{"id":6480,"date":"2016-06-09T07:04:32","date_gmt":"2016-06-09T07:04:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/69-The-Quality-of-Life"},"modified":"2016-06-09T07:04:32","modified_gmt":"2016-06-09T07:04:32","slug":"69-the-quality-of-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/relivethemajesty.com\/index.php\/2016\/06\/09\/69-the-quality-of-life\/","title":{"rendered":"6.9 — \u201cThe Quality of Life\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n \n

6.9 — \u201cThe Quality of Life\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Plot:<\/strong> A particle fountain mining operation on Tyrus VII A, directed by Doctor Farallon, copes with technical difficulties by employing a type of repair droid called exocomps. Progress on the particle fountain is delayed after Data develops the suspicion that the exocomps have become sentient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thoughts:<\/strong> Oh my goodness! Science fiction! This is the first TNG teleplay by new staff writer Naren Shankar, who Larry Nemecek’s book The Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion<\/em> notes is \u201can Original Series Star Trek Fan\u201d like Ronald D. Moore and Ren\u00e9 Echevarria (which separated them from all the other staff writers).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I appreciate the real talk from Beverly at the beginning about beards, as a symbol of power to which women don’t have access. Although I view facial hairstyles more as self expression not \u201caffectation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Strip mining from orbit–what a frightful idea. I assume there is no life to be disrupted on the planet? But then, they aren\u2019t very good at recognizing life when they trip over it, are they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Crusher again assumes the role of counselor to advise Data. It suits her. I’m afraid Troi is, at best, the third best counselor aboard the ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The exocomps are almost a little too cute, and seem fairly low-tech (apart from their magical replicator ends). They remind me of K-9 from the late 1970s Doctor Who serials. In describing the exocomps, the characters go to great lengths to avoid using the word \u201crobot.\u201d Wouldn’t the use of robot drones for tasks such at these in the 24th century be commonplace?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I like the premise, however, and the stand off between Data and Riker over this matter of principle. Nitpicks, I have a few. Surely Data’s research can turn up more useful sources to help formulate a definition of life. Also, while I understand Data\u2019s reasons, doesn’t he need to be court martialed? Chain of command exists for a reason, as Kirk would have reminded everyone. Perhaps Picard can defend Data again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4 out of 5 molecular fusers.<\/p>\n\n\n

http:\/\/memory-alpha.wikia.com\/wiki\/The_Quality_of_Life<\/a>