Coming back to the Star Trek franchise with the first Trek series I really saw properly, in large part on first broadcast in Australia in the 1990s.

No shock that there’s not a lot of episodes from the first couple of seasons here, and a lot in the later end of the series; when this series hit its stride, it was really good!

With over 170 episodes I’ve managed somehow to limit to my Top 20…! And as always these are my personal picks – let me know what you think I’ve missed!

Here we go….

 

20. First Contact

A nice and simple episode which explores from both sides the issues of first contact with a new race, as well as some fun with the Riker sub plot!

 

19. Gambit

I know this isn’t a fan favourite, but I really enjoy this season 7 two-parter! It gives Picard and Riker a lot to do, and also does something a bit different.

 

18. Sarek

A powerful episode and worthy performances from Mark Lenard and Patrick Stewart. Part of a clutch of episodes in season 3 which really showed the series was hitting its stride.

 

17. Second Chances

I’m not a huge Riker fan, but the study of his character here is a really engaging one.

 

16. Schisms

A rare branch off into horror from the show, and one that’s really effective. A very different alien race to the usual TNG standard also makes this feel of a higher quality.

 

15. The Inner Light

Confession: when I was a teenager, I found this episode incredibly dull. As an adult, it packs an incredible emotional punch, and is rightly a fan favourite.

 

14. Ensign Ro

I love Trek when it dares to show us a little imperfection in the federation, and Ensign Ro does that really well. Ro is instantly a fully rounded and interesting character, and the depiction of the Bajorans – and the relationship the federation has with them – is compelling and thoughtful.

13. The Measure of a Man

Trek asks “is Data a person” and explores the nature of natural rights, but in an engaging and tense manner. A sign in season 2 that the show is at last finding itself.

12. Conspiracy

After season 1 has a number of fun episodes, and plenty of interesting episodes, Conspiracy gives the show its first outright classic. Dark, pacey, tense.

11. Tapestry

Effectively a two-hander between Q and Picard, this episode manages to have some fun moments and some drama, whilst fundamentally exploring the nature of choice and free will in shaping someone’s life.

10. Lower Decks

The conceit of seeing the ship from the perspective of junior officers pays off in spades, not least because of the interesting officers we see the Enterprise via, and the thoughtful way in which we see the regulars differently here. The gut punch the episode ends on also lands this into my top 10.

 

9. The Best of Both Worlds

It really is a classic; part 1 especially hits home hard. Part 2 has some of the best space opera of the series, and Commander Shelby is a great guest. The unseen battle of Wolf 359 is effective, and Earth really feels at risk. All of which ensures this a place in my top 10. However, the ending – whilst thoughtful – doesn’t quite feel worthy of the premise (a reflection of part 2 being written after the series break following part 1). But its still great.

8. Q Who

The best of the first two seasons, the best Borg episode, and my highest placed Q episode. After a DIRE start to season 2, this is an amazing return to form. It uses Q well, and the Borg finish the episode undefeated. Its hard to convey what it was like seeing the Borg Cube for the first time, and then the Borg themselves, but even after many re-watches this one holds up.

 

7. Yesterday’s Enterprise

The parallel universe concept allows us to see the Enterprise crew under pressure we’re not used to, and the darker tone works very well. I love the Enterprise-C, and Denise Crosby shows what she could do with a good script.

 

6. The First Duty

Just outside the top 5 now. I’m a fan of Wesley Crusher, and this Wesley episode is a personal favourite. Wheaton gives his best performance, and the moral question at the heart of the episode feels real, as do the character’s reactions to them. Seeing Star Fleet Academy also makes this feel special.
(Plus by this stage Wil Wheaton is 20 and… yeah…)

 

5. The Drumhead

On one level this is an effective mystery story. On another, its a wonderful and powerful exploration of freedom, free speech, and justice. Is also includes my absolute favourite “Picard speech.”
(And yeah, I also have a bad crush on one of the characters!)

 

4. Preemptive Strike

Ensign Ro leads the final regular episode of the series, and it packs several punches. The morality here from all the characters are dramatic shades of grey, and there’s plenty of space action as well. Picard’s final meeting with Ro is wonderful, and Stewart’s performance in the final scene memorably intense.

 

3. Unification

One of the first episode I saw. The presence of Spock makes this feel special and epic, but even setting that aside this is a excellent piece of Trek. The depiction of Romulus works, and we also have Picard’s meeting with Sarek, and a lot of fun in the B-plot on the Enterprise, and some Klingons. On top of all that is the “give peace a chance” message, making this perhaps perfect Trek.

 

2. The Pegasus

I love this one. Admiral Pressman is wonderful, and seeing the way Picard and Riker each deal with their mission makes for compelling drama, and adds depth to both characters even here in the seventh season. Once again, there are shades of grey in the morality, whilst the central sci-fi conceit is a great twist to land the episode.

 

1. Chain of Command

Not just my favourite episode of TNG, but my favourite episode of Trek full stop. This has everything. Jellico is my favourite Captain, and seeing Riker’s petulant reaction to him is wonderful! But the main plot is exciting, thoughtful, and Picard’s torture scenes some of the best the series would do. Gripping stuff!

 

Finally, a few personal guilty measures which I couldn’t justify being on the list, but do personally enjoy!

 

Datalore

Parallels

Contagion

Future Imperfect

The Wounded

Qpid

Rascals