Movies and TV What was your favorite episode of Star Trek: TNG? - Page 13

**RealSNR** · 03-16-2011, 06:42 PM

Okay okay okay... quit calling me late to the party. I do this with every popular show out there-- I start watching after it's been off the air for at least a few years. I did it with Frasier, Red Dwarf (although there are new episodes being made) and now I'm doing it with the Star Trek franchise. Back off. I know there are Star Trek fans on this forum, and if you've noticed my posting style (although I have no idea why you would) a lot of my posts are Star Trek-centric. This is why:

My job in the past few months had late hours, so I'd get home and be able to watch one episode per day at 1 in the morning. But man, it was great. I just turned it on one day and started watching and never stopped. Anyway, the series has run its cycle now. I've seen all seven seasons plus the movies (except for Insurrection, which I'll get around to eventually). I've also seen the new one by JJ Abrams. At the moment I'm slowly progressing through DS9 and a handful of the original series.

But until I get through it all, I know TNG is pretty much the only series beloved by ALL Trek fans, not just some.

Here are my personal top 5 episodes in no particular order. I couldn't rank them accurately.

1. "The Most Toys" (S3E22)- There's nothing incredibly powerful or ground-breaking about the plot or the way it was written. But it's very dramatic and quite colorful, which I think is what Star Trek is all about. I kind of have a weakness for Data-centered episodes, and this one is particularly good. It's odd, esoteric, and particularly intense considering he's being held captive as an object in a collection of toys, when really he's the being with the highest code of ethics on the entire rogue ship

2. "The Silicon Avatar" (S5E4)- Perhaps the most tragic of all the TNG episodes. I mean, TNG does this all the time where something bad happens but it ends on a hopeful note- Tasha Yar's death, Worf's vengeance against Duras, etc. Not in this one. It ends on a tragic note, with the doctor now only left to her own madness and questioning of her actions for the rest of her life.

3. "Yesterday's Enterprise" (S3E15)- This episode is on most peoples' lists. I normally hate causality/time travel shit in sci-fi movies/stories. It almost never works out. Here it DOES work out and it's absolutely brilliant. People claim that Picard's decision-making is totally irrational and not at all what a starfleet officer would even consider. Well guess what? He's Picard, and when his back is to the wall he often makes decisions that violate starfleet regulation/the prime directive. And it's not THAT unrealistic. He knows what Guinan is capable of and he also knows that the Federation is going to lose the war. May as well send Tasha Yar back, right?

4. "The Chase" (S6E20)- This is one of those episodes that years from now will be considered genius in a Jules Verne kind of way. This is exactly what science fiction is all about- create a universe and try to explain it. If/when humans discover life elsewhere in the universe we're going to have to answer some real tough biological questions. In the Star Trek universe, this one does a brilliant job of it. I was totally blown away. That takes some real creative-ass minds to think of that kind of shit.

5. "I, Borg" (S5E23)- I chose this borg episode instead of The Best of Both Worlds mainly because it exposes a different side to the story instead of just "We need to find a way to kill the borg nao!" And that different story is: "When we DO find a way to eradicate the borg, are we going to have the balls to do it?" Picard's actions in this episode come up time and time again later in the series/movies (especially First Contact, obviously) and here is one of the most questionable decisions he makes in his entire career as captain of the Enterprise. And yet it's so well-written that viewers of this episode more often than not finding themselves siding with Picard, even though they face a fictional race/character who is more violent, hated, and ire-raising than Nazis.

These are just some episodes I brought up. I'm not bringing up more incase this thread dies quickly. I've already wasted enough time typing this out as it is.

**loochy** · 05-24-2011, 10:16 AM

I think I've mentioned this before, but I am in the process of rewatching all DS9s and TNGs. I put them on my phone and I hang the phone on the TV on the treadmill so it is at eye level. I do my 45 minute morning run before work and I end up watching 1 episode per day.

vailpass · 05-24-2011, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loochy

I think I've mentioned this before, but I am in the process of rewatching all DS9s and TNGs. I put them on my phone and I hang the phone on the TV on the treadmill so it is at eye level. I do my 45 minute morning run before work and I end up watching 1 episode per day.

What episode was it where Data banged that green chick then had to go back to Vulcan to fight Kirk to the death for his childhood wife but the Enterprise couldn't make it because all those furry animal things were clogging the warp tubes?
That was a good one.

Hammock Parties · 05-24-2011, 04:25 PM

One of the best things about DS9 is the villains. Gul Dukat absolutely chews up every scene he is in, and Kai Winn is just so...hateable.

Also, if you watch every scene with Bashir and O'Brien while pretending they are gay you will be very amused. Some of their dialogue makes you wonder. LOL

**RealSNR** · 05-26-2011, 01:41 AM

Saw the Season 1 opener. When I heard the show had recurring Ferengi characters I was instantly turned off. But Quark is a damn fine character even after one episode (both parts). I love the idea of a changeling, too. Odo will probably be my favorite by the end.

I felt the same way about Sisko, JD. He was the most underwhelming character. Maybe it's because he's the new Kirk/Picard of this series, and nobody can be Kirk/Picard. But you look at promo photos of the show and you think, "Damn, this guy could probably rape faces." But he doesn't. It's his first officer who does all the face-raping.

I'm watching them over megavideo, and since the free version allows only one hour of stream per day, I'll do the same that I did with TNG and just watch one/day. So far I'm encouraged.

Hammock Parties · 05-26-2011, 01:44 AM

Every character on the show is awesome. There is no Wesley Crusher.

By the end of the series your emotional attachment to Sisko will be stronger than any Star Trek character ever. Maybe Spock.

God, you're going to love guys like Garak and probably my favorite character on the show...Martok. He really should have had his OWN show.

"FINALLY, AN AMBASSADOR WHO WILL GO TARG HUNTING WITH ME! HAW HAW HAW!"

Amnorix · 05-26-2011, 06:06 AM

I have, unfortunately, never had the chance to go back and watch DS9. I gave up after season 1, which obviously was a big mistake. My Trek-absorbed friends, of which I have several, all put DS9 at either #1 or #2. If you have the opportunity, I'd definitely watch it. I certainly hope to do it myself someday.

**loochy** · 05-26-2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red 5

Every character on the show is awesome. There is no Wesley Crusher.

By the end of the series your emotional attachment to Sisko will be stronger than any Star Trek character ever. Maybe Spock.

God, you're going to love guys like Garak and probably my favorite character on the show...Martok. He really should have had his OWN show.

"FINALLY, AN AMBASSADOR WHO WILL GO TARG HUNTING WITH ME! HAW HAW HAW!"

Yeah, but there is Jake. He's not as bad as Wesley by any means, but his reporter wussiness drives me nuts. Nog is good though.

Hammock Parties · 05-26-2011, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loochy

Yeah, but there is Jake. He's not as bad as Wesley by any means, but his reporter wussiness drives me nuts. Nog is good though.

The thing about Jake though is he is the emotional lynchpin for a lot of Sisko's great moments.

Oh, I tell you who's annoying is Ezri. She never quite fit in.

**loochy** · 05-26-2011, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red 5

The thing about Jake though is he is the emotional lynchpin for a lot of Sisko's great moments.

Oh, I tell you who's annoying is Ezri. She never quite fit in.

Yeah, she didn't really fit. However, that lack of fit kind of reflects how a Trill host may have issues fitting or finding his or her place afer joining with a symbiant.

Also, I found her to be rather attractive so I didn't mind her all that much.

Discuss Thrower · 05-26-2011, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red 5

The thing about Jake though is he is the emotional lynchpin for a lot of Sisko's great moments.

Oh, I tell you who's annoying is Ezri. She never quite fit in.

Blame that on the Terry Farrell drama.

JD10367 · 05-26-2011, 02:18 PM

I would've put it up Jadzia Dax's butt. As long as it didn't end up in her Trill.

listopencil · 05-26-2011, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red 5

By the end of the series your emotional attachment to Sisko will be stronger than any Star Trek character ever. Maybe Spock.

That's saying quite a bit. I tried to watch DS9 and was completely turned off during the first season. I might have to go grab the series and give it a watch. My list goes TNG, Original, Enterprise....DS9 I guess...

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...
...
...
...

Ok, Voyager was just shit. I hated it.

ReynardMuldrake · 05-26-2011, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

Saw the Season 1 opener. When I heard the show had recurring Ferengi characters I was instantly turned off. But Quark is a damn fine character even after one episode (both parts). I love the idea of a changeling, too. Odo will probably be my favorite by the end.

I felt the same way about Sisko, JD. He was the most underwhelming character. Maybe it's because he's the new Kirk/Picard of this series, and nobody can be Kirk/Picard. But you look at promo photos of the show and you think, "Damn, this guy could probably rape faces." But he doesn't. It's his first officer who does all the face-raping.

I'm watching them over megavideo, and since the free version allows only one hour of stream per day, I'll do the same that I did with TNG and just watch one/day. So far I'm encouraged.

The really great thing about the show is the characters. Instead of introducing new aliens every episode the writers really spend time with character development and long story arcs. There are so many tremendous characters on that show. Dukat, Odo, Quark, etc. All of the bad guys are great. Garak in particular is truly one of my favorite characters of all time. Andrew Robinson is just a phenominal actor.

Frazod · 05-26-2011, 09:58 PM

DS9 was just sort of there until Worf joined the cast. Prior to that, there are a few good episodes and obviously character development, but I doubt I'll bother watching anything before Season 4.

And yes, Voyager sucked ass. Lost in Space Part 2.

JD10367 · 05-27-2011, 05:26 PM

Nice ST:TNG grouping last night on SyFy. They showed the one with Troi's mom in a coma, the one where Picard and Crusher can read each other's thoughts, the one where Worf is shifting through alternate universes (where in one he's married to Troi), the one with the Pegasus and the cloaking device, the one where warp drives are ripping holes in the universe...

And it all finished up with some episodes of "Starblazers", which I didn't even know were still being shown on any channel. I had just about shut everything down in work when I heard the theme song and was like, "No ****ing way!"

03-16-2011, 06:42 PM
RealSNR Special Teams ACE!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Where the hell is SNR Casino cash: $2110208	What was your favorite episode of Star Trek: TNG? Okay okay okay... quit calling me late to the party. I do this with every popular show out there-- I start watching after it's been off the air for at least a few years. I did it with Frasier, Red Dwarf (although there are new episodes being made) and now I'm doing it with the Star Trek franchise. Back off. I know there are Star Trek fans on this forum, and if you've noticed my posting style (although I have no idea why you would) a lot of my posts are Star Trek-centric. This is why: My job in the past few months had late hours, so I'd get home and be able to watch one episode per day at 1 in the morning. But man, it was great. I just turned it on one day and started watching and never stopped. Anyway, the series has run its cycle now. I've seen all seven seasons plus the movies (except for Insurrection, which I'll get around to eventually). I've also seen the new one by JJ Abrams. At the moment I'm slowly progressing through DS9 and a handful of the original series. But until I get through it all, I know TNG is pretty much the only series beloved by ALL Trek fans, not just some. Here are my personal top 5 episodes in no particular order. I couldn't rank them accurately. 1. "The Most Toys" (S3E22)- There's nothing incredibly powerful or ground-breaking about the plot or the way it was written. But it's very dramatic and quite colorful, which I think is what Star Trek is all about. I kind of have a weakness for Data-centered episodes, and this one is particularly good. It's odd, esoteric, and particularly intense considering he's being held captive as an object in a collection of toys, when really he's the being with the highest code of ethics on the entire rogue ship 2. "The Silicon Avatar" (S5E4)- Perhaps the most tragic of all the TNG episodes. I mean, TNG does this all the time where something bad happens but it ends on a hopeful note- Tasha Yar's death, Worf's vengeance against Duras, etc. Not in this one. It ends on a tragic note, with the doctor now only left to her own madness and questioning of her actions for the rest of her life. 3. "Yesterday's Enterprise" (S3E15)- This episode is on most peoples' lists. I normally hate causality/time travel shit in sci-fi movies/stories. It almost never works out. Here it DOES work out and it's absolutely brilliant. People claim that Picard's decision-making is totally irrational and not at all what a starfleet officer would even consider. Well guess what? He's Picard, and when his back is to the wall he often makes decisions that violate starfleet regulation/the prime directive. And it's not THAT unrealistic. He knows what Guinan is capable of and he also knows that the Federation is going to lose the war. May as well send Tasha Yar back, right? 4. "The Chase" (S6E20)- This is one of those episodes that years from now will be considered genius in a Jules Verne kind of way. This is exactly what science fiction is all about- create a universe and try to explain it. If/when humans discover life elsewhere in the universe we're going to have to answer some real tough biological questions. In the Star Trek universe, this one does a brilliant job of it. I was totally blown away. That takes some real creative-ass minds to think of that kind of shit. 5. "I, Borg" (S5E23)- I chose this borg episode instead of The Best of Both Worlds mainly because it exposes a different side to the story instead of just "We need to find a way to kill the borg nao!" And that different story is: "When we DO find a way to eradicate the borg, are we going to have the balls to do it?" Picard's actions in this episode come up time and time again later in the series/movies (especially First Contact, obviously) and here is one of the most questionable decisions he makes in his entire career as captain of the Enterprise. And yet it's so well-written that viewers of this episode more often than not finding themselves siding with Picard, even though they face a fictional race/character who is more violent, hated, and ire-raising than Nazis. These are just some episodes I brought up. I'm not bringing up more incase this thread dies quickly. I've already wasted enough time typing this out as it is.
Posts: 90,651

05-24-2011, 10:16 AM	#181
loochy Hey Loochy, I'm hooome! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PooPooKaKaPeePeeShire Casino cash: $1890752	I think I've mentioned this before, but I am in the process of rewatching all DS9s and TNGs. I put them on my phone and I hang the phone on the TV on the treadmill so it is at eye level. I do my 45 minute morning run before work and I end up watching 1 episode per day. __________________ Hey Loochy, I'm hoooome!
Posts: 40,596

05-24-2011, 04:25 PM	#183
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4460478	One of the best things about DS9 is the villains. Gul Dukat absolutely chews up every scene he is in, and Kai Winn is just so...hateable. Also, if you watch every scene with Bashir and O'Brien while pretending they are gay you will be very amused. Some of their dialogue makes you wonder. LOL
Posts: 278,605

05-26-2011, 01:44 AM	#185
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4460478	Every character on the show is awesome. There is no Wesley Crusher. By the end of the series your emotional attachment to Sisko will be stronger than any Star Trek character ever. Maybe Spock. God, you're going to love guys like Garak and probably my favorite character on the show...Martok. He really should have had his OWN show. "FINALLY, AN AMBASSADOR WHO WILL GO TARG HUNTING WITH ME! HAW HAW HAW!" __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 278,605

05-26-2011, 06:06 AM	#186
Amnorix In BB I trust Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, Mass. Casino cash: $10029808	I have, unfortunately, never had the chance to go back and watch DS9. I gave up after season 1, which obviously was a big mistake. My Trek-absorbed friends, of which I have several, all put DS9 at either #1 or #2. If you have the opportunity, I'd definitely watch it. I certainly hope to do it myself someday. __________________ "I love signature blocks on the Internet. I get to put whatever the hell I want in quotes, pick a pretend author, and bang, it's like he really said it." George Washington
Posts: 43,125

05-26-2011, 02:18 PM	#191
JD10367 Cheaterlover* Join Date: May 2009 Location: RI Casino cash: $10010716	I would've put it up Jadzia Dax's butt. As long as it didn't end up in her Trill.
Posts: 12,916

05-26-2011, 09:58 PM	#194
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $2875085	DS9 was just sort of there until Worf joined the cast. Prior to that, there are a few good episodes and obviously character development, but I doubt I'll bother watching anything before Season 4. And yes, Voyager sucked ass. Lost in Space Part 2.
Posts: 119,528

05-27-2011, 05:26 PM	#195
JD10367 Cheaterlover* Join Date: May 2009 Location: RI Casino cash: $10010716	Nice ST:TNG grouping last night on SyFy. They showed the one with Troi's mom in a coma, the one where Picard and Crusher can read each other's thoughts, the one where Worf is shifting through alternate universes (where in one he's married to Troi), the one with the Pegasus and the cloaking device, the one where warp drives are ripping holes in the universe... And it all finished up with some episodes of "Starblazers", which I didn't even know were still being shown on any channel. I had just about shut everything down in work when I heard the theme song and was like, "No ****ing way!"
Posts: 12,916