Both "Family" and "Drumhead" are in my top 10 most definitely. Love 'em.
The Most Underrated Episodes
- Thread starter AdmiralScreed
- Start date
Powerplay never seems to get much of a mention. I like it and I think it has a lot to offer. The combination of "O'Brien", "Data" and "Troi" as the protaganists for an episode is pretty unique. I don't think these three carry the show in any other episode. It's always nice to see Brent Spiner act out of Data-character, which he does here. I think that Marina Sirtis acting here is consistently overlooked. I think she does an awesome job of Bryce Shumar, a really very excellent turn adopting another personality in the way she speaks and moves. Colm Meany is chilling in his role, particularly when interacting with Kekio. I think the production crew create a moody, foreboding atmosphere from the moment the episode starts. It could all have gone horribly wrong for the Federation folk in this epiosde and they manage to save the day by the skin of their teeth. I really like this episode, I think it's an often overlooked gem.
I rest my case!
I forgot to add this episode to my list, but I completely agree with you. Powerplay was a terrific episode with lots of suspense!
Glad to see you included The Perfect Mate. I love that episode!
Oh yes! I love that one! Guilty pleasure indeed! What was that quote from wesley?
"i don't think I'll try it until i learn more about it" hahaha!
Say no to drugs kids!
As a software developer and fan of the craft of filmmaking, I always found "Identity Crisis" highly underrated. The way Geordi interacts with the Enterprise computer to solve a complex puzzle is inspiring stuff, and the coreography and lighting of the holodeck log sequences is some of the best directing and photography done for TNG imo.
I agree with everything about that statement
Easily the most worthwhile Troi-centric episode, & definitely one of the biggest "WTF?" moments the show had
"Clues" was mentioned earlier, & rightly so. It is woefully under-appreciated, & even more enthralling on multiple viewings
I quite enjoy "Conundrum" myself, & "The Mind's Eye" unfortunately often goes overlooked as well. I'll add those
^ I'd second Connundrum. It's one of my favourites. There are some nice character moments in it I really enjoy - Worf assuming command because he's "decorated"; Picard not making a big thing about assuming command when they finally figure out who's in charge, and Riker not really seeming to care that he's reasonably low down the pecking order. I think it says a lot about their hidden characters: Worf thinks he's superior to everyone; Picard has authority, he doesn't wield it, and Riker isn't as driven as everyone seems to think.
I always thought "Future Imperfect" didn't get as much love as it should.
Riker: "I said shut up! As in close your mouth and stop talking!"
Awesome.
Riker: "I said shut up! As in close your mouth and stop talking!"
Awesome.
That's especially why I like it too. Amnesia stories are rather common in tv, but in this case it was executed in a manner that gave you really poignant insight into each of the characters, making it very much worthwhile.
More interesting than Riker & Ro having a tryst was how well they seemed to work together, once the ranks were obliterated, & there were no preconceptions or prejudices blocking them from knowing who each other really are. I imagine their working relationship would improve even after they had regained their memories. At least a major attitude adjustment in how they behave with each other would come from the experience
The Picard stuff was equally marvelous in that you get to see how he can call upon his mastery of diplomacy to negotiate within his own crew for a change. Instead of just ordering a thing, having to use logic, reason & persuasion to convince others, & then how Worf seemingly disliked him doing so, as if it were subversive & passively aggressive. It was like watching the characters we know end up being different people
The real treat for me was Data & Geordi hypothesizing about Data's "Uniqueness amongst the crew". Basically watching the 2 science guys postulate all the permutations of the "Android" element on board.
Then, even before any of the amnesia, we even get to see Troi & Data having a character growth scene, where she beats him at chess, enlightening him to the realization that chess is a game of guile, like poker. Very little to dislike about that episode, really
Even the villain's ruse lasting so long, because at the end of the day, all of them are at heart, order followers, until it becomes an issue of virtue or morality
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