Game The Most Disliked Episode From THR's 100 Greatest Star Trek Episodes, 2025 Edition

[Victoria]

I had been mulling over my possible options while doing other things then realised that I was thinking a lot about "Take Me Out To The Holosuite". Now this is an episode that probably plays differently to Americans than it does to those of us from elsewhere. I'm English and have little knowledge of baseball. The scenes of people learning to play illustrate that sports are often incomprehensible to the non-initiate... Over all, the episode is a nice illustration of "not that you won or lost but how you played the game". The DS9 crew might have lost but they still came away with more than the winners. One of my episodes for watching when I'm feeling down.

Incidentally, whilst I would not ever expect a scratch team to beat a side that has been practicing together for some time, I am a bit surprised that Worf (a hunter and warrior that practises martial arts) and the genetically-enhanced Bashir (who turned his back on a professional tennis career) didn't do better individually.


1. “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield”, TOS Season 3
14. “Tapestry”, TNG Season 6
16. “Q Who”, TNG Season 2
18. “Chain Of Command, Parts I & II”, TNG Season 6
22. “Homefront/Paradise Lost”, DS9 Season 4
24. “The Naked Time”, TOS Season 1
26. “Elementary, Dear Data”, TNG Season 2
28. “Amok Time”, TOS Season 2
30. “Equinox, Parts I & II”, VOY Seasons 5 & 6
32. “The Menagerie, Parts I & II”, TOS Season 1
33. “The Enterprise Incident”, TOS Season 3
36. “Redemption I & II”, TNG Seasons 4 & 5
44. “Soldiers Of The Empire”, DS9 Season 5
45. “The Corbomite Maneuver”, TOS Season 1
46. “The Drumhead”, TNG Season 4
47. “Past Tense, Parts I & II”, DS9 Season 3
49. “Inquisition”, DS9 Season 6
50. “Lower Decks”, TNG Season 7
51. “Once More Unto The Breach”, DS9 Season 7
53. “A Taste Of Armageddon”, TOS Season 1
54. “Endgame”, VOY Season 7
62. “Relics”, TNG Season 6
64. “Worst Case Scenario”, VOY Season 3
72. “Deadlock”, VOY Season 2
74. “The Infinite Vulcan”, TAS Season 1
76. “Brothers”, TNG Season 4
77. “Damage”, ENT Season 3
79. “The Offspring”, TNG Season 3
80. “Broken Bow”, ENT Season 1
81. “Mortal Coil”, VOY Season 4
82. “Shore Leave”, TOS Season 1
83. “Phantasms”, TNG Season 7
84. “Caretaker”, VOY Season 1
85. “Similitude”, ENT Season 3
86. “Flashback”, VOY Season 3
90. “Spectre Of The Gun”, TOS Season 3
91. “The Lorelei Signal”, TAS Season 1
92. “E2”, ENT Season 3
93. “His Way”, DS9 Season 6
95. “Home”, ENT Season 4
96. “Borderland”/”Cold Station 12”/”The Augments”, ENT Season 4
97. “Someone To Watch Over Me”, VOY Season 5
100. “The Andorian Incident”, ENT Season 1

 

[at Quark's]

Eliminating “Past Tense, Parts I & II”, DS9 Season 3

2024 - The Bell riots, a turning point in human history. After this, people started thinking about how things (treatment of less fortunate civilians) could've gotten so badly out of hand and apparently resolved to never let get things this far again.

If only....

1. “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield”, TOS Season 3
14. “Tapestry”, TNG Season 6
16. “Q Who”, TNG Season 2
18. “Chain Of Command, Parts I & II”, TNG Season 6
22. “Homefront/Paradise Lost”, DS9 Season 4
24. “The Naked Time”, TOS Season 1
26. “Elementary, Dear Data”, TNG Season 2
28. “Amok Time”, TOS Season 2
30. “Equinox, Parts I & II”, VOY Seasons 5 & 6
32. “The Menagerie, Parts I & II”, TOS Season 1
33. “The Enterprise Incident”, TOS Season 3
36. “Redemption I & II”, TNG Seasons 4 & 5
44. “Soldiers Of The Empire”, DS9 Season 5
45. “The Corbomite Maneuver”, TOS Season 1
46. “The Drumhead”, TNG Season 4
49. “Inquisition”, DS9 Season 6
50. “Lower Decks”, TNG Season 7
51. “Once More Unto The Breach”, DS9 Season 7
53. “A Taste Of Armageddon”, TOS Season 1
54. “Endgame”, VOY Season 7
62. “Relics”, TNG Season 6
64. “Worst Case Scenario”, VOY Season 3
72. “Deadlock”, VOY Season 2
74. “The Infinite Vulcan”, TAS Season 1
76. “Brothers”, TNG Season 4
77. “Damage”, ENT Season 3
79. “The Offspring”, TNG Season 3
80. “Broken Bow”, ENT Season 1
81. “Mortal Coil”, VOY Season 4
82. “Shore Leave”, TOS Season 1
83. “Phantasms”, TNG Season 7
84. “Caretaker”, VOY Season 1
85. “Similitude”, ENT Season 3
86. “Flashback”, VOY Season 3
90. “Spectre Of The Gun”, TOS Season 3
91. “The Lorelei Signal”, TAS Season 1
92. “E2”, ENT Season 3
93. “His Way”, DS9 Season 6
95. “Home”, ENT Season 4
96. “Borderland”/”Cold Station 12”/”The Augments”, ENT Season 4
97. “Someone To Watch Over Me”, VOY Season 5
100. “The Andorian Incident”, ENT Season 1

 

[JLA]

“Amok Time”, TOS Season 2 I've come to love this episode mainly because of its inspiration on SNW and Spock.


1. “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield”, TOS Season 3
14. “Tapestry”, TNG Season 6
16. “Q Who”, TNG Season 2
18. “Chain Of Command, Parts I & II”, TNG Season 6
22. “Homefront/Paradise Lost”, DS9 Season 4
24. “The Naked Time”, TOS Season 1
26. “Elementary, Dear Data”, TNG Season 2
30. “Equinox, Parts I & II”, VOY Seasons 5 & 6
32. “The Menagerie, Parts I & II”, TOS Season 1
33. “The Enterprise Incident”, TOS Season 3
36. “Redemption I & II”, TNG Seasons 4 & 5
44. “Soldiers Of The Empire”, DS9 Season 5
45. “The Corbomite Maneuver”, TOS Season 1
46. “The Drumhead”, TNG Season 4
49. “Inquisition”, DS9 Season 6
50. “Lower Decks”, TNG Season 7
51. “Once More Unto The Breach”, DS9 Season 7
53. “A Taste Of Armageddon”, TOS Season 1
54. “Endgame”, VOY Season 7
62. “Relics”, TNG Season 6
64. “Worst Case Scenario”, VOY Season 3
72. “Deadlock”, VOY Season 2
74. “The Infinite Vulcan”, TAS Season 1
76. “Brothers”, TNG Season 4
77. “Damage”, ENT Season 3
79. “The Offspring”, TNG Season 3
80. “Broken Bow”, ENT Season 1
81. “Mortal Coil”, VOY Season 4
82. “Shore Leave”, TOS Season 1
83. “Phantasms”, TNG Season 7
84. “Caretaker”, VOY Season 1
85. “Similitude”, ENT Season 3
86. “Flashback”, VOY Season 3
90. “Spectre Of The Gun”, TOS Season 3
91. “The Lorelei Signal”, TAS Season 1
92. “E2”, ENT Season 3
93. “His Way”, DS9 Season 6
95. “Home”, ENT Season 4
96. “Borderland”/”Cold Station 12”/”The Augments”, ENT Season 4
97. “Someone To Watch Over Me”, VOY Season 5
100. “The Andorian Incident”, ENT Season 1

 

[Qonundrum]

Sheesh, a few great-ones-with-bad-clunkers, so I'll yank out my 5-sided coin and choose... well, let me flip it again... meh, it's not working so I'll find a good book to eat and let bygones be Borgones:

16. “Q Who”, TNG Season 2

Some of this is saved for the same reasons as TBOBW as the thematic tie-in of the Borg, especially vs the Federation, is the same. While TNG didn't always get brazen with macro-level societal concepts, this one definitely takes the cake. Especially given how simple the Borg are, despite being a parody/mirror of the Federation (read my saving of TBOBW for more.)

Yeah, there is some residual cheese leftover from season 1 in this, and the cheese in the early years could be really gouda or horridly limburger, there's no screen chemistry between LaForge and Gomez unfortunately, and why there's a friggin' replicator that's programmed to allow food to be produced IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, NO LESS?!! (There's a Lower Decks-style joke just waiting to be told to explain this little issue as to what might happen between scenes...) But, heck yeah, the moment Mon Capitan is zoinked into the shuttle by Q, things start to get good.

And I mean good.

Q's introduction to Guinan begs a lot of cool potential, especially as Guinan is clearly on the defensive.

"The Ultimate User... Not a he, not a she..." Like locusts, the Borg come a'running (or rather, walking slow because they simply don't need to run at all) and there is zero chance that their gestalt hive mind will take 2 attoseconds to think once they make up their mind, because it's the collective lot of them wired in that helps make the most logical choice that quick, that fast. They're large. They're understandable. Their ship is easy to make a model of, all you need do is go to the bakery aisle of the grocery store, buy a bag of sugar cubes and gray food coloring, dunk one into the other and I won't say which goes where, and voila - edible Borg, couldn't you just eat it all up? Mr Ed could...

Okay, enough horsing around. It is so cool when John DeLancie opined a better solution to a confrontational scene to when Riker and Picard gripe about the loss of some crew, Q was to yell and froth but DeLancie said that Q should be coolheaded. As a result, one of TNG's best scenes in one of the best fan-favorites ever came about. The Borg were that pivotal.

I adore the costume design - it was the most authentic-looking Cybernetic design that any sci-fi, up to that point created. Heck, in many ways it looks better than later creations and all those LED lights were frothy bling anyhow. Heck, it's hilarious when, in TBOBW, a Borg is seen with a bit of the old "Mouse Trap" game covering its eye (but painted black). It's ingenious what the costumiers did with bits of bric-a-brac and everyday objects. Except the laser cat toy, those weren't anything like common back then, Locutus's headgear was something like $2000 because of that laser if I recall... but I digress.

Set design as well; the Borg iconic red claw outline is barely visible on some set adornments, even on the blu-ray. What's easier to spot are the disused 5.25" floppy disk drive bezels as set adornments, by 1988, 3.5" disks were all the rage. No worries, your 40 year-old game on the 525" disk is likely still intact whereas many 3.5" disks, thanks to higher density combined with entropy and magical farts, no longer work.

The soundtrack - well, it's excellent, innit? Ron Jones did by far the best Borg story soundtracks in the series so there's that. He knew how to get the emotions out of the filmed material, complementing and adding to it.

An 7/10 story in its own right, even with a couple clunker moments, it's a strong story and one that would take some strong twists and turns in the arc to follow. (That said, "I, Borg", for its brilliance in not trying to copycat a big blazing battle for cheap squeeing, also screwed the pooch by unconvincingly changing characters to suit the plot (Beverly got the worst treatment) and it's no wonder Admiral Nechayev slapped Picard silly after that, just for a different reason - but that's another story...

What's left:
1. “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield”, TOS Season 3
14. “Tapestry”, TNG Season 6
18. “Chain Of Command, Parts I & II”, TNG Season 6
22. “Homefront/Paradise Lost”, DS9 Season 4
24. “The Naked Time”, TOS Season 1
26. “Elementary, Dear Data”, TNG Season 2
30. “Equinox, Parts I & II”, VOY Seasons 5 & 6
32. “The Menagerie, Parts I & II”, TOS Season 1
33. “The Enterprise Incident”, TOS Season 3
36. “Redemption I & II”, TNG Seasons 4 & 5
44. “Soldiers Of The Empire”, DS9 Season 5
45. “The Corbomite Maneuver”, TOS Season 1
46. “The Drumhead”, TNG Season 4
49. “Inquisition”, DS9 Season 6
50. “Lower Decks”, TNG Season 7
51. “Once More Unto The Breach”, DS9 Season 7
53. “A Taste Of Armageddon”, TOS Season 1
54. “Endgame”, VOY Season 7
62. “Relics”, TNG Season 6
64. “Worst Case Scenario”, VOY Season 3
72. “Deadlock”, VOY Season 2
74. “The Infinite Vulcan”, TAS Season 1
76. “Brothers”, TNG Season 4
77. “Damage”, ENT Season 3
79. “The Offspring”, TNG Season 3
80. “Broken Bow”, ENT Season 1
81. “Mortal Coil”, VOY Season 4
82. “Shore Leave”, TOS Season 1
83. “Phantasms”, TNG Season 7
84. “Caretaker”, VOY Season 1
85. “Similitude”, ENT Season 3
86. “Flashback”, VOY Season 3
90. “Spectre Of The Gun”, TOS Season 3
91. “The Lorelei Signal”, TAS Season 1
92. “E2”, ENT Season 3
93. “His Way”, DS9 Season 6
95. “Home”, ENT Season 4
96. “Borderland”/”Cold Station 12”/”The Augments”, ENT Season 4
97. “Someone To Watch Over Me”, VOY Season 5
100. “The Andorian Incident”, ENT Season 1

 

[Seven of Five]

The Enterprise Incident is a fun episode.

The relationship between Spock and the commander is, well,m fascinating.

1. “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield”, TOS Season 3
14. “Tapestry”, TNG Season 6
18. “Chain Of Command, Parts I & II”, TNG Season 6
22. “Homefront/Paradise Lost”, DS9 Season 4
24. “The Naked Time”, TOS Season 1
26. “Elementary, Dear Data”, TNG Season 2
30. “Equinox, Parts I & II”, VOY Seasons 5 & 6
32. “The Menagerie, Parts I & II”, TOS Season 1
36. “Redemption I & II”, TNG Seasons 4 & 5
44. “Soldiers Of The Empire”, DS9 Season 5
45. “The Corbomite Maneuver”, TOS Season 1
46. “The Drumhead”, TNG Season 4
49. “Inquisition”, DS9 Season 6
50. “Lower Decks”, TNG Season 7
51. “Once More Unto The Breach”, DS9 Season 7
53. “A Taste Of Armageddon”, TOS Season 1
54. “Endgame”, VOY Season 7
62. “Relics”, TNG Season 6
64. “Worst Case Scenario”, VOY Season 3
72. “Deadlock”, VOY Season 2
74. “The Infinite Vulcan”, TAS Season 1
76. “Brothers”, TNG Season 4
77. “Damage”, ENT Season 3
79. “The Offspring”, TNG Season 3
80. “Broken Bow”, ENT Season 1
81. “Mortal Coil”, VOY Season 4
82. “Shore Leave”, TOS Season 1
83. “Phantasms”, TNG Season 7
84. “Caretaker”, VOY Season 1
85. “Similitude”, ENT Season 3
86. “Flashback”, VOY Season 3
90. “Spectre Of The Gun”, TOS Season 3
91. “The Lorelei Signal”, TAS Season 1
92. “E2”, ENT Season 3
93. “His Way”, DS9 Season 6
95. “Home”, ENT Season 4
96. “Borderland”/”Cold Station 12”/”The Augments”, ENT Season 4
97. “Someone To Watch Over Me”, VOY Season 5
100. “The Andorian Incident”, ENT Season 1

 

[Sakonna]

I'm often saving episodes saying something like "I rewatch this one constantly", but now I will save an episode for packing such an overwhelming emotional punch I almost never rewatch it, because it's just too much to take - "The Offspring"!

I recently heard Frakes on some podcast (I think it must have been the Delta Flyers?) talking about what a gift this was as first directing assignment, and did I love his attitude. He had such humility about it. He did this whole rundown of what a fantastic episode it was and how much it had going for it before he had even done anything - fantastic script, a focus on Data, the most compelling character with Brent playing it who was always incredible, great material for Whoopi, a crew that was extremely supportive and invested in helping him make his first time directing great, etc.

I so rarely hear other directors deflect compliments of their own work onto the specific collaboraters he feels actually deserve credit!

11. “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield”, TOS Season 3
14. “Tapestry”, TNG Season 6
18. “Chain Of Command, Parts I & II”, TNG Season 6
22. “Homefront/Paradise Lost”, DS9 Season 4
24. “The Naked Time”, TOS Season 1
26. “Elementary, Dear Data”, TNG Season 2
30. “Equinox, Parts I & II”, VOY Seasons 5 & 6
32. “The Menagerie, Parts I & II”, TOS Season 1
36. “Redemption I & II”, TNG Seasons 4 & 5
44. “Soldiers Of The Empire”, DS9 Season 5
45. “The Corbomite Maneuver”, TOS Season 1
46. “The Drumhead”, TNG Season 4
49. “Inquisition”, DS9 Season 6
50. “Lower Decks”, TNG Season 7
51. “Once More Unto The Breach”, DS9 Season 7
53. “A Taste Of Armageddon”, TOS Season 1
54. “Endgame”, VOY Season 7
62. “Relics”, TNG Season 6
64. “Worst Case Scenario”, VOY Season 3
72. “Deadlock”, VOY Season 2
74. “The Infinite Vulcan”, TAS Season 1
76. “Brothers”, TNG Season 4
77. “Damage”, ENT Season 3
80. “Broken Bow”, ENT Season 1
81. “Mortal Coil”, VOY Season 4
82. “Shore Leave”, TOS Season 1
83. “Phantasms”, TNG Season 7
84. “Caretaker”, VOY Season 1
85. “Similitude”, ENT Season 3
86. “Flashback”, VOY Season 3
90. “Spectre Of The Gun”, TOS Season 3
91. “The Lorelei Signal”, TAS Season 1
92. “E2”, ENT Season 3
93. “His Way”, DS9 Season 6
95. “Home”, ENT Season 4
96. “Borderland”/”Cold Station 12”/”The Augments”, ENT Season 4
97. “Someone To Watch Over Me”, VOY Season 5
100. “The Andorian Incident”, ENT Season 1

 

[Qonundrum]

The Enterprise Incident is a fun episode.

The relationship between Spock and the commander is, well,m fascinating.

Plot- and logic-wise, it's got more gaping holes in it than the pair of underwear I discarded last night, surprisingly larger ones too, but the production and action are so well timed and paced that it's too difficult to not love.

The Commander wants Spock for jiggytime, and Vulcans never bluff or lie or exaggerate or anything unless the script demands it, so he's faking it the entire time. Man, after "Amok Time" where everything is so hush-hush then we get this episode, Spock freely telling Droxine, just put out relay beacons across the galaxy and play a loop of how and when Spock wants to do it...

 

[at Quark's]

16. “Q Who”, TNG Season 2

...why there's a friggin' replicator that allows food to be produced IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, NO LESS ...

Same reason for there being a tree in the middle of the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve were absolutely prohibited to eat from, I'd say.

But I agree. Great episode. Great, slow buildup to that moment of terror when Picard realises these are hostile, relentless, they cannot be reasoned with and they are way, way out of his league. Great Q quotes too ('It's not safe out here. It's wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross. But it's not for the timid'.)

Wonder what would have happened had Picard been less headstrong, and indeed 'went back right now' in the direction of Federation space as Guinan adviced instead of go exploring anyway?

 

[Qonundrum]

Speaking of logic, a weird war where both planets decide to let computers hold a running tally and simulate who should go waddle into a disintegration/extermination chamber:

53. “A Taste Of Armageddon”, TOS Season 1

Some indirect parallels to WW2, the idea of how to have a real war while not having one, the reasons why they do it, and lots of other things never cease to amaze. It's a horrific story, to say the least and Kirk is taking a big gamble in breaking the prime directive to such an extent, over a guess that - because both Ventikarians and Eminians are the same species that they will react identically to this situation. (That's where the Ambassador or Kirk or someone on the Enterprise needs to hightail it to Ventikar and say what's going on. The story has enough meat for two parts yet never realizes it, a double shame because they could have stretched the budget out that much farther as well.)

Keep in mind that TOS is more like televised theater than the sort of "natural" dialogue we're accustomed to today, and there's so much more to enjoy from the 60s original - one of the first truly adult sci-fi TV series.

What's left:
11. “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield”, TOS Season 3
14. “Tapestry”, TNG Season 6
18. “Chain Of Command, Parts I & II”, TNG Season 6
22. “Homefront/Paradise Lost”, DS9 Season 4
24. “The Naked Time”, TOS Season 1
26. “Elementary, Dear Data”, TNG Season 2
30. “Equinox, Parts I & II”, VOY Seasons 5 & 6
32. “The Menagerie, Parts I & II”, TOS Season 1
36. “Redemption I & II”, TNG Seasons 4 & 5
44. “Soldiers Of The Empire”, DS9 Season 5
45. “The Corbomite Maneuver”, TOS Season 1
46. “The Drumhead”, TNG Season 4
49. “Inquisition”, DS9 Season 6
50. “Lower Decks”, TNG Season 7
51. “Once More Unto The Breach”, DS9 Season 7
54. “Endgame”, VOY Season 7
62. “Relics”, TNG Season 6
64. “Worst Case Scenario”, VOY Season 3
72. “Deadlock”, VOY Season 2
74. “The Infinite Vulcan”, TAS Season 1
76. “Brothers”, TNG Season 4
77. “Damage”, ENT Season 3
80. “Broken Bow”, ENT Season 1
81. “Mortal Coil”, VOY Season 4
82. “Shore Leave”, TOS Season 1
83. “Phantasms”, TNG Season 7
84. “Caretaker”, VOY Season 1
85. “Similitude”, ENT Season 3
86. “Flashback”, VOY Season 3
90. “Spectre Of The Gun”, TOS Season 3
91. “The Lorelei Signal”, TAS Season 1
92. “E2”, ENT Season 3
93. “His Way”, DS9 Season 6
95. “Home”, ENT Season 4
96. “Borderland”/”Cold Station 12”/”The Augments”, ENT Season 4
97. “Someone To Watch Over Me”, VOY Season 5
100. “The Andorian Incident”, ENT Season 1

 

[Sakonna]

23. “Where No Man Has Gone Before”, TOS Season 1

My favorite Star Trek episode. Why? Dunno.

There are few episodes that make me feel like I am on the Enterprise. And this episode has it in spades. Which is funny because the sets are arguably less polished than in the rest of the series.

Does the Galactic Barrier make sense? No. Do I love it more than almost anything in Star Trek. Ohhhh yes.

I like this Spock. He's still our logical (and ruthless) First Officer but he's got a rawness to him here while not going over the top. And sorry, I LOVE the Spock who shouts his reports like a sailor with sea salt in his hair. It's not excitable, it's naval.

Kirk. This is Shatner knowing who Kirk is right out of the box. Also this is the less swaggery, more Horatio Hornblower Captain James Kirk. Shatner you are underappreciated.

Gary Lockwood feels like he could have been a series regular. One could say that this is because this is our introduction to the crew so we don't know otherwise. Except that was in no way how I experienced WNMHGB. I had been watching Star Trek for years when I saw this episode. And honestly on my little black and white TV set I did not notice the differences. (I was also nine. Maybe ten.)

Lockwood is so good. Gary gets to be Gary because Kirk is holding it all down being Kirk.

Honestly, Kellerman is OK. It's a fairly thankless role, I suppose. She doesn't get to be as charismatic as Gary and while she's certainly smart she has to be the "smart in a dumb way" role. She never gets to have agency and really, she never gets to be right. Imagine if she was a more oppositional role? (But then what would Spock do?)

Oh, and there is something about the station on Delta Vega. It feels so lonely and abandoned. Why this feels so much more visceral as opposed to the planet in The Man Trap or the dozens of other barren outposts that we visit? I don't know. The matte paintings? Sound design? All top notch.

There's a small handful of TOS episodes I still haven't seen, this is one of them, and this save makes me want to watch it right this minute.

I've been so slick, I thought it was saved by someone else from page 1 already!

89. “Skin Of Evil”, TNG Season 1

Well, thank you. That was one of the very few eps I realistically could see as the last episode remaining, so now I actually am curious which one will 'win'

@Qonundrum you beat me to it. At the beginning of the thread, there were a few "how is 'Skin Of Evil' here?" comments, and I was reminded that not everyone loves "Skin Of Evil" like I do.

Of course I was saving the ones I liked more first, but I love "Skin Of Evil" and I was just about to save it. It's a great showcase for Troi. Armus freaked me out so much as a kid, and still does to some extent. And this episode was also key in teaching child me how to process death.

There are some others on this list that to me are dogs - "Flashback", "E2", "His Way", "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" (#11!). That's one thing I loved about this list, though - it's certainly making some bold, non-obvious choices!

I had been mulling over my possible options while doing other things then realised that I was thinking a lot about "Take Me Out To The Holosuite". Now this is an episode that probably plays differently to Americans than it does to those of us from elsewhere. I'm English and have little knowledge of baseball. The scenes of people learning to play illustrate that sports are often incomprehensible to the non-initiate... Over all, the episode is a nice illustration of "not that you won or lost but how you played the game". The DS9 crew might have lost but they still came away with more than the winners. One of my episodes for watching when I'm feeling down.

Incidentally, whilst I would not ever expect a scratch team to beat a side that has been practicing together for some time, I am a bit surprised that Worf (a hunter and warrior that practises martial arts) and the genetically-enhanced Bashir (who turned his back on a professional tennis career) didn't do better individually.

This is such an interesting perspective on this episode, and I never realized that about Worf and Bashir before - you're totally right! Kind of makes me want to rewatch it right now...

Eliminating “Past Tense, Parts I & II”, DS9 Season 3

2024 - The Bell riots, a turning point in human history. After this, people started thinking about how things (treatment of less fortunate civilians) could've gotten so badly out of hand and apparently resolved to never let get things this far again.

If only....

This always haunts me about this episode. Wouldn't we all kill to live in this reality right now? But by the standards of the mid-90's, it was a grim, horrible dystopia. It's so depressing that we're underperforming the standards of dystopic fiction from only 30 years ago.

Anyway, now I'm left with a burning desire to immediately watch "Where No Man Has Gone Before", "Skin Of Evil", "Take Me Out To The Holosuite", and "Past Tense." If only I had a wall with four TV's on it...

 

[Qonundrum]

Same reason for there being a tree in the middle of the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve were absolutely prohibited to eat from, I'd say.

I need to think about that, LOL. Maybe as theme inversion. A&E and the garden of knowledge was more an allegory, whereas having gooey fingers from the replicated custard cream pie you just ate with your fingers and there's no sink in the immediate area either, could make the controls harder to work with, and slippery fingers on the console might lead to the wrong button being touched. Which just reminded me of quite the tangent:

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Now, replace tight tochus there with "touch us" "slippery fingers thanks to cake frosting as the dang replicator didn't even conjure up and spit out some alcohol wipes and napkin, never mind the freakin' fork" and voilà.

But I agree. Great episode. Great, slow buildup to that moment of terror when Picard realises these are hostile, relentless, they cannot be reasoned with and they are way, way out of his league. Great Q quotes too ('It's not safe out here. It's wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross. But it's not for the timid'.)

Q's got so many in this one, it's terrific.

Wonder what would have happened had Picard been less headstrong, and indeed 'went back right now' in the direction of Federation space as Guinan adviced instead of go exploring anyway?

Q would either find another way to return them there, snap his fingers to nudge the Borg closer, and/or laugh at Picard. Probably not the latter, but Q did have a habit of nudging Picard in the right direction, to get him to think (ATG being the best example of this, but QWHO's an easy runner-up).

 

[at Quark's]

I need to think about that, LOL. Maybe as theme inversion. A&E and the garden of knowledge was more an allegory, whereas having gooey fingers from the replicated custard cream pie you just ate with your fingers and there's no sink in the immediate area either, could make the controls harder to work with, and slippery fingers on the console might lead to the wrong button being touched.

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Well, I was just being flippant.

But, in a way, narratively, they do serve the same goal. They 'get the story going' . Getting mankind isolated from god. Getting Picard isolated from the rest of his crew (not that Q would have needed that, he ofc could just have snapped his fingers and Picard would've found yanked himself from engineering, in that shuttle).

And it never occurred to me that the Ent-D wasn-t equipped just with intertia dampening technology, but also with butt pressure dampening technology

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

I'm going to save The Naked Time, as it's the first episode to really establish who Spock is and it's also very good.

What's left:
11. “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield”, TOS Season 3
14. “Tapestry”, TNG Season 6
18. “Chain Of Command, Parts I & II”, TNG Season 6
22. “Homefront/Paradise Lost”, DS9 Season 4
26. “Elementary, Dear Data”, TNG Season 2
30. “Equinox, Parts I & II”, VOY Seasons 5 & 6
32. “The Menagerie, Parts I & II”, TOS Season 1
36. “Redemption I & II”, TNG Seasons 4 & 5
44. “Soldiers Of The Empire”, DS9 Season 5
45. “The Corbomite Maneuver”, TOS Season 1
46. “The Drumhead”, TNG Season 4
49. “Inquisition”, DS9 Season 6
50. “Lower Decks”, TNG Season 7
51. “Once More Unto The Breach”, DS9 Season 7
54. “Endgame”, VOY Season 7
62. “Relics”, TNG Season 6
64. “Worst Case Scenario”, VOY Season 3
72. “Deadlock”, VOY Season 2
74. “The Infinite Vulcan”, TAS Season 1
76. “Brothers”, TNG Season 4
77. “Damage”, ENT Season 3
80. “Broken Bow”, ENT Season 1
81. “Mortal Coil”, VOY Season 4
82. “Shore Leave”, TOS Season 1
83. “Phantasms”, TNG Season 7
84. “Caretaker”, VOY Season 1
85. “Similitude”, ENT Season 3
86. “Flashback”, VOY Season 3
90. “Spectre Of The Gun”, TOS Season 3
91. “The Lorelei Signal”, TAS Season 1
92. “E2”, ENT Season 3
93. “His Way”, DS9 Season 6
95. “Home”, ENT Season 4
96. “Borderland”/”Cold Station 12”/”The Augments”, ENT Season 4
97. “Someone To Watch Over Me”, VOY Season 5
100. “The Andorian Incident”, ENT Season 1

 

[Brennyren]

Saving "Tapestry," a thoughtful and entertaining ep that shows that even our mistakes help to make us the people we are. Q and Picard's interactions are, as always, great fun. Q's a true trickster mentor here, and shows real concern for, and real understanding of, his unwilling pupil, Picard.

Also, this is the episode that gave us:

"I refuse to believe that the afterlife is run by you! The universe is not so badly designed."

"Is there a John-Luck Pickard here?"

And the scene where Picard wakes up in bed next to Q, and promptly yanks the blankets up to cover his chest as if in outraged modesty.

11. “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield”, TOS Season 3
18. “Chain Of Command, Parts I & II”, TNG Season 6
22. “Homefront/Paradise Lost”, DS9 Season 4
26. “Elementary, Dear Data”, TNG Season 2
30. “Equinox, Parts I & II”, VOY Seasons 5 & 6
32. “The Menagerie, Parts I & II”, TOS Season 1
36. “Redemption I & II”, TNG Seasons 4 & 5
44. “Soldiers Of The Empire”, DS9 Season 5
45. “The Corbomite Maneuver”, TOS Season 1
46. “The Drumhead”, TNG Season 4
49. “Inquisition”, DS9 Season 6
50. “Lower Decks”, TNG Season 7
51. “Once More Unto The Breach”, DS9 Season 7
54. “Endgame”, VOY Season 7
62. “Relics”, TNG Season 6
64. “Worst Case Scenario”, VOY Season 3
72. “Deadlock”, VOY Season 2
74. “The Infinite Vulcan”, TAS Season 1
76. “Brothers”, TNG Season 4
77. “Damage”, ENT Season 3
80. “Broken Bow”, ENT Season 1
81. “Mortal Coil”, VOY Season 4
82. “Shore Leave”, TOS Season 1
83. “Phantasms”, TNG Season 7
84. “Caretaker”, VOY Season 1
85. “Similitude”, ENT Season 3
86. “Flashback”, VOY Season 3
90. “Spectre Of The Gun”, TOS Season 3
91. “The Lorelei Signal”, TAS Season 1
92. “E2”, ENT Season 3
93. “His Way”, DS9 Season 6
95. “Home”, ENT Season 4
96. “Borderland”/”Cold Station 12”/”The Augments”, ENT Season 4
97. “Someone To Watch Over Me”, VOY Season 5
100. “The Andorian Incident”, ENT Season 1

 

[Uhura's Song]

"There are four lights!"

Saving the TNG classics Chain of Command Pts I & II from S6. Made all the more chilling when, at the end, Picard admits he could see 5, even though he knew there were only four.

What's left:
11. “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield”, TOS Season 3
14. “Tapestry”, TNG Season 6
22. “Homefront/Paradise Lost”, DS9 Season 4
24. “The Naked Time”, TOS Season 1
26. “Elementary, Dear Data”, TNG Season 2
30. “Equinox, Parts I & II”, VOY Seasons 5 & 6
32. “The Menagerie, Parts I & II”, TOS Season 1
36. “Redemption I & II”, TNG Seasons 4 & 5
44. “Soldiers Of The Empire”, DS9 Season 5
45. “The Corbomite Maneuver”, TOS Season 1
46. “The Drumhead”, TNG Season 4
49. “Inquisition”, DS9 Season 6
50. “Lower Decks”, TNG Season 7
51. “Once More Unto The Breach”, DS9 Season 7
54. “Endgame”, VOY Season 7
62. “Relics”, TNG Season 6
64. “Worst Case Scenario”, VOY Season 3
72. “Deadlock”, VOY Season 2
74. “The Infinite Vulcan”, TAS Season 1
76. “Brothers”, TNG Season 4
77. “Damage”, ENT Season 3
80. “Broken Bow”, ENT Season 1
81. “Mortal Coil”, VOY Season 4
82. “Shore Leave”, TOS Season 1
83. “Phantasms”, TNG Season 7
84. “Caretaker”, VOY Season 1
85. “Similitude”, ENT Season 3
86. “Flashback”, VOY Season 3
90. “Spectre Of The Gun”, TOS Season 3
91. “The Lorelei Signal”, TAS Season 1
92. “E2”, ENT Season 3
93. “His Way”, DS9 Season 6
95. “Home”, ENT Season 4
96. “Borderland”/”Cold Station 12”/”The Augments”, ENT Season 4
97. “Someone To Watch Over Me”, VOY Season 5
100. “The Andorian Incident”, ENT Season 1

 

[Qonundrum]

There's a small handful of TOS episodes I still haven't seen, this is one of them, and this save makes me want to watch it right this minute.

It's a good one for sure. I hope you enjoy it, it's got a few great moments in it.

@Qonundrum you beat me to it. At the beginning of the thread, there were a few "how is 'Skin Of Evil' here?" comments, and I was reminded that not everyone loves "Skin Of Evil" like I do.

I keep forgetting it's more contentious between fans, but its daring to be different is a real step up. I like to believe that most people would have preferred Yar going out in a blaze of glory, but it really shows space being a dangerous place (I wonder if Maurice Hurley came up with that, since his tone in season 2 is chock full of examples of space being so dangerous.) That and the recorded message -- hmm, I should look up and read up more on why it's not a fan-favorite. I think it's an underrated episode.

Of course I was saving the ones I liked more first, but I love "Skin Of Evil" and I was just about to save it. It's a great showcase for Troi. Armus freaked me out so much as a kid, and still does to some extent. And this episode was also key in teaching child me how to process death.

Armus was so well-realized and the effects of him coming up and interacting still hold up insanely well, especially against the backlit alien planet set.

Great point on Troi! She's the perfect foil for this monster. The novel and unique creativity behind Armus (no relation to Burton Armus, I hope!) is spellbinding, for which Trek had no baddie of this type ever before, but how Troi interacts with it is another great example of her saving the day.

Here's a fun thought -- if Armus didn't say it was evil, could it be redeemed?

Anyway, now I'm left with a burning desire to immediately watch "Where No Man Has Gone Before", "Skin Of Evil", "Take Me Out To The Holosuite", and "Past Tense." If only I had a wall with four TV's on it...

LOL! Watching four at once would be quite a feat. The first two I'm itching to rewatch as well. I should rewatch "Holosuite" - haven't seen it since initial airing... I don't even remember "Past Tense", so...

 

[Qonundrum]

A tough call for a few of these...

Like other season 3 episodes, there's a sledgehammer in it, but unlike "Turnabout Intruder", it knows what direction to go in and remains duly as one of the greatest episodes:

11. “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield”, TOS Season 3

There is some clunky dialogue in this and complete with sledgehammer at times, and Spock should have noticed the discontinuity between Bele and Lokai as either could or would say "I fail to see the significance?" (that scene just needed a small rewrite to have scored a win instead of a clunk), but other lines and added detail do try to fill the edges.

Frank Gorshin - one of the most underrated character actors ever - just steals the show at every turn in this. Compare him to The Riddler, then his performances in other shows, and "underrated" is an understatement.

Add in some galaxy-hopping as to how quick they get to Charon (and back) and it does strain...

Still, great direction - kudos to the self-destruct scene too. Season 3 had its ups and downs, even in the same episode!


What's left:
22. “Homefront/Paradise Lost”, DS9 Season 4
24. “The Naked Time”, TOS Season 1
26. “Elementary, Dear Data”, TNG Season 2
30. “Equinox, Parts I & II”, VOY Seasons 5 & 6
32. “The Menagerie, Parts I & II”, TOS Season 1
36. “Redemption I & II”, TNG Seasons 4 & 5
44. “Soldiers Of The Empire”, DS9 Season 5
45. “The Corbomite Maneuver”, TOS Season 1
46. “The Drumhead”, TNG Season 4
49. “Inquisition”, DS9 Season 6
50. “Lower Decks”, TNG Season 7
51. “Once More Unto The Breach”, DS9 Season 7
54. “Endgame”, VOY Season 7
62. “Relics”, TNG Season 6
64. “Worst Case Scenario”, VOY Season 3
72. “Deadlock”, VOY Season 2
74. “The Infinite Vulcan”, TAS Season 1
76. “Brothers”, TNG Season 4
77. “Damage”, ENT Season 3
80. “Broken Bow”, ENT Season 1
81. “Mortal Coil”, VOY Season 4
82. “Shore Leave”, TOS Season 1
83. “Phantasms”, TNG Season 7
84. “Caretaker”, VOY Season 1
85. “Similitude”, ENT Season 3
86. “Flashback”, VOY Season 3
90. “Spectre Of The Gun”, TOS Season 3
91. “The Lorelei Signal”, TAS Season 1
92. “E2”, ENT Season 3
93. “His Way”, DS9 Season 6
95. “Home”, ENT Season 4
96. “Borderland”/”Cold Station 12”/”The Augments”, ENT Season 4
97. “Someone To Watch Over Me”, VOY Season 5
100. “The Andorian Incident”, ENT Season 1

 

[Uhura's Song]

Naked Time was saved earlier & made it back in via my post. Someone must have been faster than me posting their post first despite my starting first.

What's left:
22. “Homefront/Paradise Lost”, DS9 Season 4
26. “Elementary, Dear Data”, TNG Season 2
30. “Equinox, Parts I & II”, VOY Seasons 5 & 6
32. “The Menagerie, Parts I & II”, TOS Season 1
36. “Redemption I & II”, TNG Seasons 4 & 5
44. “Soldiers Of The Empire”, DS9 Season 5
45. “The Corbomite Maneuver”, TOS Season 1
46. “The Drumhead”, TNG Season 4
49. “Inquisition”, DS9 Season 6
50. “Lower Decks”, TNG Season 7
51. “Once More Unto The Breach”, DS9 Season 7
54. “Endgame”, VOY Season 7
62. “Relics”, TNG Season 6
64. “Worst Case Scenario”, VOY Season 3
72. “Deadlock”, VOY Season 2
74. “The Infinite Vulcan”, TAS Season 1
76. “Brothers”, TNG Season 4
77. “Damage”, ENT Season 3
80. “Broken Bow”, ENT Season 1
81. “Mortal Coil”, VOY Season 4
82. “Shore Leave”, TOS Season 1
83. “Phantasms”, TNG Season 7
84. “Caretaker”, VOY Season 1
85. “Similitude”, ENT Season 3
86. “Flashback”, VOY Season 3
90. “Spectre Of The Gun”, TOS Season 3
91. “The Lorelei Signal”, TAS Season 1
92. “E2”, ENT Season 3
93. “His Way”, DS9 Season 6
95. “Home”, ENT Season 4
96. “Borderland”/”Cold Station 12”/”The Augments”, ENT Season 4
97. “Someone To Watch Over Me”, VOY Season 5
100. “The Andorian Incident”, ENT Season 1

 

[at Quark's]

Saving “Mortal Coil”, VOY Season 4.

Neelix could've been a great character, if only they'd delved deeper into his past and his serious side rather than using him almost exclusively for silly and grating comedic relief.

I choose this episode as a representative of the rare set of episodes that showed him in that light, since equally great episodes such as Jetrel or Fair Trade aren't on the list.

What's left:
22. “Homefront/Paradise Lost”, DS9 Season 4
24. “The Naked Time”, TOS Season 1
26. “Elementary, Dear Data”, TNG Season 2
30. “Equinox, Parts I & II”, VOY Seasons 5 & 6
32. “The Menagerie, Parts I & II”, TOS Season 1
36. “Redemption I & II”, TNG Seasons 4 & 5
44. “Soldiers Of The Empire”, DS9 Season 5
45. “The Corbomite Maneuver”, TOS Season 1
46. “The Drumhead”, TNG Season 4
49. “Inquisition”, DS9 Season 6
50. “Lower Decks”, TNG Season 7
51. “Once More Unto The Breach”, DS9 Season 7
54. “Endgame”, VOY Season 7
62. “Relics”, TNG Season 6
64. “Worst Case Scenario”, VOY Season 3
72. “Deadlock”, VOY Season 2
74. “The Infinite Vulcan”, TAS Season 1
76. “Brothers”, TNG Season 4
77. “Damage”, ENT Season 3
80. “Broken Bow”, ENT Season 1
82. “Shore Leave”, TOS Season 1
83. “Phantasms”, TNG Season 7
84. “Caretaker”, VOY Season 1
85. “Similitude”, ENT Season 3
86. “Flashback”, VOY Season 3
90. “Spectre Of The Gun”, TOS Season 3
91. “The Lorelei Signal”, TAS Season 1
92. “E2”, ENT Season 3
93. “His Way”, DS9 Season 6
95. “Home”, ENT Season 4
96. “Borderland”/”Cold Station 12”/”The Augments”, ENT Season 4
97. “Someone To Watch Over Me”, VOY Season 5
100. “The Andorian Incident”, ENT Season 1

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

Naked Time was saved earlier & made it back in via my post. Someone must have been faster than me posting their post first despite my starting first.

It's nice to see the episode getting so much love!

I'm going to pick... The Naked Time? How is it back in the list again! Okay, I'm picking The Menagerie, Parts I & II this time, as it's the best clip show in sci-fi history.

What's left:
22. “Homefront/Paradise Lost”, DS9 Season 4
26. “Elementary, Dear Data”, TNG Season 2
30. “Equinox, Parts I & II”, VOY Seasons 5 & 6
36. “Redemption I & II”, TNG Seasons 4 & 5
44. “Soldiers Of The Empire”, DS9 Season 5
45. “The Corbomite Maneuver”, TOS Season 1
46. “The Drumhead”, TNG Season 4
49. “Inquisition”, DS9 Season 6
50. “Lower Decks”, TNG Season 7
51. “Once More Unto The Breach”, DS9 Season 7
54. “Endgame”, VOY Season 7
62. “Relics”, TNG Season 6
64. “Worst Case Scenario”, VOY Season 3
72. “Deadlock”, VOY Season 2
74. “The Infinite Vulcan”, TAS Season 1
76. “Brothers”, TNG Season 4
77. “Damage”, ENT Season 3
80. “Broken Bow”, ENT Season 1
82. “Shore Leave”, TOS Season 1
83. “Phantasms”, TNG Season 7
84. “Caretaker”, VOY Season 1
85. “Similitude”, ENT Season 3
86. “Flashback”, VOY Season 3
90. “Spectre Of The Gun”, TOS Season 3
91. “The Lorelei Signal”, TAS Season 1
92. “E2”, ENT Season 3
93. “His Way”, DS9 Season 6
95. “Home”, ENT Season 4
96. “Borderland”/”Cold Station 12”/”The Augments”, ENT Season 4
97. “Someone To Watch Over Me”, VOY Season 5
100. “The Andorian Incident”, ENT Season 1