I think I nice way to expand this thread would be to pose the question -which episodes cheer you up or at least leave you more melancholy or at peace the most when you're feeling down? It reminds me of a time in university when an acquaintance of mine was feeling really upset.
He came to my room while I was playing video games with another friend and told me he was having something like "an existential crisis" and the only thing I could think of to help (not wanting to interrupt what I was doing with my other friend to try to console him but also not wanting to just kick him out because I was busy), I basically said, "well I've got a bunch of TNG episodes on my computer, you're free to watch one".
He promptly selected "The Inner Light", and when it was over, he felt much better. I think episodes like "Yesterday's Enterprise", "The Measure of a Man", "The Offspring", and "All Good Things..." have a similar effect on me. In their own way, I find each life-affirming somehow.
P.S. I didn't mention any DS9 episodes since I'm still fairly new to the show, but others should feel free to. The other option is this thread could be moved to the "general" section if this 'spin-off' topic I've suggested is approved.
