Spoilers Top 10 Episodes? 2017+

[Lord Garth]

What are your Top 10 episodes from the Kurtzman Era? I think enough has been accumulated now, so we can start a thread like this.

I'm not listing mine right away. I want to put some thought into my list first, but I figured I'd get the ball rolling.

 

[StarMan]

LD and PRO excluded given shoddy memory / low-effort attempt to watch.

Those Old Scientists (SNW S2)
If Memory Serves (DISC S2)
Ad Astra per Aspera (SNW S2)
Under The Cloak of War (SNW S2)
Charades (SNW S2)
The Stargazer (PIC S2)
Subspace Rhapsody (SNW S2)
Into the Forest I Go (DISC S1)
A Quality of Mercy (SNW S1)
Die Trying (DISC S3)

I tried to be fair.

DISC S1 had a few rough edges, but overall remains my favorite DISC season.

 

[Timofnine]

What are your Top 10 episodes from the Kurtzman Era? I think enough has been accumulated now, so we can start thread like this.

I'm not listing mine right away. I want to put some thought into my list first, but I figured I'd get the ball rolling.

1. The Elysian Kingdom
2. Ghosts of Illyria
3. The Serene Squall
4. Spock Amok
5. The Vulcan Hello
6. The Stargazer
7. The Bounty
8. Assimilation
9. The Last Generation
10. New Eden

I have not seen Strange New Worlds season 2 yet besides the premier episode.

 

[Timofnine]

OMG I forgot about Prodigy!!!!! I assume that this top ten is live action only? I would need to *drastically* change the above top ten list otherwise. I just cannot take toons seriously a much as I may enjoy watching them, canon or not.

**EDIT**
My top 10 would likely be full of mainly Prodigy episodes… I’ll wait a few posts so I’m not spamming the thread before updating my top 10 *including* Prodigy. I cannot include Lower Decks, even the good episodes, because as much as I superficially enjoy that show I just do not see it as being canon.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

1. wej Duj
2. If memory serves
3. Time amok
4. No small parts
5. Species Ten C
6. Calypso
7. Veritas
8. Impossible Box
9. Nepenthe
10. Hear all, trust nothing

 

[Bad Thoughts]

I cannot include Lower Decks, even the good episodes, because as much as I superficially enjoy that show I just do not see it as being canon.

The OP is only asking for your favorite episodes, not to judge whether or not something is canon.

 

[Timofnine]

The OP is only asking for your favorite episodes, not to judge whether or not something is canon.

Ok well this complicates things, can we make it a top 20?

 

[Lord Garth]

Ok well this complicates things, can we make it a top 20?

Honorable Mentions and editing your choices are both a thing.

It stays Top 10. Otherwise, someone might try to pull a trick and be like, "All 20 episodes of Strange New Worlds!" Not doing that. The list should be hard and there should be some painful cuts to make.

 

[Paul755]

My list is a bit heavy on Lower Decks. But I consider it to be the best nu-Trek series.

1. Veritas (Lower Decks S1) - it has everything. Easter eggs galore, Gorn Wedding, Tendi as ”The Cleaner”, Q AND Kurtwood Smith.

2. An Embarrassment of Dooplers (Lower Decks S2) - great episode that explores Boimler/Mariner and Tendi/Rutherford plus a killer “Blues Brothers” esq car chase.

3. Those Old Scientists (SNW S2) - 2nd best series crossover next to “Trials and Tribbleations”. Newsome and Quaid are on point. That creepy Spock Smile, exploding tricorders and of course…”RIKER”.

4. The Bounty (Picard S3) - nice reintroduction to Geordi. Confirmation about the fate of “Kirk’s Enterprise” and the Bounty, plus a great bit of Seven reminiscing about Voyager.

5. Momento Mori (SNW S1) - Great action packed episode. Very much in the vein of “Balance of Terror”. Speaking of…

6. A Quality of Mercy (SNW S1) - this one is here simply for how well they copied the “Balance of Terror” parts right down to the lighting. If I have any knocks it’s the re-designed Monster Maroons and Ortegas doesn’t really fit the Styles role.

7. Coming Home (Disco S4) - the only Disco finale to stick the landing. The 10c stuff was fantastic, Tilly and Vance as the last line of defense, Book receiving a fair punishment and not just getting let off the hook, etc... Plus “Earth President Stacy Abrams” ticking off American Conservatives is not a bad thing.

8. Hear All, Trust Nothing (Lower Decks S3) - possibly the most overlooked crossover next to Relics. Loved the stuff with Tendi and the other Orion. Kira and Quark. Even the B-plot with Mariner and Jennifer was good.

9. Surrender (Picard S3) - everything Geordi plus the re-birth of Data.

10. New Eden (Disco S2) - For me this does a lot to inform how Mount will play Pike. Although they did seem to drop his apparent religious faith after this episode.

just missed the cut - Nepenthe (Picard S1), Wej Duj (Lower Decks S2), The Star Gazer (Picard S2), Lost in Translation (SNW S2), No Small Parts (Lower Decks S1).

 

[Lord Garth]

My list:

1. "Calypso" (Short Treks)
2. "Remembrance" (PIC)
3. "Stardust City Rag" (PIC)
4. "Stormy Weather" (DSC)
5. "Context Is for Kings" (DSC)
6. "Penance" (PIC)
7. "What's Past Is Prologue" (DSC)
8. "No Win Scenario" (PIC)
9. "Those Old Scientists" (SNW)
10. "Supernova, Part II" (PRO)

This was a tough list and I had to make some very painful cuts. But I think it's a well-rounded list and everything I have in there; I have for a reason. I won't go into Honorable Mentions because once I start going, I'll keep going. And then I'll think of something I left out. So, the list I have is the list I have. Until the next time I or someone else does this.

"Calypso" and "Remembrance" are a lock for my Top 2 episodes of New Trek ever made, and I don't see that ever changing.

"Stardust City Rag" is one of my favorite episodes of Picard because it shows TNG/VOY characters in such a situation that never would've happened on those series and the exchange of dialogue between Picard and Seven at the end sharing their experiences about having been Borg makes it worth it. New insight that would've been previously possible.

"Stormy Weather" is both one of my favorite episodes of DSC Season 4 and the one that I think best captures it. Discovery out there, dealing with the unknown, within and without, and saving the ship coming down to Burnham and Zora.

"Context Is for Kings" was THE episode that got me hooked on Discovery. So, I had to include it for that reason alone. But I also love it because of it's our introduction to Lorca, who looked like a real badass. And it shows what Burnham's up against on her path to redemption. This part of the season also had a very Battlestar Galactica feeling, which I miss.

"Penance" is easily the best episode of Picard Season 2, it kept me on edge throughout, and how could I not include it? It's also a different take on an Alternate Earth that's distinctly different from the Mirror Universe's version, and I liked getting to see the Borg Queen in a new light.

I picked "What's Past Is Prologue" because I think the Disco Mirror Universe is the definitive version. "Into the Forest I Go" is the one I had the most fun with, but I want Georgiou on this list, and "What's Past Is Prologue" has one of the best phaser fights I've ever seen in Star Trek. I also love when Discovery gets back to the Prime Universe and it looks like the Klingons have won the war. A cliffhanger I never would've expected!

Singling out a single episode of Picard Season 3 is tough, since it's designed to play out like one long movie. So I picked "No Win Scenario", the episode I thought was best and represented it best: Picard versus Vadic in a ship-to-ship battle of strategy and wits with the Titan looking for a way out of the trap Vadic set.

The list is very DSC/PIC heavy. DSC Season 1 and PIC Season 1 both get two choices since they're my two favorite seasons of New Trek. Probably no surprise coming from me. But I managed to combine SNW and LD with my #9 pick, with an episode I really did get a kick out of, and worked in Prodigy for #10. Here's hoping Prodigy finds a new home soon!

 

[Bad Thoughts]

New Eden

New Eden (Disco S2) - For me this does a lot to inform how Mount will play Pike. Although they did seem to drop his apparent religious faith after this episode.

Although it missed my list, I'm glad this episode gets some love. It was the first episode that showed Discovery could do something special.

 

[Timofnine]

Honorable Mentions and editing your choices are both a thing.

It stays Top 10. Otherwise, someone might try to pull a trick and be like, "All 20 episodes of Strange New Worlds!" Not doing that. The list should be hard and there should be some painful cuts to make.

I have another way of pulling a Trick here, look:

1. Supernova, Part 2
2. Ghost in the Machine
3. Masquerade
4. Kobayashi
5. Veritas
6. First-Contact
7. Here all, Trust Nothing
8. All the World’s a Stage
9. Let Sleeping Borg Lie
10. The Elysian Kingdom

Hehe

 

[Oddish]

No particular order here...
SNW - "Subspace Rhapsody": I'm a musical theater guy, so of course I'm going to enjoy this one.
SNW - "Strange New Worlds": Many series premieres are good, but this one knocked ot out of the park.
SNW - "Memento Mori": Nail biting, with some great battle sequences... and even some character development to boot.
LD - "No Small Parts": A wild Pakled party, with Riker and Troi on the guest list.
LD - "Crisis Point": Mariner vs. Mariner.
LD - "Paradoxus": A fun and zany romp, with a surprise cameo.
PRO - "A Moral Star": The kids go to war, and the Unwanted are finally rescued. Loved the scene where Janeway un-overrode herself.
PRO - "Supernova": An epic two-part finale that both provides resolution and makes you want more.
PRO - "Mindwalk": Kate Mulgrew shows her talent for comedy... and has a great tête-a-tête with herself.
ST - "Ephiram and Dot": An incredibly adorable cartoon with a heartwarming ending.

HM's
LD/SNW - "Those Old Scientists"
SNW - "Ad Astra Per Aspera"
LD - "Much Ado About Boimler"
PRO - "Time Amok"
PRO - "Preludes"
PIC - "The Last Generation"
ST - "The Escape Artist"

 

[Vger23]

Great Question...here's my take:

1. If Memory Serves (DSC) One of the very few Trek episodes that brings tears to my eyes (looking at you, Inner Light and The Visitor). Beautiful, beautiful episode...and a brilliant tribute to the classic story that it is a sequel to.
2. Nepenthe (PIC) Another very emotional, very beautifully done episode. Wonderful and tragic to see what had become of the Riker family, this was a nice, quiet and intimate character episode the series desperately needed.
3. Under the Cloak of War (SNW) Reminds me of the very best TOS and TNG episodes with conflicting ideologies crashing, and a thought-provoking approach rather than telling the audience what is "right" and what is "wrong."
4. No Win Scenario (PIC) Could have just as easily been my first choice, this is a great, character-driven episode with extremely tense and honest moments and wonderful performances. The ultimate example of an excellent "bottle episode."
5. New Eden (DSC) Felt more like the pilot to "The Pike Series" we later got, and was as close to a TOS plot as we'd seen for a long time. It felt as though this was the original set-up for S2, until things took an unexpected BTS twist.
6. Into the Forrest I Go (DSC) A taught, thrilling action adventure that served as DSC's slam-bang mid-season finale, driven largely by an awesomely manipulative performance by Jason Isaacs
7. All the World's a Stage (PRO) Such an earnest, joyful episode of a series that deserves way more attention and love than it gets.
8. Momento Mori (SNW) A tense, smart, visually thrilling masterpiece that leans on Trek's once-great tradition of creative and engaging space combat scenarios that go beyond the "1000 CGI things smeared on the screen" modern approach
9. Mindwalk (PRO) Smart, fun and full of heart like the series it represents, Mindwalk is a great combination of tension and character development that excellently brings the season into focus just in time for the "big finale."
10. The Star Gazer (PIC) Oh what could have been. The best episode of S2 by far, it held so much promise that unfortunately nothing that followed came even close to living up to.

Runners-Up/ Worth Mentioning:
The Last Generation (PIC)
Lethe (DSC)
Calypso (ST)
A Quality of Mercy (SNW)
Time Amok (PRO)
Kobyashi (PRO)
Children of Mars (ST)

 

[Vger23]

In contrast, there are some stinkers in the new era as well. Here are my "bottom 5"

The Watcher (PIC) So mindnumbingly inconsequential, with juvenile "preaching" thrown in that makes TNG S1 look like Shakespeare...a horrible re-casting of Guinan, and Raffi and Seven (who have zero chemistry) driving around like some weird episode of TJ Hooker.
A Mathematically Perfect Redemption (LD) The only episode or movie in Star Trek history that I walked away from before it was over. What a pile of shit this was.
Cupid's Errant Arrow (LD) Again, juvenile and embarassing, even for LD.
The Serene Squall (SNW) A rare mis-fire for this series, it is the lowlight of S1 and perhaps the entire show. Summary: Pike cooks lunch for space pirates while the worst caricature villain in franchise history embarrassingly chews scenery.
The Hope that Is You, pt 2 (DSC) Easily the worst finale of the era...unengaging and anti-climactic tripe.

HM:
All In (DSC) A totally blown attempt at a "fun adventure caper" episode...I can't fault them for trying...but this just didn't turn out well.

 

[Lord Garth]

In contrast, there are some stinkers in the new era as well. Here are my "bottom 5"

The Watcher (PIC) So mindnumbingly inconsequential, with juvenile "preaching" thrown in that makes TNG S1 look like Shakespeare...a horrible re-casting of Guinan, and Raffi and Seven (who have zero chemistry) driving around like some weird episode of TJ Hooker.
A Mathematically Perfect Redemption (LD) The only episode or movie in Star Trek history that I walked away from before it was over. What a pile of shit this was.
Cupid's Errant Arrow (LD) Again, juvenile and embarassing, even for LD.
The Serene Squall (SNW) A rare mis-fire for this series, it is the lowlight of S1 and perhaps the entire show. Summary: Pike cooks lunch for space pirates while the worst caricature villain in franchise history embarrassingly chews scenery.
The Hope that Is You, pt 2 (DSC) Easily the worst finale of the era...unengaging and anti-climactic tripe.

HM:
All In (DSC) A totally blown attempt at a "fun adventure caper" episode...I can't fault them for trying...but this just didn't turn out well.

I don't know if I have a Bottom 5. I haven't seen some of SNW and I haven't seen most of LD. So this list isn't going to be what it might've been if I was one of the types who says, "I have to watch it all!" I also don't remember most of those episodes very well.

"Unification III" (DSC) - I'll never not think making Ensign Tilly the First Officer was dumb. Burnham's mother also shows up from out of nowhere... and she's part of the Qiwot-Milot! Although I think, ultimately, DSC did more with the Qiwot-Milot than PIC. Kind of like how DS9 did more with the Maquis than VOY.

"Su'Kal" (DSC) - I'm sorry, but Su'Kal screaming causing The Burn is fucking dumb. I love The Burn and how it shook things up, but the cause of it? Not so much. "But it's like TOS!" Yeah, yeah, yeah. First, that doesn't automatically give it a pass. Second, this wasn't the place to do it, IMO.

"Mercy" (PIC) - I feel like they could've done more with the FBI Agent's interrogation of Picard and Guinan.

"The Escape Artist" (Short Treks) - I actually like Harry Mudd, but this episode of Short Treks did nothing for me.

"The Broken Circle" (SNW) - Way too fluffy, light-weight, and I have to agree with the other Admiral who told April he let Spock off too easily. Singing songs with Klingons is a huge whiplash compared to "Under the Cloak of War". Later episodes of the season really dive into the silliness and levity head-on and own it. This episode doesn't do that for me.

I don't actually dislike these episodes outright. I didn't give any of them a 5 out of 10 or below. These are all episodes I've given a 6, except for "Su'Kal". But what I mention are the things that made me rate them lower than I normally do.

 

[Paul755]

I hadn’t considered a bottom 5…

in no particular order…

A Mathematically Perfect Redemption (Lower Decks S3) - blech. Peanut Hamper was great as a one note, minor character for a few minutes of screen time. A whole episode where she’s revealed to be a psychopath that gets involved with bird people…worst LD episode by a large margin.

Charades (SNW S2) - it’s a crappy sitcom-trope filled episode (all that was missing is a “live” studio audience) wedged into Star Trek with an ending that makes Spock look like a jerk. And not a normal Vulcan arrogant…Ambassador Soval type jerk. A plain old everyday jerk. Amanda was the lone bright spot.

Such Sweet Sorrow pts 1/2 (Disco S2) - terrible end to a terrible season that was full of awful plot lines. The straw that broke the camels back was the Kelpian fleet showing up for the final battle.

Vaulting Ambition (Disco S1) - I hate the Disco take on the mirror-verse so this one was an easy choice. I could put all 3 eps there but I’m just going with the one that wraps the arc.

Mercy (Picard S2) - Picard and Guinan in the FBI basement, while Raffi and Seven argue about their relationship. The very definition of a pointless, do-nothing, filler episode. There is no good reason for it to exist other than they needed a 10th episode for the season.

honorable mention…
The Trouble with Edward (Short Treks S2), Despite Yourself (Disco S1), The Wolf Inside (Disco S1), The Elysian Kingdom (SNW S1)

 

[tomalak301]

This is a great question and has caused me to think quite a bit. Unfortunately I don't really remember Season 3 of Lower Decks or the second half of the first season of Prodigy. I guess to give it a try today:

1.Imposters - Picard (I didn't know I needed a sequel to Pre-Emptive Strike, but damn that was a fine sequel and it was one to one of my favorite episodes)
2. Subspace Rhapsody - Strange New Worlds
3. Time Amok - Prodigy
4. If Memory Serves - Discovery
5. Into The Forest I Go - Discovery (The Jump Sequence was steller)
6. The Stars at Night (The California Class saving the Day is quintessential Lower Decks)
7. Wej Duj - Lower Decks
8. Nepenthe - Picard
9. The Last Generation - Picard
10. Kobayashi - Prodigy

 

[Farscape One]

This is an interesting question. I am not sure it's fair to ask this yet for two reasons... the era is not over yet, and the episodes have not lived with us as long as TOS to ENT has.

I will, however, give it a try. I'll go in production order (series created first and in order)...

1. "No Win Scenario" - This was a great character episode, as well as giving us the birth of a new species... representing the best of what the franchise is.

2. "Imposters" - Phenomenal acting on everyone's part. The sequel to "Preemptive Strike" I never expected to see, but SO GLAD we got.

3. "wej Duj" - This one is just a classic in every way. The lower decks of Vulcans and Klingons, with the Borg as a bonus? ABSOLUTELY GENIUS!

4. "Hear All, Trust Nothing" - I don't think my love of DS9 can ever be fully expressed, and seeing the station, Kira, and Quark again just brought tears of joy while watching. (Yes, actual tears of joy. My wife has noted how sentimental I get with DS9.)

5. "KOBAYASHI" - I couldn't not include this very cleverly done showcasing of our lost people over the years. It tugged at the right heartstrings.

6. "ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE" - A wonderful tribute to the Federation seen through the lens of aliens.

7. "The Elysian Kingdom" - This was a great fantasy departure for the crew, and the ending with M'Benga's daughter... it was so sad and uplifting at the same time. I was an emotional mess right after.

8. "Charades" - A terrific showcase of Amanda and Vulcan culture. It's difficult not to understand T'Pring's view here, yet also difficult to not see Spock's view. Very well done, across the board.

9. "Those Old Scientists" - An excellent crossover event that could have easily gone wrong due to the different styles of both shows. But it was just pure gold pressed latinum.

10. "Under the Cloak of War" - A superb episode that really delves into the real casualties of war... the souls of people that survive it. I can see this one being hotly debated for years to come... which is a hallmark of a great episode.


Honorable mentions, also in production order...

1. "Lethe" - This episode explains WHY Sarek and Spock were never close. And it was the only justification in making Burnham the adopted sister of Spock. And I'm fine with that, given the result being this episode.

2. "New Eden" - A great showcase of who Pike is as a leader and first look at him leading season 2 of DISCO and later SNW, and we got some good background on Owosekun. (Finally some real stuff on one of the bridge crew outside of the main cast.)

3. "Species Ten-C" - This was a great showcase of what the franchise is about... learning to understand.

4. "No Small Parts" - A great season finale. LOWER DECKS turned the Pakleds from bumbling fools to a credible threat... a monumentally difficult task, achieved flawlessly.

5. "Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach" - I find myself really affected when children suffer. More so than one would expect considering I have no children. The ending hurts... really hurts, and it stays with me. When an episode can still get me like this, it earned its place as getting at least an honorable mention on this list.



Obviously, this list may change in the coming years as not only more, and potentially better, episodes are made but also because they will have lived with me longer. More time to really see if they really stand the test of time.

 

[Lord Garth]

This is an interesting question. I am not sure it's fair to ask this yet for two reasons... the era is not over yet,

We have over 100 episodes now, so I think it's fair. We can always start up another thread like this again in the future to see what's changed. I don't for one second think this thread will be the Final Word on the subject. It's a snapshot in time.

and the episodes have not lived with us as long as TOS to ENT has.

I'd say that's true for the episodes that have come out in the past year. After that, I think you can compare a fresh reaction versus a more settled impression.

There are already differences between how I rate episodes of PIC Season 1 and 2 versus how I did at the time. I expect something similar with DSC, when I re-watch the series before Season 5 and re-rate all the episodes.