Redemption, Part II
With an abundance of twists and turns this season opener finishes off the Klingon civil war saga with gusto, and provides us with a few answers concerning the mysterious Sela. It's especially fun to see Worf in action, even after he's captured and tormented by the always entertaining Duras sisters. And the answers that Sela eventually provides regarding her existence are intriguing and satisfying, even though they hint at yet another tragic end for Tasha Yar. In terms of melding battle scenes with grand-scale political intrigue and poignant character moments, this show has never been better.

Darmok
This outstanding hour represents a perfect execution of one of Trek's most intriguing concepts to date: an alien race that bases its language and method of communication on principle and metaphor. The race in question is the Children of Tama, who, in an effort to make contact, beam Picard and their own Captain Dathon to a strange planet. Dathon (subtly played by Paul Winfield) and Picard do eventually figure out how to communicate, but it costs Dathon his life — and our own captain is left to wonder if he would do the same simply for the hope of communication with another species. This wonderfully paced episode succeeds mightily in showcasing both a great story and another fine performance from Patrick Stewart.

Ensign Ro
This landmark episode doesn't just introduce the wonderfully prickly Ensign Ro (Michelle Forbes) — it lays out much of the groundwork for future series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In the process of exposing a plot by a corrupt admiral, Ro also introduces us to the plight of the Bajorans and the brutality of their Cardassian oppressors. Indeed, this would later develop into a complex, fully-formed story and the basis for the next Trek spin-off. As for Ro, she would become a popular recurring character, an unorthodox (and occasionally subordinate) Starfleet officer who does things her own way … and sometimes ends up in trouble for her efforts. Her unlikely relationships with Guinan (who would become a friend) and Picard (who would become a mentor) are also touched on here.

Disaster
All the action takes place on the ship, but that doesn't stop most of our regulars from facing a good deal of challenging scenarios thanks to an accident that puts everyone in fish-out-of-water situations. When a quantum filament strikes the U.S.S. Enterprise-D, communication between different areas of the ship is cut off, and the crew is trapped in various areas. Troi finds herself in command on the bridge, and must deal with the contentious Ro and O'Brien. Meanwhile, Picard is trapped in the turbolift with three small children and Worf is stuck in Ten-Forward with O'Brien's wife Keiko … who is about to go into labor. Nothing particularly deep or meaningful happens here, but there are tons of great character moments, and it's just fun to see our favorite characters in unusual situations. Worf's unlikely role as midwife ("You may now give birth!") is especially amusing.

Unification, Parts I and II
Sure, there were ties to the Original Series and TNG before this wonderfully-imagined two-parter. But this was perhaps the most definitive — and ultimately, the most resonant — bridge between the two series. Leonard Nimoy graced the show as the legendary Spock, who appears to have defected to the Romulan Empire. Naturally, Spock is actually working towards peace, via an unauthorized mission to reunite the Vulcans and Romulans. This stellar pair of episodes is historic for many reasons: it's the last time we see Sela, it features the death of Spock's father Sarek (Mark Lenard), and it brings to a close the storyline that first began in Star Trek. In one of the show's more emotional moments, Spock finally has a reconciliation (of sorts) with his father via a mind-meld with Picard (who previously melded with Sarek in "Sarek"). Through this, Spock finally learns just how much his father cared for him. This certainly ranks as one of the most poignant moments in all of Trek.

Hero Worship
This episode serves as a nice showcase for Data, as well as bringing to life an all-too-human concept: dealing with the pain of loss. Young Timothy is discovered amongst the wreckage of a starship, the sole survivor of a mysterious accident. Timothy immediately latches onto Data, and takes to imitating the android's manner and style of dress. In an attempt to eradicate the pain of losing his parents, Timothy wants to become an android — ironic, since Data himself desires to be more human. Through its story, this touching hour succeeds in holding up a mirror to our favorite android — as well as to humanity itself.

Ethics
This outing illustrates one of those moral/ethical dilemmas of which Trek is so fond and throws in some defining character moments for good measure. When Worf is paralyzed from the waist down, he wants to commit ritual suicide. But Klingon custom requires Worf's son, Alexander, to assist in the procedure, and Worf cannot bring himself to ask. Thus, the Klingon goes through with experimental surgery to replace his spine. This hour provides a good showcase for both Worf and Dr. Crusher. Worf and Alexander share some touching moments together and Crusher finds herself in conflict with a colleague who puts research ahead of the patients. All of it comes together in a stand-out episode that also reveals some interesting wrinkles in Klingon anatomy.

The Outcast
One of TNG's best metaphor episodes, "The Outcast" takes on the issue of discrimination as it pertains to sexual orientation. We meet the androgynous J'naii, who forbid gender-specific relations. This proves problematic when J'naii pilot Soren (Melinda Culea) and Riker strike up a friendship that eventually leads to romance — and Soren reveals that she has always had female tendencies. Sadly, Soren is eventually brainwashed into dismissing her feelings for Riker. Throughout the episode, Soren's plight is treated with empathy and sensitivity by writer Jeri Taylor, as TNG boldly takes on a topical issue that still afflicts modern society. Guest star Culea and Jonathan Frakes display subtle chemistry and warmth as the doomed couple.

I, Borg
This fine character-driven episodes offers us a way of looking at the menacing Borg in a completely new light. When the Enterprise discovers a young Borg (Jonathan Del Arco) among crash debris, the crew brings it onboard in the hope of somehow using it to disable the Federation's most deadly enemy. Surprisingly, the Borg begins to develop a sense of individuality, even taking on a name (Hugh) and referring to himself as "I." In the end, he is returned to the Collective, hopefully to influence it with his newfound sense of self. This emotional hour forces the crew — particularly Picard and Guinan — to confront their own prejudices, and to ultimately come out of it with a new view of the Borg. As for Hugh, he's one of the most poignant guest characters to grace this series.

The Inner Light
Without question, this stands as one of TNG's finest hours. Thanks to a mysterious alien probe, Picard is seemingly transported to the planet Kataan, where he lives out the life of a simple iron weaver named Kamin. This life gives Picard everything his chosen career in Starfleet never could: a wife, children, grandchildren. In the end, Picard experiences 30 years in 20 minutes, and the results are poignant, amazing and beautifully-realized. This top-notch hour represents TNG at its best, storytelling at its finest, and Patrick Stewart in an emotional, finely-nuanced performance. "The Best of Both Worlds" might have more action, "Redemption" might have more plot twists, but "The Inner Light" has the most to say about character, longing and love. A classic.

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