The Offspring

This is the best episode of STTNG.

Brilliantly written, acted, and directed. If you don't cry at the end, you might need a shrink.

I prepared myself to watch this episode. I didn't want to react emotionally so I sort of built a wall and did not go there. My husband on the other hand I cried even though it was the fourth time seeing it. It is an excellent episode and nothing is wrong with it.

Despite a lot of this episode's themes' inherent creepiness, it is is definitely one of my favorites. It has a great story, great acting (as episodes in which Brent Spiner and Patrick Stewart are handling the bulk of the acting usually do), and solid directing from Frakes, who is much better off behind the camera instead of in front of it. Yet another bullish Starfleet admiral makes for a great antagonist, and yet another good actor portrayed him. There are also deep philosophical questions about AI that we are facing NOW and in our near future that even Next Generation's cast and crew could not have possibly foreseen happening so quickly when they made this episode in 1990.

A little back story: Through my teens I was an ardent fan of films and sci-fi (primarily Star Wars), and Star Trek always piqued my interest, but I was too intimidated to invest the time to acquaint myself with a franchise that stretched over television and film since the 1960s.

That being said, I came across this episode while scanning TV channels and was immediately drawn to the character of Data, an singular android who dedicates his improbable existence to evolve and grow in order to be more "human." His quest in this episode included creating a new android in the hopes of improving upon his own limitations through his designated "offspring" (as most true parents do), including having this android eventually find a way to develop authentic emotional reactions.

However, when Starfleet grows impatient with the development of Data's new android, they threaten to confiscate it, instigating a surprisingly emotional struggle over the philosophy of sentient rights and acceptance that ultimately becomes overshadowed in the face of tragedy. It's all the more astonishing to consider the most emotionally devastating moments of the episode feature characters who can't project any emotions at all.

Brilliantly written, performed, and directed, this is one of the finest hours of television that succeeded in appealing to an outsider of the franchise and making them a fan for life.

Data creates another android to be his daughter.

Despite some issues and contrivances in how this episode is written, it is very well made and compelling to watch.

The plot very effectively focuses on various aspects of humanity. Lal is in the earliest phase of her assimilation to a human society and Data is experiencing parenthood for the first time. All the scenes dealing with the two characters struggling and experiencing human behaviour and emotions are very well done.

This is a great step in the overall character arc of Data, as parenthood is one of the biggest challenges faced in life. It not only shows some of the everyday situations all parents can identify with, but also some of the worst fears imaginable and portrays them all with great heart.

Lal is a great idea for guest character and her observations on life and behaviours are presented in a way that invokes both humour and sympathy.

Unfortunately there is an aspect of the plot involving its antagonist that takes the story in an unnecessary direction. Personally I found the concept of Data's daughter to be quite captivating without the need to force a conflict into episode. When you hear how little rationale there is behind Admiral Haftel's position, it feels like it has been included for little other than additional drama. The problems are further compounded as it forces Captain Picard into a position of having to argue the rights of sentient beings again, which takes up screen time with dialogue that covers the same ground as second series episode 'The Measure of a Man'.

Personally I think this could have been one of the greatest episodes of all time if it focussed solely on the very real dramas of Lal and Data trying to fit into life and what becomes of her.

I enjoyed the visuals, particularly some of the sight gags and special effects used in the technical design of Lal.

Brent Spiner and Hallie Todd are superb in their roles. They managed to realistically portray androids and at the same time evoke emotion. Patrick Stewart is brilliant as ever. Caryn Johnson gives that perfect sense of wisdom to Guinan. Nicolas Coster does remarkably well with a fairly contrived character.