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The best Star Trek trial episodes

By Marc Kick

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 04: The gavel sits on the podium during day one of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The DNC that will run through September 7, will nominate U.S. President Barack Obama as the Democratic presidential candidate. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 04: The gavel sits on the podium during day one of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The DNC that will run through September 7, will nominate U.S. President Barack Obama as the Democratic presidential candidate. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 04: William Shatner is seen onstage at 2022 Los Angeles Comic Con at Los Angeles Convention Center on December 04, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/WireImage)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 04: William Shatner is seen onstage at 2022 Los Angeles Comic Con at Los Angeles Convention Center on December 04, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/WireImage) /

TOS: S1, E21: Court Martial: Captain Kirk finds himself in hot water when he apparently fails to follow protocol.

When the Enterprise reports to Starbase 11 for repairs following an encounter with an ion storm, in which one crewman has died, it’s revealed that Kirk’s Captain’s Log and the computer’s record of the events differ, and so Captain Kirk is brought up on court martial by Commodore Stone.

Oftentimes, I find the Original Series episodes a chore to get through, but this one is quite enjoyable with some great acting and an interesting story and conclusion.

TNG: S2, E9: The Measure of a Man: Data is being forced to undergo complete deconstruction at the hands of Commander Bruce Maddox.

Lieutenant Commander Data is being reassigned to Starfleet cyberneticist, Bruce Maddox and is informed of the doctor’s plans to deconstruct Data in hopes of fully understanding Dr. Soong’s creation. Dr. Maddox wants to reverse-engineer and produce more androids for Starfleet. Data is rightfully hesitant to undergo the procedure as Maddox doesn’t appear to understand the gravity of his proposal or what could be lost if he is unsuccessful. Data’s sentience is brought into question as to whether he has the right to choose to refuse the procedure or if he is to be deemed Starfleet’s property.

This is definitely one of my all-time favorite Trek episodes with an all-time great Picard speech. After Commander Riker is reluctantly appointed as prosecutor, representing Maddox’s stance, he presents an incredibly tough argument to combat. Picard’s argument to Captain Louvois, the Starfleet JAG officer overseeing the hearing, is one of my favorite Picard quotes, “Your honor, Starfleet was founded to seek out new life: well, there it sits! Waiting.”

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