Game The Most Disliked Episode Directed By Cliff Bole

[Sakonna]

Next up in these themed elimination games: EPISODES DIRECTED BY CLIFF BOLE. Trek's fourth most prolific director!

THE RULES. The basic idea is your standard elimination game. Below are the Star Trek episodes directed by Cliff Bole. 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.
Enjoy!

TNG Season 1: "Lonely Among Us"
TNG Season 1: "Hide and Q"
TNG Season 1: "Conspiracy"
TNG Season 2: "The Royale"
TNG Season 2: "The Emissary"
TNG Season 3: "The Ensigns of Command"
TNG Season 3: "The Hunted"
TNG Season 3: "A Matter of Perspective"
TNG Season 3: "Hollow Pursuits"
TNG Season 3: "The Best of Both Worlds"
TNG Season 4: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Remember Me"
TNG Season 4: "First Contact"
TNG Season 4: "Qpid"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption" (Part I)
TNG Season 5: "Silicon Avatar"
TNG Season 5: "Unification II"
TNG Season 5: "The Perfect Mate"
TNG Season 6: "Realm of Fear"
TNG Season 6: "Aquiel"
TNG Season 6: "Starship Mine"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Season 7: "Liaisons"
TNG Season 7: "Eye of the Beholder"
TNG Season 7: "Emergence"
DS9 Season 1: "Dramatis Personae"
DS9 Season 2: "Cardassians"
DS9 Season 2: "The Collaborator"
DS9 Season 3: "Equilibrium"
DS9 Season 3: "Defiant"
DS9 Season 3: "Explorers"
DS9 Season 3: "Facets"
VOY Season 2: "Cold Fire"
VOY Season 2: "Meld"
VOY Season 2: "Lifesigns"
VOY Season 2: "Tuvix"
VOY Season 3: "False Profits"
VOY Season 3: "Future's End, Part II"
VOY Season 3: "The Q and the Grey"
VOY Season 5: "Extreme Risk"
VOY Season 5: "Bliss"
VOY Season 5: "Dark Frontier" (Part I)

 

[Sakonna]

I've got to kick it off with a save for "Conspiracy", which is SO AWESOME, but also gives us the Bolians, aliens named for this director.

And damn, that secret meeting at the abandoned mining operation on Dytalix B, that is a top TNG scene for me, and that's all direction. Fantastic atmosphere in the whole episode, but that scene especially.

And there's so many other memorable sequences: the crazy fight between Riker and the admiral, the maggots dinner scene, and especially Remmick's exploding head and the mother parasite, which is a masterstroke thru and thru.

I LOVE "CONSPIRACY."

TNG Season 1: "Lonely Among Us"
TNG Season 1: "Hide and Q"
TNG Season 2: "The Royale"
TNG Season 2: "The Emissary"
TNG Season 3: "The Ensigns of Command"
TNG Season 3: "The Hunted"
TNG Season 3: "A Matter of Perspective"
TNG Season 3: "Hollow Pursuits"
TNG Season 3: "The Best of Both Worlds"
TNG Season 4: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Remember Me"
TNG Season 4: "First Contact"
TNG Season 4: "Qpid"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption" (Part I)
TNG Season 5: "Silicon Avatar"
TNG Season 5: "Unification II"
TNG Season 5: "The Perfect Mate"
TNG Season 6: "Realm of Fear"
TNG Season 6: "Aquiel"
TNG Season 6: "Starship Mine"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Season 7: "Liaisons"
TNG Season 7: "Eye of the Beholder"
TNG Season 7: "Emergence"
DS9 Season 1: "Dramatis Personae"
DS9 Season 2: "Cardassians"
DS9 Season 2: "The Collaborator"
DS9 Season 3: "Equilibrium"
DS9 Season 3: "Defiant"
DS9 Season 3: "Explorers"
DS9 Season 3: "Facets"
VOY Season 2: "Cold Fire"
VOY Season 2: "Meld"
VOY Season 2: "Lifesigns"
VOY Season 2: "Tuvix"
VOY Season 3: "False Profits"
VOY Season 3: "Future's End, Part II"
VOY Season 3: "The Q and the Grey"
VOY Season 5: "Extreme Risk"
VOY Season 5: "Bliss"
VOY Season 5: "Dark Frontier" (Part I)

 

[Farscape One]

I have to save "The Best of Both Worlds".

Perfect season finale. One of the best season finales of the franchise.

TNG Season 1: "Lonely Among Us"
TNG Season 1: "Hide and Q"
TNG Season 2: "The Royale"
TNG Season 2: "The Emissary"
TNG Season 3: "The Ensigns of Command"
TNG Season 3: "The Hunted"
TNG Season 3: "A Matter of Perspective"
TNG Season 3: "Hollow Pursuits"
TNG Season 4: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Remember Me"
TNG Season 4: "First Contact"
TNG Season 4: "Qpid"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption" (Part I)
TNG Season 5: "Silicon Avatar"
TNG Season 5: "Unification II"
TNG Season 5: "The Perfect Mate"
TNG Season 6: "Realm of Fear"
TNG Season 6: "Aquiel"
TNG Season 6: "Starship Mine"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Season 7: "Liaisons"
TNG Season 7: "Eye of the Beholder"
TNG Season 7: "Emergence"
DS9 Season 1: "Dramatis Personae"
DS9 Season 2: "Cardassians"
DS9 Season 2: "The Collaborator"
DS9 Season 3: "Equilibrium"
DS9 Season 3: "Defiant"
DS9 Season 3: "Explorers"
DS9 Season 3: "Facets"
VOY Season 2: "Cold Fire"
VOY Season 2: "Meld"
VOY Season 2: "Lifesigns"
VOY Season 2: "Tuvix"
VOY Season 3: "False Profits"
VOY Season 3: "Future's End, Part II"
VOY Season 3: "The Q and the Grey"
VOY Season 5: "Extreme Risk"
VOY Season 5: "Bliss"
VOY Season 5: "Dark Frontier" (Part I)

 

[Boris Skrbic]

I’m sure Cliff Bole would be glad that someone is trying to think of the worst episode he just happened to direct and as a television director had little influence over. You realize that by picking these random filters you’re directing people’s focus on one person in a long chain of responsibility, most of which lies with the showrunner and Rick Berman (in case of the Bermanverse)? Even a writer would’ve only written the script, whereas the story would’ve been discussed with everyone in the room.

 

[Sakonna]

I’m sure Cliff Bole would be glad that someone is trying to think of the worst episode he just happened to direct and as a television director had little influence over. You realize that by picking these random filters you’re directing people’s focus on one person in a long chain of responsibility, most of which lies with the showrunner and Rick Berman (in case of the Bermanverse)? Even a writer would’ve only written the script, whereas the story would’ve been discussed with everyone in the room.

Yes, nearly my entire working life has been in TV production, and I'm no spring chicken at this point, so I understand the process intimately.

I'm not sure whether you:
1. Honestly misunderstood the spirit and intent of the game, or:
2. Were intentionally trying to be a dick with this post.

If it's #1: This game is a way to express love of the work, so any survivors of Cliff Bole stumbling upon this thread should interpret it as an appreciation of his contributions, not a savaging. Of course the themes can be somewhat random -- that was the idea. I loved the series- and season-specific Most/Least Disliked Games and wanted a way to adapt that to include more diverse groupings of episodes from across the franchise.

If it's #2: I hope you find your way past this mood and into a better headspace soon. Best wishes!

Cheers!

 

[Qonundrum]

I’m sure Cliff Bole would be glad that someone is trying to think of the worst episode he just happened to direct and as a television director had little influence over. You realize that by picking these random filters you’re directing people’s focus on one person in a long chain of responsibility, most of which lies with the showrunner and Rick Berman (in case of the Bermanverse)? Even a writer would’ve only written the script, whereas the story would’ve been discussed with everyone in the room.

It's mangled English for a reverse poll suggesting the least-favorite episode that was ___ by ____. It doens't mean we hate the ___ or the ___ used.

What you say is still true. But noting the role of a director and how they are responsible for casting, camera angles, and other means to take a script and apply imagination and technique... In the end, it's a category with a tag name on it. We all love the show and the people who made it, even if some of the stories are "meh". Or, rather, most of us wouldn't hate the actor/person. We try to keep it to the stories and nothing beyond.

Yes, nearly my entire working life has been in TV production, and I'm no spring chicken at this point, so I understand the process intimately.

Envious I am. Wait, there's reverential bow emoticon?

(Disclaimer since I'll share a bit of myself: I can't do camerawork because I will get reflections of crew, or light fixtures, etc and in ways audiences do not want to see... I don't act... I'm no scriptwriter... But that makes me no different to Siskel and Ebert. Except I don't get paid to critique, praise, or gripe. Now if I had a penny for every time I said that... )

I'm not sure whether you:
1. Honestly misunderstood the spirit and intent of the game, or:
2. Were intentionally trying to be a dick with this post.

If it's #1: This game is a way to express love of the work, so any survivors of Cliff Bole stumbling upon this thread should interpret it as an appreciation of his contributions, not a savaging. Of course the themes can be somewhat random -- that was the idea. I loved the series- and season-specific Most/Least Disliked Games and wanted a way to adapt that to include more diverse groupings of episodes from across the franchise.

If it's #2: It's a hard time. I hope you find your way past this mood and into a better headspace soon. Best wishes!

Cheers!

IMHO it's #1 - even many who critique and can be harsh also often find something that stands out positively at some point.

 

[Boris Skrbic]

If it's #1: This game is a way to express love of the work, so any survivors of Cliff Bole stumbling upon this thread should interpret it as an appreciation of his contributions, not a savaging.

Sure, with an equivalent of misdirected Razzies? The focus is still on one person whose job it was to come in and execute a script within a very specific house style, but you’re obviously not feeling that.

The correct way to go about this is to actually study directorial styles and try to find differences in approach between the individual directors, then attempt to point out their most interesting contributions. This is just picking random filters few fans would know what to do with other than see those filters generate a list of episodes (and learning their “most disliked” pick was directed by Cliff Bole).

What’s next, the “most disliked” episode with Rick Sternbach as technical consultant?

 

[Qonundrum]

The following story does - not by intent - hamper the Q continuum by bringing it down to our level and demystifying it, but to be honest is there any other way to tell an advanced species engaged in civil war after a certain point?

VOY Season 3: "The Q and the Grey"

If nothing else,

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

Pretty much rule the episode, if not the philosophical discussion of how civil wars are not good and all over a topic they never really got into any depth over but that's the script's assuming we all know the details, which we do already to varying extents but I digress. Indeed, Janeway + Q = what Zeus and Alcmene, just without Trek's equivalent to Heracles (Hercules). They missed out on an opportunity. (Not to mention, Apollo with his glowing big hand and taped parts would approve - you know he's still out there despite Kirk...)


What's left:
TNG Season 1: "Lonely Among Us"
TNG Season 1: "Hide and Q"
TNG Season 2: "The Royale"
TNG Season 2: "The Emissary"
TNG Season 3: "The Ensigns of Command"
TNG Season 3: "The Hunted"
TNG Season 3: "A Matter of Perspective"
TNG Season 3: "Hollow Pursuits"
TNG Season 4: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Remember Me"
TNG Season 4: "First Contact"
TNG Season 4: "Qpid"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption" (Part I)
TNG Season 5: "Silicon Avatar"
TNG Season 5: "Unification II"
TNG Season 5: "The Perfect Mate"
TNG Season 6: "Realm of Fear"
TNG Season 6: "Aquiel"
TNG Season 6: "Starship Mine"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Season 7: "Liaisons"
TNG Season 7: "Eye of the Beholder"
TNG Season 7: "Emergence"
DS9 Season 1: "Dramatis Personae"
DS9 Season 2: "Cardassians"
DS9 Season 2: "The Collaborator"
DS9 Season 3: "Equilibrium"
DS9 Season 3: "Defiant"
DS9 Season 3: "Explorers"
DS9 Season 3: "Facets"
VOY Season 2: "Cold Fire"
VOY Season 2: "Meld"
VOY Season 2: "Lifesigns"
VOY Season 2: "Tuvix"
VOY Season 3: "False Profits"
VOY Season 3: "Future's End, Part II"
VOY Season 5: "Extreme Risk"
VOY Season 5: "Bliss"
VOY Season 5: "Dark Frontier" (Part I)

 

[Qonundrum]

Sure, with an equivalent of misdirected Razzies? The focus is still on one person whose job it was to come in and execute a script within a very specific house style, but you’re obviously not feeling that.

The correct way to go about this is to actually study directorial styles and try to find differences in approach between the individual directors, then attempt to point out their specific contributions. This is just picking random filters few fans would know what to do with other than see those filters generate a list of episodes (and learning their “most disliked” pick was directed by Cliff Bole).

What’s next, the “most disliked” episode with Rick Sternbach as technical consultant?

Of which I tend to be guilty - the occasional razzie to go with the praise, and to be fair let me introduce you to some college professors if you want some real razzies and critique and they don't toe any lines either. No script is 100% gold. No script is 100% iron pyrite. It's always a mixture. It part of the process.

I never perceived these lists as "the one story remaining is the one most disliked" by everyone, least of which me. It's more a series of random events; not unlike a lottery*, where we all pick episodes we like for our reasons, of which vary in extent and in depth.

Or even save those we comparatively don't like.

Even a premise can be a good attribute despite the episode falling apart elsewhere.

Or a bad story has a good scene.

Maybe you're frustrated because the use of a person's name is involved as a key category field? Which categories would you prefer, if it's okay to ask?

* and far better than that short story from 1948 from Shirley Jackson

 

[Xhiandra]

IMHO it's #1 - even many who critique and can be harsh also often find something that stands out positively at some point.

Even if that wasn't the case, there's a world of difference between criticising someone's work and that person.
I'm not in the entertainment industry, but I'm no stranger to having my work critiqued. If reviewers tell me a paper I worked on for months is flawed in many ways and has little to no redeeming value, it's not a good feeling, but that doesn't mean those reviewers hate me or antyhing of the sort.
We tend to coddle actors and directors to an extent we wouldn't coddle other people.

Now, back to the matter at hand: I saved "First Contact", the movie; here I save "First Contact" the episode. It's been a favourite of mine for a long time. This is one of those "bigger than the sum of its parts" episodes. No particular aspect is stellar, but all of it is good, and it all gels so well together. Just like the movie of the same name, there's a little bit of everything: from action to drama to comedy, to philosophy/politics.

TNG Season 1: "Lonely Among Us"
TNG Season 1: "Hide and Q"
TNG Season 2: "The Royale"
TNG Season 2: "The Emissary"
TNG Season 3: "The Ensigns of Command"
TNG Season 3: "The Hunted"
TNG Season 3: "A Matter of Perspective"
TNG Season 3: "Hollow Pursuits"
TNG Season 4: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Remember Me"
TNG Season 4: "Qpid"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption" (Part I)
TNG Season 5: "Silicon Avatar"
TNG Season 5: "Unification II"
TNG Season 5: "The Perfect Mate"
TNG Season 6: "Realm of Fear"
TNG Season 6: "Aquiel"
TNG Season 6: "Starship Mine"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Season 7: "Liaisons"
TNG Season 7: "Eye of the Beholder"
TNG Season 7: "Emergence"
DS9 Season 1: "Dramatis Personae"
DS9 Season 2: "Cardassians"
DS9 Season 2: "The Collaborator"
DS9 Season 3: "Equilibrium"
DS9 Season 3: "Defiant"
DS9 Season 3: "Explorers"
DS9 Season 3: "Facets"
VOY Season 2: "Cold Fire"
VOY Season 2: "Meld"
VOY Season 2: "Lifesigns"
VOY Season 2: "Tuvix"
VOY Season 3: "False Profits"
VOY Season 3: "Future's End, Part II"
VOY Season 5: "Extreme Risk"
VOY Season 5: "Bliss"
VOY Season 5: "Dark Frontier" (Part I)

 

[Qonundrum]

Even if that wasn't the case, there's a world of difference between criticising someone's work and that person.

Very true.

We tend to coddle actors and directors to an extent we wouldn't coddle other people.

Also true.

 

[Sakonna]

The focus is still on one person whose job it was to come in and execute a script within a very specific house style, but you’re obviously not feeling that.

You're not getting it. Yes, that was his job, and this game focuses on the episodes where he did that job. It's not a bug, it's a feature.

The correct way to go about this is to actually study directorial styles and try to find differences in approach between the individual directors, then attempt to point out their specific contributions.

That's just not the project anyone is trying to undertake here, though I do get a chuckle over your attitude that you can drop in in the middle of a game, lecture everyone on what they're doing wrong, and start giving instructions on how to convert the game into a study.

If you want to start a thread on this completely different topic you suggest, I think you should -- it could be an interesting subject for discussion. But for this thread, it's off-topic.

This is just picking random filters few fans would know what to do with other than see those filters generate a list of episodes (and learning their “most disliked” pick was directed by Cliff Bole).

Other people are much smarter than you think, and it's not a requirement for the gameplay that the elimination have anything to do with the directing.

What’s next, the “most disliked” episode with Rick Sternbach as technical consultant?

No, of course not -- that list would have too many items to be playable as a game.

Anyway, enough of that. My next elimination is "The Royale." A beloved guilty pleasure ep of mine, which I have been happy and surprised in previous rounds to learn is a beloved guilty pleasure of many -- I always thought I was the only one! It's one of my favorite examples of that spooky/cheesy early TNG tone, a rewatch of this one is like sinking into a warm bath. That revolving door in the black void is such a great image, and I love the simple practical effects they use around it.

TNG Season 1: "Lonely Among Us"
TNG Season 1: "Hide and Q"
TNG Season 2: "The Emissary"
TNG Season 3: "The Ensigns of Command"
TNG Season 3: "The Hunted"
TNG Season 3: "A Matter of Perspective"
TNG Season 3: "Hollow Pursuits"
TNG Season 4: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Remember Me"
TNG Season 4: "Qpid"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption" (Part I)
TNG Season 5: "Silicon Avatar"
TNG Season 5: "Unification II"
TNG Season 5: "The Perfect Mate"
TNG Season 6: "Realm of Fear"
TNG Season 6: "Aquiel"
TNG Season 6: "Starship Mine"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Season 7: "Liaisons"
TNG Season 7: "Eye of the Beholder"
TNG Season 7: "Emergence"
DS9 Season 1: "Dramatis Personae"
DS9 Season 2: "Cardassians"
DS9 Season 2: "The Collaborator"
DS9 Season 3: "Equilibrium"
DS9 Season 3: "Defiant"
DS9 Season 3: "Explorers"
DS9 Season 3: "Facets"
VOY Season 2: "Cold Fire"
VOY Season 2: "Meld"
VOY Season 2: "Lifesigns"
VOY Season 2: "Tuvix"
VOY Season 3: "False Profits"
VOY Season 3: "Future's End, Part II"
VOY Season 5: "Extreme Risk"
VOY Season 5: "Bliss"
VOY Season 5: "Dark Frontier" (Part I)

 

[Brennyren]

"Hollow Pursuits" introduced probably my favorite Trek recurring character, Reg Barclay. (Well, it might be a tie between him and Garak!) It also included some lovely visuals, great costumes, and simply lush settings. Just a gorgeous episode. And one of just a handful of reasonably good Trek comedies.

TNG Season 1: "Lonely Among Us"
TNG Season 1: "Hide and Q"
TNG Season 2: "The Emissary"
TNG Season 3: "The Ensigns of Command"
TNG Season 3: "The Hunted"
TNG Season 3: "A Matter of Perspective"
TNG Season 4: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Remember Me"
TNG Season 4: "Qpid"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption" (Part I)
TNG Season 5: "Silicon Avatar"
TNG Season 5: "Unification II"
TNG Season 5: "The Perfect Mate"
TNG Season 6: "Realm of Fear"
TNG Season 6: "Aquiel"
TNG Season 6: "Starship Mine"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Season 7: "Liaisons"
TNG Season 7: "Eye of the Beholder"
TNG Season 7: "Emergence"
DS9 Season 1: "Dramatis Personae"
DS9 Season 2: "Cardassians"
DS9 Season 2: "The Collaborator"
DS9 Season 3: "Equilibrium"
DS9 Season 3: "Defiant"
DS9 Season 3: "Explorers"
DS9 Season 3: "Facets"
VOY Season 2: "Cold Fire"
VOY Season 2: "Meld"
VOY Season 2: "Lifesigns"
VOY Season 2: "Tuvix"
VOY Season 3: "False Profits"
VOY Season 3: "Future's End, Part II"
VOY Season 5: "Extreme Risk"
VOY Season 5: "Bliss"
VOY Season 5: "Dark Frontier" (Part I)

 

[Vger23]

I'm going to pull DS9's "Defiant"

We get the return of Thomas Riker, which was a great plot twist at the time, some further insight into Cardassians, and Dukat and Sisko having to grudgingly work together.



TNG Season 1: "Lonely Among Us"
TNG Season 1: "Hide and Q"
TNG Season 2: "The Emissary"
TNG Season 3: "The Ensigns of Command"
TNG Season 3: "The Hunted"
TNG Season 3: "A Matter of Perspective"
TNG Season 4: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Remember Me"
TNG Season 4: "Qpid"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption" (Part I)
TNG Season 5: "Silicon Avatar"
TNG Season 5: "Unification II"
TNG Season 5: "The Perfect Mate"
TNG Season 6: "Realm of Fear"
TNG Season 6: "Aquiel"
TNG Season 6: "Starship Mine"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Season 7: "Liaisons"
TNG Season 7: "Eye of the Beholder"
TNG Season 7: "Emergence"
DS9 Season 1: "Dramatis Personae"
DS9 Season 2: "Cardassians"
DS9 Season 2: "The Collaborator"
DS9 Season 3: "Equilibrium"
DS9 Season 3: "Explorers"
DS9 Season 3: "Facets"
VOY Season 2: "Cold Fire"
VOY Season 2: "Meld"
VOY Season 2: "Lifesigns"
VOY Season 2: "Tuvix"
VOY Season 3: "False Profits"
VOY Season 3: "Future's End, Part II"
VOY Season 5: "Extreme Risk"
VOY Season 5: "Bliss"
VOY Season 5: "Dark Frontier" (Part I)

 

[1001001]

I’m sure Cliff Bole would be glad that someone is trying to think of the worst episode he just happened to direct and as a television director had little influence over. You realize that by picking these random filters you’re directing people’s focus on one person in a long chain of responsibility, most of which lies with the showrunner and Rick Berman (in case of the Bermanverse)? Even a writer would’ve only written the script, whereas the story would’ve been discussed with everyone in the room.

Okay, full disclosure: I hate these threads. I'm waiting for "3rd Most Disliked Episode Aired on an Odd Numbered Date in October Directed by a Left Handed Woman"...

HOWEVER!!!!

These games are harmless and simple. Dropping into the middle of it to lecture the OP on why their premise is wrong is not only bad form, it's borderline trolling. Knock it off.

I'm not sure whether you:
1. Honestly misunderstood the spirit and intent of the game, or:
2. Were intentionally trying to be a dick with this post.

That is not helpful.

Now return to your lists...

 

[Syn]

Looking at the selection of DS9 episodes, I'm unimpressed. I suppose I shall save "Cardassians" from DS9 Season 2, and I'm saving it largely for its intent rather than its execution. I think how they went about it was too simplistic. You can only do such in a TV episode, but even within those confines it kind of missed the mark. Still, the idea was one of quite some potential. What happens if you raise a Cardassian child to hate their people, and then you find the Cardassian's family? A sad situation, really, and one where any usual solution to a custody spat will have some pretty clear consequences.

TNG Season 1: "Lonely Among Us"
TNG Season 1: "Hide and Q"
TNG Season 2: "The Emissary"
TNG Season 3: "The Ensigns of Command"
TNG Season 3: "The Hunted"
TNG Season 3: "A Matter of Perspective"
TNG Season 4: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Remember Me"
TNG Season 4: "Qpid"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption" (Part I)
TNG Season 5: "Silicon Avatar"
TNG Season 5: "Unification II"
TNG Season 5: "The Perfect Mate"
TNG Season 6: "Realm of Fear"
TNG Season 6: "Aquiel"
TNG Season 6: "Starship Mine"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Season 7: "Liaisons"
TNG Season 7: "Eye of the Beholder"
TNG Season 7: "Emergence"
DS9 Season 1: "Dramatis Personae"
DS9 Season 2: "The Collaborator"
DS9 Season 3: "Equilibrium"
DS9 Season 3: "Explorers"
DS9 Season 3: "Facets"
VOY Season 2: "Cold Fire"
VOY Season 2: "Meld"
VOY Season 2: "Lifesigns"
VOY Season 2: "Tuvix"
VOY Season 3: "False Profits"
VOY Season 3: "Future's End, Part II"
VOY Season 5: "Extreme Risk"
VOY Season 5: "Bliss"
VOY Season 5: "Dark Frontier" (Part I)

 

[Sakonna]

Okay, full disclosure: I hate these threads.

I always suspected...

Next elimination: "Explorers"! An awesome off-format episode. It was great to spend so much time with Sisko & Jake in a low-pressure setting (I really wish the writers hadn't lost interest in Jake in the last two seasons). The design of that lightship was excellent and the interior was shot in interesting ways. And Bashir & O'Brien drunk together is another for the list of Greatest DS9 Scenes.

TNG Season 1: "Lonely Among Us"
TNG Season 1: "Hide and Q"
TNG Season 2: "The Emissary"
TNG Season 3: "The Ensigns of Command"
TNG Season 3: "The Hunted"
TNG Season 3: "A Matter of Perspective"
TNG Season 4: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Remember Me"
TNG Season 4: "Qpid"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption" (Part I)
TNG Season 5: "Silicon Avatar"
TNG Season 5: "Unification II"
TNG Season 5: "The Perfect Mate"
TNG Season 6: "Realm of Fear"
TNG Season 6: "Aquiel"
TNG Season 6: "Starship Mine"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Season 7: "Liaisons"
TNG Season 7: "Eye of the Beholder"
TNG Season 7: "Emergence"
DS9 Season 1: "Dramatis Personae"
DS9 Season 2: "The Collaborator"
DS9 Season 3: "Equilibrium"
DS9 Season 3: "Facets"
VOY Season 2: "Cold Fire"
VOY Season 2: "Meld"
VOY Season 2: "Lifesigns"
VOY Season 2: "Tuvix"
VOY Season 3: "False Profits"
VOY Season 3: "Future's End, Part II"
VOY Season 5: "Extreme Risk"
VOY Season 5: "Bliss"
VOY Season 5: "Dark Frontier" (Part I)

 

[Farscape One]

Saving "MELD".

This episode has always been a favorite of mine from the early VOYAGER years. It was a good discussion and look at the nature of violence. A good psychological study.

Now, to Boris Skrbic's point...

I am saving this episode because casting Brad Dourif was inspired. Perfect casting, honestly.

Cliff also did some great angles from each perspective that made the episode flow more easily, such as during the meld itself, he captured Tuvok and Suder locking in on each other. A lot was shown in those facial responses, and he chose, what I feel, the best way to capture that moment. It felt intense.

Equally intense was how he had Janeway, Tuvok, Kes, and The Doctor arranged in Sickbay in such a way as to maximize that entire scene's potential with Tuvok's mental control shut off. A lot of chilling moments there.

He chose a different lighting tone than a lot of other episodes, which only strengthened the tension and feeling that this episode was going to be uncomfortable.

If you just look at the dialogue on paper, this episode could have been VERY boring. Cliff Bole made sure it wasn't boring, and it's a big reason why I've always loved this episode.

I can keep going, but I think I've made my point.

So, can we return to enjoying a game and play it in the spirit that it was created, or do I need to go into a dissertation on every episode I save from this list?

(By the way, we as fans clearly enjoy the work done by all the directors, writers, producers, etc., or we wouldn't even BE playing this game or even participating on this site.)

Side note: Cliff Bole obviously impressed a LOT of people, and not just fans. He directed 42 episodes across three STAR TREK series, not to mention a BIG list of episodes from THE X-FILES, MacGYVER, and lot of other shows.


TNG Season 1: "Lonely Among Us"
TNG Season 1: "Hide and Q"
TNG Season 2: "The Emissary"
TNG Season 3: "The Ensigns of Command"
TNG Season 3: "The Hunted"
TNG Season 3: "A Matter of Perspective"
TNG Season 4: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Remember Me"
TNG Season 4: "Qpid"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption" (Part I)
TNG Season 5: "Silicon Avatar"
TNG Season 5: "Unification II"
TNG Season 5: "The Perfect Mate"
TNG Season 6: "Realm of Fear"
TNG Season 6: "Aquiel"
TNG Season 6: "Starship Mine"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Season 7: "Liaisons"
TNG Season 7: "Eye of the Beholder"
TNG Season 7: "Emergence"
DS9 Season 1: "Dramatis Personae"
DS9 Season 2: "The Collaborator"
DS9 Season 3: "Equilibrium"
DS9 Season 3: "Facets"
VOY Season 2: "Cold Fire"
VOY Season 2: "Lifesigns"
VOY Season 2: "Tuvix"
VOY Season 3: "False Profits"
VOY Season 3: "Future's End, Part II"
VOY Season 5: "Extreme Risk"
VOY Season 5: "Bliss"
VOY Season 5: "Dark Frontier" (Part I)

 

[Bad Thoughts]

I’m sure Cliff Bole would be glad that someone is trying to think of the worst episode he just happened to direct and as a television director had little influence over. You realize that by picking these random filters you’re directing people’s focus on one person in a long chain of responsibility, most of which lies with the showrunner and Rick Berman (in case of the Bermanverse)? Even a writer would’ve only written the script, whereas the story would’ve been discussed with everyone in the room.

First, welcome to the internet! Things are done a little differently here, but someone will be here shortly to show you around.

Second, Cliff Bole is probably well aware that he works in an industry replete with insightful, critical, acritical, and hypercritical judgements both from industry insiders and the general public. I'm sure he knows how to handle it.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

Saving Starship Mine. The episode has good, well paced action, requiring actors to react to special effects. Decent tension, a little humor.

TNG Season 1: "Lonely Among Us"
TNG Season 1: "Hide and Q"
TNG Season 2: "The Emissary"
TNG Season 3: "The Ensigns of Command"
TNG Season 3: "The Hunted"
TNG Season 3: "A Matter of Perspective"
TNG Season 4: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Remember Me"
TNG Season 4: "Qpid"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption" (Part I)
TNG Season 5: "Silicon Avatar"
TNG Season 5: "Unification II"
TNG Season 5: "The Perfect Mate"
TNG Season 6: "Realm of Fear"
TNG Season 6: "Aquiel"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Season 7: "Liaisons"
TNG Season 7: "Eye of the Beholder"
TNG Season 7: "Emergence"
DS9 Season 1: "Dramatis Personae"
DS9 Season 2: "The Collaborator"
DS9 Season 3: "Equilibrium"
DS9 Season 3: "Facets"
VOY Season 2: "Cold Fire"
VOY Season 2: "Lifesigns"
VOY Season 2: "Tuvix"
VOY Season 3: "False Profits"
VOY Season 3: "Future's End, Part II"
VOY Season 5: "Extreme Risk"
VOY Season 5: "Bliss"
VOY Season 5: "Dark Frontier" (Part I)