10 Best Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes

[@Jimmythepin]

Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra - S5E02 - The episode that is everything that Star Trek is.

[@JD-gk7eh]

I think that's my #2 (Behind Inner Light). One thing that's taken for granted is the universal translator, that all these alien species use language in the same way (words + syntax) as humans. Darmok says "Why does that have to be the case?" and shows us that it doesn't. It's genius.

[@jacksonheathen2092]

I actually didn't care much for that episode the first few times I saw it. But it grew on me. I'm pretty sure they reused the alien ship from that episode several times on DS9.

[@justinstrong8189]

Darmok and Jalad on the ocean

[@jacksonheathen2092]

@@justinstrong8189 Darmok & Jalad getting drunk 🍺🍷on the ocean. 😁

[@bgee461]

I think about getting that t-shirt nearly daily

[@NMiller_]

Note on Chain of Command: What really got me about that episode's conclusion, especially after having spent time "down range," was not the defiant last declaration that there were four lights. It was later when he confided that the last time he had actually seen five lights. He knew he was broken at that point, and despite that he continued to fight.

[@danielland3767]

As a army veteran myself, I get that...I feel that...salute battle

[@NMiller_]

@@danielland3767 I think it's something only people indoctrinated in the (US) Military Code of Conduct will truly understand.

[@danielland3767]

@@NMiller_ agreed, at some point you defy your own logic when your mind seems gone. You slip into thos defiant like state & just go their, purely to piss off whomever it is...lbvs

[@tanman99]

Excellent point. That’s extra scene and admission of weakness is what sets TNG and other Trek series apart from other science fiction. They aren’t invincible superheroes traversing the galaxy.

[@danielland3767]

@@tanman99 you are right, just heroes that even at their worse they are completely defiant. It also shows how working with a political adversary can be touchy & delicate process. Both sides could have "publicly" denied all knowledge of that operation. What would have been great to see is the retaliation that Starfleet & Section 31 (I believe to be the equivalent of CIA) would have done. Especially since Section 31 operates more independently then CIA does.

[@georgefrankly]

you guys did Capt Jellico dirty: he was playing the long game and completely turned the situation around. plus he got Troi to put on real clothes finally.

[@Karajorma]

Yep. Jellico was very competent. He was just very different from Picard.

[@carrielange2692]

yeah, i mean he DID save Picard, and you can NOT underestimate his victory in getting Troi in a f'ing uniform.

[@ShatnerLover]

I like Jellico! He was an amazing captain.

[@wsconsn]

Even when Ronny Cox gets to play a competent lickable character he’s seen as an antagonist.

[@finncallan1087]

you probably dont care but if you guys are bored like me during the covid times then you can stream all the latest movies and series on InstaFlixxer. I've been binge watching with my girlfriend for the last few days :)

[@masterxsoldier3596]

I like the S6 Episode "Relics" as a nice send-off to one of the most iconic characters in the entire franchise.

[@carrielange2692]

The scenes where Picard is tortured is a direct homage to Orwell's 1984. In that book, Winston is supposed to say he sees O'Brien holding up 5 fingers instead of 4. I think a lot of people don't realize this connection, but it's a powerful one.

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

Thanks for the info. I didn't know that

[@wadeaiken1948]

A video concerning the best episode for each character would be nice. My pics: Troi - Face of the Enemy Worf - Parallels Crusher - Remember Me LaForge - Booby Trap Riker - Frame of Mind Data - Time's Arrow Picard - Inner Light Wesley - First Duty Ro - Next Phase Yar - Yesterday's Enterprise Pulaski - Unnatural Selection Lwaxana - Half A Life

[@dr.juerdotitsgo5119]

Ro: Preemptive Strike Worf: Sins of the Father - by far Riker: A Matter of Honor Giordi (sort of): The Enemy Pulaski (sort of): Elementary Dear Data Data: Most Toys the others are correct lol

[@jasonmarin8187]

Data - The Measure Of A Man

[@prodluckyy4671]

Frame of mind is such an amazing episode

[@jpwphoenix1701]

In "Chain of Command", Jellico didn't fail in his mission, he actually succeeded in getting the Cardassians to stand down. As he had a much more no-nonsense, deliberately hot-headed approach, the Cardassians weren't able to manipulate him or fob him off with the usual slimey double-talk. Ultimately, even though he still needed Riker's help to execute a part of his plan, he succeeded by secretly placing mines on the hulls of a Cardassian fleet in a nebula and threatened to detonate them if they didn't leave. All of these are prime examples of why Jellico was better-suited to the mission than Picard, as Picard would've been a lot more diplomatic and peaceful. In a way, Jellico was the precursor to Sisko, as he too would be better-suited at dealing with the Cardassians by being more hot-headed and no-nonsense.

[@luker093]

I have always felt Jellico doesn’t get respect he deserves. Riker and all the senior officers were acting like a elementary school kids with a substitute teacher instead of star fleet officers and just adjusting to the new captains policies. At the end of the day Jellico got his assignment done.

[@michaelmoraga2926]

Yes, Jellico was skilled and succeeded (and the militaristic-authoritarian appeal is evident) and though I can appreciate the point of being better suited for the mission, 'being more hot-headed and no-nonsense' is not a recipe for winning the long game. Those traits were character flaws (When did the 'slimey double-talk' of the Cardassians ever manipulate Picard?). In addition, to say that the blunt instrument of Jellico is a precursor to Sisko undermines The Sisko's complexity; he had more than a hammer in his tool box (His tactics in the episode "In The Pale Moonlight" was an outlier, as intended). Though it was refreshing to see other dynamics and tactics, Jellico was reckless and not only jeopardized the mission, but also Picard's life in captivity, and all-out war. Over-praising Jellico ignores the values of Star Trek and misses the point of the episode. ..."There are FOUR LIGHTS!" Shots fired; pew pew!

[@stephenpriest2766]

@@luker093 I thought Deanna Troy tried to undermine Jellico in that episode. By stating that he actually lacked confidence, that made him look bad in front of the senior officers. Jellico may have had doubts about his course of action, but, he stuck to his game plan. He did get the Cardassians to release Picard.

[@willowwookie9614]

Agreed. I love Riker but he acted like a spoilt brat in that episode, jelico was a very excellent captain. The narrater seemed like he never actually watched this episode.

[@danielcostanza4628]

I love when Captain Jellico and Geordi are in the shuttlecraft talking about Titan's turn and then when they're in the nebula and you hear the proximity alarm going off and Geordi asks Riker do I want to know how close that was and Riker with that stern no the readout I believe was like 1000 kilometers or less

[@atariduckman]

My favorite episode is "Frame of Mind". By far the darkest tng episode ever. And they did some pretty dark stuff. Especially in seasons 6 & 7. To see Riker slowly turn insane and trying to keep his head clear is some of the best acting I've seen in Star Trek.

[@GabePuratekuta]

That one's my least favorite. Which is funny since I'm usually for mental health issues portrayed more accurately in media.

[@jstaversky]

Frame of Mind was such a mindfuck... first time I saw it I just freaked!

[@atariduckman]

@@jstaversky This is why i love it so much. i love episodes, that go really deep and make you feel uncomfortable and give you chills. And Jonathan Frakes did a hell of a performance. You could feel, how he slowly lost his mind. I wish, we had more episodes like this. there are only a few episodes, that go so dark like Frame of Mind.

[@3rdFloorblog]

My personal favorite is Inner Light. There is just something fascinating about living a complete life within minutes of another.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

That was flipped on _Voyager_ when the Doctor beams away for a minute and two years elapses for him. :^D

[@BS-vx8dg]

Inner Light is also my personal favorite. It's beyond beautiful. But I can also understand how he can rank YE and BoBW higher, simply because Inner Light is less "Star Trekky".

[@2captaindan]

Okay, you missed Tapestry. When Picard wonders what would have happened to his life if he changed things when he was young. Well done and definitely one of the top ten

[@SolNexus]

Let's make sure history never forgets... the name... 'Enterprise'

[@SuprSBG]

Da dadaaaa dadadadaaa daaaaa dadaaaaaaaaaaaa

[@josepha.r5839]

Yesterday's Enterprise: A tight and well-written script, pace, acting, and direction. Not an ounce of 'fat'. It flows smoothly, logically with excellent vignettes throughout the episode. (And, a wonderful prelude to Sela in Redemption 1/2 .. also two of my favorites episodes.)

[@cdb7876]

I read that Sir Patrick Stewart’s favorite episode of TNG is the same as mine. “The Inner Light”

[@josepha.r5839]

Wonderful, lovely episode. Very bittersweet.

[@juliusblaze]

Yeah these are pretty good, but none of them had SpiderBarclay

[@brightross]

Lol he’s mentioned in the spiderverse crossover

[@4july99]

Spider Barclay was awesome and I love that episode but it really wasn’t one of the best. I just love it because it’s such fun-Troy as an amphibian 😄

[@cmorris9494]

Deanna troi needs to clear her schedule

[@christopherkraft1327]

I love the episode where they travel back in time & meet Mark Twain!!🖖

[@Rockhound6165]

Time's Arrow

[@christopherkraft1327]

@@Rockhound6165 Yes!! Thank you & Happy New Year 🎊🎉🎈

[@ivanb4681]

For some reason it gets hate 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@andrewmurray1550]

and Jack London (Call of the Wild author).

[@downhomesunset]

All of the holideck episodes are unique...

[@Freddles279]

IMHO The Inner Light should have been #1. It's my favorite from the entire run of the series.

[@downhomesunset]

Mine too. It was so well written and acted that you cared deeply about these characters......

[@karlojara]

The Inner Light is more than Science Fiction

[@Freddles279]

@@karlojara Agreed! It's a great story all unto itself. My favorite of TNG.

[@jamestateIII]

What's it about though

[@willowwookie9614]

Great episode but my personal favourite is tapestry

[@Linkacide]

I’ve stayed up many nights “burning the midnight petroleum”, watching next gen.

[@J0HNJ0RDAN]

That would not be advisable.

[@josepha.r5839]

@@J0HNJ0RDAN The idea of ST:TNG without Data. Frightening!

[@1701Wren]

I remember watching The Best Of Both Worlds for the first time on BBC 2 (no Sky TV in our house) and we only had to wait a week for the conclusion not 3 months or so

[@eddebois4158]

Also, he said in the video that Data planted a self destruct command in the borg. Not at all true. He planted a sleep command, that resulted in an error in the borg that resulted in the ship self destructing...big difference! Did this guy even watch star trek?

[@Geolaw1]

Pegasus is one of my favourite episodes, glad it made the top 25 list at # 13!

[@Irishdrivingbloopers]

I was hoping to see "The Drumhead" on here. Still a spot on list though. You could probably do several of these top tens and still not be finished with episodes I liked lol!!

[@mrspaceman2764]

This is my new favorite episode "the distance between suspicion and rampant paranoia is very much shorter than we think", something like that. One of the best lines in all of Star Trek.

[@danielcostanza4628]

Yes that is where it begins and I do not like what we have become. You open these proceedings to the public yes Captain spice don't like being in the light. Another great episode

[@BS-vx8dg]

Drumhead was a great episode, and better than at least two or three on this list, IMO.

[@josepha.r5839]

@@mrspaceman2764 And very real today.

[@serpentsepia6638]

I like the episode where they meet Scotty. "The android at the bar told me you can show me my old ship. Let me see it! No bloody A, B, C, or D."

[@alexpayne5914]

Relics. Geordi was more dickish than usual though. He had more patience with "Broccoli" than with a legend, made no sense.

[@gobblemrtj1243]

"...forget it, I wrote it. A good engineer is always a wee bit conservative, at least on paper."

[@josepha.r5839]

@@alexpayne5914 Thought so ever since it came out. Wonder if Burton thought so as well and 'fought against it'. A rewrite of sorts.

[@guitarlab7772]

Great list. Another episode I loved was the follow up to Best of Both Worlds. Family. A lot of people didn't like it. The scene where Picard loses it brings me to tears every time. He shows his humanity. While not top ten material, I've always loved it.

[@lamnuck]

I agree, refreshing to see Picard humble

[@LowBudgetKiwi]

What made TNG successful was Patrick Stewart. He is traditionally an exceptional stage actor, and he was allowed to bring that to the screen. His amazing range was on full display in TNG.

[@jacksonheathen2092]

He was probably the most talented actor on the show.

[@MackerelCat]

For sure. Stewart raised the bar for all Star Trek actors especially the captains.

[@jacksonheathen2092]

@@MackerelCat I completely agree with you. A lot of the other TNG actors were good in their own right. But Patrick Stewart was the most talented. He really brought the Picard character to life. 😁

[@dskyyksd]

The scene of Picard and Worf singing Gilbert and Sullivan while trying not to burn up in a shuttlecraft is my favorite tip of the hat to Stewart's stage career.

[@jacksonheathen2092]

@@dskyyksd Yes. I think I know what you're talking about. In the movie Insurrection when they were trying the dock with Data's shuttle ?

[@SnakeVenom3000]

I think Captain Jelico gets a bad rap when really he was someone who didn't baby his officers and was very matter of fact. He knew the whole time what he was doing with the cardassians AND was able to get Picard safely returned. Riker was just used to how Picard ran things and threw a fit when someone came in with better ideas.

[@danielland3767]

Good point, Jelico was way more aggressive the Picard. Picard was more "I'll let you do this, but I need you at your best" which is what the crew gave him. Jelico was moreso "I know you are the best, but you will look like the best". Maybe to show that they where the best crew in the Federation & look like it from jump. Picard had a "lure them in & make them look like a ass" type leadership. Jelico had a "I'll put the fear of God in them so they won't challenge us" type leadership. Jelico also had no time to explain this to the crew which is why I think Picard was not abrasive to Jelico as his crew was. Picard understood both means of leadership & respected it. I'm also pretty sure that most of Jelico crew of any ship would say "he is tough but fair across the board" which sounds like Jelico. He seems tough, but once you realize he is tough on EVERYONE then you can respect him & ask how he did it later.

[@josepha.r5839]

Yes! I didn't like him much at first but .. after a few viewings I gained more respect for him.

[@quackaddict9810]

Great list! My favorite episode of Trek will always be between DS9’s The Visitor and In the Pale Moonlight!!

[@josepha.r5839]

Tony Todd was in three: TNG, DS9, and Voyager. All good but .. damn! he was just stunning in The Visitor.

[@paulabird7485]

Was sad not to see tapestry on the lists. Love Q episodes and this is one of my favourites, with Q reminding us that we are who we are, even the bits we look back at and don’t like, that is what makes us the person we are today.

[@Kagnis1]

Redemption pt1 & 2 are arguably the best. What do you think Gowron? "Perhaps. . . But not today."

[@josepha.r5839]

LOL! Love these 'in-group' snips at these posts.

[@NewYork975]

"In the Pale Moonlight" is the best episode of all the Trek series.

[@jacksonheathen2092]

It was a good one.

[@jbowen867]

True best acting by far

[@josepha.r5839]

Definitely in my top 10 for all series. Sisko is my favorite Capitan.

[@alperengurbuz1170]

TrekCulture at top ten. Sokath, his eyes closed.

[@SuprSBG]

Darmok and Jalad... on the ocean

[@ubxs113]

This made me laugh

[@kdryan21]

Shaka, when the walls fell...

[@WUTANGGZA1983]

His arms wide

[@SomeTheorist9090]

I hate being told to wait for 6 hours for this. It's like being stuck in a Transporter buffer.

[@MarijnRoorda]

Strictly speaking time does not pass inside a transporter buffer. As seen in the episode with Scotty and the Dyson Sphere. I'd say its more like being stuck on a planet called Risa, trying to spend your time productively and thus reading a good book and the locals keep interrupting you.

[@kjorlaug1]

"In the Pale Moonlight" is the Best ST episode ever. "Best of Both Worlds" is 2nd

[@thischannelwillselfdestruc4977]

Jellico did not fail in his negotiations, he did awesome, he knew exactly what to do to control the situation and dominate his counterparts. He was a military man not a scientist, and he saw Troi's lack of uniform as disrespectful to Starfleet, it was like a soldier going to work everyday in his pyjamas.

[@josepha.r5839]

I wonder if that scene (Troi's lack of uniform) was put in to make him negative. Didn't work for me.

[@shinigami146]

Nice list. #5 The Defector: The actor playing the Romulan Admiral did a great job and always reminded me of George C. Scott. The ending was like a game of Chess and was very well done. Every time I am reminded of this episode, I have to re-watch it. Off I go again!

[@josepha.r5839]

Interesting. Thought same thing. (George C. Scott) James Sloyan. Also played Bejoran scientist Mora Pol.

[@ustrekkie92]

I've definitely seen this top 10 list before from WhatCulture, but it's welcome to see an old friend.🖖

[@andrewbesso4257]

I quite liked the episode "Cause and Effect". I would have liked it even without a cameo by Captain Frasier Crane.

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

Sideshow Bob

[@JLAvey]

Events in the Inner Light should have extremely long-terms impact on Picard. Imagine having those memories implanted in your mind then wake up to realize the people you love have all been dead for centuries. If Star Trek was a serial instead of episodic show that would make for some interesting character development.

[@downhomesunset]

He did play that flute often afterwards.....

[@danielcostanza4628]

Yes he even talks about it in the episode Lessons they're in a section of the ship with his flute and she has the piano and the acoustics are reflecting off of the hull

[@josepha.r5839]

Well said.

[@legacyfitness7469]

I think The Offspring, the about Data's daughter, deserves to be in any Top 10... or even Top 5 list

[@josepha.r5839]

Hallie Todd was wonderful.

[@romac4533]

I totally agree. It's so sad that Data can't feel dad for the loss of his daughter.

[@agilefrontiers9348]

Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra - aka - Picard and Dathon at El-Adrel (FTW)

[@josepha.r5839]

Beautiful story. Paul Winfield was wonderful.

[@papadelillymou]

As a an ex-military from a family where my father, uncles cousins served and some died defending our country and some like myself returned with "social problems" The Hunted would be in my top ten. That episode made me realize I needed help.

[@roccofregoti8061]

my list would be: Q who?, The Traitor, The Conspiracy, The Drumhead, The First Obligation, Chain of Command, Lower Decks, Sins of the Father, Sarek and Measure of a Man

[@roccofregoti8061]

And Family

[@OldUKAds]

@@roccofregoti8061 First Obligation = First Duty? Also not sure what Traitor is.

[@alanr4447a]

@@OldUKAds Probably The Defector.

[@theredshadow401]

Love seeing the appreciation for Lower Decks.

[@roccofregoti8061]

@@OldUKAds yeah, the one about the accident in Starfleet Academy. The Traitor is about the Romulan defector which appears in this countdown.

[@lindenstromberg6859]

Good list! Mine differs a little: 1. The Inner Light, 2. Offspring, 3. Lower Decks, 4. Measure of a Man, 5. Defector

[@lindenstromberg6859]

I just realized that 4 out of the 5 are tragedies.

[@ubxs113]

Inner Light is best. Also really into the Klingon civil war arc and Reunification.

[@ricardobomber93]

"Let's assure history will never forget the name... Enterprise" that is a Hell of last words anytime

[@andrewmurray1550]

I like "there's plenty of letters left in the alphabet" (closing of "Generations"). Maybe should be more like "Counselor, you need to go back to flight school!"

[@andrewmaclellan608]

Relics is a surefire Top 10 for me. Much more than just TOS fan service, though we do get that along the way. It also has some of the best pacing of any TNG episode.

[@KEVMAN7987]

"THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!"

[@jacksonheathen2092]

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

[@IndestructiBill]

The episode "Lower Decks" should have been on this list, for sure. Sure the TV show that it spawned is controversial, but the episode is absolute excellent. A brutal and grounded take on those on the ground after a war, from both sides, and a wonderful reflection of the chain of command within the Enterprise

[@varimkadas6068]

Sorry man, nothing tops Worf taking of his Comm and grabbing the Bat'leth off of his wall ...

[@alyzu4755]

I LOVE the end of "I, Borg", when Hugh, just before being transported back to the Borg cube, looks at Geordi. I was in college when "Bedt of Both Worlds, Part 1" was aired. I watched it with a bunch if other students in the dorm's common room. And at that cliffhanger there was a collective (no pun intended) " Nooooooo!!!!!". 😂

[@insane0042]

in case anyone was wondering, yes this is basically the same video as the WhatCulture one but re skinned as TrekCulture.

[@ARenaissanceMedic]

Respectable list, but 'Inner Light' will always be my number 1. I just finished walking some friends through TNG and this episode brought my best buddy to tears when picard was back on the ship, playing his flute as the enterprise flew through space

[@rayeasom]

Agreed. The penny flute solo from this episode is an absolutely beautiful piece of music. Also a very very good episode.

[@SMD2x]

"Are you prepared to die today Tomalak" is such a better line than "Shall we die together"

[@Nerdnotwashere]

BUT WHAT ABOUT TAPESTRY?!?! Thats my favorite episode of all TV shows!

[@studogable]

Same.

[@Petra44YT]

Yes, that is a good one, too! Not the stupid torture episode that should never even have been included in the show.

[@BS-vx8dg]

Tapestry was better than a couple of these, to be sure.

[@ebee-uz1oz]

No "Cause and Effect", "Conundrum"....?

[@grzegorzkapica7930]

All these episodes are masterpieces I watch every few years too see, how my perspective on life is shifting.

[@rienjen]

Those are a lot of good ones. I'd add: First Contact (the episode, not the movie) where Riker is recognized as an alien, 2) Tapestry, where Picard lives out an alternative timeline where he becomes a science officer instead of captain, 3) Night Terrors, which is the creepiest episode where the crew lose their minds due to loss of REM sleep, 4) Brothers, where Brent Spiner talks to himself for an hour as Data, Lore and Noonian Soong (how he didn't get nominated for an Emmy for that is ridiculous). Overall, you have a good list.

[@DarthShebs]

Choosing just 10 would be a huge dilemma for me. I liked almost every episode of the show.

[@sarahkinsey5434]

Just not the racist one, Code of Honor

[@louiscostanzo8772]

I believe an honorable mention should have been done in this story after The Best of Both Worlds. I believe family is probably one of the finest follow-up episodes of the entire franchise. Picard is forced to face what has happened to him with the tough live approach help from his brother and sister-in-law. A very touching follow up where Picards meltdown gives it a very touching and solid five stars out of five on my TNG Review podcast, The Battle Bridge. Sorry shameless plug.

[@Rockhound6165]

Fun Fact: Star Trek: TNG wasn't canceled. It ran it's course as a TV show and they continued in movie form. TOS and Enterprise were the only Stat Trek series' to be cancelled.

[@downhomesunset]

Enterprise is my favourite of them all

[@joebeckley9689]

SHAKA WHEN THE WALLS FELL! Was expecting darmok in the top 10!! All cracking episodes though

[@ForceMaximus84]

Personal Ranking: 1. The Best of Both Worlds 2. Yesterday’s Enterprise 3. The Inner Light 4. Unification 5. All Good Things... 6. Relics 7. Cause and Effect 8. Q Who? 9. The Measure of a Man 10. Chain of Command HM: Encounter at Farpoint, The Big Goodbye, 11001001, Heart of Glory, Coming of Age, Conspiracy, A Matter of Honor, The Royale, The Defector, Sins of the Father, The Offspring, Reunion, Qpid, Redemption, Darmok, I Borg, Tapestry, Parallels, Lower Decks, Preemptive Strike

[@mikeg1265]

Darmok. In fact that episode put me on a journey through ancient history beginning with the Homeric Hymns.

[@josepha.r5839]

My background in grad school was linguistics ... way back when. Just did/do so much background on the linguistic/socio-linguistic aspect of language and myth.

[@darthramious1639]

The Offspring is literally the episode that made me a Star Trek fan after years of reluctance. A little disappointed not to see it here.

[@OldUKAds]

But the ten here are great, if you put that in one has to come out.

[@tumbleheart4664]

"His hands....moved faster than I could see". I cry every time.

[@skidawg22]

That episode is notable for being the directoral debut of Jonathan Frakes.

[@lindenstromberg6859]

Same here, that was the one for me too, and I felt it was only ever topped by The Inner Light. The Lower Decks is another episode that often gets lost in the shuffle as well.

[@uncletrickey]

The Offspring and Lower Decks were both great episodes. This list has to be longer!

[@mosherj666]

Got to agree with you, 'Best of Both Worlds' is not just the finest TNG episode of all time, it's one of the finest science fiction episodes of all time. It paved the way for 'First Contact', arguably one of the top five Sci-Fi films ever made. (In my opinion, at least.)

[@jessfrankel5212]

Good choices. I still think 'Parallels' was one of the best, mainly showing how Jonathan Frakes could really act. The scene of him being the doomed commander in his Borg-infested universe is still haunting.

[@owentorres2389]

The Wounded would’ve been in my top three along with Lower Decks

[@josepha.r5839]

Real easy to see how Marc Alaimo got the part for Dukat. A shoe-in.

[@willtor]

The Offspring is second to The Inner Light in my list. Tbh, there are so many good episodes it's hard to make a list that will please everybody. Lol!

[@lindenstromberg6859]

Those are my top 2 as well.

[@willtor]

@@lindenstromberg6859 They're such human episodes told with earnestness. Really touching. You don't see that very much.

[@repairupdaterepeat5815]

I would love john de lance to come back in Picard. Q: " long time old man." Picard: "oh fuck off Q, I'm too old"

[@roy2689]

"Get's you right here" makes me chuckle every time I see it...

[@danielcostanza4628]

And now they got John Delancy to come back for Picard season 2.

[@danielcostanza4628]

Actually if you think about it thank you have been in Star Trek since it's existence you first see them in where no man has gone before in the original episode although they were in called The q they weren't actually given a name and then of course in the opening pilot for the next generation and appearance in Star Trek deep space nine where he fights Cisco in a boxing ring and he shows up one time in Odos office I believe and then of course you see him Star Trek Voyager he makes at least three appearances one of the episodes is called Q2 I believe that is where they meet his son now all grown up and I think they just very briefly mention of being an Enterprise

[@jacksonconley5117]

My Personal Top 10 TNG Episodes 1. The Best of Both Worlds 2. The Drumhead 3. Yesterday’s Enterprise 4. The Enemy 5. All Good Things 6. The Defector 7. Who Watches the Watchers 8. Q Who 9. Relics 10. The Measure Of a Man

[@badasshiker9637]

Time's Arrow Parts 1&2 has always been my favorite. Watching Data try to function in 19th century San Francisco is always fun.

[@bigmark2.046]

I can't argue with the list. Great work.

[@BasementBerean]

I'm glad "The Inner Light" was in there. My wife (now my ex) and I walked down the isle to the "Suite from The Inner Light" back in the 90's. This piece of music has become a modern classic, but we did this first (or close to first.)

[@albertlilly]

I played it several times within a year of the show. Friends asking for it were so glad I watched ST: TNG with such dedication!

[@wasabifox1699]

Great list, including the whole one in the article. I am slightly disappointed that neither "The Child" nor "Genesis" were on it. Those are two of my faves. But nothing beats the best of both worlds and all good things.

[@robertkelly2223]

My favorite episode is Disaster, when warf is helping to give birth is the funniest segment ever 🤣

[@timetraveler2518]

My top fifteen favorite episodes of Star Trek The Next Generation 1. The Inner Light 2. Relics 3. Cause and Effect 4. The Drumhead 5. The Best of Both Worlds, Part 1 and 2 6. Chain of Command, Part 1 and 2 7. The Defector 8. Parallels 9. Conspiracy 10. Timescape 11. Gambit, Part 1 and 2 12. The Wounded 13. Face of the Enemy 14. Yesterday's Enterprise 15. Future Imperfect My top eight worst episodes of Star Trek The Next Generation 1. Code of Honor 2. Night Terror 3. Shades of Gray 4. Sub Rosa 5. Angel One 6. The Child 7. Imaginary Friend 8. The Royale

[@skippy8696]

I never watched this on TV, sci-fi has never really been my thing. But I have been watching it on Netflix. All I'll say: any episode with Q is awesome.

[@asierra86]

Darmok is my favorite star trek episode of all and it didn't even make your top 25 :/ it usually makes top 10 for other trek channels shame

[@YS-ep7zw]

It’s my favourite TNG episode too. Should definitely be here.

[@Rockhound6165]

I've seen that episode so many times that I understand the Tamarian language.

[@PetersonZF]

Shaka, when the walls fell.

[@seantlewis376]

I can't argue too much with your selections, but I would have liked to see "Relics" in there. I loved it the first time, and the older I get, the more I like it.

[@cliftonwebb5872]

I’m not sure it deserves being in the Top Ten, but I’m really fond of “The Game” because it’s prescient in predicting how addicted we would become to our devices

[@Justicemace]

I was really hoping to see the Lower Decks episode on here, I love that episode.

[@danielland3767]

Lol, which one

[@roberthunter5059]

@@danielland3767 The TNG episode "Lower Decks", after which the series was named.

[@danielland3767]

@@roberthunter5059 my knowledge of the ep didn't go that far, but what was the ep about? I've seen it a few times but keep forgetting

[@MarijnRoorda]

I'm missing "The Outcast"(5x17). Aired the first time in 1992, touching upon the alien (at the time) concept of same sex rights and those in the LGBT community in a time where Aids was running rampant and people we're dying everywhere, before parts of it we're finally legalized in 2015, 23 years later, this episode in TNG showed how Science Fiction can be a catalyst for change. And naturally, its missing from this list. Much to scary a subject to ever so briefly touch upon...

[@oliverschnell5434]

Tapestry? I mean, come on!

[@paulabird7485]

I know, right.

[@scottmcneely1927]

How are Darmok and Tapestry not on this list? Tapestry is one of the most thought provoking. How would avoiding getting stabbing in the heart when he was younger affect his life and career now?

[@pickaport]

The inner light ending with Picard playing the small flute. 😢

[@rmdodsonbills]

Lots of other good episodes in the linked article (if you don't mind being bombarded by ads). My favorite example for leadership training is The Gambit parts 1 & 2. A great scene between Data, now acting captain with Riker and Picard both kidnapped by the baddies, and Worf, acting first officer.

[@MasterCleife]

Gotta love Geordie rolling under the closing bulkhead in engineering. Did it more than once too in multiple realities.

[@jasonmeadors3524]

No great arguments here - except that "The Offspring" is in my personal Top Ten. I'm old and weak and tend to leak whenever I watch that one. "Best of Both Worlds." Back in the day, people talked about some "Dallas" cliffhanger. "Best of Both Worlds "was the best TV cliffhanger ever. When Riker said, "Mr. Worf: Fire," and "To Be Continued" came on, a collective shriek went up, consumed in the awareness that this was going to be a long summer.

[@erroneous6947]

One significant thing about Star Trek next gen is that they did time travel stories relatively well. For the most part.

[@strike2216]

What about the Drumhead? Picards speeches about basic rights to Admiral Satie and Worf are GREAT

[@Darkreaper1982]

Fav episode for me is "The Drumhead".

[@ShatnerLover]

My expert opinion: Schisms; Yesterday’s Enterprise; Cause and Effect; Best of Both Worlds (both parts), Chain Of Command (Both parts) All Good Things, Inner Light, Measure of a Man.

[@gobblemrtj1243]

Is it just me or is Ronny Cox really good at playing the guy you just want to punch...in the face...really hard. Captain Jellico(TNG), Senator/President Kinsey(SG-1), Jones(RoboCop), etc.

[@jacksonheathen2092]

I'll give you that. The guy in Total Recall too. 😁

[@TheSlysterII]

Kris, you are bang on The Best of both is the best!

[@nodnarbleahcim5097]

“Best of both worlds” is the best TNG episode for sure, but “in the pale moonlight” is the true 🐐 of Trek episodes.

[@theonlymatthew.l]

Good List. However, I was disappointed that 'The Offspring' didn't make this particular list.

[@BS-vx8dg]

I didn't care for some of the first choices on this list, but the top three (Inner Light, Yesterday's Enterprise, Best of Both) are *definitely* the correct three best.

[@gobblemrtj1243]

I didn't see anyone else mention it. At the risk of sounding like a complete nerd, Data didn't implant a self destruct sequence. He actually sent a command that caused all the Borg on the ship to believe it was time to regenerate. "In essence, I put them all to sleep" It is assumed that the Borg realized the problem, but were unable to block the command. The Borg set their own ship to self destruct in order to keep it out of the hands of their enemy.

[@brentsvideojournal6161]

You got all of my personal favorite episodes

[@alanr4447a]

12:13 "Worf and Data emerge aboard the Borg ship and retrieve the Captain, after obliterating the entire Federation fleet at Wolf 359." That is saying that Worf and Data obliterated the entire Federation fleet. I doubt they'd get a Commendation for that.

[@J0HNJ0RDAN]

BoBWs was good.. but it's not one I find myself going back to often. Darmok, Schisms, Cause and Effect, Conundrum, Inner Light, Times Arrow.. all gems.

[@ryanhegseth8720]

TNG series finale was the best TV I’ve ever seen. It was like Lost without the disappointment.

[@danielwilliamson6180]

Star Trek: The Next Generation is a truly great sci-fi series. Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner made TNG. Best of Both Worlds is and always will be the greatest and best episode of TNG. Riker ordering the Enterprise to fire on the Borg Cube when Picard is assimilated is one of the greatest cliffhangers in television history.