Best of Star Trek: TNG Season 3
The Five Strongest Episodes of the Next Generation's Third Year
Dec 18, 2008
With the writer's strike of the previous season behind them, Gates McFadden back on the Enterprise as Dr. Crusher and both the writers and cast much more sure of who the characters were and what the show was about, season 3 fired on all cylinders.
Almost uniformly well written, acted and directed, the third season had few missteps and many high points.
Deja Q
In a bold move, the reappearance of the all powerful Q was actually the reappearance of the all powerful Q stripped of all power. Forced to seek refuge in a mortal form, John DeLancie's Q turns to Picard for sanctuary and the crew delight in the turnabout. When Q is threatened by a hostile race, however, Picard won't allow them to kill him and protects him at great risk to the Enterprise. Brilliantly plotted, acted and executed.
Offspring
Data returns from a conference only to go into seclusion. It turns out that he has created a daughter to carry on the Soong type android line. The humour is delivered with a light touch and the acting is top notch throughout. Ironically, one of the warmest, most touching episodes in the entire series revolves around two artificial beings.
Yesterday's Enterprise
The surprisingly good return of Tasha Yar to the bridge of the Enterprise, thanks to a time distortion that takes the Enterprise C out of a battle they are destined to lose, altering the timeline. Duty, honor and destiny combine to send the crew of the Enterprise C back through the rift to repair the timeline and return the future to its proper course. The payoff of this excellent episode would come in season 4 and 5, when Tasha's daughter by a Romulan would clash with Picard and his crew.
Sarek
Mark Lenard returns to the Star Trek universe, for the first time not playing opposite Leonard Nimoy. A quiet story that allowed both Lenard and Patrick Stewart to let loose with emotional performances that showcased two incredible talents.
Best of Both Worlds - Part 1
The Borg return to menace the Enterprise. Riker must contend with an ambitious officer gunning for his job while trying to come up with a plan to beat the Borg. By the end of the episode, Picard has been assimilated, Riker is the captain and that ambitious officer is his Number One. Set up by events at the end of season 1, the Best of Both Worlds two part episode is usually found at the very top of fan voted top ten episode lists.
Honourable Mention
Unlike the first and second seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the third season is so full of good episodes that picking just five is difficult. Honorable mention goes to Sins of the Father, The Enemy, The Defector and Who Watches the Watchers.
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