I've always enjoyed this episode. It has to do with a culture that is doomed because a treaty with a hostile, indifferent race has expired. She Sheliak want their planet back and have ordered the Enterprise to get the humans off in three days. If not, they will simply exterminate them. This is, of course, is an impossibility. The Federation can accomplish this but can't get there for three weeks. So this presents two plot elements. First, has to do with the initial treaty (the Sheliak are absolute rule followers) how to circumvent it. Meanwhile, Data is on the planet, trying to convince the leadership (one man, actually) that there is no choice but evacuation. This man has become a godhead to his people and following the prudent course would diminish his authority. He has, in fairness, brought great prosperity to his people, including an aqueduct which will supply them with unlimited water supplies. As Data tells him, this is a "thing" and it is worthless if there is no one around to benefit from it. It takes a pretty heavy-handed effort to begin to confront his power. Data is seen as a machine and at one point is disabled. We see signs of this man leading a unilateral march to destruction (not greatly different from the Sheliak). I was reminded of Alec Guinness in "The Bridge on the River Kwai" who forgets the big picture because he becomes engrossed in his accomplishments. This episode is profuse with wonderful political implications and moral dilemmas. See this and discuss it with friends.