Star Trek: TNG Season 1 Episode 15 "11001001"

From Star Trek: The Next Generation episode 11001001:

PICARD
Data, the Bynars have stored an enormous amount of information in the computer. We can't access it, and we must.

DATA
The access would be available by ...[click to expand]
 code or password.

PICARD
I know, but what could it be?

DATA
File names can be anything.

PICARD
They want us to find it. They would have kept it simple.

DATA
Then a name -- or a place. It could be personal. In this case in binary language which is ones and zeros in groups of eight or sixteen characters.

Picard looks at the prone figures.

PICARD
Could it be that simple?
(to Riker)
Try it.

86 RIKER AT COMPUTER (OPTICAL)

He sets up the program. The CRT SCREEN DISPLAYS a PATTERN and starts running COMBINATIONS OF ONES AND ZEROS until it gets to -- 11001001 -- then the SCREEN LOCKS.

RIKER
That's the file. It'll work now.

<near the end of the episode>

As Picard and Riker watch, the Bynars continue to regain their strength. Bynar One Zero and Zero One, go to a computer panel and verify that the transfer of information is being accomplished efficiently. The bridge lighting returns to normal.

PICARD
Why didn't you just ask for our help?

The four of them communicate quickly between themselves.

ZERO ONE
You might have...

ONE ZERO
... said no.

RIKER
But there was a very good chance we would have said "yes."

ZERO ZERO
Our need was too great...

ONE ONE
... to risk rejection.

PICARD
So you stole it.

RIKER
Their reason is part of their binary thinking -- for them there are only two choices -- one or zero -- yes or no. [click to collapse]