Probably my favorite episode ever. I've been thinking about this several times the last month or so....kinda wild it showed up in my recommendations. He should have won an Emmy for this....especially at the end.
After losing my dog of 14 years to cancer a few months ago, I just watched this and I saw this in a new light. It truly feels like a lifetime for me, she came into my life and changed it, as she has left my life is reverting to the way it was before she was in my life.. I can really feel what this episode is about.
One of my favorite episodes and it was emotionally powerful. It's hard to imagine ending up living another lifetime and waking up to find you are back to another. Something not easily forgotten.
THE BEST episode of STNG EVER. The only episode to make we subtly wipe away tears every time. Genius writing and amazing acting. An entire EXTRA life to alter your perceptions and humanity forever. Picard was married and had children .... boggles the mind.
Poignant is a good word to describe what happened to Picard in this episode. It is a sad episode of a race of people long since dead who wished to be remembered in the distant future. A single man...a good man was chosen for this purpose by the probe and this man in his mind lived an entire lifetime with these people in what was in reality a very short span of time. But during Picard's time with these people he learned to love and respect them. A story of love and loss.
@@55QuirllThat was an alternate reality. This was a simulation. Notice how all the aliens gaslighted Picard by telling him his memories of the Enterprise were fictitious.
Wow! This was one of the best Star Trek episodes ever, which so beautifully showcases the phenomenal acting and writing and other excellent aspects of Star Trek which truly places Star Trek at the top of the world history excellent theatrical performance list.
One of the very best episodes of Star Trek ever made, really was an exceptional performance from Patrick Stewart an I believe he also had a directing credit on it too.
My high school marching band half time show in the 90s had a Trek theme, and part of it included the music from Inner Light, and I always remember those days fondly each time this episode comes up, not entirely unlike the music itself being a kind of probe harkening back to a different time and friend group..
I love this episode almost beyond measure. What makes it of course even better is having one of George Harrison's most lovely Beatles compositions serve ever so appropriately as namesake. Kudos, kudos, kudos.
The fact that Picard did not immediately retire and write a buttload of books about these people is an absolute betrayal of their hope to pass on their legacy
Would you write about a civilization that made a simulation designed to gaslight you into believing you're among them, only to then turn around and tell you that you were right all along, after spending decades among them?
They couldn't invent a way to evacuate their population from their planet. Yet they could build a space craft advance enough to go into deep space, keep up with the Enterprise at impulse, use energy based technology that can pentrate advanced shields, target the ships captain and transfer memories to him?
@@michaeldeierhoi4096 Think about our own world. Different countries went down different technological paths, specialising more in some fields than other fields, depending on cultural differences. The same can be true for alien species on different worlds; just look at ship designs.
Think , what life happening in your life resembles what this story depicts ? A civilization was distroyed by a natural event , but they don’t want to be forgotten . What could they do ? Create a time capsule . And post it somewhere where it would be found by other civilizations . Picard gets gifts from it too . To show the experience was real . But what about the unintended consequences . That civilization took a chance . And yes it is a beautiful story .
While it's indeed a beautifully written episode, I still struggle with the fact that they were gaslighting him for the relative equivalent of 30 or 40 years so that he would know their lost civilization.
The only episode that beats this emotionally for me is Family, specifically the scene where Jean-Luc breaks down to his brother. TIL may hit you in the heartstring, but if you’re not in tears as you hear him talk about how he ‘couldn’t stop them’……😢
The saddest thing about it is only one person would have any knowledge or any memory of what these people were like I think the people who created the probe should have searched for more people to get what they have their message if you will so that more people would remember them and know what they were and what they knew.
This was one of the best episodes of the series. I think it would have been cool if Picard had the enterprise got to the planet and simply showing from orbital scanners, the structure remains of the city he lived amongst in the memories from the probe. Ya, there wouldn't be much left a thousand years later, but some would still be there and it could have been used to show him that it was all just memories of the people once there, would have even been emotional for Picard once he saw the settlement and roughly where he spent a lifetime living at.
@@JC130676 - They did say that, but in the same explanation, they indicated that the planetary system is still there but no life exists on the planets.
What I found sad about this episode was that Picard is the only person, who knows what that planet, it's people and life was like. The probe was a one shot and no one else could share the experience. Once Picard is gone, that world is too.
This was a very good and emotionally fulfilling episode where Picard lives out an entirely new life from the perspective of the inhabitant of a long-dead world. Unlike O'Brien who lived out 20 years in prison in just about the same amount of time. Picard got fond memories, and O'Brien had nightmares of a crime he didn't commit. I would prefer Picard's life and memories.
Why did they keep him on the bridge during this? Any other episode they'd have moved him to sickbay so they can have all the equipment keeping an eye on him.
"Not a very sophisticated technology." *Probe punches right through the Enterprise's shields and locks the captain in a dream/hallucination" Right. Not sophisticated at all...
The point is that the propulsion technology was not especially sophisticated. The probe’s capacity for neurological analysis and interaction was on another level altogether - and the species’ lag in developing propulsion technology that could have enabled “manned” interstellar travel is simply, and tragically, what doomed it.
Is this the episode where he lived to be an old man and he had children but none of it was real and eventually he regained consciousness back on the enterprise but believed he has lived a full life in his unconscious state?
It's an emotional episode. Yet I can't overlook the sinister act of an alien race mentally torturing Picard for 30 years, gaslighting him and forcing him to forget his real life on the Enterprise, and then acknowledging it was a simulation all along. If I were Picard, I'd be seething with rage.
This was one of the most emotionally powerful episodes of all Star Trek in my opinion.
Probably my favorite episode ever. I've been thinking about this several times the last month or so....kinda wild it showed up in my recommendations. He should have won an Emmy for this....especially at the end.
This one is my favorite episode of the whole series, tarmok is 2nd
@TJ-qj2km Agreed, it was after this episode I proposed to my wife. We’re you aware Patrick Stewart, son plays his other life son.
Agreed. That probe was the only one evidence they existed
@@stevenmerlock9971 Actually I did not, cool trivia, thanks.
“The Inner Light” is consistently rated by fans as one of the top 3 episodes ever made.
What are the other two?
That's what I remember, too.
@@redlightrobber one is “I, Borg,” and the other I can’t recall.
I heard/viewed that the episode "Yesterday's Enterprise" was a top one
Yesterday's Enterprise
This episode always brought tears to my eyes. What a beautiful and painful story.
Great episode. Demonstrates the reasons why we need to keep exploring space. Fantastic storyline as well.
This episode is the single best piece of writing ever to grace the screen of classic television.
It is absolutely beautiful.
After losing my dog of 14 years to cancer a few months ago, I just watched this and I saw this in a new light. It truly feels like a lifetime for me, she came into my life and changed it, as she has left my life is reverting to the way it was before she was in my life.. I can really feel what this episode is about.
One of the very best episodes.
I still get chills and a tear or two when I hear the Flute.
This is a marvelous piece of science fiction. Probably the best TMG episode.
One of my favorite episodes and it was emotionally powerful. It's hard to imagine ending up living another lifetime and waking up to find you are back to another. Something not easily forgotten.
THE BEST episode of STNG EVER. The only episode to make we subtly wipe away tears every time. Genius writing and amazing acting. An entire EXTRA life to alter your perceptions and humanity forever. Picard was married and had children .... boggles the mind.
And I think it’s brilliant how the flute made its way into other episodes and even the movies.
This was my favorite episode from the entire series.
My absolute favorite episode
My favorite episode of all time
Poignant is a good word to describe what happened to Picard in this episode. It is a sad episode of a race of people long since dead who wished to be remembered in the distant future. A single man...a good man was chosen for this purpose by the probe and this man in his mind lived an entire lifetime with these people in what was in reality a very short span of time. But during Picard's time with these people he learned to love and respect them. A story of love and loss.
Picard also lived his alternate life there, something that his career would not permit, as a captain, he also got to see that other part of himself
This was a better life than the one he was living in The Nexus in the ST Movie Generations.
@@55QuirllThat was an alternate reality. This was a simulation. Notice how all the aliens gaslighted Picard by telling him his memories of the Enterprise were fictitious.
@@fallinginthed33p OK 👌
Wow! This was one of the best Star Trek episodes ever, which so beautifully showcases the phenomenal acting and writing and other excellent aspects of Star Trek which truly places Star Trek at the top of the world history excellent theatrical performance list.
One of the very best episodes of Star Trek ever made, really was an exceptional performance from Patrick Stewart an I believe he also had a directing credit on it too.
What a beautiful episode.
My high school marching band half time show in the 90s had a Trek theme, and part of it included the music from Inner Light, and I always remember those days fondly each time this episode comes up, not entirely unlike the music itself being a kind of probe harkening back to a different time and friend group..
One of the best episodes.
Tng had many,many wonderful, talented &enjoyable episodes but this episode was/is in my opinion the absolute BEST of many years show was on!
still one of my favorite episodes. very original thinking
I love this episode almost beyond measure. What makes it of course even better is having one of George Harrison's most lovely Beatles compositions serve ever so appropriately as namesake. Kudos, kudos, kudos.
An example of the why, what & how to write for the small screen … thanks
Some of the best science fiction ever. The ending stunned me. Outstanding.
This space probe is giving out flutes and memories like candy.
Probably the single greatest episode of the entirety of Star Trek.
The fact that Picard did not immediately retire and write a buttload of books about these people is an absolute betrayal of their hope to pass on their legacy
He could write them in his spare time as well.
No need to stop with his first job.
Would you write about a civilization that made a simulation designed to gaslight you into believing you're among them, only to then turn around and tell you that you were right all along, after spending decades among them?
"Yesterday's Enterprise" was probably my favorite episode. But, this has to be my second favorite.
As others have said, this is the best that any Star Trek franchise ever reached.
They couldn't invent a way to evacuate their population from their planet. Yet they could build a space craft advance enough to go into deep space, keep up with the Enterprise at impulse, use energy based technology that can pentrate advanced shields, target the ships captain and transfer memories to him?
They probably did a Kickstarter
Some species are highly specialised like that.
@@npcknuckles5887 Are you speaking from direct experience??
It’s called, “plot convenience.”
@@michaeldeierhoi4096 Think about our own world. Different countries went down different technological paths, specialising more in some fields than other fields, depending on cultural differences. The same can be true for alien species on different worlds; just look at ship designs.
This is one of the top sci-fi episode of all time, I meant sci-fi. not jsut Star Trek
This is TNG's "City On the Edge of Forever".
This was the most emotionally powerful episode indeed!
The flute melody always brings me to tears.
Picard.....mind melds with Spock AND Zarek, gets re-programmed by The Borg, and lives a life in his mind on a dying planet. GOAT.
I remember that episode well. One of my favorites.
best episode ever
My favorite episode. Hands down.
One of my favorites. I wouldn’t mind getting hit with one of those beams Imagine living a lifetime in 20 minutes, all those experiences…
This it’s one of the best episodes if not the best episode.
Great writers and directors. The actors are pretty good also. You can feel the story. Saw this Years ago and remember it well.
The one time Riker agrees with Worf and it's the wrong choice.
He lived a whole life in minutes.
The concept and story are just amazing
This was the best written episodes I have watched.
Congrats on the milestone!!!
Smart of Riker to try and cradle Picard's neck and head as he fell.
I have been waiting... waiting since the day I saw the original broadcast for you to post this... 🥺😳 Thank you for being this messenger!!! ❤👍🌠💚🌈💌💗
“Increase speed to-“ *Picard faints*
Top 10 Star Trek Universe episode!
I remember that episode. One of the more emotional episodes in my opinion. Good story and well-acted.
Best episode of TNG
Great episode.
Phenomenal episode.
Best episode ever!
Best episode ever.
I saw this episode half way through one night on cable... Bawled my eyes out and always wondered what caused him to be there
2 greatest episodes this and yesterday's enterprise
Man oh man, the FUN they could have had with that technology!!! Turn out fully experienced officers in twenty minutes!!!
This and the Darmok episode were Next Gen's finest.
I was happy Picard, in a way, got to have a wife and children.
That was Patrick Stewart's real life son playing the part of his son.
Always remember and never forget
Star Trek at it's pinnacle
Think , what life happening in your life resembles what this story depicts ?
A civilization was distroyed by a natural event , but they don’t want to be forgotten .
What could they do ?
Create a time capsule . And post it somewhere where it would be found by other civilizations . Picard gets gifts from it too . To show the experience was real .
But what about the unintended consequences .
That civilization took a chance . And yes it is a beautiful story .
While it's indeed a beautifully written episode, I still struggle with the fact that they were gaslighting him for the relative equivalent of 30 or 40 years so that he would know their lost civilization.
I have a signed copy of the writers draft of this episode by the writer himself
The only episode that beats this emotionally for me is Family, specifically the scene where Jean-Luc breaks down to his brother. TIL may hit you in the heartstring, but if you’re not in tears as you hear him talk about how he ‘couldn’t stop them’……😢
If I remember rightly, a large vote (no idea with who), voted the inner light as the 2nd best TNG episode just behind yesterday's enterprise.
The saddest thing about it is only one person would have any knowledge or any memory of what these people were like I think the people who created the probe should have searched for more people to get what they have their message if you will so that more people would remember them and know what they were and what they knew.
This was one of the best episodes of the series. I think it would have been cool if Picard had the enterprise got to the planet and simply showing from orbital scanners, the structure remains of the city he lived amongst in the memories from the probe. Ya, there wouldn't be much left a thousand years later, but some would still be there and it could have been used to show him that it was all just memories of the people once there, would have even been emotional for Picard once he saw the settlement and roughly where he spent a lifetime living at.
You may have missed the part where the star went nova. So... Planet? What planet?
@@JC130676 - They did say that, but in the same explanation, they indicated that the planetary system is still there but no life exists on the planets.
Sick episode
Inner light was one of my favorite episodes. If possible, I would have liked for them to time travel and go back and save some of them.
Is this one of, if not the best Star Trek episode?
I think after watching the show entirely, I can survive the tv drought season through Star Trek clips
I will settle the argument. It is the best TNG episode of all time.
What I found sad about this episode was that Picard is the only person, who knows what that planet, it's people and life was like. The probe was a one shot and no one else could share the experience. Once Picard is gone, that world is too.
Super. 💙 T.E.N.
This was a very good and emotionally fulfilling episode where Picard lives out an entirely new life from the perspective of the inhabitant of a long-dead world. Unlike O'Brien who lived out 20 years in prison in just about the same amount of time. Picard got fond memories, and O'Brien had nightmares of a crime he didn't commit. I would prefer Picard's life and memories.
Worf "We should destroy the probe". Lol
Lol such a Klingon response
The probe couldn’t have picked a better subject. Picard’s interest in archeology means he would most appreciate what the probe showed him.
It's nice to know even aliens gaslight people. LOL
Thee best!
That Probe must have amazing technology to withstand a supernova just 1 ly away.
There was an episode or movie after this where someone asked Picard if he had any children, he said no.
@1:56 he should have pulled a Quantum Leap and said …”oh boy”
I think I heard once that this was Patrick Stewart's favorite episode.
Why did they keep him on the bridge during this?
Any other episode they'd have moved him to sickbay so they can have all the equipment keeping an eye on him.
the flute episode
There are several wonderful YT videos of large symphony orchestras performing the score from this episode.
The prop flute was not functional, it couldn't be played. It sold at auction for seventeen thousand dollars.
The flute shows up again in the episode titled “Lessons “
The probe was running navigation lights?
Huh interesting. Never noticed this line was added in post. Doesn’t actually make sense. 0:53
How fast from not sophisticated technology to penetrating our shields.
Oh yes, a Jacket episode
If you are pondering about the pro and con of having children, don't watch this episode. Or must watch it. It could go either way.
Better have children and then watch TNG with them. They will feel like we felt watching TOS... ancient TV ❤
"Not a very sophisticated technology."
*Probe punches right through the Enterprise's shields and locks the captain in a dream/hallucination"
Right. Not sophisticated at all...
The point is that the propulsion technology was not especially sophisticated. The probe’s capacity for neurological analysis and interaction was on another level altogether - and the species’ lag in developing propulsion technology that could have enabled “manned” interstellar travel is simply, and tragically, what doomed it.
Is this the episode where he lived to be an old man and he had children but none of it was real and eventually he regained consciousness back on the enterprise but believed he has lived a full life in his unconscious state?
Yes. "The Inner Light"
@@DavidReynoldsGier thanks... Also a good beatles song was that lol
The Inner Light
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season 5, Episode 25
It's an emotional episode. Yet I can't overlook the sinister act of an alien race mentally torturing Picard for 30 years, gaslighting him and forcing him to forget his real life on the Enterprise, and then acknowledging it was a simulation all along. If I were Picard, I'd be seething with rage.
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Riker detected that the Romulan holoimage wasn't his wife. What of "her" and Picard?