The good about the bad episodes

We can all admit that TNG, like all the other programs, have weak episodes. But, isn't it a positive way of looking at it if one thinks it's a good thing that there are few weaker ones, on my way through TNG I usually skip certain episodes, quite many actually... But, after years of not seeing a particular episode, it's almost like watching a completely new TNG episode. This doesn't work if you know the series inside out after gazillion views, but at least in my case this ”new TNG” trick works.

 

I can't think of an example on the top of my head, but some bad episodes actually have a nice B or a very small subplot, or even a classic scene/line.

 

Alot of the really bad episodes are really quite funny and I enjoy a revisit. Other episodes are too soppy to rewatch.

For me there are good and worthy episodes but they only bear first time viewing. The Perfect Mate is an example of that. I basically had that episode cracked first time watching it. I watched it once I didn't need to see it again. Whereas something like The Defector with it's combination of top acting, morality., intrigue and high politics is something that invites a rewatch.

I'm not knocking The Perfect Mate either, btw It's a fine episode that has its place.

 

Episodes like Emergence, or The Royale aren't that good, but man do they pack them full of interesting actors

 

For me, there is no episode without some merit. Some more than others.

 

This is an episode I don't hate as much as others but the Dog in Aquiel was great. Love big muscular dogs.

 

Icarus Factor establishes that blindfold jousting is a thing.

 

I do this too. Most recently I rewatched "The Vengeance Factor", when I was scrolling thru Netflix and realized it was an episode I had no recollection of. I liked going on Memory Alpha after and discovering it was the last episode of Trek to air in the 80's, it was truly 80's-cheese-tastic.

My other takeaway was: geez, I'm always knocking "The Outcast" for it's implausible Riker love story, and in that case thinking it's because they don't sell that Riker would fall for this person without gender. But "The Vengeance Factor" reminded me that Riker's relationships with women could be just as wholly unconvincing as his relationship with Soren was.

 

Yeah, me thinks we only saw an "illegal" version of it. I suspect the more serious or professional players (if they exist) would play different.

 

Even "Aquiel" has that great scene where Riker advises Geordi "off the record."

 

Hum. The good about bad episodes...


Oh, I got it! They were only forty-seven minutes each.

 

I'll sweeten the deal for you... If you don't like some episodes, you don't have to watch them at all.

 

Already done! I watched "The Chase" for the last time last year when refreshing myself on how bad it was, since it had been many many years since I had seen it, and I already cut "Code of Honor" out of my life completely a long time ago. It was the Code of Life that demanded it. Among a few other episodes.

 

There. Is. Nothing. Good. About. Sub. Rosa.

 

The ferengi episode that has the T'kon empire wasn't so bad. I liked Riker quoting Sun Tzu and Yar looking hot.

Time's Arrow wasn't too bad.

 

Rascals is the only episode I don't hate Alexander

 

The last outpost, the ferengi on the Viewscreen is grating but sort of funny.

Oh and Yar looks hot on the planet.

 

"The Outcast" is a pretty bad episode, but I'll tell you what's really outstanding about it and that's Jonathan Frakes' braveness as an actor. He strikes me as a performer who'll never say "no" to an idea. If it's not on the page, it's not on the stage, but he always manages to coax even the most poorly-conceived idea into entertaining popcorn fare. In his own way, the Man is an Artist ... and I admire and respect that about him.

 

This lady doing this in The Cost of Living. I recall finding it a joyous highlight in a rather awful episode

 

I read that Rod Rodenberry thinks "Code of Honor" is unfairly maligned. I find it campy and entertaining.

 

I didn't have any problem with the Chase.