Encounter at Farpoint (⭑⭑)
TNG’s pilot episode is a strange mixture of elements with real merit that show the potential of the new series (albeit a potential that would largely go unrealized for the…
Code of Honor (⭑)
"The Naked Now" is almost as bad as they come, but "Code of Honor" is even worse. This turd is on the short list for the distinction of "worst TNG…
Justice (⭑)
No episode since the pilot has yet merited even two stars, but the last couple travesties prior to this one were nevertheless slightly better than the previous three. Here, however,…
Angel One (⭑)
Unfortunately, after two consecutive episodes that seemed to be indicative of a slight upward trend in quality, this heap of shit broke the streak. This one is another terrible first-season…
When the Bough Breaks (⭑)
This is yet another worthless waste of an episode. As usual, one-dimensionality combined with (one assumes) budget limitations lead to a total lack of believability that permeates the episode: the…
Arsenal of Freedom (⭑⭑)
The plot of this episode doesn’t stand up to even casual scrutiny, and the backdrop is a typically hokey, first-season premise (a planet of arms dealers who destroyed themselves). But…
Symbiosis (⭑)
Once again, just when it seemed like the season was, relatively speaking, on a roll (three consecutive two-star episodes!), it crashed and burned with this piece of garbage. The lameness…
Up the Long Ladder (⭑)
The thing about this episode is that—hmm, how can I put this?—it royally sucks. It's a poorly structured mishmash of elements (a thoroughly stereotypical old-worldish colony that's presumably supposed to…
Who Watches the Watchers? (⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑)
I wrestled with myself on this one for some while before deciding to go with my gut and award it a five-star rating. I've always regarded it as one of…
The Vengeance Factor (⭑⭑⭑)
Though not an installment that has ever particularly stood out to me, this strikes me as a solid, watchable, and reasonably entertaining episode. It has some flaws, but it also…
The Hunted (⭑⭑⭑)
This episode can perhaps best be described as "routine." Despite a few minor gripes, there's nothing terrible about it...but nothing great, either. That the "promising prospective Federation member world" turns…
The High Ground (⭑⭑)
This episode, while not without merits, is both muddled and deeply problematic. It strikes me, too, as sort of the inverse of the previous episode, "The Hunted," in some respects.…
Legacy (⭑⭑⭑)
This is a pretty routine, down-the-middle, three-star episode: not without its charms, but somewhat frustrating in some ways, and overall, kind of nothing special. Plot-wise, there's nothing particularly interesting or…
Devil’s Due (⭑)
Oof. There is probably no other episode of TNG that seems more out of sync with the rest of the season in which it occurs than "Devil's Due," which in…
First Contact (⭑⭑⭑⭑)
This is a gem of an episode that stands out as easily TNG's all-time best "Planet of the Week" story, and that just impresses on every level. For once, instead…
Half a Life (⭑⭑⭑)
It has plenty of flaws, but "Half a Life" is remarkable for making Lwaxana Troi relatable and "human" (yes, I know, she's actually Betazoid, but whatever) for the first time.…
The Masterpiece Society (⭑⭑⭑)
"The Masterpiece Society" is by no means a masterpiece. It's misguided in various ways, its handling of issues is too easy in several respects, and some of the character relationships…
The Outcast (⭑)
This episode, I think, is widely regarded as having been well-intentioned but fundamentally flawed. I remember thinking of it in that way myself, once upon a time. Looking back on…
Attached (⭑⭑⭑)
I like "Attached." I always have. I want it to be much better than it is, but even so, I do enjoy it. (I guess you could say that I'm...attached…
Homeward (⭑⭑)
"Homeward" is, on one hand, a throwback to early TNG's penchant for often-inept attempts at prime directive stories, and on the other, a continuation of season seven's obsession with introducing…
Thine Own Self (⭑⭑⭑⭑)
I have always really enjoyed this episode, despite some issues that I will fully acknowledge. To my surprise, however, I'm realizing that it is not very well-liked among fans of…