STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION | S5 KEY EPISODES PT 2 | FIRST TIME WATCHING

[@SchneeflockeMonsoon]

The way Picard *_clutches_* that flute to his chest. Tears, every time.

[@chacaf22]

Yap, it's so heartwarming, touching and moving

[@browngilll]

Yes. This has been a powerful moment to this TNG fan for decades.

[@The08450]

One of the best episodes !

[@arthurd6495]

😭😭😭

[@jamesevans3492]

Absolutely, Because I Watched This Episode, The Inner Light, When It First Aired, And I Also Cried When Riker Handed Him The Box, With The Recorder Flute . . . That Episode Was Magnificently Written, Directed And Acted Out . . . :-)

[@John_Locke_108]

Inner Light is one of finest episodes of television ever made. It's absolutely perfect.

[@marleybob3157]

Agreed

[@Hikuro2pnt0]

agreed, the flute theme is nicely done and I admit gets me a bit teary eyed when I hear it. Plus it has Stewarts son in it.

[@jonathanclem9051]

💯

[@edpublic]

Agreed🍺.

[@gawainethefirst]

@@marleybob3157make now the most important time…

[@paulfeist]

It's been, what, almost 30 years since "The Inner Light" aired? And every time I hear those notes at the end, there are tears. Jean Luc Picard is the last memory of an entire civilization....

[@kunserndsittizen2655]

Imagine that he lived about 40 years there...I have a problem with him easily becoming captain again

[@WideNerdy]

Actually it's been more than 30 years ago. A few weeks ago, May 23rd was the 30th anniversary of All Good Things, the final episode of TNG. The show had 7 seasons. So it's been at least 32 years since the episodes shown in this video first aired

[@this.is.a.username]

i thought for once it wouldn't hit, but it did.

[@YolandaAnneBrown95726]

Watching this vid right now...tears are flowing hard.

[@jayspeed2068]

​@kunserndsittizen2655 I don't think he easily became Captain again. He said he was having to adjust back to his life so I'm sure there were talks with Counselor Troi about his experience.

[@kulkumalstavich4895]

The Inner Light is indeed peak Star Trek. The way he clings to the flute with both hands at the end is just painful. Then the music as the ship floats in space... It is by far my favorite episode.

[@Gavrev]

"I need to think about that one.." - the residual effect of the best Star Trek episodes.

[@Blackwind_Legacy]

This is what is missing from modern Star Trek.

[@wratched]

When the recorder from this episode was sold at Christies, it was expected to net about $900. It sold for $48,000.

[@paulfeist]

And when I read that, I was a little mad that it went for that LITTLE....

[@MrDeathpilot]

According to Google, it recently sold at another auction for $237,000. If true, that was a very smart investment.

[@JMUDoc]

That auction massively underestimated EVERY selling price - it was almost embarrassing😁

[@jason42080]

@@JMUDoc well you have to also take in account for the Auction view of the Recorder being a non-playable piece...now if it was a working playable piece.... oh, you can believe 100% they would have never just assumed it would only net $900 they would have put the value in the 10's of thousands right off the bat.

[@phantom6]

@@jason42080 Another fun fact, they leased it back from the owner for use in Picard.

[@KITT10K]

In the episode "The Inner Light" Picard's adult son in the dream he was in IS Patrick Stewart's real life son.

[@mjbull5156]

He did get father's hairline.

[@lance7135]

That makes the grumpy muttering all the more beautiful :D It was probably not acting at all in that regard!

[@albertmartinez2539]

And it was the son who played the flute. Patrick mimed the motions, he could never play it.

[@menolikey_]

That episode always gets me.

[@stefanconradsson]

Thanks, didn't know that. Cheers 🍺

[@Erick360.]

I am a grown military man. I saw this as a kid, and even today I am not ashamed to admit, I cry every time.

[@jameswilkerson4412]

Which ep? “The Inner Light”?

[@Erick360.]

@@jameswilkerson4412 Yes. Sorry, I should have made that clear. The Inner Light will still make this old military man cry... no shame!

[@TheKrogon]

same.... 12 years Military, 47 years old and i still struggle not to get emotional

[@DanSmith-j8y]

You probably should be ashamed of that.

[@bones23jones]

Every time

[@dodgerfilms]

“The Inner Light” is my favorite episode by far.

[@DMSL101DM]

As a grown man who saw "Inner light" the first time as a child I still cry at the beginning of the episode, because I know I will cry at the end of the episode.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

You should cry. All his married life, his prime, Kamin's wife told him he was delusional--until she made threats and ultimatums. At the end of Kamin's life, he finds out he was right and his 'wife' was a deluding figment.

[@reactions5783]

@@RideAcrossTheRiver ... That's quite the take. 😆

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@reactions5783 That's exactly what happens in the episode.

[@northwestkiwi7742]

"Stop kidnapping him!" 🤣 For someone who didn't like Picard to start with, Cassie has certainly become protective of him!

[@theevilascotcompany9255]

For someone who delegates away missions to Riker so much, Picard does get grabbed a lot.

[@Smeginator]

And now she REALLY likes him!

[@help4343]

He was pretty off putting in the pilot episode

[@ZeusCristo]

Unfortunately for Cassie, the biggest and most shocking Picard kidnapping is still to come 😨 💡💡💡💡

[@RussellCHall]

​@@ZeusCristoI was super confused by what you meant until I saw the emojis at the end , well played 😊

[@glennkonklin2926]

Everyone is talking about the Inner Light, but I think Cause and Effect is genius for filming the repeated scenes slightly different each time; same yet different.

[@Vipre-]

I believe the trick was they filmed scenes once from multiple angles and then repeated the footage from the different cameras. Anything that was identical was as a result identical but looked like it was repeated because of the different angle.

[@vrenak]

@@Vipre- No, they actually filmed the same scenes multiple times, trying to make it exactly the same, so the changes are tiny, but none of them are exactly the same.

[@Tuning3434]

@@vrenak Correct, also this episode was directed by Riker's actor, Jonathan Frakes (not his first, we've already seen two picked before "Reunion" and "The Drumhead".) Frakes decided to use multiple angles to avoid pure repeats. In many of the shots it would not be possible to have multiple camera's around. This is 80s / late 90s, shooting on 35 mm heavy cinematic film camera's. The bridge set would open up the front wall whenever shots from the front would have to be made. Many cast members used to show to get some experience directing, but Frakes and LaVar Burton really made it part of their career, directing many episodes on later Star Trek shows and other shows

[@NikitaKyndt]

Cause and Effect is fun, Inner Light is profound. Not really comparable. What's so genius about filming a scene different repeated times? That's standard practice so the director can then pick out the best one. This time it was done for a different reason. Changing camera position (and lighting) isn't that complicated. People making it out as it it's a genius move lol.

[@josefnitervol6415]

Cause and Effect is another great episode for sure

[@gong63]

"The Inner Light" is an all-timer for sure. There's something about when he says, "Oh, it's me!" That always gets to me. Also, that was Patrick Stewart's son IRL playing his son, which you can really see in his face.

[@Ambaryerno]

Also, the brother of the actress who plays Meribor would play a young Picard in Tapestry.

[@ammaleslie509]

I'm the one it finds!

[@UltraHD.7]

"Wh do I feel like crying?" I´d say because it´s one of the most beautiful, heartwarming, emotional stories I´ve ever seen in any media ever. And, as you said, absolutely thought provoking. So yes, I cry every time seeing it 🥲

[@MGower4465]

27:18 note that just as Hugh is beaming away, he turns his head to look at Geordi directly, while the drones ignored him. He is still Hugh.

[@SummitSummit]

And Geordi's reaction to Hugh's look signifys that Geordi knows.

[@MGower4465]

"only Hugh can prevent florist friars."

[@markdettra1794]

I agree this episode is fantastic & smart on many levels. Even though i admire it , or perhaps BECAUSE i admire it , i mentally re-wrote the entire script as a good natured parody tribute. For instance 'Hugh' became 'WHEW!' and the Borg became The Bored. After agonizing about the moral ethics of beaming the Borg kid aboard the Enterprise , when he materializes Geordi lets out a "WHEW!" in relief . The kid says "the continuum says 3 of 5 is the designation , but WHEW is very catchy - call me Whew. I have an entire alternate script , conceived shortly after this episode first aired - like the tv and movie parodies Mad Magazine used to do in the late 1960s , with Mort Drucker illustrations.

[@fakereality96]

Hugh Janus

[@Jakyre1983]

Funny story about Cause & Effect. When it first premiered, tons of networks got calls from irate customers complaining about them "accidentally airing the same segment" over and over again. Because the show would always go to commercial after the Enterprise blowing up, then after the break the show would seemingly reset. They thought it was a broadcasting error. LOL

[@chacaf22]

Seriously? Dumb people didn't get the memo 😅

[@deano42]

I remember seeing this episode when it first aired, and I thought the same thing after the first commercial break. But I am a big enough nerd with enough time travel viewing under my belt, that I quickly figured it out.

[@fftunes]

lol 😂

[@Jakyre1983]

@chacaf22 keep in mind... TV was different back then. The audiences weren't as used to this kind of plot. And obviously these people jumped the gun and called in to complain before the show was finished lol

[@carnybusiness7432]

Never heard of that one, but I have to laugh. Even when I was a kid, and even before I watched Groundhog Day I understood the basic concept of what a time loop was as it was a common troupe in movies/TV even at the time. Hell, even Power Rangers had a couple of time loop episodes. For me, both as a kid, and as an adult Cause & Effect has always been one of my favorite TNG episodes.

[@WildmouseX-u5d]

Next season, she learns how many lights there are.

[@ElizabethRMarquardt]

There are four lights.

[@jasonohara8372]

@@ElizabethRMarquardt There are five!

[@Sindraug25]

@@ElizabethRMarquardt I don't know how you could be so mistaken.

[@josefnitervol6415]

LOL

[@michaelginnis521]

that one is gonna make her angry lol

[@jamescox2822]

That flute is also the single most sought after piece of Star Trek memorabilia.

[@vincentturner4051]

There is a video out there that shows Sir Patrick laughing that is sold for some outrageous price since it doesn't play. It's just a prop.

[@zeropoint216]

@@vincentturner4051 still worth every penny

[@jeffrey_live1748]

I want a Horga'hn 😁

[@kunserndsittizen2655]

@@jeffrey_live1748I want that girl that approached Picard. I swear I saw bush poking out from her bikini.

[@phantom6]

@@vincentturner4051 "The damned thing doesn't work." lol

[@ashe4711]

Watching her realize the way the episode is for Cause and Effect, and seeing her repeat the lines and the clarity. She is one of us!!!

[@zenkim6709]

I love how this (as far as I know) became the 1st of "Groundhog Day" episodes being done by various different TV series after the titular movie popularized the idea of the time loop as a narrative device. My personal favorite was in "Stargate SG-1" when Col. Jack O'Neill & Teal'c find themselves the only Stargate members aware that everyone is caught in an indefinite causality loop -- which ends up leading to some truly golden comedy moments.... "Colonel!! What the hell are you DOING!?" [O'Neill stops before teeing off another golf ball into the active Stargate] "IN THE MIDDLE OF MY BACKSWING???"

[@BlueBookGuy]

Inner Light is such a beautiful spiritual episode in so many ways. This lovely civilization didnt want to be forgotten. Picard lived a lifetime in 20+ mins of his own freewill. Good to see his real life son act in it. The acting from all of them was beautiful. Always brings me tears as we reflect upon our own lives and remember to always "live in the moment" x Have a lovely weekend all! Make it count!

[@troutymctrouttrout3809]

Beverley: Thanks for the warm milk." Picard: "Don't thank me, thank Aunt Adele." Popcorn In Bed: "I just want them to make out." 😂😂

[@earlofbroadst]

Her shipping them so hard has been hilarious to watch!

[@twalters8]

@@earlofbroadst and a bit nauseating.

[@Lensmaster1]

​@@twalters8is her excitement nauseating?

[@ortizmo]

@@twalters8 You sound fun.

[@ortizmo]

Single funniest line I've heard in a reaction video about Trek. 🤣🤣🤣

[@martinbraun1211]

I think "The Inner Light" is in every Star Trek fan's top ten list.

[@GeorgeProwse]

top 3 probably

[@ookammi]

top3

[@curtisfletcher5142]

One of the few times a TV show episode has made me cry.

[@Brian-qn7fn]

Wrong.

[@Brian-qn7fn]

@@GeorgeProwse No way.

[@ghostkage]

Groundhog Day, actually pulled a Star Trek: Cause and Effect,haha Groundhog Day : 1993 Cause and effect: 1991

[@nadzee7101]

Groundhog day seems much more dated than Cause and Effect.

[@mvprime8]

"12:01 P.M." short story, 1973. Adapted as a (academy award nominated) short film in 1990.

[@Smeginator]

The Flash did a spoof (parody? Homage?) of this episode and called it “Cause & XS” (because that particular character had time-travel abilities). They also had an episode called “Cause and effect” that had absolutely nothing to do with time travel.

[@NikitaKyndt]

@@nadzee7101 Lol nope, both are.

[@wienhub]

Fun fact they got calls that the episode is broken because it’s starting over and over again. This was the first of its kind

[@NomenLuni1975]

The Inner Light is an absolute masterpiece, and one of my top five TNG episodes of all time. It's just wonderful from start to finish. Fun fact: Kamin's son, Batai, was played by Patrick Stewart's real life son, Daniel Stewart.

[@msmilder25]

"The Inner Light" actually won a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation in 1993. The flute melody was later made into music for a full orchestra. And in 2021, an auction for the prop flute used in the episode, that Christie's had valued at around $450 (in 2023 dollars), sold for $190,000 (or $213,636 in 2023 dollars). If you actually watch all the episodes, you'll see the flute make a few appearances. It makes an appearance in "A Fistful of Datas" (season 6) and later plays a role in "Lessons" (s6), and also made an appearance in Star Trek: Picard.

[@Scuzzlebutt142]

TNG and DS9 were good about souvenir continuity, with the Mintakan Tapestry from "Who Watches the Watchers", the Ressikan Flute, and the Kurlan naiskos all in his ready room or quarters, and The Sisko having his Baseball from "IF Wishes Were Horses" and his clock from "Dramatis Personae"

[@SkulShurtugalTCG]

Three banger episodes, all the very peak of what The Next Generation stands for.

[@TroyConvers5000]

Two Banger, and one wet fart

[@elcorado83]

And the next season becomes even crazier - nearly every single episode is a classic!

[@TroyConvers5000]

Well two bangers and one squib.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

To miss "Ensign Ro" is just not good.

[@Jesusisyhwh]

The Inner Light shows how great Patrick Stewart is as an actor. An amazing performance.

[@jowbloe3673]

*Chain of Command*

[@ortizmo]

@@jowbloe3673 Oooo....seeing and raising. 👍

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

_TNG_ was thought of as 'a children's show'.

[@noracola5285]

@@RideAcrossTheRiver By whom?

[@zardox78]

I think mostly the urge to cry comes from his reaction to seeing his dead wife again. He's being told the answer to a 40-year mystery, what this whole thing has been about. But he's so singularly focused on the fact that he's getting to see his wife again (he repeats her name _so_ longingly) that the answer to the mystery is taking a distant backseat. And then there's the realization that these people in front of him that he's grown to genuinely love, either aren't real or have been dead for a thousand years, and thus never actually knew him or formed similar attachments to him. The genuine love he felt for these people was 100% on his part. That would be _PROFOUNDLY_ crushing to learn. That's the one-two punch that inspires that reaction at the end of this episode. You've heard the term "bittersweet"? Well, this is more like sweet-bitter.

[@-taz-]

He's so lucky that a space alien wife is so attractive, because it could have been one of those fish aliens, or big hairy ones with horns. She was even his exact same race and height for that matter. What if she looked perfect but was only 3 feet high? He could have come back with PTSD.

[@Rickhorse1]

There are many things about "Inner Light" which make is so interesting...and emotional. For me, it is actually the most personal of all the Picard centered episodes. His entire existence has been his career & being Captain of the Enterprise. Many times we've seen how uncomfortable he is with children, for example. Now this probe allows him to experience another lifetime...literally. Wife, kids etc...he says himself that he never believed it was possible, yet he now couldn't imagine his life without them. Then "boom" he learns all these memories are just so their existence would be remembered. The flute playing in the final scene is to show that while it was not literally "real", for Picard....he DID live all those years. Including learning to play the flute.

[@breakdancinfool]

Inner Light is a legendary episode. Heartbreaking, too. He has to grieve the death of that life he lived, his family, culture, and planet - all lost. He ALONE remembers, as if he were the last of his kind. Such sadness. Picard has endured and will endure such extremes of psychological trauma.

[@davidw3281]

“The Inner Light” is my favorite episode. Picard experiences a civilization’s life and demise and carries on their memory in a personal way. Him receiving the flute at the end and playing it gets me every time.

[@johnmarx3919]

in TWENTY-FIVE minutes!!

[@trekkiejunk]

It's absolutely DISGUSTING is what it is. Picard was assaulted and forced to endure what he thought was a different reality. Even he thought he was losing his mind for years, while this culture gaslit him into surrendering his mind to the illusion. What if the target of this probe was a father? They would mourn the loss of their children for years. And don't even get me started on the PTSD that would come after the whole experience ended. That probe is one of the most horrifyingly evil things ever in Trek, particularly because it's displayed as so benevolent and beautiful.

[@troy34bronze]

I love the look Hugh gives Just before he’s beamed off

[@michaelgilbrook5996]

Yes! Cassie apparently missed that. Hugh's final glance at Geordi was the sign that he hadn't lost his individuality.

[@-taz-]

It was: Oh crap, did I leave the oven on?

[@josephscally6270]

The Inner Light is by far my favorite of the whole series. Thank you so much for reacting to it.

[@matthewhoward-white463]

Inner light is not only an amazing star trek episode, but I think one of the greatest "tv" stories ever done. The writing, the acting... I've watched a lot of great tv in my time, some things that have made me laugh, cry and any other emotion you can think of...but nothing has made me feel quite like that episode. To be happy that he's back and mournful that he lost a family that doesn't exist, but he's also lived a full life and now remembering his "old" one...just phenomenal. So happy that you chose it.

[@MetalEyeWierdo]

Best quote: "Stop kidnapping him!". LOL.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Picard gets a wife this time!

[@STNeish]

The Inner Light is such a powerful episode, I end up in tears every time I watch, no matter how many times I watch it. When he takes that flute and clutches it to his chest, like it's the most precious thing in the universe... In that moment, remembering all he's lost. It's so heartbreaking. Then, the song, echoing in the dark as the Enterprise passes by, alone, just like Picard, last survivor of the planet Kitaan.

[@bigdream_dreambig]

This. I couldn't say it any better.

[@jimcrowley3424]

The first time I saw the Inner Light… I was so deeply moved. Further convinced me of the sheer greatness that Star Trek can bring.

[@renaissancepoet]

Imagine being given an unwanted gift that becomes the defining moment of love in your life. That's what Picard was given.

[@TriStateDomestic]

Well stated!

[@edwardjacklewis]

Does anyone else see this as the opposite impact on Picard as Locutis of Borg?

[@elcorado83]

Someone told me TNG "borrowed" ideas from UK TV show 'Red Dwarf' and vice versa: There's an episode of Red Dwarf made before The Inner Light that had a similar idea....! 'Thanks For The Memory', I wont spoil the plot because, like this one, its better to not know what happens. It is a must see though.

[@mvprime8]

@@elcorado83 'Thanks For The Memory' has similarities to 'Clues', not so much 'Inner Light'. 'Inner Light' is clearly inspired by the Superman story "For the Man Who Has Everything".

[@davidyoung745]

The idea of having a whole life, having a family, etc. that is different from the one he has on board the Enterprise is so moving. This single episode always hits me hard because it’s all so personal.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

"The idea of having a whole life, having a family, etc." ... what the episode says is a delusion.

[@edwardtoyebo9690]

For five years, I did not watch STTNG. I was not sold, for some reason. With nothing to do one night, I decided to check out an episode. The Inner Light was my introduction the TNG and it floored me. I knew nothing of the characters, but was able to figure out the who's and what's very quickly. This is great television. The writing, acting and production design far exceeded my expectations. I became an instant fan and started watching reruns like crazy. So glad The Inner Light was part of your must watch list.

[@charlie.on.youtube]

It "floored" Picard too. :)

[@johntyler1441]

I boycotted TNG at first, too. Dead set against having a 'Star Trek' without the original crew. As I started watching here and there, every script seemed to be a rip-off of an original series script. THEN I saw "Yesterday's Enterprise." That was the best hour of television I had ever seen in my life. Then I was totally on board.

[@AndrewKendall71]

"The Inner Light" is to me, literature. Truly wonderful that our Capt. got to live a life that, as he said, he didn't think he needed. But he did and got to have it unimaginably in a long and productive life... AND then also, his life in Starfleet.

[@tperfect7241]

The ending 20 seconds of Picard silently clutching the flute and then playing it as we see the enterprise is better than any other trek that came after.

[@bullpup33]

It's OK to cry. One of the most tender episodes of any show ever made. Gene would have been proud.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

It's a nod to "Methuselah Syndrome".

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

All his married life, his prime, Kamin's wife told him he was delusional--until she made threats and ultimatums. At the end of Kamin's life, he finds out he was right and his 'wife' was a deluding figment.

[@jackiegood3686]

"The Inner Light" a very powerful and heart wrenching tale. My favourite episode. So well done. The imagination of some writers can be awe-inspiring. Especially with a great cast to bring it to life.

[@Keithss1000]

I always get choked up when I watch The Inner Light, especially the part at the end when Riker hands him the flute and he clutches it to his chest. Exceptional writing and acting! We all got to live that life.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Hugging a fantasy.

[@bobblethreadgill4463]

can you imagine being the sole inheritor of an entire species existence inner light still brings a tear

[@SanDiegoSouth]

I'm glad you made the space to include "I, Borg" and "The Inner Light," especially. These episodes, among others throughout the run of TNG, showed what the writers, actors, and everyone involved in the production were capable of.

[@amehak1922]

Her saying "I comma Borg" reminds me of a MadTV sketch, an alien calling himself Smith comma John.

[@shinblackfire1631]

Let's compare the storytelling of those episodes from back then with some TV-series from today... for example The Acolyte.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

"Crusher gets more shrill with each passing season."

[@c1ph3rpunk]

Episode 6x19, “Lessons”, is an excellent follow-up to Inner Light. It’s in my “must play” for a Picard playlist. Picard gave up having a family for a life of exploration across the galaxy, this is as close as he’ll ever come to having one for real. And even after decades of seeing it, it’s still beautiful for his character. When many of us say “Trek isn’t the same now”, this is TNG Trek, it’s heart and soul that’s so thought provoking you can stew on it for decades to come. And him playing the flute at the end will still make you cry. Well, more, it usually starts when Batai and his wife comes back and sort of just goes until a while after the credits, and lasts until, well, forever.

[@vaughntoller6979]

The Inner Light is one of the finest moments in TV history.

[@dupaski]

4:54 This episode actually came out about a year before Groundhog Day was released in theaters.

[@DFWTexan42]

Yes, this episode is profound, and has been recognized as such, by both fans and critics. "The Inner Light" is one of only two Star Trek episodes to win a Hugo award, one of the most prized honors in the Science Fiction community.

[@MichaelSiegel14]

The Inner Light is masterful performance by Stewart. So much said with just looks and gestures. That moment when he gets on the turbolift. The ending with the flute. So much weight in every word. Perfect.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

"Remember: put your shoes away." Shoes are what Kamin wore in his quests. From her deathbed, his wife said, "stop questing."

[@svenidol]

"The Inner Light" is without a doubt my favorite episode in the entire Trek franchise. ❤

[@Worrell057]

It is mine as well. I've pondered on it many times over the years.

[@zeropoint216]

same for me! No science fiction show has ever affected me in the way that episdode did

[@trekkiejunk]

It's among my LEAST favorites. The entire theme of the episode is horrid. Picard was assaulted and forced to endure what he thought was a different reality. Even he thought he was losing his mind for years, while this culture gaslit him into surrendering his mind to the illusion. What if the target of this probe was a father? They would mourn the loss of their children for years. And don't even get me started on the PTSD that would come after the whole experience ended. That probe is one of the most horrifyingly evil things ever in Trek, particularly because it's displayed as so benevolent and beautiful.

[@matavastros]

Definitely one of my favorites from TNG, but my favorite in all of Trek is DS9’s The Visitor. Absolutely wrecks me every single time.

[@svenidol]

@@trekkiejunk well, if your concerns include PTSD, I hope "Best of Both Worlds" ranks even lower then. Because as we see even through Picard, THAT left him with serious PTSD.

[@zvolencan1]

Dude. A huge round of applause for the screenwriters of that last episode. The imagination, the idea, the execution. Indeed, even being so simple, still one of the best things I have ever seen.

[@jameswalker6878]

I love that you are watching these incredible episodes so long after they first aired and really appreciate them. "Inner Light" makes me cry every time I watch it. If you watch the rest of the series, the flute returns in another special episode where you'll see Picard act in a way you haven't before. It's another thought provoking one. Thank you for bring these back to my memories.

[@DC_Prox]

I love the fact that you're enjoying this show so much that when there's a near-tie in the poll, you just add an extra episode to a video so you don't miss anything.

[@Matt-vv7fl]

So glad that The Inner Light made it into your season 5 watch list! It's my favorite episode. Try not to get to mind boggled with the logistics of how and why and just focus on the emotional impact of it. The whole point of the story was to give Picard a taste of the kind of life he gave up to pursue his dream of being a captain: a life with a loving wife, children, and eventually grandchildren. It makes me cry at the end when he clutches the flute and plays the tune. 😥

[@trekkiejunk]

The emotional impact of the Inner Light is one of sheer horror for me. Gaslighting, assault, thinking you've lost forever your loved ones, and then after they convince you it's real, for what you think is a lifetime, they let you go. Picard should have decades of trauma from this experience, but the writers paint it as beautiful. It's absolutely disgusting to me.

[@sigil5772]

@@trekkiejunk I see what you're saying, but no one has a lifetime that is free from pain and loss, and arguably those feelings and those memories are essential to the experience of a lifetime, what gives it meaning. So, the people of the doomed planet of Kataan could have left behind what - a statue? a memorial wall? - would that preserve their memory in any meaningful way? Whatever its emotional effect on Picard, you might follow the Trek motto of 'the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few - or the one' -! Having said all that, though, I think you make a fair point, and the writers did address it in the DS9 episode 'Hard Time' when they sentenced Miles O'Brien to 20yrs in prison *in his own mind*

[@Wizdomizer1]

@@trekkiejunk See it like this - Picard was given the unique opportunity to live TWO lives. The life he gave up to become Captain became reality, as is his life as Captain still is. What an amazing journey that must be. I would be very grateful to have been given this chance - one life to fulfil your dream career, and one to fulfil my personal dream with a partnaer and a family. Nearly all of us are forced to choose one or the other...

[@patsk8872]

@@trekkiejunk So tonight if you dream you have a wife and kids and then wake up, is that also disgusting? Sheesh

[@panelbypanelshow]

I'm glad you decided to watch "I, Borg." It's not just a fantastic episode but you'll need that background later.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Yeah, when it turns out the bleeding heart crew caused a lot of trouble "doing the right thing."

[@kennethdavis3736]

Thanks for watching Cassie. "The Inner Light" brings me to tears every time. That episode is not only the best Season 5 episode, in most online lists it is also in the top 3 best TNG episodes of all time.

[@wrighthousemedia]

Great choices as always. "The Inner Light" never gets old. My Best Of Season VI: RELICS-trapped in limbo for over 75 years, a member of The Enterprise is found & revived, to join everyone in the 24th century, but, does he still belong. Great episode about acceptance of being accepted & finding you still have purpose in life, no matter the age your in. CHAIN OF COMMAND - Picard is ordered to resign his command & is put on a suicide mission - & fails. Great 2 part episode. The guest cast is top notch. Not to be missed. TAPESTRY-After a successful assination attempt on Picard. The former Captain finds himself in limbo - with Q. DESCENT - Second round with the Borg.This time however the Borg have emotions & they are really pissed off! They also have an ultimatum - to rule. Resistance no longer exists.

[@kurtbrisch5776]

The inner light is one of the best TV episodes of all times regardless of show or genre.

[@athos1974]

"The Inner Light" is one of the most moving episodes in Star Trek history. Just great acting.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Also a comment on marriage.

[@carrieperry7798]

I friggin love Cause and Effect. My head canon is that the Enterprise crew loop was longer, at least a few hours, and this allowed them to start to realize what was happening. The Bozeman crew's loop was a matter of minutes so they didn't have time to notice.

[@Paul_Waller]

The Inner Light - One of the best (if not the best) episodes of TNG. I've seen this dozens of times. And tears me up EVERY TIME.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

It's a subtle comment about marriage, though.

[@Stonefieldmedia]

Yeah, we all remember our first time watching Inner Light. To me truly one of the best Star Trek episodes of all time.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Guinan's 'touche' and Picard blowing up startled the faithful audience.

[@NessOnett8]

I always cry when he plays the flute at the end

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

What if he had thrown the flute across the room?

[@johnnichols8910]

The inner light is without a doubt one of the best science fiction stories ever written for TV...... I cry every time I see it.... So glad you were able to experience it... And yes you did see something special!!

[@psu01414]

Years ago I saw Patrick Stewart at a convention. He was asked if he had any favorite episodes and without hesitation he said Inner Light. It's my favorite Next Generation episode and I'm so glad you watched it.

[@wrorchestra1]

They essentially transmitted Kamin's memories into Picard. We don't actually know how old Kamin was at the start of the memories, but I'd guess he was younger than Picard. This is Patrick Stewart's favourite episode, not just because he got to act with his son but because of how well the script was written and how deep the story is. That final scene, with how he holds onto that flute (being the only tangible thing from his experience), is such a profound moment for Picard.

[@francisbartoszewski2284]

I'm literally sobbing. No other episode does this to me on any show. Genuinely the best episode of television ever produced.

[@Toren8002]

The flute from “Inner Light” sold at an auction for $190,000 Which feels like a good metric to answer the question “Is this a popular episode?”

[@sigil5772]

Pretty good price too for something that was just a prop, wasn't even playable

[@marcgaffen]

Inner Light is a monumental episode. I cry every time.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

The main story is not the REAL story. The 1990s was all about subtext as context.

[@visionaryventures12]

I’m delighted you included Cause and Effect.

[@TerryAllenSwartos]

5:29 (whispered) “He’s in her chambers!” That was cute. 😂 “I just want them to make out!” And yeah, I remember having pretty much the same reaction to the beginning of the episode, a disaster in progress, switch to the opening credits, and… *WHAT?!?* “Cause and Effect” is, to me, one of the most gripping depictions of “Groundhog Day” storytelling.

[@michaelpapp5518]

1:05 that was, in fact, one of the greatest cold openings in TV history for sheer WTF momentum.

[@azureander5487]

FYI, "The Inner Light" has a part 2 called "Lessons" and is probably the happiest we ever see Picard as a character

[@annephorcy4590]

"Inner Light" is far-and-away my favorite STNG episode. "Lessons" is a close second. I love the way subsequent episode authors occassionally take a moment to include music in general and his flute playing in particular as a central facet of Picard's character.

[@GMJ7]

I love "Lessons"! The Jefferies Tube scene is top-shelf Picard material. That roll-up piano with the golden keys is my dream technology. My family bought me a real roll-up piano a few years after I fell in love with the episode, but it is atrocious and basically unusable for real music-making. The TNG fan in me was so let down! 😢

[@THOMMGB]

Yes, “Lessons” is a really special one. I hope Cassie makes an exception to add that very special episode to her patron recommended episodes. Maybe make it her, "Cassie Pick of the Month" or something.

[@philipocallaghan]

@@GMJ7 Is your hair, blue, green, lime?

[@wayne0220]

Not really a part two elements of inner light are referenced but that’s about it. But agreed it’s a good episode and a great character arc moment for Picard

[@jedimario22]

Every time I see that flute I think that is the only tangible thing he has of his family.

[@JusBidniss]

Picard tenderly clutching the Ressikan flute to his heart, a token of all that he has lost in that other life when he was called Kamin, now and forever only memories. His best friend Batai, his beloved Eline, who gave him his two children Meribor and Little Batai, Meribor's son Kamie, and doubtless many other friends from his small community of Ressik. Some forty _YEARS_ of living, loving, working, researching, day in and day out. Gone, every one of them, all of it. But for this simple flute, and the bittersweet song he played on it at his little boy's naming ceremony.

[@shinyplaid]

This was such a great batch of episodes. “The Inner Light” never ceases to be a tear-jerker. It’s an incredible piece of economical story-telling.

[@markdettra1794]

It also reminds me of the Star Trek MOVIE where Picard enters the "NEXUS" and has a large family, a wife and beautiful , warm , obedient children amidst a celebration of the Christmas season. Picard says - and believes , "these are my children !".

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

I AM KUROK!

[@jas137]

"I, Borg" might be one of the most important of all- esp to understand future episodes and movies, but the philosophical ideas are next level.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Given the apologist "oh, the poor misunderstood Nazis" so popular today.

[@michaelpapp5518]

14:51 it’s possible the Bozeman’s crew might’ve felt their own deja vu, but lacking the advanced tech of the Enterprise, and Data himself, they didn’t find a way to send themselves a message.

[@promontorium]

Good point. My thought was they were stuck in the same location so they never left, whereas Enterprise kept looping. So they didn't experience it as a loop, just a few hours. Whatever happened they didn't seem to be so aware of the loop.

[@Vader47000]

@@promontorium Whatever the Enterprise was doing was also resetting the 2268 side of the rift. The 2278 side was unaffected, so the Bozeman would have only existed within the time loop for a couple of seconds before hitting the Enterprise, certainly not enough time to perceive the deja vu on the level the Enterprise had been because they had at least a day in the loop to figure it out. Put another way, the Bozeman only entered the 2278 rift once, but then emerged into a series of timelines that kept getting reset until the timeline stabilized with the disruption of the loop. Given that the Enterprise was 17 days out of sync with the rest of the universe, that means that a third-party observer sitting outside the Typhon Expanse would have been able to witness the localized area of space-time resetting itself. So, in theory, if the whole dekyon thing that gave the crew deja vu wasn't happening and the ship was just stuck in the time loop indefinitely, a ship from outside the loop could have swooped in to prevent the explosion and brought the Enterprise out of it.

[@MrDanJB85]

@@michaelpapp5518 since the Bozeman seems to appear out of nowhere, I think the anomaly jumped them forward in time. That being the case their own loop might just be the 40 or so seconds from their emergence to the crash - not enough time to pick up on the Deja vu.

[@tonygreenfield7820]

​@@MrDanJB85that is what I always assumed. Stargate SG1 did a very good - and funny - Groundhog Day episode where only Jack and Tealc were aware of the loop and each day had to study and learn ancient to translate the device that was causing the loop. I loved it when they realised the loop meant no consequences. The golf scene was particularly good " in the middle of my backswing......!!!!!"

[@chrisbergsten1429]

@@tonygreenfield7820 The loop had no _lasting_ consequences... but there was one repeating consequence. 🤣 Definitely one of the great SG-1 episodes.

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

When he holds the flute to his chest after Riker gives it to him and then begins playing it as the credits start, I always get a lump in my throat. Picard lived over 30 years of virtual life in the 20 or 25 minutes that he was unconscious in his Enterprise reality. Thought provoking is exactly right! There is a pseudo-sequel to this later on called "Lessons", which you will also enjoy.

[@Beerman111980]

"Cause and Effect" is my favorite episode. Love the Kelsey Grammer cameo at the end.

[@davidmarsden192]

In The Inner Light - they put all of the memories of Kamin into the probe, and the probe put them into Picard. Similar to a dream (but far more intense) - all of the memories of over 30 years of a lifetime on that now extinct planet were put into Picard over 25 minutes. But to him, it felt like 30+ years. (Have you ever had a dream that felt like it too place over a long period of time, but found out you were only asleep for 10 minutes? (e.g. the plot of Inception).)

[@magnificentfailure2390]

I came here to comment about "The Inner Light", but I see others have already done so. All that's left for me to say is I have lost count how many times I have watched it on commercial TV in the past 30 years. It's always good for a healthy, cleansing tear session. :)

[@davidhutchinson5233]

Inner Light...I can remember watching it when it aired and feeling this was such a very special episode. Thank you Cassie.

[@christamu2]

The Inner Light always reminded me of the quote from The Chase next season. "You are a monument. Not to our greatness but to our existence."

[@kenthanos]

Cause and Effect is definitely in the top 5 of my STG episodes.

[@jdspencer60]

30:22 "It's a 'Jump To Conclusions' mat. See there would be this mat with all these....conclusions, that you could jump to."

[@shallowgal462]

I love the look on Geordi's face when Hugh looks at him as the Borg are beaming up.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Yeah, but Ro got Picard to smile.

[@Maya_Ruinz]

The Inner Light is a real tear jerker, it was the only episode my family watched together that made everyone tear up.

[@greenpeasuit]

I hate that she hasn't seen any of the episodes with Reginald Barclay. He was always one of my most under-rated characters.

[@Citizen_J]

I'm sure ship in a bottle will be viewed.

[@Alithia451]

No Lt. Brocolli? ​@@Citizen_J

[@IsoscelesKramer]

Poor Broccoli... 😢

[@brianrussell7369]

This was not a good way to watch a show, any show. You can't just pick and choose episodes.

[@samellowery]

This works better than DS9 it has too many plots to miss episodes and yes need more episodes with Reginald he had real growth over the shows and movies especially with Voyager.

[@Viperboeing757]

May I suggest the episode , “ Lessons “ ? It ties-in with this episode , and Captain Picard falls in love in “ real life “ . You won’t be disappointed I promise . I really enjoy your reactions , particularly for TNG . Have a nice day 😊

[@painbow6528]

Getting his son to play his son gave the episode a touching quality.

[@JoeShufferton]

The Inner Light is my mom's favorite TNG episode. My dad bought it on VHS for her birthday.

[@edpublic]

..."No Help for the Klingon♥️♦️♣️♠️" 😂🎉 killzMe

[@mjbull5156]

Data remebered some lingo from The Royale.

[@jimgore1278]

I love that Data is just being Data and has no idea how funny it is.

[@inspectordh]

😂😂😂 It's so deadpan the way he says it. Being funny while not intentionally being funny.

[@firemn4u]

They downloaded a video game into his head and his physical projection was in the video. He played out that life of that man 1000 years ago. The way he clutched the flute in memory showed, it was personal. He lived that life and continues to have lived it as any real memory. There is one, maybe two episodes where they show the flute in his room and him playing that song with the flute. They definitely refer it back in other episodes by the flute and it’s music.

[@trekkiejunk]

Right. They gaslit him for what he thought was a lifetime. Made him spend the first few years trying to escape, before he thought he was going insane, and then surrendering to the fake reality, only to have it taken away from him. I absolutely hate that these events are played off as beautiful, instead of horrific. At least the Romulans only will kill you once. These guys will torture your mind for what you think is decades.

[@Nimzzeee]

Season 6. Lessons.

[@Starsaber222]

His son's flute song was also part of the theme music for the Picard series.

[@fightingfortruth9806]

The fact that Picard plays the flute at the end proves it really all happened.

[@jamielandis4308]

“The Inner Light” is my absolute favorite SNG episode and among my top five of all Star Trek episodes. Its quiet beauty and Picard playing the recorder at the end is heartbreaking. I always tear up.

[@geneticrex]

"The Inner Light" is about as good as television gets.