Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 1 Episode List
This seemed like a fun exercise, to actually write it down. The goal of the episode list is to give “a complete experience” as it relates to the entire show. Try to make sure that recurring characters are included, even if they might not be your favorite.
Watch These Episodes
Encounter at Farpoint
It’s the pilot and establishes the ship, all the crew and a major recurring character. It definitely can’t be skipped, although it does drag on at times.
Where No One Has Gone Before
Important episode for Wesley and future plot.
Hide and Q
There are better Q episodes throughout TNG but it’s still a Q episode.
Datalore
Hugely entertaining episode, Brent Spiner absolutely kills it. Significant plot elements.
Coming of Age
Not quite an “arc” episode but it has good plot tie-ins later. And even though I’ve never been a big Wesley fan I feel like following his story is worthwhile.
Heart of Glory
Solid Worfisode and does a lot to introduce Klingons in the 24th century.
Symbiosis
Personal fave, classic Prime Directive / ethical quandry / social commentary episode.
Skin of Evil
An important episode but one that I think could have benefitted from some rewrites. It just doesn’t quite land the way it ought to.
Conspiracy
Absolutely off the wall fun that feels totally out of place - but in a good way! This episode was going to set up a future long-term villain but eventually that role went to the Borg in the end.
The Neutral Zone
Fills in a lot of alien lore and introduces a new old advisary. The B-plot is a little take it or leave it.
Honorable Mentions
Code of Honor
Jonathan Frakes called this episode “a piece of shit” while on stage at a convention I attended. Is that a reason to watch it? Only you can answer that question for yourself.
Justice
Referring to the 1960s and Gene Roddenberry: I guess you can take the man out of the decade but you can’t take the decade out of the man. Gene’s free-spiritedness on full display, plenty of laughs. Seeing Denise Crosby and friends do a live overdub of this episode at a convention was incredible fun.
11001001
There are many jokes about inappropriate behavior in a Holodeck that are in part owed to this episode.