Top Ten Lesser-Known "Picard Episodes"

Here at Treknobabble we were saddened by the passing of Sir Patrick Stewart. To say that the character he created played a formative role in our childhoods would be underselling the point. For me (Matthew), he was one of my two major pop culture touchstones for non-toxic masculinity (the other being Christopher Reeve's Superman).

So in discussion with my fellow Treknobabblers Kevin and Beth, we thought we would celebrate some great "Picard Episodes" of TNG. But not perhaps the ones that get all of the press. We decided to eliminate from our lists all of the shows on Paramount's list of "essential Picard episodes." So here, with a bit of synopsis and discussion, are ten somewhat unsung episodes that feature a great story for the character or performance by the actor.

Engage! 

Allegiance
Season 3, episode 18 

 

In fact... ales for everyone!

Matthew: When I was thinking of Picard Episodes, I didn't want to rely just on the "Big Picard Speech" or Picard suffering some particular tragedy or challenge. I was thinking of his presence. What kind of leader was he, and why was this so resonant with the audience? For every "Yesterday's Enterprise," there are a dozen other shows like this one, "Allegiance."   

Star Trek: Nemesis

Star Trek: Nemesis
Release Date: December 13, 2002
Introduction
 

 

A mysterious interloper assassinates the leadership of the Romulan government and takes over, demanding to speak with Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise upon doing so.

All right gentleman, two of us will get 90% of the screen time. Understood?

 

 

 

What's the Best Single Disc of Star Trek? (TNG Edition)

You know what, I need a distraction. When I feel this way (it has been happening more and more since, oh, November), my go-to strategy is "watching Star Trek." And no, not on Paramount Pus, the most awful streaming service ever created (I have given up cataloging the multifarious ways it can break on me, and I am only still subscribed because I split it three ways), but on disc. 

Taste the rainbow of actually good Star Trek!

Strange New Worlds, Season 2: Charades

 Strange New Worlds, Season 2
"Charades"
Airdate: July 13, 2023
15 of 20 produced
15 of 20 aired

Introduction

A space anomaly turns Spock into a purely human version of himself. Hijinks of moderate hilarity ensue.

 

A Festivus for the rest of us!

 

Strange New Worlds, Season 2: Among the Lotus Eaters

Strange New Worlds, Season 2
"Among the Lotus Eaters"
Airdate: July 6, 2023
14 of 20 produced
14 of 20 aired

Introduction

Pike and crew are called back to Rigel VII, a planet upon which they have experienced violence before, because of apparent cultural contamination.

 

Why are the mountains always the same distance away from us?

 

Strange New Worlds, Season 2: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow

 Strange New Worlds, Season 2
"Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow"
Airdate: June 29, 2023
13 of 20 produced
13 of 20 aired

Introduction

La'an has her day interrupted by the appearance of a temporal agent, who whisks her away to an alternate time line in which Kirk commands the Enterprise, then back to a 21st century past in which they must restore history.

Sweet, skinny pants are back in!

 

Strange New Worlds, Season 2: Ad Astra Per Aspera

Strange New Worlds, Season 2
"Ad Astra Per Aspera"
Airdate: June 22, 2023
12 of 20 produced
12 of 20 aired

Introduction

Captain Pike tracks down legal representation for his first officer's trial for lying on her Starfleet application about her genetically engineered status.

 

Surely this trial will set a precedent that will ring through the ages.

 

Strange New Worlds, Season 2: The Broken Circle

 Strange New Worlds, Season 1
"The Broken Circle"
Airdate: June 15, 2023
11 of 20 produced
11 of 20 aired

Introduction

Captain Pike leaves the Enterprise in Spock's hands while he tries to find help for Una's upcoming court martial. While in command, Spock receives a distress call from La'an warning of a dangerous situation near the Klingon border.

 

 "Welcome to Planet Brown, where we mine Brown in accordance with the Brown Mush Treaty of 2243."

 

Enterprise, Season 4: These Are the Voyages...

Enterprise, Season 4
"These Are the Voyages..."
Airdate: May 13, 2005
97 of 97 produced
97 of 97 aired

Introduction

Commander William T. Riker faces a moral dilemma during his tenure on the Enterprise D, and investigates the final mission of the NX-01 crew in order to seek guidance.

 Note to directors: shooting in seated profile is not the most effective way to take ten years off of someone.

 

Enterprise, Season 4: Terra Prime

Enterprise, Season 4
"Terra Prime"
Airdate: May 13, 2005
96 of 97 produced
96 of 97 aired

Introduction

The crew of the Enterprise must find a way to infiltrate the Terra Prime facility before they can attack the Earth.

 Say it! Say "my uncle was a Denobulan!"