Weakest 10 Episodes

[NCC-73515]

Can’t defend it? Allow me. There is so much sex in that episode that they managed to sneak past the censors of their day. It was way more adult than stuff throughout both the series and in some ways the franchise — don’t get me started on the underutilized Deltans, who could be to sex what the Klingons are to violence. But oh right it’s a TV show for kids and nerds.

The episode starts with a party so decadent and debauched that the bridge crew end it with the ultimate bang by spacing themselves. In the episode we see the frozen remains of a (gasp!) multiracial orgy in crew quarters with extras some of whom were in skintight bodysuits and others were completely naked — I love the one bedsheet seemingly ending in one man’s anus so that it wouldn’t constitute and entire ass crack shown on television. Tasha was jaw-droppingly beautiful in that dress and part of the sexual awakening of countless kids across the country. And we saw lower boob, which I don’t think I saw again on television until decades later. Both of which were employed by the liberated modern woman to use the good Commander Data as her fully functional sex toy.

Plus, come on, who didn’t want to wring Wesley’s neck when he took over, and how nail-biting was that conclusion, cheesy as it might have been? I mean, it was a fun episode, and we do get to have those time to time. Super-fast Data arms vs. the isolinear are chips were also cool. As was Data getting drunk (it sold him being more intriguingly cybernetic than simply robotic), and, yeah, I did laugh when he fell down I’m at the end of the plastered scene on the bridge.

Their mistake was putting it so early in the series. Like “Dramatis Personae” on DS9 also too early in that series, these Mirror Universe-like episodes where everyone is acting out of character are way more fun once the characters are well established and familiar. But, overall, there’s adult stuff here that I wish carried over later on.

And I still sometimes think of Tasha swaying her booty walking down the corridor and picking a lucky rando to plant one on. Inspirational.

One of my friends told me one day he finally watched an episode of TNG after I praised it so much so often. I asked which one, he said: there's a love virus spreading on the ship and they all get weird. I felt so embarrassed knowing he now thought that's my favorite show ever based on only that episode!

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

It's funny how the Naked Time and the Naked Now were both deliberately aired as early as possible, with the intention of giving viewers more insight into who the characters really were. I think it mostly worked with the Naked Time, as it meant viewers knew about Spock's secret inner conflict by episode 4, but the Naked Now doesn't really tell us anything about the TNG crew except that they do dumb things when they're drunk.

 

[Vger23]

It's funny how the Naked Time and the Naked Now were both deliberately aired as early as possible, with the intention of giving viewers more insight into who the characters really were. I think it mostly worked with the Naked Time, as it meant viewers knew about Spock's secret inner conflict by episode 4, but the Naked Now doesn't really tell us anything about the TNG crew except that they do dumb things when they're drunk.

The Naked Now isn't one of S1's best...but it definitely had a sense of fun that was lacking from some of the other outings, and I really appreciated that.

 

[NCC-73515]

Gates even thought Beverly is the funny character based on that script, and that's why she took the job XD

 

[Seven of Five]

I always quite liked The Schizoid Man. There, I said it.

Season Seven was clearly where the writers were running on fumes, so a few of these occupy my Flop 10:
Masks
Sub Rosa
Force of Nature
Homeward
Emergence

My other bad episodes from the other seasons:
Code of Honor
Up the Long Ladder
Cost of Living
Shades of Gray
Aquiel

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Cold of Honor
Shades of Grey
The Naked Now
Justice
The Outrageous Okana
Lonely Among Us
Up The Long Ladder
Sub Rosa
Cost of Living
Rascals

 

[Arpy]

It’s interesting when “Cost of Living” and “The Outcast” get the reaction of outrage for their endings. The point of those episodes was to anger, not to condone the alien customs.

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

I gotta say, it's bringing me joy to see The Outrageous Okona on so many lists. It might just make my bottom 10 of all Trek episodes from all the series combined. It really is an exceptionally bad hour of television. Though the most amazing thing about it is that the script they started with was way way worse than what we got.

 

[STEPhon IT]

I've had a lot of fun reading everyone's top 10 TNG episodes in this thread:

https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/top-10-tng-episodes.310345/

It seems like there are clearly some that are almost universal, and others that are unique to the viewer...so it's been an interesting read. I thought it might be interesting to see everyone's take on the "weakest" 10 episodes as well.

I'll start (in no particular order):

1. Aquiel
2. Imaginary Friend
3. The Schizoid Man
4. Suddenly Human
5. Angel One
6. Hero Worship
7. Cost of Living
8. The Price
9. Suspicions
10. Sub Rosa

Most of these are not only "bad" episodes, but they reach my "top 10" because I also find them dreadfully dull. There are other episodes that are pretty crappy (and I'll list those below), but at least they aren't start-to-finish dull.

Other Mentions:

Descent pt. 1 and pt. 2
Code of Honor
Shades of Gray
Genesis
Time's Arrow pt. 1 and pt. 2
The Outrageous Okona
Homeward
Dark Page
Force of Nature (although this is pretty damn dull as well)
Realm of Fear
Fistful of Datas
Violations
Man of the People
Datalore

Most of the episodes from Season 7 can take the bill.

 

[Qonundrum]

You're right, "Ethics" doesn't quite paint a two-sided picture of the nature of the conflict between Crusher and Dr. Russell. It even manipulates Russell's dialogue so that she seemed to care more about research than her patients.

However, I've observed that medical ethics are of great importance on Trek; all four Berman-era doctors had dialogue that featured it. And, if a doctor puts what they can learn from a patient above their sacred duty of healing them, well, that's unethical.

Good points!

The Naked Now isn't one of S1's best...but it definitely had a sense of fun that was lacking from some of the other outings, and I really appreciated that.

Great. Now I'm going to sit through it again. I do recall Data exciting Riker with the "suck vs blow" discussion, which was scientifically accurate so that's already a plus...

I gotta say, it's bringing me joy to see The Outrageous Okona on so many lists. It might just make my bottom 10 of all Trek episodes from all the series combined. It really is an exceptionally bad hour of television. Though the most amazing thing about it is that the script they started with was way way worse than what we got.

That always gets a dishonorable mention. Apart form the ponytail, and how Data and Guinan are unintentionally funnier than The Comic, the rest of the episode is dross.

It's amazing how many episodes I rather like turn up on other people's "weakest" lists. "The Schzoid Man"?? Come on!! Well, rather than defend all those episodes, I'll instead consider my own 'weakest' (can only come up with five at the minute!).

That's where the fun is!

The last time I saw it, "Schizoid Man" was one I sorta liked. It's not perfect, but I rolled with enough of it. The atmosphere of the piece combined with the acting had a positive effect... But it's far better in terms of plot than Datalore, which is saying something as "Schizoid" uses the old TOS standby of putting a human soul in a machine and even Troi senses it. The science is clearly nonexistent, but the script's underlying philosophy was and that won me over even more.

It's not something I've really thought about before (you tend to think about 'top 10/20' episode lists more...), but - after ten minutes thinking (and with the caveat that this list, like my top favourites, will no doubt be regularly subject to change...):

(No particular order)

"Manhunt" - I love season 2, but this episode is hard work. It's dull, Barrett is particularly annoying, and disappointing all round.

It's hit or miss, but there are worse episodes.

"Force of Nature" - the original idea (which frames the environmental impact of warp drive alongside a personal story of Geordi struggling to get over his mother's death, and a visit from his sister) sounds so much more interesting. A man already in grief suddenly realising the one thing he can still rely on - his beloved engines - may be responsible for untold damage is a good idea. What we ended up with was a mess. All the stuff with the rival engineer, Spot...pointless, and then I thought the guest cast was weak as well.

Completely agreed. A huge mess and a hokey ending that everyone back in 1993/4 correctly predicted would be thrown away ASAP. Every episode since pretty much had someone saying "you're authorized to exceed 55mph, floor it."

"Masks" - again, intriguing idea, terribly executed.

^^this

"The Outrageous Okona" - along with "Manhunt", the only hugely disappointing episode in season 2 for me. A lousy main plot, and even the sub-plot doesn't land.

Data and Guinan make up for a bit of it, but as much as the show needed to try genre blending to find new ideas, trying to incorporate Three's Company with the misunderstandings, Romeo and Juliet (if not foreshadowing Jerry Springer), etc, was cringe.

"Code Of Honour" - concept is a little cliche, but fine, but the production values of this one (and yes, the 'race' controversy) really let it down.

The main idea of juxtaposing "superior" Federation personnel such as Picard on its own has some potential. The race issue was a controversy that didn't need to be. Scripting Picard by throwing a tantrum and intimidating the populace with a volley of detonating photon torpedoes over their orbit is probably the dumbest moment ever in any of the Trek shows I've seen so far, especially in the episode trying to have Picard violate the Prime Directive (effectively his code of honor), which he could have done more subtly.

 

[Mojochi]

What I find the 10 weakest... as in poorest overall tv show presentations

Sub Rosa (Man it's just so dumb. Dumb & poorly executed on all fronts)

Shades of Grey (If you're stuck doing a last-minute clip show, you can still do better)

Masks (What a bunch of schlock acting from an otherwise decent actor, thrown together with an almost nothing story)

Eye of the Beholder (What a bunch of schlock acting from an otherwise decent actor, thrown together with an almost nothing story)

Aquiel (Maybe my top choice for biggest snoozefest)

Imaginary Friend ("WTF am I even watching this for? Is this even the show I watch?" Was literally all I could think during it)

The Bonding (Whoever came up with the Alexander story arc should've been locked in a room with nothing but this episode to learn what a bad mix a kid & Worf was going to be)

Code of Honor (& not just because it plays racists. It's also genuinely bad)

New Ground (I almost always forget to add this one because I literally try to forget its existence)

Cost of Living (What a mess)

 

[Arpy]

I’m amazed at how many times I’ve been asked to defend “The Naked Now” lately. It’s certainly memorable, but it’s not, you know, good. Still a friend and I were talking about it today, and I found myself repeating all the points I made upthread. Ultimately, it’s a dumpster fire, but it’s a fun dumpster fire.

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

I don't think The Naked Now is even the worst TNG episode with that plot, as Night Terrors is like a remake where everyone talks slower and Troi floats around in the dream dimension.

 

[gakelly]

The Outrageous Okona is the absolute worst TNG episode ever. It is the definition of cringe.
Datalore is cliched, lame, and the dialogue feels like it was thrown together by a sixth grade English class.
I can't stand watching the Host
We'll Always Have Paris= the scientist guy almost destroys the galaxy and the Federation gladly lets him go back to doing the experiments at the end of the episode? Hmmm.
Lonely Among Us- Just so boring
Man of the People- I hate episodes where people age quickly
Force of Nature- There is no plot to this episode

There are six off the top of my head.

 

[Oddish]

Ultimately, it’s a dumpster fire, but it’s a fun dumpster fire.

And there's nothing wrong with enjoying an episode like that (I have a guilty pleasure episide, but it isn't TNG). And, it's fun to see how diverse the opinions are. I enjoyed "Masks" and "Shades of Gray" and others here revile them. But, there are ones I was pretty much alone in disliking.

 

[Sakonna]

Unless I missed it, three of my worst 10 haven't been named by anyone else yet.

"Time Squared" -- I feel like I'm watching a test pattern. Such a drab, lifeless, boring episode.

"The Icarus Factor" -- the whole tone of the Kyle Riker plot makes me see red. Will must get over being abandoned as a child because dad was sad? Kyle doesn't even seem remorseful! Infuriating, disgusting hour of television. I could burn every copy.

"Transfigurations" -- Another that is excruciatingly dull. Like "Time Squared", there is just no life in this episode.

In terms of episodes others have already mentioned...

"Birthright, Part II" -- I think this is the worst TNG for me. It was such a miserable viewing experience the first time (I kept hoping we were going back to Data's dreams at some point!), and it's never gotten any better. Worf's character is completely assassinated in service of a flat, garbage story.

"We'll Always Have Paris" -- I always thought I was the only one who hated this ep! Glad it appears on so many other posts in this thread. I struggle to get through this one like no other TNG. I don't think I've successfully completed a rewatch since the first time. It is in fact possible I have never made it to the end, in decades of trying.

And the rest...

"Code Of Honor" - so racist!
"The Price" - so rape-y!
"The Outrageous Okona" - so unfunny!
"A Matter Of Time" - so stupidly plotted!
"Masks" - Masks!

It is crazy to me "The Outrageous Okona" is the 2nd Guinan appearance. We are lucky Whoopi agreed to come back after that!

Fun to realize that I like TNG so much, it was almost hard to come up with 10 Worst.

 

[Arpy]

And there's nothing wrong with enjoying an episode like that (I have a guilty pleasure episide, but it isn't TNG)….

Which episode? Tell me it isn’t DS9’s “Babel.”

Fun to realize that I like TNG so much, it was almost hard to come up with 10 Worst.

Right?

 

[gakelly]

"Time Squared" -- I feel like I'm watching a test pattern. Such a drab, lifeless, boring episode.

It is not one of the better ones. Then they more or less copied it with Cause and Effect, another bland episode. Even the Riker..."maybe turning around is what causes the temporal rift (or whatever it was)." line. Both those episodes should be shot out of a photon torpedo bay.

"Birthright, Part II" -- I think this is the worst TNG for me. It was such a miserable viewing experience the first time (I kept hoping we were going back to Data's dreams at some point!), and it's never gotten any better. Worf's character is completely assassinated in service of a flat, garbage story.

Worf shows up and takes respectful children and turns them into complete disobedient jerks. Because that is the Klingon way. It never occurred to him that other people might choose a different path.

 

[Oddish]

Infuriating, disgusting hour of television. I could burn every copy.

Sounds like me and "Half a Life".

Which episode? Tell me it isn’t DS9’s “Babel.”

You can relax. It's Enterprise's "A Night in Sickbay". It's character assassination of the worst sort for Archer, but it sure does have some funny moments.

Worf shows up and takes respectful children and turns them into complete disobedient jerks. Because that is the Klingon way. It never occurred to him that other people might choose a different path.

There's a lot wrong with that one. They should have stuck with Data and Bashir's guest appearance; that part was good.

 

[Arpy]

I kind of like A Night in Sickbay. It’s cheesy but nice to get to know more of Phlox, and it has kind of an eerie feel to it as it’s nighttime but he’s not tired in the slightest and is doing his strange evening rituals Archer keeps waking up to.