"The Offspring" Line-by-Line

Guinan: No, he's not biting. They're pressing lips. It's called kissing.

 

LAL: Why are they leaving?

 

GUINAN: Lal, there are some things your father's just going to have to explain to you when he thinks you're ready.
(Guinan moves away, and Riker comes in.)

 

(Riker notices Lal and walks to the bar where she is standing behind)

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

 

RIKER: You're new around here aren't you?

 

LAL: Yes.
(She reaches across the bar, pulls Riker towards herself and kisses him. Data enters)

 

Guinan: Lal! Lal, put him down.

 

DATA: Commander, what are your intentions toward my daughter?

 

RIKER: Your daughter?! (To Lal) Nice to meet you.

He does the Picard maneuver and leaves.

 

[Data's quarters]

LAL: I watch them and I can do the things they do but I will never feel the emotions. I'll never know love.

 

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

 

LAL: Then why do you still try to emulate humans? What purpose does it serve except to remind you that you are incomplete?

 

Data: I have asked myself that many times as I have struggled to be more human. Until I realised 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.

 

LAL: You are wise, Father.

 

DATA: It is the difference between knowledge and experience.

 

LAL: I learned today that humans like to hold hands. It is a symbolic gesture of affection.
(They hold hands)

 

[Ready room]

HAFTEL: No objective viewpoint could see it any other way.

 

PICARD: Forgive me, Admiral, I thought you were sent here to form an opinion, not to justify one.

 

HAFTEL: Captain, do not make this more difficult than it needs to be.

 

PICARD: 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.