The Offspring ( episode ) Data successfully creates a new android , which he views as his child . However , the magnitude of his accomplishment quickly attracts the scrutiny of Starfleet , who wants to separate the child from Data and the " Enterprise " for study . Matters are complicated further when the child begins to develop beyond Data ' s abilities . Summary . Teaser . Wesley Crusher , Geordi La Forge , and Counselor Deanna Troi are walking to Data ' s lab , where he has summoned them without revealing to them why . As they are walking , they speculate about what Data might have in store for them . La Forge says that ever since the cybernetic conference Data has been spending every second in the lab as well as keeping it locked . When they finally arrive at the lab , they find out that he has created a Soong - type android and named it Lal . The android greets them and somewhat taken aback , they realize that it calls Data father , upon which Data states that in fact Lal is his child . Act One . In his lab , Data explains that Lal has a positronic brain which is very similar to his own and that he began programming it at the cybernetics conference . La Forge points out that no one has ever been able to do such a thing , at least not after Data was created . Data explains that there was a new sub - micron matrix transfer technology introduced at the conference which he discovered could be used to lay down complex neural - net pathways . Essentially , he did a transfer from his brain to Lal ' s . Captain Jean - Luc Picard , who is also taken aback by this , tells Data that he would have liked to be consulted . Data is a little surprised at the captain ' s request , pointing out that he has not ever noticed anyone else on board consulting him about their procreation . Troi asks why he hasn ' t given it a more Human look , as this model looks androgynous . Data states that he decided to allow his child to chose its own sex and appearance . Picard , whose state of mind borders ever closer to irritation , asks that Data see him in his ready room at his earliest convenience . When leaving , he asks Counselor Troi to accompany him . During their conversation down the corridor , Picard insists that they do whatever they can to discourage the perception of this new android as a child , for it is not a child , to Picard , but an invention , an " extraordinary " one . Deanna wonders why biology , rather than technology , should determine whether it ' s a child for after all , Data has created an offspring , a new life out of his own being . To her , that suggests a child . She thinks that they have no say in Data ' s wish to call Lal his child . Picard states that he fails to understand how a five - foot android with heuristic learning systems and the strength of ten men can be called a child . Troi responds by pointing out that Picard has never been a parent . Determined to put an end to this , Picard still has a conversation with Data in his ready room . He tells him that what he has done will have serious ramifications , especially after Starfleet finds out about it . Data apologizes , stating that he did not anticipate his objections and asks whether he should just turn it off . Picard argues that he cannot just turn it on and off like a machine . He tells Data that he has taken on quite a responsibility by creating a new life , which , according to Picard , has nothing to do with the challenges of parenting itself . Data , however , wonders if that itself does not describe becoming a parent . Picard , who is growing increasingly impatient with Data , realizes that he is just not getting through to him like this . But Data tries to make him understand by pointing out that in most species there is a primal instinct to perpetuate themselves and until now , he has been the last of his kind . If he were to be damaged or destroyed , he would be lost forever . But if he is successful with the creation of Lal , his continuance is assured . He understands the risks and he is prepared to accept the responsibility . Later , Data and Counselor Troi take Lal to the holodeck so it can try on various appearances and genders . After many hours of searching , the choices are narrowed down to four : an Andorian female , a Human male , a Human female , and a Klingon male . Data ' s offspring chooses to be a Human female . Act Two . Data takes Lal into their quarters and tries to acquaint her with her new life , explaining to her that they are a family now . He teaches her about painting , which she identifies as colors produced on a surface by applying a pigment . He helps her process and understand the sense of touch and explains that there are many experiences that he wishes to share with her . Lal is very enthusiastic about all this and wants to learn more . Later in his lab , Wes asks Data what Lal does while he is on duty . Data states that she studies in their quarters for she requires very little supervision . Wesley wonders if he has considered sending her to school , but Data responds that she already has full access to the sum of Human knowledge from him . Wesley objects that she could still learn a lot by being with children close to her own age . While they are discussing all this , Doctor Beverly Crusher calls in to remind Wesley of his haircut appointment . After he leaves , Data turns Lal back on and she asks him quite curiously what her purpose is ; her function , her reason for being . Data says that their function is to contribute in a positive way to the world in which they live . But Lal wonders why she is needed instead of someone else , she wonders where she came from . Data does not answer her questions directly , but rather moves on to point out that all her questioning is a very good sign , for now she will be able to process information on logic , aesthetics , metaphysics , and epistemology ; she is truly becoming sentient by developing the awareness to question and examine her perceptions . Lal , however , carries on by asking a multitude of questions . A little overwhelmed by all her questions , Data just turns her off mid - sentence . In the meantime , Starfleet , which has gotten wind of the situation , communicates with Captain Picard about Lal . Picard tries to explain to Admiral Haftel that for Data , this android is his child and that he respects that . He is barely able to convince Starfleet to let Lal remain on board for the time being , but is fully aware that the time will come where he has to make that dreaded tough decision about Lal ' s fate . Lal ' s first day at school is not going so well either . The teacher , , explains to Data that she is too smart for most classes and the other children are afraid of her because she appears much older than them . Data takes her out of school and tries to explain certain things to her , such as peoples ' fear of things that are different and which are new to them . Lal claims that she does not wish to be different . A little helpless about how to guide and help Lal in this time , Data seeks out the help of Dr . Crusher , whom he considers to be an example of a good parent . He tells her that Lal wishes to be more like the others and that he doesn ' t know how to help her . Crusher tells him that when Wes was growing up , he was a very bright boy , but also had a hard time making friends , mainly because the other children were intimidated by him . Crusher approached this by telling Wesley about herself , about when she was younger and unpopular . This made Wes see that she understood him . Data realizes that he has not told Lal how difficult it was for him to assimilate . Crusher suggests that he lets her know that she is not alone and tells him to be there and nurture her when she needs love and attention . Data points out that he can give her attention but that he is incapable of giving her love . Crusher finds that hard to believe . Later in his quarters , Captain Picard receives the dreaded message from Admiral Haftel who explains to him that he has discussed the situation with Starfleet Command and the " Enterprise " is to hold position until he joins them to personally review the android ' s development . He advises him that if he is not satisfied with what he sees , he is empowered to take the android back with him . Act Three . Data decides to leave Lal in the care of the bartender Guinan , who begins to teach her the fundamentals of Human interaction and behavior . Guinan " hires " Lal , and tells her that the most important aspect of working in a place like Ten Forward is the art of listening . All three are surprised when Lal uses a verbal contraction ( saying " I ' ve " instead of " I have " ) , a skill which Data has never been able to master . She has exceeded his abilities . Captain Picard calls Data to his ready room and explains Starfleet ' s desire to transfer Lal , and only Lal , to a more suitable environment . Data , who doesn ' t seem to understand the seriousness of the situation , states that he doesn ' t agree with that decision because he feels that Lal can learn a lot from his own experiences and that he should not be separated from her . Then it finally dawns on him that the admiral is questioning his ability as a parent when suggesting to take Lal to a different environment . He wonders if the admiral has children , which Picard confirms . Data speculates on how much experience Haftel had as a parent when his first child was born . In Ten Forward , Lal , together with Guinan , is observing a couple engaged in typical courtship behavior . When the male kiss es the girl , she yells out that he is biting her . Guinan tells her that he is not biting her , but instead is kissing her . However , she leaves it up to Data to explain to Lal what follows after the couple leaves Ten Forward in a hurry . Commander Riker , returning from leave and unaware of Data ' s creation , walks into Ten Forward and begins flirting with Lal , asking her casually if she is new around here . She experiments with some of her new knowledge by suddenly grabbing Riker from across the bar and kissing him . At that moment , Data walks in , asking the commander what his intentions towards his daughter are . A shocked and embarrassed Riker hastily excuses himself and rushes out of the bar . In their quarters , Lal realizes that she will never know love . Data tells her that it is a limitation they must accept , upon which Lal wonders why he is then still trying to emulate Humans . Data replies that it is the struggle itself that is most important ; they must strive to be more than they are . It does not matter that they will never reach their ultimate goal , the effort itself yields its own rewards . Lal then , remembering what she learned about Humans holding hands and it being a symbolic gesture of affection , holds her father ' s hand in gratitude . Act Four . Admiral Haftel finally arrives and the captain realizes that he did not come here to form an opinion , but to justify one . Picard asks for time , patience , and an open mind from the admiral – allowing Lal to stay with Data during her formative years until she is ready to move on to other tasks and challenges . The admiral states that this is not a satisfactory suggestion , because if mistakes are made , the damage might be irreparable . He also wonders why Picard is so insistent about this , asking him whether he seriously believes that they are breaking up a family of some sort . Angrily , Picard states that they Data and Lal are living , sentient beings that have rights in their society ; rights he helped define . But the admiral disagrees , stating that Lal might be the next pivotal step towards the development of artificial intelligence and that work like this demands to be done with controlled procedures in effective isolation . In an attempt to understand what Lal ' s life and development are like on the ship , the admiral decides to see her and talk to her . He is taken to Ten Forward , where Lal is working as a waitress . Even though Data tries to explain to him the value of letting Lal be in such an interactive environment where she can observe Human behavior , the admiral seriously questions Data ' s intentions of appropriate guidance . He is indignant to see a being that can run sixty trillion calculations a second working as a cocktail waitress . He is not even convinced that the behavior she observes here will have a good influence on her to begin with . He wants Lal out of there and wants her to report to him for an interview . Lal goes to see the admiral in the observation lounge , who sugarcoats his intentions to her , telling her that Starfleet is very excited about meeting her soon . She wonders if she has done something wrong since they are planning to move her away from her father . The admiral tells her that they only want to take her with them so she can learn more , nothing else , for after all , there is only so much she can learn on a starship . Lal agrees , stating that after she has learned everything there is to learn aboard a starship , she will relocate . But the admiral insists that this is not the natural conclusion here . Trying to ameliorate the situation , Picard tries to point out the positive aspects of her going away and the admiral states how much respect he has for Data . Lal points out that he in fact does not speak with respect . Picard then decides to ask Lal directly what she thinks about her father ' s ability to teach her and what her wishes are . Lal says that she wishes to remain on board the " Enterprise " . After leaving the admiral , Lal , who is very upset , goes to see Counselor Troi . She is distraught and stutters about an admiral from Starfleet coming to take her away and that she is scared . Deanna is startled to realize she can sense Lal ' s fear . Lal is irritated and clearly frightened , unable to comprehend what she is feeling . Act Five . In the briefing room , Haftel orders Data to hand Lal over to Starfleet . He tries to appeal to Data ' s new - found sense of parenthood , explaining that there is a time where all parents have to let go of their children for their own good . Picard states that this is not the time , however , for the child depends on him . Data says that when he created Lal , it was in the hopes that one day she enter the Academy , that she become a member of Starfleet . He wanted to give something back in return for all that Starfleet has given him . But Lal is his child and he is being asked to volunteer to give her up ; something he cannot do , for it would violate every lesson he has learned about Human parenting . It is his duty , and not Starfleet ' s , to guide this new life through all the steps to maturity , to prepare her to be a contributing member of society , to be there for her when she learns . No one can relieve him from that obligation . He is her father . The admiral refuses to give in , and orders that Lal be transferred aboard his ship . Picard tells Data to belay that order , stating that he is willing to take this to the highest level of Starfleet himself if he has to . He politely responds that even though the admiral acknowledges their consciousness , he nevertheless still ignores their personal liberties and freedoms . " " Order a man to hand his child over to the state ? Not while I ' m his captain " , " Picard states firmly . He is about to suggest that the admiral go with him to Starfleet about this , when Counselor Troi calls Data to his lab . Troi explains what has happened to Lal , how she was very frightened and then walked out of her quarters back to the lab . Lal was programmed to report back to the lab in case of a malfunction – a malfunction which Picard calls emotional awareness . Data states that this appears to be a cascade failure , requiring initialization of the base matrix without wiping out higher functions . The admiral agrees with him and asks Data whether he could assist in his efforts . Hours later , La Forge , Troi , and Wesley are waiting outside Data ' s lab when the admiral emerges , exhausted and heartbroken . He says Lal cannot be saved and will not survive much longer . No matter what they did , something else would show up : they repolarized one pathway and another would collapse , and then another . Watching Data using every ounce of his inhuman speed , trying to stay ahead of Lal ' s breakdown , the admiral sadly concludes , " " it just . . . wasn ' t meant to be " . " In the lab , Lal and Data share her last moments together : Data tells her that he is unable to correct the system failure , and that they must say goodbye now . She says that she feels . . . she tells him that she loves him and that even though he cannot feel it with her , she can feel it for both of them . She thanks him for her life and the things she learned about : flirting , laughter , painting , family , female , Human . . . Walking to the bridge , where everyone is gathered and concerned , Data explains that Lal suffered complete neural system failure at 13 : 00 hours and that he deactivated the unit . Captain Picard tells him how much the crew is saddened by his loss . Data thanks him for the sympathy , but points out that she is there with him : that her presence enriched his life so much that he could not allow her to pass in oblivion . That is why he transferred her memories into himself . Data takes his station on the bridge ; however , as he looks out into space , it is clear that Lal ' s death has had an effect on him . Memorable quotes . " " I fail to understand how a five - foot android with heuristic learning systems and the strength of ten men could be called a child . " " " " You ' ve never been a parent . " " " " 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 would be damaged or destroyed , I will be lost forever . But if I am successful with the creation of Lal , my continuance is assured . I understand the risk , sir . And I am prepared to accept the responsibility . " " " " Congratulations , Data ! It ' s a girl ! " " " " I can give her attention , doctor . But I am incapable of giving her love . " " ( after Data leaves ) " " Now why do I find that so hard to believe ? " " " " He ' s biting that female ! " " " " Lal ! Lal ! Put him down ! " " " " Why are they leaving ? " " " " Lal , there are some things your father ' s just gonna have to explain to you when he thinks you ' re ready . " " " " Commander , what are your intentions towards my daughter ? " " " " Your " daughter ? ! " " " There are times , sir , when men of good conscience cannot blindly follow orders . You acknowledge their sentience , but ignore their personal liberties and freedom . Order a man to turn his child over to the state ? Not while I am his captain . " " " " Hello Data . " " " " Guinan . " " " " Lal , how are you ? " " " " I am functioning within normal . . . I ' m fine , thank you . " " " " Good . " " " " Then he is questioning my ability as a parent . " " " " In a manner of speaking . . . " " " " Does the Admiral have children , Sir ? " " " " I believe he does . Why ? " " " " I am forced to wonder how much experience he had as a parent when his first child was born . " " " " We just want to broaden your experience . There is only so much you can learn on a starship . " " " " 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 . " " " " She . . . she won ' t survive much longer . There was nothing anyone could have done . We ' d repolarize one pathway and another would collapse . And then another . His . . . hands were moving faster than I could see , trying to stay ahead of each breakdown . He refused to give up . He was remarkable . Just . . . wasn ' t meant to be . " " " " I feel . " " " " What do you feel , Lal ? " " " " I love you , father . " " " " I wish I could feel it with you . " " " " I will feel it for both of us . . . thank you for my life . " " " " Flirting . . . laughter . . . painting family . . . female . . . Human . " " " " I have transferred her memories . . . to me . " " Background information . Apocrypha . In the short story " The Embrace of Cold Architects " by David R . George III , collected in the " " anthology " Shattered Light " , Lal ' s creation was delayed after Data missed the cybernetics conference referenced , and only completed his work shortly before the Borg invasion in and . As a result , her existence allowed Picard to " distract " the Borg by focusing on Lal and the long - term implications of her existence after he became Locutus of Borg , allowing Riker time to give the order to destroy his Borg cube and kill Locutus before the Borg could find and adapt to their attack . Lal ' s subsequent breakdown was then averted by the intervention of Doctor Noonien Soong when he " summoned " Data to him , much as he does in , Soong ' s expertise allowing him to repair the damage to Lal ' s neural net . With the information of how to create stable androids , the Federation began creation of a new race of android soldiers intended to fight the Borg , but Data was able to destroy their prototypes to prevent his " children " becoming slaves . Links and references . References . 17th century ; Andorian ; annex ; blinking ; calculation ; childhood ; cocktail waitress ; contraction ; Daystrom Institute ; epistemology ; ' ; ; Galor IV ; gesture ; Haftel ' s transport ; Hindi ; kiss ; Klingon ; metaphysics ; ' ; name ; Otar II ; parameter s ; parenting ; planetary geophysics ; plate tectonics ; positronic brain ; procreation ; quantum level ; Romulan ; Sector 396 ; Sector 396 star ; Selebi asteroid belt ; ; Soong - type android ; Spinoza ; starbase ; Starfleet Academy ; Starfleet Research ; submicron matrix transfer ; turbolift ; umbilical cord