What's your favorite Trek episode? (any series)

[Chovexani]

Mine is "Best of Both Worlds (pt 1)" from TNG. Sure, they might be watered down now that they jiggle and whatnot (thanks, Seven), but back in the day, the Borg were fucking scary. And what a cliffhanger--Picard totally assimilated, and Riker ordering them to fire on the Borg cube. The second part was kind of a let down though (also, every time I watch it, I want to hit Shelby in the face. Hard. With a lead-encased brick.).

Tied with that is, of course, "City on the Edge of Forever", from TOS. I don't think I have to explain that one.


--C.

[flamingyouth]

1. The Way to Eden

Original series.

When they pick up the hippies and Spock jams on the Vulcan harp with them.

"Herbert! Herbert! Herbert!"

I am amused by so many aspects of that episode, but probably none more so than when Scotty is freaked out by the hippies' appearance. After two years of picking up alien beings, they must have looked pretty freaky!

(I know that this is not a popular episode with most Trek fans, so I have my flame-retardant suit on!)

[FlashHarry]

2. The Paradise Syndrome

I AM KIROK!!!

[Deja Q]

7. Margret Armen wrote that

She had interesting ideas and also wrote "All Our Yesterdays", which also had some very interesting ideas but did have one little flaw that I prefer to overlook (why does Spock 'de-evolve' yet not McCoy or Kirk? Vulcan mysticism?)

The one major flaw in "Paradise Syndrome" is that Kirk and the gang should have dealt with the asteroid first and then visit the planet, without spending 30 (their time) minutes drooling over the landscape before Spock reminding everybody of the urgency of the situation (perhaps Kirk and the crew were scouting for shore leave after a very strenuous mission that wasn't made mention of in this episode?)

But the episode does have its charm and they had to set up the plot somehow, even if it meant the Captain acting atypically irresponsible. :D

The ending is especially poignant as it's a big defeat for Kirk, especially as he watches his wife (with unborn child) get stoned to death. Very touching in a sad sort of way.

[FlashHarry]

21. I just love Shatner chewing the scenery!

"I am Kirok!"
"I'm so happy!" **hugs self**
"I love you, Miramanee!"

[LanternWaste]

3. I have no idea what the episode was entitled, but...

I really haven't watched anything but the original series and TNG so my experience is limited.

There was this particular episode of TNG in which the Captain had his brain snagged by some alien device which (to him and from his perspective) forced him into living the rest of his adult life on an entirely different world. He got married, watched his children grow up and got quite elderly himself.

When the device "let go" of him, he woke up on the bridge after only a few minutes of being "out". The reaction he had to the sudden cultural shock was one of the best TV performances I've ever seen.

I'm not really a Trek fan anymore, but that one episode had always stood out in my mind for some reason.

[anti_shrub]

5. Agreed

I think it's called Inner Light or some such.

Especially when they find the box on the probe containing the flute, and Picard plays his tune over the end credits instead of the theme song....you can't help but get verklempt.

[Chovexani]

9. Oh man

Just thinking about that gets me all choked up. I think one of the reasons why Picard tends to be my favorite captain even though he's one of the more cerebral ones (I like captains with a good right hook, like Kirk :))is because Patrick Stewart is such a damn fine actor.

I'm more skewed towards TNG episodes because being young that is what I grew up watching. Having said that, I also have to say that I love damn near any episode with Q. Q is such a prissy thing, I love him to death. John de Lancie is just a delightful actor, he makes such a nice bastard (I even liked him on Stargate, where he played a "major league asshole"). He and Patrick Stewart have some really great chemistry, I love how Picard is just continually pissed off by Q's very presence. I think my favorite Q episode is the one where he lost his powers, and he came crawling to the Enterprise for help. Comedy gold, that one.

--C

PS. I found out not too long ago that my 60-something year old Trekkie aunt used to write Kirk/Spock slash for fanzines many moons ago. :)

[VelmaD]

13. Good for your aunt...

do you know what name she wrote under...I webhost a ton of slash. :-)

[Chovexani]

15. See Velma, I knew you were cool

I just didn't know how cool you were! :)

Not sure what name she wrote under, I'll have to ask the next time I talk to her. She's a HUGE Trekkie though--she went to the very first convention, and used to take me when I was little (she used to dress me up like a Vulcan, LOL). She's a big Spock fangirl, and even has a kitschy Spock commemorative (sp?) plate in a prominent place in her china cabinet, hee.

I had no idea she wrote slash, till I visited her out in Vegas and we were watching TOS eps on DVD (I got her a couple for her birthday), and out of nowhere she started going on about how gay Kirk and Spock were. I was like :wtf:. But in a pleasantly surprised way. :)Perversion runs in the family, who'd have thunk it! I've gotten her to beta some of my own slash fic since then (I write Highlander, Smallville and Final Fantasy but am too chicken to post to an archive).

--C

[anti_shrub]

Alright, I'll bite

What's "slash" ?

[VelmaD]

28. Slash is...

fan fiction that takes same sex characters from a show and pairs them in a sexual relationship, particularly when the characters are not canonically presented as homosexual.

The big early example of this was Kirk and Spock from the original Trek. A higher number of people than you'd think, especially women, saw sexual and emotional chemistry between those two.

[hunter]

33. Finger licking good...

No, no, no, I know nothing, NOTHING!

For those with more conventional tastes, Kirk once broke an antique recliner he hated, a gift, doing something he enjoyed very much.

Oh yeah, why do the later Klingons look different than the original ones? I remember some internet story that they were genetically modified because humans made the natural "imperial" Klingons sick.

I like the way Worf handled that in the DS9 tribble episode.

The only reason I know this stuff is that a lot of us internet oldtimers thought Star Trek was cool; at least those of us who didn't have graphics terminals or time to waste converting pictures of naked people into text. Stories downloaded much faster than pictures, and a lot of the Star Trek stories were some pretty good trash.

Two o'clock AM in the computer lab, someone has the music cranked up, and some of us smell like beer. BSD Unix, yum. That young woman in the corner can kick your ass, don't mess with her.

[Chovexani]

29. Slash 101

Basically it's a genre of fan-written stories that deals with homoeroticism between male characters from various tv shows. The term comes from the "/" symbol denoting such pairings--ie, Kirk/Spock. The genre started in earnest with 60s Trek, when mostly female fans would write sexually loaded stories about Kirk and Spock in fan-made publications (fanzines).

Today it's huge, and pretty much every sci-fi fandom has some slash pairing that fans get behind. X-Files, Buffy/Angel, Smallville, Stargate, etc.

--C.

[VelmaD]

32. Hey...there's girl/girl slash too

Especially in Bufy and Xena fandom. Let's not forget the ladies. :-)

[VelmaD]

27. When you decide you're brave enough to post...

let me know. My webhosting site includes archives for lots of different shows, incluidng I think all the one's you mentioned.

[VelmaD]

6. that was a beautiful piece of television

The fade out at the end with him playing the flute was wonderful and the music was so haunting.

One of the best eps of TNG though I also have to agree with the poster above the "Best of Both Worlds Pt. 1" was brilliant too in an entirely different way.

For the original series gotta go with "City on the Edge of Forever". One of the few eps where I thought Shatner did a fine job acting. I always cry for Kirk when I see that ep.

[Coventina]

11. "The Inner Light"

I also like how in later episodes he sometimes plays the flute with the same plaintive melody that he learned during that "life".
It adds a real feeling of depth to Picard's character.

[Terwilliger]

17. The Inner Light

[Nikia]

35. That is the one I thought of too

I saw it when I was in high school. I cried about it for quite a while.

[indigo32]

54. Gives me chills

I loved that episode.

[Deja Q]

4. Tough call

fave TV ep... Kirk's got a lot of great moments, but Picard's "Yesterday's Enterprise" does it for me in terms of being a well-rounded classic. I'm forgetting a few eps which are probably more deserving... Such as "The Most Toys" which was also an engaging story. Most of season 3 is spectacular, rightly so. But then there's "Contagion", the season 2 classic, along with the unforgettable "Elementary, Dear Data" which in ways is BETTER than "Yesterday's Enterprise". Again, tough call.

As for the movies, IX, VI, and II are my faves but not necessarily in that order.

Best of Both Worlds. Strange episode. Despite guessing the cliffhanger the moment the Borg announced their interest in Picard on initial showing, I was still hooked.

On repeated viewings, BOBW starts to let down because shock value wears off quickly.

And part 2 is a let-down, though Michael Piller at the time said he was sure he wasn't going to be around to resolve it! Part 2 isn't bad, but it couldn't follow pt 1.

[Coventina]

8. Classic Trek: Devil in the Dark

TNG: hard to pick a fav, but I'm fond of the one with the crystals that keep calling the humans "ugly bags of mostly water".

DS9: I liked the early episodes with Gul Dukat, before the actor changed and the character was made completely evil.

Voyager: I don't remember what it was called, but it's the one where Belanna is worried about her fetus looking "too Klingon" and it turns out to be her abandonment issues with her own father.

Enterprise: I don't remember what it was called, but I liked the one where Malcolm and Archer are defusing the mine on the hull and Malcolm keeps trying to sacrifce himself.

[xJlM]

10. The Trouble With Tribbles

I thought that was everyone's favorite :) Although City On The Edge Of Forever is a good one.

[Chovexani]

12. LOL how could I forget Tribbles!

My best friend has a REALLY fluffy Persian kitty named Tribby, mainly cause when he was a kitten he looked exactly like a tribble.

Funniest. Episode. EVER. One of my favorite exchanges in any Trek is when Kirk is chewing out Scotty and co. for having that bar fight with the Klingons, and Kirk was insulted cause Scotty only threw punches after the Enterprise was called a garbage scow. I've seen that episode about 50 times, but that little exchange still cracks me up.

Edited cause I can't spell

[concord]

14. Amok Time (TOS)

"De air ist de air. Vwot can be done?"

"Dees kombat ist to de det!"

Spock's mating ritual.

I love Trouble With Tribbles too :)

My absolute all time favorite movie is "First Contact".

[Chovexani]

16. I like First Contact too

Ok, sure it's got some...er...continuity problems *cough* but it's easily the best of the TNG movies. Not that that's saying much though, I mean Generations and frelling Insurrection? Ew. (Nemesis NEVER HAPPENED).

Wrath of Khaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan is my favorite of all the movies though. :)

[concord]

25. Watched Wrath of Khan just last night :)

And you're right, Nemisis is null.

[Paragon]

36. "Betht friendth forthed to do battle"

Duh de - de de de de - de duh de duh de...

[mac56]

50. Second for "Amok Time".

Spock's look of pure joy and relief when he reunites with Kirk on the bridge.

I'll always remember that.

[kayleybeth]

18. The one with the Tribbles n/t

eom

[SaveElmer]

19. Favorites from all series

Classic - City on the Edge of Forever. Shatner showed he could act, and Joan Collins was hot once :)

TNG - Matter of Honor, when Riker served aboard the Klingon Ship. In my opinion a turning point for TNG. First episode that I thought really held up well. Before that not so good. It only improved after that episode

DS9 - I actually really liked DS9. Don't remember the title, but the episode when Sisko was imagining he was part of a writing team creating a science fiction mag in the 1940's. All of the characters were there without their alien get up. Really excellent episode.

Voyager - Took a while to warm up to Voyager, but it finally got good. I thought the final episode when they got back to the Alpha quadrant was the best

Enterprise - Haven't really gotten into it quite yet, and I am just not used to Scott Bakula as Captain, but they finally seem to be getting their footing. The episode where Archer was on trial on the Klingon home world was quite good.

Bonus: Best movie - First Contact

[Terwilliger]

23. that was "Far Beyond The Stars"....a truly exceptional episode

[SaveElmer]

24. That's Right !!!

Thanks for the reminder ! Definitely a class episode. Well written and acted.

[ProfessorGAC]

55. Good Picks

I don't agree with all of them as my faves, but all the eps you mention are excellent.

I can't remember the name of the episode, but on DS9, there was an episode where they go back in time to San Francisco during an uprising. (Homelessnes, i think.) Sisco got wrapped up in it by accidentally causing the death of the leader/hero of the rebellion, who, according to the history books, died in the uprising.

So, Sisco had to play the role to get the uprising back on track so history wouldn't change. It was very well written, and Brooks was terrific in it.
The Professor

[Terwilliger]

20. I still like "Who Watches the Watchers" from TNG

there are many enjoyable episodes (even a few from Voyager and Enterprise)

"All Good Things..." was a HELL of a finale

[Chovexani]

30. I adore "All Good Things"

Without a doubt, the BEST Trek finale to date...and probably the best end to a geek show I can think of. Still gets me sentimental. I am saving up for the season 7 box set just for that one episode.

[mike_c]

22. another vote for "The Inner Light"....

I still get choked up when I see it, and I've probably seen it a dozen times. Absolutely superb. It haunts my dreams.

[SaveElmer]

26. That was really excellent

Definitely one of the best...I also liked "Darmok" When Picard was required to communicate with the alien captain by metaphor. Could have been really hokey, but I thought it worked pretty well.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

31. "City on the Edge.." and "The Tholian Web"

2 faves. Gotta like Harlan Ellison's story for "City". Greta acting etc...
'Web' is good 'cause there's so much going on simultaneously. Love the scene when Uhura 'thinks' she sees Kirk on the bridge.

[kodi]

34. outstanding selections from ST, and Darmok from SG

because it dealt with the complications of how reality is constructed by language. it was an exceptional show that had little to do with star trekking.

there's not much to say about ellison's "City" that has not already been said in its praise. it was the finest show on science fiction concepts ever broadcast, but i would have loved to see the story as it was originally intended to be shown if ellison had had his way.

[Astarho]

37. Darmok & the Inner Light

from TNG, two of the best episodes of the series. The Defector is also on the list.

TOS: The Enterprise Incident and Balance of Terror. I personally Liked the Romulans as villians better then the Klingons.

DS9: In the Pale Moonlight, watching Sisko maneaver the Romulans into the war. I thought when the Klingons brielfy turned against the Federation to be a little contrived.

VOY: I liked the one with the planet that has a has years pass in minutes (although their timing was off), just cool. It took Voyager a while and they did miss a lot of opportunities on the way.

Enterprise: I thought the episdoe with the Andorians was cool, but it's hard watching them destroy the history and continuity the show has built up over the last 30 years.

[Nikia]

39. Darmok was the other one that I was thinking of

I haven't seen TNG for a few years, aside from a couple of episodes last summer. I think about that episode from time to time since I am considering writing poetry again. I guess that several DUers have the same Star Trek prefernces that I do.

[ACK]

38. Intro of the Romulans in TOS

The one where they see the Romulans for the first time and they look like Vulcans and that one kid is all suspicious of Spock.

I like the old navy tactics and the military action. I know there are much more important and relevant episodes but I like that one best.

What was the official title of that one.

[Book Lover]

41. The Romulans 1st appeared in "Balance of Terror"

which was aired 12/15/66. So, let's see, favorites...


TOS: "Errand of Mercy," aired 3/23/67. I suggest it be required viewing for every antiwar person on this board.

"We have the right..."

"To wage war, captain? To kill millions of innocent people? To destroy life on a planetary scale? Is that what you’re defending?"


TAS: "Yesteryear," aired 9/15/73.


TNG: "First Duty" followed closely by "Lower Decks"

I can't really speak to the other series, which I do not care for, personally.

[Kat45]

40. "City on the Edge of Forever", "A Piece of the Action", and

"In the Blink of an Eye" (not sure if that name is exact) -- all from the original series

[Book Lover]

42. It's "Wink of an Eye"

Not bad for 3rd season, either...

[Kat45]

43. Thanks. I always screw up the name of that episode.

I just found that whole concept of the "accelerated" people fascinating.

[Rabrrrrrr]

44. A Taste of Armageddon

Another great anti-war episode, and the one with General Order 24. I love hearing Scotty say (and I paraphrase) "All population centers have been fed into the targeting computers. In one hour and forty-five minutes, the entire inhabited surface of your planet will be destroyed."

And of course, City on the Edge of Forever. Also love Trouble with Tribbles and Space Seed.

For Next Generation, I love Darmok, Who Watches the Watchers, Inner Light, and can't remember the name, btu the one that Q lost his powers. I love his entrance in that episode, when he appears hovering naked on the bridge and falls from the air, and looks at Picard and says "Red Alert!" I love Q. And "All Good Things" is excellent, better than any TNG movie, which is a sad commentary on the lack of skill and integrity put into the movies.

[Terwilliger]

48. that was inspirational when I was young

recognizing the futility of war, couched in the metaphor of virtual battles where the population willingly accepted their deaths

[wyldwolf]

45. TOS: Mirror Mirror

[VelmaD]

52. Uhura kicked ass in "Mirror Mirror"

The evil Sulu tried to put a move on her and she smacked him down hard. It was beautiful. :-)

[BlueJazz]

46. The above posts all mention great stories...

....One of my favorites was from TNG when the crew was stuck in a time warp
and events kept repeating themselves. The ship was investigating a stellar cloud and the ship (from the past) kept crashing into the Enterprise.
The first hint to the crew was during the "card scenes" when Riker, Data, Worf and the Doctor started getting the same hands....
....anyway, Loved the story!

[Book Lover]

47. That's "Cause and Effect"

OK, obviously I'm the Trek geek here *blush*

[Zolok]

49. ST TOS "The Devil in the Dark"

pretty much as representative a show as the original series ever did...also according to what I read the "Horta" costume was naught but some foam leftovers that were glued together, darn thing looked so odd that someone jsut ahd to write a story around it.
So I like the "something from nothing" nature of the script.
Also "Balance of Terror", "The Doomsday Machine", and the "Ultimate Computer" (a wonderful ep in which the late William Marshall actually out-chews the scenery...given the fact the Shatner freely calls himself a "ham-o-saurus" this is no small achievement)...
"Building on My Work....MY WORK!!!!!!"

[Kamika]

51. All good things...

Now thats a killer (double) episode

[Ratty]

53. Q-Who better than BOBW

I liked the very first encounter with the Borg, in Q-Who. BOBW was good but Q-Who was better. The Enterprise was completely isolated, no help or communication with Earth. It was just them. I liked the slowly dawning horror as they realized just what they were up against. I like how they finally decided to run for their lives and hide cowering in a nebula while the Borg tried to smoke them out with depth charges. I like especially when Picard gives up, admits to Q that yes, we're out of our league, you're right, we're wrong, get us out of this.

This was the Borg as they were meant to be. Mysterious, implacable, invulnerable. They really started to water them down after that, especially in Voyager where they became not so invulnerable and dangerous.

My favorite Voyager episode is Counterpoint. Great classical music, a burgeoning love affair for Janeway that ends in crushing dissappointment, heartbreak and betrayal. And she played it all so subtly and effectively. It was all in her eyes. Next time you see it, watch her face at the very very end. Her thoughts are as clear as day.