The Most Generic TNG Episode...

Lonely Among Us
Haven
Datalore
Coming Of Age
We'll Always Have Paris
The Neutral Zone

Where Silence Has Lease

The Icarus Factor
Pen Pals
Samaritan Snare
Manhunt
The Emissary
Peak Performance

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command
The Survivors
The Bonding

The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
The Most Toys
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers
Final Mission
First Contact
Galaxy's Child
Night Terrors
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

Redemption II
Unification I
A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living

Aquiel
Birthright, Part I
Birthright, Part II

Gambit, Part I
Attached
Firstborn
Bloodlines

"The Drumhead" is <drumroll> gone! A story about McCarthyism and similar political abuses. It's not very subtle and a little simplistic but the intention is laudable.

 

Lonely Among Us
Haven
Coming Of Age
We'll Always Have Paris
The Neutral Zone

Where Silence Has Lease

The Icarus Factor
Pen Pals
Samaritan Snare
Manhunt
The Emissary
Peak Performance

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command
The Survivors
The Bonding

The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
The Most Toys
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers
Final Mission
First Contact
Galaxy's Child
Night Terrors
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

Redemption II
Unification I
A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living

Aquiel
Birthright, Part I
Birthright, Part II

Gambit, Part I
Attached
Firstborn
Bloodlines

"Datalore", for it's intense season 1 weirdness and kicking off the Lore arc. One of Trek's great accidental comedies (which, I suppose, makes it a little sad that it's Gene Roddenberry's final Trek writing credit)

 

Lonely Among Us
Haven
Coming Of Age
We'll Always Have Paris
The Neutral Zone

Where Silence Has Lease

The Icarus Factor
Pen Pals
Samaritan Snare
Manhunt
The Emissary
Peak Performance

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command
The Survivors
The Bonding

The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
The Most Toys
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers
Final Mission
First Contact
Galaxy's Child
Night Terrors
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

Unification I
A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living

Aquiel
Birthright, Part I
Birthright, Part II

Gambit, Part I
Attached
Firstborn
Bloodlines

Removing Redemption, Part II. So much unique about this episode. Data commanding a ship and just absolutely emasculating a prejudiced first officer. Worf resigned from Starfleet. Culmination of a major arc, and then Sela.

 

Lonely Among Us
Haven
Coming Of Age
We'll Always Have Paris
The Neutral Zone

Where Silence Has Lease
The Icarus Factor
Pen Pals
Samaritan Snare
Manhunt
The Emissary
Peak Performance

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command
The Survivors
The Bonding
The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers
Final Mission
First Contact
Galaxy's Child
Night Terrors
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

Unification I
A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living

Aquiel
Birthright, Part I
Birthright, Part II

Gambit, Part I
Attached
Firstborn
Bloodlines

Taking out The Most Toys - Data was taken to the point where he decided to kill. I don't think there's another episode where he made that decision in such a coldly logical process.

 

Lonely Among Us
Haven
Coming Of Age
We'll Always Have Paris
The Neutral Zone

Where Silence Has Lease
The Icarus Factor
Pen Pals
Samaritan Snare
Manhunt
The Emissary
Peak Performance

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command
The Survivors
The Bonding
The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers
First Contact
Galaxy's Child
Night Terrors
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

Unification I
A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living

Aquiel
Birthright, Part I
Birthright, Part II

Gambit, Part I
Attached
Firstborn
Bloodlines

Final Mission sees the departure of a regular character. Scenes of desert survival are not normal for Star Trek either.

 

Lonely Among Us
Haven
Coming Of Age
We'll Always Have Paris

Where Silence Has Lease
The Icarus Factor
Pen Pals
Samaritan Snare
Manhunt
The Emissary
Peak Performance

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command
The Survivors
The Bonding
The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers
First Contact
Galaxy's Child
Night Terrors
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

Unification I
A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living

Aquiel
Birthright, Part I
Birthright, Part II

Gambit, Part I
Attached
Firstborn
Bloodlines

"The Neutral Zone" is neutered. We get to meet real twentieth century people, a bit caricatural, especially the singer who speaks an idiom unknown to mankind!

 

Lonely Among Us
Haven
Coming Of Age
We'll Always Have Paris

Where Silence Has Lease
The Icarus Factor
Pen Pals
Samaritan Snare
Manhunt
The Emissary
Peak Performance

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command
The Survivors
The Bonding
The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers
First Contact
Galaxy's Child
Night Terrors
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

Unification I
A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living


Birthright, Part I
Birthright, Part II

Gambit, Part I
Attached
Firstborn
Bloodlines

Aquiel, because it's the only instance where the dog did it!

 

Lonely Among Us
Haven
Coming Of Age
We'll Always Have Paris




The Icarus Factor
Pen Pals
Samaritan Snare
Manhunt
The Emissary
Peak Performance

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command
The Survivors
The Bonding

The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers
First Contact
Galaxy's Child
Night Terrors
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

Unification I
A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living


Birthright, Part I
Birthright, Part II

Gambit, Part I
Attached
Firstborn
Bloodlines

Where Silence Has Lease has too creepiness and too much Star Trekkin' to be a generic show. The death of the black Ensign was one of the most surprising and horrific deaths in the history of Star Trek.

 

Haven
Lonely Among Us
Coming Of Age
We'll Always Have Paris

The Icarus Factor
Pen Pals
Samaritan Snare
Manhunt
The Emissary
Peak Performance

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command
The Survivors
The Bonding
The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers
First Contact
Galaxy's Child
Night Terrors
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

Unification I
A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living

Birthright, Part II

Gambit, Part I
Attached
Firstborn
Bloodlines

"Birthright, Part I" is gone. Data first gets his ability to dream here, answering the age old question... 'Do Androids dream of Electric Sheep?'

 

Haven
Lonely Among Us
Coming Of Age
We'll Always Have Paris

The Icarus Factor
Pen Pals
Samaritan Snare
Manhunt
The Emissary
Peak Performance

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command
The Survivors
The Bonding
The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers
First Contact
Galaxy's Child
Night Terrors
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

Unification I
A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living

Gambit, Part I
Attached
Firstborn
Bloodlines

"Birthright, Part II" is denied. Worf bullies around a gentle and well-meaning Romulan (There aren't that many of them as it is!!) and imposes his will. Thanks to him the girl who loved him and has a mixed heritage will be the loneliest person in the Quadrant!!! Reminds me Q's remark to Worf: "have you eaten any good books lately?"

 

Wow, season 6 was quickly taken out.

Haven
Lonely Among Us
Coming Of Age
We'll Always Have Paris

The Icarus Factor
Pen Pals
Manhunt
The Emissary
Peak Performance

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command
The Survivors
The Bonding
The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers
First Contact
Galaxy's Child
Night Terrors
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

Unification I
A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living

Gambit, Part I
Attached
Firstborn
Bloodlines

"Samaritan Snare" has done one good deed too many to stay on this list. The only episode in the franchise to feature the Pakleds, background aliens aside.

 

Haven
Lonely Among Us
Coming Of Age
We'll Always Have Paris

The Icarus Factor
Pen Pals
Manhunt
The Emissary
Peak Performance

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command
The Survivors
The Bonding
The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers
First Contact
Galaxy's Child
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

Unification I
A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living

Gambit, Part I
Attached
Firstborn
Bloodlines

"Night Terrors" The only time Troi flies.

 

Haven
Lonely Among Us
Coming Of Age
We'll Always Have Paris

The Icarus Factor
Manhunt
The Emissary
Peak Performance

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command
The Survivors
The Bonding
The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers
First Contact
Galaxy's Child
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

Unification I
A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living

Gambit, Part I
Attached
Firstborn
Bloodlines

"Pen Pals" is written out. The idea is introduced that the fate of an entire planet rests on whether a little girl explicitly asked for outside help... Weird concept, to say the least!!!

Sorry man, but you didn't fill out the form correctly so now you're gonna die and we won't lift a finger!!!

 

Haven
Lonely Among Us
Coming Of Age
We'll Always Have Paris

The Icarus Factor
Manhunt
The Emissary
Peak Performance

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command

The Bonding
The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers
First Contact
Galaxy's Child
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

Unification I
A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living

Gambit, Part I
Attached
Firstborn
Bloodlines

"The Survivors" survives being a candidate for "most generic episode ever" - never before had I seen an episode where an alien recognizes an empathic being from afar and quickly puts her out of commission before she can figure things out -- via a form of torture (the ultimate earworm from hell (moohahahaha)), no less. To the point even those who loatherd the character Troi might feel sympathy for her treatment. The story has very little plot but its execution is so perfect that it rolls along with ease. The mystery for Kevin and Rashan was well-realized, splendidly acted, well-directed, and mystery huge ship being tied to him was not quite expected, and the resolution is as somber - and mysterious - as anything could get. There's nothing generic about Kevin. Early season 3 had some mojo for sure.

 

Haven
Lonely Among Us
Coming Of Age
We'll Always Have Paris

The Icarus Factor
Manhunt
The Emissary

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command

The Bonding
The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers
First Contact
Galaxy's Child
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

Unification I
A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living

Gambit, Part I
Attached
Firstborn
Bloodlines

"Peak Performance" is booed off the stage. The idea, right in some games, like Chess for example, that playing for equality gives you an edge over someone playing to win, is used by Data, urged by Polaski of all people (the most arrogant recurring character of the entire series), to take down a peg the arrogant Kolrami.

 

Haven
Lonely Among Us
We'll Always Have Paris

The Icarus Factor
Manhunt
The Emissary

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command

The Bonding
The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers
First Contact
Galaxy's Child
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

Unification I
A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living

Gambit, Part I
Attached
Firstborn
Bloodlines

Eliminating Coming of Age. The whole academic battle royale academy application process is just awesomely stupid.

 

Haven
Lonely Among Us
We'll Always Have Paris

The Icarus Factor
Manhunt
The Emissary

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command
The Bonding
The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers
First Contact
Galaxy's Child
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

Unification I
A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living

Gambit, Part I
Firstborn
Bloodlines

Attached is broken off. It has the rare feature of shedding light on the process of a planet joining the federation. It is also the only episode of the final season to omit a regular character (La Forge).

 

Haven
Lonely Among Us
We'll Always Have Paris

The Icarus Factor
Manhunt

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command
The Bonding
The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers
First Contact
Galaxy's Child
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

Unification I
A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living

Gambit, Part I
Firstborn
Bloodlines

"The Emissary" is sent back. It contains a truly charming Klingon woman, a very rare occurrence, with sarcastic regard on her own people. She's also the future mother of Worf's child. A dormant Klingon ship is fooled into stopping their kamikaze run.

 

Haven
Lonely Among Us
We'll Always Have Paris

The Icarus Factor
Manhunt

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command
The Bonding
The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers
First Contact
Galaxy's Child
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living

Gambit, Part I
Firstborn
Bloodlines

"Unification I" First look at life on Romulus. Return of Spock!

 

Haven
Lonely Among Us
We'll Always Have Paris

The Icarus Factor
Manhunt

Evolution
The Ensigns of Command
The Bonding
The Enemy
The Price
The Hunted
The High Ground
Deja Q
A Matter of Perspective
Allegiance
Tin Man
Menage a Troi
Transfigurations

Suddenly Human
Brothers

Galaxy's Child
Identity Crisis
Half a Life
The Mind's Eye
In Theory
Redemption

A Matter Of Time
New Ground
Cost Of Living

Gambit, Part I
Firstborn
Bloodlines


I'll touch "First Contact"! It isn't all that generic when the show goes all meta and has Mirasta stating she's glad her society was not being judged by its entertainment. What if Picard were now a Q by analogue? Anyway, Carolyn Seymour continues to grace the show with her talents - from Evil Leaper to a Romulan and now a very compelling Mirasta Yale, she's always a joy in what she brings to the table.