The Quality of Life
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Contents (6 sections)
| Code | S06E09 (episode 135 overall) |
| Aired | 1992-11-16 (Wikipedia · Memory Alpha · Memory Alpha gives 1992-11-14) |
| Stardate | 46307.2 |
| Director | Jonathan Frakes (Wikipedia · Memory Alpha) |
| Writer | Naren Shankar (Wikipedia · Memory Alpha) |
| Arcs | Data, Trial & ethics |
| Transcript | read the transcript |
Synopsis
Data believes Doctor Farallon's exocomps may be alive and tries to stop her using them as labourers. When Riker orders them sent into a radiation surge to save Picard and La Forge, Data locks out the transporter; the exocomps instead save the officers by siphoning power themselves.
Continuity
- Follows The Measure of a Man (S02E09): Data recalls Picard's defence of his own rights as the reason he stood up for the exocomps.
Log entries
Captain's log, stardate 46307.2. We have just come into orbit of Tyrus Seven A to monitor progress on the Tyran particle fountain, a radically new mining technology. So far the project has been fraught with problems, and is well behind schedule. Mister La Forge has been assigned to evaluate the situation.
Captain's log, stardate 46315.2. Repairs to the particle fountain seem to have succeeded and it is now functioning smoothly. Doctor Farallon is coming aboard to demonstrate the device that carried out the repairs.
Second officer's log, stardate 46315.5. The unexplained behaviour of the exocomp has greatly puzzled both Doctor Farallon and myself. We have brought the defective unit to the Enterprise for investigation.
Captain's log, stardate 46316.6. I have summoned the senior staff in order to discuss Commander Data's theory that the exocomps are a life form. Doctor Farallon has attended only reluctantly.
Captain's log, stardate 46317.8. At Doctor Farallon's request, I have agreed to tour the station and assess the situation personally. I must decide soon whether it is in Starfleet's best interest to recommend the particle fountain as a reliable technology.
Characters (11 speaking)
| Character | Lines |
|---|---|
| Lieutenant Commander Data | 94 |
| Dr Farallon | 88 |
| Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge | 71 |
| Commander William T. Riker | 40 |
| Dr Beverly Crusher | 38 |
| Captain Jean-Luc Picard | 34 |
| Lieutenant Worf | 9 |
| Kelso | 9 |
| Computer | 7 |
| Pierson | 1 |
| Counselor Deanna Troi | 1 |
Locations (40 scenes)
| Location | Scenes |
|---|---|
| Particle fountain laboratory | 10 |
| Bridge | 10 |
| Transporter room | 8 |
| Engineering | 3 |
| Ready room | 2 |
| Observation lounge | 2 |
| (untitled) | 1 |
| Data's quarters | 1 |
| Ten Forward | 1 |
| Sickbay | 1 |
| Crusher's office | 1 |
Cast
From Memory Alpha. Linked where the credit could be matched to a transcript label.
Starring
- Patrick Stewart as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (Captain Jean-Luc Picard)
- Jonathan Frakes as Cmdr. William Riker (Commander William T. Riker)
Also starring
- LeVar Burton as Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge (Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge)
- Michael Dorn as Lieutenant Worf (Lieutenant Worf)
- Gates McFadden as Dr. Beverly Crusher (Dr Beverly Crusher)
- Marina Sirtis as Counselor Deanna Troi (Counselor Deanna Troi)
- Brent Spiner as Lt. Commander Data (Lieutenant Commander Data)
Guest stars
- Ellen Bry as Farallon (Dr Farallon)
- J. Downing as Kelso
Co-star
- Majel Barrett as Computer Voice
Uncredited co-stars
- Lena Banks as operations ensign
- Joe Baumann as Garvey
- Michael Braveheart as Martinez
- Tracee Lee Cocco as Jae
- John Copage as Sciences officer
- Tony Cruz as Lopez
- Debra Dilley, Keith Gearhart, Sissy Sessions as Operations ensign (3 performers)
- Hal Donahue as Command lieutenant
- Gina Gallante as Sciences ensign
- Grace Harrell as Operations officer
- Melanie Hathorn as Civilian
- Christie Haydon as Command ensign
- D. Kai as sciences officer
- Jana Karson, Ian Ray, Virginia Simonson, Deni Tyler as Tyran technician (4 performers)
- Michael Moorehead as Sciences ensign