Star Trek: The Next Generation The one with Picard, Data and endless orders to "Engage!"
3) Relics
Our choice for the third best episode of TNG is probably going to cause some complaints. It's not a Q episode, it's not even a Data episode: it's the Scotty episode. Due to a cosmic-sized coincidence, the Enterprise-D happens upon a derelict ship, which - surprise, surprise - has one Montgomery Scott stored in the transporter buffer. This episode is a lovely tribute to the original series, and Doohan hams it up nicely as Scotty realises he's really out of his depth with all the newfangled technology. Still, at least he can rest assured that the transporters still don't work properly. There's some mild peril which Scotty and Geordie work together to avoid, and Scotty imparts some engineer's wisdom to his younger counterpart (basically, lie to your captain, it's for his own good). At the end of the episode Picard gives Scotty the keys to a shuttlecraft, and Scotty flies off into the sunset (with the shuttle's right-turn indicator permanently on).
2) The Best Of Both Worlds
Again, probably some complaints caused by this choice - usually The Best Of Both Worlds is ranked as the best TNG episode. When Picard's crew discover that someone's done a runner with an entire Federation colony, it's not long before the Borg stroll up and kidnap Picard. After a bit of a chase, an away team beams over to the Borg vessel to discover Picard has been subject to Extreme Makeover: Borg Edition, and their rescue plan is scuppered. Riker attempts to destroy the Borg ship but since he didn't listen to Scotty's advice about lying to the Captain, Picard is well aware of their plans and the attempt fails. More shooting and chasing ensues, before eventually Data manages to save the day by slipping the Borg some Nytol. Apparently when the Borg go to sleep, they blow up or something. It's got action, drama, suspense and the Borg being all "Resistance is futile", but after the brilliant build-up of part one, part two never quite lived up to expectations, and that's why it's number two.
1) Yesterday's Enterprise
We've chosen this as the best episode because it gives us another look at what could have been, had things worked out differently. Unlike "Mirror, Mirror", though, we're still watching the same characters, but they're now embroiled in a long-running war with the Klingons. Thanks to another conveniently-located plot device, the Enterprise-D comes bow-to-bow with its predecessor, the Enterprise-C, which was supposed to have been destroyed in a historical battle which cemented ties between the Feds and the Wrinkly-brows. Since the Enterprise-C is now in the future, it never got destroyed defending the Klingons, and so history has changed. Not only do we have a glimpse of the Federation at war (signified by turning off half the lights on the bridge), but we also get to see how Tasha Yar could have turned out, before she gets killed again. Sucks to be her. Naturally, this being TNG and all, everything goes back to the way it is supposed to be by the end of the episode.
And The Worst?
Our choice for the worst TNG episode was originally going to be "Shades of Gray", but strictly speaking that's a flashback episode so doesn't really count. Instead, the dubious honour goes to "Masks", in which Data becomes an Aztec sun god and turns the Enterprise into some sort of temple. For no good reason. The sets looked like something even The Crystal Maze would have been ashamed of, and the whole episode made little to no sense at all.
Have Your Say
Do you agree with our choices? Which Star Trek episodes would you nominate for the best or worst? Register or login now to have your say.
Your Comments
1
Stealing other people's ideas, Empire?
Posted on Thursday September 22, 2011, 19:07 by PeepsMcJuggs
I'm going to assume it's no coincidence your list of worst episodes is completely identical to Daniel Greenfield's, which he posted over a year prior: http://danielgreenfield.hubpages.com/hub/The_Five_Worst _Star_Trek_Episodes_of_All_Time
It's safe to assume this because everyone knows there are far worse TNG episodes than Masks.
Shame on you. Read More
2
What about the movies?
Posted on Saturday April 30, 2011, 10:45 by Mr. Fincher
Well, anybody who believes in the star trek movie curse should at least mention them? I reckon it goes like this: 10. X 9. I 8. III 7. IX 6. VII 5. VI 4. IV 3. II 2. XI 1. VIII Read More
3
Well...
Posted on Tuesday April 19, 2011, 16:22 by Mr. Fincher
To be honest I haven't watched a lot of star trek so I have to do my best and worst star trek series: 1. DS9 2. ENT 3. VOY 4. TNG 5. TOG Read More
4
What? Demons?
Posted on Tuesday November 3, 2009, 20:25 by wjohnson15
Let's face it, Enterprise series four was dreadful to say the least, but Demons was the worst. A horrible, overrated uninspired mess of an episode which had absolutely nothing good about it. A low point for the seires, one of the worst, if not the worst, horrible, horrible, horrible. What were they thinking trying to build towards the Endgame that way? Also pretty pointless, since the equally awful "These Are The Voayges" destroyed everything told in this story. And the biggest insult is that it's NUMBER ONE!!!! Why? There are no episodes from the third season of Enterprise which is easily the best. Much better than the appalling fourth season. The worst episode of Enterprise should've been "These Are The Voyages". Words cannot put into context my fury, frustration and sadness when the entire Star Trek franchise was ended by THAT episode. What were they thinking? Did they honestly think the viewer would accept that as a final episode? It wasn't even feature length. Read More
5
Inner Light
Posted on Tuesday June 9, 2009, 02:51 by djdarrenjames
The Inner Light has my vote - I liked the emotional episodes some of them were written extremely well. This episode had a nice TNG pay off and gave Picard even more character depth (When you think about it, Picard should be a wreck of a man - multiple identities, double lives, assimilation, dead lovers etc) Read More
6
Best TNG
Posted on Thursday May 28, 2009, 01:38 by DolphinSweetie
Frame of Mind is hands down an episode that should be on the top 3 list. For those who don't recall...it is the one when Riker has dreams after dreams and doesn't what is real and what isn't. It is a very well scripted and acted episode. Definitely worth noting. Read More
7
the best and the worst
Posted on Tuesday May 26, 2009, 14:38 by anakin solo
the best star trek episodes in my opinion are
star trek - mirror, mirror,space seed, where no man has gone before, the doomsday machine
none of the next generation episodes
star trek deep space nine - what you leave behind,
star trek voyager - the two parter equinox episode. Read More
8
In A Mirror, Darkly
Posted on Tuesday May 26, 2009, 14:31 by EllyD
In A Mirror, Darkly (Part 1 and 2) in Enterprise are the worst episodes of any ST. Ever. I cringed all the way through.
It also has to be said that the Enterprise theme tune must go down as a "wtf!" moment when I first heard that. Actually, every time I heared it.
I still think Enterprise should have had more series commissioned. The last 2 series were much better (last episode was a bit blah) and I felt it had legs. Read More
9
ORIGINAL SERIES...AND THE BEST....
Posted on Tuesday May 26, 2009, 14:26 by ROTGUT
Arena, The Corbanite Manoeuvure, The Naked Time, The Doomsday machine, Galileo Seven, City On The Edge Of Forevever, Mirror Mirror...take your pick.
Next Generation....yaaawwwwnnnnn......
Deep Space Nine.......zzzzzzzzzzzz.......
Voyager....not perfect but watchable.....
Enterprise.......bleaaagh....... Read More
10
TNG
Posted on Tuesday May 26, 2009, 14:06 by Hillsman
I've seen all 7 seasons of TNG....and not very much of the others. I reckon switching 'Relics' for 'All Good Things' would make a perfect Top 3. Read More
11
Posted on Friday May 22, 2009, 19:35 by omegaman1
hated "the thaw" worst ever episode of all treck series loved Starship mine/yesterdays enterprise Read More
12
My favourite TNG...
Posted on Friday May 22, 2009, 19:17 by Jill McG
For my money, "The Measure of a Man" deserves to be in the top 3 TNG episodes.
Okay, so it doesn't have the wow factor of big special effects or battles, but it's a damn good script and is the episode that epitomises what Gene Roddenberry's concept was all about; using a sci-fi situation (in this case, a mean scientist wanting to dismantle your friendly neighbourhood android) to explore what it means to be human.
Watching Picard present his arguments for why Data should be given the right to choose his own fate is not only an opportunity to see Patrick Stewart on fine form, but is somehow uplifting too. The show's creators had a truly optimistic view of the future and of humanity in general that's brilliant escapist TV when the real world is all credit crunch-tastic and depressing.
I could do without Picard chatting up that old bird, mind. Read More
13
RE: ....forgot...
Posted on Wednesday May 20, 2009, 20:40 by Beno
L: giddig
...even my fairly relaxed tastes can not forgive the Enterprise theme tune.
What were they thinking with that?!
he opening credits had to be watched with muted sound on my TV . Read More
14
RE: Geek Moment
Posted on Wednesday May 20, 2009, 20:18 by Lazarus munkey
L: Simmons2.0
The ship in 'In A Mirror, Darkly', is not the Enterprise, but the USS Defiant (NCC-1764) that disappeared into a spatial warp (aka - conviniently placed plot device) in the Classic Trek (i.e. Kirk & Co.) epiosode 'The Tholian Web' and fell back in time into the Mirror Universe where it was captured by the Mirror Tholians and promptly stolen by Archer.
sp;
Trekkers being anally retentive debate solved! Read More
15
It is a good day to die (of embarassment)
Posted on Wednesday May 20, 2009, 20:15 by Steamrunner
See, I was obviously watching the mirror universe version of In A Mirror, Darkly, in which it the Enterprise that came through, whereas you all saw the version from this universe which had the Defiant in it instead. Yes, that must have been what happened. Honest... Read More
16
....forgot...
Posted on Wednesday May 20, 2009, 18:37 by giddig
...even my fairly relaxed tastes can not forgive the Enterprise theme tune.
What were they thinking with that?! Read More
17
Leave Enterprise alone!
Posted on Wednesday May 20, 2009, 18:36 by giddig
I loved Enterprise, was sad when it was cancelled early and really can't see why it's so disliked. Archer was a great captain, the effects were excellent, the stories were fun and T'pol was the hottest Trek character ever.
For me the best/worst episode sorting of all Trek incarnations is simple: moral/relationship/soul-searching = usually boring. Battle stations and time travel = coooooool! Read More
18
Enterprise
Posted on Wednesday May 20, 2009, 10:55 by The Tingler
I thought the last two seasons of Enterprise were excellent.
Still, probably my favourite Enterprise-based moment is actually in The Simpsons when a Star Wars fan insults a Star Trek fan -
"I heard William Shatner was going to appear in Enterprise - and NOT as Kirk!"
"YOU TAKE THAT BACK!" Read More
19
Posted on Wednesday May 20, 2009, 10:47 by The Tingler
Disagree with Relics being in the TNG bit. I'd have to give it to either Tapestry (yes, a Q one, but easily the best) or The Inner Light (the one where Picard lives an entire lifetime in a few hours - heartbreaking ending). Read More
20
Geek Moment
Posted on Wednesday May 20, 2009, 02:35 by Simmons2.0
The ship in 'In A Mirror, Darkly', is not the Enterprise, but the USS Defiant (NCC-1764) that disappeared into a spatial warp (aka - conviniently placed plot device) in the Classic Trek (i.e. Kirk & Co.) epiosode 'The Tholian Web' and fell back in time into the Mirror Universe where it was captured by the Mirror Tholians and promptly stolen by Archer. Read More
21
Worst TOS
Posted on Tuesday May 19, 2009, 21:02 by iain99
And I've always thought 'The Way to Eden' was worse than 'Spock's Brain' At least that's got good comedy value. Way to Eden is just embaressing Read More
22
Best DS9?
Posted on Tuesday May 19, 2009, 21:01 by iain99
Can't believe you left out 'The Visitor', DS9's best episode & one of the best Treks ever. Only episode guaranteed to bring a tear to my eye (wuss!). Ok, Shatner's horse impression in Plato's Stepchildren does as well, but for a very different reason Read More
23
Posted on Tuesday May 19, 2009, 15:56 by Kilo_T_Mortal
I'm having to watch this DS9 episode after that review Read More
24
Voyager Worst = TUVIX
Posted on Tuesday May 19, 2009, 14:31 by Muhammad
Erm...has no one ever seen TUVIX, that would quite possibly be the worst episode of the Star Trek combined series. I mean what a complete waste of time, my time, your time, everybody's time, of money, of plot. A blending of Tuvok and Neelix. Well producers, writers, director of that episode = Blend this! (i wish they could see this!) Read More
25
Posted on Tuesday May 19, 2009, 09:55 by Evil_Monkey25
Quite a good list, although I personally thought the Voyager finale was a bit bobbins and all a little too convenient, but then I was one of those who thought they should have been left to get on with it, Sam Beckett stylee...
In The Pale Moonlight is a cracking episode, I remember watching it over and over when the video (!!!) first came out. Agree with the best Trek episode too, although I reckon Redemption parts I and II deserve an honourable mention - Worf getting to be badass and Klingon, Picard in fine affair-meddling form and Data getting all pissy whilst in charge of a starship... quality!
Another honourable mention for TOS has to be A Piece of the Action, a comedy episode featuring (surprise, surprise) a planet modelled on Earth, this time taking its cues from 1930's gangster culture... perfect sci-fi comedy, I reckon.
PS, I always quite liked the 'Masks' episode................. Read More
26
Posted on Monday May 18, 2009, 23:59 by nclowe
I thought Year of Hell was one of the best VOY episodes....though would have been even better if they hadn't chickened out and hit the handy reset button at the end of the two parter and had instead stuck with everything being royally FUBAR. :) Read More
27
RE: TNG Worst?
Posted on Monday May 18, 2009, 22:23 by Rgirvan44
I think if you took out The Search and put in The Visitor for the DS9 selection you would have it perfect. In the Pale Moonlight is the best episode of the modern Treks. I don't agree that Sisko is perfectly fine about, but he accepts what happened for the benefit of the galaxy.
With Voyager I would take out both Borg episodes (the series really destroyed their mystery) and put in Year of Hell and Equniox in their place. Both these episodes represented what Voyager should have been like all the time.
As for worst - the Flashback episode to when Tuvok was on the Excelsior was pretty dumb. Mostly for the end when Janeway talks about how her generation aren't allowed to be so reckless. Its like the wrtiers were proud of the fact that Voyager was so bland.
Won't comment on TNG, except to say that All Good Things was the best finale any of the shows have gotten.
Surpirsed that "These are the Voyages..." didn't get selected as the worst for EnRead More
28
TNG Worst?
Posted on Monday May 18, 2009, 18:26 by Arfpint
I always thought the worst TNG episode was the one where everyone turned into animal versions of themselves, and left Beverley Crusher to try and sort them out (or, whenever she got near Worf, run away).
Alternatively, you could have any episode with Wesley "oh my gosh!" Crusher. Hmm, recurring theme there... Read More
29
Uber Geek
Posted on Monday May 18, 2009, 18:09 by Rebelbumscum
Just to be a uber geek in the Mirror Mirror episode its not a 23rd century Enterprise that goes back in time to be salvaged but its a constitution class (same as the original NCC1701 enterprise) USS Defiant
Mostly agree with ur chices apart from adding year of hell parts 1 & 2 to Voyager, and any episode in the Star Trek series' where there is a temporal shift/anomoly/disurbance in the space time continuum allowing the ship to be destroyed and then put back together again! :) Read More
30
Trek and Drek
Posted on Monday May 18, 2009, 17:59 by FirstContact
ORIGINAL SERIES: I agree with three of your four choices, but would substitute "Obsession" for "Mirror Mirror", while wondering how to get "The Trouble With Tribbles" in...
TNG: Disagree with choices and rankings: Third - "Darmok"; Second - "Yesterday's Enterprise"; First - "The Best of Both Worlds. Worst - either "Shades of Grey" or "Imaginary Friends" or "Rascals" - personally I liked "Masks" for its quirkiness
DS9: Never liked "The Search" much, other than for introducing the "Defiant", so I would substitute it with the classic "Duet". You have a good point with "Let He..." but "Meridian" is pretty bad...
VOYAGER: Disagree only with "Endgame" because it gutted whatever story was left, so I would substitute it for something like "The Year of Hell" and rank "Scorpion" first.
ENTERPRISE: True its difficult to Read More
31
Ahhh DS9
Posted on Monday May 18, 2009, 17:46 by inkedbeatnik
Best theme tune of the lot. I particular liked the role Garrak (sic) had to play in the Dominion war, a simple tailor doing the things that Sisko could not...plus, he was always good for a chat. After Dirty Harry and Hellraiser though, you would have thought Andrew G Robinson would have had a more prolific career! Read More
32
Ahhh DS9
Posted on Monday May 18, 2009, 17:27 by inkedbeatnik
Best theme tune of the lot. I particular liked the role Garrak (sic) had to play in the Dominion war, a simple tailor doing the things that Sisko could not...plus, he was always good for a chat. After Dirty Harry and Hellraiser though, you would have thought Andrew G Robinson would have had a more prolific career! Read More
33
Posted on Monday May 18, 2009, 17:26 by waltham1979
Suprised the DS9 episode when the crew go back in time to the first Enterprise (and are brilliantly placed into various episodes of the original series) was not on the list!? Read More
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