The Most Disliked Episode of TNG, Season 5 - 2025 Edition...

[Qonundrum]

A five-way tie isn't going to work, so

"The Game"

is my next save.

Otherwise known by the given titles "Season 1 Holdover" or "Riker's Libido Threatens the Fabric of Not Just The Bed But Of The Federation Too", it adds a dimension to the phrase "loose lips sink ships" as Riker's lips almost destroy the entire Federation with one heck of a mind control device*, one that can even take over Geordi for... reasons... but at least they put Data out of action and not by merely flicking his big OFF switch.

* the headset gizmo, not his pheromones and come to think of it, season 5 felt more sexualized at times despite some of season 1's more overt examples such as, you guessed it, "Justice"​

Also, I know there's this thing called "metaphor", but why is Etana's latex mask reminiscent of a butthead design?!

Now while you thought you were watching cheap video effects as a POV shot, you were really seeing something far more compelling:

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Or this, since this was airing around the same time as well, maybe a tad earlier (1990):

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(1:49 the room divider opening in the middle, if you squint, doubles as a Star Trek TNG cargo room bulkhead sans door! Then there's most of part two...)


What's left:
"Silicon Avatar"
"A Matter Of Time"
"Violations"
"The Outcast"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"
"Time's Arrow"

 

[Sakonna]

Too many great ones still here! "Time's Arrow" One of the most fun visits to Earth's past.

"Silicon Avatar"
"A Matter Of Time"
"Violations"
"The Outcast"
"Cost Of Living"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"

 

[Starflight]

As promised, saving "Cost of Living". Love Lwaxana, like the Alexander stuff, and it's got Tony Jay.

"Silicon Avatar"
"A Matter Of Time"
"Violations"
"The Outcast"
"The Perfect Mate"
"Imaginary Friend"

 

[Qonundrum]

From a kid's point of view,

"Imaginary Friend"

is more exciting than if you're an adult. For the most part. A couple scenes do carry some decent horror and weight, as well as some really good effects.

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(the acting of Isabella could be particularly great at times, and that serif font rocks the house, and I do miss that style of blue rectangular backing for highlighted text/title captioning...)

What's left:
"Silicon Avatar"
"A Matter Of Time"
"Violations"
"The Outcast"
"The Perfect Mate"

 

[Frightscape One]

Saving "Silicon Avatar".

Good episode. Dr. Marr's reasoning was too personal, but she and Riker were right. That Entity was just going to kill entire populations again and again, and it had to be stopped.


"A Matter Of Time"
"Violations"
"The Outcast"
"The Perfect Mate"

 

[Detached Nacelle]

A weak crop remaining. I guess I will save The Outcast, a clunky attempt at writing an LGBT allegory as much as the studio were very scared of touching the issue back then but points for intention even if Stigma did it much much better.

"A Matter Of Time"
"Violations"
"The Perfect Mate"

 

[Sakonna]

Oh damn. I'm so torn between two of these...

And I was going to save "The Outcast", but then @Detached Nacelle just saved me from that, so now I can save the other one! "The Perfect Mate" I think this love story works. The chemistry between these two is incredible. Famke is one of TNG's best guest stars.

A suitable final two. "A Matter Of Time" is absolutely my least favorite this season. "Violations" is OK-ish, I suppose I like it slightly more than I dislike it, but I'm not particularly a fan and almost never rewatch it.

"A Matter Of Time"
"Violations"

 

[Frightscape One]

Saving "Violations".

It has a creepy vibe when he is inside their minds. Mood and atmosphere go far with me.

Has it not been telegraphed in the very beginning that Jev was the culprit, this would have been a better episode.


That makes "A Matter Of Time" the winner of season 5.

Thank you all for playing! I will start season 6 shortly. Hope to see you all there!