Best of Star Trek: TNG Season 1
The Five Strongest Episodes of the Next Generation's First Year
Dec 18, 2008
In September of 1987, anticipation among the terminally geeky was at a fever pitch. At the end of September, the first episode of a new Star Trek series was due to premier and for Trekkies around the world, September 28, 1987 was an early Christmas.
Sadly, the first episode, Encounter at Farpoint, was far from the action packed space adventure that many expected, focusing instead on character relationships and a somewhat obvious morality tale. Fans were left hopeful that it would get better, but generally underwhelmed.
Underwhelmed is a word heard repeatedly in relation to the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The episodes were generally mediocre, at best, as writers, directors, producers and actors struggled to define both the characters and the show itself. There were occasional flashes of brilliance worth noting. Thankfully, the show would take a distinct upturn in its second season.
Where No One Has Gone Before
The first episode that sparkled with the promise of things to come, Where No One Has Gone Before took its title from the opening voice over narration. Special effects that actually looked special and the first time Patrick Steward was given lease to exercise his acting prowess fully (in a touching scene with his late mother), this episode gave fans hope.
The Big Goodbye
Although the holodecks had been seen and mentioned in earlier episodes, The Big Goodbye set the template in place for dozens of "Holodeck Gone Wrong" episodes that would follow in every incarnation of Star Trek since The Next Generation.
A great story, peppered with humour and some wonderful dialog, The Big Goodbye was easily the most entertaining episode of the season.
DataLore
The consequences of reassembling and reviving Data's twin brother, Lore, would play out over the rest of The Next Generation's run, but this episode might be the most moving, as Data learns of his brother's treachery for the first time. Brett Spiner was at his best playing good and evil versions of his character.
Heart of Glory
Worf gets some Klingon friends. Sadly, those friends betray him and try to take over the ship, but he still gets to be very Klingon in the episode. Despite Worf's presence on the bridge, this episode really reintroduced fans to Klingons.
Conspiracy
A sequel of sorts to an the earlier episode, Coming of Age, this episode might have been the most exciting of the entire season. Highlighted by hand to hand fighting where an octogenarian gets the better of both Riker and Worf, Admirals eating worms and an exploding alien queen, Conspiracy had fans cheering.
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