Episode List & Guide

1.01 – Encounter At Farpoint (pts. 1 & 2): B

The introductions of ship and crew are made in this two-part pilot episode. Originally planned as a single episode, Encounter At Farpoint was expanded to a full two hours at the request of Paramount. So instead of an hour focusing only on the mystery of Farpoint station, we also get the much more compelling conflict with the mischevious, enigmatic and all-powerful Q.

1.03 – The Naked Now: C

This episode clearly suffers from being the first true episode of the series. The writing is sloppy at times and the acting has its moments. We get the first in a long procession of Chief Engineers. This one, a woman, named MacDougal.

1.04 – Code of Honor: D-

This episode borrows heavily from the style of the Original Series. And while the campy stereotypes of the OS fit the characters and time period of the 60s, they seem completely out of place in TNG. The result is simply one of the worst episodes in the entire series. The plot, the conflict, the acting, the dialogue are all entirely substandard — particularly when measured against what this series will become.

1.05 – The Last Outpost: B-

The Last Outpost is a significant improvement for the series in concept, writing, and overall atmosphere.

The whole concept of encountering a minor outpost of the ancient Tkon Empire is intruiging. And the fact that this minor outpost is so powerful hints at just how great the Tkon Empire once was. This adds a rich depth to the Star Trek universe and is a sign of the improving writing. The comic relief comes from Data’s inability to remove his fingers from a “Chinese finger puzzle.” It’s a nice counterpoint to the impending sense of doom that builds throughout the episode.

1.06 – Where No One Has Gone Before: B+

This is a classic TNG episode. Combining the best elements of science, fiction, drama and profound thought, Where No One Has Gone Before takes us to the next level of Star Trek.

1.07 – Lonely Among Us: D

The rough edges of the first season once again show themselves in this episode. The concept: crew being “possessed” by aliens is one that will be revisited later on in the series, and, quite frankly, the result is usually disastrous. Lonely Among Us is no exception. The acting (aside from a few scenes from Data) and VFX (usually strong even in the first season) are absolutely horrid. As is the plausibility that the Captain could beam himself into an energy field, then come back into the computer circuits and identify himself by rearranging the pixels into a ‘P’ and then materialize onto the transporter.

1.08 – Justice: C+

As the episode begins, it seems that Justice is TNG’s foray into softcore porn. Everyone is scantily clad, and everyone appears to be at some stage of foreplay (I suppose going any further on network TV would probably have been too scandalous). But the episode quickly turns dark and sinister when Wesley is sentenced to death for a minor infaction: falling into a bed of new plants while playing a game.

1.09 – The Battle: C-

This episode is, unfortunately, another step backwards for the series. The series’ early struggles continue, especially in terms of writing.

The Battle features yet another “Picard is possessed” – style story. In this instance, he is under the influence of a mysterious glowing ball-thing that forces the Captain to relive a previous battle. The concept itself doesn’t even sound compelling and, unfortunately, the execution of the story doesn’t help much, either.

1.10 – Hide and Q: A-

Though there are a few faults, this is a solid episode from start to finish. Q returns to the series in his full glory: irreverent, comical, sinister, and a perfect foil for the crew. In this episode, Q has his sights set on Riker, offering the First Officer the power of the Q. The story itself is one of temptation, power and corruption. As Riker himself says: “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

1.11 – Haven: C

For starters, Haven represents a shift in the story-telling approach of the series. It’s a personal, mystical story which helps balance the usual sci-fi fare. Of course, the episode has its elements of sci-fi as represented by the Tarellian survivors of biological warfare, but they play a secondary role to the main story: that of Troi’s marriage. The mysticism comes from the fact that Troi’s betrothed, Wyatt, and another character “dream” about each other for years before they actually meet.

1.12 – The Big Goodbye: B-

Faults and shortcomings aside, this is definitely a damn cool episode. From the Holodeck’s 1941 pseudo film-noir setting and story, to seeing Data do his best “gangster” accent, The Big Goodbye does a fantastic job of taking us out of the typical 24th Century mission/bad guy of-the-week story and gives us something, well, sorta different. Of course, the crew are en route to an alien planet, and the Holodeck itself is a 24th Century invention, and its malfunction is what triggers the real crisis for the episode. But this episode gets extra credit for taking us out of the usual Star Trek universe.

1.13 – Datalore: A-

There may be a handful of better TNG episodes, but Datalore is easily a classic, combining the exploration of outer space with explorations of the inner self. From the eerily sinister Crystalline Entity, to Data’s brother, Lore, to Data himself, the episode is full of rich characters, mystery, and conflict. While the mystery of the disappearance of the Omicron Theta colony is rather well done, it is Data’s discovery of his brother, Lore, that is the real heart of the episode.

1.14 – Angel One: D+

Angel One begins with an couple of interesting concepts: a female-dominated society, and the evolution of that society toward equality. Ultimately, however, the story suffers from a lack of focus brought about by the addition of two other storylines: a threatening ship-borne virus and a Romulan threat. It is as though none of the three storylines was enough to carry a full episode, so they were all thrown together in the hopes that they could heighten the episode’s drama. The tactic didn’t work.

1.15 – 11001001: B

11001010 is a natural progression from The Big Goodbye. Both episodes are based on the holodeck functioning in such a way as to make its creations more “real”. There are, however, two major difference between the episodes. First, while The Big Goodbye focuses on making the setting of the holodeck more real (bullets can actually kill), 11001001 focuses on just one character: Minuet. The other difference is that the secondary storyline of 11001001 is much more plausible and engaging. The only criticism is that it seemed a tad bit too easy for the Bynars to steal The Enterprise — but not easy enough to be a major concern.

1.16 – Too Short A Season: F

Failure. It is the only word to describe Too Short A Season. The only positive that can be said about this episode is the premise, and even the premise doesn’t hold up well: A man is required to negotiate the release of hostages from the very planet in which he negotiated a hostage release 45 years earlier. The notion of Jameson returning to atone for his previous misdeed, including the concept of negotiating with terrorists over hostages, as well as the ramifications of doing so, while a bit convoluted, *could* have been the basis for a dramatic episode. But add in Jameson’s “Fountain of Youth” and even the concept doesn’t hold up well.

1.17 – When the Bough Breaks: B-

When the Bough Breaks contains all the classic elements of a TNG episode: adventure, mystery, humor, tension, conflict and profound themes. And it does so without making any major mistakes. In that sense, it represents the best that the series has to offer. The problem with this particular episode, however, is that none of the elements are particularly spectacular or memorable.

1.18 – Home Soil: C+

This is a difficult episode to critique because the analysis is fairly straightforward: Homesoil is based on a fascinating concept, but its execution is simply nondescript. And the ending is simply too hokey.

1.19 – Coming of Age: B

Coming of Age is a classic TNG episode. It successfully weaves together two separate storylines, centering on Picard and Wesley, both of which are compelling. Even the subplot of Jake Kurland not making it to the entrance exam, stealing a shuttle and being rescued by Picard fits well into both Wesley’s and Picard’s stories.

1.20 – Heart of Glory: C+

Heart of Glory is a fascinating story that focuses on a compelling inner conflict within Worf. Unfortunately, it is riddled with mistakes that prevent it from being a truly classic episode.

1.21 – The Arsenal of Freedom: B

The Arsenal of Freedom is a classic TNG episode in nearly every sense. It combines humor, drama, action, adventure and science fiction into a story that is both compelling and enjoyable. That being said, the episode doesn’t challenge us to the extent that some do, nor does it elevate the drama or tension as well as some other episodes. And, finally, there is one major error. All of which keep this episode from being superb.

1.22 – Symbiosis: C-

Symbiosis is, at best, an average episode. At worst, it comes across as a cheesy, preachy, after-school special about drugs. While morality is always at the heart of every TNG episode, the clumsy presentation here is what really drags this episode into near obscurity.

1.23 – Skin of Evil: C+

There is much to be said about Skin of Evil. It is an episode that is paradoxically both brilliant and a failure. And it all hinges on what is, clearly, one of the most pivotal moments of the season, if not the series: the death of a main character.

1.24 – We’ll Always Have Paris: B+

On the surface, We’ll Always Have Paris seems an unlikely candidate to be one of the top five episodes of the season. At it’s heart, this episode is a love story between Picard and old flame. The brilliance of the episode, however, rests in two things: the performances of Picard and Jenice, and the thematic parallel between reliving the emotions of the past, and the whole concept of reliving moments in the present — the results of experiments by Jenice’s husband, Dr. Manheim.

1.25 – Conspiracy: A-

Conspiracy is on of the best episodes of the first season. It is a plot-driven episode that benefits from groundwork that was established in Coming of Age. Conspiracy expands on that groundwork with dark, sinister scenes that create a palpable growing sense of danger. The episode builds to creepy, unsettling climax that leaves the door open for the possibility of an even more sinister encounter in the future.

1.26 – The Neutral Zone: C+

The Neutral Zone is not a particularly strong ending to the first season of TNG. It has a dual story: first is a group of late 20th century Americans being thawed from a cryogenics capsule, the second involves the Romulans.

Image	Title	Grade
	1.01 – Encounter At Farpoint (pts. 1 & 2)	B
	1.03 – The Naked Now	C
	1.04 – Code of Honor	D-
	1.05 – The Last Outpost	B-
	1.06 – Where No One Has Gone Before	B+
	1.07 – Lonely Among Us	D
	1.08 – Justice	C+
	1.09 – The Battle	C-
	1.10 – Hide and Q	A-
	1.11 – Haven	C
	1.12 – The Big Goodbye	B-
	1.13 – Datalore	A-
	1.14 – Angel One	D+
	1.15 – 11001001	B
	1.16 – Too Short A Season	F
	1.17 – When the Bough Breaks	B-
	1.18 – Home Soil	C+
	1.19 – Coming of Age	B
	1.20 – Heart of Glory	C+
	1.21 – The Arsenal of Freedom	B
	1.22 – Symbiosis	C-
	1.23 – Skin of Evil	C+
	1.24 – We’ll Always Have Paris	B+
	1.25 – Conspiracy	A-
	1.26 – The Neutral Zone	C+
	Season 1 Grade	C+