Summary
Science fiction author Melinda M. Snodgrass wrote five episodes ofStar Trek: The Next Generation. Following the adventures of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the USS Enterprise-D,TNGtold mostly episodic stories with plotlines spanning only a single episode. Because of this format,many different screenwriters wrote episodes ofTNGover the years, and some were more prolific than others.Although Snodgrass did not contribute as many episodes as other writers, only one of her stories failed to translate well on screen.
After the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike, Paramount, the studio behindStar Trek: The Next Generation,was looking for new scripts for the show’s second season. In their search, they came upon Melinda Snodgrass’s non-commissioned spec script that would eventually becomeTNG’sclassic"The Measure of a Man.“Snodgrass’s previous experience as a lawyer helped her craft a phenomenal courtroom episode widely regarded as one ofStar Trek’sbest stories.Thanks to the success of “The Measure of a Man,” Snodgrass was asked to join the writing staff ofStar Trek: The Next Generation,serving as a story editor and script consultant. Here are Snodgrass’TNGepisodes ranked, worst to best.
Melinda Snodgrass has also written several science fiction novels and short stories, including aStar Trek: The Original Seriestie-in novel calledThe Tears of the Singers.
25 Best Star Trek: TNG Episodes Of All Time
Star Trek: The Next Generation produced some of the best and most beloved science fiction television of all time. Here is TNG’s best of the best.
5"Up The Long Ladder”
Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 2, Episode 18
When the USS Enterprise receives a distress call from the planet Bringloid, they discover a colony of primitive human farmers descended from an old Earth freighter.Led by Danilo Odell (Barrie Ingham) and his daughter Brenna (Rosalyn Landor), these colonists clash with the 24th-century Enterprise crew members.While there are some humorous moments throughoutStar Trek: The Next Generation’s “Up the Long Ladder,” the colonists are outdated Irish stereotypes even by 1980s standards.
The Enterprise also encounters another colony that developed from the same Earth ship, but these colonists have kept their advanced technology and resorted to cloning to continue their line.In the end, the two colonies merge, but the message of acceptance and tolerance gets lost a bit in the execution.According toStar Trek: The Next Generation Companion,Melinda Snodgrass intended the episode to be a commentary on immigration, but she admits that rewrites and budget constraints diluted the message.
4"The High Ground"
Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3, Episode 12
When the USS Enterprise-D delivers medical supplies to the war-torn planet of Rutia IV, Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) is kidnapped by terrorists.Crusher refuses to cooperate, even when confronted by the terrorist leader, Kyril Finn (Richard Cox).As Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) works with the Rutian security forces to locate Dr. Crusher, Beverly begins to sympathize with Finn and his cause.
Dr. Crusher is at her most profoundly compassionate in “The High Ground,” proving why she’s one ofStar Trek’sbest doctors. She does not support the terrorists' actions, but she comes to understand why they believe in their cause.Not only is “The High Ground” one of Dr. Crusher’s bestTNGepisodes, but it’s also the firstStar Trekepisode to be both written and directed by women.It’s a solid story that explores what terrorism does to people, from the perspective of the terrorists themselves and the ones fighting against them.
10 Best Dr. Crusher TNG & Star Trek Picard Episodes
Gates McFadden has had many great moments during her time as Dr. Beverly Crusher, and here are 10 of her best episodes from TNG and Picard.
3"The Ensigns of Command"
Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3, Episode 2
Melinda Snodgrass penned three excellentepisodes centered on Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner), includingStar Trek: The Next Generationseason 3’s “The Ensigns of Command.” Whenthe Starship Enterprise receives a message from the mysterious and powerful Sheliak,they must find a way to evacuate a planet full of colonists. The Sheliak threaten to exterminate the colonists if they are not removed, and Data beams down to the planet to convince them to leave.
As Captain Picard buys time with the Sheliak,Data works with a local named Ard’rian McKenzie (Eileen Seeley) to convince the more unwilling colonists to evacuate.With help from Ard’rian, Data gets creative, using reverse psychology and destructive force to persuade the colonists. Ard’rian begins to develop feelings for Data, and although he says he cannot reciprocate them, “The Ensigns of Command” marks another important step on his journey to become human.
2"Pen Pals"
Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 2, Episode 15
Melinda Snodgrass wrote for Data particularly well, and “Pen Pals” is another excellent Data-centricStar Trek: The Next Generationepisode.When Data intercepts a cry for help from a young alien girl named Sarjenka (Nikki Cox), he cannot help but respond to her plea.The two strike up a conversation, which later puts Captain Picard in an awkward position when Sarjenka’s planet begins dying. Picard initially refuses to aid Sarjenka’s planet, claiming it would violate Starfleet’s Prime Directive.
Although Melinda Snodgrass wrote the teleplay for “Pen Pals,” fellowTNGwriter Hannah Louise Shearer came up with the story idea.
In the end, Captain Picard cannot turn his back on the fearful cries of a young girl, and the Enterprise saves Sarjenka’s planet without her people’s knowledge. Although Sarjenka retains no memories of the encounter, the little girl has a profound effect on Data.A young Nikki Cox delivers an adorably compelling performance as Sarjenka, making her one ofTNG’sbest child guest stars. “Pen Pals” also marks an important step on Data’s journey to discover his humanity, as he clearly cares about Sarjenka.
Picard Almost Let A Planet Be Destroyed To Preserve Star Trek: TNG’s Prime Directive
Data helps Captain Picard see that even Starfleet’s most important rule sometimes needs to be broken on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
1"The Measure Of A Man"
Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 2, Episode 9
“The Measure of a Man” is often cited as being one ofStar Trek: The Next Generation’sbest episodes, and for a good reason. It tells a quintessentiallyStar Trekstory, complete with a thoughtful exploration of what it means to be human. It’s impressive enough that"The Measure of a Man" was Melinda Snodgrass’s first-ever television script,but the story has also withstood the test of time.Dr. Bruce Maddox (Brian Brophy)arrives on the Enterprise, perfectly slimy as the villain who wants to dismantle Data, leading to a trial that continues to reverberate throughout theStar Trekuniverse.
“The Measure of a Man” marks a turning point in Data’sStar Trek: The Next Generationstory, as Starfleet confirms that, whether or not the android has a soul, he is, in fact, his own person.Everything about the episode works, from Captain Picard’s passionate defense of Data to Commander Riker’s reluctant rebuttal.In the end, even Dr. Maddox cannot deny Data’s personhood. “The Measure of a Man” also marked a significant turning point forStar Trek: The Next Generationas a series, foreshadowing its status as one of the greatest science fiction shows of all time.
