Game The Most Disliked Episode/Movie Directed By Jonathan Frakes

[Sakonna]

Good timing for this one, as his latest ep dropped just today!

THE OBJECTIVE: A sudden-death elimination game in which we remove our personal favorite episodes from a themed list, until we arrive at the episode that is, if not the worst, at least the most disliked.

THE RULES: Below is a list of all the Trek episodes & movies directed by Jonathan Frakes (TNG, DS9, VOY, DIS, and PIC)

Eliminate/save your favorite, or the one you deem the ‘best.’
Post something you love about the episode you are saving, and copy-and-paste the list with your choice removed.

You can use any standard you like to judge which option is "best." You can save episodes for being widely recognized “best Trek” classics, or for idiosyncratic qualities that no one appreciates but you.

But -- no tactical voting! You cannot remove an episode because you don’t think anyone else will, or because you feel it would threaten your preferred episode's chance to “win.”

You can take multiple turns. Leave at least 2 eliminations by other posters before you eliminate another episode.

New players are always welcome, you do not have to already be a "most disliked game" regular to dive in.

Enjoy!

TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 4: "Reunion"
TNG Season 4: "The Drumhead"
TNG Season 5: "Cause And Effect"
TNG Season 6: "The Quality Of Life"
TNG Season 6: "The Chase"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
TNG Season 7: "Sub Rosa"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: First Contact"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
DIS Season 3: "People Of Earth"
DIS Season 3: "The Sanctuary"
DIS Season 3: "There Is A Tide..."
DIS Season 4: "Stormy Weather" [spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor"
PIC Season 1: "Stardust City Rag"
PIC Season 2: "Fly Me To The Moon" [spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 2: "Two Of One" [spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]

 

[Sakonna]

First save: "Sub Rosa." Daaaaaaaaaamn do I love this ep. Endlessly satisfies. I've seen it nearly as many times as "Yesterday's Enterprise."

I think people once thought I was joking or just being contrarian when I raved about this ep, but I think I've been at it long enough now that everyone is convinced my love is real.

During my casting career, was I EXCITED when I got to audition the actress who played Felisa Howard (which ended up being shortly before her death). I kept thinking -- damn, this woman was playing a corpse when I was a child, and here I am years into my adult career, and she's still at it!

TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 4: "Reunion"
TNG Season 4: "The Drumhead"
TNG Season 5: "Cause And Effect"
TNG Season 6: "The Quality Of Life"
TNG Season 6: "The Chase"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: First Contact"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
DIS Season 3: "People Of Earth"
DIS Season 3: "The Sanctuary"
DIS Season 3: "There Is A Tide..."
DIS Season 4: "Stormy Weather" [spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor"
PIC Season 1: "Stardust City Rag"
PIC Season 2: "Fly Me To The Moon" [spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 2: "Two Of One" [spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]

 

[Oddish]

Sub Rosa gone first? Didn't expect that, but hey, you like what you like.

Me second, and I am saving the AMAZING Movie, "First Contact"! It is the best of the movies because it features the Borg, but it also does the things that made the TV show work: Barclay, Worf's cutlery, and even some holodeck time (and a stealth cameo by Neelix, and a not so stealth one by the EMH).

TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 4: "Reunion"
TNG Season 4: "The Drumhead"
TNG Season 5: "Cause And Effect"
TNG Season 6: "The Quality Of Life"
TNG Season 6: "The Chase"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
DIS Season 3: "People Of Earth"
DIS Season 3: "The Sanctuary"
DIS Season 3: "There Is A Tide..."
DIS Season 4: "Stormy Weather" [spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor"
PIC Season 1: "Stardust City Rag"
PIC Season 2: "Fly Me To The Moon" [spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 2: "Two Of One" [spoilertag elimination reasons for this ep]

 

[Brennyren]

Saving "The Drumhead" for a wonderful parable about the dangers of political paranoia and witch hunts. Jean Simmons was a standout as Admiral Satie, and Picard got to make one of his finest speeches. A stirring episode all the way around.

TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 4: "Reunion"
TNG Season 5: "Cause And Effect"
TNG Season 6: "The Quality Of Life"
TNG Season 6: "The Chase"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek: Insurrection"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
DIS Season 3: "People Of Earth"
DIS Season 3: "The Sanctuary"
DIS Season 3: "There Is A Tide..."
DIS Season 4: "Stormy Weather" [spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor"
PIC Season 1: "Stardust City Rag"
PIC Season 2: "Fly Me To The Moon" [spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 2: "Two Of One" [spoilertag elimination reasons for this ep]

 

[Richard S. Ta]

Blimey! He directed way more than I thought...

I'm going to save Star Trek: Insurrection. Many don't like it and I understand why, but I have a lot of time for it.

TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 4: "Reunion"
TNG Season 5: "Cause And Effect"
TNG Season 6: "The Quality Of Life"
TNG Season 6: "The Chase"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
DIS Season 3: "People Of Earth"
DIS Season 3: "The Sanctuary"
DIS Season 3: "There Is A Tide..."
DIS Season 4: "Stormy Weather" [spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor"
PIC Season 1: "Stardust City Rag"
PIC Season 2: "Fly Me To The Moon" [spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 2: "Two Of One" [spoilertag elimination reasons for this ep]

 

[Seven of Five]

The Oddspring is a classic Data story, which always breaks my heart after eventually losing Lal. He goes through so much to try and give her the same opportunities that he had at Starfleet.

It's Frakes's first time directing, meaning his schedule as Riker was light. However, there was that great scene where he comes back on the Enterprise and starts Rikering Lal. Data's reaction was hilarious.

TNG Season 4: "Reunion"
TNG Season 5: "Cause And Effect"
TNG Season 6: "The Quality Of Life"
TNG Season 6: "The Chase"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
DIS Season 3: "People Of Earth"
DIS Season 3: "The Sanctuary"
DIS Season 3: "There Is A Tide..."
DIS Season 4: "Stormy Weather" [spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor"
PIC Season 1: "Stardust City Rag"
PIC Season 2: "Fly Me To The Moon" [spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 2: "Two Of One" [spoilertag elimination reasons for this ep]

 

[Oddish]

Cause and Effect has long been one of my favorites, the subtle changes from repetition to repetition, and Data's subtle but effective message to himself. And, plus, Enterprise going pfoom repeatedly.

TNG Season 4: "Reunion"
TNG Season 6: "The Quality Of Life"
TNG Season 6: "The Chase"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
DIS Season 3: "People Of Earth"
DIS Season 3: "The Sanctuary"
DIS Season 3: "There Is A Tide..."
DIS Season 4: "Stormy Weather" [spoiler tag elimination reasons forthis ep]
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor"
PIC Season 1: "Stardust City Rag"
PIC Season 2: "Fly Me To The Moon"[spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 2: "Two Of One" [spoilertag elimination reasons forthis ep]

 

[at Quark's]

Always liked 'the Chase', so therefore removing it from the list. A lot is happening in this one, we see something of Picard's background, there are a few unexpected twists & turns in this one, and most of all, it's a relatively high-paced episode about unraveling a mystery.

TNG Season 4: "Reunion"
TNG Season 6: "The Quality Of Life"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
VOY Season 2: "Prototype"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
DIS Season 3: "People Of Earth"
DIS Season 3: "The Sanctuary"
DIS Season 3: "There Is A Tide..."
DIS Season 4: "Stormy Weather" [spoiler tag elimination reasons forthis ep]
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor"
PIC Season 1: "Stardust City Rag"
PIC Season 2: "Fly Me To The Moon"[spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 2: "Two Of One" [spoilertag elimination reasons forthis ep]

 

[Summer Solstice]

This is a very long list. But I hadn't realised Jonathan Frakes didn't direct any Enterprise episodes.

I'm saving "Prototype" for the begining sequence where we see the crew fixing the robot from the robot's perspective. Possibly controversially, I thought this was a more interesting episode about artificial intelligence and the future of technology than quite a few of the EMH episodes in the later seasons of Voyager.

TNG Season 4: "Reunion"
TNG Season 6: "The Quality Of Life"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
DIS Season 3: "People Of Earth"
DIS Season 3: "The Sanctuary"
DIS Season 3: "There Is A Tide..."
DIS Season 4: "Stormy Weather" [spoiler tag elimination reasons forthis ep]
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor"
PIC Season 1: "Stardust City Rag"
PIC Season 2: "Fly Me To The Moon"[spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 2: "Two Of One" [spoilertag elimination reasons forthis ep]

 

[dupersuper]

I'll save Reunion. RIP Keh'lar...

TNG Season 6: "The Quality Of Life"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "New Eden"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
DIS Season 3: "People Of Earth"
DIS Season 3: "The Sanctuary"
DIS Season 3: "There Is A Tide..."
DIS Season 4: "Stormy Weather" [spoiler tag elimination reasons forthis ep]
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor"
PIC Season 1: "Stardust City Rag"
PIC Season 2: "Fly Me To The Moon"[spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 2: "Two Of One" [spoilertag elimination reasons forthis ep]

 

[Sakonna]

Frakes does get a fair number of dud scripts, doesn't he?

"New Eden" is a fantastic Discovery episode. The more episodic they let this show be, the better it is.

It's too bad Harberts & Berg were abusive monsters. The first half of season 2 was really rocking creatively under their leadership.

TNG Season 6: "The Quality Of Life"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
DIS Season 3: "People Of Earth"
DIS Season 3: "The Sanctuary"
DIS Season 3: "There Is A Tide..."
DIS Season 4: "Stormy Weather" [spoiler tag elimination reasons forthis ep]
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor"
PIC Season 1: "Stardust City Rag"
PIC Season 2: "Fly Me To The Moon"[spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 2: "Two Of One" [spoilertag elimination reasons forthis ep]

 

[at Quark's]

I have no particular dislike for DS9 Season 3: "The Search, Part II". It's a foundational episode for the later seasons of DS9, and we get quite a bit of action, too - even if it turns out to be a simulation in the end.

Due to not having seen several of the later DIS and PIC episodes yet (and some of the earlier ones just once, and barely remembering what they were about), I think I will leave voting for the remainder of this game to those who can judge between these episodes.

TNG Season 6: "The Quality Of Life"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
DIS Season 3: "People Of Earth"
DIS Season 3: "The Sanctuary"
DIS Season 3: "There Is A Tide..."
DIS Season 4: "Stormy Weather" [spoiler tag elimination reasons forthis ep]
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor"
PIC Season 1: "Stardust City Rag"
PIC Season 2: "Fly Me To The Moon"[spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 2: "Two Of One" [spoilertag elimination reasons forthis ep]

 

[Seven of Five]

I love Projections, so that's next for me. The mystery of what the hell is going on with the Doctor was nicely done.

TNG Season 6: "The Quality Of Life"
TNG Season 7: "Attached"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Projections"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
DIS Season 3: "People Of Earth"
DIS Season 3: "The Sanctuary"
DIS Season 3: "There Is A Tide..."
DIS Season 4: "Stormy Weather" [spoiler tag elimination reasons forthis ep]
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor"
PIC Season 1: "Stardust City Rag"
PIC Season 2: "Fly Me To The Moon"[spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 2: "Two Of One" [spoilertag elimination reasons forthis ep]

 

[Summer Solstice]

Saving "The Quality Of Life" - the Exocomps were interesting as they were probably sentient life that doesn't look anything like us.

TNG Season 7: "Attached"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 2: "Project Daedalus"
DIS Season 3: "People Of Earth"
DIS Season 3: "The Sanctuary"
DIS Season 3: "There Is A Tide..."
DIS Season 4: "Stormy Weather" [spoiler tag elimination reasons forthis ep]
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor"
PIC Season 1: "Stardust City Rag"
PIC Season 2: "Fly Me To The Moon"[spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 2: "Two Of One" [spoilertag elimination reasons forthis ep]

 

[Farscape One]

With DISCO and PICARD, Frakes is the only person to direct episodes from FIVE different shows. And he paved the way for so many Berman era actors to direct, many of whom were excellent. A wonderful legacy.

"Project Daedalus" is saved. I was so sad they killed Airiam at the end.


TNG Season 7: "Attached"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 3: "People Of Earth"
DIS Season 3: "The Sanctuary"
DIS Season 3: "There Is A Tide..."
DIS Season 4: "Stormy Weather" [spoiler tag elimination reasons forthis ep]
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor"
PIC Season 1: "Stardust City Rag"
PIC Season 2: "Fly Me To The Moon"[spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 2: "Two Of One" [spoilertag elimination reasons forthis ep]

 

[Richard S. Ta]

Stardust City Rag. Great episode, great title. A highlight of Season 1.

TNG Season 7: "Attached"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
DS9 Season 3: "Past Tense, Part II"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 3: "People Of Earth"
DIS Season 3: "The Sanctuary"
DIS Season 3: "There Is A Tide..."
DIS Season 4: "Stormy Weather" [spoiler tag elimination reasons forthis ep]
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor"
PIC Season 2: "Fly Me To The Moon"[spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 2: "Two Of One" [spoilertag elimination reasons forthis ep]

 

[Oddish]

With DISCO and PICARD, Frakes is the only person to direct episodes from FIVE different shows.

And appear in six. TNG, DS9, VOY, ENT, LD, and PIC. And he did a commercial with the entire TOS cast, too, which sort of counts.

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"Past Tense II" gets a pass. It tackled an important issue, it had the crew in uncharacteristic roles, and it had Sisko running around with a pump-action shottie, so shades of Hawk there.

TNG Season 7: "Attached"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 3: "People Of Earth"
DIS Season 3: "The Sanctuary"
DIS Season 3: "There Is A Tide..."
DIS Season 4: "Stormy Weather" [spoiler tag elimination reasons forthis ep]
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor"
PIC Season 2: "Fly Me To The Moon"[spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 2: "Two Of One" [spoilertag elimination reasonsforthis ep]

 

[Seven of Five]

Past Tense, Part Two is next for me. It's a great two-parter, and an easy save.

TNG Season 7: "Attached"
DS9 Season 3: "Meridian"
VOY Season 2: "Parturition"
DIS Season 1: "Despite Yourself"
DIS Season 3: "People Of Earth"
DIS Season 3: "The Sanctuary"
DIS Season 3: "There Is A Tide..."
DIS Season 4: "Stormy Weather" [spoiler tag elimination reasons forthis ep]
PIC Season 1: "Absolute Candor"
PIC Season 2: "Fly Me To The Moon"[spoiler tag elimination reasons for this ep]
PIC Season 2: "Two Of One" [spoilertag elimination reasons forthis ep]

 

[Farscape One]

Seven of Five, go ahead and pick another one since your choice was picked directly before.

 

[Oddish]

Yeah. Usually I'm the one gets ninja-ed and has to re-pick.