07x20 - Author, Author

Episode transcripts for the TV show "Star Trek: Voyager". Aired: January 16, 1995 – May 23, 2001.*
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Kathryn Janeway is the captain of a starship that is lost in space and must travel across an unexplored region of the galaxy to find its way back home.
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07x20 - Author, Author

Post by bunniefuu »

In the beginning,
there is darkness,

the emptiness of a matrix
waiting for the light.

Then a single photon
flares into existence.

Then another.

Soon, thousands more.

Optronic pathways connect,

subroutines emerge
from the chaos,

and a holographic consciousness
is born.

I awaken into this world
fully programmed,

yet completely innocent,

unaware of the hardships
I'll endure,

or the great potential
I will one day fulfill.

Computer, save revisions
and open Chapter One.

Captain's Log, Stardate 54732.3.

It's been three weeks

since we received
Starfleet's instructions

in the last datastream,

and we're finally ready
to begin "Operation Watson."

We're all holding our breath.

The deflector's in position.

Anything?

I'm picking up
a phased tachyon beam.

There's triaxilating signal
encoded in it.

On screen.

Voyager, this is Lieutenant
Barclay at Starfleet Command.

Are you receiving this...?

-Can you clear it up?
-I'm on it.

Captain Janeway,
it's a pleasure

to finally talk to you
in person.

The pleasure's mine, Admiral.

How's the weather
in San Francisco?

Cold and rainy, as usual.

It sounds delightful.

Lieutenant Barclay,

my congratulations
on establishing

the first transgalactic
com-link.

You've earned a place
in the history books.

I can't take all
of the credit, Captain.

It was Harry and Seven

who suggested
bouncing a tachyon beam

off of the quantum singularity.

Just be sure to thank us

when you accept
the Daystrom Prize.

I wish we had more time
for small talk,

but the singularity
only stays in alignment

for 1 1 minutes a day.

Eleven minutes are better
than none, Admiral.

We appreciate
all your work, Reg.

We're going
to leave it up to you

to determine how to allocate
the com time.

Admiral, um...
there was something else.

Oh, yes, uh, Mr. Barclay
has arranged a small gift

for you and your crew.

This is a live image
from McKinley Station.

Uh, not too much cloud cover
over North America today.

Quite a view.

Thank you, Reg.

In my hat, I hold

146 sequentially numbered
isolinear chips--

one for every member
of the crew.

Each chip entitles the bearer

to three minutes
of uninterrupted com time

with his loved ones
back in the Alpha Quadrant.

Good luck.

My mom's birthday is next week.

This could be the best present
I ever gave her.

Who's everyone else calling?

I'll be calling my sister.

What about you, Captain?

My mother, I hope.

Doesn't anyone
want to know who I'm calling?

Wait, wait.
Let me guess.

Um... Reg Barclay
or Dr. Zimmerman.

What makes you so certain
it's either of them?

Ah, number six.

The lowest one yet.

You'll be talking to your family
the day after tomorrow.

130.

That's about a month
and a half from now.

So much for Mom's birthday.

Apparently,
the line forms here.

Congratulations.

Doc, how about a trade?

I'm willing to throw
in some holodeck time.

Come on.

It would mean
a lot to my mother.

I wish I could help,

but I have a very
important call to make.

Here. Give your mom my best.

Are you sure?

I've waited this long.

What's another six weeks?

I can hear the critics already:

"A new voice has arrived."

You could be the next K'Ratak,
or a modern-day Tolstoy.

I'd like to start

distribution
by the end of the month.

Uh, the material I sent
was only a working draft.

I need time to make revisions.

Well, if you insist,
but please do it quickly.

I will.

So tell me...

what did you think
of the characters?

Oh, they're very real--
compelling.

I almost forgot
they were holograms.

Who was your favorite?

Without a doubt, that
would have to be Lieutenant...

What happened?

Your time has expired.

You could've let the man
finish his sentence.

I believe your ego has received
enough stroking for one day.

So, how's Reg?

I'll have you know

I was speaking with Ardon Broht
of Broht & Forrester.

The publishers of the
Dixon Hill series?

Mm-hmm. Who are now
about to publish my work.

It seems you're not
the only one aboard

with a flair
for holographic narratives.

Well, congratulations.

Thank you.

So, what's it about?

The adventures
of an intrepid doctor.

Oh, sounds like fun.

You know, I've never thought

about trying to get
my work published.

Maybe I could talk
to your people

about Captain Proton.

Broht & Forrester deals in...
sophisticated literature.

What are you saying,
that I'm lowbrow?

Not at all.

I'd be delighted
to talk to them.

Ah. Thanks.

So, when do I get
to see this opus?

Well, it's not ready yet.

It was ready enough
for Broht & Forrester.

Maybe it could use
a fresh pair of eyes.

After all, you are
a fellow author.

I'll cover the rest
of your shift.

Oh, I almost forgot.

What's it called?

Photons Be Free.

Catchy.

I awaken into this world
fully programmed,

yet completely innocent,

unaware of the hardships
I'll endure,

or the great potential
I will one day fulfill.

Ah... welcome.

You've made an excellent choice.

You're about to take part

in a thrilling
first-person narrative.

You will take on the role

of an Emergency
Medical Hologram,

the Chief Medical Officer
aboard the Starship Vortex.

Vortex?!

As our story begins,
an anomaly has hurled your ship

thousands of light-years
across the galaxy.

Your mission?

To uphold your medical
and ethical standards

as you struggle
against the crew's bigotry

and intolerance.

Persons with vascular disorders
should consult

a physician
before running this program.

And now, a few acknowledgments.

First, Dr. Lewis Zimmerman,

the creator of my holo-matrix,
whose foresight

and dedication have made it
possible for me to achieve...

Computer, freeze program.

How much longer
is this introduction?

Nine minutes, four seconds.

Skip to the first chapter.

Chapter One:
"A Healer is Born,"

in which our protagonist
must make a difficult choice.

Increase the resonance level
20 percent.

Are you the EMH?

Please state the nature
of the medical emergency.

Our doctor's dead.
We've got wounded.

They're both badly hurt.
Who should we treat first?

Uh...

Second degree plasma burns.

He's got an aortic rupture.

Get him to the Surgical Bay now.

You! Over here.

Whew.

Nice mustache.

What?

Uh, nothing.

He's got a mild concussion.

I'm going to have to treat
the others first.

I need Lieutenant Marseilles
on the Bridge.

You'll treat him now.

As I understand it,

my job is to treat the
critical patients first.

So, if you'll excuse me...

I don't know who you think
you are, Hologram,

but to me, you're just
another piece of technology.

Well, apparently,
I'm a piece of technology

that's in demand,

so why don't you go
back to the Bridge

and let me do my job?

What's going on here?

Our medical hologram is refusing
to treat Mr. Marseilles.

Are you malfunctioning?

I don't think so.

I need my helmsman
back at his station.

Lieutenant Marseilles
isn't seriously hurt.

This man will be dead
in five minutes

if I don't operate.

Drop the force field.

That patient is dead.

Now you're free to treat
Lieutenant Marseilles.

Then the Captain
pulls out a phaser

and sh**t him--
right there on the bio-bed.

Captain Janeway
murders a crewman?

No, Captain Jenkins.

Everybody has a different name.

You're Kymble, you're Torrey,

and I am
Lieutenant Marseilles.

Oh, now, that's creative.

What did you say to the Doctor?

Well, he thinks
he's written a masterpiece.

I didn't know
what to tell him.

If this gets distributed,

people are going to assume
this is about us.

What are our families
going to think?

This is a Starfleet ship.

No one will believe

we actually go around
sh**ting injured crewmen.

People may not take
the program literally,

but they might wonder
if there's some truth to it.

I think we should talk
to the Captain.

Are you sure
you're not taking this

a little personally?

What do you mean?

Well, the Holodeck
always has been your domain.

You, you think I'm jealous?

Okay, maybe I am overreacting.

Why don't the rest of you
try the program

and decide for yourselves?

Chapter Five:

"Out of the Frying Pan,"
in which our protagonist

must confront
abusive colleagues.

I'm here for my physical.

Why don't you have a seat
over here?

Doctor, you better
get down to Engineering.

What's wrong?

A plasma conduit just exploded.

At least ten people are hurt.

Hey, genius.

Forgetting something?

Your mobile emitter?

Oh, right.

I don't see it.

That's my mobile emitter?

This thing must weigh 50 kilos.

You should be glad

we let you out
of your cage at all.

Now, get going.

I'm impressed.

Really?

Absolutely.

I haven't seen
a dilithium matrix

this far out of alignment

since I served
aboard a Ferengi garbage scow.

I'll fix it myself.

Excuse me.

How many times have I told you?

Engineering is off-limits
to holograms.

Maybe you should waive
that restriction

during emergencies.

A plasma conduit exploded?

Does it look like anyone here
is covered with plasma burns?

Lieutenant Par...
uh, Marseilles

told me there was an accident.

Looks like
your auditory subroutines

are malfunctioning...
again.

I'm surprised a matrix
as primitive as yours

can function at all.

Maybe you should be a little
nicer to your shipmates.

You never know
when you might need their help.

Get one thing straight.

You're not one of my shipmates.

You're a tool--

like this hyperspanner--

and tools can be replaced.

So, why don't you go back
to Sick Bay

before I start doing
a little reprogramming?

Computer, lights.

Didn't I tell you
to go to Engineering?

Oh, I get it.

Interesting plot twist.

You get me out of Sick Bay,

so you're free to give
my patient a tonsillectomy.

If you even think about
mentioning this to my wife,

I will purge your memory buffer.

Do we understand each other?

I'm here for my physical?

Chapter Six:
"Duel in the Ready Room,"

in which our protagonist
faces an inquisition.

This time, you've gone too far.

Captain, I'm not sure
what you mean.

An inventory
of your holo-matrix.

50 gigaquads of memory
devoted to music,

42 for "daydreams,"

another ten
to expand your sexuality.

I had no idea
holograms could do that.

These extracurricular

subroutines don't belong

as part of
an Emergency Medical Hologram.

Do you have anything
to say for yourself?

Uh, well, uh, of course I do.

I don't think these subroutines
are trivial, Captain.

They help make me
a better doctor

and a better person.

But you're not a person.

You may be programmed
to look and act human,

but that doesn't make you one.

These subroutines are going
to be deleted immediately.

Mr. Tulak.

Take the EMH

to the Holo-Lab
for reprogramming.

Chapter Seven: "The Escape,"

in which our protagonist
is aided by his only ally.

I'm not sure we should
be doing this, Commander.

Listen to him; he knows
what he's talking about.

Quiet! I'm not talking to you.

If we start tinkering
with his matrix,

how do we know we won't
accidentally delete

some of his diagnostic
subroutines?

You afraid
you'll catch something

on your next away mission,
Ensign?

There must be millions
of viruses in this Quadrant

that no one's
ever encountered before.

With my luck,
I'll probably end up

catching half of them.

Great, my character's
a hypochondriac.

I'll escort the prisoner
from here.

Our orders are to take
him to the Holo-Lab.

I've been ordered
to perform the procedure.

Your sympathies for the EMH
are no secret, Three of Eight.

Step aside.

Run, Doctor!

Chapter Eight: "A Tragic End,"

in which our protagonist
learns his fate.

I've tried to do
this the easy way,

but it's clear you're not
going to be reasonable.

Your matrix will be decompiled
and reinitialized.

You'll remain off-line
except for emergencies.

Ready.

Do it.

Wait.

He has the right
to expand his program.

He's a piece of technology.

He has no rights.

But he should.

One day, the EMH
and others like him

will be recognized
for what they are--

intelligent individuals
with a passion for life.

Make no mistake, Captain--

we may be thousands
of light-years from home,

but one day, people will learn

of the crime
you're committing here today.

Nice speech.

Now decompile the program.

What you've experienced,
dear protagonist,

is a work of fiction.

But like all fiction,
it has elements of truth.

I hope you now have
a better understanding

of the struggles
holograms must endure

in a world controlled...

by organics.

End of program.

Janeway to the Doctor.

Report to my ready room now.

How many times
do you want me to say it?

My work is not
about the Voyager crew.

Come on.

Ensign Kymble,
Lieutenant Marseilles...

The characters look
almost exactly like us.

I used your physical parameters
as a starting point,

but I assure you

any further similarities
are purely coincidental.

You set your story

on a starship lost
in the Delta Quadrant.

What would you have me
write about?

Palace intrigue
on the Klingon Homeworld?

I do what all good novelists do.

I write what I know.

So, it is about Voyager?.

No.

The Vortex characters
are larger than life.

They're nothing like our crew.

As far as I know, Captain,

you haven't ex*cuted
any of my patients.

Doctor, you've written
a very imaginative story,

but it's conceivable

that people will think
it's based on fact.

I don't see how.

How many holograms
carry mobile emitters?

The emitter in my story
is nothing like the real one.

Yeah, what was
the point of that?

It was like carrying around
a small shuttlecraft.

It's a metaphor,

a symbol of the burdens
that I live with every day.

Imagine having to take
this everywhere you go.

It would be a constant
reminder that you're

different from everyone else.

I wanted the player
to feel the weight of it...

literally.

Your emitter isn't
a ball and chain.

It liberates you.

It doesn't always feel that way.

If I didn't know better,
I'd think this story

was written by someone
who feels oppressed.

Is that how
you see yourself, Doctor?

Of course not.

The real victims are my brothers
in the Alpha Quadrant.

Brothers?

Hundreds of EMH Mark-1's,

identical to me
in every respect, except...

they've been condemned
to a menial existence--

scrubbing conduits,

mining dilithium.

There's a long history

of writers drawing attention
to the plight of the oppressed.

The Vedek's Song, for example

tells the story
of the occupation of Bajor.

I understand
you have your reasons

for writing this,
but you should consider

how it's going to make
your friends feel.

I'm sorry my work offends you,

but if the price
of expressing myself

is having to suffer the scorn
of a few colleagues...

so be it.

You're very popular
with my eighth graders.

It's all they ever talk about.

Voyager this, Voyager that.

Your mother has a small
favor to ask of you.

Name it.

I was hoping you could
record a short presentation

about what it's like
to command a starship.

But... I don't command
a starship.

In your letters,

you said the Captain
puts you in charge sometimes.

What I said was

I'm in command
of the night shift...

twice a week.

She must think
very highly of you

to give you so much
responsibility.

So, when is she
giving you a promotion?

Uh...

It's a small ship.

There are only so many
command positions available.

This Captain Janeway
sounds like a lovely woman.

Maybe I should write her.

Mom!

She needs to know
how hard you work.

Please, don't get involved.

Harry, I can't hear you.

A solar flare is
scattering the beam.

Tell Captain Janeway
to expect a letter from me.

Mom, don't send

anything to the Captain.
Do you hear me?

Try boosting
the deflector output.

It's already at maximum.

Argh! I don't believe this!

I had a minute and a half left.

You'll have another opportunity
to speak with them

in approximately two months.

You just don't get it, do you?

No.

Maybe if you had family
you were close to,

you'd feel a little differently.

Chief Medical Officer's
Personal Log, Stardate 547 40.8.

Although the decision has made
me unpopular with the crew,

I've decided not
to compromise my work.

I'm making some final revisions
to the program

before transmitting it.

Computer, run EMH program
Photons Be Free.

Welcome. You've made
an excellent choice.

You're obviously a person
with impeccable taste.

Computer, freeze program.

Unable to comply.

You are about to embark
on a remarkable journey.

You will take on the role
of a Medical Assistant

aboard the Starship Voyeur.

Voyeur?.

Your job will be to assist
the Chief Medical Officer

and learn to tolerate
his overbearing behavior

and obnoxious bedside manner.

Remember, patience is a virtue.

Chapter One:

"It's the Doctor's World,
You're Just Living In It."

When I tell you
your shift begins at 0800,

that doesn't mean

you can stroll in here
at 0800 and 24 seconds.

Do you understand me, Ensign?!

This is outrageous!

What's outrageous

is that I'm going
to miss my tee time.

Now, come along.

Aw...

What seems to be the
trouble, One of Three?

I'm Two of Three.

Sorry.

They're triplets, you know?

-It hurts when I do this.
-Well, then, don't do it.

Ow!

Ah, don't be a baby.

Eh, your biradial clamp's
out of alignment.

I got just the thing.

It's a Klingon aphrodisiac--

my own special blend.

You'll be feeling better

-Mmm.
-in no time at all.

Lieutenant!

I want you to know

I'm making a full
report to the Captain.

This isn't about
that dermal regenerator

I misplaced, is it?

You know very well
what this is about.

You accessed my holonovel
without permission

and replaced it with
your own hackneyed narrative.

Hey, I'm just writing
what I know.

You destroyed a work of art
that took months to create.

Relax, Doc.

I saved your program
in a backup file,

but I was just trying
to make a point.

Well, you made it
with a typical lack of subtlety.

Oh, you're one to talk!

Your program's about as subtle
as a Ferengi mating dance.

My program is a serious attempt
at social commentary.

Yours is an insulting farce!
You...

...had me drugging a patient

and taking advantage of her.

Don't be ridiculous.

That character is not you.

For one thing,
he has much more hair.

But what if some people
ran that program

and thought
that it was based on you?

That would bother you,
wouldn't it?

I don't care what people think.

That's all you care about!

You want everyone back home

to think of you
as a brilliant author.

I'm not doing this for my ego,

and if you could
look past yours,

maybe you'd see that!

Listen... I don't care
if the whole Alpha Quadrant

mistakes me
for Lieutenant Marseilles.

What bothers me

is that you think
that's what I'm like.

Obviously, you're
nothing like Marseilles.

He's self-indulgent, immature.

And how would you describe me?

Well, you're a married man

with a child on the way.

A lot of responsibilities.

I'm surprised you noticed.

You know, I thought
I'd begun to earn your respect.

Maybe I was wrong.

Your program is under file
Theta-15.

Do whatever you want with it.

Doctor, I need your help.

Unless you're suffering
acute symptoms, go away.

Um, I was wondering

if you could take
a quick look at this.

Cooking with Neelix:

A Culinary Tour
of the Delta Quadrant.

It's a holo-cookbook proposal.

I was hoping to transmit
it to your publisher

during my com-link
this afternoon--

with your approval, of course.

If you're looking
for writing tips,

there are plenty
of people on this ship

eager to offer them.

I don't know what anyone else
may have told you,

but I loved your holonovel.

You did?

Absolutely.

It was a rousing adventure

with an important message, too.

Exactly.

This is my first chance
to be appreciated,

not just as a physician,
but as an artist.

I thought the crew
would be happy for me.

You're going to reach
a wide audience.

What do you care
about the opinions

of a few disgruntled shipmates?

They're my friends.

I don't want to hurt them.

There's an old
Talaxian expression:

"When the road before you
splits in two,

take the third path."

Meaning?

You could make some adjustments
to the program, so it won't be

so obvious
it's based on Voyager.

I suppose I could
change the setting,

alter the characters'
physical parameters.

You wouldn't have
to change your theme.

No.

But a rewrite could take weeks.

My publisher is expecting
a final draft tomorrow.

Maybe you should
give him a call.

Revisions?

I need to rework the characters.

Why?

They're so believable.

A little too believable,
apparently.

Doctor, I-I really don't think
this is necessary.

I'm afraid I have to insist.

My friends' reputations
are at stake.

My publisher assures me
he won't distribute the program

until he receives
the revised version.

That must be the one where we
assimilate the Borg

and take over the Quadrant.

We're all grateful

that you're taking
our feelings into account.

So, how long do you expect
the revisions will take?

Art can't be rushed.

Take your time, Doctor.

-Lieutenant?
-Hmm?

I'm sorry.

Oh. Forget about it.

I could use your help
with the rewrites.

Really?!

Well, you realize, as a writer,
I'm a little unsophisticated.

No, I believe the phrase
you're looking for

is lowbrow.

Hey.

What's that?

It's from my father.

He wants to talk.

What are you gonna do?

Well, I've already arranged
to talk with my cousin.

Well, I'm sure she wouldn't
mind waiting a few weeks.

I wouldn't know
what to say to him.

Then let him do the talking.

Look at you.

You must be,
what, 20 weeks along?

23, actually.

Have you decided on a name?

Not yet.

We were thinking about Miral.

Your mother would've liked that.

You know, I had some business
on Kessik lV a few months ago.

You wouldn't believe
what our old house looks like.

Lieutenant... 30 seconds.

We have less than a minute.

Is there a reason
you wanted to talk?

I know I can't make up for
20 years in one conversation.

The truth is...

when your ship disappeared,
I thought I'd lost you.

I don't expect you
to forgive me,

but maybe we could try

to get to know each other again.

I'll write you.

I'm sorry to disturb you,
Admiral.

Uh, yes, Mr. Barclay.
What can I do for you?

I thought you'd want
to see this, sir.

Well, what is it?

It's, um, a holonovel
that's becoming quite popular.

Well, I appreciate
the gesture, Lieutenant,

but I don't share your affinity
for holographic diversions.

You don't understand, sir.

This program...
it's about Voyager,

and it doesn't portray the crew
in a very flattering light.

Hmm.

On screen.

Captain.

Seven told me
your message was urgent.

I had the dubious privilege
of playing a new holonovel,

apparently written by your EMH.

I'm surprised that you
would allow the Doctor

to discredit
your crew like this.

He's still making revisions.

The program shouldn't
have been distributed yet.

Well, it has been.

Mr. Barclay tells me
it's already being played

in thousands of holosuites.

You assured me you were going
to wait for my revisions.

I demand that you recall
every copy

and issue a public apology
to Captain Janeway and her crew.

I won't do anything of the sort.

I don't see that you
have a choice, Mr. Broht.

Authors have rights.

Not in this case.

What do you mean?

The Doctor is a hologram.

So?

According to Federation law,
holograms have no rights.

Under a strict interpretation
of Federation law,

Mr. Broht is correct.

The Doctor has no legal rights.

Because I'm a hologram.

Yes.

There is another option.

We may be able to claim

that the holonovel
reveals classified information.

Starfleet could then request

that it be recalled
for security purposes.

Oh, great idea-- a cover-up,

and then everyone
will be convinced

that it's a true story.

Could we claim defamation?

Well, we'd have to prove
that the story's about us

and that we've been
harmed by it.

We might win on those grounds,
but what about the Doctor?

What about me, Captain?

It's the crew's reputations
that are at risk.

I'm not so sure.

I think it's your reputation
that's on the line here.

You have the same rights

as every other member
of this crew,

and I'm not going to let
this publisher say otherwise.

Captain's Log, Stardate 547 48.6.

A Federation Arbitrator
has been assigned to determine

whether the Doctor has the right

to control
his artistic creation.

Because of our limited com time
with Earth,

the argument should take
about three days.

You claim the Doctor
doesn't have the legal right

to control this holoprogram.

Yet you're promoting the fact
that Voyager's EMH wrote it.

Our most successful
children's title

is a program "written
by" Toby the targ.

Fortunately, Toby
hasn't tried to stop me

from distributing
any of his work.

But you don't deny
that the Doctor

is the creator
of this holonovel?

No, but, uh, a replicator
created this cup of coffee.

Should that replicator
be able to determine

whether or not I can drink it?

-I object!
-Doctor...

An intriguing analogy,
Mr. Broht,

but I have never encountered
a replicator

that could compose music,
or paint landscapes,

or perform microsurgery.

Have you?

Would you say
that you have a reputation

for publishing respected,
original works of literature?

I'd like to think so.

And is the Doctor's holonovel
such a work?

Actually, some aspects of it
are quite derivative.

Has there even been
another work written

about a hologram's
struggle for equality?

Uh, not that I know of,
but, uh...

Then, in that respect,
it is original.

I suppose so.

Your Honor, Section 7-Gamma
of the Twelfth Guarantee

defines an artist

as a "person who creates
an original artistic work."

Mr. Broht admits that the Doctor
created this program

and that it is original.

I therefore submit

that the Doctor
should be entitled

to all rights and privileges

accorded an artist
under the law.

You've made a persuasive
argument, Commander,

but there's a flaw
in your logic.

As you point out, the law says

that the creator of an artistic
work must be a "person."

Your EMH doesn't meet
that criteria.

Sir, we're losing the link.

This hearing is in recess
until tomorrow.

We're not doing well.

Is that your considered
legal opinion?

I'm sorry.

It's just frustrating
to be told I have

no more legal standing
than a replicator.

If the Doctor doesn't
have the right

to control his own work,

then it stands to reason
he never had the right

to enter into an agreement
with Mr. Broht.

We could argue that the
original contract is invalid.

In other words,
you want to concede

that the Doctor isn't a person.

What we need to do...

is prove that he is
just as much a person

as any of us.

How do we do that?

By telling your real life story.

Because I was having difficulty
interacting with the crew,

the Doctor gave me
social lessons.

First, he taught me
how to make conversation.

Later, how to dance.

Eventually, he showed me

how to express
romantic interest.

Without his guidance,

I wouldn't be the person
I am today.

He decided it wasn't enough
to be just a doctor.

So he added command subroutines
to his matrix,

and now, in an emergency,

he's as capable
as any Bridge officer.

That only proves the Doctor's
program can be modified.

Your Honor, I think it shows

he has a desire
to become more than he is,

just like any other person.

He traveled halfway
across the galaxy

to care for Lewis Zimmerman,
the man who created his program.

It was like a son

who wanted to show his father
what he'd become,

so the old man
would be proud of him,

and if you ask me... he was.

I'd made myself clear,

but the Doctor disobeyed
my direct orders.

In the process,
he endangered the ship and crew.

That's hardly
commendable behavior.

No, it wasn't,

but it was human.

Starfleet had programmed him
to follow orders.

The fact that he was capable
of doing otherwise

proves that he can think
for himself.

Your Honor, centuries ago,
in most places on Earth,

only landowners
of a particular gender and race

had any rights at all.

Over time, those rights
were extended to all humans,

and later,
as we explored the galaxy,

to thousands
of other sentient species.

Our definition of what
constitutes a person

has continued to evolve.

Now, we're asking

that you expand that definition
once more...

to include our Doctor.

When I met him seven years ago,
I would never have believed

that an EMH could become
a valued member of my crew...

and my friend.

The Doctor is a person

as real as any flesh and blood
I have ever known.

If you believe the testimony
you've heard here,

it's only fair
to conclude that he has

the same rights as any of us.

You'll have my decision
in two days.

This hearing is in recess.

When you sing "Happy
Birthday" to your mother,

try to stay in tune.

What's this?

An isolinear chip
entitling the bearer

to three minutes
of com time tomorrow.

You made it clear

how important it was
to finish your conversation.

I overreacted.

I understand why you did.

I've been observing the crew
interacting with their families

over the past few days.

It's become clear to me

how meaningful
that communication can be.

Thanks, but I can't accept this.

Why not?

You should contact
your own family.

My parents were assimilated.

Well, there must be someone.

A distant relative?

My father has a sister
on Earth...

Irene Hansen.

I'm sure she'd be thrilled
to hear from you.

You can imagine my reaction

when Starfleet told me
to expect your call.

I experienced
some apprehension myself.

You seem like
a lovely young woman,

but you were the most stubborn
six year old I've ever met.

Your parents left you with me
for a weekend,

and you were so angry,

you locked yourself
in my guest room

and refused to come out.

That must have been...
inconvenient for you.

Oh, I coaxed you out
eventually...

with a strawberry tart.

I'm very fond of strawberries.

I didn't realize
I'd eaten them as a child.

You couldn't get enough of them.

Of course, you didn't hesitate
to point out

if they weren't perfectly ripe.

I'm sorry if I insulted you.

Perhaps I shouldn't have called.

No, I'm very glad you did.

It's wonderful
to see you again, Annika.

We're exploring
new territory today,

so it is fitting
that this hearing

is being held at Pathfinder.

The Doctor exhibits
many of the traits

we associate with a person--

intelligence, creativity,
ambition, even fallibility--

but are these traits real

or is the Doctor merely
programmed to simulate them?

To be honest, I don't know.

Eventually,
we will have to decide,

because the issue
of holographic rights

isn't going to go away.

But at this time,
I am not prepared to rule

that the Doctor
is a person under the law.

However, it is obvious he is

no ordinary hologram,
and while I can't say

with certainty
that he is a person,

I am willing to extend
the legal definition

of artist to include the Doctor.

I therefore rule

that he has the right
to control his work,

and I'm ordering all copies

of his holonovels
to be recalled immediately.

Your Honor...

This hearing is adjourned.

Congratulations, Doctor.

Thank you, Reg.

We'll be in touch, Captain.

You don't look like someone

who's just struck the first blow
for the rights of holograms.

I don't mean
to sound ungrateful,

but it feels like a hollow
victory-- pardon the pun.

The program's already been
played by thousands of people.

The damage is done.

We'll survive.

If I'm not mistaken,

don't you have a holonovel
to revise?

Do you think I'll be able
to find another publisher?

If there's one thing
I've learned about you, Doctor,

it's that you can do
just about anything

you set your mind to.

Time for your diagnostic.

Report to the Holo-Lab.

I know the routine.

And... while you're there,
do yourself a favor.

Ask the operator
to run program 47-Beta.

Why? What is it?

It's called Photons Be Free.

It's quite provocative.
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