Stardate: 46307.2 Capt. Picard and the crew must determine if certain mining machines qualify as "life forms", and whether they can be sacrificed to save humans on the mining site, when an emergency arises.

Election results are in and Philip fights to remain cool amid lies by Judge Robertson, which prompt Will to confront the outspoken incumbent. Will Will go to far? Will he say what everyone is feeling? Will Judge Robertson be able to take it?

Several robberies take place at major companies, including Wayne Enterprises, and Bruce Wayne, as Batman, discovers the thief to be a mechanical briefcase. Bruce meets with his old friend, Karl Rossum, an expert in robotics who lost his daughter to a vehicle accident years ago. He also meets Rossum's assistant, Randa Duane, and Rossum's ultimate creation: a prototype A.I. known as Holographic Analytical Reciprocating Digital Computer (H.A.R.D.A.C.) Bruce invites Duane to dinner, and around the same time, certain civilians start acting strangely. Most surprising is when Duane unexpectedly leaves Wayne Manor while Bruce is on the phone, and the entire Batcave turns on Batman.

When Mitch and Stephanie are running on the beach, they see a dead man on some rocks. Garner identifies him as Tito Washburn who was once a promising basketball-player. In order to find some information about his death, Garner visits his old playground again. There he meets the old bookie Ozzie, an old friend of his. He will give Garner some information if he agrees to play some games. Garner plays and beats a tall white guy because Garner can't miss any shoots he takes.

Miles is embarrassed when his activist parents come to Washington for a large demonstration.