The Mission: To watch, review, and rank every episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager.
The Protocol: 1. Watch every episode in the order they aired 2. Review and rank each episode within each of the 21 seasons 3. Rank the episodes within each series 4. Rank all 526 episodes
The Purpose: To gain Q-like knowledge of a television franchise that has had a monumental impact on my life. This is my tribute to Star Trek and what it has done for me.
Season One of The Next Generation isn’t a great example of what the series would become. This isn’t an uncommon thing, as characters are still being developed and thematic territories are still being mapped out. There are some good episodes, but unfortunately, there are some pretty bad ones too. Without further ado, here is Star Trek: The Next Generation Season One Ranked:
- S1 E8: “Justice”
Originally aired on November 9, 1987
Wesley earns himself the death penalty on a planet full of exclusively hetero oiled-up sex fiends.
The first season of TNG had a surprising amount of sexual references. And by surprising, I mean kind of disgusting. I can understand Riker and Yar digging the planet Rubicun III (they are notorious horndogs, after all), but why in the space-time continuum did Bev allow Wesley to go down to the surface of a planet full of mostly naked heavy petters in the first place? This is one of those pointless episodes that are so far from what TNG would become that it’s embarrassing to watch.
- S1 E5: “The Last Outpost”
Originally aired on October 19, 1987
The first appearance of the Ferengi is off to a rough start in what will become Star Trek’s biggest ongoing racial scapegoat.
I love the Ferengi. They, as most Star Trek races, evolve over time, but sadly they never fully lose their negative and stereotypical connotations. They are often punching bags, and in this episode (and the others from the first few seasons) the disgust on the faces of Enterprise crew is clearly visible.
- S1 E14 “Angel One”
Originally aired on January 25, 1988
Male writers terrified feminists will treat them like men treat women.
I’m sure writer Patrick Barry thought he was being oh-so-clever by creating a world in which men were subservient to women. I have no idea how this played in early 1988, but it doesn’t play well in 2019. The attempt at “reverse sexism” is moronic at best and blatantly sexist and homophobic at worst. Not a good effort.
- S1 E4 “Code of Honor”
Originally aired on October 12, 1987
“Primitive” society with clear Earth-African influences isn’t much more than hackneyed stereotyping.
More racial stereotyping but this time at the expense of a real Earth race. This is just bad stuff and so far from the mark of what Star Trek is supposed to be about. “Code of Honor” would have probably (sadly) fit right into the TOS canon, but by ‘87 things were supposed to be better. The worst part is that the writers (Katharyn Powers and Michael Baron) probably thought they were making edgy, thought-provoking television. Yeesh.
- S1 E3 “The Naked Now”
Originally aired on October 5, 1987
This was better when it aired in 1966 and was called “The Naked Time”.
I could have tolerated this episode a lot more if it had come later in the series (or at least later in the season). Its only Episode Three, so there are no points of reference for the characters because we don’t know any of them yet – making it hard to care or understand why everyone is acting goofy. This will mostly be remembered as the episode in which Picard and Beverly almost make out and the one where Tasha and Data do it. Classy. (also, a direct rip-off of a TOS episode, so there’s that too)
- S1 E16 “Too Short a Season”
Originally aired on February 8, 1988
An Admiral we’ve never heard of negotiates for some hostages we never see. Oh, and he gets younger by the day, I guess.
Very bad makeup combined with a forgettable story that goes nowhere and contributes nothing. “Too Short a Season” is at least harmless, but that can hardly be considered a positive in this case. Episodes featuring non-crew members as main characters are usually boring. There’s no way to get to know anyone well enough to care, and often the regular crew acts in odd, out of character ways for the exposition to work.
- S1 E7 “The Lonely Among Us”
Originally aired on November 2, 1987
Perfunctory and forgettable episode partially saved by Enterprise guests who like to eat each other.
The “Two Planets at War” scenario is a well-used and well-worn TNG standby. In the case of “The Lonely Among Us,” it’s merely a backdrop (and possibly a pointless one), with another familiar scenario taking center stage. Yes, I’m talking about the “Crew Comes Under Control of Something” trope that we’ve seen a million times (including already on this list). I do like the aliens who eat each other, though. And then, of course, there’s Data’s Sherlock Holmes impression. Cringe!
- S1 E17 “When the Bough Breaks”
Originally aired on February 15, 1988
A planet whose inhabitants can’t reproduce kidnap the children of the Enterprise. Wesley leads a passive resistance.
I give Wesley a lot of shit, but believe it or not, I like the character. He’s such an easy target it’s hard not to get on his case. In this episode, he’s actually pretty righteous in a little wiener kind of way (basically, he leads a children’s strike against some weird kidnappers). “When the Bough Breaks” is by no means a good Star Trek episode, but at least it’s bearable. Watching Picard navigate anything that has to do with children is always a plus, but the implausible nature of the premise is more than can be acceptably tolerated in the grand scheme of things.
- S1 E11 “Haven”
Originally aired on November 30, 1987
The first Deanna-centric episode is derailed by Riker being an emo teenager.
I like who the Deanna Troi character eventually becomes. Her role early on is to do nothing more than “get a feeling” about something and then having someone else act on her intuitions. In “Haven,” Deanna is finally given some depth, only to have it usurped by Riker and his male-centric jealousies. It’s a bummer too because this episode could have had real potential for emotional investigation but instead is wrecked by a pig-headed man. (Also, the first appearance of Deanna’s mother, Lwaxana – who is deliciously annoying)
- S1 E9 “Battle”
Originally aired on November 16, 1987
More Ferengi hate. This time, however, we learn a bit of Picard’s past on the Stargazer, which is a plus.
Picard’s time on the Stargazer is the stuff of legends. In “Battle,” we get our first glimpse into some of his exploits. There is quite a bit more Ferengi hatred, but it becomes a bit more palatable when it’s focused on one angry character rather than an entire planet or race (something Star Trek has always struggled with). Episodes featuring Picard’s backstory are almost always fun, but his one gets out of hand due to the shortcomings many Season Ones often have.
- S1 E21 “The Arsenal of Freedom”
Originally aired on April 11, 1988
A blatant political allegory episode that had a potential for some real bite but becomes inexplicably restrained at the last minute.
Talk about action packed! Star Trek action is so hokey it’s hard not to love. In this political commentary, the crew comes under attack from an automated weapons demonstration that was never deactivated. Most notably, though, Geordie finally gets some recognition when he’s placed in command of the Enterprise (we paid for that Saucer Section sequence and by Joe, we’re going to use it!).
- S1 E 18 “Home Soil”
Originally aired on February 22, 1988
What starts as a decent mystery devolves into a TOS rehash.
Ye Olde “Dedicated Scientist will Stop at Nothing” episode mixed with “Sentient Life Defends Itself” episode. Nothing new under the sun, especially considering the similarities to TOS’s “The Devil in the Dark.” The mystery starts off promising but devolves shortly after. I could have missed something, but Is Riker sent in to “seduce” information out of a scientist? Egad.
- S1 E19 “Coming of Age”
Originally aired on March 14, 1988
Wesley takes the Starfleet entrance exam while a little weasel investigates the crew. Remmick and Quinn will appear later in an anti-climactic conclusion to the Starfleet conspiracy presented here.
I generally like conspiracy episodes. “Coming of Age” begins to set up what could have been a long-lasting arc but is instead abruptly ended a few episodes later. I’m not sure what’s supposed to be the subplot, but the storyline involving Wesley testing for Starfleet Academy is the better of the two. Your big conspiracy arc can’t be very compelling if you’re beaten by a bunch of kids taking tests, but here we are.
- S1 E22 “Symbiosis”
Originally aired on April 18, 1988
If it were made today it might have been an effective indictment on the opioid crisis. Not sure what it was meant to represent in 1988.
Whatever the motivations, this episode at least begins to feel like what TNG would become. It’s not great, and you’re likely to see the “twist” coming from a mile away, but at least it has heart and character. Picard makes the right decisions based both on the Prime Directive and his gut (the two often match up, but not always). Yar delivers an uninformed anti-drug speech that’s almost embarrassing, but hey, it was still the ‘80s.
- S1 E25 “Conspiracy”
Originally aired on May 9, 1988
The conclusion of the conspiracy started in “Coming of Age” complete with rad little brain-controlling conspiro-bugs and exploding heads.
This is all I’m going to say about “Conspiracy,” and I shouldn’t need to say anymore: A lackluster finish to the big conspiracy introduced a few episodes previous that ends with an exploding head. Bye.
- S1 E23 “Skin of Evil”
Originally aired on April 25, 1988
The infamous “Tasha Yar Dies” episode. Brutal, weird, abrupt…possibly shocking.
Tasha Yar may not have been my favorite character, but she still deserved better than this. However, her abrupt decision to leave the show near the end of the first season did leave writers in the lurch, and their send-off could have been much worse. The final scene may be tedious, but its attempt at real earned emotion is at least worth noting. Don’t worry – you haven’t seen the last of Denise Crosby.
- S1 E13 “Datalore”
Originally aired on January 18, 1988
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Lore! Data’s “evil” brother is introduced, giving Spiner a chance to show off his chops.
I’m convinced that the only reason Lore – Data’s “brother” – exists is so that Brent Spiner can demonstrate his acting range. I’ll be honest, Lore always annoyed the hell out of me. I love Data, but I hate Lore. What does that say about me? “Datalore” isn’t a very good episode, but it does give us some of Data’s background, which makes it almost forgivable. Almost.
- S1 E26 “The Neutral Zone”
Originally aired on May 16, 1988
Season One finale featuring Romulans and cryogenic Earthlings including a banker, a housewife, and a colloquial country singer from Georgia. Yee-haw!
I remembered disliking this episode but – in what turned out to be a pleasant twist – I found myself enjoying it this time around. “The Neutral Zone” marks the first appearance of the Romulans on TNG. I love Romulans. Seriously, I wish I was a Romulan. It also has some Earthlings from way back when to gum up the works but who wind up being charming and surprisingly likable. I didn’t remember it that way, but what the hell do I know anyway? All told, not a bad way to end Season One.
- S1 E10 “Hide and Q”
Originally aired on November 23, 1987
Q’s second appearance and he’s up to his usual tricks – this time featuring weird French pig-men and a very creepy enlarged Wesley.
I generally enjoy Q and the episodes he’s in. This one may not be the best, but hey, it’s Season One. What I like most is that it shows just how quickly Riker turns into a major asshole the first chance he gets. Also, as much as it weirds me out, that overgrown Wesley in a rainbow sweater has been making me laugh for 30 years. Good lord! (I wonder what Will Wheaton thinks of the Man-Wes?)
- S1 E20 “Heart of Glory”
Originally aired on March 21, 1988
Worf is finally given some character depth when a group of Klingons is beamed aboard the Enterprise.
Worf gets lines! Seriously. Season Ones are always so scattered and all over the damn place, you never know who characters will develop or if they’ll even be around for long. Season One Worf can be tough to watch, but when he gets to chum around with some real-live Klingons he hits his stride and goes for it fully charged. You go Worf. You go.
- S1 E12 “The Big Goodbye”
Originally aired on January 11, 1988
First appearance of Dixon Hill. A fun episode that loses steam quickly, but still manages to pull out some fun stops.
I shouldn’t be, but I’m a sucker for Dixon Hill. Could be the film critic and Film Noir aficionado in me, but I get a kick out of watching everybody ham it up as Bogey-esque detectives. Sue me. “The Big Goodbye” is a good example of the showrunners not being able to decide if they’re going to go with the Picard/Crusher love angel. I’m glad they didn’t, and I’m not sure it’s ever mentioned again after Season One, but it’s fun to see in these old episodes.
- S1 E6 “Where No One Has Gone Before”
Originally aired on October 26, 1987
First appearance of The Traveler, and a hint to Wesley’s future (and his magnificent blouses).
The Traveler pops up every now and again and I’ve always liked the character. His relationship with Wesley may seem off-putting if you’re not familiar with their dynamic, and this episode begins to explore that. Also (and this is big), “Where No One Has Gone Before” features the first time Riker steps over a chair to sit down. A truly monumental television moment!
- S1 E1 & 2 “Encounter at Farpoint”
Originally aired on September 28, 1987
The Pilot episode. Need I say more?
Well yes, I need to say a little more. TNG love episodes featuring a trial, and they get the ball rolling with one pitting the Enterprise crew against Q – who’s blaming them for all of humanity’s crimes. Why not. It’s hokey and cheesy, but it’s also good fun – and they clearly thought that “saucer separation” was going to revolutionize the game. It didn’t. (it got used, what? Maybe four times in seven seasons?)
- S1 E23 “We’ll Always Have Paris”
Originally aired on May 2, 1988
A good “Let’s Get to Know Our Captain” episode. Future Paris looks just like real Paris but with goofy outfits.
I like a good mystery and I like cool time distortions. Plus, Picard gets humanized in a believable way so it’s win/win. TNG future Earth is almost always laughable, but that’s part of the charm of the show. Just pull the old dusty Paris backdrop out of storage and throw some newfangled gadgetry around to make it look like it’s the future or whatever. And put the women in shiny, revealing clothes. BOOM! 24th-Century. Also, I’m claiming it right here, right now: My next band will be called Reality Rip. That’s mine. Keep your hands off.
- S1 E14 “11001001”
Originally aired on February 1, 1988
The First TNG episode that feels like a TNG episode. Plus, gotta love the Bynars!
This is the one that really gets the ball rolling. In “11001001,” we can finally see glimpses of what the show would become. Action, mystery, fun, hinted Holodeck perversions – the whole nine yards. I never cared for the Minuette character, but I love the Bynars and I always will. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of cringe-worthy awkwardness (Picard as Riker’s wingman in a holodeck late-night hook-up scenario?), but the overall tone and sense of style the show would eventually be known for is all right here.
James is a writer, skateboarder, record collector, wrestling nerd, and tabletop gamer living with his family in Asheville, North Carolina. He is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association, the North Carolina Film Critics Association, and contributes to The Daily Orca, Razorcake Magazine, Mountain Xpress, and Asheville Movies.