Star Trek Guide

My thoughts on getting into The Next Generation (TNG)

19 EPISODES
14 HOURS, 15 MINUTES

These episodes are to get used to the characters and universe. I feel they are an adequate summation of the series as a whole, but this list does not contain several of what I consider to be the best episodes. Skin of Evil is easily the weakest in the bunch, but I feel it provides necessary context for other important moments. If you watch these and enjoy them, you may wish to wait to watch All Good Things as it is the series finale. But, I think everything will be enjoyable even if you go back to watch more after having seen it.

SEASON 1

01 & 02
ENCOUNTER AT FARPOINT
PARTS 1 & 2
If we’re going to be damned, let’s be damned for what we really are.

13
DATALORE
Shut up Wesley!

23
SKIN OF EVIL [ bleh ]
Did I miss the point? No you didn’t, Data. You got it.

SEASON 2

16
Q WHO
If you can't take a little bloody nose, maybe you ought to go back home and crawl under your bed. It's not safe out here. It's wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross. But it's not for the timid.

SEASON 3

13
DEJA Q
A couple of hours ago, I realized that my body was no longer functioning properly. I felt weak, I could no longer stand. The life was oozing out of me, I lost consciousness.

15
YESTERDAY’S ENTERPRISE
A Warrior’s Drink!

26
The Best of Both Worlds, Part 1
Mr. Worf … Fire.

SEASON 4

01
THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, PART 2
Incorrect strategy, number one.

02
FAMILY
I tried so hard. But I wasn't strong enough! I wasn't good enough!

03
BROTHERS
Humans are mortal, they seem to need a sense of continuity.
Why? To give their lives meaning, a sense of purpose.

SEASON 5

02
DARMOK
Shaka, when the walls fell.

19
THE FIRST DUTY
The first duty of every Starfleet officer is to the truth, whether it's scientific truth, or historical truth, or personal truth!

SEASON 6

10 & 11
CHAIN OF COMMAND, PARTS 1 & 2
When children learn to devalue others, they can devalue anyone, including their parents.

SEASON 7

08
ATTACHED
There is a way out of every box, a solution to every puzzle; it's just a matter of finding it.

15
LOWER DECKS
Perhaps next time you are judged unfairly, it will not take so many bruises for you to protest.

25 & 26
ALL GOOD THINGS, PARTS 1 & 2
Strange, isn't it? Everything you know, your entire civilization, it all begins right here in this little pond … of goo.

61 EPISODES
45 HOURS, 45 MINUTES

These episodes meet at least one of the following criteria for me:

1. The episode is very strong on it’s own, or
2. The episode is pretty good and contains canon or context for another important episode.

This list contains 4 episodes that I consider top tier* for the series.

SEASON 1

03
THE NAKED NOW
No, this will take slightly more time than we have, sir.

06
WHERE NO ONE HAS GONE BEFORE
That space and time and thought aren’t the separate things they appear to be?

15
11001001
Why didn’t you just ask for our help?
You might have said no.

22
SYMBIOSIS
In this situation the prime directive prohibits me from helping you.
That’s absurd.
You did not think so when it worked in your favor.

26
THE NEUTRAL ZONE
Yes, I have provided for myself. I have a substantial portfolio, and it’s critical I check on it. Let the bank know that I’m alive and well.

SEASON 2

01
THE CHILD
One is my name. The other is not.

02
WHERE SILENCE HAS LEASE
Captain, the most elementary and valuable statement in science, the beginning of wisdom, is 'I do not know.’

03
ELEMENTARY, DEAR DATA
Am I so different from you, doctor? Are you able to cease thinking on command?

09
THE MEASURE OF A MAN*
I am the culmination of one man's dream. This is not ego or vanity, but when Doctor Soong created me, he added to the substance of the universe. If, by your experiments, I am destroyed, something unique — something wonderful — will be lost. I cannot permit that. I must protect his dream.

11
CONTAGION
What happened? Any answer would be mere speculation. This is yet another example of how our actions have random results.

17
SAMARITAN SNARE
Wishing for a thing does not make it so.

20
THE EMISSARY
I've noted that some people use humor as a shield. They talk much, yet say little.

21
PEAK PERFORMANCE
It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness, that is life.

SEASON 3

02
THE ENSIGNS OF COMMAND
You appeared to need it.

04
WHO WATCHES THE WATCHERS
Millennia ago, they abandoned their belief in the supernatural. Now you are asking me to sabotage that achievement, to send them back into the dark ages of superstition and ignorance and fear? No!

06
BOOBY TRAP
Didn't anybody here build ships in bottles when they were boys?!
I did not play with toys.
I was never a boy.

07
THE ENEMY
There are times when it is necessary to die for one's ideals … do you believe that this is one of those times?

10
THE DEFECTOR
There comes a time in a man's life that you cannot know. When he looks down at the first smile of his baby girl and realizes he must change the world for her, for all children.

12
THE HIGH GROUND
I have been reviewing the history of armed rebellion, and it appears that terrorism is an effective way to promote political change.

14
A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE
We can't both be telling the truth.
It is the truth … as you each remember it.

16
THE OFFSPRING
He's biting that female!

17
SINS OF THE FATHER
Ah yes, I was told to prepare for that. I shall try some of your burned replicated bird meat.

21
HOLLOW PURSUITS
I mean I am the guy who writes down things to remember to say when there is a party. And then when he finally gets there, he winds up alone, in the corner, trying to look … comfortable examining a potted plant.

22
THE MOST TOYS
I cannot permit this to continue.

23
SAREK
NOOOOOOO!!!! It is … it is … wrong. IT IS WROOONG!!! A lifetime of discipline is washed away, and in its place … (laughs briefly then grunts) Bedlam. BEDLAAAM!!! I am so old … there is nothing left but dry bones (sobs) dead friends. Oh, tired. Oh, so tired. No, this weakness disgusts me, I HATE IT! Where is my logic, I am betrayed by desires. I want to feel. I want to feel everything.

SEASON 4

07
REUNION
You have never seen death? Then look … and always remember.

08
FUTURE IMPERFECT
I said SHUT UP! As in close your mouth and stop talking!

09
FINAL MISSION
Oh, I envy you, Wesley Crusher. You're just at the beginning of the adventure.

11
DATA’S DAY
Am I dancing, Doctor?

14
CLUES
Which would you place first, the welfare of a single individual, or that of the entire crew?”

16
GALAXY’S CHILD
Take a hard look through your VISOR, La Forge … see her for who she really is … not what you want her to be.

19
THE NTH DEGREE
I've finally become the person I've always wanted to be. Do we have to ask why?

21
THE DRUMHEAD*
You know, there are some words I've known since I was a schoolboy: ‘With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censored … the first thought forbidden … the first freedom denied — chains us all irrevocably.’

24
THE MIND’S EYE
And when you saw the romulan ship, did you try to call for help?
No, the first thing I did … wait a minute.

26
REDEMPTION, PART 1
We should not discount Jean-Luc Picard yet. He is Human. And Humans have a way of showing up when you least expect them.

SEASON 5

01
REDEMPTION, PART 2
You and I will fight battles that others can only dream of. The time for glory is here. It is not a time to worry about stabilizers. It is a time to celebrate, for tomorrow, we all may die! Come! Let us, the sons of Mogh, live this night as if it were our last!

03
ENSIGN RO
Am I disturbing you?
Yes.
Good. You look like someone who wants to be disturbed.

07
UNIFICATION, PART 1
Since I do not require sleep, I propose you take the … shelf, sir. I am content to stand.

08
UNIFICATION, PART 2
Is it so important that you win one last argument with him?
No, it is not, but it is true that I will miss the arguments; they were, finally, all that we had.

14
CONUNDRUM
Perhaps we should not jump to conclusions. I am decorated as well.

16
ETHICS
He can’t make the journey you’re asking of him. You want him to from contemplating suicide to accepting his condition and living with a disability, but it’s too far. And the road between covers a lifetime of values and beliefs.

17
THE OUTCAST
It's hard to grasp the idea of no gender.

21
THE PERFECT MATE
I wish I could convey to you what it's like to be a metamorph; to feel the inner strength of someone; to realize that being with him is opening your mind and heart to endless new possibilities; to hear yourself say ‘I like myself when I'm with him.’

23
I, BORG
Resistance … is not futile?

25
THE INNER LIGHT*
Oh it’s me isn’t it? I’m the someone. I’m the one it finds.

26
TIME’S ARROW, PART 1
It's just that 'our mental pathways have become accustomed to your sensory input patterns.’
Ah. I believe I understand. I am fond of you as well, commander. And you too, counselor.

SEASON 6

01
TIME’S ARROW, PART 2
I just want you to know that I have the utmost respect for the law.

06
TRUE Q
Jean-Luc, sometimes I think the only reason I come here is to listen to these wonderful speeches of yours.

09
THE QUALITY OF LIFE
When my own status as a living being was in question, you fought to protect my rights. And for that I will always be grateful. The exocomps had no such advocate. If I had not acted on their behalf, they would have been destroyed. I could not allow that to happen sir.

12
SHIP IN A BOTTLE
Cogito ergo sum … I think, therefore I am!

14
FACE OF THE ENEMY
People blame the military for the wars that we are asked to fight, but I think it is your kind, Major, that will be the death of us all.

15
TAPESTRY*
Blasphemy! You're lucky I don't cast you out or smite you or something.

19
LESSONS
Fencing? I’m not really very good.
Ah, doesn’t matter, so long as you, tch-tch-tch-tch click, enjoy it.

20
THE CHASE
It would seem that we are not completely dissimilar after all; in our hopes, or in our fears.

26
DESCENT, PART 1
What happened?
I got angry.

SEASON 7

01
DESCENT, PART 2
My brother suggested I try to develop my sense of humor. What do you think?
I think it needs a little work.

09
FORCE OF NATURE
This is down. Down is good. This is up. Up is no.

10
INHERITANCE
Some of the colonists objected to having an anatomically correct android running around without any clothes on.

16
THINE OWN SELF
It's a trick!
No. It is empirical data.

20
JOURNEY’S END
Have faith in their abilities to solve their problems on their own.

21
FIRSTBORN
It is a futile struggle. I cannot change things.