7 TNG Season 1 Episodes That Still Hold Up Today
Despite its reputation as the show's worst season, Star Trek: The Next Generation season 1 has several episodes that are still worth watching. These 7 episodes showcase the early development of the USS Enterprise-D crew and offer compelling storylines that remain relevant today. From encounters with fascinating aliens to deep dives into the characters' pasts, TNG season 1 has hidden gems that deserve recognition. Let's take a closer look at these episodes and explore why they hold up after all these years.
The Early Days of TNG
Star Trek: The Next Generation season 1 is widely considered the show's worst season, but these 7 episodes are still worth watching. With its premiere in 1987, TNG introduced the world to an entirely new USS Enterprise crew, led by Patrick Stewart's Captain Jean-Luc Picard. TNG got off to a rough start, with complications behind the scenes leading to a constantly shifting team of writers. More than once, filming had to be delayed because the episode's script was still being written. Despite these struggles, something about the cast of characters clicked and audiences fell in love with Captain Picard and his crew.
Star Trek TNG Where No One Has Gone Before Enterprise
Although some episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation season 1 are notoriously bad (see TNG episode 4, 'Code of Honor'), others are surprisingly good considering the actors and characters were still finding their footing. TNG season 1 established many important backstories for its characters that would reverberate throughout all seven seasons. When compared with later seasons, it's easy to see why TNG season 1 has a poor reputation, but taken on its own, it's not a bad season of television. Despite TNG season 1's inconsistency, here are 7 episodes that are better than you remember.
Star Trek TNG The Battle Captain Picard
Exploring the Hidden Gems
'Where No One Has Gone Before' (TNG Season 1, Episode 6): The Enterprise travels to the edge of the universe, introducing a fascinating alien and offering the first glimpse of greatness for TNG.
'The Battle' (TNG Season 1, Episode 9): Captain Picard's past comes back to haunt him, revealing serialized elements and providing a deeper understanding of the characters.
'The Big Goodbye' (TNG Season 1, Episode 12): The TNG crew plays gangster on the holodeck, establishing the pattern for holodeck episodes and showcasing the fun side of the characters.
Star Trek TNG The Big Goodbye Holodeck
'Datalore' (TNG Season 1, Episode 13): Data's evil twin pays a visit to the Enterprise, revealing more about the android's backstory and showcasing Brent Spiner's talent.
Data and Lore face off in Star Trek TNG
'11001001' (TNG Season 1, Episode 15): The Bynars take over the Enterprise, introducing a cool new alien species and demonstrating the show's potential.
Star Trek TNG 11001001 Bynars
'The Arsenal of Freedom' (TNG Season 1, Episode 21): Captain Picard and his crew face off against a weapons sales display, providing a great showcase for the characters and their abilities.
Star Trek TNG The Arsenal of Freedom Away team weapons
'Conspiracy' (TNG Season 1, Episode 25): Picard and Riker uncover an insidious conspiracy threatening all of Starfleet, offering an unconventional and entertaining episode of TNG.
Star Trek TNG Conspiracy Picard Admirals
Legacy and Impact
Star Trek: The Next Generation season 1 may have had its flaws, but it laid the foundation for the iconic series that would follow. These 7 episodes, despite being part of a challenging season, have stood the test of time and continue to be appreciated by fans. They showcase the early development of beloved characters and offer engaging storylines that contribute to the rich tapestry of the Star Trek universe. As fans revisit TNG season 1, they can rediscover these hidden gems and appreciate the journey that led to the enduring legacy of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Conspiracy - Star Trek: The Next Generation
