What's your favorite TNG episode, and why?

wagesj45, 10 months ago

Measure of a Man is hands down the best episode of TNG.

LOL I started writing this having only seen your title. I happened to glance up and you beat me to it. You're right that Data is the best vessel that TNG has to explore humanity. Data shows us things about ourselves that we tend to take for granted. This exploration of what makes sentience and consciousness really shaped how I think about AI and all the current debate we're currently having. It makes me feel better that we don't have it all figured out in 2023 since they were still debating it in 2365.

EmptyRadar, 10 months ago

The whole concept of Riker being forced to argue against Data is excellent. It shows his character for so many different reasons. The conflict he feels as a Starfleet officer and also as Data's friend, as well as the inner contradiction of needing to do his best to argue against his friend in order to save him, is some of the best Star Trek, IMO.

Narrrz, 10 months ago

I loved the scene where he pulls up data's schematics, studies them, smiles in satisfaction and then visibly sobers with the realisation that his discovery might just cost his friend their status as a person

Prouvaire, 10 months ago

Episodes that play with the structure of a show always appeal to me, which is a big part of the reason I love "Lower Decks". It's also just really well written and executed, offering up humour, drama, character development and tragedy.

bradboimler, 10 months ago

Check out what just dropped https://youtu.be/lCQwncbQx04

Prouvaire, 10 months ago

So they didn't listen to my letter writing campaign to make the show about the adventures of (the far superior) Delta shift? 😤

(Nice Pike drop btw.)

sirspate, 10 months ago

I'll name a lesser-lauded episode to try and keep things interesting. "The Ensigns of Command". It's a bit of a slower episode, but it sticks the landing, both with the Sheliac and with Data's mission.

andyburke, 10 months ago

The Offspring has really grown on me as I have gotten older and become a parent.

The admiral coming out of the room and talking about Data's hands, and how they were moving so fast he couldn't see.

And man, her line about feeling for both of them. 😢

Shut_up_Wesley, 10 months ago

This one is also my favorite. The love without being able to express love. The growing pains Lal endures. And my favorite scene, when there’s a couple kissing on ten forward and Lal yells “he’s biting her!”. Just tickles me. Likewise, when Lal goes to try out kissing with Riker and Data asks “what are your intentions with my daughter?”, Great writing. Then the utter sadness in the end. This episode takes you on a beautiful rollercoaster of human emotions, yet they are just out of reach by Data.

AngrilyEatingMuffins, 10 months ago

Maybe, “The Drumhead”

Even in a culture as utopian and idyllic as the Federation one must be vigilant about the eternal threat of fascism.

Narrrz, 10 months ago

remind me of the plot of that one?

AngrilyEatingMuffins, 10 months ago

An ambassador aboard the Enterprise is revealed as a spy. At the same time an event happens with the ship that was possibly sabotaged.

If you don’t remember past that I really suggest watching it!

Narrrz, 10 months ago

ohhh yes, with the inquisitor lady who gets called out of retirement

Narrrz, 10 months ago

I really liked I, borg. by contrast I didn't think much of "the inner light" which I believe was the top rated episode.

but I definitely did enjoy measure of a man. a lot of the star trek court episodes are excellent, I think, across all the series of that time period. (the tng opener being a notable exception 🤣)

EmptyRadar, 10 months ago

I, Borg is also great and for many of the same (or similar) reasons as Measure of a Man. Star Trek seems to be at its best when it's using high-concept sci-fi to explain very basic things about our interactions with other people.