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Most Underrated Episodes and Why

posted 6 years ago by Wuchak (8833)
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Are you weary of hearing how great "Yesterday's Enterprise," "Relics," etc. are? Then list your favorite underrated installments. Here are some of mine with brief commentary on why I favor them:

- "Heart of Glory": Great first Klingon episode, showing that TNG could do no wrong when it came to Klingons.
- "Conspiracy": The subpar First Season thankfully had several quality episodes that proved TNG could stand on its own; and this suspenseful mystery/horror is one of 'em, augmented by some good action.
- "A Matter of Honor": The second Klingon episode and even better than the first. But, actually, this is Riker's moment to shine; and he does!
- "The Royale": An interesting concept and entertaining story with a creative revelation that makes it all come together.
- "The Emissary": Suzi Plakson kicks axx as K'Ehleyr and works well with her semi-romance with Worf.
- "Who Watches the Watchers": One of the best episodes to explore the intentional & unintentional impact of the Federation's mission, plus elaboration on the Prime Directive.
- "The Most Toys": It's all about the last act: Data reveals that he can willfully bypass his programming when justified. Notice the innocent look on Data's face when confronted by the skeptical Riker. That potent close, albeit low-key, is TV storytelling of the highest order.
- "Tin Man": The Betazoid who is so empathic he needs to get away from people to find solace is a potent point.
- "Final Mission": Picard & Wesley crashland on a desert-like moon with the "Captain" of a shuttle vessel à la "Flight of the Phoenix" (1965/2004). It's nice to get away from the studio sets and see outside locations for a change.
- "Data's Day": It's interesting having Data give the narration and see life aboard the ship through his lens. I also love Dr. Crusher mentoring Data on how to dance and playing down his exceptional abilities.
- "First Contact": Great companion-piece to "Who Watches the Watchers" from the previous season.
- "Q-pid": The entertaining first half focuses on Picard's relationship with Vash on the Enterprise while the amusing second half features Q's version of Medieval Nottingham.
- "Ethics": Dr. Crusher has no other choice but to passionately confront an ethically dubious doctor while realizing that the woman's experimental (unsound) methods are the only thing that might save Worf.
- "Cost of Living": This is the best episode to feature the spirited Lwaxana, whom you get to actually know and understand here. She perks things up and convincingly develops a warm relationship with Alexander, who was basically a meaningless character heretofore. The story is original, the holodeck sequences are creative, the comedy revolving around Mr. Worf (Woof) works and Lwaxana's answer to getting out of a marriage she decides she doesn't want is entertainment at it's best.
- "The Next Phase": Geordi & Ro basically become invisible ghosts (with Ro believing they may actually be ghosts) and have to figure out how to convince their comrades that they're not really dead, not to mention save the Enterprise from a diabolic Romulan plot.
- "Gambit 1 & 2": A great adventure-in-space two-parter with Picard going undercover as mercenary Galen aboard a pirate vessel.
- "Thine Own Self": Sort of the Data rendition of "The Inner Light."
- "Preemptive Strike": A tale of political intrigue involving the Federation, the Cardassians and the uprising Maquis. Lt Ro is back from tactical training and takes a key spy mission to join the Maquis. The ending has a 'Wow' factor.

[–] Moonglum9 (11320) 5 years ago

I liked the Most Toys a lot. The Next Phase is also one I can rewatch at will. The Gambit episodes were fun like you said. I always liked Masks a lot - maybe I'm biased because of my personal interests, but it's one of my favorite episodes. I also enjoyed Descent Part 1 quite a bit even though most ST fans always don't enjoy this two parter.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

""Q-pid": The entertaining first half focuses on Picard's relationship with Vash on the Enterprise while the amusing second half features Q's version of Camelot."

Um, the story of Robin Hood does NOT involve Camelot.

[–] Wuchak (8833) 5 years ago

Sorry, I meant Nottingham. They're both Medieval villages in England, although Camelot's more legend than reality.

[–] Moonglum9 (11320) 5 years ago

I think Camelot would be pre-medieval - more like the dark ages. I would say it would pre-date Robin's Nottingham by possibly 1000 years. At least that's the impression I always had, but it's been quite a while since I read any Arthurian stories.

[–] Wuchak (8833) 5 years ago

According to medieval histories & romances, King Arthur led the defense of Britain against Saxon invaders in the late 5th and early 6th centuries, which technically makes it the early Medieval period. I know there's debate about when the Middle Ages actually started but 476-1492 AD is the common definition of the Middle Ages. Some say 500 AD is the starting point but -- even then -- this would include King Arthur's latter period. This makes the legendary Camelot a Medieval hamlet.

The Sloane manuscripts in the British Museum have an account of Robin's life which states that he was born around 1160 in Lockersley in South Yorkshire. Thus there are 700 years between Arthur and Robin Hood.

Traditionally, the "Dark Ages" are synonymous with the Middle Ages, aka the Medieval period, which lasted about a thousand years. Being the Dark Ages, there wasn't much progression in technology or culture between 500 AD and 1190. So the general Medieval Britain environments of Arthur and Robin Hood would've been very similar.

[–] strntz (12698) 5 years ago

I generally like your list (would have included The Pegasus and The Inner Light), but never really cared for Q-pid. Q was getting too cartoony and this is one of those that was over the top IMO.

I also never cared for the Vash character.

I'm surprised anyone but myself would pick The Royale..

[–] Wuchak (8833) 5 years ago

I agree about "The Pegasus" but "The Inner Light" is too hailed to categorize as "underrated."

As far as "Q-pid" goes, I found Picard's relationship with Vash compelling in the first half, which is balanced out by the comedic second. Star Trek always made room for a little lighter entertainment, like "The Trouble with Tribbles" and "I, Mudd."

The creative revelation in "The Royale" made it all come together; the episode was entertaining even without it, but that's what moved me to include it on the list.

[–] strntz (12698) 5 years ago

I agree about "The Pegasus" but "The Inner Light" is too hailed to categorize as "underrated."

Dumbass.

As I read and re-read the list several times, my brain went into flatulence mode and I started thinking about my favorites. Dumbass...

With regards to Q-pid, I was thinking more along the lines that Q's character evolved (devolved) from the terrifying first appearance to his later, more comical relief character.

I kind of wish Q was kept a bit more mercurial, going from a somewhat affable character back to his terrifying one, just to keep the crew on edge.

I never minded the humorous episodes in general in any generation, although there were a couple of stinkers.

[–] Wuchak (8833) 5 years ago

As I read and re-read the list several times, my brain went into flatulence mode and I started thinking about my favorites. Dumbass...

I figured as much. You're no dumbass; it's easy to do. I'm pretty sure I've done the same thing here or there.

I thought the Q story in the pilot pretty much ruined that episode. Actually, it's half-good. Dorothy Fontana's story -- which pertained to the actual encounter at Farpoint -- was fine as an introduction to the series & characters, but producers wanted to make it a two-hour segment and so Roddenberry clumsily shoehorned-in the Q story. It's not 6 minutes into the story -- the very first episode of the series -- and this goofball omnipotent character suddenly appears on the Bridge, soon kidnapping the Bridge crew and taking them to some bizarre trial in the midst of a bunch of uncouth barbarians. This jarring sequence takes place in the first half hour and it just mars the seriousness and credible-ness of the rest of the episode.

Q's second appearance -- "Hide and Q" -- was just as bad. In both cases neither John de Lancie nor his character Q were the problem. The issue was the lousy stories/script. I found Q to basically be an irritating fop in these episodes but, again, I don't blame the character or de Lancie, but rather the writers.

Thankfully, Q's third appearance was the the kick-axx "Q Who" in the 2nd season, which of course debuted the Borg and was an utterly stunning installment. If there was any doubt that TNG could be as good or better than the Original Series, this episode wiped 'em away.

The reason "Q-pid" is on my list of underrated episodes is simply because it successfully entertained me. I love the part where Picard is giving his serious briefing and suddenly Medieval accouterments start curiously appearing on the main crew members and they're mysteriously whisked away to Sherwood Forest.

"Tapestry" is another worthy Q segment, as is "All Good Things..."

[–] AlfredTheGreat (471) 5 years ago

"Transfigurations" which is an obvious lift from the Christian New Testament. I like the positive vibe from it. What would have made it perfect is maybe a third story line to keep the main plot from getting too watered down.

"Thine Own Self" was a very good short story derived from Shelley's Frankenstein.

[–] Wuchak (8833) 5 years ago

"Thine Own Self" ranks among my favorites.

I've never seen "Transfigurations," but I'm putting it at the top of my list. Thanks.

[–] WandererFromYs (2342) 5 years ago

"Conundrum": This episode actually has a decent rating, but it never gets mentioned as one of the best, and I think it is one of the better episodes.

"Lessons": I really like the Picard, and Nella Darin romance. I would've liked to see it go on longer than 1 episode.

"Eye of the Beholder": I'm honestly surprised that people don't like this episode. It's one of the better episodes, and it's a Troi focused episode.

[–] Wuchak (8833) 4 years ago

I feel the same way about "Eye of the Beholder"; it's definitely an underrated episode.

"Lessons" is a worthy drama about Picard convincingly falling in love with a subordinate officer and the ramifications thereof.

[–] Wuchak (8833) 4 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Ace_Spade (9603) 4 years ago

The Most Toys - Data gets scary here. If they followed some of the implications of this further, Data could have been used in some DARK ways... Not saying it would have been better, but it could have been some amazing stories. You're right, this one is a great episode.

Tin Man - Bingo again. That was a very touching story and made good use of sci-fi elements like psychic powers to tell a really human tale.

[–] Wuchak (8833) 4 years ago

I could relate to the Betazoid guy in Tin Man, which is why I valued the episode. I'm empathic and so when I'm around a lot of people it tends to hinder my capacity to think clearly and therefore my output. I work better alone; I need peace & quiet.

[–] Gd5150 (11838) 4 years ago

Drumhead. - a minor investigation with no evidence turns into a witch hunt. So many parallels with today’s politics.

The Offspring. - Data builds a daughter.

The Nth Degree. - Bercley takes over the ship and flies them across the universe.

Quality of life. - data discovers the exocomps are alive.

Tapestry - Q gives Picard a chance to see himself “bereft of passion”.

[–] Wuchak (8833) 4 years ago

"Drumhead," "The Offspring" and "Tapestry" for sure.

I liked "The Nth Degree" even more than the first Barclay story ("Hollow Pursuits"); it's reminiscent of the Original Series' "Where No Man Has Gone Before."

"Quality of Life" is well-done, but the theme was old hat.