Star Trek: The Next Generation, Top 10 Scenes, Part I

Decades after my initial viewing of many TNG episodes, there are still scenes which elicit a chill. Even after watching some of these episodes a large number of times, they have retained their ability to floor me. While I've enjoyed Voyager more on the second time through, there haven't been many scenes that have had the same effect. Maybe there's a nostalgia effect in play, artificially elevating the personal significance of these pieces, but as I'm watching Voyager, these moments are what I'm looking for. Since it'll be a while before I get the next few discs, it's time for me to fill some space here with a review of what I loved about TNG. Bear in mind that these are just my top ten; there are plenty of great scenes that didn't make the list, just as a matter of personal preference. Odds are, if there's something that didn't make it here but is still awesome, I probably love that one too.

10. The Drumhead - "With the first link, the chain is forged..."

The Drumhead planted the seeds for a long-time interest in the McCarthy trials. I feel like this scene really exemplifies Picard's style, and it is one that I try my best to emulate. In informal debates, particularly ones on the internet, people seem to be quite enamored of the verbal thrust. Go for the throat, every time with every exchange. Picard likes the verbal parry; wait for the thrust, parry it, and wait for a vulnerability. It is subtle, and takes patience, but I find it overall to be much more effective. I do like the contrast with the BSG equivalent episode, Litmus, wherein Adama just delivers a breif indictment of the trial, and shuts it down without further comment - also a scene with which parallels to internet communication can be drawn.

9. The Offspring - Data returning to his post

Not only is the Offspring a sequel to The Measure of a Man in terms of story, but also in terms of furthering the discussion of Data's sentience in a different way. While the first episode makes powerful intellectual arguments (and is placed higher on this list as a result), this one presents the emotional arguments as a means of convincing the opposition. But rather than trying to sway the Admiral by voicing those sentiments directly, it presents him with the drama of Data attempting to procreate and lets him decide. While the Admiral is used to display the emotional reaction to Lal's death that Data can't, Data's somber reflection on his experience with her is plenty poignant.

8. Yesterday's Enterprise - "Let's make sure history never forgets the name Enterprise"

Yesterday's enterprise is the perfect kind of reset button episode - one filled with introspection, action, and heroic sacrifice. Picard, the last one standing on the alternate Enterprise bridge, surrounded by flames, delivering that ironic line is fantastic; history will forget his Enterprise, because he's erasing it from the timeline. But, through his actions and that of the Enterprise-C crew, history won't forget that Enterprise, and avert the war that he's embroiled in in his timeline.

7. The Wounded - The Minstrel Boy

The Wounded isn't an episode that you see pop up in a lot of "best of" lists, and I suppose I can understand that; it isn't a very flashy episode, and not a whole lot actually happens. But as an introduction to the Cardassians and as a foundation for O'Brien's character, it is indispensible. While parts of it are fairly heavy-handed about racial prejudice, the resolution completely sells me on it. O'Brien coming in, not to negotiate, not to preach, just to talk - and, in talking, in bringing Maxwell's guard down, they communicate without the posturing that characterizes not just the Cardassians, but political maneuvering in general.

6. All Good Things... "The trial never ended..."

After destroying three Enterprises in his desperate quest to save humanity, Picard finds himself once again at Q's mercy. He has gone from being surrounded by his friends and colleagues from three different points in his life to being alone, head held in his hands, in that familiar courtroom. He sacrificed the people he cared for the most, and he's not even sure yet if he succeeded. He has come a long way from the arrogant Picard of seasons one and two, and now sits in complete humility before Q.

To Be Continued...