"Rascals" is already gone,
no kidding? But of the following, two are utterly dire. So, reflecting various parameters, one is saved because the well wasn't totally dried up with little worms and larvae crawling around the bottom of it yet. The other long since was:
The Quality of Life
So far, Data being deemed sentient was questioned. Then he made a duplicate of his circuits and copied over memories, which somehow acted differently to himself even through the last time you set up a backup of your computer and copied over the files and it didn't do anything above and beyond...
DATA: The transfer itself is fairly simple. Each neural pathway in my brain is duplicated precisely in hers. Theoretically, the duplicate brains should be able to store and process the same information but until all of the transfers are complete, we will not know for certain.
Data's saying that the backup copy of the operating system might not boot. That's all asinine, but that's another story. To get back to this one: If Data is threatened with being stripped down to component level by Starfleet as Picard was saying theyd' do, then does Starfleet support the biological equivalent to all humans since Starfleet also established Data is a life form...
And, nope, it's only going to get better from here:
So for the latest exciting installment of this saga, it's another constructed thing, a floaty cutesy magical Swiss Army Thing of the 24th-and-a-half century that Data defends misbelieving it's more than the sum of its functions this time, and we're all supposed to think it's the most awe-inducing, best-ever tear-jerkin' story ever...
again. Complete with the best-ever incidental music...
again.
So in one thrilling scene, there's this bit of gold:
FARALLON: And I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for Doctor Soong's accomplishment. But his intention was to create an artificial life form. I created the exocomps to be tools. And there is a big difference between Data and a tool.
DATA: Doctor, there is a big difference between you and a virus, but both are alive.
Really, the only thing missing in that scene, and entire episode, is a live studio audience complemented with laugh track, as if the latter would be needed. The scene is more like iron pyrite. Farallon was right. If there's a dire situation and you know the plot is going to go there, do you save your pet you'd known for three days or your beloved spouse? Nobody feels happy in that, but get real. In short, let's then ask "What next, Data will stand up with viruses and say 'kill all the humans' now?" (Well, yes in a way, as we know the plot is going to go there to foist up a gigantic soapbox to make the latest one-sided point, on Staaaaaaaaar Trek: The Nagging Generation...)
DATA: If the exocomps do not shut down after I have programmed them, we may assume they are willing to go.
Assume??! It's easier to state the fact that, if Data programs them, he programmed them to not shut down. How impressive. What next, a marching band of T-800s stomps in and says "Hasta your Positronica?" Good grief.
And then the crux of all this:
RIKER: I gave you a direct order, Mister Data. You release that transporter lockout now.
DATA: I cannot do that, sir.
RIKER: If you don't do it, I will relieve you of duty.
DATA: That is your prerogative, sir. Under Starfleet regulations, direct insubordination is a court martial offence. But I will not release the transporter.
Here comes the scene dragging:
RIKER: Data, those are two of your friends out there. They have saved your life more times than I can remember. I can't believe you'd be willing to sacrifice them like this.
DATA: Commander, please do not think this is an arbitrary decision. I have considered the ramifications of my actions carefully, and I do not believe it is justifiable to sacrifice one life form for another.
RIKER: You don't know that the exocomps are life forms.
DATA: It is true I am acting on my personal beliefs, but I do not see how I can do otherwise.
I think 50,000 brain cells just fell over dead.
RIKER: You're risking a lot on the basis of a belief.
DATA: I have observed that humans often base their judgments on what is referred to as instinct or intuition. Because I am a machine, I lack that particular ability. However it may be possible that I have insight into other machines that humans lack.
RIKER: If there were a way to save the Captain and Geordi without destroying the exocomps, I would jump on it, but we have run out of time and this is the only solution I've got.
DATA: Then let me offer an alternative. Transport me to the station, I will attempt a complete manual shut down of the particle stream.
RIKER: The radiation levels are too high, even for you. Your positronic net would ionise in no time. I can't let you sacrifice yourself.
Thankfully, Picard was showing empathy in a later scene, but at least we have Riker in this one. No worries, by the time we get to the Big Screen movies, the initials become a big double entendre as Picard lost his entirely. And worse.
Ugh, that is just awful. And that scene was a really huge stretch to buy into, save for how ionizing radiation can break down electronic equipment (hence the deflector dish and other types of shields to prevent the radiation from seeping through into the ship and slowly killing everyone, go fig), so if the episode has characters saying they're making assumptions, we'll assume that positronics is no different. Yup, after season 5's gross inaccuracies and inconsistencies for the sake of plot soapboxing and idle grandstanding, it's nice to have a scene that feels a little grounded again - even more so in
this episode.
But I'm tired of finding the good in this episode so I'll close in saying that there's more cod drama in that than in the fishing wharf where the cargo bay in each in the fleet that just arrived contains 2000cu/m worth of cod... now calculate the size of the average cod and you'll know roughly how many of the slimy and sometimes tasty things could fit into a single cargo bay. Of course, if the ships were there for weeks, all of the cod would smell real bad. That would describe this episode. But since I need to digress within a digression's side note, if you're looking in any of the cargo bays, you'll likely not find any
orange roughy.
Also, speaking of things that stretch:
Lastly,
What's left:
Time's Arrow (II)
Realm of Fear
Relics
Schisms
True Q
A Fistful of Datas
Chain of Command (I)
Chain of Command (II)
Face of the Enemy
Tapestry
Birthright (I)
Birthright (II)
Starship Mine
Lessons
The Chase
Frame of Mind
Suspicions
Rightful Heir
Second Chances
Timescape
Descent (I)
