# Best Episode of Star Trek:TNG ever???? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 29, 2003, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538 "2003-12-29T06:07:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538/61 "2011-10-17T19:26:53Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > I have no ONE favorite, but I have to second everything in **Aes** ’ and **ELO Fan** ’s list. Ditto! ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538/62 "2011-10-17T20:00:55Z")
**Darmok** was always my favorite, along with **The Inner Light** and **Cause and Effect** (although the “solution” to the time loop in that one was dumb). I also have to admit to liking **Schisms** , in which aliens perform surgical experiments on the Enterprise crew while they sleep. The story doesn’t end up being that great, but the set-up is wonderfully creepy. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538/63 "2011-10-17T20:00:57Z")
> [@Tanbarkie](#): > > I love the character of Q, and **“Deja Q”** may be the best Q episode of all. It is certainly the funniest, and features many of his best lines: > -“Oh very clever, Worf. Eat any good books lately?” > -“Simple. Change the gravitational constant of the universe.” > -“Picard thinks I can’t cut it on his starship. I can do anything his little trained minions can do.” > -“It’s difficult to work in a group when you’re omnipotent.” > -“I take it back. You do have a sense of humor… a dreadful one, at that.” > -“My good fortune is your good fortune!” > -(to Riker) “Oh, you’re so stolid! You weren’t like that before the beard.” > > And that’s leaving out the hilariously deadpan responses he gets from the Enterprise crew. And the even more hilarious non-deadpan response: **Q:** But I feel like celebrating… **Picard:** _I DON’T!_ ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538/64 "2011-10-17T20:56:07Z")
I’m a huge fan of Data, so my favorite is “The Measure of a Man.” But I have to also mention “The Inner Light.” ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538/65 "2011-10-17T21:09:02Z")
The funny thing is that I hated “The Inner Light” when it first came on. I was young and foolish, and there was too much talking and not enough space battling, so I thought it was boring. Now that I’m older and hopefully wiser, I could appreciate the acting of Stewart and recognize that the story was very well done and very poignant and touching. Its become a must-see whenever I catch it on reruns ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538/66 "2011-10-17T21:13:01Z")
> [@LosAdri](#): > > And Q. Because anything with Q is just right and wonderful and sparkly, especially when Picard dies b/c that episode was just fun to watch Well, DeLancy was one of the few other actors on TNG that could chew the scenery as well as Stewart. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538/67 "2011-10-17T21:14:47Z")
> [@sturmhauke](#): > > There’s an early episode where Geordi uses a hologram simulation of the woman who designed the warp engines to solve some problem, and he falls in love with her. I guess the holodeck was designed to be an entertainment device. You would think he would have specified NO ROMANCE in his initial parameters… ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538/68 "2011-10-17T21:16:04Z")
I liked the episode where Data, Picard and the others go back to San Francisco and hang out with Guinan and Mark Twain. The first part of better than the 2nd. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538/69 "2011-10-17T21:44:24Z")
Not mentioned is the one with the immortal creature (Dowd?) that got pissed at the (Hoosnock?) so he destroyed all of them everywhere with a single thought. Picards line about “We’re not equipped to be your judges” was great. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538/70 "2011-10-17T22:30:49Z")
Since this is a Zombie thread anyway, I am going to twist it a bit and mention some underrated episodes. Pretty much everyone knows the “good ones”. These are good ones that don’t get much love: “Power Play” – The Troi, Data and O’Brian get possessed episode. “Family” – Lots of fans are bored by this one but I like that they took a whole episode to deal with the consequences of the Borg incident. “Devil’s Due” – A lot of fun. Sometimes modern Trek forgets the fun. “Rascals” – The kid actors are all perfect. And the ultimate underrated episode because every fan who isn’t me HATES it is “Genesis”. Like 'Rascals", the science is stupid but this had oodles of atmosphere, great make up effects and a thrilling story. I like it a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538/71 "2011-10-17T22:40:29Z")
> [@LifeOnWry](#): > > “The Measure of a Man” was a great one, too (I love it when Riker shuts Data off) and I’m also very fond of the one in which the Enterprise encounters an asexual race and one of them is “deprogrammed” for trying to be female. Riker was ridiculous in that one, but I watched it with a friend who is a bit homophobic, and I loved watching his synapses misfire all over the place as he tried to reconcile his version of right and wrong with his beloved TNG. **LOW** , if you’re reading this, imagine his reaction had Jonathan Frakes got his way and those aliens were played by _male_ actors! ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538/72 "2011-10-17T23:24:43Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > _The Inner Light_ is probably my favorite, but I also really like one that hasn’t been mentioned yet: _Tin Man_. > For those not familiar, the Enterprise must go “secure” an alien ship in orbit around a star about to go supernova. The ship ends up being organic, telepathic and intelligent. > > Great performances from Brent Spiner and Harry Groener as Tam Elbrun. Harry Groener, aka the Mayor! ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538/73 "2011-10-17T23:31:46Z")
After 8 yrs of thinking about it, I am changing my vote. The movies count as eps in my figuring. The best TNG was **Star Trek: First Contact** ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Not\_Appearing\_on\_This\_Site](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7cd45c/32.png) [@Sir\_Not\_Appearing\_on\_This\_Site](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Not_Appearing_on_This_Site)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538/74 "2011-10-18T00:15:55Z")
Has any one mentioned _The Inner Light_? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538/75 "2011-10-18T00:47:33Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I liked the episode where Data, Picard and the others go back to San Francisco and hang out with Guinan and Mark Twain. The first part of better than the 2nd. “Time’s Arrow.” I was just going to mention this. One of the few times Star Trek did time travel well. Data’s head is discovered buried below San Francisco, kicking off a 500-year old mystery. Great exchange between Picard and Guinan: Guinan: Do you remember the first time we met? Picard: Of course. Guinan: Don’t be so sure. And, of course, “Qpid” for Worf’s immortal line: “Sir, I protest. I am not a Merry Man!” ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538/76 "2011-10-18T02:04:35Z")
Time’s Arrow gets my vote as well. The Inner Light is a wonderful story but it’s mostly Stewart and a bunch of guest stars. Same with Tapestry. I think an episode should involve more of the regulars to qualify as “a best of the series” in my book. Time’s Arrow boasts a truly ensemble cast as well as a terrific [Mark Twain](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7OYeD8vJKI). ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538/77 "2011-10-18T03:01:46Z")
_Darmok_. Although the McGuffin was stupid in the extreme, the relationship that developed as the two captains strove to communicate was classic Star Trek. The penultimate scene, where Picard has to tell the other Number One that his captain has perished brings a tear to my eye to this day. ---
**Author:** ![aerodave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f08c70/32.png) [@aerodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aerodave)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538/78 "2011-10-18T14:32:16Z")
I guess I must like Patrick Stewart’s acting a lot, but only when he’s not on the Enterprise. That’s because my favorites are pretty Picard-intensive, but in off-ship situations which really showcase Stewart’s range: “Darmok”, “The Inner Light”, and “Chain of Command”. I also have always loved “Cause and Effect” An absolute favorite, though? I guess it would be **"Chain of Command"** ---
**Author:** ![Tanbarkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a698b9/32.png) [@Tanbarkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanbarkie)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538/79 "2011-10-18T15:02:58Z")
Speaking of Patrick Stewart acting highlights, “Sarek” is another great one. The scene in which Picard has to deal with the raw, uninhibited power of 200+ years of Vulcan emotion is astounding, and one of the few cases in which Trek’s producers really allowed one of their actors to let loose. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-episode-of-star-trek-tng-ever/221538.md?page=3)