Cause and Effect is one of my favorite episodes. Having the Enterprise explode over and over again and trying to figure out why, it is very entertaining.
@@Hawkeye26 Stargate reimagined the plots of a few Star Trek episodes. The Nox, for example, is almost a beat by beat remake of the The Original Series episode Errand of Mercy.
@@lindenstromberg6859 That's nice, Window of Opportunity was the only one I saw the entirety of, and I enjoyed it but don't have the resources to check out the rest (yet). I was just trying to provide a helpful suggestion. :-)
Picard lived a full lifetime within a matter of minutes: with a devoted and spiritually caring wife, kids, and grandkids, in the midst of a race about to be destroyed. All remembered through the song on a flute. Very charming story!
I remember watching it with my SO. The music which built to a crescendo as Riker said "Fire!", and as the screen went dark, just sent a chill through both of us. We both yelled out loud "Nooooo!" and then she started calling our friends, who all related similar reactions. Best cliffhanger ever...
@@Anglotiger The most amazing thing about that cliffhanger was that it ended with Riker actually giving the command. I expected to be kept in suspense as to whether Riker was going to give the order.
I remember watching it when it came out. I remember the place I was at to. Big Falls Minnesota at a friend's place. The Best of Both Worlds was the best. Couldn't wait till BoBW number 2.
"Tapestry" should easily knock "Conspiracy" off of this list. It is my favorite episode, and demonstrates so well the chemistry between Picard & Q where Q teaches Jean-Luc a lesson. Those things you regret in the past forged you into the person you are today, and if you remove those unflattering events from your history it unravels the tapestry of your life. It's a lesson we can all appreciate and learn from so much, as have I.
We learn from failure and hubris just as much as we learn from all the good choices we make, you're right! Reminds be of Bioshock Infinite, where the protag was forgiven for his sins in one major facet of fate and the other basically drank and wallowed in his crimes. The one that was forgiven went on to become a massively racist tyrant where as the one that rejected forgiveness became - well - a useless drunk and not a person who'd cause the deaths of so many people,- but a man with a better moral compass in the end game
Love inner light - great episode. Touching, and an amazing concept… to live an entire lifetime on kataan in the space of just 25 mins on the Enterprise. The melody from Inner Light is phenomenal too. I love how it resurfaces in the episode “Lessons” in the following TNG season.
"Family" where Picard returns to France on shore leave and reconciles with his brother just after his Borg experience is one of the most underrated episodes.
I realize this is a 2 years old comment but I wanted to say I agree. It's my favorite episode. Something about him crying and admitting he wasn't good enough still touches a deep place in my heart
That episode is honestly a little hard to watch Seeing Picard so vulnerable, in a setting that is relatively mundane and modern, which in this show makes it almost alien, feels so unsettling.
If I remember correctly that episode's actually called Brothers and would make my top 10 list of best all-time Star Trek episodes. I'm glad I'm not the only one
One of my personal fav, is when Worf was caught in a time warp, where he jumps from different time line, in one scene where he and counselor Troy were married, and he did not know, the bedroom scene was one of the (most) funniest ever. And the end, where Enterprise had to fire on another, to ensure the shuttle goes back to restore the timeline was dramatic/great.
'Remember me' when doctor Crusher is caught in a warp bubble after an experiment, and where the members of the crew are mysteriously disappearing. 'Cause and effect' with the ship caught in a time loop, which ends in the destruction of the ship everytime.
I think one of my favourite aspects of The Best of Both Worlds, as someone who watched the original ,was Guinan's speech to Riker: "I will let him go… and you must do the same. There can only be one captain." Because in a way, classic fans who had come back for TNG after being so influenced by the original had to do exactly that, in order to fully embrace what TNG would become: we had to let the captain go. Maybe they weren't just talking about Picard.
Best ending ever. Shows how susceptible humans are to manipulation. But, with intellect, experience and intelligence we can stand above it, have a sense of clarity.
@@Mintylight It's a great episode but I don't think he was able to "stand above." I think the point is that certain things like torture break everyone. He tells Troy that he was about to tell them whatever they wanted to know and was luckily rescued at the last minute. He mentions that he even saw five lights meaning his brain was broken. I think this episode leaves us with a sense of how vulnerable we all are.
@@BeierFilms That's what I meant. He saw it, but he knew it wasn't true from before, and so he kept to his original memory, and by that he outplayed the tortureres.
I want a (proper) series set 10-25 years after ST6, with the red uniform and maybe a 4 nacelle Enterprise-C look-alike... Maybe after ST pulls itself together again
"Yesterday's Enterprise" In my opinion, the best stand alone STNG episode ever. The return of Tasha Yar alone makes it worth every minute of watching. Such a shame Denise Crosby left the series so early on, she was an excellent security officer.
How the hell did you not include The Offspring. When Lal died I was literally about to start bawling, and was one of the few episodes where they truly nailed Data's search for humanity.
I remember when Haftel comes out of the room and attempts to explain that data's hands were moving so fast from one failure to another trying to stay to stay ahead of it. Always hits that cord with me.
For some reason the Inner Light is the one I always remember the best. The idea of having an opportunity to live a completely separate life, learn so much, and then just jump back into your original life.
The inner light was by far the best. Can't you imagine passing out living an entire life time, then waking up in a new place unknown of anything going on. You're finally awake?
Dillion Taylor the line that always stuck with me was “I’m having to rediscover that THIS is really my home.” Everything he thought he knew was gone, he had the heavens at his fingertips but all he wanted was his children. You can’t beat character development like that.
@@nittany272 I always wondered that after the probe - or whatever it was - shut down, would Picards' family still be in there? I mean, as AI's, his children had some come from him a bit somehow personality-wise.
10:03 you forgot Parallels, that involved multiple mirror universes and the Mandela effect, Worf was shifting between realities without control. Parallels and Fistful of Datas are two of my favorite episodes (that didn’t make the list).
@jihad4realniz What do you mean by the Inner Light being boring?!! The Inner Light is most arguably one of the most popular and most powerful Episode's in the Next Generation, if not the entire Franchise in a whole!!!
"...and this began the longest summer of Trekkie's lives". Even longer for me since I was in Week 2 of Navy boot camp when The Best Of Both Worlds Pt II aired...so I didn't see it until November. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
@@krazyglue60 hate that episode. hate it hate it hate it. Troi is SO annoying in this episode. The ideo of the story is cool. The director must not have had any coffee at all that week ...the episode sucks.
Cause and Effect, Parallels, Devil's Due, The Nth Degree, Eye of the Beholder, The Ensigns of Command, The Most Toys, Violations, Timescape, Man of the People, The First Duty, Tapestry... Ah, too many great episodes!!!
@@arcadewill7011 Its not an exciting episode, not a great deal of action here. Its about the exceptional acting, the complexity of communication, and the willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice to achieve a greater good. Paul Winfield had to make that language completely believable, in all its emotional complexity. From a character standpoint, Picard is tested in all the ways we admire him the most...protecting his crew, meeting and understanding new civilizations, finding empathy and common ground with someone completely unknowable.
I think it'd be easier to make a "bottom ten"list, since there are so many awesome episodes. Also, slight correction. Data implanted a "sleep" function into the collective. In response, knowing they were compromised, the cube set itself to self destruct. not Data.
I did actually write one right after this (I think the term I used was overrated or under appreciated, something along those lines). You are correct it was MUCH easier. -25 article author :)
I watched a RedLetterMedia episode on new Trek being action fluff; they said you could see why the episode makers made the Borg Cube go into self destruct; it would be a pretty anticlimactic ending if the Borg Cube just turned off and sat there floating in space, then the end credits came on.
Yea, I watched the worst episodes before this one and came up with my own list in like five minutes. And the list included only 3 of the ones they listed. Watching this and coming up with my own list, I would need a few days lol.
Honourable mentions: - Darmok - Tapestry - The Offspring - Who Watches the Watchers - The Trap - Night Terrors - The Drumhead - Loud as a Whisper - A Matter of Honor - Sarek - Disaster
I liked "Relics". When they found Scotty's transport signal in the Jenolan's transporter was jury rigged in a endless loop in the pattern buffer and they were able to recover him was awesome. Scotty sure had a lot of tricks that worked.
Japanthewoman 25 article author here... Darmok and The Offspring are my two big regrets, especially considering Gambit did make it (I was young and naive clearly) the truth is I hadn’t watched them all the way through yet, only bits and pieces. In retrospect, heresy is right...
Personally, I would have liked to have seen Unification (both parts) in this list. It bridged TOS and TNG effectively, and gave opened up the world to the "wonders" of Klingon opera.
I always thought frame of mind was a beautiful episode. Such an impressive psychological thriller for just over 40 minutes. It also really displayed Jonathan Frake’s skill as an actor and the skill of both the editors and set design. Like Picard said, it’s a terrifying prospect to lose control of one’s mind.
I have to admit: although I was already a married adult when the show first aired, most of my favorite episodes were the more silly ones - when 4 of the crew became children, for instance - but my all-time favorite is "The Inner Light". Even my husband got emotional at the end of that one. While I concede that #2 and #1 on this list ARE generally "better" episodes, "The Inner Light" is still my #1. Also, my husband & I subtitled "I, Borg" as "Me and You and a Borg Named Hugh".
The gambit: to see Picard and riker hit each other. And for data to show worf how to be 2nd in command. Hollow Pursuits and Nth degree (in that order) for some Barclay lols. Deja Q for one of the best Q exits/show endings ever (home of the infamous Picard facepalm meme)
"The Most Toys" is one of my favorites that doesn't get much love on the lists it seems. Saul Rubinek's (Fajo) acting is superb, and i really like the mental sparring between Fajo and Data, with Fajo outwitting Data multiple times before Data gets the upper hand at the very end. I won't spoil the ending but I also love how they left the ending ambiguous. I would say it's in the top 3 best episodes personally.
I loved The Most Toys episode also, I watched it so many times and it's always great. My best line "Kivas finds a way to get what he wants from his people. His rewards for loyalty are lavish. His punishments for disloyalty are LAVISH!".
I agree.... well, maybe episode wasn't that even....but the very ending is, I say, one of THE DARKEST moments in TNG and in Trek general....if you get it
@@BrightOranje - Really? Well, I guess you had forgotten that what happened on that "ST:TNG" episode, that it was the WRITERS that came up with the dialogue for Wil Wheaton's character.
Yes! That one! The one where Wesley and Ashley Judd are so busy flirting with each other they miss getting mind controlled like everyone else on the Enterprise! I also liked the episode where Wesley joins a cover up to a Star Fleet investigation into a fatal accident at the Star Fleet Academy.
I enjoyed this very much! And thank you for mentioning The Defector! I've always loved that episode but no one ever talks about it. It's so nice to watch a Star Trek list with someone who has actually watched it and knows what they're talking about.
"Inner Light" is probably my favorite, but I also love "Who Watches The Watchers," because of its distinctly secular/technological take on religion and superstition, in the context of two cultures, one significantly more technologically advanced than the other.
One of my favorite episodes did not make your Top Ten List. It was called " The Offspring " where Data creates his own child. I thought it was a very warm and touching episode.
3:43 He doesn't fail miserably negotiating with the Cardassians. He even explains in the next scene that Troy is to tell them he's an unreasonable man and they'll need to be more reasonable. When they meet again he's in a more dominant position and plays the good cop, bad cop routine where he's aggressive while Riker is more diplomatic.
Jelico was absolutely the right Captain for that mission, and he right with every decision and action he took. Riker was terrible in this episode, like a spoiled child. The XO's job with enforce and support the Captain, even if he disagrees. Those objections are to be raised in private, and Jelico even sought out Riker in his Cabin, in private to ask him to pilot the Shuttle and Riker just rubs it in by snarkily saying "You're welcome." As he leaves. It further demonstrates that Riker was indeed not ready for command at that point.
The Chase is one of the best episodes of TNG. Great mystery, and the reveal is a game changer/explains something about the Star Trek universe never before addressed. Highly recommended.
I've always believed that "The Arsenal of Freedom" is profoundly underrated. Even the mood of the thing is properly eerie and creepy. Vincent Schiavelli (RIP) tore it up.
Wow, nice narrative! Loved the video and I totally agree with the list! There is so much depth in the story and attention to details in this show. You brought it out by doing this. Gg Thank you very much!
One of mine also. I think of so many episodes of ST:NG that ranked high on my list when I was going through this or that experience (in life in general) that an episode addressed. I wonder if I'm guilty of being experientially influenced. "Menage a Troi" is a good example -- mediocre episode but i was rather torn about where to go for grad school, so the Wesley subplot was always nostalgic.
The Best of Both Worlds ending on such a huge cliffhanger T.V. shows of that time almost never did that kind of thing especially as a season Finale. There was so much speculation at that time too, The way earlier death of Tasha Yar left a mark on the series that made it very clear that it was totally possible for a regular cast member just to die so there was a lot of speculation that Picard was toast.
'The Inner Light' is the finest, most beautiful and entirely fulfilling story I've ever seen. It guts me even now as I type this and reminisce. I mourn for a fictional civilization and yet they became alive to me as they did for Picard.
@@DarkPhilosopherOG The character was never utilized properly. It was better when they put her in a regular starfleet uniform and had her doing regular bridge duties.
She's in it at the very beginning and at the end on the bridge, during the "real" timeline. During a major war, I guess a counselor is frivolous, at least on the bridge. Or something happened to her during the war.
This is a great list and the suggestions for honorable mentions or inclusions into top 15 are solid. Rewatch ‘Family’ for some quality acting and storylines, too.
I WILL say, that I am VERY pleased that "The Defector" made the Top 10 here...it's a personal favourite and go-to. Very quotable as well, not many TNG episodes have that.
I was happy it made the list also, I didn't know many people had a love for it, I don't see it talked about or referenced often, but it's a solid episode.
@@Maximillian200HP "Even the heavens are denied me here!" One of my favourite lines in all of TNG...alongside "Too afraid to live, too scared to die!" (Neutral Zone...another Romulan episode, go figure!)
@@Hawkeye26 "My daughter will grow up thinking her father is a traitor...but she WILL grow up." That's one of those episodes that stings a lot more on a re-watch because you know he had good intentions and his actions carry more weight while you KNOW he was trying to do the right thing.
I Loved that One! .... I was at a Star Trek Con where Jerry Hardin who played Mark Twain in the Episode did a full One Man Show one Evening for free dressed exactly as he in the Episode! The opening Twain Quote is my Favourite .... " Man is the only Animal that Blushes --- Or has any need to!"
I liked "Redemption", where Worf tried to redeem his Father's Hounour. Alos liked the episode where Riker decame First Officer on a Klingon Bird of Prey in an Exchange program. I forget the nameof that episode.
“The offspring” That episode had me crying at the end. It added so much to Data’s character as well. Probably the most emotional episode for me besides “measure of a man”
I liked "Masks" where the Enterprise is turned into an ancient city and has to play along to reverse the effect, while several different personalities of the original citizens pass through Data.
Chain of Command. Think you missed the point of the lights. They weren't to trick him. It was a simple psychological power play. They both knew there were only 4 lights and the Cardassian knew his time was running out. He just wanted Picard to break. Deserves to be far higher up the list.
Finishing to watch the show after almost three years. During my miserable 30 minutes lunch time I watched those 7 seasons. I will miss so much the show, I love all about it. My favorite episode you mentioned in the list is so far 'The inner light'. Makes me think over about real life we live. Thanks for sharing.
Darmok, Inner Light and Measure of a Man are the three best episodes. I remember watching all these series with my father as a kid. Good times! So many life lessons learned from Star Trek.
Cause and Effect is one of my favorite episodes. Having the Enterprise explode over and over again and trying to figure out why, it is very entertaining.
You might also enjoy the Stargate SG-1 Season 4 episode "Window of Opportunity"
@@Hawkeye26 Stargate reimagined the plots of a few Star Trek episodes. The Nox, for example, is almost a beat by beat remake of the The Original Series episode Errand of Mercy.
@@lindenstromberg6859 That's nice, Window of Opportunity was the only one I saw the entirety of, and I enjoyed it but don't have the resources to check out the rest (yet). I was just trying to provide a helpful suggestion. :-)
Couldn't agree more. I was thrilled the first time that episode aired.
John McHugh great epic episode!! Lol woof! I love Urgo episode as well! I actually met all the cast of SG1, including all the system lords villains.
The Inner Light: the only Star Trek episode that ever made me cry.
That episode gets me every time. But so does 'The Offspring'
The Voyager episode where Tom Paris crosses the warp 10 barrier and has lizzard babies with Janeway made me cry aswell.
@@Superiorer Haha, yes that was pretty bad. I forgot about that one, now I remember, thanks a lot. ;)
Picard lived a full lifetime within a matter of minutes: with a devoted and spiritually caring wife, kids, and grandkids, in the midst of a race about to be destroyed. All remembered through the song on a flute. Very charming story!
Patrick Stewart said it was his fav ep in an interview.
I remember going nuts when the first part of Best of Both Worlds ended on that cliff hanger. Longest three months indeed.
Yes. My whole family through what was left of the popcorn at the TV. I couldn't believe it.
I remember watching it with my SO. The music which built to a crescendo as Riker said "Fire!", and as the screen went dark, just sent a chill through both of us. We both yelled out loud "Nooooo!" and then she started calling our friends, who all related similar reactions. Best cliffhanger ever...
@@Anglotiger The most amazing thing about that cliffhanger was that it ended with Riker actually giving the command. I expected to be kept in suspense as to whether Riker was going to give the order.
I remember watching it when it came out. I remember the place I was at to. Big Falls Minnesota at a friend's place. The Best of Both Worlds was the best. Couldn't wait till BoBW number 2.
Those were the days :)
'Sarek'; that episode haunts me, but it was incredibly deep and beautiful.
Mark Lennard was incredible in that.
@@BigBubbaloola He always brought great dignity and gravitas to every episode he was in.
"Tapestry" should easily knock "Conspiracy" off of this list. It is my favorite episode, and demonstrates so well the chemistry between Picard & Q where Q teaches Jean-Luc a lesson. Those things you regret in the past forged you into the person you are today, and if you remove those unflattering events from your history it unravels the tapestry of your life. It's a lesson we can all appreciate and learn from so much, as have I.
Neither would make my list
Nailed it! Definitely one of my favorites if not the favorite.
It’s got one of the most important lessons at the end that always hits me quite hard
@@zacharycat603 well aren't you the grumpy kitty?
We learn from failure and hubris just as much as we learn from all the good choices we make, you're right!
Reminds be of Bioshock Infinite, where the protag was forgiven for his sins in one major facet of fate and the other basically drank and wallowed in his crimes. The one that was forgiven went on to become a massively racist tyrant where as the one that rejected forgiveness became - well - a useless drunk and not a person who'd cause the deaths of so many people,- but a man with a better moral compass in the end game
The Inner Light was my all time favorite...absolutely a heartbreaking episode, sad, but very human
Me too, my absolute favorite. My second fave is "Darmok."
Love inner light - great episode. Touching, and an amazing concept… to live an entire lifetime on kataan in the space of just 25 mins on the Enterprise. The melody from Inner Light is phenomenal too. I love how it resurfaces in the episode “Lessons” in the following TNG season.
There is 2 groups of people in the world. Those who think "the best of both worlds" is the best tv episode ever, and those who are wrong.
"Family" where Picard returns to France on shore leave and reconciles with his brother just after his Borg experience is one of the most underrated episodes.
I realize this is a 2 years old comment but I wanted to say I agree. It's my favorite episode. Something about him crying and admitting he wasn't good enough still touches a deep place in my heart
It's absolutely my favourite episode
That episode is honestly a little hard to watch
Seeing Picard so vulnerable, in a setting that is relatively mundane and modern, which in this show makes it almost alien, feels so unsettling.
If I remember correctly that episode's actually called Brothers and would make my top 10 list of best all-time Star Trek episodes. I'm glad I'm not the only one
Watching these episodes as a teen, I liked them. Watching as an adult, I understood them. Great choices!
One of my personal fav, is when Worf was caught in a time warp, where he jumps from different time line, in one scene where he and counselor Troy were married, and he did not know, the bedroom scene was one of the (most) funniest ever.
And the end, where Enterprise had to fire on another, to ensure the shuttle goes back to restore the timeline was dramatic/great.
The episode has nothing to do with time or time warps. It’s parallel universes. It’s right there in the name of the episode.
YES! I love that episode.
That episode is called “Parallels” and is one of my favorites too.
In a bedroom with your "wife" Deanna Troy?...I wouldn't want to leave!!!
@@dr.christinaboiano5493 One of my favorites from the final season.
The chase. Times arrow. Cause and effect. This show was my oxygen.
I love the Chase simply for how it tried to explain why all of the aliens in the galaxy were humanoid.
'Remember me' when doctor Crusher is caught in a warp bubble after an experiment, and where the members of the crew are mysteriously disappearing.
'Cause and effect' with the ship caught in a time loop, which ends in the destruction of the ship everytime.
Nice episode
remember me was so freaky & unsettling. i loved it
Excellent list! I'd add Darmok, The Drumhead, and a few others, though.
Darmok is best watched at Tinagra, preferably with Shaka, when the walls fell.
@@catjudo1 crockett his eyes open!
What is so exciting about Darmok unless you are an English Major?
@@arcadewill7011 I *was* an English major.
@@arcadewill7011 So was I.
I think one of my favourite aspects of The Best of Both Worlds, as someone who watched the original ,was Guinan's speech to Riker: "I will let him go… and you must do the same. There can only be one captain."
Because in a way, classic fans who had come back for TNG after being so influenced by the original had to do exactly that, in order to fully embrace what TNG would become: we had to let the captain go. Maybe they weren't just talking about Picard.
Maddox was the first person on television I ever truly hated.
Even as a child, i could see he was a bastard
Nothing else to add lol
At least you can see his demise in Picard. But it is not a good end for him.
Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra.
Temba, his arms wide! Darmok and Jalad on the ocean.
Jalad, when the wall's fell
The Beast at Tenagra....
Sokath! His eyes uncovered!
At the end of Chain of Command, I found it a bit unsettling when Picard confessed that he actually believed there were five lights.
That was a great ending; it showed that even our heroes are not invulnerable.
Best ending ever. Shows how susceptible humans are to manipulation. But, with intellect, experience and intelligence we can stand above it, have a sense of clarity.
@@Mintylight It's a great episode but I don't think he was able to "stand above." I think the point is that certain things like torture break everyone. He tells Troy that he was about to tell them whatever they wanted to know and was luckily rescued at the last minute. He mentions that he even saw five lights meaning his brain was broken. I think this episode leaves us with a sense of how vulnerable we all are.
@@BeierFilms That's what I meant. He saw it, but he knew it wasn't true from before, and so he kept to his original memory, and by that he outplayed the tortureres.
My interpretation was that he saw an image of Jesus.
No Top 10 TNG episodes list is valid without "The Drumhead."
Absoutley! "The Drumhead"
Yes. And it should be in the top 5.
I literally used Picard's quote (of Judge Satie) from that episode in a paper I wrote in college.
It's not even on the top 25 list (which frankly contains a few questionable choices).
Replace Measure of a Man with Drumhead and this is pretty perfect list.
Thats my number one episode.
I just watched Yesterday's Enterprise like two days ago. It holds up.
I'd argue all of them on this list do.
Not good enough damnit, not good enough! ... Oh it was good enough. I cannot forget that scene.
I want a (proper) series set 10-25 years after ST6, with the red uniform and maybe a 4 nacelle Enterprise-C look-alike... Maybe after ST pulls itself together again
Wesley: Captain why are there no handles on the Doors?
Picard: It's time I told you about the year 2020...
"Yesterday's Enterprise" In my opinion, the best stand alone STNG episode ever. The return of Tasha Yar alone makes it worth every minute of watching. Such a shame Denise Crosby left the series so early on, she was an excellent security officer.
The Defector is my favorite episode of Next Gen. As a kid i cheered when the Klingon's decloaked!
I'm 30, and I still cheer when the Klingons decloak
I actually re watched it today at work!
I still do that as an adult. So awesome.
Elementary, Dear Data and Ship in a bottle ...when the Holodeck got serious
Can you explain to me how Picard has a change of clothes in "Ship in a Bottle"?
How the hell did you not include The Offspring. When Lal died I was literally about to start bawling, and was one of the few episodes where they truly nailed Data's search for humanity.
I'm so glad that was the first episode I ever saw, really set the standard well
I remember when Haftel comes out of the room and attempts to explain that data's hands were moving so fast from one failure to another trying to stay to stay ahead of it. Always hits that cord with me.
That one made me cry
said no one ever
"I cannot grieve for you."
"I will feel for the both of us."
*cries profusely*
For some reason the Inner Light is the one I always remember the best. The idea of having an opportunity to live a completely separate life, learn so much, and then just jump back into your original life.
The inner light was by far the best. Can't you imagine passing out living an entire life time, then waking up in a new place unknown of anything going on.
You're finally awake?
Dillion Taylor the line that always stuck with me was “I’m having to rediscover that THIS is really my home.” Everything he thought he knew was gone, he had the heavens at his fingertips but all he wanted was his children. You can’t beat character development like that.
👏👏👏
@@nittany272 I always wondered that after the probe - or whatever it was - shut down, would Picards' family still be in there? I mean, as AI's, his children had some come from him a bit somehow personality-wise.
Night Terrors ,that bit with the bodies all sitting up absolutly terrified me as a kid but i was engrossed in it to the end......eyes in the dark!
'Remember Me' is worth a mention as the best Beverly Crusher episode and a good psychological thriller
Being boned by Space Ghost? I think only Phantasms and Outrageous Okona felt lower....
10:03 you forgot Parallels, that involved multiple mirror universes and the Mandela effect, Worf was shifting between realities without control.
Parallels and Fistful of Datas are two of my favorite episodes (that didn’t make the list).
Parallels was amazing. Imagine trying to make sense of a reality that kept changing on you...
@@Anglotiger This is my favorite episode. I assumed there was something wrong with me.
That was a great great Episode and cant belive The inner light was in The list insteed of Paralles
Inner light for me was soooo boring
They weren't mirror universes, though, just alternate timelines.
@jihad4realniz What do you mean by the Inner Light being boring?!! The Inner Light is most arguably one of the most popular and most powerful Episode's in the Next Generation, if not the entire Franchise in a whole!!!
"The inner light" is my favorite episode
It's also one of Sir Patrick's!
It's the reason I came here. Just to see if it made the top 10.
I liked “Ship in a Bottle”. The resolution is the cleverest plot twist of the entire series.
When Picard shedded a tear as he was assimilated tore me down when I first saw this episode.
"...and this began the longest summer of Trekkie's lives".
Even longer for me since I was in Week 2 of Navy boot camp when The Best Of Both Worlds Pt II aired...so I didn't see it until November. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Eyes.... in the dark. One moon... circles.
That is all.
I loved this episode
That was a creepy episode. My only gripe is I thought Troi spent waaaay too long hollering, “Where are you?” when she was just supposed to say, “Now!”
@@krazyglue60 hate that episode. hate it hate it hate it. Troi is SO annoying in this episode. The ideo of the story is cool. The director must not have had any coffee at all that week ...the episode sucks.
Cause and Effect, Parallels, Devil's Due, The Nth Degree, Eye of the Beholder, The Ensigns of Command, The Most Toys, Violations, Timescape, Man of the People, The First Duty, Tapestry...
Ah, too many great episodes!!!
I love the fact that so many people differ. It demonstrates the depth and quality of STNG overall.
My favorite is when Q turns Beverly Crusher into an Afghan Hound - whoever thought of that one is genius.
😂😂😂😂😂
Stewart and Winfield in "Darmok."
What so exciting about Darmok? So many people list this one?
@@arcadewill7011 Its not an exciting episode, not a great deal of action here. Its about the exceptional acting, the complexity of communication, and the willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice to achieve a greater good. Paul Winfield had to make that language completely believable, in all its emotional complexity. From a character standpoint, Picard is tested in all the ways we admire him the most...protecting his crew, meeting and understanding new civilizations, finding empathy and common ground with someone completely unknowable.
@@arcadewill7011 Because it shows that a great story doesn't have to be exciting. It can also be thought-provoking.
The Chase. Classic.
I think it'd be easier to make a "bottom ten"list, since there are so many awesome episodes.
Also, slight correction. Data implanted a "sleep" function into the collective. In response, knowing they were compromised, the cube set itself to self destruct. not Data.
I did actually write one right after this (I think the term I used was overrated or under appreciated, something along those lines). You are correct it was MUCH easier. -25 article author :)
I watched a RedLetterMedia episode on new Trek being action fluff; they said you could see why the episode makers made the Borg Cube go into self destruct; it would be a pretty anticlimactic ending if the Borg Cube just turned off and sat there floating in space, then the end credits came on.
Yea, I watched the worst episodes before this one and came up with my own list in like five minutes. And the list included only 3 of the ones they listed. Watching this and coming up with my own list, I would need a few days lol.
Honourable mentions:
- Darmok
- Tapestry
- The Offspring
- Who Watches the Watchers
- The Trap
- Night Terrors
- The Drumhead
- Loud as a Whisper
- A Matter of Honor
- Sarek
- Disaster
I liked "Relics". When they found Scotty's transport signal in the Jenolan's transporter was jury rigged in a endless loop in the pattern buffer and they were able to recover him was awesome.
Scotty sure had a lot of tricks that worked.
Most badass Picard moment... "That will be the day…"
Or "If we're to be damned, let's be damned for who we really are."
Plenty of letters left in the alphabet.
Darmock is an underrated episode. The late, great Paul Winfield as Dathon was great. I also liked Neutral Zone at the end of season 1.
All the 2-part Episodes were epic. Any Romulan, Borg and Cardassian episodes as well.
There are some major omissions on the full 25 list.
The Offspring, Darmok, Tapestry And Lower Decks are all missing.
Darmok isn't even on the top 25 list?! Heresy!
tapestry is fantastic
How do you miss Lower Decks? That episode is amazing.
Yes to Tapestry.
Japanthewoman 25 article author here... Darmok and The Offspring are my two big regrets, especially considering Gambit did make it (I was young and naive clearly) the truth is I hadn’t watched them all the way through yet, only bits and pieces. In retrospect, heresy is right...
Very nice list: I aspecially love the inclusion of "The Defector" which deserves much more respect than it does get.
Romulan Mora J'Trell lol
I always wished there were more defectors in that universe. Starfleet was an ideal, not a race.
Personally, I would have liked to have seen Unification (both parts) in this list. It bridged TOS and TNG effectively, and gave opened up the world to the "wonders" of Klingon opera.
I always thought frame of mind was a beautiful episode. Such an impressive psychological thriller for just over 40 minutes. It also really displayed Jonathan Frake’s skill as an actor and the skill of both the editors and set design. Like Picard said, it’s a terrifying prospect to lose control of one’s mind.
The Offspring.....The Perfect Mate....love those too
I have to admit: although I was already a married adult when the show first aired, most of my favorite episodes were the more silly ones - when 4 of the crew became children, for instance - but my all-time favorite is "The Inner Light". Even my husband got emotional at the end of that one. While I concede that #2 and #1 on this list ARE generally "better" episodes, "The Inner Light" is still my #1. Also, my husband & I subtitled "I, Borg" as "Me and You and a Borg Named Hugh".
The Sherlock Holmes episodes were fantastic ,as were the 'Dixon Hill' episodes.
The gambit: to see Picard and riker hit each other. And for data to show worf how to be 2nd in command.
Hollow Pursuits and Nth degree (in that order) for some Barclay lols.
Deja Q for one of the best Q exits/show endings ever (home of the infamous Picard facepalm meme)
"The Most Toys" is one of my favorites that doesn't get much love on the lists it seems. Saul Rubinek's (Fajo) acting is superb, and i really like the mental sparring between Fajo and Data, with Fajo outwitting Data multiple times before Data gets the upper hand at the very end. I won't spoil the ending but I also love how they left the ending ambiguous. I would say it's in the top 3 best episodes personally.
I loved The Most Toys episode also, I watched it so many times and it's always great. My best line "Kivas finds a way to get what he wants from his people. His rewards for loyalty are lavish. His punishments for disloyalty are LAVISH!".
I agree.... well, maybe episode wasn't that even....but the very ending is, I say, one of THE DARKEST moments in TNG and in Trek general....if you get it
I like it, too!
Now you include the four lights, Bravo.
I also like 'The Game'. Mainly because Ashley Judd is just beautiful.
She doesn't even recognize that she was on that episode.
@@scottrabie - Well, if only someone would remind Ms. Judd in an interview about her experience on "ST:TNG." That would certainly help.
She was lovely and it was a great episode, but some of Wesley's dialogue in it was especially cringe-worthy (even for him).
@@BrightOranje - Really? Well, I guess you had forgotten that what happened on that "ST:TNG" episode, that it was the WRITERS that came up with the dialogue for Wil Wheaton's character.
Yes! That one! The one where Wesley and Ashley Judd are so busy flirting with each other they miss getting mind controlled like everyone else on the Enterprise!
I also liked the episode where Wesley joins a cover up to a Star Fleet investigation into a fatal accident at the Star Fleet Academy.
I enjoyed this very much! And thank you for mentioning The Defector! I've always loved that episode but no one ever talks about it. It's so nice to watch a Star Trek list with someone who has actually watched it and knows what they're talking about.
"Inner Light" is probably my favorite, but I also love "Who Watches The Watchers," because of its distinctly secular/technological take on religion and superstition, in the context of two cultures, one significantly more technologically advanced than the other.
Well said on Who Watches the Watchers, it's absolutely superb and pretty much right on point with Roddenberry's beliefs.
And half the plot was ripped off for Star Trek: Insurrection.
Below Decks is easily one of my favorite episodes of all time. One that every soldier, sailor, marine, and airman can relate to.
One of my favorite episodes did not make your Top Ten List.
It was called " The Offspring " where Data creates his own child.
I thought it was a very warm and touching episode.
my favourite is Times arrow, seen it so many times!
Times Arrow is my favorite also!
Full circle-Guinan's words! Just PERFECT! Gambit, Parallels, Disaster, ....
Picard and Dathon at El-Adrel
3:43 He doesn't fail miserably negotiating with the Cardassians. He even explains in the next scene that Troy is to tell them he's an unreasonable man and they'll need to be more reasonable.
When they meet again he's in a more dominant position and plays the good cop, bad cop routine where he's aggressive while Riker is more diplomatic.
Jelico was absolutely the right Captain for that mission, and he right with every decision and action he took. Riker was terrible in this episode, like a spoiled child. The XO's job with enforce and support the Captain, even if he disagrees. Those objections are to be raised in private, and Jelico even sought out Riker in his Cabin, in private to ask him to pilot the Shuttle and Riker just rubs it in by snarkily saying "You're welcome." As he leaves. It further demonstrates that Riker was indeed not ready for command at that point.
The Inner Light is the only ST:TNG episode that reliably brings tears to my eyes, even though I know the denouement.
My favourite TNG episodes ... every episode where Data (or Lore) is the lead character.
Reactions the writers clearly enjoyed writing stories around Data. They also quickly realized that Geordi was a good partner for him.
The Inner Light is such a great episode. I'm glad it made its way near the top of this list. It's probably my favorite Trek episode of all time.
Agree, and Patrick Stewart said it's his fav in an interview.
The Inner Light is my personal favourite
My fav Q episode (in Next Gen) is the one where he becomes human briefly.
The Chase is one of the best episodes of TNG. Great mystery, and the reveal is a game changer/explains something about the Star Trek universe never before addressed. Highly recommended.
"The Wounded", season 4; episode 12, is not top ten? Outstanding episode. Picard turning his back on Gul Macet at the end...Priceless!!!
I've always believed that "The Arsenal of Freedom" is profoundly underrated. Even the mood of the thing is properly eerie and creepy.
Vincent Schiavelli (RIP) tore it up.
I like The Arsenal of Freedom, too.
Well.... CGi was not up to the mark...
Wow, nice narrative! Loved the video and I totally agree with the list!
There is so much depth in the story and attention to details in this show. You brought it out by doing this. Gg
Thank you very much!
Yesterday's Enterprise is outstanding. Love that episode
One of mine also. I think of so many episodes of ST:NG that ranked high on my list when I was going through this or that experience (in life in general) that an episode addressed. I wonder if I'm guilty of being experientially influenced. "Menage a Troi" is a good example -- mediocre episode but i was rather torn about where to go for grad school, so the Wesley subplot was always nostalgic.
4:42 *except the AFTER ending to that scene... That was what made that episode story memorable*
The Best of Both Worlds ending on such a huge cliffhanger T.V. shows of that time almost never did that kind of thing especially as a season Finale. There was so much speculation at that time too, The way earlier death of Tasha Yar left a mark on the series that made it very clear that it was totally possible for a regular cast member just to die so there was a lot of speculation that Picard was toast.
'The Inner Light' is the finest, most beautiful and entirely fulfilling story I've ever seen. It guts me even now as I type this and reminisce. I mourn for a fictional civilization and yet they became alive to me as they did for Picard.
I never realized that Troi wasn't in Yesterday's Enterprise!!!
Sadly, that's pretty much the definition of Troi as a character.
@@DarkPhilosopherOG The character was never utilized properly. It was better when they put her in a regular starfleet uniform and had her doing regular bridge duties.
Me neither, and I must have seen it no less than 50 times.
She's in it at the very beginning and at the end on the bridge, during the "real" timeline. During a major war, I guess a counselor is frivolous, at least on the bridge. Or something happened to her during the war.
Not a war time consigliere.
The Inner Light, tear in the eye tackle that one. When he says 'Oh, it's me' , gets me every time.
FINALLY! A top TNG list I can agree with! Well done! Please Please Please do DS9 next!
This is a great list and the suggestions for honorable mentions or inclusions into top 15 are solid. Rewatch ‘Family’ for some quality acting and storylines, too.
And the only Episode that does not show the Bridge!
The Offspring didnt even make your Top 25? Who made that decision?
Do they feel no love?
It is ranked higher on many other top 25 lists.
🙄 I guess not
“The Offspring” was always one of my favorite episodes. When Data creates his daughter.
I WILL say, that I am VERY pleased that "The Defector" made the Top 10 here...it's a personal favourite and go-to. Very quotable as well, not many TNG episodes have that.
I was happy it made the list also, I didn't know many people had a love for it, I don't see it talked about or referenced often, but it's a solid episode.
@@Maximillian200HP "Even the heavens are denied me here!" One of my favourite lines in all of TNG...alongside "Too afraid to live, too scared to die!" (Neutral Zone...another Romulan episode, go figure!)
@@Hawkeye26 "My daughter will grow up thinking her father is a traitor...but she WILL grow up."
That's one of those episodes that stings a lot more on a re-watch because you know he had good intentions and his actions carry more weight while you KNOW he was trying to do the right thing.
I grew up on this series, and you've done it great justice. Thank you
“ The inner light” should be number 1..
Honorable mention “Times Arrow “ part one and two
I Loved that One! .... I was at a Star Trek Con where Jerry Hardin who played Mark Twain in the Episode did a full One Man Show one Evening for free dressed exactly as he in the Episode! The opening Twain Quote is my Favourite .... " Man is the only Animal that Blushes --- Or has any need to!"
I would add these episodes to the list: Cause and Effect, Darmok, Relics, Redemption Part 1 and 2, Unification Part 1 and 2, Tapestry
I remember the Borg season finale and both my husband and I still feel, it's in top 3 of any show season finale.
The Drumhead is another amazing episode.
"The Inner Light" and "Measure of a Man" are ranked far too low. They should be #1 and 2, in either order.
ex equo, I'd say.
Both are great episodes, but Best of Both Worlds is a clear number 1, even if it's not my personal favorite either
I liked "Redemption", where Worf tried to redeem his Father's Hounour.
Alos liked the episode where Riker decame First Officer on a Klingon Bird of Prey in an Exchange program. I forget the nameof that episode.
Redemption is under rated. I loved that one also
The Riker/Klingon episode you're referring to is called "A matter of Honor". A fine episode.
Who Watches the Watchers - a great distillation of Roddenberry's humanist beliefs
Yep, he was an evil lefty
It illustrates how All Religions begin! ..... " The Picard"!
This show holds such a special place in my heart
Yesterday’s Enterprise is one of my favorites!
Best top 10 list I've seen so far.
“The offspring”
That episode had me crying at the end. It added so much to Data’s character as well. Probably the most emotional episode for me besides “measure of a man”
The episode where Troy’s mother goes mad was very deep.
Great list. I'd like to add: Timescape, Cause & Effect.
I liked "Masks" where the Enterprise is turned into an ancient city and has to play along to reverse the effect, while several different personalities of the original citizens pass through Data.
Chain of Command. Think you missed the point of the lights. They weren't to trick him. It was a simple psychological power play. They both knew there were only 4 lights and the Cardassian knew his time was running out. He just wanted Picard to break. Deserves to be far higher up the list.
Agreed. Plus i really loved the moment when Picard admits that at the end, he thinks he really did see 5 lights. My fave episode by far.
There are 4 lights!!
@@mysmirandam.6618 lol my bad , you're right.
@@ManweSulim0 Willpower! Picard is hard as nails.
@@ManweSulim0 lol I love Patrick Stewart he's such a strong actor
Finishing to watch the show after almost three years. During my miserable 30 minutes lunch time I watched those 7 seasons. I will miss so much the show, I love all about it.
My favorite episode you mentioned in the list is so far 'The inner light'. Makes me think over about real life we live. Thanks for sharing.
Darmok, Inner Light and Measure of a Man are the three best episodes. I remember watching all these series with my father as a kid. Good times! So many life lessons learned from Star Trek.
I have the Poster in my Office .....All I need to know about Life I Learned from Star Trek.