Yet another episode that I enjoyed more than I thought I was going to :blink:

One of the things that really helped TNG (imo anyway) was Brent Spiners portrayal of Data. Given that his character is not supposed to feel emotions he has to walk a fine line between not injecting enough 'feeling/character' and injecting too much, with the obvious example of the latter for me being Spike from Buffy.

Interesting to see Picards first reaction that Data has acted foolishly by not consulting him/Star Fleet, and hadn't adequately considered the repercussions of creating a new android. This is nicely contrasted by his subsequent defense of Data to the Admiral and laying his career on the line to protect Data's rights, something he helped established in Measure of earlier on. The writing and acting really helped establish Picards internal thought process from his initial reaction above, to realising Data has as much right as anyone else to reproduce and supervise his childs development :)

I also liked how the death of Lal seemingly effected Datas friends more than Data, although there was a sense of isolation/loneliness about Data having to turn Lal off and how he took his place on the bridge with everyone watching him :ponder:

Yes, I think that's exactly what they were aiming for. Even though Data doesn't "feel" this they're quite determined that we are going to feel it for him <_< :lol:

Really, this episode shouldn't w**k. At its most basic level it's just a rehash of the previous season's The Measure of a Man and under any other circumstances I'd probably be crying foul and bemoaning a lack of originality :whistling: :lol: Crikey, even Admiral Haftel repeats what Maddox said about Data in the prior episode, that he's "remarkable"...

However, the touch of whimsy that director Frakes brings to the episode gives it the spark it needs, and also manages to just about keep it from toppling out of bearable sentimentality into total schmaltz. Not bad, considering it was his first time at the helm, and he was undoubtedly helped by his fellow cast-mates' obvious confidence in his ability. Patrick Stewart is marvellous yet again, as Dave says, from grouchy Picard at the start through to understanding and compassion at the end :thumbsup:

Even though Frakes' directorial duties kept Riker's participation to a minimum he still manages to appear in the funniest scene in the episode. Typical Riker, hitting on the new girl - but getting more than he bargained for. LMAO at Data's reaction, too :lol:

The one problem with the episode is that the preachiness has been switched to high, with many a conversation between characters discussing the do's and don't's of parenthood. How many times are we reminded that Picard has no children? Or that bad manners are the fault of the parent rather than the child? etc etc :rolleyes:

On the whole, though, I think the episode's success largely belongs to Brent Spiner and particularly Hallie Todd, who plays Lal with such charm and humour that it really is difficult to watch her "die" :(

After the thrills and spills of Yesterday's Enterprise I've always found The Offspring to be a welcome change of pace. Shame they're such a shite band, though :ph43r: :lol: