Game The Most Disliked Guinan Appearance

[Sakonna]

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 Guinan appearances from TNG, PIC, and the movies.

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.

Make sure to SPOILER TAG your elimination reasons for any "Picard" episodes. Instructions on how to spoiler tag can be found at this link, it is the 5th item from the bottom: https://www.trekbbs.com/help/bb-codes

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

Enjoy!

TNG Season 2: "The Child"
TNG Season 2: "The Outrageous Okona"
TNG Season 2: "The Measure Of A Man"
TNG Season 2: "The Dauphin"
TNG Season 2: "Q Who"
TNG Season 3: "Evolution"
TNG Season 3: "Booby Trap"
TNG Season 3: "Deja Q"
TNG Season 3: "Yesterday's Enterprise"
TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 3: "Hollow Pursuits"
TNG Season 3: "The Best Of Both Worlds, Part I"
TNG Season 4: "The Best Of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Family"
TNG Season 4: "The Loss"
TNG Season 4: "Clues"
TNG Season 4: "Galaxy's Child"
TNG Season 4: "Night Terrors"
TNG Season 4: "In Theory"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption I"
TNG Season 5: "Redemption II"
TNG Season 5: "Ensign Ro"
TNG Season 5: "Imaginary Friend"
TNG Season 5: "I, Borg"
TNG Season 5: "Time's Arrow, Part I"
TNG Season 6: "Time's Arrow, Part II"
TNG Season 6: "Rascals"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Generations"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Nemesis"
PIC Season 2: "The Star Gazer"
PIC Season 2: "Watcher"
PIC Season 2: "Monsters"
PIC Season 2: "Mercy"
PIC Season 2: "Farewell"

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

Wow, no Guinan in season 7 at all? I'm a little surprised.

I'm grabbing the obvious one first. The Outrageous.... no it's TNG Season 3: "The Best Of Both Worlds, Part I". A good episode with a pretty good Guinan scene if I recall.

TNG Season 2: "The Child"
TNG Season 2: "The Outrageous Okona"
TNG Season 2: "The Measure Of A Man"
TNG Season 2: "The Dauphin"
TNG Season 2: "Q Who"
TNG Season 3: "Evolution"
TNG Season 3: "Booby Trap"
TNG Season 3: "Deja Q"
TNG Season 3: "Yesterday's Enterprise"
TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 3: "Hollow Pursuits"
TNG Season 4: "The Best Of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Family"
TNG Season 4: "The Loss"
TNG Season 4: "Clues"
TNG Season 4: "Galaxy's Child"
TNG Season 4: "Night Terrors"
TNG Season 4: "In Theory"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption I"
TNG Season 5: "Redemption II"
TNG Season 5: "Ensign Ro"
TNG Season 5: "Imaginary Friend"
TNG Season 5: "I, Borg"
TNG Season 5: "Time's Arrow, Part I"
TNG Season 6: "Time's Arrow, Part II"
TNG Season 6: "Rascals"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Generations"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Nemesis"
PIC Season 2: "The Star Gazer"
PIC Season 2: "Watcher"
PIC Season 2: "Monsters"
PIC Season 2: "Mercy"
PIC Season 2: "Farewell"

 

[Sakonna]

Wow, no Guinan in season 7 at all? I'm a little surprised.

God, do I remember waiting -- in vain! -- for her to show up that whole year! Every week I was hoping...

But I also think you can tell from "Rascals" -- where she's mostly played by someone else -- and "Suspicions" -- where it's a Guinan framing sequence that totally feels tacked on at the last minute -- that even in season 6 Whoopi just didn't have the availability for it anymore.

So many contenders for a favorite here. I'll go with an obvious one and save "Q Who." For -- showing us Guinan's office!


TNG Season 2: "The Child"
TNG Season 2: "The Outrageous Okona"
TNG Season 2: "The Measure Of A Man"
TNG Season 2: "The Dauphin"
TNG Season 3: "Evolution"
TNG Season 3: "Booby Trap"
TNG Season 3: "Deja Q"
TNG Season 3: "Yesterday's Enterprise"
TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 3: "Hollow Pursuits"
TNG Season 4: "The Best Of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Family"
TNG Season 4: "The Loss"
TNG Season 4: "Clues"
TNG Season 4: "Galaxy's Child"
TNG Season 4: "Night Terrors"
TNG Season 4: "In Theory"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption I"
TNG Season 5: "Redemption II"
TNG Season 5: "Ensign Ro"
TNG Season 5: "Imaginary Friend"
TNG Season 5: "I, Borg"
TNG Season 5: "Time's Arrow, Part I"
TNG Season 6: "Time's Arrow, Part II"
TNG Season 6: "Rascals"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Generations"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Nemesis"
PIC Season 2: "The Star Gazer"
PIC Season 2: "Watcher"
PIC Season 2: "Monsters"
PIC Season 2: "Mercy"
PIC Season 2: "Farewell"

 

[Qonundrum]

My first choice is easier than my ex:

TNG Season 5: "Ensign Ro"​

The thought put into Ro's character and how Guinan was the perfect foil would be revisited on many occasions. And it's magic. Trek often discusses issues and viewpoints and stuff, but going outright in showing a positive solution to a problem - that's platinum-pressed latinum.


What's left, warts and all:
TNG Season 2: "The Child"
TNG Season 2: "The Outrageous Okona"
TNG Season 2: "The Measure Of A Man"
TNG Season 2: "The Dauphin"
TNG Season 3: "Evolution"
TNG Season 3: "Booby Trap"
TNG Season 3: "Deja Q"
TNG Season 3: "Yesterday's Enterprise"
TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 3: "Hollow Pursuits"
TNG Season 4: "The Best Of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Family"
TNG Season 4: "The Loss"
TNG Season 4: "Clues"
TNG Season 4: "Galaxy's Child"
TNG Season 4: "Night Terrors"
TNG Season 4: "In Theory"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption I"
TNG Season 5: "Redemption II"
TNG Season 5: "Imaginary Friend"
TNG Season 5: "I, Borg"
TNG Season 5: "Time's Arrow, Part I"
TNG Season 6: "Time's Arrow, Part II"
TNG Season 6: "Rascals"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Generations"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Nemesis"
PIC Season 2: "The Star Gazer"
PIC Season 2: "Watcher"
PIC Season 2: "Monsters"
PIC Season 2: "Mercy"
PIC Season 2: "Farewell"

 

[Oddish]

Measure of a Man for me. One of Trek's finest hours.

What's left, pimples and all:
TNG Season 2: "The Child"
TNG Season 2: "The Outrageous Okona"
TNG Season 2: "The Measure Of A Man"
TNG Season 2: "The Dauphin"
TNG Season 3: "Evolution"
TNG Season 3: "Booby Trap"
TNG Season 3: "Deja Q"
TNG Season 3: "Yesterday'sEnterprise"
TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 3: "Hollow Pursuits"
TNG Season 4: "The Best Of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Family"
TNG Season 4: "The Loss"
TNG Season 4: "Clues"
TNG Season 4: "Galaxy's Child"
TNG Season 4: "Night Terrors"
TNG Season 4: "In Theory"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption I"
TNG Season 5: "Redemption II"
TNG Season 5: "Imaginary Friend"
TNG Season 5: "I, Borg"
TNG Season 5: "Time's Arrow, Part I"
TNG Season 6: "Time's Arrow, Part II"
TNG Season 6: "Rascals"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Generations"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Nemesis"
PIC Season 2: "The Star Gazer"
PIC Season 2: "Watcher"
PIC Season 2: "Monsters"
PIC Season 2: "Mercy"
PIC Season 2: "Farewell"

 

[Qonundrum]

Wow, no Guinan in season 7 at all? I'm a little surprised.

As I recall, Guinan's last TNG TV show appearance was "Rascals", from early season six (by the seashore). Then came "Generations". Then "Nemesis". Then a few episodes in "Picard".

 

[Brennyren]

Still a number of enjoyable episodes to choose from, but I think I will start with "Yesterday's Enterprise." It's one of my favorite TNGs -- tense, exciting, and very different from our usual fare -- and Guinan played a crucial role in the plot. (I know that doesn't have to be a factor, but I can choose to count it if I want. So there!)

TNG Season 2: "The Child"
TNG Season 2: "The Outrageous Okona"
TNG Season 2: "The Dauphin"
TNG Season 3: "Evolution"
TNG Season 3: "Booby Trap"
TNG Season 3: "Deja Q"
TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 3: "Hollow Pursuits"
TNG Season 4: "The Best Of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Family"
TNG Season 4: "The Loss"
TNG Season 4: "Clues"
TNG Season 4: "Galaxy's Child"
TNG Season 4: "Night Terrors"
TNG Season 4: "In Theory"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption I"
TNG Season 5: "Redemption II"
TNG Season 5: "Imaginary Friend"
TNG Season 5: "I, Borg"
TNG Season 5: "Time's Arrow, Part I"
TNG Season 6: "Time's Arrow, Part II"
TNG Season 6: "Rascals"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Generations"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Nemesis"
PIC Season 2: "The Star Gazer"
PIC Season 2: "Watcher"
PIC Season 2: "Monsters"
PIC Season 2: "Mercy"
PIC Season 2: "Farewell"

 

[Farscape One]

As I recall, Guinan's last TNG TV show appearance was "Rascals", from early season six (by the seashore). Then came "Generations". Then "Nemesis". Then a few episodes in "Picard".

Guinan was in "Suspicions", late season 6. Her last tv TNG appearance.


Saving "I, Borg".

The entire episode was good, but what made it special was her and Picard and how they both went from Hugh being the enemy to Hugh being a victim.


TNG Season 2: "The Child"
TNG Season 2: "The Outrageous Okona"
TNG Season 2: "The Dauphin"
TNG Season 3: "Evolution"
TNG Season 3: "Booby Trap"
TNG Season 3: "Deja Q"
TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 3: "Hollow Pursuits"
TNG Season 4: "The Best Of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Family"
TNG Season 4: "The Loss"
TNG Season 4: "Clues"
TNG Season 4: "Galaxy's Child"
TNG Season 4: "Night Terrors"
TNG Season 4: "In Theory"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption I"
TNG Season 5: "Redemption II"
TNG Season 5: "Imaginary Friend"
TNG Season 5: "Time's Arrow, Part I"
TNG Season 6: "Time's Arrow, Part II"
TNG Season 6: "Rascals"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Generations"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Nemesis"
PIC Season 2: "The Star Gazer"
PIC Season 2: "Watcher"
PIC Season 2: "Monsters"
PIC Season 2: "Mercy"
PIC Season 2: "Farewell"

 

[Seven of Five]

I'll plump for Deja Q. There is a lot of humour in the episode regarding Q's newfound humanity. That said, the first thing I think about when I think of this episode is the scene between Q and Guinan. The crew are still unsure about whether Q is human or not, so she just stabs him with a fork!

TNG Season 2: "The Child"
TNG Season 2: "The Outrageous Okona"
TNG Season 2: "The Dauphin"
TNG Season 3: "Evolution"
TNG Season 3: "Booby Trap"
TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 3: "Hollow Pursuits"
TNG Season 4: "The Best Of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Family"
TNG Season 4: "The Loss"
TNG Season 4: "Clues"
TNG Season 4: "Galaxy's Child"
TNG Season 4: "Night Terrors"
TNG Season 4: "In Theory"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption I"
TNG Season 5: "Redemption II"
TNG Season 5: "Imaginary Friend"
TNG Season 5: "Time's Arrow, Part I"
TNG Season 6: "Time's Arrow, Part II"
TNG Season 6: "Rascals"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Generations"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Nemesis"
PIC Season 2: "The Star Gazer"
PIC Season 2: "Watcher"
PIC Season 2: "Monsters"
PIC Season 2: "Mercy"
PIC Season 2: "Farewell"

 

[Qonundrum]

Oh, the memories of what people thought in 1989...

TNG Season 3: "Hollow Pursuits"

So glad this wasn't "The Price", but this was the one where audiences said "Derh, they're attackun' dee nurdz in duh audiunsh in this one"... well, not quite, but it scratches the surface and shows with some poignancy - and even some piquancy - the life of a shy or even autistic person, though not everyone shy or autistic is going to create such imagery as a result. Or to that extent. But it's one facet; a beginning has to start somewhere, and considering the AMA didn't accept "Asperger's Syndrome" until 1994 via inclusion in the DSM-IV, then later folded into and supplanted by "Austistic Spectrum Disorder" in the DSM-V manual.

A quick segue; this episode also is a springboard for the Barclay/Troi double-act. While not the most boisterous, it's a double-act that's well-toned, gives Troi something positive to do, and spans into Voyager's spinoff - with not ineffective results.

But back to the main story: Without Guinan's scene, this story loses a lot of points because her presence brings in a particularly damning counter viewpoint, and it's a d00zy.

Let's look at her scene, which makes up for in substantive quality where it lacks in screen time:

GUINAN: Yes, I know him comes in. He stands at the bar. He doesn't say much. He orders a warm milk.
LAFORGE: Figures.
GUINAN: Warm milk helps you sleep, La Forge. You should try it. What's this have to do with Barclay?
LAFORGE: I don't know. I'm just trying to figure the man out. Do you ever talk to him?
GUINAN: He doesn't talk much.
LAFORGE: Does he have any friends?
GUINAN: Not that I've seen.
LAFORGE: What do you do with a guy like that?
GUINAN: Well, I just serve him warm milk and let him be.
LAFORGE: Yeah, well, I'm not so lucky. I can't let him be. He's my problem.
GUINAN: Well, he's imaginative.
LAFORGE: How do you know that?
GUINAN: I know.
LAFORGE: Well, then maybe he's in the wrong line of work.
GUINAN: You engineering types don't appreciate imagination?
LAFORGE: That's not it, Guinan. He just doesn't fit in here.
GUINAN: Terkim.
LAFORGE: What?
GUINAN: Reminds me of Terkim. My mother's brother. Sort of the family misfit. Everybody told me to stay away from him. Bad influence.
LAFORGE: Did you?
GUINAN: Are you kidding? He was the only member of the family who had a sense of humour. Except no one ever stayed around him long enough to realize it but me. My mother tells me I remind her of him, and I probably do. The idea of fitting in just repels me.
LAFORGE: Maybe I'm not make myself clear, Guinan. Barclay, well, he's always late. The man's nervous. Nobody wants to be around this guy.
GUINAN: If I felt that nobody wanted to be around me, I'd probably be late and nervous too.
LAFORGE: Guinan, that's not the point.
GUINAN: Are you sure? Excuse me.
LAFORGE: Computer, where is Lieutenant Barclay?

Dang, never meet your heroes - would Geordi secretly hate a lot of people? :-o

It's stuff like this that make characters Barclay, Ro, Shelby, et al, more refreshing. They shake up the status quo on that smelly old bridge and challenge the clique bridge crew, and all in their unique ways. Deftly handled, they add conflict to the main characters but in a constructive way that adds to the whole in the end, rather than making them look like immature holes after a certain point.

And that, dear diary, is why I adore this story - and not just for the Pivotal Guinan Moment(tm).

Bonus moment:

RIKER: I think it's time we talked to the Captain about Broccoli. That's what Wesley calls him. Keep it to yourself.

This is surely and massively apocryphal to "GENE'S VISION"(tm), yes? Well, yes, but screw that - it's a one-off, huge "status-quo-challenging" dramatic shake-up with depth that - by the end - leads to a greater good and inclusiveness for people who aren't as neurotypically-perfect as Riker or the boy, yet are still quite capable despite his own personal hurdles and demons. It also shows the crew realizing their own recently surface-driven hurdles and demons - even superhero Picard - yet all remain oddly in-character. Everyone on the bridge is shown to improve by the end, just as much as Barclay is striving to improve. Which is far closer what Gene's vision was, and the episode is brilliant in that regard. It's also closer to any given episode of "The Brady Bunch" where problems were introduced but nimbly solved some twenty-three minutes later. If anything, the story was attacking the myth of Gene's vision but then doing that wonderful little twist to show character epiphany and growth for it. That's big in my book, and the audaciousness to try something as bold as this and it ends up so successful on multiple levels - I'm impressed and won't be shy in saying so.

What's left, hiding ever so timidly behind that rock after Riker and Wonderbrat acted like holes:
TNG Season 2: "The Child"
TNG Season 2: "The Outrageous Okona"
TNG Season 2: "The Dauphin"
TNG Season 3: "Evolution"
TNG Season 3: "Booby Trap"
TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 4: "The Best Of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Family"
TNG Season 4: "The Loss"
TNG Season 4: "Clues"
TNG Season 4: "Galaxy's Child"
TNG Season 4: "Night Terrors"
TNG Season 4: "In Theory"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption I"
TNG Season 5: "Redemption II"
TNG Season 5: "Imaginary Friend"
TNG Season 5: "Time's Arrow, Part I"
TNG Season 6: "Time's Arrow, Part II"
TNG Season 6: "Rascals"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Generations"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Nemesis"
PIC Season 2: "The Star Gazer"
PIC Season 2: "Watcher"
PIC Season 2: "Monsters"
PIC Season 2: "Mercy"
PIC Season 2: "Farewell"

 

[Cyfa]

It's already been mentioned but not saved, so I'll do the deed and save TNG: "Rascals". I love the joyfulness of this silly episode, and Guinan (both young and old) & Ro's interactions. The kids were amazing!

TNG Season 2: "The Child"
TNG Season 2: "The Outrageous Okona"
TNG Season 2: "The Dauphin"
TNG Season 3: "Evolution"
TNG Season 3: "Booby Trap"
TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 4: "The Best Of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Family"
TNG Season 4: "The Loss"
TNG Season 4: "Clues"
TNG Season 4: "Galaxy's Child"
TNG Season 4: "Night Terrors"
TNG Season 4: "In Theory"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption I"
TNG Season 5: "Redemption II"
TNG Season 5: "Imaginary Friend"
TNG Season 5: "Time's Arrow, Part I"
TNG Season 6: "Time's Arrow, Part II"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Generations"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Nemesis"
PIC Season 2: "The Star Gazer"
PIC Season 2: "Watcher"
PIC Season 2: "Monsters"
PIC Season 2: "Mercy"
PIC Season 2: "Farewell"

 

[Qonundrum]

It's already been mentioned but not saved, so I'll do the deed and save TNG: "Rascals". I love the joyfulness of this silly episode, and Guinan (both young and old) & Ro's interactions. The kids were amazing!

I almost voted for that one, as the Guinan/Ro scenes in that were one of the saving graces - along with the acting. It's a fun and silly episode, that even invites in the adults - something "Imaginary Friend" didn't try as hard to do - in on the fun. The Guinan/Ro scenes say much. Heck, before the "transporter boo-boo of the week" trope kicked in, Guinan had some great lines and zingers.

Most people would love to be a kid again - carefree, no aches or pains or other problems, but with a fully adult brain trapped inside to more fully appreciate the time. That's the real imaginary friend.

 

[Trekker09]

I’d save “The Dauphin” for the scenes with Wesley asking for advice about Salia …a romantic side of Guinan we don’t often see as she quickly gets carried away in the role-playing with Riker.

TNG Season 2: "The Child"
TNG Season 2: "The Outrageous Okona"
TNG Season 3: "Evolution"
TNG Season 3: "Booby Trap"
TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 4: "The Best Of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Family"
TNG Season 4: "The Loss"
TNG Season 4: "Clues"
TNG Season 4: "Galaxy's Child"
TNG Season 4: "Night Terrors"
TNG Season 4: "In Theory"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption I"
TNG Season 5: "Redemption II"
TNG Season 5: "Imaginary Friend"
TNG Season 5: "Time's Arrow, Part I"
TNG Season 6: "Time's Arrow, Part II"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Generations"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Nemesis"
PIC Season 2: "The Star Gazer"
PIC Season 2: "Watcher"
PIC Season 2: "Monsters"
PIC Season 2: "Mercy"
PIC Season 2: "Farewell"

 

[Qonundrum]

Four come to mind, but

TNG Season 3: "Evolution"

has the Wesley/Guinan scene that really sells the episode the best. Dr. Frankenstein would approve.

It also has the Guinan/Beverly bit at the end, especially with the scene ending with Beverly wanting to know more about Wesley's new love interest, possibly in order to have on hand the latest magical STI cure on hand.

What's left, sores and all:
TNG Season 2: "The Child"
TNG Season 2: "The Outrageous Okona"
TNG Season 3: "Booby Trap"
TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 4: "The Best Of Both Worlds, Part II"
TNG Season 4: "Family"
TNG Season 4: "The Loss"
TNG Season 4: "Clues"
TNG Season 4: "Galaxy's Child"
TNG Season 4: "Night Terrors"
TNG Season 4: "In Theory"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption I"
TNG Season 5: "Redemption II"
TNG Season 5: "Imaginary Friend"
TNG Season 5: "Time's Arrow, Part I"
TNG Season 6: "Time's Arrow, Part II"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Generations"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Nemesis"
PIC Season 2: "The Star Gazer"
PIC Season 2: "Watcher"
PIC Season 2: "Monsters"
PIC Season 2: "Mercy"
PIC Season 2: "Farewell"

 

[Seven of Five]

I'll go with The Best of Both Worlds, Part II, as whilst it's a really good episode, it has the memorable scene between Riker and Guinan where she talks about having to let go of Picard so that he can do his job. It's a great mirror to her scene with Picard in the previous episode.

What's left, sores and all:
TNG Season 2: "The Child"
TNG Season 2: "The Outrageous Okona"
TNG Season 3: "Booby Trap"
TNG Season 3: "The Offspring"
TNG Season 4: "Family"
TNG Season 4: "The Loss"
TNG Season 4: "Clues"
TNG Season 4: "Galaxy's Child"
TNG Season 4: "Night Terrors"
TNG Season 4: "In Theory"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption I"
TNG Season 5: "Redemption II"
TNG Season 5: "Imaginary Friend"
TNG Season 5: "Time's Arrow, Part I"
TNG Season 6: "Time's Arrow, Part II"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Generations"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Nemesis"
PIC Season 2: "The Star Gazer"
PIC Season 2: "Watcher"
PIC Season 2: "Monsters"
PIC Season 2: "Mercy"
PIC Season 2: "Farewell"

 

[Cyfa]

TNG: "The Offspring" - an episode that packs an emotional wallop, particularly Lal's final words: "Flirting… laughter… painting family… female… Human." - Oh, gods, even thinking about it has brought a lump to my throat. I need to go as I've got something in my eye, too...

TNG Season 2: "The Child"
TNG Season 2: "The Outrageous Okona"
TNG Season 3: "Booby Trap"
TNG Season 4: "Family"
TNG Season 4: "The Loss"
TNG Season 4: "Clues"
TNG Season 4: "Galaxy's Child"
TNG Season 4: "Night Terrors"
TNG Season 4: "In Theory"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption I"
TNG Season 5: "Redemption II"
TNG Season 5: "Imaginary Friend"
TNG Season 5: "Time's Arrow, Part I"
TNG Season 6: "Time's Arrow, Part II"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Generations"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Nemesis"
PIC Season 2: "The Star Gazer"
PIC Season 2: "Watcher"
PIC Season 2: "Monsters"
PIC Season 2: "Mercy"
PIC Season 2: "Farewell"

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

I'm saving PIC Season 2: "The Star Gazer", because Picard always nails its season openers. Well, so far anyway.

TNG Season 2: "The Child"
TNG Season 2: "The Outrageous Okona"
TNG Season 3: "Booby Trap"
TNG Season 4: "Family"
TNG Season 4: "The Loss"
TNG Season 4: "Clues"
TNG Season 4: "Galaxy's Child"
TNG Season 4: "Night Terrors"
TNG Season 4: "In Theory"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption I"
TNG Season 5: "Redemption II"
TNG Season 5: "Imaginary Friend"
TNG Season 5: "Time's Arrow, Part I"
TNG Season 6: "Time's Arrow, Part II"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Generations"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Nemesis"
PIC Season 2: "Watcher"
PIC Season 2: "Monsters"
PIC Season 2: "Mercy"
PIC Season 2: "Farewell"

 

[Qonundrum]

Guinan tells Geordi she's really a woman in:

TNG Season 3: "Booby Trap"

It's not the most poignant after school message of the week, just to be one's self, but it works. The rest of the story is rather a nice ride with great ending (with the replaced incidental music cue, since the original was too loud - unusual for Jones to stray that much, but possible nonetheless.)

Also, it's the computer that created the facsimile of Dr Brahams, errors and all. Geordi also refused the virtual backrub initiated by the simulation, and that's when he started to develop feelings. The computer egging it on with having her say the following might seem outlandish, but just wait until "Galaxy's Child"...

LEAH: I'm with you every day, Geordi. Every time you look at this engine, you're looking at me. Every time you touch it, it's me.

Good going computer. You knew she was married due to that set of records being classified and unavailable to him (what a snoop!), but that AI didn't factor that in either. May as well have been a truly malevolent Q doing that stunt...


What's left:
TNG Season 2: "The Child"
TNG Season 2: "The Outrageous Okona"
TNG Season 4: "Family"
TNG Season 4: "The Loss"
TNG Season 4: "Clues"
TNG Season 4: "Galaxy's Child"
TNG Season 4: "Night Terrors"
TNG Season 4: "In Theory"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption I"
TNG Season 5: "Redemption II"
TNG Season 5: "Imaginary Friend"
TNG Season 5: "Time's Arrow, Part I"
TNG Season 6: "Time's Arrow, Part II"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Generations"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Nemesis"
PIC Season 2: "Watcher"
PIC Season 2: "Monsters"
PIC Season 2: "Mercy"
PIC Season 2: "Farewell"

 

[Brennyren]

I always liked "Family," the rare TNG episode that not only addresses consequences but also lets us just see the characters as people.

TNG Season 2: "The Child"
TNG Season 2: "The Outrageous Okona"
TNG Season 4: "The Loss"
TNG Season 4: "Clues"
TNG Season 4: "Galaxy's Child"
TNG Season 4: "Night Terrors"
TNG Season 4: "In Theory"
TNG Season 4: "Redemption I"
TNG Season 5: "Redemption II"
TNG Season 5: "Imaginary Friend"
TNG Season 5: "Time's Arrow, Part I"
TNG Season 6: "Time's Arrow, Part II"
TNG Season 6: "Suspicions"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Generations"
TNG Feature: "Star Trek Nemesis"
PIC Season 2: "Watcher"
PIC Season 2: "Monsters"
PIC Season 2: "Mercy"
PIC Season 2: "Farewell"

 

[MarkusTay]

I used to love any appearance by Whoopi, but she's gone off-the-rails (IMO) in the last few years, and it has sadly tainted my opinion of her scenes and TNG in general. Whereas I used to find joy at seeing her, I now get annoyed. Why does a starship (with replicators) need a bartender? Shouldn't that lazy Deana Troi been doing a lot of what she was doing? Anyhow, if I had to pick one, I would say its the one where Whoopi meets Q (Q Who?). I used to love that scene, but now it just irks the heck out me. What was she planning to do? Scratch his eyes out? Its just silly.

Funny thing is, Phlox became the Guinan on Voyager, and Will Riker (as 'Chef') became the Guinan on Enterprise. Think about it - the way the characters were interacting with Chef was the same as how they interacted with Guinan on the Enterprise D. In my head-canon, Riker's clone went back in time and was the chef on Enterprise the whole time.