I have been on a hardcore Star Trek TNG kick lately. I'm not a huge fan of TV as a rule, so the shows that make it past my entropy and ADD need to really have something special. Almost 18 years have passed since "All Good Things..." aired, which, btw, I watched the last half of with bunny ears because our cable had gone out. Those were the days. But almost two decades later, and the show still holds up flawlessly. It does this because the strength of TNG lies both in its peerless actors (Patrick Stewart, please stand up) and in its continually character-driven plots. I've had people tell me that the "treknobabble" turned them off of the show. But all that trek talk was never the point. Space was simple a colorful backdrop for Gene Roddenberry to hold up a mirror to all of our lives.
Normally I would just, you know -- watch it, and within a few weeks I'd be satisfied and on to something else. But thanks to youtube removing all the Star Trek episodes (I'd managed to watch ALL of TOS and TNG on youtube in the good old days...), and Netflix refusing to show itself in Georgia, I have to content myself with scrolling through Wikipedia and making a setlist for the massive, weekend-long TNG marathon I intend to have when I get back. Not all of these are particularly known as fan favorites, but they are MY favorites. You might notice that "Yesterday's Enterprise," widely considered the best TNG episode ever, doesn't even make it on this list.
(Can you watch 35 episodes in one weekend? you ask -- especially since this list counts 2-parters as one episode? To which I reply -- you clearly do not grasp the dedication and devotion I choose to heap on the things I decide I love.)
Top ST: TNG Episodes, Chronologically
You'll notice that I starred eleven episodes in particular. There were supposed to be ten, but then I forgot one, and I can't take any off so there it is. Eleven. These, of course, are my Ubiquitous Top Ten Eleven, and because it is freezing rain outside and I have nothing better to do, here are those episodes in order of awesomeness.
11. Descent
10. Redemption
9. Preemptive Strike
8. Lower Decks
7. I, Borg
6. The Offspring
5. The Inner Light
4. The Measure of a Man
3. Chain of Command
2. All Good Things
1. Best of Both Worlds
And I haven't even done my TOS post yet.
Oh yes, btw, I will negotiate the favor of your freaking choice if you can tell me a way I can watch Star Trek in Georgia for free.
Normally I would just, you know -- watch it, and within a few weeks I'd be satisfied and on to something else. But thanks to youtube removing all the Star Trek episodes (I'd managed to watch ALL of TOS and TNG on youtube in the good old days...), and Netflix refusing to show itself in Georgia, I have to content myself with scrolling through Wikipedia and making a setlist for the massive, weekend-long TNG marathon I intend to have when I get back. Not all of these are particularly known as fan favorites, but they are MY favorites. You might notice that "Yesterday's Enterprise," widely considered the best TNG episode ever, doesn't even make it on this list.
(Can you watch 35 episodes in one weekend? you ask -- especially since this list counts 2-parters as one episode? To which I reply -- you clearly do not grasp the dedication and devotion I choose to heap on the things I decide I love.)
Top ST: TNG Episodes, Chronologically
Datalore
11001001
The Measure of a Man *
The Enemy
The Vengeance Factor
Deja Q
The Offspring *
The Best of Both Worlds *
Reunion
Future Imperfect
Final Mission
Night Terrors
Redemption *
Ensign Ro
Unification
I, Borg *
The Inner Light *
Relics
Schisms
Rascals
Chain of Command *
Tapestry
Face of the Enemy
Face of the Enemy
Birthright
Starship Mine
Lessons
The Chase
Timescape
Descent *
Gambit
Parallels
Lower Decks *
Eye of the Beholder
Preemptive Strike *
All Good Things... *
11. Descent
10. Redemption
9. Preemptive Strike
8. Lower Decks
7. I, Borg
6. The Offspring
5. The Inner Light
4. The Measure of a Man
3. Chain of Command
2. All Good Things
1. Best of Both Worlds
And I haven't even done my TOS post yet.
Oh yes, btw, I will negotiate the favor of your freaking choice if you can tell me a way I can watch Star Trek in Georgia for free.
I bet you could get the My Little Pony "The Return of Harmony" episode somehow, which is actually a TNG Q-episode in disguise. (John DeLancie is the antagonist, and while he is technically called "Discord," he's straight-up playing it as Q.)
ReplyDeleteI know it's not the same thing, but perhaps an acceptable teaser for your marathon....
Well, Mary. Your Journey to geekdom is complete. I’m so proud. I liked The Next Generation episode where Picard lives out an entire lifetime with a people long extinct. During that lifetime, lived out in just 20 minutes of Enterprise time, he learns about these people and their desire to not be forgotten (and, incidentally, learns to play the flute). ). There was some excellent writing and wonderful acting. The Star Trek franchise is dormant right now (the last Star Trek movie was good but it doesn’t count). Those of us that loved The Next Generation can only wonder at what might be next and will it hold up as well as its predecessor.
ReplyDeleteRead 1984. Poor Winston Smith is asked by his interrogator how many fingers does he see. I didn't mind the lifting of this question from Orwell's book as it worked quite well in the Star Trek episode you reference in your title. Pickard barely held on, Smith did not.
ReplyDeleteRead 1984 in high school Dad. :) That episode you're talking about in your first comment is called The Inner Light. One of the best ever!
ReplyDeleteHeheh, Meg -- I'll see if that episode is on youtube!
If it's not there, I think Hubworld.com shows full episodes.
ReplyDelete