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:
Episode: The Neutral Zone (1×26)
Season one did not have a lot of bright moments, even for Picard, with whom the show would have been likely cancelled without. He was frequently loud, temperamental, and impatient. But he showed flashes of the great captain he became, including this moment, the Federation’s first meeting with the Romulans in decades. The Ferengi bombed just as quickly as they were introduced, and the show desperately needed a villain. Bringing back one from the original series could have been mishandled, but the writers managed to do well here. Not only that, they kind-of sort-of introduce the Borg threat that would get explored further in season two.
Death By Troggles was born with Star Trek: TNG, and one of my readers suggested a while back I go and do a top moments list for the show. The staff here went back and forth for a long time and finally settled on a list everyone can be happy with. Come back tomorrow to see #40 and #39!
Trek at its best put me on the edge of my seat, made me laugh, made me cry, gave me the chills, or gave me food for thought with a powerful message. Most of these moments got a mention during the episode countdown, so there shouldn’t be a ton of surprises; naturally, my favorite episodes tend to have my favorite moments as well. But there are some excellent episodes (Ship in a Bottle, for instance) that I love but don’t have a single moment that really stands out. And, naturally, there are a few moments from mediocre episodes that still get me to this day.
And in case there were any worries, Justice will not get a mention.
Episode: Showdown, Part 2 (1×23)
Probably Cheers’ most iconic scene. Sam’s brother Derek, who is perfect and dwarfs Sam, the professional baseball player, in stature and status. He visits the bar and sweeps everyone, including Diane, off their feet. Funny enough, we never actually see him because he’s always lost in the crowd.
Over half of this episode is the blowout fight between Sam and Diane. I cut it down to the last few minutes. It’s witty, it’s funny, and an all-time classic sitcom moment.
Episode: I’ll Be Seeing You, Part 2 (2×22)
After a season of dating, Diane and Sam’s relationship comes to a head when Diane commissions an eccentric painter (Christopher Lloyd) to do a portrait of her. Sam loathes the guy and forbids Diane to see him. Obviously, that doesn’t work.
Diane brings the painting to Sam and he flips out. Diane comes back with one of the sharpest insults I’ve ever heard.
And then the end to season two, one of the saddest moments of the entire series.
Episode: Sam’s Women (1×02)
If the first episode didn’t get people hooked on the show, the second one should have. Diane spends several days dismissing the women Sam dates as brainless, insulting him and his way of life. For the first time in the series, they trade barbs, with Diane seemingly laying the knockout punch.
But little does she know that Mayday has something left in the tank.
Episode: Coach’s Daughter (1×05)
Did I mention how awesome the first season is? We meet Coach’s daughter, who is engaged to a misogynistic, obnoxious, despicable suit salesman. He wants to respect her wishes, but as he learns more and more about his future son-in-law, he can’t take it anymore and pulls her into Sam’s office. If you’re a guy and don’t spill waterworks watching this, get some therapy pronto.
Episode: What Is Cliff Clavin? (8×14)
Death By Troggles 
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