starfleet's property. If they thought Data was a threat, they could kick him out of Starfleet, or lock him up - anything they might do to an actual person. I don't think dismantling him for investigative purposes is on that menu.

(can't remember this episode assume ignorance in my arguments, lol) 'cannot' is a very interesting choice of words.... 'will not' means I can but I choose not to. 'Cannot' means I don't have the power or information to answer that, it is out of my hands. If he DOES have the answers and is giving that response, then as a machine with a machines reasoning, very ominous indeed....

@spychopath

2 жыл бұрын

He cannot because it would be against Picard's orders if he did. It isn't his choice, it's Picard's.

This episode, for me, perfectly highlighted just how dangerous human curiosity can be. Picard is faced with an android who is programmed to be ruthlessly honest, who is clearly using language to avoid lying outright, but still behaving suspiciously. Surely, in this instance, surely the only course of action is to get the hell away from there?

In all honesty, if I had known Lt. Cmdr. Data for this long, worked with him, considered him a friend and after an "unexplained event" suddenly began acting this way AND then told me he would face a court martial and possible disassembly to avoid telling me what happened.... I'd quit asking questions and make everyone else drop the subject. There's a time when you know that someone is hiding something on purpose for the welfare of the ship and/or crew.

This was an incredible episode where Picard ordered Data to hide the truth from Captain Picard

@molybdaen11

2 жыл бұрын

They should have deleted his memory banks and go on with they day.

@molybdaen11

2 жыл бұрын

@Kristopher Chavez Humans have a neural net too. Even if you don't know how the android works you can always manipulate the brains of the living to do the job for you. If worst come to be, you install the last backup and delete everything else.

@molybdaen11

2 жыл бұрын

@Kristopher Chavez The question was - why could they manipulate a human brain but not a android.

This moment right here makes the whole episode. A simple conversation about the circumstances that they find themselves in conveys the importance and the gravity of what's going on.

Oh, I remember this episode

In the late 90's they used to air rerun episodes on TV. I was around 18 at the time and a useless teenager that would stay out getting baked with my friends. But I would always return home and make a full pan of chocolate chip cookies, and my dad and I would watch TNG. He didn't approve of my habits, but we enjoyed cookies and milk while watching TNG together. Fantastic times...

This is from Season 4. But back in Season 2 Data was determined to have sentient rights. So, Picard threatening to have him "stripped down to his wires to figure out what went wrong" is a hollow threat and outside the authority of Starfleet.

@vileluca

3 ай бұрын

It's not though. Section 31 exists.

@Anurania

2 ай бұрын

The dramatic court ruling in season 2 must have been a one-off episode that doesn't carry any continuity forward.

Starfleet wouldnt be allowed to strip data down to the wires, he's been given the rights of other sentient beings. Unless they are saying that if Worf suddenly started disobeying orders they would be allowed to remove his brain to see why

@Miimu5210

7 ай бұрын

Exactly what I was about to comment. Why make such a threatening comment if he has no right to follow up on it? Data is a living being, he can’t just be dismantled at will

@quoniam426

4 ай бұрын

Context is different. Wanting to dismantle a well functionning seemingly sentient android for scientific research is one thing, dismantling and probing one that had most likely endangered an entire crew, ship and mission but not cooperating is something else. Here, Picard tries to set appart lies and truths to avoid Data of being checked down to every circuit He wants to know if Data is malfunctioning or if there is more to it In other words, he wants Data to tell the truth like a cop would do with any suspect he interrogates.

I feel like Data could of easily said "on your orders sir, I am purposefully keeping information about the lost time, in an attempt to protect the good of the ship and its crew, we simply need to leave this area of space and never return."

@roetemeteor

2 жыл бұрын

That may have been violating orders, and it wouldn't be guaranteed to work. Because then comes the question why would I order that, and why don't I remember it? Followed by, well surely if somebody did this, there would be more evidence of it, of which you have none. It's basically a lose-lose scenario

@TheDeadGunslinger

2 жыл бұрын

@@roetemeteor yea it's not perfect. Honestly, this episode really doesn't show Picard's typical intelligence. I feel like he, more than anyone else, would be smart enough to see that data is protecting them.

@Raooka

2 жыл бұрын

@@roetemeteor I mean he didn't question when data said to drop the shields

@Springheel01

2 жыл бұрын

@@Raooka I was thinking the same thing. He's trusted Data with the lives of the ship before without knowing what was going on.

@roetemeteor

2 жыл бұрын

@@Springheel01 previously, data had not given Picard a reason to distrust him. In this case, he did, but picard figured there was a good reason behind enhanced why he wasn't immediately confined to quarters and basically dishonoured. Later on, when shit hits the fan, they start listening to data again instantly because they realized they messed up. Currently, he doesn't know this, and thinks something else is wrong. Don't get me wrong, because I do agree that he is smarter than this and should have immediately realized something was severely wrong, but the premise of a mystery and all that.

One of the greatest tng episodes ever

"Of my friend I can only say this: of all the souls that I have met in my travels, his was the most human"- Capt. James T. Kirk.

So if hes no longer an officer they're allowed to dissect him? Starfleet is hardcore

@sarcasticguy4311

2 жыл бұрын

You kidding? All Starfleet personnel that aren't officers eventually get dissected.

In Measure of a Man, Picard himself proves that Starfleet cannot strip Data “down to his wires.” 🤷‍♂️

Good Lord, that carpet is 90s.

Data acting like this bc (spoilers lol) he was commanded by Picard to do so (albeit he also believed it was the right course of action, but still) makes it so chilling. he's like, an insanely intelligent yet still subservient puppy with the fate of the whole ship resting on his shoulders

Well well look who finally hit 16k Mr. Beanman

Once Data sees Picard order Geordi to send *another* probe, he should have realized the facade was up. There's no way Picard wasn't going to go right back to the planet...so being alone with him, he could have debriefed Picard on the whole thing and basically said, "Ok so here's what happened, now whatever we do, we can't go back to the planet. Let's get the hell out of here." But that wouldn't have been as dramatic, I guess.

@DarthMeteos

Жыл бұрын

The problem is that Data is an android. He was ordered never to reveal the truth for any reason. He followed that order to the bitter end.

I never really thought about it before, but this might be my favorite Star Trek episode of all time.

My favorite part of TNG was the relationship and friendship that Picard developed with Data. A family was never in the cards for Picard but he clearly understood the responsibility he had to be someone worth looking up to for Data. Data isn't exactly a child, but in many ways he is - every moment is a teachable one, and Picard goes out of his way to make sure the lessons learned are good ones. There are times he does this with other crew members like Wesley, but never to the extent he does with Data. A great scene to compare and contrast this to is from "The Pegasus," where Riker and Picard get into a similar conflict. By that point, Picard knew he could count on and trust Riker completely, but when he dresses Riker down he doesn't hold back with how angry he is. He would never try to reason with Riker the way he does here with Data. By trying to reason with Data, he's teaching Data what reasoning is. There are several times in the series where the crew is facing a difficult situation, and Data will have some flash of insight that he doesn't have time to explain. He just blurts out or does something crazy, and Picard orders they go along with it and doing so saves the ship. He trusts Data that much and deeply believes that he would never have to question Data's loyalty to the ship and crew, or act in a malicious manner. This situation shakes that belief. Picard is clearly frustrated, but you can see it manifests as a sadness rather than an anger. Data's even attempting to tell Picard in his own way that he has a reason for the way he's acting, and Picard knows this - but his hands are tied by protocol and he's extremely troubled by it. Data is the closest thing to a son that Picard ever had. The only person in my opinion Picard has a deeper relationship with is Guinan.

I love that episode amongst many.

Love this channel so much

'stripped down to your wires' seems to be at odds with the conclusion of Measure of a Man.

3:13 that’s a small piece of the dialogue that makes no sense and was added for the extra drama.

This was such a good episode, though it does annoy me that Picard does not ask himself “why” Data is acting this way he is. “I can not answer that” is a clue. Data speaks very deliberately, so if he says he can not answer something, it means he can’t and not that he is choosing not to.

@amipadme3985

2 жыл бұрын

Picard does...he says so explicitly later, that he believes Data is acting in the best interest of the ship and crew (or, at least, Data believes he is), and that maybe it'd be better to let it lie...*but* he knows how much trouble Data will be in with Starfleet if they don't solve the mystery and doesn't want to just leave him to have to fend for himself without answers.

Patrick Stewart's performance in this episode was perfect.

As Data was deemed to be a sentient being, Starfleet wouldn't have the right to "strip him down to his wires". They could merely court martial him and remove him from his service, and presumably imprison him like any other court-martialed officer.

... It's geophysical beans have been altered, but it's definitely Tethis 3.

1:00 The wide shot of this room is insane. I don't know why but....it really strikes me as odd, the idea of a spaceship deck that's..../carpeted/.

'stripped down to your wires' - how very 1960's of you, Captain.

Star Trek TNG. Classic and Iconic!

Stripping him down to his wires shows the lie that he is valued and free as a being.

Data is a hero. Willing to sacrifice himself so easily to protect the crew. Not many people would be that serving.

As i watch the random videos that keep coming up the intro 'subscribe' clip finally got me.

An interesting avenue of thought would be for Picard to order Data to purge his memory of the incident, and Data explains that he's unable to comply any more than a human could.

@geoffroi-le-Hook

6 ай бұрын

But he did delete the "How to woo Jenna D'Sorel" program from his memory.

See, this is the perfect opportunity when its just him and Picard to come clean. Data is smart and should have been able to identify this as the point of no return, that they were going to go back no matter what and be destroyed. Picard would understand with an explanation of what transpired. They then simply go about purging necessary things anyways on their own and act as if nothing happened without needing to head back. Only a handful of people really realized more was going on and would have still been easy to cover up. They also have to realize that its only a matter of time before the system draws more attention as factions grow and more systems are inhabited. And factions are no strangers to taking up residence in some pretty hostile systems. Especially the dark underbelly of the Federation.

@Terribads

2 жыл бұрын

This seems like a perfect example of people trying to write a character of soulless logic, but inadvertently putting in flawed human logic into the equation, 4th wall style. Plot needs them to go forward, but Data's logical WOULD see the perfect circle reforming and give... enough detail to force Picard to consider what may have happened and choose another path: Yet still.. plot needs to go onward. The writers were too human.

This episode is VERY similar to Red Dwarf, S2, E3, Thanks for the Memory (20-Sep-88). ST:TNG Clues aired 11-Feb-91. The Red Dwarf writers were aware of Clues, but nobody sued anyone for plagiarism or copyright infringement. Both were excellent episodes for their respective series.

I can imagine this scared Picard quite a bit as he knows Data's character and he knows he would never deliberately conceal the truth. This was a great episode and kind of creepy also.

Now correct me if I’m wrong, since Data is deemed a sentient being, how could Starfleet strip him down to his wires?!

@alakani

7 ай бұрын

Ask Hugh, Tuvix, the Romulan senator, the EMH's reading Photons Be Free in the dilithum mines, all those Cardassians Captain Maxwell took apart; I dunno take your pick

@Apple_Teck

7 ай бұрын

I’m saying legally, not by force or dubious reasons.

@alakani

7 ай бұрын

@@Apple_Teck Oh, then tell him that the planet where they violated the Prime Directive to save Wesley because Tasha didn't bother reading their laws first still legally demands a sacrifice

@Apple_Teck

7 ай бұрын

I totally understand the hypocrisy, of this reality along with the fictitious Star Trek reality; however, these words came directly from Captain Picard. That’s what I’m trying to reconcile.

@vileluca

3 ай бұрын

Section 31 exists. It doesn't need to be legal.

At least nobody asked for a triple fried egg sandwich with chili sauce and chutney.

"Do you also realise it will most likely mean you'll be stripped down to your wires to find out what the hell has gone wrong?" So much for that whole "Measure of a Man" thing then

i LOVE this scene. you can cut the tension in the room with a plasma torch.

That scene hits hard. Data contemplated his own life against that of the crew's and his loyalty to those he serves with.

@OmniscientWarrior

4 ай бұрын

He doesn't value his own life that much.

TNG pointing out they only had a few matte paintings of planets

Data can not defy his previous orders.

The way data looks at Picard when he’s accusing him of altering the probe was amazing. Just like a child knowing they are busted but are frozen …

your intro gets me everytime lol

3:15 Yes sir, I do because I have a feeling one day I will die for this crew. It is inevitable...