“The Quality of Life” is episode nine of season six of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Geordi, Word, Riker and Dr Crusher are playing poker. The beard that Geordi was growing in the previous episode, “A Fistful of Datas”, is now present and Worf asks if he plans to keep it. The doctor says she’s always a little suspicious of men in beards. All three of them have beards. The discussion on leads to her proposing that if she wins, all three will shave. Riker suggests she goes brunette if she loses. Though Riker and Geordi agree to the bet, Worf looks worried. All three start to look worried when it seems the doctor has a winning hand. Until the captain summons senior staff to the bridge.
The Enterprise has arrived at the Tyrian Particle Fountain, a new mining technology that has run into problems. Geordi heads across to the station to evaluate it for Starfleet and is talking to the head, Dr Farallon. She asks if it’s his decision as to whether Starfleet uses the technology. No, he will pass his evaluation to Captain Picard who will make the report. Geordi admits the technology is potentially exciting. She says that there’s something she’s working on that can help, as the place lurches.
There are power fluctuations in the station core. If the fountain is shut down, they’ll lose four months, but they only have five minutes. Dr Farallon says this is perfect to demonstrate what she’s been working on. A flying robot she calls an Exocomp. It flies down a shaft, forming a tool, and fixes the problem.
Geordi and Dr Farallon are beaming across to the Enterprise with an Exocomp; Data meets them in the transporter room and the doctor gets so involved in talking to him that Geordi has to remind them to come with. In engineering, Farallon explains the Exocomp is based on an existing device and she’s been tinkering with them for years. They replicate a tool for a task, and also replicate new circuitry, making them learning devices. She’d like to show the captain at their meeting.
At said meeting, Farallon asks for 48 hours to complete the particle fountain and explains the Exocomps. Geordi confirms the only risk is falling further behind and Data that the potential advance in the project is considerable. The captain gives them the go ahead. Farallon would like Data’s help.
On the station, the Exocomp they’re using suddenly comes out of a shaft without sealing the plasma conduit it was supposed to. It won’t go back in and the control PADD overloads. And then there’s an explosion inside the shaft.
Back in engineering, they’re examining the Exocomp. The circuitry that links it to the control PADD is burnt out. There’s a huge increase in new circuitry; according to Farallon, this happens. There’s no option but to erase and start over. Geordi offers staff to help.
After Farallon has left, Geordi comments that it’s almost as if the Exocomp knew there was going to be an explosion. Data asks if he’s suggesting the Exocomp acted out of self-preservation. No, he isn’t. Data isn’t so sure, and takes the Exocomp back to his quarters to analyse. The Exocomp burnt out its circuitry, and has now repaired it again.
Data decides to speak to Dr Crusher to determine what makes something alive. Her definition rules him out to start with, but he finds the discussion valuable. And decides that the Exocomps may well be alive. If they are, they can’t be used as tools any longer. Which does not make Dr Farallon happy. Especially as she considers the idea nonsense.