The Most Disliked Episode of TNG, 2023 Edition - Season 5...

Farscape One · Sep 25, 2023

Welcome to our bi-yearly 'Most Disliked Episode' games! Now that the 'Least Disliked Episode' games hosted by BlueStuff (who inspired me to create these games, so thank you very much for paving the way) have concluded, we can begin the opposite side of that coin.

Here's the game. The basic idea is your standard elimination game. I'll provide a list of the episodes for each season and you need to eliminate your most favorite or the one you deem the 'best.' Please provide an EXPLANATION for why you are eliminating your choice and be sure to copy and paste the list with your choice removed. Finally, leave at least 2 eliminations by other posters before you eliminate another episode.

No tactical voting! You cannot remove an episode because you feel they would threaten your preferred episode's chance to win. Pretty simple. Enjoy!

Hall of Champions (or Failures?)
2011 - "Shades Of Gray"
2018 - "The Outrageous Okona"
2019 - "Code of Honor"
2021 - "Journey's End"
2023 - "Aquiel"

Season Five -

"Redemption II"
"Darmok"
"Ensign Ro"
"Silicon Avatar"
"Disaster"
"The Game"
"Unification I"
"Unification II"
"A Matter Of Time"
"New Ground"
"Hero Worship"
"Violations"
"The Masterpiece Society"
"Conundrum"
"Power Play"
"Ethics"
"The Outcast"
"Cause And Effect"
"The First Duty"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"
"I Borg"
"The Next Phase"
"The Inner Light"
"Time's Arrow"

Farscape One · Sep 25, 2023

Season 5 had some excellent episodes, as well. (Though I do think this was TNG at its most preachy.) I have several that are immediate saves for me, but I am starting with "Darmok".

This is a superb story. One of my favorites of the franchise, and exactly why Joe Menosky is one of my favorite writers. It's simply about learning to communicate despite differences, coming together, and forming a bond. Exactly what STAR TREK is about at its core. Few episodes in the franchise so precisely capture the essence and spirit of the franchise like this one does. From start to finish, this is pure gold. Especially since I love mythology, this is a win. Throw in a great guest star like Paul Winfield, and you just added the cherry on top.

Always a rewatch for me. Always.

"Redemption II"
"Ensign Ro"
"Silicon Avatar"
"Disaster"
"The Game"
"Unification I"
"Unification II"
"A Matter Of Time"
"New Ground"
"Hero Worship"
"Violations"
"The Masterpiece Society"
"Conundrum"
"Power Play"
"Ethics"
"The Outcast"
"Cause And Effect"
"The First Duty"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"
"I Borg"
"The Next Phase"
"The Inner Light"
"Time's Arrow"

Qonundrum · Sep 25, 2023

I have to remove my most favoritest episode of the bunch:

"The Next Phase"

I love how Data gets to piece everything together, with Geordi quietly giving him encouragement.

The philosophical discussion and classic Romulan scheming that's quite worthy of the legendary DC Fontana more than outweighs the selective physics.

There's some great action moments.

The music in this one just rocks the house, very unexpected for being this late in season 5. They nail it beautifully.

And here are some standout character moments, of many:

Lastly, here's that outtake that nobody keeps talking about:

What's left:
"Redemption II"
"Ensign Ro"
"Silicon Avatar"
"Disaster"
"The Game"
"Unification I"
"Unification II"
"A Matter Of Time"
"New Ground"
"Hero Worship"
"Violations"
"The Masterpiece Society"
"Conundrum"
"Power Play"
"Ethics"
"The Outcast"
"Cause And Effect"
"The First Duty"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"
"I Borg"
"The Inner Light"
"Time's Arrow"

Oddish · Sep 25, 2023

The Inner Light may raise a lot of questions, but it tells an incredible story. I get chills remembering the end, with Picard's haunting flute solo. Easy save.

What's left:
"Redemption II"
"Ensign Ro"
"Silicon Avatar"
"Disaster"
"The Game"
"Unification I"
"Unification II"
"A Matter Of Time"
"New Ground"
"Hero Worship"
"Violations"
"The Masterpiece Society"
"Conundrum"
"Power Play"
"Ethics"
"The Outcast"
"Cause And Effect"
"The First Duty"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"
"I Borg"
"Time's Arrow"

CitadelZombies · Sep 26, 2023

I'm not really a fan of season 5 overall. However, it does feature some of the all-time greats of TNG

I'll save "Cause And Effect". It's my all-time favourite Trek episode. I love the time loop and how everyone plays a part in figuring out what's going on. And it's pretty shocking to open with the destruction of the Enterprise!

"Redemption II"
"Ensign Ro"
"Silicon Avatar"
"Disaster"
"The Game"
"Unification I"
"Unification II"
"A Matter Of Time"
"New Ground"
"Hero Worship"
"Violations"
"The Masterpiece Society"
"Conundrum"
"Power Play"
"Ethics"
"The Outcast"
"The First Duty"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"
"I Borg"
"Time's Arrow"

Qonundrum · Sep 26, 2023

TNG needed a new character. One who was a little outside the cliquish norms. Until now, there was Pulaski, Barclay, Lal, and Shelby. Now there's

"Ensign Ro"

I wish we could all be like Guinan:

(That's possibly the best individual scene in all of Trek, even better than Locutus or Troi's ASMR-inducing chocolate ritual that was turning Riker on go figure, but that's another story. It's also proof that not everyone need to be human to have some empathy with them. Too much modern sci-fi seems to be so up itself with how everything has to be about humans set with direct references to modern day Earth as if today's audiences are incapable of basic imagination? Not that I get out much, which makes this even more ironic in a weird twist, but before I digress on that digression... Notice how the quality of the content and acting work well above alien costuming or hairdos (remembering "Half a Life", which Michelle was also in, and other episodes where someone's not dressed like anyone off the street in 1990) and that's also important.)

Usually, survivors and other such people trying to go to a bar because they do want to make friends are told they make everyone else nervous. Not really does much for inclusion and other things, does it?

Can't tell me that this episode isn't important... it's also why Guinan and Ro became the best characters on the show. Especially in season 5. I need to see this one in its entirety again... I like Kira, but Ro would have been awesome in DS9.

What's left:

"Redemption II"
"Silicon Avatar"
"Disaster"
"The Game"
"Unification I"
"Unification II"
"A Matter Of Time"
"New Ground"
"Hero Worship"
"Violations"
"The Masterpiece Society"
"Conundrum"
"Power Play"
"Ethics"
"The Outcast"
"The First Duty"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"
"I Borg"
"Time's Arrow"

Farscape One · Sep 26, 2023

Saving "Ethics".

Great acting all around. Particularly Frakes... I think his scene with Worf was one of his very best acted in TNG.

This also happens to be the reason why Crusher is my least favorite doctor in the franchise.

"Redemption II"
"Silicon Avatar"
"Disaster"
"The Game"
"Unification I"
"Unification II"
"A Matter Of Time"
"New Ground"
"Hero Worship"
"Violations"
"The Masterpiece Society"
"Conundrum"
"Power Play"
"The Outcast"
"The First Duty"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"
"I Borg"
"Time's Arrow"

Vger23 · Sep 26, 2023

"The First Duty" is a great episode. It's the first real "Wesley Crusher" episode that was written in a mature and engaging fashion (although I liked "Final Mission" as well). It gave us our first real glimpses at the inner workings of Starfleet Academy, and it introduced some cool lore and characters to the franchise. Definitely one of my favorites of this season.

"Redemption II"
"Silicon Avatar"
"Disaster"
"The Game"
"Unification I"
"Unification II"
"A Matter Of Time"
"New Ground"
"Hero Worship"
"Violations"
"The Masterpiece Society"
"Conundrum"
"Power Play"
"The Outcast"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"
"I Borg"
"Time's Arrow"

Qonundrum · Sep 26, 2023

It's a little corny at times, but...

"The Game"

Since 43 minutes could not be stretched from of the following scene:

They throw in Wesley and a season-1 throwback storyline, where Wesley saves the ship because all the adults are being too horny. It's almost the opposite of "Justice"! :guffaw:

Why not retitle this as "A Clockwork Wesley, Featuring the Dingdong Not-A-Love-Interest Who's Spouting More Silly Rules Than Quark Ever Had"?

Obviously, how does Geordi get to play and surely the whole crew is so easily compromised by Riker's trip to the sex planet? Really?? It's almost comical, and might have been if not played with absolute sincerity and given some robust direction to keep it going with. This one easily could have been a shambles. And yet it isn't.

All snark and nitpicks aside, this one IS rather an enjoyable romp and has a good flow to it.

What's left for Riker to be compromised with:
"Redemption II"
"Silicon Avatar"
"Disaster"
"Unification I"
"Unification II"
"A Matter Of Time"
"New Ground"
"Hero Worship"
"Violations"
"The Masterpiece Society"
"Conundrum"
"Power Play"
"The Outcast"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"
"I Borg"
"Time's Arrow"

P.S. For more ASMR goodness, one of the following is good and the other is great:

:luvlove:

I just love beets! :luvlove:

So how about... beets filled with chocolate cheesecake? :drool:

Seriously, those cupcake things with the cream in the middle can't hold a candle against such a healthy confectionary, especially the one that not-the-Scotsman warned Beverly about...

Yes, healthy:

https://www.healthline.com/nutritio...omoting properties,the growth of cancer cells.

Last but not least, nobody beet me to it with saving this episode! :shifty:

Brennyren · Sep 26, 2023

...wow, I really don't like any of these. But, once upon a long-ago, "The Outcast" meant enough to me that I actually wrote my first and only fan letter to a Trek creator, Jeri Taylor. And I think I still have to give it credit for good intentions, despite muddled execution..

"Redemption II"
"Silicon Avatar"
"Disaster"
"Unification I"
"Unification II"
"A Matter Of Time"
"New Ground"
"Hero Worship"
"Violations"
"The Masterpiece Society"
"Conundrum"
"Power Play"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"
"I Borg"
"Time's Arrow"

Oddish · Sep 26, 2023

Qonundrum said:
TNG needed a new character. One who was a little outside the cliquish norms. Until now, there was Pulaski, Barclay, Lal, and Shelby. Now there's

"Ensign Ro"

Ensign Ro was so awesome a character, it actually managed to wash the disgusting taste of Michelle Forbes' previous appearance out of my mind (her character in "Half a Life" was a large part of why that episode is my most hated).

Farscape One said:
This also happens to be the reason why Crusher is my least favorite doctor in the franchise.

I'm not wild about Crusher either... but I enjoyed watching her tear Dr. Russell a new one at the end of this one. It stands with my favorite lines about medical ethics in Trek.

Qonundrum said:
They throw in Wesley and a season-1 throwback storyline, where Wesley saves the ship because all the adults are being too horny.

With a little help. I know he's emotionless, but when Data steps out on that bridge with his flashy-thingy in hand, I'm TOTALLY getting a "pissed off and not gonna take it anymore" vibe.

Brennyren said:
And I think I still have to give it credit for good intentions, despite muddled execution..

A lot of people don't realize the importance of episodes like that, however imperfectly done. Empathy is the first step toward eliminating discrimination.

Farscape One · Sep 26, 2023

My next save is "Hero Worship".

Timothy was rather poorly cast, but the idea of this episode is perfect. Data truly does embody everything that makes someone a hero. If more actual humans tried a little bit more to be like Data, we'd actually make real progress as a society.

"Redemption II"
"Silicon Avatar"
"Disaster"
"Unification I"
"Unification II"
"A Matter Of Time"
"New Ground"
"Violations"
"The Masterpiece Society"
"Conundrum"
"Power Play"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"
"I Borg"
"Time's Arrow"

Qonundrum · Sep 26, 2023

So much left that's not my cup of tea... a couple good entries exist, but...

"Disaster"

actually gets my vote more than the others because, when all is said and done, its pros counterbalance the cons.

The ultimate point of remaining calm in a situation could have been told a bit more effectively, but it's not bad. Plus, space is dangerous and the big space hotel they're in also has the potential for failure. The need for the flagship to send a distress call should make for a momentous episode, if not two-parter.

Then comes the quantum plot armor.

While Ro's opinion is considered and is arguably right, the story still wears its horsey blinkers and - thanks to plot magic - Troi is right, despite all of the failures going on, including the countdown cuckoo clock of the warp core containment field thingy. This is the same story that has Doctor Dingdong state that you have to breathe in real deep then hold it before removing all the atmospheric pressure... actually, it's the other way around, you exhale all the way. I'd have to rewatch, but I'm pretty sure the amperage and such going through Data would have destroyed him as well, but he's got the best insulation ever: Plot shields and treknobabble.

It's also the closest TNG got to a musical, which is also the reason why musicals in TNG are a disaster. Yuck. That said, seeing Picard have to deal with a boatload of children that he's always uncomfy around is a great plot point.

This is where having Holly come in and state "Everybody's dead, Dave" followed by "Wait, who's Dave, this is the wrong ship and tv show!" would come in handy, since Troi could have delegated the main duties to O'Brien.

O'Brien is the one with the common sense, yet again, and is shown to be the only one truly even remotely capable of being acting captain - yet again. Not understandably hyper Ro and not greener than a pasture Troi (but at least has enough sense to ask around, to be fair). But when all else fails and the thermal inversion of the power coupling happens*, whip out big screwdrivers and have wallpaper music blop.

* read "when you plugged in the tv set, the plug got so hot due to the amount of amperage required (and combined with the electrical resistance at the junction which is also why don't splice numerous 15-gauge wires or daisy chain twenty power strips but I digress) that it almost tripped the circuit breaker. Except we don't have those, much less fuse boxes (or even the friggin' pennies that the unfortunates used as makeshift substitutes and wondered why their homes burnt down, but there I go digressing again), and the whole ship nearly went boom boom. Now ask all the toddlers in class if they went boom boom. Must smell real nice in the room everyone visits in 'Rascals'..."

What's left:
"Redemption II"
"Silicon Avatar"
"Unification I"
"Unification II"
"A Matter Of Time"
"New Ground"
"Violations"
"The Masterpiece Society"
"Conundrum"
"Power Play"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"
"I Borg"
"Time's Arrow"

Oddish · Sep 26, 2023

"Time's Arrow" is rescued, both for the issue of Data's impending doom (and Picard's quickly aborted efforts to save him), and Data's adventures in 19th century America, most notably taking Dukat to the cleaners. The cliffhanger is good as well.

What's left:
"Redemption II"
"Silicon Avatar"
"Unification I"
"Unification II"
"A Matter Of Time"
"New Ground"
"Violations"
"The Masterpiece Society"
"Conundrum"
"Power Play"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"
"I Borg"

Vger23 · Sep 26, 2023

Yeah it’s unfortunately getting harder now. I remembered liking this season a lot more.

I’m going with “Conundrum” because it’s a lot of fun watching the crew fall into particular roles that are not what we are used to, even though it clearly stretches plausibility in several ways.

"Redemption II"
"Silicon Avatar"
"Unification I"
"Unification II"
"A Matter Of Time"
"New Ground"
"Violations"
"The Masterpiece Society"
"Power Play"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"
"I Borg"

I must say, you guys have “saved” some total stinkers already. I can’t stand Time’s Arrow or Hero Worship! That’s part of the fun of the game though.

Sakonna · Sep 26, 2023

Most of my favorites have already been saved. I went right to "The Game" and "Time's Arrow", and they're both gone already!

"New Ground" was one of those recent "this is better than people think" rediscoveries. Like Michael Dorn, I am also now particularly fascinated with Worf being a terrible father.

"Redemption II"
"Silicon Avatar"
"Unification I"
"Unification II"
"A Matter Of Time"
"Violations"
"The Masterpiece Society"
"Power Play"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"
"I Borg"

Farscape One · Sep 26, 2023

Saving "Redemption II".

Data in command... I only have one thing to say about that, and MORTAL KOMBAT says it best for me.

Flawless victory!

"Silicon Avatar"
"Unification I"
"Unification II"
"A Matter Of Time"
"Violations"
"The Masterpiece Society"
"Power Play"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"
"I Borg"

Seven of Five · Sep 26, 2023

I know it wasn't everyone's cup of tea, but I love I, Borg, so I'm saving it. All the cast was great here.

It's a shame that the story of individual Borgs turned into the mess that was Descent. :wtf:

One of my most hated episodes this season was rescued early on, The Outcast. It just had a horrible ending, rewriting poor Soren to be more like the rest of her race.

"Silicon Avatar"
"Unification I"
"Unification II"
"A Matter Of Time"
"Violations"
"The Masterpiece Society"
"Power Play"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"

Sakonna · Sep 26, 2023

"Power Play" soooooo creeped me out when I first saw it. I love a Trek possession ep, and this is one of the early ones to really hook me on the trope.

Also, any time Marina Sirtis got a chance to play fierce, it was a delight.

"Silicon Avatar"
"Unification I"
"Unification II"
"A Matter Of Time"
"Violations"
"The Masterpiece Society"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"

CitadelZombies · Sep 26, 2023

Oh, this is getting hard now.

I'll save "Unification I". There's some good intrigue in what Spock is doing on Romulus, and it's a really cool moment when Leonard Nimoy finally appears. It's just a shame that the following episode is a bit of an overall disappointment.

"Silicon Avatar"
"Unification II"
"A Matter Of Time"
"Violations"
"The Masterpiece Society"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"

The Most Disliked Episode of TNG, 2023 Edition - Season 5...

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