Okay nerds, I got an important job for you. I need help.

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Fun-Tooth-622@reddit

Lot of boring slow paced episodes being recommended for a teenager who might alrighty think this show looks old as hell.

Also, you can't force a kid to like anything. Try one or two and be cool if they don't love the thing you love!

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Destructo-Bear@reddit (OP)

Oh yeah I'm not gonna force it. That wouldn't be fun for any of us

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Measure of a Man, as one and not sure the next. I'd say end with Best of Both Worlds part 1 so he'll want to watch part 2 even after 3 episodes lol 😆 then you'll get 4 episodes maybe even first contact lol 😄

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Fun-Tooth-622@reddit

Not sure beat if both worlds hits without all the context

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The_Lloyd_Dobler@reddit

Yeah, I’d do Measure of a Man, Yesterday’s Enterprise, and Best of Worlds Part 1. Hopefully that would be enough to convince him that it’s worth his time to explore the series more. 😀

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Soderholmsvag@reddit

Yesterday’s Enterprise is wasted on someone who hasn’t seen more of season one and Skin of Evil. Why do that??

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Baby_Bubbles69@reddit

Exactly - that's why I never recommend Yesterday's Enterprise as a first episode, despite how good that episode is at establishing how the federation fundamentally behaves.

My suggestion is Cause and Effect instead, I find that to be the best introduction.

Then Inner Light and First Contact - Who Watches the Watchers and Data's Day are also really good

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jcg878@reddit

Excellent suggestions!

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LogicalAwesome@reddit

This would be my answer. If he’s not hooked by the end of these three, he never will be.

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Destructo-Bear@reddit (OP)

Hahaha that is devious

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Mercury_Madulller@reddit

That's what I was thinking. Show him that one last and when the episode ends say "ok, that's three episodes, what did you think" like it's normal to end on a cliffhanger.

Incidentally, I got my son to agree to watch a few episodes of TNG, your post prompted me to ask him.

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lordrefa@reddit

Sell him on Data and the rest will follow:

Measure of a Man
The Most Toys
Fistfull of Datas

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Dastardly_trek@reddit

Q who
Yesterdays enterprise
The Pegasus

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SupremeChancellor66@reddit

1st Episode choices (Diplomatic, lawyer-like, Drama category): -Measure of a Man, Who Watches the Watchers OR The Drumhead

2nd Episode choices (Tension, Action, Intrigue category): -The Defector, Yesterday's Enterprise, or The Wounded

3rd Episode choices (Mystery, Captivating, Powerful category): -The Survivors, Cause & Effect OR The Inner Light

I tried to give you a few choices and broke down your introductory three episodes into the broader themes that TNG episodes are known for. I begun my first chronological rewatch starting at Season 1 about a month ago and I'm half way through Season 3 so some of these are very fresh. There are so many other great ones of course that I didn't include just because I didn't want the list to be too overwhelming.

You can't go wrong with any of these ones imo. If he doesn't like them, he won't like Star Trek lol.

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Cent1234@reddit

Maybe let him enjoy things he enjoys, rather than trying to force your fandom onto him.

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Destructo-Bear@reddit (OP)

how is watching three episodes "forcing my fandom" onto him?

It's fun to share things you love with people you love, asshole

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mediumAI1701@reddit

Maybe S5 E14 Conundrum. Everyone forgets who they are, which is pretty fun

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alwaysthetiming@reddit

When I was 13 my favorite episodes were Deja Q, Disaster, and The Game.

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Johnsmith13371337@reddit

If he wants to be a civil rights lawyer then Measure Of A Man and Drumhead are must watches.

Other than that The Offspring is probably a good one.

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TiredCeresian@reddit

Measure of a Man. I, Borg. The Offspring.

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JediSnoopy@reddit

The Measure of a Man
The Offspring
Chain of Command I&II

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RT3K69420@reddit

Measure Of A Man, Who Watches The Watchers, The Drumhead.

These are my top three.

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Evershifter@reddit

Measure of a Man Darmok Yesterday's Enterprise

Probably in that order

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Destructo-Bear@reddit (OP)

Oh man that's a good bunch.

I want to do the inner light though too...

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milkstrike@reddit

I mean if you want to make him cry go for the inner light 😅

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bookant@reddit

I'd drop Yesterday's Enterprise. It's a fantastic episode but it's impact relies almost entirely on already knowing and being invested in all the backstory. It'll all be pretty much meaningless for a brand new viewer.

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Evershifter@reddit

Yeah, that's why I would put it at the end of the viewing schedule. You're missing out on a good deal of the backstory, but man it is a solid STAR TREK episode. Great acting from our captain. What's up with Guinan. Space combat. Speeches.

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Destructo-Bear@reddit (OP)

True. Why would he care about Tasha

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arctic-aqua@reddit

It still works, because he doesn't know 100% that she's not supposed to be there. That was my recollection of watching the first time in the 90s.

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Evershifter@reddit

Inner Light is amazing, but honestly not super representative of Trek oddly enough.

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John_Tacos@reddit

A lot of the absolute best Star Trek episodes are like that.

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Schmitty300@reddit

Agree with this. It's the best TNG episodes, but only if you know Picard's evolution through the series.

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Caniprokis@reddit

Inner Light works best after we know who Picard is, leave it as something for him to get to if he ends up liking it.

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Parallax2799@reddit

Clues, Genesis, Timescape, Cause and Effect

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Thunderswan@reddit

Great list, so many forgotten gems, need to do another rewatch I guess.

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drrhrrdrr@reddit

Cause and Effect

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Zopheus_@reddit

3

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Thunderswan@reddit

How about "The Game?" I know three is a tight list to fit it on. It's a great weird early episode with some classic imminent doom being battled by fewer and fewer capable crew members. Bonus for a younger watcher (or downside?) it's a big Wesley moment. He even has some chemistry with ensign Ashley Judd.

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Patient-Listener@reddit

Personally, I love Where No Man Had Gone Before, season1, ep6. It’s the one with The Traveler. It deals with not just time and space but thought and how it relates to existence. It’s a bright spot in the first season if you ask me.

But the others are right. measure of a man, darmok. Maybe Drumhead. Don’t stick up too may courtroom episodes.

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Torlek1@reddit

The Measure of a Man

Drumhead

Who Watches the Watchers

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3z3ki3l@reddit

Not bad, but I wouldn’t do two lawyer episodes. I’d throw something fun and representative in there. I’d probably swap out The Drumhead. Give me a minute to think about what with.

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Destructo-Bear@reddit (OP)

Yes one lawyer episode is all I want to do and it's definitely gonna be measure of a man

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Ok-Stand-6679@reddit

The inner light - its brilliant and enough of a stand alone story

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Destructo-Bear@reddit (OP)

That was a top pick of my brother

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TheRealCBlazer@reddit

Inner Light is undeniably excellent.

But I wonder if it's a Top 3 for someone's first exposure to TNG, since it focuses on Picard and then a bunch of one-off characters (not the regular cast). It's a beautiful standalone story. Top 3 TNG in a vacuum. But if you're trying to introduce and hook someone new, I think you might want something that involves more of the whole cast.

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felineunderling@reddit

That’s how I got my other half into Star Trek during lockdown. Then I, Borg and Time’s Arrow before we did the full run.

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Ok-Stand-6679@reddit

Imo its the best story of all

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Immediate-Repeat-201@reddit

Darmok, measure of a man for sure. Inner light is a must.

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carisjax@reddit

Actually, I'm not sure how effective Measure of a Man is without the previous exposure to Data, and the audience already buying in he is human. That is the challenge these have to be episodes that stand on their own. I would avoid anything touching on anything referring back to Tasha. Though Q Who might be a good choice but, I'm tentative on that. Elementary, Dear Data is a strong choice, but that brings in the Dr. Pulaski issue.

I think the important part is to figgure out which characters you think are going to resonate the most with your son:

Picard - oh so many, I'm partial to Tapestry

Data - Elementary, Dear Data

Riker - The Best of Both Worlds

La Forge - Booby Trap

Dr. Crusher - Suspicions

Troy - Cost of Living

Worf - a tough one for me given how complex I find Worf - Family

Tasha, Wesley, Pulaski, Guinan, Barkley and Q are all characters who need a bit more context to explain why they are there

Tasha - Skin of Evil

Wesley - Where No One Has Gone Before (I'm not a fan of Wesley)

Dr. Pulaski - Unnatural Selection

Guinan - Yesterday's Enterprise

Barkley - Hollow Pursuits

Q - Q Who

There are other characters that could be consider, but they are even more supportive characters than these.

I would also consider episodes like The Naked Now that explores multiple characters.

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theantnest@reddit

Yep, that's the top 3 for sure.

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Chaosinmotion1@reddit

These are THE 3

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Vandig73@reddit

I was going to suggest this exact line up.

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SciFiNut91@reddit

Slightly disagree on swapping out Drumhead - Drum head captures paranoia well, and with present day context, hits even harder. Darmok would be on the main list instead of who watches the watchers, but that's just my opinion.

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3z3ki3l@reddit

Of the two that’s 100% the right call. It’s a Data-heavy episode so I’m loathe to recommend another. Although sadly that wipes out like my next 4 suggestions.

Thing is it also can’t be too weird. I’d probably steer clear of Q. Without the pilot he isn’t going to do you any favors, and he absolutely shouldn’t start with the pilot. Not if he’s watched modern television.

Can you give us any ideas of his taste? What does he like to watch/read?

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Destructo-Bear@reddit (OP)

One piece manga, the office, LGBT rights, owl House, gravity falls, cats, YouTube, Pokemon

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CompetitionOdd1582@reddit

Since nobody's mentioned it, you might consider "The Outcast" for its depiction of gender and queerness in a society. TNG is unfortunately weak on LGBTQ+ issues, but this episode was ahead of it's time.

That said, maybe it's a bad idea. What was groundbreaking in 1992 feels almost regressive in 2026.

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Dizzy_Departure2539@reddit

I was going to suggest the outcast tho it does talk a lot about mating and may not be what op is looking for. Just a good one though

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th7024@reddit

If he is into LGBT rights, you might consider S5 E17, The Outcast. It really hit me hard when it first aired and I was around his age.

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FineRevolution9264@reddit

LGBT rights? What about The Outcast, though thats pretty heavy. I like the Offspring a lot, a nice family episode, a little LGBT ( she gets to pick her sex) but with some high drama at the end when Data is trying to save her.

Tough call only having 3 episodes.

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3z3ki3l@reddit

Mkay, I had to look up Owl House, but he may actually be right in the target audience for a Wesley episode…

How much does he know about the Star Trek world and the Federation in general? Should we be explaining the worldbuilding, and how it works?

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RolandDeepson@reddit

The Measure of a Man Darmok Thine Own Self

In that order

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Mercury_Madulller@reddit

I don't know why the best of both worlds is overlooked. It's the best cliff hanger of the series. Tinman is also good, I read the short story it is based on. Homeward was pretty good and talks about laws and the prime directive. I personally liked Disaster and Starship Mine. There are too many good ones to list to be honest. Darmock is a great episode but I don't think I would suggest that as one of three episodes to use to introduce a new view to TNG.

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Rare-Designer-1008@reddit

The problem with Best of Both worlds is the impact is not there if you don't know the characters or who the Borg are.

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Mercury_Madulller@reddit

True but if you show that episode last, as the third episode he agreed to watch, he will be compelled to watch a fourth. Also, after seeing those two episodes, he may ask who the both are. "Well son, if you are willing to watch another episode, there is one that explains exactly who they are" = hooked!

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Wedgerooka@reddit

They're lefty gay allies, dude. I'd avoid anything with violence.

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MrDeekhaed@reddit

Bro so is all of Star Trek

Why are you even here?

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Wedgerooka@reddit

Yeah, no. Star Trek is based as fuck.

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MrDeekhaed@reddit

Ok well welcome

It’s contagious idk if you want involuntary blue hair be careful

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jcg878@reddit

I agree. For a 13 YO I’d be going a bit more ‘pew-pew’ and less of a long wordy story like the Inner Light

I’ll suggest The Defector, Data’s Day, and The Chase.

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Mercury_Madulller@reddit

Good choices.

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ThePingMachine@reddit

Make the third one Best of Both Worlds part 1, but don't show him part 2. When that finishes, just go "Yep, that's three episodes right there."

Then make him wait six months before you let him watch part 2.

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IolausTelcontar@reddit

Lol. The true experience.

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krampaus@reddit

who watches the watchers is probably one of my top 3, purely because of nuria’s and picard’s dialogue

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CodAppropriate6109@reddit

Measure of a Man

Sins of the Father

Best of Both Worlds Part I (let him beg to see Part II)

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LovesDeanWinchester@reddit

I would switch out either WWtW with Data's Day. That episode is what hooked me back into watching TNG!!!

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Happy1327@reddit

Swap out drumhead for datas day. Data narates the episode through a ketter he writes to Maddox, the guy who wants to disassemble him in measure of man. Plus it has Romulans.....and dancing

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mittenknittin@reddit

yeah, it's a good one but given that OP is definitely wanting to show the Data-heavy "Measure of a Man" he may want something different to spotlight other characters

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MrCoffee_256@reddit

13? Anything with 7/9 🤭

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Infinity1379@reddit

The Defector and Cause and Effect are great ones without a lot of background needed.

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wendellbudwhite@reddit

The Defector is especially good here because the Klingon reveal adds such a badass tone to the ending.

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modulus801@reddit

Agreed, plus the threat of more to come from Tomalak.

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Used-Gas-6525@reddit

If you want real crowd pleasers, Cause And Effect is a great one, and if you successfully get 'em into Trek, Yesterday's Enterprise might be my favourite episode, but I think your kid might need a little Trek under their belt for the significance of it all to really slap.

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davwad2@reddit

I like the suggestions in this thread.

Maybe consider one of these:

Cause and Effect
Darmok

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DragonflyGlade@reddit

Measure of a Man

Darmok

Cause and Effect

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Overpass_Dratini@reddit

Would be great if the kid ends up going around taking like those aliens.

Dad: "How did you do on your math test?"

Kid: "Shaka, when the walls fell."

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CodAppropriate6109@reddit

Measure of a Man (introduces Data and the kind of morality discussions Star Trek is famous for)

Sins of the Father (a glimpse of Klingon culture, and introduce the idea of a criminal act impacting the family of the accused, which is part of some cultures today)

Disaster (many plot lines at once, helps us get to know many of the main characters)

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Joe_theone@reddit

Show him the pilot, see how he reacts, and go from there.

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ScrappyDooCanSuckIt@reddit

Probably not Crusher's Candle Ghost episode lol

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krampaus@reddit

these aren’t my favourites but I wish I had watched these as a kid!

elementary, dear data

the most toys

I, borg

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Cambot1138@reddit

The lawyerly episodes are all great, but for pure hook potential you have to do Yesterdays Enterprise

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AceHexuall@reddit

Do you really think it's a good hook for someone who doesn't have the background knowledge? Who is Guinan and why does it matter if she feels the timeline is wrong? What's the big deal that Tasha's here, and why is it okay that she goes back with the C?

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Cambot1138@reddit

Good points, but simple for a dad to fill his son in on during pauses. Good bonding, too.

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noviceicebaby@reddit

But is having someone fill you in on essential details the best way to be exposed to a series for the first time?

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noviceicebaby@reddit

I agree. This episode really doesn't hit unless you've seen the series

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ghotiboy77@reddit

Encounter at Farpoint

Q Who

Heart of Glory

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Destructo-Bear@reddit (OP)

I should also mention that he trolled me really hard when I suggested TNG for our next family show.

He said "Star Trek? Isn't that just a star wars ripoff?"

I was outraged

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TrekkieMae@reddit

When people compare the two around me, I have a memorized response for them:

"Star Wars is space fantasy that takes place long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away. Star Trek is the idealistic vision of what human kind can become."

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Destructo-Bear@reddit (OP)

NERD

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TrekkieMae@reddit

🤓 You know it!!

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Destructo-Bear@reddit (OP)

Hahaha

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RedDog-65@reddit

I think I would have deadpanned “I think the hospital switched babies on us” but if I had a child by the time it reached your son’s age, it would definitely have my sense of humor.

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Rare-Designer-1008@reddit

Lots of good choices but I would add Lower Decks. Good to see the perspective of other characters and a tragic ending

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TrekkieMae@reddit

I'm probably gonna be alone on this one...but:

1) The Measure Of A Man

2) Cause & Effect

3) Power Play

Each showcases some of greatest examples of the spirit of TNG; the last 2 are great ensemble pieces. Cause & Effect has the added bonus of showcasing each character's usual place on the ship (other than their position on the bridge). They all show off the actors' chops in different ways, but Power Play will really give him a chance to see how the actors have to change it up - it will also introduce O'Brien as a featured character and define his family relationships. Power Play is also a fine example of what it means to be a memeber of Starfleet.

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ToddBung@reddit

I started on TNG very young, like 3 or 4. There was a marathon of all the Q episodes and my dad recorded it onto a VHS tape, and that was all I needed to get me hooked. I know your kids's older, but I would recommend whatever Q episode you think he would like the best. For the record I also have three boys, the oldest is six and I haven't quite got them into Star Trek yet 😬. Not for lack of trying!

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MyCatPoopedTinsel@reddit

Start with Yesterday’s Enterprise.

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mikeflamel@reddit

I would suggest two: one is Darmok for him to understand the nature and issues in communication/language and two Who watches the watchers. I am not sure how to interpret Who watches the watchers so I leave it for him.

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EvaTheE@reddit

Code of honor, Sub Rosa, Up the Long Ladder

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InquisitorPeregrinus@reddit

It's wild to see episodes like "Measure.of.a.Man" and "Yesterday's Enterprise" mentioned when they require knowing and being somewhat attached to Data and knowing who Uar is and that she's dead.

Season one has a few that aren't terrible. I'd honestly start with the pilot, with the caveat that this was the first outing and a lot of things weren't nailed down yet. But this is where we meet Q, who is so instrumental to the entire series. So that's a biggie. Follow on, I'd say, almost immediately with Where No Man Has Gone Before". It's pretty important, as that's where Wes becomes an Acting Ensign. After that, one of the better suggestions would probably be "The Battle". It's the first time they take Patrick's training wheels off and let him act. Unfortunately, it also has one of the worst Wesley moments in the entire series.

For my rewatches, I typically start with "We'll Always Have Paris" and let things go straight through into season two, skipping "Shades of Gray". But I'm obviously familiar with those episodes and the references they make.

I was just about 13 when TNG premiered, but I'd also grown up on Star Trek reruns and knew the setting. So I was primed and ready to be all in from the first shot of the pilot. Your son doesn't have that. Which makes it trickier.

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moktira@reddit

I probably got into it when I was 13 and I didn't really care for "talky" episodes at the time, so I wouldn't do things like Measure of a Man or Drumhead (even if he's a 13 year-old who wants to be a lawyer). Things like Q Who, Disaster, or Cause and Effect were more my buzz in those days.

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yeahalrightgoon@reddit

Honestly just episode 1 and 2 of season 1. Explains the characters, gives you an overview of the world, and introduces Q.

Season 1 isn't anywhere near as much of a slog as people make it out to be. There's a few bad episodes, but as a starting point. It's as good as any.

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Destructo-Bear@reddit (OP)

Maybe I'll do 1 and 2 and then drop the measure of a man on his ass to show him what the show is capable of

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notomatostoday@reddit

I think that’s a good idea. Let him develop a fondness or interest in Data first. I think that should make Measure of a Man more intense when Data’s freedom is on the line

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yeahalrightgoon@reddit

Exactly. Same with Darmok. Great episode, but the fact you learn that communication between alien species is ussually straight forward, makes it hit that bit more when they can't.

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yeahalrightgoon@reddit

Works well. I only got into Star Trek recently and started from Season 1 and it was what hooked me. Plus while it's somewhat just episodic, seeing Q come back in, watching the crew evolve etc, made it a better experience, than if I had jumped around etc.

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toowakko4u@reddit

Tapestry, it's a good episode but doesn't delve into a bunch of techno babble and gives a good insight on how our journey makes us who we are and sculpt us, for better or worse.

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Utwee@reddit

Same. I grew up with TNG and this episode really stayed with me when I watched it as a teenager. Probably rewatched it the most.

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Unusual_Entity@reddit

Season 1 can be a bit variable, but I always like The Arsenal of Freedom. Yesterday's Enterprise is good, but as an alternate universe plot it might be more confusing to a newcomer. The Measure of a Man is a good 'lawyer episode' and finish with Best of Both Worlds just to leave him hanging.

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SamuraiGoblin@reddit

The Measure of a Man

Cause and Effect

The Drumhead

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MischeviousFox@reddit

Q Who?

Measure of a Man

Cause & Effect

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DataMeister1@reddit

Instead of getting him to watch just three episodes, make him sit down with you once per week and have Star Trek TNG night. Just one episode per week until he starts begging for more.

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Retinoid634@reddit

I’d start with the first episode, Encounter at Farpoint. It is a solid intro to the show and characters, Q, and the serious themes that Star Trek explores. Then I might skip to episodes in later seasons, Drumhead, Lower Decks. Hmmm. Tough choice.

Check out “The Art of Storytelling” on YouTube. He does serious, entertaining videos that dig into the show’s writing, thematic concepts etc., appreciating the true depth of the show. He’s very engaging, kind of like your coolest college professor who does literary analysis of Star Trek and Star Wars. I’ll link his TNG playlist. Watch a few videos and maybe you’ll find ideas on which episodes you want to show your son.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4ueIz_EEtyUv3mb6P1khdj-T71L_Yc3G&si=_BQMwIETHCJEAyjq

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Syrric_UDL@reddit

I got my mom into with three Q episodes. It was in the 90’s and just happened to be what they were playing in syndication was a Q marathon.

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Jonneiljon@reddit

Let the kid watch what he wants. It is not an "important job" to make your tastes his.

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DJWGibson@reddit

The Measure of a Man and Who Watches the Watchers for sure. Establish the core tenets of the show and the franchise. Morality and humanity.

For a third episode maybe Darmok or The Pegasus. Stand alone stuff that drives home what makes Star Trek different.

Best of luck. But if that doesn’t work you could maybe try Prodigy, which is aimed at kids. Or Strange New Worlds that has more modern storytelling.

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Lynx_Queen@reddit

What does your 13 year old like? I started at 13 with my mom, and I adore Data, (still do, just look at my flair). I instantly loved him in Encounter at Farpoint, so I then watched Data's Day, and from then was hooked. I also really love Vulcans and got interested with them too.

Just show Farpoint or an episode with many different species and characters first, figure out which one your 13 year old likes, then show him/her episodes with that species or character.

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SituationThen4758@reddit

Best of both worlds, yesterday‘s enterprise

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Putrid-Bath-470@reddit

Shades of Grey. Nothing like a clip episode to get a sampling of the show.

Kidding aside, I'd go with:

Measure of a Man Darmok The Offspring

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ironeagle2006@reddit

Sins of the Father to show the how important Worf is in TNG Reunion for the next one Then Redemption for the next 1 yes that one is a 2 parter oh well then you'll have a bad ass way to jump into Yesterday's Enterprise to show what screwing with a timeline looks like.

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Wedgerooka@reddit

Time's Arrow and Relics are excellent, but depend on knowing the original series. So, bottle episodes.

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loveaemily@reddit

Measure of a man

Q Who

Chain of Command

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Temporary_Spread7882@reddit

Starship Mine, Cause and Effect, Yesterday’s Enterprise. Did the trick on my then-9yo.

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donkeyhoeteh@reddit

Ok. These probably aren't great options. But this is what id do.

The Royale

Genesis

Datalore or Q Who

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VikingJesus102@reddit

I would go with three different styles of episodes.

Measure of a Man is the obvious first choice for your civil rights lawyer.

The I'd do something with a little mystery to it. Clues or Cunundrum or Data's Day.

Then I'd go with a fun episode. Something like Disaster where you see characters who don't normally interact together working together or you could always do Cause and Effect which I think is a lot of peoples' first favorite episode of the series.

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dazmeister@reddit

yeah, agree here - Measure of a Man is a clear choice, maybe make it the last one of the three to watch because it shows how good it can get and leaves you wanting more.

Q Who is also works as a good mystery.

Finally I'm always a sucker for the Ent-D falling into the nearest temporal/spatial anomaly or ship takeover/planet graveyard and the whole episode is dedicated to getting out of it. This is like a staple of the series, so many decent choices - Where Silence Has Lease, Time Squared, Cause and Effect, 11001001, Booby Trap, Clues The Arsenal of Freedom, Rascals, heck they even set up the trope in the second episode, The Naked Now.

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OptionWrongUsally@reddit

Encounter at far point

Where no one has gone before

We will always have Paris

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Ok_Scar3456@reddit

The obvious has been mentioned - measure if a man..

What about “ A fistful of Data’s” or “Lower Decks” to add some fun or contrast..

My eldest son and youngest both got interested around 10/11 but they really were hit or miss with what episodes they liked (seemed like no rhyme or reason)

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Popular_Math3042@reddit

"Cause and Effect" (Season 5, Episode 18).

(It’s the one where they are caught in a time loop and the # 3 keeps coming up.

"Deja Q"(Season 3, Episode 13).

(It’s the one where Q gives Riker a cigar and a pair of women.

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tsukiyomi01@reddit

Darmok, Cause and Effect, Contagion.

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drrhrrdrr@reddit

Schisms

Cause and Effect

The Drumhead

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spockw@reddit

I firmly believe that "best episodes of Star Trek" and "best episodes of Star Trek to launch someone into the series" are two different things. While most of TNG is pretty episodic/self-contained, some of the best episodes do require some prior knowledge and investment in the characters/world. Also: part of the joy of Star Trek is the "bad", campy episodes. And introducing your son (or anyone) to 3 bangers isn't going to capture that. For this reason, I am explicitly recommending against some of best episodes: Inner Light, Yesterday's Enterprise, and Best of Both Worlds.

Here are my recommendations:

Encounter at Farpoint. Best place to start is the start. Probably one of the weaker series premieres, but you get introduced to all the characters and the plot/resolution are quintessentially TNG.
Conspiracy. Engaging plot that flex's Star Trek's dramatic chops and wraps itself up in a single episode. This is the rec I feel least strongly about so feel free to swap it out.
Measure of a Man. The one banger I will allow. If there is one episode in all of Trek that summarized its philosophy of IDIC, this is it. Plus, it's probably the best courtroom episode for the kid who wants to be a lawyer.

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deadlyspoons@reddit

The Devil’s Due. First Contact. The Arsenal of Freedom.

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BeepBoopRobotVoice@reddit

You’re gonna get a lot of great responses here, but imho, if you want someone get get “hooked” on TNG the three episodes are:

Time Squared
Clues
Cause and Effect

Honorable mention: Conundrum and Power Play (although better to let them see these after they’ve seen enough episodes to know the cast.

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smiles__@reddit

Clues is under rated. It had some great messaging, and some silly fun scifi

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annaane@reddit

Start with lower decks! TNG is too adulty

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smiles__@reddit

"remember me" the Beverly 'if there's nothing wrong with men then there is something wrong with the universe' is a good one.

Also Data's "Clues" is good too.

I wouldn't lean just into court episodes.

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Destructo-Bear@reddit (OP)

My brother suggested inner light, darmok, and q who

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vaguity@reddit

Great picks. However, I’d argue “The Inner Light” has much more of a punch if you’ve gotten to know Picard as a person.

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MidwestThistle@reddit

Deja Q, Cause and Effect, The Offspring. Would not start with Inner Light or Tapestry -those are meaningful only if you are already invested.

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KnaveSkye@reddit

I dunno, I think inner light might be one of the easier episodes to enjoy knowing nothing about the normal cast.

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dashsolo@reddit

Fuck, now I just want to start another rewatch.

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awn262018@reddit

Code of Honor Shades of Grey Beverly sex ghost

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dashsolo@reddit

I believe you mean: ”Beverly’s Sex Ghost”

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ApexInTheRough@reddit

Measure Of A Man

Darmok

Data's Day - A perfect follow-up to Measure of a Man, since it is both fun (as you asked) and the framing device is a letter to Bruce Maddox, the officer challenging his right be a person in Measure Of A Man.

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Happy1327@reddit

Plus it has Romulans....and dancing

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TheBurgareanSlapper@reddit

The Drumhead (trial episode, not necessarily better than Measure of a Man but I think a 13 year old would enjoy it more)

Remember Me (fun, spooky, high concept)

Parallels (multiverse stories are big now)

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matedow@reddit

Yesterday’s Enterprise Cause and Effect Best of Both Worlds

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La10deRiver@reddit

Encounter at Far Point. He would need to be introduced to the characters. And then if you do a newer episode he would wonder why Tasha is not there anymore and how Geordi became the chief engineers. So he would like to watch.

Measure of a man. So he would see how the years would make everyone grow in their appreciation of Data, and Data himself grew better.

The best of both worlds, if he allows you a 2-part episode.

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drvondoctor@reddit

Throw him a curveball and show him two episodes of DS9, and Measure of a Man.

I cant believe im blanking on the episode title, but you all know the one... 1930s-ish story about a science fiction writer...

You all know the one.

Followed by the one where Sisko has his say about the dangers of rewriting history in the midst of a fun Oceans 11 style casino heist.

I feel like the aspiring civil rights lawyer should see the episodes that actually directly reference civil rights, and dont just hint at the topic.

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SouthpawXtn@reddit

Darmok, The Best of Both World (both parts, I count that as one episode), and Measure of a Man.

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EricandtheLegion@reddit

I would personally go with:

Darmok - it's an episode all about communication and understanding. It's got a daring adventure and survival element. The performances are really good. It ends with Picard saving the day by learning a language rather than violence.

First Contact (episode) - super fun episode about first contact and watching what happens when the Federations plans go awry. Has some solid performances both comedically and dramatically. Just a great one!

A Matter Of Perspective - maybe not as famous as Measure of a Man or Drumhead for TNG trials but I think it is a much more "fun" one. It's got murder mystery stuff, trial stuff, holodeck stuff. Just another option if you want to ease into a slower (not worse! just slower!) episode like the other court ones.

For what it's worth, I think court scenes, first contact scenes, and prime directive scenes are what make Star Trek particularly great. But I am also trying to think of it from the perspective of a 13 year old who might be used to faster paced TV.

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Kamoflage7@reddit

Sounds like you’re locked into Measure of a Man and Best of Both Worlds.

Some others to consider: A Matter of Time, The Perfect Mate, Starship Mine, and The Wounded.

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BILLCLINTONMASK@reddit

Cause and Effect is the number one best episode to introduce someone to the series with.

The opening scene with the ship blowing up is an instant hook. The sci-fi mystery plot is well done. It'll keep them engaged when it keeps repeating and they look for differences. And the simplicity of the solution plus the cameo at the end puts it all together for a memorable outing.

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