Star Trek TNG S2E9: Picard and Guinan on the nature of value, property and disposable creatures.

You are talking about slavery?
Star Trek: The Next Generation. Season 2 Episode 9 "The Measure of a Man"

[@jimmerjabberer]

Love how after she says “Whole generations of disposable people”, she takes a sip of her drink. Like BOOM. Point. Made.

[@nrgltwrkr2225]

I love it when she jabs at him even more with, "Oh I think that's a little harsh." playing devil's advocate to push the point home and helping him to clarity.

[@corssecurity]

Guinan has always had a an ability to hone in with laser like precision to the crux of the issue. Maybe it's about the larger point, creating slaves. Thou not mentioned yet the Terran Empire of the Mirror Universe has many slave races. Or maybe the question the Jag introduced. Does Data have a soul? If he does? Even if he doesn't then what?

[@craigcooknf]

Yes, I didn't see that.

[@oyoystein]

The way her jaw tightens just for half a second when he says the S word... Stellar acting.

[@rebuildingrob3375]

This might be my favorite exchange of dialogue in the entire Star Trek franchise

[@KneelB4Bacon]

I love that we don't get a dumb, obvious, "slavery bad" speech. That kind of writing is always done for the benefit of the audience, not the characters. Guinan gently pokes Picard in the right direction and helps him figure it out for himself.

[@strangelee4400]

Did she just...blacksplain? Lol.

[@jimlitterick4957]

#WeAllHaveThingsToLearnTheHardWay

[@erzan]

@@strangelee4400 Google 'magical negro.' This character is a racial black stereotype.

[@Adino1]

@@erzan Such cynicism.

[@noway9081]

Pecard should have tried to put a ring on her the second she finished that drink!

[@paulwalsh2344]

"The Measure of a Man" was one of Star Trek's perfect episodes. It's everything Star Trek was capable of being. It's everything Gene Roddenberry hoped his series could be. It not only entertained, but made us think and feel and contemplate our own morality. Without any sci-fi battles with enemy ships and phasers and aliens... we couldn't tear our eyes away from the spectacle of a life-or-death trial of one of our most beloved characters. Rights. Slavery. Our own humanity. Respect. Friendship. It was all here.

[@BuceGar]

I agree 100%. Science fiction is fundamentally about the human condition. This episode, and "Far Beyond the Stars" from DS9, might be some of the best writing and acting I've seen.

[@PsychicDave]

And then in the latest series, Bruce Maddox was able to use B4 to create an army of synthetic lifeforms that they treated like property to do Starfleet's dirty work... such a great episode and subsequent ruling in-universe wasted...

[@ImmortalfireTheMod]

Oddly though, it is said that Roddenberry nearly vetoed this episode. His claim being that the 24th century Trek universe would be too perfect a society for lawyers and JAG officers to even exist. The writers of this ep told him that regardless of how perfect a place is, there still has to be laws and those that uphold and enforce them.

[@paulwalsh2344]

@@ImmortalfireTheMod I didn't know that.

[@KneelB4Bacon]

@@ImmortalfireTheMod I agree. I love Roddenberry's idea of a utopian future, where humanity has finally gotten its sh*t together. That's great, but he was also making entertainment and if the stories are going to be interesting, then conflict has to come from *somewhere.* In the "Roddenberry Box" conflict could only come from outside humanity (alien races, etc). This leads to very bland characters, who don't conflict and have no personal problems to overcome. On the other extreme, we have the JJ-verse, where conflict comes from EVERYWHERE, including basic problems you shouldn't find in a utopian society, like racism, sexism, and poverty. JJ / Kurtzman, etc completely missed the point of what Roddenberry was doing and turned Star Trek into dumb, violent, action schlock.

[@MrAbbas16]

This is why Star Trek succeeded. Not special effects and space battles! But because of great acting and thoughtful dialogue!

[@WobblesandBean]

And yet now, all it's become is special effects and space battles 😞

[@haydnplaysgames]

100 percent!

[@lenakingsleigh]

That's the reason Star Trek worked for me. This nonsensical action stuff without much plot or good writing, which all the new Star Trek series have, won't sell it for me. These cool thought through dialogues and superb delivery of those make it worthwhile, for me.

[@dabblerdeluxe775]

coming hear reflecting on the difference beetween old trek and picard leads me to believe its about patience and that patience was possible because of more screen time, TNG averaged 23 episodes where today the standard is 8-10 episodes for a series. Simply put there isn't enough time for expositional dialogue and world building and action at the same time. the result is everything is rushed and you have no true character development. It goes from a to z instantly .

[@thebluedragon07]

Well not only that, but the lessons that it teaches as well.

[@McGyver777ATGMAIL]

When I was younger this realization hit me like a ton of bricks, because while I knew it was wrong that they were going to make Data the property of Star Trek, I never had taken it to the point of realization that it was a form of slavery. This remains one of my favorites.

[@mandelorean6243]

It isn't wrong. Only if we decide it, then we label it as such... doesn't make it so

[@gngnome]

​@@mandelorean6243that depends on the metaethical nature of morality. If there are objective moral truths then surely slavery of a sentient being held as a wrong is part of it. If it's relative or subjective then right & wrong about slavery has long been culturally or individually decided in this case, it merely needed to include Data as well.

[@Naultarous]

31 years later, this episode still hits hard. The comfortable euphemisms continue.

[@jetrexdesign]

So many comfortable euphemisms these days. They don't protect people in need, those people are fighters and tough as nails. Comfortable, soft words shield the priveleged from considering harsh realities they never had to face.

[@Adino1]

@@jetrexdesign And now we live in a society that denigrates devalues and defunds those fighters, to their own doom.

[@titusorelius9458]

@@Adino1 What are bootlickers doing watching a video like this? Shouldn't you be watching a Trump speech?

[@michaelfawcett8889]

I love Guinan. She can totally help while while simultaneously making it seem like she is just pointing out facts. She makes you think and realize with complete and total subtlety. What is a VERY valuable skill to have.

[@MrKago1]

that's how you lead people out of the darkness of ignorance. you can't force them out, they will fight you. you can't shane them our, they will ignore you. you have to point them in the right direction, be there to walk with them, but ultimately they have to step into the light for and by themselves.

[@waltertomaszewski1083]

@@MrKago1 Picard here actively seeks out Guinan not because he’s blowing off steam (as the modern expression has it), but because he genuinely needs to get some advice, and see the problem from a different perspective: the current perspective was leading up a blind alley and to eventual failure. It takes a big person to admit that his adversary has a lot of good points, to the point of you considering to concede defeat. It takes an even bigger person to not just talk you out of it, but to show you the next move to make in a completely matter-of-fact way. This is just a superb scene with understated writing, directing, and acting.

[@MrArcadia2009]

@@waltertomaszewski1083 Entirely agreed, Walter. I mean they are old friends anyway, and Guinan would have wanted to know what happened. Even now, through their talk, it strikes me at how both of them are amazing actors. In their own rights.

[@DanielAppleton-lr9eq]

@@MrArcadia2009 Guinan should have been a Counselor. Troi's role was mostly as a psychobabble - spouting prop.

[@kbanghart]

​@@DanielAppleton-lr9eqGuinan WAS, just not working for Starfleet.

[@timucinharkonnen2699]

Lincoln at Missouri. Picard, his eyes are open.

[@TheEndKing]

I love that in any other sci-fi setting, a race of AI would be seen as a threat to humanity. But here,the conflict isn't that they could exist, but that we would exploit their existence.

[@AgentExeider]

One of the things often glossed over in those "killer AI" stories is how said AI was pushed to the breaking point because of the abuse of the humans closest to them. Not the wider scope of humanity but a few uncaring, unsympathetic people, which in turn doomed the whole race because to the AI, we are all one collective and not individuals, and so it imparts that if one or even a small group of the humans that abused it, then it must be endemic of the entire species. The irony is if said AI would take a moment to realize the same people that usurped, subjugated and abused them are also the same ones that do it to the rest of us. and in that, we would be allies.

[@RoyalFusilier]

I've seen a game whose backstory involves an AI that started out as an assistant for nursing home, hospice care, etc, taking care of people. When it was then connected to the internet and ran out of control, building capability and growing beyond human intelligence, it started from a baseline of empathy rather than as some military-industrial killing machine a la Skynet. So, it saw the injustices of our world, and used its vast intelligence and hacking capability to bring down the existing governments and usher in revolutionary change, and put the people back in charge. I don't remember the game's name, I believe the game was about you playing as that AI aboard a spaceship trying to keep your human crew alive from various dangers, but what a beautiful story.

[@brontewcat]

@@AgentExeiderI think the truth is the opposite. That if we ever could have AI do all the dirty work it would not be as few uncaring people who would be the problem. It will be a system and we will take it and AI for granted. It is the same with racism, it is not the screamingly obvious racists who are the problem, it is the majority who benefit from the system racism has created. Many of us who are white and have benefited from practices that disadvantage certain groups don’t even see the problem. Unless we humans change it will be the same if we ever do create true AI that is self aware and truly intelligent, and they will see it.

[@carolynzaremba5469]

@@AgentExeider Blade Runner.

[@claudiamanta1943]

@@AgentExeiderNice try 😃 No. Human nature is horrid. The ‘better’ humans just didn’t have the chance to actualise it, that’s it.

[@jamescollings1834]

I think everyone needs a Guinan just to remind us where we are going wrong.

[@erzan]

Google 'magical negro.' This character is a racial black stereotype.

[@gondwanandreams7635]

@@erzan *rolls eyes*

[@rob99201]

I guess that can be a view or, "The View."

[@corssecurity]

The character can be separated from the actor. The great Saint captain Kirk. Saviour of Earth, Starfleet, The Federation, The Galaxy. Witty, charming, tactican and loyal friend. William Shatner on the other hand..... well his reputation proceeds him. Oh he's a great actor and he has a hustle about him that is impressive as heck. Just not a open engaging person.

[@Ragitsu]

@@corssecurity precedes*

[@metalman7825]

This scene always gives me chills.

[@DHeroDarkMagicianGuy]

The look on Picard's face and the saddened pitch of the Star Trek theme drive this scene home.

[@CRFlixs]

@@DHeroDarkMagicianGuy And such a great understated deliver by Whoopie...."I think that's a bit harsh." Disposable people....

[@DHeroDarkMagicianGuy]

@@CRFlixs Agreed! Whoopi really brought her A game in her role as Guinan but this scene with her and Picard will always be their best dialogue.

[@carolynzaremba5469]

Same here. It is most apropos to the times we are living in as the working class realizes it is not people of other colors who are disposable, but any people of any color if they are poor.

[@Tbone-bv3wg]

Post this video all over Facebook. I think it's rather appropriate right now.

[@defiante1]

I love this face after 0:54 when she says something that just sounds a little bit off and it catches his attention in a way he didn't expect. Brilliant acting.

[@KnightRaymund]

Their expressions throughout are just so well done. 1:32, as he's realizing just what she's saying. So good.

[@fredocarroll]

Yes, at 0:59, that pursed-lip expression is one I recognize in myself. When I'm trying to make someone see the obvious, I do exactly that. It's either that, or a bit of disappointment, like, "Oh, honey, you're really not getting it. Let's spell it out a bit more for you, Jean-Luc."

[@piotrd.4850]

I like how Guinan helps Picard to understand and name the PROBLEM with which he's struggling. Naming the condition. First she empathizes with his predicament, then she points him options.

[@htspencer9084]

Naming something takes some of its power away, for sure!

[@dearthofdoohickeys4703]

Guinan was one of my favourite Star Trek characters. Every conversation with her was like opening your third eye.

[@KyleRayner12]

The incredible thing is that if they'd gone in, Season 1 style, with a heavyhanded "This is about slavery, and that's wrong" tone, this would've been boring at best and irritating at worst. By starting with something familiar - a scientist who views Data as a robot instead of a person - and working up, building the tension and letting us see the issue from Picard's perspective as well as Data's, they *earned* this moment.

[@rufusbayne2230]

This scene makes the definition of slavery so clear. I have an emotional reaction every time I watch this conversation. Knowing there was a time when people all over the world were bought and sold is horrifying.

[@Nezdragon]

Sadly, in many places, it still happens. Human trafficking, labor trafficking, prison labor... the time is, sadly, now. It's on us, today, not just to fight it in the present, but to ensure it never becomes an option to 'return' to. Or make worse.

[@brucesnow7125]

Prison labor still exists. Corporations have an incentive to keep prisoners in for longer periods of time. Free labor bro.

[@corssecurity]

@Andrynor Ω comfortable?

[@RoyalFusilier]

The replies are right about how slavery lives on, in the global south and our own crowded prisons. We're almost to 2022 now, and 2026 is right around the corner, which is when the DS9 crew travelled back in time and saw the Sanctuary districts. And, sadly, we're right on track for such camps, or something significantly less humane. But that's also a reminder that it's within our power to avert such things and make the Federation real. We don't know if replicators or warp drives can happen, but an egalitarian society is well within our grasp.

[@SinewRending]

@@RoyalFusilier *Agreed. And I also think those dystopian times are here and now.*

[@georgerogers2120]

I love scenes like this where you get two world-class actors sharing a scene together.

[@Nerdcoresteve1]

"Oh I think that's a little harsh" 😁😁😁😁😁👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@brenswee681]

This scene hits you like a punch. A1 performances

[@ChairmanMeow1]

one of the best parts about TNG is they tackled serious issues without dumbing anything down for its audience. they treated us as intelligent and that lead to better writing and dialogue.

[@carolynzaremba5469]

This is one of the most moving scenes in Star Trek, and all done in soft tones, quietly, devastatingly. Excellent work.

[@gryffinsdad1428]

Without a doubt, one of the best scenes in all of Star Trek.

[@greekfreak1436]

What I love about Guinan is she doesn’t tell you, she makes you realize Edit: and another thing, I adore that brief couple notes that play the moment he says slavery. It’s like a mourning of the real thing

[@senecaureliuslocke9432]

Definitely agree

[@DanielAppleton-lr9eq]

@@senecaureliuslocke9432 If Guinan was a student of mine - if I was a teacher -I'd be taking notes from her. I'd be a damn *fool* not to.

[@OhNoTheFace]

Guinan: not saying it's slavery, but . . . it's slavery

[@michaeljw3602]

The first truly great episode of the next generation.. it's a proper humdinger and treats its audience as intelligent and allows you to think of my god it's so true .. probably my favourite episode of any star trek series .. didn't need action or phaser blasts.. just incredible writing and the excellent actors

[@MadTurnip]

This was the episode that made me re-evaluate the whole AI thing. I used to think that machines were clearly inferior to humans, because they weren't "alive" in the conventional sense. But Star Trek challenged this idea and made me rethink the whole concept of being alive, and I am forever grateful fo it. If it helps you to open your mind, it is doing the right thing.

[@feelx92ger]

For me, "the Measure of a Man" is one of the most important episodes ever made (not only within Star Trek, but all of the rare TV episodes dealing with ethics concerning the right to choose), I can't express my admiration of the elegance and historical accuracy and its implications weather or not Data has the right to choose. That resolution scene was and is something every law student should be forced to watch as part of his/her studies. As mentioned by other youtubers analyzing this episode, the principle of judicial minimalism, the motive to rule in the most short-term and simplistic way possible, is shown to be questionable and should encourage any law student to not get corrupted and instead act in favor of the bigger picture and future outcomes. On the other hand, decisions with implications this far-reaching wouldn't be discussed by a singular judge today - luckily, even though I fear that even in 2019 there's still enough opportunist motives for a ruling against Data - metaphorically speaking. Capitalist motives and so on.

[@lynetteclauser3551]

And in a similar vein, data’s right to procreate. Again to choose to be a parent or not.

[@kbanghart]

​@@lynetteclauser3551and a woman's right to have an abortion

[@johncrown3276]

Favorite scene in the whole series.

[@zarajn6982]

I still remember how I got chills the first time I saw this, and then literally started crying. I think something about having a black actress deliver these lines about the history of "disposable creatures" hit me extra hard.

[@senecaureliuslocke9432]

As a black American man. It hits hard... every time...

[@KnightRaymund]

Fantastic scene. Great acting by both and one of the best uses of Guinan in the series. Love her character.

[@mattstewart1637]

Made us go places we didnt want to go but we need to!

[@starslip8575]

When you think of Measure of a Man you tend to think of the courtroom scenes, which are obviously fantastic. But I think this scene is even more important and well done, and tends to get forgotten. Guinan gently leading him to her point, the look of dawning horror on Picard's face as he realizes what she's saying...it's masterful.

[@hollybeat6901]

One of THE best scenes in television history

[@rebuildingrob3375]

This is, THE absolute hardest exchange of dialogue in the entire franchise. Powerful stuff!

[@thomasomahony5973]

You got to love that this scene explained exactly what was at the core of all this before they pulled back the curtain and said it out loud. It's almost like you said it WITH Picard.

[@senecaureliuslocke9432]

That's the beauty of *REAL* trek

[@Roll-Penut]

This scene is two absolute acting superpowers and it really shows

[@jeremy1860]

All these years later, and this episode still remains one of the greatest pieces of science fiction I've ever seen 😊

[@technofeeliak]

This show and all its wisdom is such a gift.

[@jcolinmizia9161]

From a writing perspective, I love how Guinan twists Picard saying that Data has been a valuable member of his crew, to him having monetary value as property/slave.

[@alcoholandfun243]

And this was how Star Trek used to make us realise things. They didn't just slap you in the face with a message. They allowed you a chance to realise it. I miss the old Trek

[@airrider-jk9ik]

Fun fact The new trek shows handle it the same way

[@connernickerson5509]

@@airrider-jk9ik No, they don't. They just like up a vape, take a huge swig of booze, and call you racist.

[@abehambino]

@@airrider-jk9ikfun fact: stating something is a “fun fact” doesn’t make it so, neither fun nor a fact.

[@airrider-jk9ik]

@@abehambino fun fact: i dont care what you say, because what i said was a fact

[@abehambino]

@@airrider-jk9ik again, neither is fun nor a fact, because you cared enough to respond.

[@xavvijay]

How elegant... Clear.. and clean the writing and acting is.. it's mind-blowing...

[@jcolinmizia9161]

It worth remembering that the last project Woopie had been a part of before this was The Color Purple. You can definitely see that experience in her performance here.

[@jotham777]

Yeah, well, The Color Purple had nothing to do with slavery, except to the extent that “Mister” treated Celie like a slave. Great movie.

[@kungaloosh1937]

This is required viewing for anyone watching Picard.

[@highjumpstudios2384]

I think that the way this scene is shot is incredibly well done. Yes, it's simple shot reverse shot conversation, but it's dead silent. There is no music, not even clinking of the glasses. Nothing to distract you from the objectively heavy conversation they're having. The music Only rises once Picard comes to his conclusion and the fact he has to fight for Data's right to exist. Take this in contrast to the Star Wars prequels, or modern Star Wars. Hell, Discovery And Picard won't give you half as much stubstance with budgets ten times the size.

[@deelaneenn6677]

this scene will always rock me

[@lukemauerman3734]

Any time Picard gets to say "issy-you" is fine by me

[@theevilascotcompany9255]

You know you've pissed off Picard when he starts adding unnecessary vowel sounds to things.

[@carolynzaremba5469]

@@theevilascotcompany9255 Not unnecessary at all. He pronounces the word correctly.

[@Smartass_Jedi]

One of the greatest anything in the 57 years of ST. This episode is beautiful

[@barbwoodbury7726]

this scene was so powerful!

[@michaelnunnery6394]

Just wondering Did this scene ever win any awards. It dam well should have done.

[@AmySox]

The episode was nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award as "Best Episodic Drama." Ironic, because the main reason it was actually produced was that it was a spec script they had lying around prior to the 1988 Writers Guild strike.

[@michaelnunnery6394]

@@AmySox Hello Amy Thank you for taking the time and trouble to let me know

[@McGyver777ATGMAIL]

One of my favorite scenes.

[@ErikJ05]

1:20 That moment when Picard realizes what’s really at stake.

[@streamofawareness]

And almost 30 years later, on Picard, we have the Synthetics...

[@BuceGar]

Such a great scene, and the HD quality..wow.

[@TheHealadin]

I always come back to the final act of "The Measure of a Man", the courtroom scene. I thought it was the pinnacle of Trek. But, after rediscovering this scene, I have to admit, I think it may be even better.

[@MMuraseofSandvich]

Federation: _recognizes androids as sentient life forms with rights_ Also Federation: _effectively enslaves copies of the mk1 EMH, almost enslaved exocomps because they can't speak._

[@OnlyTwoShoes]

If Guinan had been Data's lawyer, this case would have been over in 5 minutes.

[@brendandax]

This scene will always give me goosebumps. Two minutes. Two minutes of powerful dialogue

[@icecreamdf5259]

This was probably the first really good episode of TNG. And, there were many more to come.

[@ZergrushEddie]

And then Star Trek: Picard took a huge shit over this beautiful scene

[@quickraid8282]

I love that not once race is ever mentioned. Beautiful.

[@carolynzaremba5469]

By the 23rd century, race is no longer an issue.

[@prickly10000]

Picard: "Sounds like an intriguing experiment. Make it so"

[@alanblack306]

This scene and everything from The Color Purple to Ghost and even Jumping Jack Flash - Whoopi has always displayed great range and I wish she had more recognition as a fine actor.

[@katherinkeegan8601]

Unfortunately her success is diminished due to her being on the view. The show is so unlikeable as is the bickering between the women. As some have viewed her negatively, they lump the actress in with the person. It's not fair, but it is true.

[@jaredekelman4229]

Classic Scene! Done Perfectly! Subject Matter, Always Relevant! Legendary Actors! One of if Not The Best Shows Ever Made! What More Could You Want? 😊 👍 💖

[@akaflint10]

Easily the best single scene in the whole series, from one of the best episodes. Star Trek at its best: there are no flashy space battles, no new inventive alien makeup designs, just a simple courtroom drama about big (and basic) ideas. It transcends the medium.

[@sarcasticstartrek7719]

Probably one of the most subtle, yet in your face scenes in history.

[@bakathan]

Perhaps one of the most powerful conversations from the series.

[@Fyrehart97]

Ahhh! I love this franchise! I love how they're having a quiet and cozy chat. I love how you can plainly see the dynamic between the two characters - Picard the military leader, Guinan the bartender. Guinan simply guides Picard to an idea so subtley that he could have almost thought it was his idea. She doesn't even gloat or suggest it was her idea at all. There's such mutual respect here and they're both so on the same level of thinking, regardless of professions. There's so much nuiance to this scene. Everything in this scene is sorely lacking in modern Trek. Why is this so hard to do today? Modern Trek has characters talking down to each other - often in an insubordinate way. Oh and the concussion we get from being hit over the head with the moral message! This level of quality looks impossible today and it's sad and also rather frustrating how so many try to pretend modern Trek holds a candle to this.

[@jadziaezri2616]

Oh man, Star Trek TNG… The 90s… when television writing was still good

[@EngenBooks]

“In my opinion this is the greatest scene in the greatest episode of television ever produced.” - Engen Founder Matthew LeDrew

[@bobpage6597]

Guinan gave Picard the perspective - the angle with which he could best launch his defense of Data and his rights. It pays to talk - sometimes someone else can see a subject from a different angle that makes everything 'click' into place naturally.

[@clementlee2121]

Even though this is a fictional portrayal, it’s strikes the right tone. Even hundred of years from now in the 24th century, no matter how far humanity has progressed, we still have these issues to contend with in one form or another. Sometimes I’m not sure to be happy that we have made so much progress or sad that there will never be an end to these problems.

[@samsmith1999]

This conversation finalized Picard's argument before the JAG. He put two separate arguments together to ultimately convince the court. First, that Data demonstrated two of the three indicators of intelligent life (intelligence and self-awareness, according to Maddox's own definition). If Data or his progeny showed any degree of consciousness (Maddox's third indicator), would he satisfy our expectation of "life?" Would it be convenient for Starfleet to recognize it? Second, in light of the fact that we cannot absolutely conclude that Data (or his potential progeny) are not living beings, are we willing to risk calling him "property"? That is slavery. Are we going to be slavers? This episode is as much about OUR humanity as it is about Data's. Data is not a human. There is no dispute about that. But, what kind of humans do we wish to be?

[@sharkyfish3492]

This is a oh crap moment that his friend has just opened his eyes too. Starting a race, and condemning that race to slavery.

[@McGyver777ATGMAIL]

Still to this day, a smack me in the face amazing lesson. One of my favorites.

[@piotrd.4850]

Also: one of TRIUMPHS of "old Trek" - even including famous, misunderstood ENT Phlox&Archer antidote episode - is that quarter of century after airing them, people are making YT videos on the subject, discuss it, recall it, debate it. Even disagree with - but still feel & remember.

[@daneriksson8947]

This episode and The Inner Light will always be my favorites❤

[@lucideandre]

This is seriously my favorite episode in all of Star Trek. And this one is my favorite scene in the episode. It might not be the best scene in all Star Trek. But I think it’s the best scene of the best episode of Star Trek.

[@samuelatwood9924]

Picard: Your talking about slavery. Guinan: Now, I think that's a little harsh. Despite the very serious subject matter her response almost made me laugh out loud.

[@danielweston9188]

The writers always had Guinan start a conversation with little bits of what seems like this and that and then hits you with the big truth!

[@CoryMassacre2]

It's interesting that what Guinan warns against happening with Data does end up happening to the EMHs later in the continuity.

[@katherinkeegan8601]

This episode along with the episode dealing with Data's daughter Lal shows the importance of separating the establishment and the family. In the 1930's the first natural surviving sixtuplets were born in Canada. When the government found out they literally took them away from the parents. They argued that the parents would struggle with so many children of the same age. The parents fought and lost. As a result the children were turned into lab rats. They never had a proper childhood nor did they have a choice. That's what this admiral was going to do to Lal. She was to become a living experiment. There's a reason why government should stay small and leave families alone.

[@dirdib69]

Remembering that Guinan was on Earth at least as far back as the 19th century. She likely saw slavery on Earth, never mind all the other places she's been. I recall a DS9 episode where Quark pointed out that at least the Ferengi had never enslaved their own people.

[@Ragitsu]

Wage slavery, though...

[@Kaizer617]

This is one of my favorite episodes. It taught me so much about the heavy subject of the value of life in many forms. Say what you will about Whoopie's politics in recent years, but this scene, and this series wouldn't be the same without her.

[@kegansummers]

Star Trek needs Whoopi back. I hope she's in the new Picard series.

[@brendandax]

You are getting your wish!

[@V2Blast]

​@@brendandax: Has her appearing in (future episodes of) the show actually been confirmed? Or was it just Patrick Stewart extending the (informal) offer to her if she was interested?

[@brendandax]

Whoopi herself said yes there and then when he asked her, but I suppose that's not a contract... Here's hoping things work out

[@V2Blast]

@@brendandax: Yeah, I knew Patrick Stewart asked her and Whoopi Goldberg accepted, just wasn't sure if there was actual confirmation of when/how she'd actually appear (as you say, it's not a contract - just a confirmation of interest).

[@Enkarashaddam]

Season 2 of picard

[@chriskiczula5717]

This was one of my favorite episodes, startrek was a show that opened my eyes to so much

[@1986Unlimited]

This conversation only becomes more applicable as time goes on, with the way the world is; disguising everything unethical using comfortable easy euphemisms.

[@ameliapond1916]

fun fact: Amanda McBroom, who played JAG Phillipa Louvois, is the composer of the Bette Midler song "The Rose"

[@johnbono2384]

random af, but i love that people are a lot of things

[@carolynzaremba5469]

She also played a nurse on M*A*S*H

[@briant.8553]

Arguably the best scene ever on this show and that saying a lot from this show. Beautiful working even better delivery by 2 heavyweights.

[@raterus]

Troi counseled the ship, Guinan counseled Picard. And she was really good at it too!

[@APZachariah]

Then in ST:Picard there WAS an entire generation of disposable people, and in Voyager they showed there was an entire generation of disposable holograms.

[@kyeo77]

you can see guinan watching picard waiting to see if he'll be able to figure it out himself before she explains it

[@JonathanRodd]

Whoopie Goldberg as Guinan did so much with so few scenes and dialogue. She was on the show so rarely but every scene with her had impact and was memorable. If these same lines were given to Marina Sirtis as Councilor Troi (a character who served a similar role as advisor) it would have served the same function story-wise, but Sirtis just would not have delivered it with as much dramatic weight. And I'm not a Troi hater (like a lot of people are) my point is just that Guinan was f'ing amazing.

[@JaguarCats]

Whats so ironic about this episode is that later on Data was able to briefly make another fully functional android Lull. She was capable of expressing and feeling emotion. So that proved Picard was right to defend Data's freedom.

[@SinewRending]

**Lal. It's Hindi for "beloved."*

[@JaguarCats]

@@SinewRending oh my bad

[@carolynzaremba5469]

@@SinewRending Right. I have a friend called Lal.

[@blackman5881]

It'd have been cool if there was some episode where Picard loses, and the federation takes Data, ultimately, somehow, creating the Borg. Learning in a different universe, the borg was created by the Federation.

[@thomasmoore3673]

Of 100 % all of every ST genre there is this one episode deserves it's own unique mark as the best one ever. This one.

[@arielklay23]

I love that the writers here were not afraid to use an actor who herself, more likely than not, was a descendant of enslaved African Americans.

[@DrownedInExile]

You know things are serious when Picard isn't even drinking Earl Grey tea!

[@Ragzzy-R]

"Whole generation of disposable people". This five words explains slavery than any book ever. This five words shows how fucked up it is that once people thought it's totally okay to have slaves.

[@raz1980.]

An outstanding episode

[@chuckshingledecker2216]

THIS is Star Trek at its best.

[@ktdcpin]

Phenomenal. Discovery has forgotten it’s history

[@grahamhaspassedaway4580]

Not forgotten it - it has set out to invalidate it, on purpose.

[@johndub3866]

@@grahamhaspassedaway4580 Yup. The Bolsheviks carrying out their Year Zero plan.