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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.

[–] hootiehome (471) 4 years ago

The Naked Now: Just a fun episode. The scene between Picard and Dr. Crusher in his ready room makes me laugh out loud every time.

[–] Wuchak (8833) 4 years ago

I'd like to add a couple more underrated episodes to my original list.

- "The Schizoid Man": When the curmudgeonly mentor of Data's creator dies, he transfers his immaterial being into Data and the android starts acting very atypical, which turns the heads of his friends on the Enterprise. One great scene is when Data offers an amusing eulogy for the physically dead scientist. Meanwhile the lovely Barbara Alyn Woods is a highlight as Kareen Brianon.
- "The Vengeance Factor": Picard & crew encounter an entertaining band of space pirates called The Gatherers, who basically look like members of Manowar. Lisa Wilcox is stunning as Yuta (you might recall her from A Nightmare on Elm Street 4 & 5). What Riker does to her at the end is... shocking (and unnecessary); and Picard barely blinks.

[–] Erting (202) 4 years ago

The Survivors - This was a great mystery episode with a powerful, thought-provoking conclusion.
Where Silence Has Lease - TNG did horror better than any other space-based television series, and this one delivered a strong sense of mystery and dread. For about a full half-hour, the episode gives off seriously creepy vibes with the sense that literally anything could happen at any moment.
First Contact - One of the most intelligent depictions of first contact I've seen, with the twist of course being that humans are the visiting aliens.
Night Terrors - I love it when TNG goes for all-out horror, and this was one of the best of its kind. The shot of Dr. Crusher in the morgue with dozens of bodies sitting straight up all around her is an iconic moment of horror in Star Trek history.
Genesis - I love this episode for its creepy, haunted house-style horror. This episode really freaked me out as a kid and I still get the creeps from its dark atmosphere and fantastic creature make-up.

[–] Wuchak (8833) 4 years ago

- Yeah "The Survivors" is a worthy episode with a thought-provoking climax. It's nice to see some location shooting, which was relatively rare on TNG. Then there's Worf's memorable line: "Good tea; nice house."

- I need to give "Where Silence Has Lease" a fresh watch since it's been a while. But I remember it being a solid 2nd Season outing with an obvious commentary on animal research.

- Yeah, "First Contact" made my list above; it's a great companion-piece to the similar "Who Watches the Watchers" from the previous season. It's what Star Trek is all about -- making contact with new life in the galaxy & beyond.

- That was an effectively spooky scene in the morgue in "Night Terrors."

- I recently rewatched "Genesis" and upped my former grade. I love the mysterious sequence where Picard & Data return to the curiously adrift Enterprise; the slashed corpse at the navigation chair wasn't promising for the situation.

[–] Flybynight45 (165) 4 years ago

I love Déjà Q.

It won’t win any awards and lacks the moral compass and depth of classic episodes.

However I just find this the most fun episode to watch. The ultimate riches to rags to riches story.

[–] Wuchak (8833) 4 years ago

It's definitely one of the more entertaining segments and has rewatchable merit.

Plus, beneath the humor there's depth in Q's plight, which we all can relate to one way or another (or will relate to).

[–] Wuchak (8833) 4 years ago

Another one I'd like to add to my list:

- "Lower Decks": The lens into the lives of young officers fresh from the Academy is compelling, especially due to the well-chosen actors (the actor who plays the Vulcan Taurik is outstanding). The juxtaposed poker games of the senior and junior officers is effective. The best part is Worf's mentoring of the winsome Bajoran Sito and the moving close with Worf sitting alone in Ten-Forward.

[–] Moonglum9 (11320) 4 years ago

Lower Decks has always been a highly regarded episode, so I'm not sure you can call it underrated. I checked IMDb and it has an 8.8 rating (if that even means anything anymore). But it was a good episode, that's for sure.

[–] Wuchak (8833) 4 years ago

You're right; scratch it from the list.

I think I added it because I forgot about it, having only viewed it once before. After giving it a fresh viewing, I was impressed with how unique, superb and moving it is.

Still, it's definitely a segment worth hailing and discussing.

[–] Owlwise (1536) 4 years ago

I've always liked "Frame of Mind" with Riker shifting between Beverly's play & the alien asylum/prison, as head-game stories always interest me. And Riker's ongoing coming-apart-at-the-seams is really effective.

And "Schisms" works well as a horror episode, especially by starting on such a humorous note with Riker falling asleep during Data's poetry reading, only to get increasingly creepier as the story goes on. I also like setting an alien abduction story in space like that, as it's something quite unexpected, especially for Star Trek.