Top 5 Over-rated Episodes

[Admiral Shran]

Well, we got a thread about the show's under-rated episodes, so how about the ones you think get more credit than they deserve.

My top five are easily....

5.) I Borg - I never agreed with Picard's decision in this episode. He let his own personal code get in the way of doing the greater good. Even if the plan to destroy the Borg would have ended up unsuccessful, they should have still tried. Every assimilation, everywhere, after this episode is on Picard's hands IMO.

4.) Who Watches the Watchers - So unsubtle in it's anti-religion message that it sickens me. If you're an atheist, hey more power to you. If you want to promote atheism, go right ahead and knock yourself out. But don't go and claim that all religion is backward superstition, that religious people are ignorant and that no good can come from it. If a believer tried to pull the exact same argument (that non-believers are stupid, that they don't deserve to be treated with equal respect and that atheism always produces immorality) I would be equally sickened; so why should I not be here?

3.) Lower Decks - Objectively a good episode. It's easily one of the show's better ones. But, I've seen it receive such fawning praise in some circles that I'm often left scratching my head. Yes, it's good, but not great. For one, I never felt very attached to the "lower decks" characters aside from Ogawa and Sito, and then only because we had seen them previously and had a backstory for them. Personally, I think VOY did a much better job with this concept in Good Shepherd - an episode where I actually did like the "lower decks" characters even though we had never seen them before.

2.) Yesterday's Enterprise - Okay, seriously, I simply do not get all the love for this episode. Again, it's objectively good. But it's not the greatest thing since sliced bread! It's a nice fun, episode; but that's all it is - nothing more, nothing remarkably special.

1.) The Inner Light - Once again, an objectively good episode - easily in TNG's top quarter. But, it's just so damn schmaltzy! I seriously feel like I need an insulin injection every time I watch it; it's so maddeningly sweet and sugary. Not to mention that it teaches Picard that he can have a family and kids and that there's great joy to be had in that, only for him to get back to the real-world and decide not to pursue that life in any way.

So, what are yours?

 

[TrekAlliance92]

The Inner Light - Frankly, I find this episode dull, boring, uninspired, and frankly not very Trek-like.

Darmok - This is one that's not terrible, but not great in my eyes. I really just can't get into it like other episodes, especially the Picard/alien scenes on the planet. And come on--phaser out of the torpedo tube? Weak.

Family - This episode isn't Star Trek at all. It's a soapopera. Huge yawn.

The Measure of a Man - Don't get me wrong on this particular episode--it's not bad. It's a good episode, but its not one of TNG's all-time best, I feel. There are other Season 2 episodes I like more ("Where Silence Has Lease" and "Contagion" just too name two.)

Chain of Command - Too dark for Trek, IMO, especially The Next Generation. Just seems to go on and on too.

Again, all of these are just my opinion and a matter of taste. If you love these episodes, that's great!

 

[RAMA]

1. Chain of Command-Only the acting is really top notch.

 

[SmoothieX]

3.) Lower Decks - Objectively a good episode. It's easily one of the show's better ones. But, I've seen it receive such fawning praise in some circles that I'm often left scratching my head. Yes, it's good, but not great. For one, I never felt very attached to the "lower decks" characters aside from Ogawa and Sito, and then only because we had seen them previously and had a backstory for them. Personally, I think VOY did a much better job with this concept in Good Shepherd - an episode where I actually did like the "lower decks" characters even though we had never seen them before.

This episode sucks more balls than a bowling alley birthday party.

 

[janedoh]

The Inner Light: Seemed kind of pointless. Like watching someone else watch TV. I just don't get all the love.

Tapestry: I didn't care about Cadet Picard. His friends seemed more like recent junior high grads than recent Starfleet Academy grads.

Unification: I like parts of this one, but it feels dragged out. It did not need to be a two-parter, and I really, really dislike Sela's backstory and how she is used.

All Good Things...: I like this episode quite a bit. But just because it was the finale doesn't mean it was one of TNG's best.

Masks: Pretty in some ways, but boring.

 

[Ghrakh]

Family is overrated?

 

[Saxman1]

I Borg - totally disagreed with Picard's decision. This began the weakening of The Borg.

The Measure of a Man - pulling off Data's arm and turning him off is disturbing and doesn't make the ep great.

Chain of Command - as said above, way too dark, the only good thing to come out of it is Troi finally in a uniform and she looked 100% hotter IMHO!

Yesterday's Enterprise - anything with Tasha/Crosby and her horrible attempts at acting loses points. It's a fun ep and a better send-off for Tasha, but who cares? She was totally lame.

Unification - more Crosby, the two parter drags and Nimoy sleepwalks through his Spock role for the first time. He was much better in ST (2009) as Spock Prime.

I also agree with Admiral Shran on Who Watches The Watchers, an arrogant slap-down of all religion. I have nothing against atheists, but to say anyone who has any spiritual beliefs is a fool is going a bit far. I bet Roddenberry loved it, though!

 

[tomalak301]

Clues - A lot of people love this episode, but I found the repeated viewings kind of hurt it. It's just too much beating over the head that "Clues are meant to be solved" and Picard got way too excited in this episode.

Yesterday's Enterprise - I like this episode, but I do think it gets bogged down by the Castillo/Yar romance. Would have liked to get more on the state of the federation in this reality. I know it's probably unheard of at the time, but this would have made a good 2 hour made for TV movie

Chain of Command - Yeah the stuff between Picard and Madred was fantastic, but you really don't hear much about anything else regarding this episode.

Best of Both Worlds I - I think an episode that get's this high of praise all over the place is overrated by default. Great episode yes, but like Clues, might suffer a bit on repeated viewings.

Conspiracy - Again, I like this episode, but I wish there was a follow up. What we got is getting a little Corney in a "we seek peaceful co-existence" kind of way.

 

[DodgerFan]

Masks: Pretty in some ways, but boring.

Yes, because "Masks" is such a highly rated episode that everyone loves

 

[DevilEyes]

1. Cause and Effect. The repetitiveness is incredibly boring.

2. Darmok. Nice idea, but the episode is, again, boring.

I'm having trouble coming up with more. Most of the episodes I dislike are not liked anyway.

3. All Good Things... - a good finale, but not the best episode of TNG that people make it out to be.

I'm really struggling now...

4. Homeward - not a well regarded episode, but the sheer fact that so few people comment on how annoying it is is enough to make it overrated.

5. Up the Long Ladder - no, definitely not a well-regarded episode, but in some ways it's even worse and more offensive than Code of Honor, Angel One and The Neutral Zone put together, so the mere fact that it's not more often singled out as the worst episode of TNG or listed among the worst means that it's overrated. It makes sense to pick it more than it would to pick some really good episode that's deservedly popular.

 

[Mr Silver]

Chain Of Command - The acting was good, the story had potential but then it just went off in the wrong direction and became about Picard facing torture.

The Drumhead - Overly dramatic in places, a couple of irritating plotholes and a random crime that causes a huge court affair and another insane admiral.

The Measure Of A Man - A good episode, but not as good as some people rate it.

Cause And Effect - Essentially a bottle show disguised with a really good idea, the ending is a bit anti-climatic because Bateson isn't exactly someone who the audience is familiar with.

Lower Decks - The only character that mattered here was Sito, yet they wasted time trying to make the Riker wannabe interesting (although he would not make anymore appearances).

 

[Duane]

1. The Best of Both World's (P. 1)
2. The Best of Both World's (P. 2) -- both are pure action and not particularly intelligent
3. Yesterday's Enterprise -- makes me fall to sleep, and Yar falling for the guy is a bit creepy.
4. Unification (P. 1)
5. Unification (P. 2) -- Why is Spock so angry in these episodes? That's not the TOS Spock that I know and love.

I love 'Darmok.' It's like TOS 'Arena' with an IQ. I haven't seen 'The Measure of a Man' in a few years, but I recall that when it first aired I said to myself "they are finally getting this new Trek right."

 

[TheLobes]

1. Chain of Command. Makings of such a good episode, but totally overdone. OTT 1984 rip-off, then OTT TV psychology on the Cardassian. Riker acting like a total idiot with Jellico.

2. Starship Mine. Patrick Stewart: 'Hey, lets have more action for me on the show!' ... Its science fiction, Pat. No more of your Dune Buggy antics, go quaff some Earl Grey.

3. Yesterdays Enterprise. I really like this episode, but I dont think its as great as everyone makes out.

4. Sins of the Father. Sins of the writer. A good idea, but not well made. To be fair I havent seen it in a while.

5 Shades of Grey. It bears the name 'Star Trek'. Therefore it is overrated!

I wouldnt call Who Watches the Watchers overrated exactly, but I totally agree with Admiral Shran. Theres some clips on youtube, and all the comments are from people moaning about how clever they are for being atheists.

 

[Mr Silver]

Why is Spock so angry in these episodes? That's not the TOS Spock that I know and love.

I think the intention was to portray Spock as finally having fully accepted his human side over the course of time between TOS and Unification. He still maintains a calm and controlled personality but isn't afraid to be emotional if required (as Data points out, to which Spock replies "fascinating" nonchantly).

Even by TUC timeframe, Spock is in touch with his human side. He angrily voices disappoinment at Valeris' betrayal and knocks the phaser out of her hand. This is not to mention his clear display of joy in TVH, including fooling about in the water with Kirk and the others and laughing. I got the impression that Spock began to accept his human side in TMP and had fully accepted it by Unification.

 

[LitmusDragon]

This is kind of painful being that TNG is one of my favorite shows, but

The Inner Light - The internal logic of this story annoys me. So these people can build this elaborate probe ... but couldn't escape the supernova? Wtf?

Tapestry - Picard second-guesses himself for 40 minutes. Also, we meet a bunch of characters I don't really care about. I think the first 5 minutes are the only reason it is so highly regarded. Those 5 minutes ARE pretty great though.

Who Watches the Watchers - Too many plot contrivances and conveniences. The proto-Vulcans are a bit too bumbling and easy led astray. Also WTF is a proto-Vulcan? Are there proto-humans on other planets? Proto-Klingons?

Cause and Effect - As someone already said, to repetitious.

Gambit - Just a weird episode to me. Doesn't really feel like TNG. It's like Buck Rogers with TNG characters or something.

 

[RAMA]

This is kind of painful being that TNG is one of my favorite shows, but

The Inner Light - The internal logic of this story annoys me. So these people can build this elaborate probe ... but couldn't escape the supernova? Wtf?

Tapestry - Picard second-guesses himself for 40 minutes. Also, we meet a bunch of characters I don't really care about. I think the first 5 minutes are the only reason it is so highly regarded. Those 5 minutes ARE pretty great though.

Who Watches the Watchers - Too many plot contrivances and conveniences. The proto-Vulcans are a bit too bumbling and easy led astray. Also WTF is a proto-Vulcan? Are there proto-humans on other planets? Proto-Klingons?

Cause and Effect - As someone already said, to repetitious.

Gambit - Just a weird episode to me. Doesn't really feel like TNG. It's like Buck Rogers with TNG characters or something.

Inner Light...I believe all their most advanced tech was thrown into one final last ditch effort to preserve the society...its also possible some cultures might havethe technology but may want to stay planet-bound.

Who wathces the Watchers...In the ST Universe's case, if we are to assume there are primitive human populations with parallel development--internally consistent--then we can assume there may be primitive Vulcanoid type cultures as well. Contrary to your opinion they are bumbling, they already show signs of rapid maturity and advanced reasoning, already having abandoned much of the trappings of religion much earlier than human beings have so far on Earth.

 

[Chaos Descending]

Chain of Command - Yeah the stuff between Picard and Madred was fantastic, but you really don't hear much about anything else regarding this episode.

Have you SEEN how many threads have been made over the years about Captain Jellico and whether he was a dick or a good Captain, and how unprofessional the Enterprise crew acted and whether they were justified or not?

 

[mitchconner]

I agree that I, Borg and Yesterday's Enterprise are overrated.

The one that would make my list is Descent (Parts 1 & 2). It gets the "we have to like it because it includes the borg" award. I'm also nominating it for the "it's a two-parter so it must be good" award.

What started out as a cool concept -- Data spontaneously having an emotion -- was killed by a slow, stagnant plot. The whole "borg gets detached from collective" theme was handled a 1000 times better by Voyager.

 

[Fang66]

Who Watches the Watchers is a fantastic episode and it's a big surprise to me that there are so many superstitious people out there who get all butt hurt over what is a perfectly reasonable treatment of magical beliefs in a primitive society.

 

[mitchconner]

Who Watches the Watchers is a fantastic episode and it's a big surprise to me that there are so many superstitious people out there who get all butt hurt over what is a perfectly reasonable treatment of magical beliefs in a primitive society.

I agree -- it was one of the best episodes of the entire franchise. I think some people are reading into it a little too much. For starters, there are many historical accounts that parallel the plot of that episode. There are countless examples from the era of exploration of natives viewing the visitors as supernatural beings. Of course the explorers often exploited the natives as a result of this, but as Who Watches The Watchers demonstrates, even people with the best of intentions can greatly damage other cultures.

Imagine if modern man went back to the bronze age in an Abrams tank and started showing off our technology? They would have no way of understanding or conceptualizing our tank or technology. And when people can't understand something, even on a basic level, they tend to adopt supernatural explanations, which is what occurred in Who Watches The Watchers. Even though this remains true today, it was much more true in the past. Comets were harbingers of doom, lightning was a message from god, diseases were punishments from above, etc. (Hurricanes and earthquakes are god's way of telling us to listen to Michele Bachmann )

I don't see that episode as an anti-religion statement but rather exploring an ethical dilemma that would exist in the TNG universe. And much of how Picard explains the Enterprise and his existence to the woman who gets beamed to the ship was pretty much on the spot. Instead of saying, "Yes, I am your god and you will go mine minerals for me," he explained his very ordinary and natural existence, which demonstrates his 24th century values (which is kind of the point of Star Trek).