Blog 2 "The Measure of a Man"

In this episode a hearing is held to determine whether or not Lt. Commander Data, an android, has the right to resign from Star Fleet rather than undergo Commander Maddox's procedure.  The result of that hearing is that Data does in fact have the right to choose.  Is this outcome fair to all parties involved?

This outcome is the proper decision in regards to Data's rights.  Although Data is an android, he has feelings for humans.  For example, Data chose to pack a hologram picture of Tasha in with his belongings when he planned to leave.  When asked about the significance of this hologram Data replied by saying that he and Tasha were "intimate".  This feeling coming from Data is proof that although he might be a machine he still possesses many human qualities, such as emotions, and therefor deserves the rights that a human would be given.  Thus making the final verdict in the hearing the right decision.

In this episode Commander Riker is the prosecutor in the hearing held against Lt Commander Data, despite the fact that he and Data are shipmates.  Is Riker's decision to accept the role of prosecutor the right thing to do?

Commander Riker's decision to accept the role of prosecutor is the right one.  Riker was given the ultimatum that either he would prosecute against Data, or Data would not get a hearing and would be forced to undergo Commander Maddox's procedure.  Commander Riker did not want for Data to be forced to undergo the procedure for fear that it would kill him and therefor felt the need to be the prosecutor because at least that way Data would have a fighting chance to win the hearing.  Riker is forced to try his best to beat Data in the hearing and as to Riker's own liking he almost succeeds.  Fortunately Data ends up winning the hearing, much to the delight of Riker who can't help but feel as though he betrayed Data by prosecuting against him until Data says that Riker had no choice.  In the end, Riker might have been the enemy in the trial, but his decision saved Data's life; making his decision the right one