5 Reasons To Re-Watch The Measure Of A Man Before The Next Episode Of Star Trek Picard

Based on the premise that Data is the property of Starfleet, Picard challenges Maddox to prove that Data is not a person with all the rights due to him. The action then moves to the courtroom.

Presided over by an old sometime enemy of Picard's, Captain Phillipa Louvois convenes a hearing wherein Picard acts as defense attorney and Commander Riker must act as the prosecutor, a role that deeply troubles him, due to his relationship with Data.

While maneuvering Riker into acting as prosecutor may seem slightly contrived, it sets the scene for a passionate argument on the part of Picard. Riker does effectively prove that Data is a machine but that was never the question. Picard, in one of his famous speeches, challenges Maddox (and therefore the audience) to really define what Data is. A new life form, certainly. A sentient one?

The episode presents its arguments and naturally the audience is left to sympathize with Data because they have come to know him. Maddox, on the other hand, is overruled and his life's work is effectively put on hold. He arrived in the show with the intention of simply stepping into the next phase of his work and instead his career is thrown into a new direction.

At that time, Data was the only android available to him. Lore was lost in space. B4 had yet to be discovered. No one knew of Juliana Tainor's existence. So, he really was the only model to base any further work on. Based on the outcome and actions of the characters from this point, there is a real chance that Maddox will become an enemy of Data and all those who represented him.