All language subtitles for StarTrek.TNG-s03e16.The.Offspring

Captain's Log, Stardate 43657.0.

While Commander Riker is away
on personal leave

the Enterprise has traveled
to Sector 396

to begin charting
the Salebi Asteroid Belt.

He sent for you, too?

Yes.

He was very mysterious.

Do you have any idea
what this is about?

Something happened at that
cybernetics conference.

Since he's come back, he's spent

every off-duty minute
in that lab.

It's not like Data
to be so secretive.

And cautious.

He's kept that lab
locked every minute.

Now, how would you know that?

Uh-huh.

Oh, you are early.

One moment, please.

You may enter now.

Come on, Data.

What is this?

Yeah, Data, what's going on?

I have invited you here
to meet someone.

This is Lal.

Lal...

say hello

to Counselor Deanna Troi.

Hello, Counselor Deanna Troi.

How do you do, Lal?

I am functioning
within normal parameters.

Lal...

this is Geordi La Forge.

Purpose for exterior drapings,
Father?

It is an accepted custom

that we wear clothing.

Data, it called you "father."

Yes, Wesley, Lal is my child.

Space, the final frontier.

These are the voyages
of the Starship Enterprise.

Its continuing mission--

to explore strange new worlds

to seek out new life
and new civilizations

to boldly go
where no one has gone before.

Captain's Log, supplemental.

I have just been advised
of a highly unusual project

undertaken by Commander Data.

Lal has a positronic brain,
one very similar to my own.

I began programming it
at the cybernetics conference.

But nobody's ever been
able to do that, Data.

At least, not since
you were programmed.

True, but there was

a new sub-micron
matrix-transfer technology

introduced at the conference,
which I discovered could be used

to lay down complex
neural net pathways.

So, you did a transfer
from your brain into Lal's?

Exactly, Wesley.

I realized for the first time

that it was possible
to continue Dr. Soong's work.

My initial transfers produced
very encouraging results.

So I brought Lal's
brain back with me.

Data...

I would like
to have been consulted.

I have not observed
anyone else on board

consulting you about their
procreation, Captain.

Why didn't you give it
a more human look, Data?

I have decided
to allow my child

to choose its own
sex and appearance.

Commander Data,
at your convenience

I would like to talk with you
in my ready room.

Counselor.

I insist we do whatever we can
to discourage the perception

of this new android as a child.

It is not a child.

It is an invention,
albeit an extraordinary one.

Why should biology
rather than technology

determine whether it's a child?

Data has created an offspring--
a new life out of his own being.

To me, that suggests a child.

If he wishes
to call Lal his child

then who are we to argue?

Well, if he must,
but I fail to understand

how a five-foot android
with heuristic learning systems

and the strength of ten men
can be called a child.

You've never been a parent.

What you have done
will have serious ramifications.

I am truly dismayed
that you told no one

of what you were doing.

I am sorry, Captain.

I did not anticipate
your objections.

Do you wish me
to deactivate Lal?

It's a life, Data!

It can't be activated
and deactivated simply.

This is a most...
stupendous undertaking.

Have you any idea
what will happen

when Starfleet
learns about this?

I have followed
all of Starfleet's regulations

to the best of my ability.

I expected
they would be pleased.

Well, you have taken on
quite a responsibility, Data.

To prepare, I have scanned

all available literature
on parenting.

There seems to be
much confusion on this issue.

One traditional doctrine

insists "spare the rod
and spoil the child"

suggesting a punitive approach

while another
more liberal attitude

would allow the child

enormous freedom.

-Data...
-And what Klingons

do to their children...

Data, I am not talking

about parenting!

I am talking about the
extraordinary consequences

of creating a new life.

Does that not describe
becoming a parent, sir?

Data, you are seeking to achieve

what only your own creator
has been able to achieve--

to make another functioning
sentient android

to make another Data.

That is why I must attempt this,
sir.

I have observed
that in most species

there is a primal instinct
to perpetuate themselves.

Until now, I have been
the last of my kind.

If I were to be damaged
or destroyed

I would be lost forever

but if I am successful
with the creation of Lal

my continuance is assured.

I understand the risks, sir

and I am prepared
to accept the responsibility.

Gender female.

That's right, just like me.

Gender male.

Correct.

And I am gender neuter.

Inadequate.

That is why you must choose
a gender, Lal

to complete your appearance.

What are criteria?

Access your data bank
on sexuality, level two.

That will define the parameters.

Whatever you decide
will be yours for your lifetime.

It's a decision that will affect
how people interrelate with you.

I choose your sex
and appearance.

No, Lal.

That would be confusing.

We are taking you
to the holodeck

to show you several thousand
composites I have programmed.

You may choose from them.

Several thousand?

This is a big decision.

Counselor?

Lal has narrowed
the choices to four.

Would you like to see?

Yes.

Yes, of course, Data.

Computer, Lal-- gender sequence
finalists, begin.

An Andorian female.

Interesting.

You'll be the only one
on board the Enterprise, Lal.

Hmm. That could make
socialization more difficult.

A human male.

Very attractive.

There's no problem
with socialization here.

A human female.

I like her.

A Klingon male.

A friend for Worf.

They're all very interesting.

Do you have a favorite?

Yes, I have chosen.

I have completed assembly
of the replicated anatomy.

I was able to provide Lal

with more realistic skin
and eye color than my own.

Congratulations, Data.

It's a girl.

This is home, Lal.

Home.

Place of residence.

Social unit formed
by a family living together.

Yes.

We are a family, Lal.

Chair.

To sit in.

Sit.

Good.

Painting.

Painting.

Colors produced on a surface
by applying a pigment.

Yes.

I will teach you to recognize
the artistry in paintings.

Soft.

Yes, very good, Lal.

You have correctly processed
the sense of touch.

There are many
fascinating experiences

I wish to share with you.

Painting.

No.

That is a flower, Lal.

Inhale.

Smell!

Yes.

Show me more, father.

Second Officer,
Science Log, supplemental.

Training in social skills

at the most elementary level
has begun.

Lal is progressing very slowly

but is not deterred
by early setbacks.

While motor coordination
has improved 12 percent

reflexes still need to develop.

Visual comprehension is
especially difficult for Lal.

Translating her vast data banks
into recognizable applications

may improve
with additional transfers.

She is also learning

to supplement
her innate android behavior

with simulated human responses.

And it is interesting to note

that as I observe Lal
learning about her world

I share in her experience,
almost as though

I am learning things over again.

The transfer itself
is fairly simple.

Each neural pathway in my brain
is duplicated precisely in hers.

Theoretically,
the duplicate brains

should be able to store
and process the same information

but until all of the transfers
are complete

we will not know for certain.

What does Lal do
when you're on duty?

She studies in our quarters.

She requires
very little supervision.

Lal is quite self-sufficient.

Have you considered
sending her to school?

She already has access

to the sum of human knowledge--
from me.

Data, she could learn a lot by
being with children her own age.

She is only two weeks old.

Okay, close to her own age.

Dr. Crusher to Ensign Crusher.

Aren't you supposed to be
getting a haircut, Wesley?

I'm on my way.

Parents...

Nothing personal.

Lal, the third cross-link
transfer series is complete.

Father, what is my purpose?

Purpose?

My function.

My reason for being.

That is a complex question, Lal.

I can only begin to answer
by telling you that our function

is to contribute
in a positive way

to the world in which we live.

Why am I me,
instead of someone else?

Because you are my child.

Where did I come from?

These questions...

These questions suggest

that we have made
a successful transfer

of the heuristic
associative pathways.

You will now begin
to process information

on logic, aesthetics,
metaphysics and epistemology.

You are truly
becoming sentient, Lal.

How?

By developing the awareness

to question and examine
your perceptions.

Why do we have two hands?

Why not three or four?

Why is the sky black?

Why do...?

Tomorrow will be your
first day of school, Lal.

I assure you, Admiral,
there is no better guide

into this life for Lal
than Data.

He's doing an excellent job.

We all have enormous admiration

for what Commander Data
has already achieved

but we have superior facilities
and personnel here at Galor lV.

A starship is hardly
the proper setting for...

This starship's mission
is to seek out new life

and that is exactly
what Commander Data is doing

under my guidance.

We all want what's best
for the new android.

As do l.

I would be willing to consider
releasing Lal and Data to you

so that he may continue
his work with her.

His presence
would undoubtedly retard

the new android's progress.

Admiral, to you,
Lal is a new android

but, to Data, she's his child.

His child?

Yes, Admiral.

It may not be easy for you and l
to see her that way

but he does, and I respect that.

They will remain here for now.

Starfleet's policy on research
is clear.

You're making your stand
on very uncertain ground.

I do hope it doesn't fall
out from under you.

Haftel out.

She achieved a very high score

on a test
of academic achievement.

A perfect score.

Yes, which is why we started her
out with the older children

but Lal couldn't understand
the nuances

of how they related
to each other.

I see.

We decided the best thing to do

would be to put her
with younger children.

That would seem
to be reasonable.

It isn't working out that way.

The children are afraid of her.

Father, what is the significance
of laughter?

It is a human physiological
response to humor.

Then, judging
from their laughter

the children at school
found my remarks humorous.

So without understanding humor,
I have somehow mastered it.

Deck 15.

Lal.

Yes, Father?

The children were not
laughing with you.

They were laughing at you.

Explain.

One is meant kindly,
the other is not.

Why would they wish
to be unkind?

Because you are different.

Differences
sometimes scare people.

I have learned
that some of them

use humor to hide their fear.

I do not wish to be different.

Doctor?

I require your advice
as a successful parent.

We...
Well, thank you, Data.

I'd like to think I was.

Well, please sit down.

How's Lal?

Lal is realizing

she is not the same
as other children.

Is it lonely for her?

She does not feel
the emotion of loneliness

but she can observe how isolated
she is from the others.

She wishes to be more like them.

I do not know how to help her.

Lal is passing into sentience.

It is perhaps the most difficult
stage of her development.

When... when Wesley
was growing up

he was an extraordinarily
bright boy

but he had a hard time
making friends.

I think the other children

were a little
intimidated by him.

That is precisely what
happened to Lal in school.

How did you help him?

Well... first, I went back
to my own childhood

and remembered
how painful it was for me

because... I remember a time

when I wasn't very popular,
either.

And when I told that to Wesley

it made him feel
a little better.

He knew I understood
what he was going through.

I have not told Lal

how difficult it was for me
to assimilate.

I did not wish
to discourage her.

Perhaps that was an error
in judgment.

You didn't have anyone

with experience
to help you through sentience.

She, at least, has you.

Just help her realize
she's not alone

and... be there to nurture her

when she needs love
and attention.

I can give her attention, Doctor

but I am incapable
of giving her love.

Now why do I find that
so hard to believe?

Captain, incoming signal.

Starfleet priority one.

Admiral Haftel.

On my monitor, Lieutenant.

Admiral.

Captain Picard, I hope
I didn't disturb you.

Not at all.

I have discussed my concerns
with Starfleet Command.

You are to hold your position
until I join you.

And I shall personally review
the android's development.

Understood.

I should advise you, Captain

that if I'm not satisfied
with what I see

I am empowered to take
the android back with me.

Haftel out.

Captain's Log, supplemental.

We are holding position
pending the arrival

of Admiral Haftel
from Starfleet Research.

Commander Data is completing
his final neural transfers

to the android
he has named "Lal"

which, I have learned,
in the language Hindi

means "beloved."

Looks very good.

Thanks, Guinan.

Hello, Data.

Guinan.

Lal, how are you?

I am functioning
within normal...

I am fine, thank you.

Good.

Guinan, Lal needs
to observe human behavior.

Well, she's in the right place
for it.

And, for this opportunity

she is willing
to provide services

to assist you.

Ah.

Father says I would learn

a great deal from working

with someone as old as you.

You're hired.

The most important part about
working someplace like this

is the art of listening.

I have some expertise,
so I shall teach you.

That would be most beneficial.

I've been programmed
with a listing of 1,412

known beverages.

What did you say?

I've been programmed
with a listing...

"I've"?

You have used
a verbal contraction.

You said "I've"
instead of "l have."

It is a skill my program
has never mastered.

Then I will desist.

No.

You have exceeded my abilities.

I do not object, but...

I do not understand
how this has occurred.

Picard to Commander Data.

Please report to my ready room.

Aye, sir.

I am certain the Admiral
is anxious to meet Lal.

I have been sending him

regular status reports
on her development.

His visit is not just an
inspection of Lal's progress.

He has expressed a concern
for her environment.

Her environment, sir?

He believes the Daystrom Annex
on Galor lV

would be more suitable.

Then he wishes to relocate us.

Not you, Data.

Just her.

I would not be
in favor of that, sir.

There are many things that she
can learn only from me--

my lifetime of experiences,
the mistakes I have made

and what I have learned
from them...

Captain, Commander Riker's
shuttle has just returned.

Acknowledged, Lieutenant.

Will you advise Commander Riker

I will meet with him
in one hour.

Picard out.

The Admiral is
taking the position

that Lal's development
should be overseen

by the most experienced
personnel.

Then he is questioning
my ability as a parent.

In a manner of speaking.

Does the Admiral have children?

Yes, I believe he does, Data.

Why?

I am forced to wonder

how much experience
he had as a parent

when his first child was born.

You see?

What are they doing?

It's called flirting.

They seem to be communicating
telepathically.

They're both thinking
the same thing

if that's what you mean.

Guinan, is the joining of hands
a symbolic act for humans?

It shows affection.

Humans like
to touch each other.

They start with the
hands and go from there.

He's biting that female!

No, he's not biting her.

They're pressing lips.

It's called kissing.

Why are they leaving?

Lal, there are some things

your father's just going
to have to explain to you

when he thinks you're ready.

You're new around here,
aren't you?

Yes.

Lal? Lal!

Put him down.

Commander?

What are your intentions
toward my daughter?

Your daughter?

Nice to meet you.

I watch them and I can do
the things they do

but I will never
feel the emotions.

I'll never know love.

It is a limitation
we must learn to accept, Lal.

Then why do you still try
to emulate humans?

What purpose does it serve

except to remind you
that you are incomplete?

I have asked myself that
many times

as I have struggled
to be more human.

Until I realized it
is the struggle itself

that is most important.

We must strive to be
more than we are, Lal.

It does not matter

that we will never reach
our ultimate goal.

The effort yields
its own rewards.

You are wise, Father.

It is the difference between
knowledge and experience.

I learned today that humans
like to hold hands.

It is a symbolic gesture
of affection.

No objective viewpoint
could see it any other way.

Forgive me, Admiral,
I thought you were sent here

to form an opinion,
not to justify one.

Captain, let's not make this
any more difficult

than it needs to be, hmm?

I see no need
for it to be difficult at all.

I understand your concerns.

What I'm asking for
is time, patience.

If you have an open mind
I'm sure you will see

that it is imperative that Data
and Lal be kept together

during the formative stages
of her development.

After that, I have no doubt
Commander Data will be delighted

to deliver her
to Starfleet Research.

That's not satisfactory.

If mistakes are made

the damage that's done
might be irreparable.

I'm convinced the damage
will be irreparable

if they're separated.

Captain, are we talking
about breaking up a family?

Isn't that rather a sentimental
attitude about androids?

They're living, sentient beings.

Their rights and privileges in
our society have been defined.

I helped define them.

Yes, Captain,
and I am more than willing

to acknowledge that.

What you must acknowledge

is that Lal may be
a technological step forward

in the development
of artificial intelligence.

A most significant step.

Yes, and work like this

demands to be done
with controlled procedures.

Which Commander Data
is following.

In effective isolation

and that is what Starfleet
Research finds unacceptable.

So Lal now possesses
the sum of my programming.

Her neural nets are laid down
identically to yours?

There do seem to be some
variations on the quantum level.

She can use contractions.

I cannot.

An aberration.

What have you done about this?

I have maintained records
on positronic matrix activity

behavioral norms
and all verbal patterns.

I have seen no other evidence
of aberrations.

It would seem you have actually
improved upon yourself, Data.

Is that not the goal
of every parent, sir?

But, as a good father

don't you think
it would be better

especially in the light
of this new aberration

if Lal were close

to people trained in diagnostic
and evaluative procedures?

I am programmed with the
procedures you mentioned, sir

and in any meaningful
evaluation of Lal

you would require a model
for a basis of comparison.

I am the only model available,
Admiral.

You haven't mastered
human cultural

and behavioral norms
yourself yet, have you?

No, sir.

Where is Lal now?

This is your idea
of appropriate guidance?

It is an opportunity for her
to observe human behavior

and more importantly, for her
to interact with her crew mates.

Thank you.

She is capable of running

over 60 trillion calculations
a second

and you have her working
as a cocktail waitress.

Admiral, she is under
the strict guidance of a woman

in whom I have absolute trust.

Ten-Forward is the center
of the ship's social activity.

Everyone on board comes here.

I'm not convinced the sort
of behavior she observes here

will be a positive influence.

Well, most people
when they come in here

behave themselves,
and when they don't

I ask them to leave.

Admiral Haftel, Guinan.

She runs Ten-Forward.

How is Lal doing?

Oh, she spills a few
drinks every now and then

but she's learning.

No, I think I've had
enough, thank you.

Excuse me.

I want that android out of here.

Now, Admiral,
you've been in one or two bars

in your time.

Have her report to me
immediately for an interview.

Well, Lal, I've been
looking forward to meeting you.

Why?

You're very important to us
at Starfleet Research.

We have quite a facility
at Galor lV.

I want to show it to you.

In fact, the Admiral
is suggesting

you be moved to Galor lV, Lal.

Have I done something wrong?

Oh, no, of course not.

We just want to broaden
your experience.

There's only so much
you can learn on a starship.

I'm sure you'll agree to that.

Yes, I'll agree.

Good.

Thus, the natural conclusion
would be

when I have learned all there is
to learn aboard the starship

I would relocate to Galor lV.

That is not
the natural conclusion here.

I believe it is.

You see, Lal, the Admiral
is concerned

that you need more... guidance
than your father can provide

here on the Enterprise.

Yes, don't misunderstand me.

I have great respect
for your father.

You do not speak with respect.

She seems very adversarial.

I'm merely stating a fact,
Admiral.

I don't think your father has
taught you selective judgment

in the verbalization
of your own thoughts.

Now, that is a skill
we will help you develop.

My father is
already helping me, sir.

The question is,
has he helped you enough?

Are you asking me, sir?

No, I didn't mean to ask...

Why don't we, Admiral?

In all these discussions

no one has ever mentioned
her wishes.

She's a free, sentient being.

What are your wishes, Lal?

I wish to remain here,
Captain Picard.

Thank you, Lal.

You're excused.

Come in.

Hello, Lal.

How are you?

Troi...

Admiral... Admiral...

An admiral from Starfleet
has come to take me away, Troi.

I am scared.

You are scared, aren't you?

I feel it.

How is this possible?

I don't know.

This is what it means to feel.

This is what it means... feel.

You have Lal off to a wonderful
start in life, Commander.

And that's what being a parent
is all about.

However, I have finally decided

that I must ask you
to release her to me.

May I ask why, sir?

All other arguments aside

there is one
that is irrefutable.

There are only two Soong-type
androids in existence.

It would be very dangerous

to have you both
in the same place

especially aboard a starship.

One lucky shot by a Romulan,
we'd lose you both.

Admiral, that is
a fine argument, but...

it doesn't change my feeling

that the proper place
for Lal to develop

is by Data's side.

You're not a parent, Captain.

I am.

I have learned, with difficulty,
that there comes a time when...

There comes a time
when all parents

must give up their children
for their own good.

But this is not the time.

Damn it, even I can see the...

the umbilical cord
is virtually uncut.

The child...

The child depends on him.

Mr. Data, it would
be better for Lal

if she left knowing that
you had voluntarily decided

that this was the best
course of action.

Admiral, when I created Lal

it was in the hope that someday

she would choose
to enter the academy

and become a member
of Starfleet.

I wanted to give something back

in return for all
that Starfleet has given me.

I still do.

But Lal is my child.

You ask that I volunteer
to give her up.

I cannot.

It would violate every lesson

I have learned
about human parenting.

I have brought a new life
into this world.

And it is my duty,
not Starfleet's

to guide her through these
difficult steps to maturity

to support her as she learns

to prepare her to be a
contributing member of society.

No one can relieve me
from that obligation

and I cannot ignore it.

I am...

her father.

Then I regret
that I must order you

to transport Lal aboard my ship.

Belay that order, Mr. Data.

I beg your pardon.

I will take this
to Starfleet myself.

I am Starfleet, Captain.

Proceed, Commander.

Hold your ground, Mr. Data.

Captain, you are jeopardizing

your command and your career.

There are times, sir,
when men of good conscience

cannot blindly follow orders.

You acknowledge their sentience

but you ignore their personal
liberties and freedom.

Order a man to hand his child
over to the state?

Not while I am his Captain.

If you wish, you can accompany
us to Starfleet, where we...

Troi to Commander Data.

Report to your lab at once.

Acknowledged, Counselor.

He's on his way.

Is there a problem?

Yes, Captain, something
is terribly wrong with Lal.

It lasted barely a moment.

She experienced
fear and confusion

and then, for no apparent reason

she walked out
of my quarters.

She didn't say another word.

She just started walking here
and each step became

more and more difficult.

Lal is programmed

to return to the lab
in the event of a malfunction.

Father?

Yes, Lal, I am here.

A malfunction...

emotional awareness.

It appears to be a symptom
of cascade failure.

It would require initialization
of the base matrix

without wiping out
higher functions.

I agree.

May I assist?

Thank you, Admiral.

If you'll excuse us

Commander Data and l
have much to do.