Game The Most Disliked Episode/Movie Directed By Jonathan Frakes

[Sakonna]

Next up in these themed elimination games: EPISODES DIRECTED BY JONATHAN FRAKES. The director who's worked on more different Trek series than any others! I have always LOVED his direction. I'd say even the worst episodes on this list have noticeably great direction.

THE RULES. The basic idea is your standard elimination game. Below are a list of Star Trek episodes directed by Jonathan Frakes. Eliminate your FAVORITE or the one you deem the 'BEST.' Please provide an EXPLANATION for why you are eliminating your choice and be sure to copy and paste the list with your choice removed.

Leave at least 2 eliminations by other posters before you eliminate another episode.

No tactical voting! You cannot remove an episode just because you feel it would threaten your preferred episode's chance to win.

Much thanks to @Farscape One for having all the director credits literally memorized.
Enjoy!

TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 4: "Reunion"
TNG Season 4: "The Drumhead"
TNG Season 5: "Cause And Effect"
TNG Season 6: "The Quality Of Life"
TNG Season 6: "The Chase"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
TNG Season 7: "Sub Rosa"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: First Contact"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor" [spoiler tag your elimination reasons]
PIC Season 1: "Stardust City Rag" [spoiler tag your elimination reasons]

 

[ThreeEdgedSword]

I will eliminate PIC Season 1: "Stardust City Rag"
.

Spoiler: PIC spoilers

While it has its flaws - like JL's overacting as a French pirate, and most of all, featuring THREE murders was a bit of, uhm, overkill for me - it is a unique episode vaccillating between heist movie and tragic parts (Icheb, Seven). Icheb's fridging worked for me as a strong motivator for my favorite xB. As for Maddox... meh, they could have removed him from the board in a different way (or have Bedazzled kill him), plus I don't feel his murder by Jurati really paid off later. Anyhoo, this ep has the best dialogue of PIC so far (between Picard and Seven, about humanity), and Rios trying to play a space pimp was fun. Also, lots of angry sexual tension between Seven and Jezebel. A more interesting (if OTT) villain than Narissa, Narek and Oh combined, sadly just a one-shot... bad pun intended. DS9 shoutouts were a bonus. So all in all, it worked for me as a quirky, OTT, entertaining, pulpy episode.

TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 4: "Reunion"
TNG Season 4: "The Drumhead"
TNG Season 5: "Cause And Effect"
TNG Season 6: "The Quality Of Life"
TNG Season 6: "The Chase"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
TNG Season 7: "Sub Rosa"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: First Contact"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor" [spoiler tag your elimination reasons]

 

[Bad Thoughts]

Saving The Drumhead. It's not my favorite on this list, but it is the one that benefitted from strong direction. Very taught pacing,every moment is meaningful and effective. I think that it is to Frakes credit that the story didn't make Worf look like a complete dupe. Great pacing in the final hearing.

TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 4: "Reunion"
TNG Season 5: "Cause And Effect"
TNG Season 6: "The Quality Of Life"
TNG Season 6: "The Chase"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
TNG Season 7: "Sub Rosa"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: First Contact"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor" [spoiler tag your elimination reasons]

 

[Seven of Five]

The Offspring is a great episode. Seeing Lal outgrown Data's capabilities was good to watch, with some funny moments thrown into the mix as well.

The heartbreaking end always gets me as well.

TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 4: "Reunion"
TNG Season 5: "Cause And Effect"
TNG Season 6: "The Quality Of Life"
TNG Season 6: "The Chase"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
TNG Season 7: "Sub Rosa"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: First Contact"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor" [spoiler tag your elimination reasons]

 

[Sakonna]

I made this same exact comment of an episode in the James L. Conway thread, but "Cause And Effect" is a true triumph of direction. In less skilled hands this so easily could have been boring and repetitive, instead it's one of the classics.

TNG Season 4: "Reunion"
TNG Season 6: "The Quality Of Life"
TNG Season 6: "The Chase"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
TNG Season 7: "Sub Rosa"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: First Contact"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor" [spoiler tag your elimination reasons]

 

[Farscape One]

My first save was going to be "The Offspring", for reasons that are likely clear if anyone has seen my pattern thus far.

So I will save "The Quality of Life" now. Honestly, there are others on this list I would eliminate first, but it's Data. It would be almost criminal if I didn't save one of his episodes on any list if given the chance.

Plus, it was a good story and a nice way to have Data essentially be the advocate for other artificial life. That final scene with him and Picard was a great one, too.


TNG Season 4: "Reunion"
TNG Season 6: "The Chase"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
TNG Season 7: "Sub Rosa"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: First Contact"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor" [spoiler tag your elimination reasons]

 

[Qonundrum]

I made this same exact comment of an episode in the James L. Conway thread, but "Cause And Effect" is a true triumph of direction. In less skilled hands this so easily could have been boring and repetitive, instead it's one of the classics.

It would need great direction to replay the same set of events four times and Frakes nails it. The use of seeing a time loop from the inside-out was done only once before in sci-fi history that I'm aware of, but this episode does a much better job with it - on paper and on screen. To me, even at the time, the repetition was just starting to show toward the end but in lesser hands the episode would not have made it two repetitions in. This is not a dig at the writer, immediate repetition is very hard to do in storytelling or video games or any other medium - especially as we're not shown their going into it, which is a stroke of brilliance from write Brannon Braga and his pen. Okay, cult indoctrination is where repetition is wanted but that's another story, which doesn't apply here in any way shape or form.


-----

My vote would then start out like this:

IMvHO, most of these stories themselves are (not the best) or are regurgitated already-done/overdone topics, buoyed by fantastic direction that went above and beyond. Even for his much-hated "Deep Throat Nine" as he calls it.

But a couple stories had some finesse and polish that really piqued my interest. Cause & Effect was one of two stories that had any good or novel content. The other was:

TNG Season 6: "The Chase"​

It ties in rather a lot and in a way that doesn't induce "small universe syndrome", ironically.

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I loved the nuance with the background dialogue telling part of the story with the foreground focusing on the tricorder for another. Good speech by a representative of the people in this video:

Spoiler: Click to discover the great taste of York pepermiment patties... oops, wrong cue card

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Also, the teaser - TNG really crafted these well at the time:

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Good teaser, though Cardassian transporters using the Federation sound effect?

Great incidental music in the teaser too. Shame the episode had the typical wallpaper applied. On Staaar Trek The Next Generation.

What's left:
TNG Season 4: "Reunion"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
TNG Season 7: "Sub Rosa"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: First Contact"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor" [spoiler tag your elimination reasons]

 

[Bad Thoughts]

Saving Past Tense II. Mostly action, the episode still has a complicate structure as well as a few scenes that requires nuance in order to be conveyed properly. Sisko admitting that he was not the face of the "movement" was a subtle acknowledgement of the racism of our era. Dax popping out of the sewer, looking immaculate in her steam punk cosplay, is a hoot.

TNG Season 7: "Attached"
TNG Season 7: "Sub Rosa"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: First Contact"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor" [spoiler tag your elimination reasons]

 

[ananta]

Saving Star Trek: First Contact! The best TNG movie by a country mile. It was a thoroughly entertaining, funny, thrilling rollercoaster ride. The Borg were a proper menace again (until Voyager got its hands on them), and I loved both Alfre Woodward and James Cromwell. I hated the Borg Queen and the bizarre seduction scene with Data (“was it good for you?” WTF). But I can overlook that because the rest of it is so much fun. Great visually too, with solid directing by Frakes and another wonderful score by Jerry Goldsmith. I kind of wish this had been the final TNG movie as it was all downhill from here.

Still remaining:

TNG Season 7: "Attached"
TNG Season 7: "Sub Rosa"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
PIC Season 1: "AbsoluteCandor" [spoiler tag yourelimination reasons]

 

[Sakonna]

I would be remiss if I did not rush to rescue my beloved "Sub Rosa." Also, there really is no better example of an episode where everything good in it flows straight from the direction! It's all the execution choices that create all the fun here for me. (And Gates McFadden committing 10,000% to the insanity asked of her)

"Reunion" accidentally deleted without being eliminated along the way, restoring it below.

TNG Season 4: "Reunion"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor" [spoiler tag your elimination reasons]

 

[Seven of Five]

I may as well save Reunion again. It's my new hobby.

Another heartbreaker of an ending as well. I feel so sorry for Worf and Alexander, especially as K'Ehyler was a great character cut down in her prime.

Who can forget Slimey Duras and Don't-Look-Him-In-The-Eyes Gowron, enriching the episode further.

TNG Season 7: "Attached"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor" [spoiler tag your elimination reasons]

 

[Bad Thoughts]

Saving New Eden. It was IMO the best episode on the list when initially posted, but I don't think much of that comes from the direction. The story is great, and the interaction between SMG and Ansom Mount is spectacular. This episode is more exploration than is usual even for TOS. For Frakes, a good outing, but story really is the star.

TNG Season 7: "Attached"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor" [spoiler tag your elimination reasons]

 

[Brennyren]

As a longtime P/Cer, I just have to plunk for "Attached," and its long-overdue look at the Picard/Crusher relationship. Don't get me started on the chickenshit ending, though....

TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor" [spoiler tag your elimination reasons]

 

[Seven of Five]

Projections is a fun episode, with the Doctor (and us) never really knowing which is the right reality.

It's a good cameo from Barclay, as well.

TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor" [spoiler tag your elimination reasons]

 

[Farscape One]

"PROJECTIONS" was going to be my next save. Great episode!

So my next save is "Project Daedalus". Well done all around. I was truly sad about the ending.

TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor" [spoiler tag your elimination reasons]

 

[Sakonna]

"Despite Yourself" is a really excellent Discovery. I particularly adore that whole first sequence where Tilly must assume the Killy persona. Note perfect in every way.

(Well, except it always drives me crazy that Owosekun is on the bridge for it, but that's my crazy Trekkie nitpicky side... )

TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor" [spoiler tag your elimination reasons]

 

[Seven of Five]

The Search is an interesting episode, it's a shame they had the reset button at the end. The best bits were Odo learning more about his origins, and fake Garak's death quip.

TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor" [spoiler tag your elimination reasons]

 

[Brennyren]

"Prototype" gave Torres some interesting stuff to do (a thing that didn't happen often enough), and Roxann Dawson did it pretty well. The plot was stock, but moved along smartly enough.

TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor" [spoiler tag your elimination reasons]

 

[Farscape One]

Saving "Absolute Candor" as my final vote.

No spoiler tags needed. I simply really loved the episode.

TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"

 

[Agony_Boothb]

Saving Meridian. Not the best episode but it's an example of where the b story is more enjoyable than the A story. I think it showed how well Frakes can handle comedy and drama, even if the drama was lame.


TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"