I'm not saying the show didn't have times it explored Picard, but it was always reactionary to events, not what makes Picard Picard. And that's what I wanted, not just reactionary behaviors to understandably tragic events.
I stalled out at Ensigns of Command, but I will attempt again. Someday. Unfortunately, real life does not make it a high priority.
Then I'll give you a short-cut. You want episodes that show what makes Picard who he is?
"The Measure of a Man" -- Picard standing up for what's right.
"Samaritan Snare" -- His backstory and how it influences who he is "now".
"The Defector" -- Staring down the Romulans shows his true abilities as a leader.
"Captain's Holiday" -- Shows the more romantic, adventurous side of his character.
"The Wounded" -- Another example of how Picard ticks, by showing how pragmatically manages to preserve the peace between the Federation and Cardassians.
"The Drumhead" -- The
ultimate example of Picard standing up for what's right. Picard versus McCarthyism. If someone can't get behind Picard in
this episode, then I'll be so bold as to say it says more about them than it does about Picard or the episode.
"Darmok" -- Picard reaching out to an alien he can't communicate with through a Universal Translator and they try to understand each other. You should be all about that since you say you try to understand different people and their viewpoints.
"The Inner Light" -- Picard learning the importance of family when he never considered himself a family man before.
"Tapestry" -- More insight into Picard's youth, and how choices he made in his life led to him becoming a Captain.
"Lessons" -- Follows up on "The Inner Light" to a degree and gives Picard a serious love interest, and the tragedy of how he can't reconcile romance with being a Captain.
"Gambit" -- Shows how Picard can throw himself into a role, on an espionage mission, and have some fun with it.
"All Good Things" -- Sets up Picard's possible future and the illness he has in PIC Season 1. No doubt something about Crusher will figure into Season 3.
And obviously the other episodes I mentioned:
"Q Who"
"The Best of Both Worlds" Parts I and II
"Family"
"Chain of Command" Parts I and II