Star Trek: The 14 best episodes of The Next Generation, ranked

By Camila Domingues | Dec 24, 2023, 12:24 AM EST

Nov. 2, 2015 – CBS Television Studios announced today it will launch a totally new “Star Trek” television series in January 2017. The brand-new “Star Trek” will introduce new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilizations, while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its inception in 1966. The new series will blast off with a special preview broadcast on the CBS Television Network. The premiere episode and all subsequent first-run episodes will then be available exclusively in the United States on CBS All Access, the Network’s digital subscription video on demand and live streaming service.Pictured: Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATIONScreen grab: ©1990 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. /

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14. “The Offspring” (season 3, episode 16)

“The Offspring” stands out as one of the crown jewels in the galaxy of Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes. There is something about it that resonates to audiences even now, decades after it first aired.

Lieutenant Commander Data, our beloved android prodigy, takes on the challenging role of a single parent. As he creates an android daughter named Lal, the episode beautifully explores the intricacies of parenthood and the challenges that come with raising a sentient being. The story is wholesome, heartwarming, and emotionally charged, demonstrating Data’s progress as he comes to understand and experience the profound bond between parent and child. It’s an incredible watch.

Now, why not the number one spot, you ask? Well, the tough competition in The Next Generation is fierce. While “The Offspring” is a standout episode, the series also has other iconic episodes that edge it out slightly. The emotional impact is there, but perhaps the storyline lacks some of the extra complicated layers found in the other top-tier episodes.

At any rate, “The Offspring” is a must-watch that adds a dash of humanity to our favorite android officer, proving that even machines can tug at our heartstrings.

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