I would like to contribute to the forum by discussing some TNG episodes that aren't discussed too much by others, but are nevertheless very great episodes in their own right.
There has been plenty of attention given to "best" or "top 10" episodes of TNG, but for this topic I'd like to focus more on second-rate episodes, which are personal favorites of mine, so that these gems do not get overlooked by the fans.
I start from the early seasons and work my way up:
"Contagion" - A fantastic episode and one of my favorites from season 2. The Enterprise accidentally downloads malware from a space probe and it begins programming itself into the ship's computer. The crew races against time to find a way to repair their system, while engaging in a heated exchange with a Romulan battlecruiser.
"The Ensigns of Command" - Another great episode and personate favorite of mine. Commander Data is given the task of evacuating an entire colony who won't listen to his warnings. Data must get creative to quickly find a solution, while Picard and the crew must dig through thousands of pages of treaty, searching for a loophole to buy more time.
"The Defector" - Captain Picard has to decide whether or not to trust a Romulan. A really interesting plot and ends with somewhat of a twist.
"A Matter of Perspective" - I always thought this one was really cool. Very interesting to see how the holodeck produces very conflicting testimonies from multiple parties. Geordi and Data make a brilliant technical discovery to prove Will Riker's innocence.
"Legacy" - Two warring factions battle each other like street gangs. Packed full of action and really hard not to enjoy.
"The Wounded" - The Cardassians and the Federation are officially at peace, but a Starfleet Captain has an axe to grind with them after what they did to his family many years ago. A really, really good one.
"Clues" - This episode, hands down, ought to be mentioned in TNG's top 10 lists. An extremely fascinating situation has taken place involving a 24 hour lapse of the crew's memory, whereby a great mystery centered around Data has to be solved. It played itself out absolutely brilliantly. Too bad writer Bruce D. Arthurs hasn't written more sci-fi stories!
"The Drumhead" - I learned a very important lesson in legal theory just by watching this episode. It's really amazing how a show can be so much more than mere entertainment, and can give us insight into ethical principles we hadn't even known before.
"Power Play" - This one is just plain awesome. Invading aliens possess Troi, Data, and O'Brian. The crew must ward them off without harming the bodies they possess. Great action and thrill aboard the Enterprise.
"Schisms" - Finally a ST episode involving alien abduction. Really, really cool stuff, and reminiscent of The X-Files.
"The Pegasus" - Oh man, does this episode rule! Will Riker and his former captain from 12 years in the past covertly work to capture a cloaking device for Starfleet, and Will is faced with a tough ethical dilemma involving duty and loyalty.
I could have listed about a dozen more episodes that fall into this tier. Have you watched these yet? If not I insist you do!
There has been plenty of attention given to "best" or "top 10" episodes of TNG, but for this topic I'd like to focus more on second-rate episodes, which are personal favorites of mine, so that these gems do not get overlooked by the fans.
I start from the early seasons and work my way up:
"Contagion" - A fantastic episode and one of my favorites from season 2. The Enterprise accidentally downloads malware from a space probe and it begins programming itself into the ship's computer. The crew races against time to find a way to repair their system, while engaging in a heated exchange with a Romulan battlecruiser.
"The Ensigns of Command" - Another great episode and personate favorite of mine. Commander Data is given the task of evacuating an entire colony who won't listen to his warnings. Data must get creative to quickly find a solution, while Picard and the crew must dig through thousands of pages of treaty, searching for a loophole to buy more time.
"The Defector" - Captain Picard has to decide whether or not to trust a Romulan. A really interesting plot and ends with somewhat of a twist.
"A Matter of Perspective" - I always thought this one was really cool. Very interesting to see how the holodeck produces very conflicting testimonies from multiple parties. Geordi and Data make a brilliant technical discovery to prove Will Riker's innocence.
"Legacy" - Two warring factions battle each other like street gangs. Packed full of action and really hard not to enjoy.
"The Wounded" - The Cardassians and the Federation are officially at peace, but a Starfleet Captain has an axe to grind with them after what they did to his family many years ago. A really, really good one.
"Clues" - This episode, hands down, ought to be mentioned in TNG's top 10 lists. An extremely fascinating situation has taken place involving a 24 hour lapse of the crew's memory, whereby a great mystery centered around Data has to be solved. It played itself out absolutely brilliantly. Too bad writer Bruce D. Arthurs hasn't written more sci-fi stories!
"The Drumhead" - I learned a very important lesson in legal theory just by watching this episode. It's really amazing how a show can be so much more than mere entertainment, and can give us insight into ethical principles we hadn't even known before.
"Power Play" - This one is just plain awesome. Invading aliens possess Troi, Data, and O'Brian. The crew must ward them off without harming the bodies they possess. Great action and thrill aboard the Enterprise.
"Schisms" - Finally a ST episode involving alien abduction. Really, really cool stuff, and reminiscent of The X-Files.
"The Pegasus" - Oh man, does this episode rule! Will Riker and his former captain from 12 years in the past covertly work to capture a cloaking device for Starfleet, and Will is faced with a tough ethical dilemma involving duty and loyalty.
I could have listed about a dozen more episodes that fall into this tier. Have you watched these yet? If not I insist you do!
