Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)
Episode:121
"The Arsenal of Freedom"
Jack's Rating:
Trapped on the surface of an abandoned planet, an away team becomes unwitting participants in the demonstration of an advanced weapons system.
Features:
Stardate: 41798.2
Air Date: 04/11/88
Director: Les Landau
Jack's Notes
Another one I remember watching when it first aired! Man, I love this episode. It's like watching a comic book play out on screen. It's funny when it should be, heartwarming when it has to be, and thrilling when it needs to be. Overall one of my favorites.
Episode:206
"The Schizoid Man"
Jack's Rating:
A brilliant scientist and former mentor of Data's creator, Dr. Ira Graves, cheats death by uploading his memories and personality into the android Data.
Features:
Stardate: 42437.5
Air Date: 01/23/89
Director: Les Landau
Episode:217
"Samaritan Snare"
Jack's Rating:
A group of dimwitted aliens, the Pakleds, kidnap Geordi to fix their malfunctioning ship.
Features:
Stardate: 42779.1
Air Date: 05/15/89
Director: Les Landau
Episode:303
"The Survivors"
Jack's Rating:
The Enterprise investigates the last two survivors of an annihilated world, as the entire surface has been transformed to dust except their one little garden and house.
Features:
Stardate: 43152.4
Air Date: 10/09/89
Director: Les Landau
Episode:313
"Deja Q"
Jack's Rating:
The Q Continuum strips Q of his powers, and dumps him aboard the Enterprise.
Features:
The Q Entity
Stardate: 43539.1
Air Date: 02/05/90
Director: Les Landau
Episode:317
"Sins of the Father"
Jack's Rating:
Worf goes on trial to prove his father's innocence after the Klingon High Council declares that Worf's father is a traitor, and worked with the Romulans all along.
Features:
The Klingons
Stardate: 43685.2
Air Date: 03/19/90
Director: Les Landau
Jack's Notes
Among the best Klingon episodes in Trek. Tony Todd is, as always, incredible as Kurn. This episode shows one of the reasons I dislike the Generations film. Picard kicks the crap out of two assassins....but he can't whip Malcolm McDowell?
Episode:323
"Sarek"
Jack's Rating:
The Enterprise hosts Ambassador Sarek, but his deteriorating mental health causes unforeseen problems.
Features:
Stardate: 43917.4
Air Date: 05/14/90
Director: Les Landau
Episode:402
"Family"
Jack's Rating:
Picard visits his family in France and Worf's human parents come aboard the Enterprise.
Features:
Stardate: 44012.3
Air Date: 10/01/90
Director: Les Landau
Jack's Notes
The first time I saw this episode I admit, I didn't like it. After several views I will concede that it is another of Trek's best. The human aspect of Star Trek is what makes the show so accessible and amazing and this one is a prime example. Picard's pain is palpable and gut wrenching. And Samantha Eggar as Picard's sister in law is a welcome addition.
Episode:408
"Future Imperfect"
Jack's Rating:
Riker finds himself sixteen years in the future, his memory of the interim erased by a dormant virus.
Features:
The Holodeck The Romulans
Stardate: 44286.5
Air Date: 11/12/90
Director: Les Landau
Jack's Notes
This is such a great episode. It shows the creativity of the writers by keeping us guessing to the end.
Episode:414
"Clues"
Jack's Rating:
The crew is rendered unconscious for 30 seconds except for Data after going through a localized wormhole. However, various clues suggest they were unconscious for an entire day.
Features:
Stardate: 44502.7
Air Date: 02/11/91
Director: Les Landau
Episode:417
"Night Terrors"
Jack's Rating:
The Enterprise is trapped in a rift. The crew succumbs to REM sleep deprivation, while Deanna has a recurring nightmare.
Features:
Stardate: 44631.2
Air Date: 03/18/91
Director: Les Landau
Episode:422
"Half a Life"
Jack's Rating:
Lwaxana Troi finally finds love, but discovers her man must undergo a ritualistic suicide.
Features:
Stardate: 44805.3
Air Date: 05/06/91
Director: Les Landau
Episode:503
"Ensign Ro"
Jack's Rating:
After an attack on a Federation outpost, Picard is sent to locate a Bajoran terrorist, with the help of Ensign Ro Laren.
Features:
Stardate: 45076.3
Air Date: 10/07/91
Director: Les Landau
Episode:507
"Unification" (Part 1)
Jack's Rating:
Spock is reported to have defected to the Romulans. Picard and Data travel to Romulus on a cloaked Klingon vessel to investigate.
Features:
The Romulans
Stardate: 45236.4
Air Date: 11/04/91
Director: Les Landau
Episode:514
"Conundrum"
Jack's Rating:
The crew's memory is erased, and they discover they are being manipulated into being the key part of a war.
Features:
Stardate: 45494.2
Air Date: 02/17/92
Director: Les Landau
Jack's Notes
This episode has become one of my favorites over the years. It is terrific fun, playful at times, and exciting.
Episode:526
"Time's Arrow" (Part 1)
Jack's Rating:
A 500-year-old artifact is uncovered on Earth: Data's severed head. The Enterprise investigates alien involvement in Earth's past and Data fulfills his destiny.
Features:
Time Travel
Stardate: 45959.1
Air Date: 06/15/92
Director: Les Landau
Episode:601
"Time's Arrow" (Part 2)
Jack's Rating:
The Enterprise crew follow Data to San Francisco of the 1890s. The crew deal with Samuel Clemens (and run into Jack London), while trying to find a way to prevent aliens from interfering with 19th-century Earth.
Features:
Time Travel
Stardate: 46001.3
Air Date: 09/21/92
Director: Les Landau
Episode:611
"Chain of Command" (Part 2)
Jack's Rating:
Picard, having been captured, is tortured by a sadistic Cardassian interrogator (played by David Warner).
Features:
Stardate: 46360.8
Air Date: 12/21/92
Director: Les Landau
Episode:615
"Tapestry"
Jack's Rating:
An accident kills Picard, and he finds an afterlife with Q analyzing his past choices.
Features:
Time Travel The Q Entity
Stardate: Unknown
Air Date: 02/15/93
Director: Les Landau
Episode:707
"Dark Page"
Jack's Rating:
A psychic breakdown puts Lwaxana Troi in a coma, and Deanna works to save her life.
Features:
Stardate: 47254.1
Air Date: 11/01/93
Director: Les Landau
Episode:722
"Bloodlines"
Jack's Rating:
DaiMon Bok returns to exact revenge on Picard, by trying to kill the son Picard never knew he had.
Features:
Stardate: 47829.1
Air Date: 05/02/94
Director: Les Landau