MovieChat Forums > Ted 2 (2015) Discussion > Star Trek: TNG: The Measure of a Man

Star Trek: TNG: The Measure of a Man

posted 8 years ago by thebigmouth
7 replies | jump to latest

I'm surprised more people haven't mentioned this given all of the Star Trek: TNG references throughout the film. The entire trial storyline is pretty clearly inspired by "The Measure of a Man," an all-time great episode in which Data must prove he's not the property of Star Fleet.

From Memory Alpha:

Picard must prove Data is legally a sentient being with rights and freedoms under Federation law when transfer orders demand Data's reassignment for study and disassembly.

http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/The_Measure_Of_A_Man_(episode)

TV: http://ihatemydvr.blogspot.com
LOST:http://eyemsick.blogspot.com

[–] atac57 8 years ago

I think I subconsciously recognized that while watching the movie, lots of Star Trek references.

[–] thebigmouth 8 years ago

Yeah, I had a vague sense of deja vu when I saw the previews, but it didn't click for me either until I saw all the Star Trek references.

TV: http://ihatemydvr.blogspot.com
LOST:http://eyemsick.blogspot.com

[–] mase-6 8 years ago

The plot theme of the movie is based on this episode. One aspect is even explicitly mentioned in both - Does Ted/Data have a soul?

Nice originality, Seth.

[–] thebigmouth 8 years ago

Meh. There's nothing new under the sun. The explicit reference is precisely what makes it homage and parody, not rip-off.

TV: http://ihatemydvr.blogspot.com
LOST:http://eyemsick.blogspot.com

[–] Ayababi 8 years ago

Well...
There are certain moments where what happens in this movie is like the same thing that happens in the episode. Like in court where the guy told ted to press his chest, reminded me of then they detached Data's arm.
I definitely felt frustrated watching this movie like "This literally happened in an episode o Star Trek!"

[–] empirejeff 8 years ago

I was just thinking of this.
Picard basically proved 2 out of 3 criteria for Data being alive.

[–] Jes' Sayin' (5958) 5 years ago

Thought of this too, but turns out Seth had just been reading books about the Dred Scott decision.