Favourite episode from all of Televised Trek?

[DevilEyes]

In light of your "Duet" pick, I'm surprised "A Private Little War" was not on your list.
Just sayin'.

Come again?

Duet was a comment on the Holocost & Jewish persecution, I just figured that an ep commenting on the Vietnam war might figure somewhere near as prominently is all.

As could loads of other episodes of Star Trek that reflected/were inspired by some event in history (for instance, "Jetrel" - Hiroshima & Nagasaki...)?

Quite a bit depends on how good they actually are, you know.

BTW, actually, it may surprise you, but I wasn't primarily thinking about Jews and Nazis while watching it. There have been many other (and even more current ones) instances of war crimes and unresolved issues that come with it. The episode touched on issues of war crimes, racial/ethnic hatred, individual and 'collective' responsability (and even the question whether there is such a thing as 'collective responsability' is highly controversial), 'truth and reconciliation', whether a society can have any progress without dealing with the past and confronting the painful truth of the crimes, etc. Those kind of debates were (and are) quite current where I'm from.

 

[Chrisisall]

The episode touched on issues of war crimes, racial/ethnic hatred, individual and 'collective' responsability (and even the question whether there is such a thing as 'collective responsability' is highly controversial), 'truth and reconciliation', whether a society can have any progress without dealing with the past and confronting the painful truth of the crimes, etc. Those kind of debates were (and are) quite current where I'm from.

Fair enough to say.
I meant no disrespect.

 

[startrekwatcher]

You're entitled to your opinion, of course. But I find it hard to believe you can say that with a strait face unless you:

A.) Haven't seen a lot of other television.
B.) Just don't care.

I've seen quite a bit of television of all types--Hill Street Blues, The West Wing, nBSG, St Elsewhere, Roseanne, Melrose Place, Dallas, I Love Lucy, True Blood, LOST, Heroes, Judging Amy, Buffy, TOS, TNG, DS9, Nowhere Man, Supernatural, The Wire, Burn Notice, The Shield, OZ, Blake's 7, B5. Boston Legal, The Practice etc.

And not one episode from any of those shows has come close to the unique viewing experience of "The Best of Both Worlds". Even my favorite episodes do I rarely consider flawless but this is a rare example of a perfect episode.

Either way, I encourage you to educate yourself in good story telling; then, take a breath and reevaluate your opinion. You might surprise yourself.

I'm very aware of what constitutes good storytelling and these two episodes have it in spades--great character moments, compelling drama, stimulation of the imagination, visceral response, suspense, consistency, expert balancing of character with plot, outstanding acting, a unifying theme, attention to details, a unique yet spectacular musical score, effective atmosphere, outstanding production in the Borg design.

You can feel free to disagree but I'm sure there is an episode of Trek you enjoy that many would question your taste or even understanding of good storytelling. For all we know you might like "Let He Who is Without Sin" or "Spirit Folk" or "Demon"

 

[startrekrcks]

What did you think of the episode Charlie X

 

[UncleRogi]

In the Pale Moonlight

The one that stays with me the most is TOS-"Balance of Terror"
Also TNG-"Time's Arrow"
DS9-"The Visitor"
Voy:"Year of Hell"
Ent:"Through a Mirror Darkly" (Is that the right title?)

 

[Shazam!]

Duet

I recently watched that again. It is a ridiculously good episode.

When I was a kid Way of the Warrior was my favourite episode. I was so excited to see Worf again and the space battles were immense. It may not be perfect television or even perfect Trek, but for sheer enjoyment no single episode has ever matched that one for me.

 

[barnaclelapse]

Top three would have to be:
1.) All Good Things
2.) Balance of Terror
3.) Arena/The Enterprise Incident (So, I cheated...)

 

[SFRabid]

Oh boy. This is hard. For me I think the two most powerful and memorable episodes are

City on the Edge of Forever and Similitude.

Both made the science fiction aspect a neccessary part to a good plot without it being too "in your face".

 

[marylizz]

It's certainly not the absolute best, but my favourite would have to be "Devil in the Dark."

I just think it's such a fantastic episode, though not as exciting as some.

 

[FlapJoy]

Balance of Terror is my favorite... and does a great job of setting up the Romulans as a complex race and compelling foe. One of the better antagonistic races in Trek.

 

[Sector 7]

TOS- Balance of Terror, Amok Time
TNG- The Inner Light, Family

IMO, these are episode with have stayed with me since first seeing them. They wear well even after many viewings.

 

[tomalak301]

The Visitor (DS9)

By far the most emotional episode I've ever seen on Television.

As for individual series:

Star Trek: Devil in the Dark
TNG: All Good Things
DS9: The Visitor
VOY: Before and After
ENT: The Forgotten

 

[Vanyel]

My favorite of all Trek episodes:
The Inner Light

In order, honorable mentions go to:
The Best of Both Worlds 1 & 2
The Visitor
In The Pale Moonlight
Year of Hell 1 & 2
Q Who?
Yesterday's Enterprise
Sacrifice of Angels
Distant Origin
Twilight
The Omega Directive
The Void
In a Mirror, Darkly 1 & 2
Balance of Terror

 

[Brolan]

Family

 

[Genesis Does]

In really no particular order:

TOS:
Balance of Terror
Wolf in The Fold
A Piece of the Action
The Corbomite Maneuver

TNG:
Disaster
Remember Me
Chain of Command
11001001
Genesis
Timescape
Parallels
The Measure of a Man
Cause and Effect
Q Who?

DS9: Haven't seen enough DS9 to like enough episodes

VOY:
Worst Case Scenario
Year of Hell
Message In A Bottle
Unimatrix Zero
Endgame

ENT: See DS9

 

[Chrisisall]

And not one episode from any of those shows has come close to the unique viewing experience of "The Best of Both Worlds". Even my favorite episodes do I rarely consider flawless but this is a rare example of a perfect episode.

I was (and am) awed by those eps. My 10 year old son is of the same opinion.

TOS- Balance of Terror, Amok Time
TNG- The Inner Light, Family

IMO, these are episode with have stayed with me since first seeing them. They wear well even after many viewings.

I agree, even more so with the remastered FX on the TOS ones!

My favorite of all Trek episodes:
The Inner Light

Lots of love for that one, and deservedly so IMO.

Family

I love it, and I cannot watch TBOBW without it.

In really no particular order:

TOS:
Balance of Terror

Never knew so many loved this one as much as I do...

Year of Hell

Just awesome, really re-watchable any time.

Unimatrix Zero

Gray area on the Borg- not such an evil menace in every facet. I love gray.

Endgame

Paradox & Temporal anomalys aside, I loved it for it's emotional content.

 

[Jono]

If I could only keep one episode for the rest of my days it would be DS9's "The Visitor".

Other favourites include, "In the Cards", "Call to Arms", "Favors the Bold"/"Sacrifice of Angels", "Emissary", "Waltz", "What You Leave Behind", "Nor the Battle to the Strong"...

 

[Peter the Younger]

It's painful to pick just one, but the one that I think of most often is "In the Pale Moonlight."

 

[Lightinspire]

Yesterday's Enterprise - TNG

Relativity - Voyager