The Offspring

DVD, TNG S3 (The Offspring)

Jonathan Frakes' first directorial attempt isn't bad, but I never believed in Data's ability to create a more human android than himself, one with the faculties to feel and grow and question incessantly. The early parts are funny as Lal struggles to grip basic tasks such as catching a ball, and sad when she learns she is different to the other children. Because of Data's personality the episode is overly analytical and cold until the sentimental ending, and I think this remoteness harms it for much of the episode, only becoming essential to the story at the end when Data cannot feel the loss of Lal as the crew do. The ending nevertheless works, and though we're being manipulated, and it was the obvious route to take, it ironically injects some feeling into an episode otherwise devoid. I can see a sequel in that positronic brain of his where he gets a split personality as Lal decides to find a way out, but that might have taken things too far!

The science lab that would later be so important to 'The Best of Both Worlds' makes its debut here, and there is a noteworthy appearance of the first Andorian female ever seen, and indeed, the first of the race since 'Star Trek IV' I believe, although it was only a holographic representation. It seemed unlikely that Lal, having narrowed down its choices of gender/appearance to four would have such varying options remaining. I expected four females with slight differences in a similar style. The Daystrom Institute scores another mention, though this time it isn't the Institute itself, rather an outpost which indicates the organisation is broader than one location as may have previously been suspected.

I wondered for a while if it might not have been more fun to stick with the scrunched up face of the first version of Lal for the episode instead of jumping to an all but human look, or at least the same gold-hued skin of Data. It was a visual reminder that his daughter was a step forward, as Admiral Haftel was happy to accept. Those in authority invariably come across as overbearing and meddlesome, and the Admiral in this possessed all those questionable qualities and more, only redeeming himself by his unhappiness at Lal's demise (and not, it seemed from the loss of a chance to study her), after he had tried to help save her. It seems to be a standard trait that officials in Starfleet refuse to accept the advice and wisdom of those under their command, and cause trouble by riding roughshod over all protest. Did 'The Measure of A Man' count for nothing? We could speculate that it's something that happens to all people when they become grumpy old men, but the females are just as bad (if not worse). Maybe even Picard will go that way if he ever makes it to the Admiralcy!

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