2. “Best of Both Worlds” (Season 3, Episode 26; Season 4, Episode 1)
This two-part episode is one reason why the Borg are a standout amongst the most prominent villains of the series. The season finale gave an epic cliffhanger. When the Borg hijack Picard and force him to become their representative, the Federation must betray one of their own. Seeing Picard as the Borg Locutus is stunning, and this episode reverberates through later episodes, including the film First Contact.
1. “The Inner Light” (Season 5, Episode 25)
When an alien test takes control of Captain Picard, he winds up on an alien world. He turns into a resident of the withering planet Kataan, and lives decades with a spouse, children, and grandchildren in a span of twenty minutes. The humanity, the romantic tale, the hopelessness at bringing up and then losing children who never truly existed made this a standout amongst the most capable and emotional scenes TNG ever did.
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