Episode: Peak Performance (2.21)
One of a few moments on the list that isn’t a climax. After Crusher unwittingly saves the day again (heh, adults) to survive the Ferengi, Data accepts a rematch with Kolrami after he impossibly loses a game of Stratagema. It’s one of many points of character development for the android, who is beginning to learn how he can positively affect the humans around him.
Episode: Redemption (4.26)
The first half of Redemption is a pretty decent foray into Klingon/Romulan politics, and we think the cliffhanger is that Worf is resigning his commission to join the Klingon Civil War. But then we get slammed with the real cliffhanger.
Episode: Encounter at Farpoint (1.01)
There was a lot wrong with the show’s pilot. The characters were mostly stiff, the lighting was off, and Troi was in too much pain. But the music was fantastic, and showing off their entire special effects budget with the all-new saucer separation and reattachment was a brilliant idea. Both of these moments still give me chills.
Episode: The Perfect Mate (5.21)
Picard, ever the diplomat, struggles with the rights of a woman who was bred specifically to be a gift to a warring neighbor. The first person she mates with, she becomes permanently bonded to, able to provide them immense pleasure. In a moment of weakness Picard allows himself to be bonded to her, one night before her wedding. The end result in heartbreaking.
Episode: Hollow Pursuits (3.21)
They had to have an episode where somebody uses the holodeck for unseemly purposes. They kind of chickened out and brought in a new character without a reputation to sully; thankfully, they wrote the character very well and we were treated to many episodes with Reginald Barclay. Below is the moment he gets caught by Riker and Troi. Priceless.
Episode: Allegiance (3.18)
While Picard solving the one-room mystery is fun, and doppelganger Picard that sings drinking songs with his men and seduces Beverly is delightful, the ending is fantastic, where he turns the table on their new friends without saying a word. Then, after that ordeal is over, Crusher turns the tables on Picard as well, without saying a word.
Episode: Disaster (5.05)
This episode has several above-average moments. I nearly included the final scene where the little kids personally thank Picard on the bridge for saving them. But the winner goes to Data, who tells Riker to remove his head and use it to remotely access engineering.
Episode: Timescape (6.25)
I’m imagining the writers sitting around a table discussing how Picard should act when he goes into a narcosis and someone jokingly saying, “How about we have him draw a smiley face in the warp core breach?” I’m hoping it was Patrick Stewart’s idea.
Episode: Heart of Glory (1.20)
When boarding a Talarian freighter in the Neutral Zone, Geordi tests out his visual acuity transmitter so that the bridge crew can see what he sees through his VISOR. In a season short of character development, this scene significantly helps two characters. Geordi, as we get to understand him better, and Picard, who openly displays empathy and acceptance of another crew member. Plus, it looks kind of cool. It’s too bad they never used this device again.
Episode: We’ll Always Have Paris (1×24)
In between Picard reminiscing about the broken hearts he left behind, a broken time continuum keeps popping up. This episode shows several time glitches and this one’s my favorite:
Death By Troggles 
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