PATRON TIER LIST - TNG S4E15
Added 2024-10-08 11:57:47 +0000 UTCGrade the episode based on whatever criteria you want, but here is an explanation of our tier grades:
S-tier: Our favorite Star Trek episodes. Does not always directly tie to overall “quality” although it many times does.
A-tier: The best “quality” based grade. Little to no issues with the episode outside of alternative ideas
B-tier: BANGER! Positives heavily outweigh negatives
C-tier: Average Star Trek episode. Usually not noteworthy in either direction, or an extremely mixed bag. Lowest tier that we would consider a “positive” grade
D-tier: Either didn’t care about the episode or were disappointed by it. Not interested in rewatching
E-tier: Our least favorite Star Trek episodes. We were most likely severely frustrated and see little to no redeeming qualities
Comments
A lot of people will really like this one and I can't hold it against them. For my tastes, this is one of the worst of the franchise.
Shane Coombs
2024-10-15 01:50:52 +0000 UTCHumans seem to be compatible with just about every species they've encountered so far. We have half Vulcans, half Klingons, half Betazoids, half Romulans, and others yet to make their first appearances.
Jim J
2024-10-14 23:08:34 +0000 UTCThis one is good. I'd give it a high B but, on its day, it may rate a low A.
Jim J
2024-10-14 22:05:59 +0000 UTCSame here. I’m surprised to see a lot of love for it, so I guess we are I. The minority
TalynStarburst
2024-10-14 14:57:49 +0000 UTCThis one is another fun watch but also important in seeing things from both sides. It's a solid episode for me and in my top 10 for season 4.
Dru Blood
2024-10-14 13:36:22 +0000 UTCThis had the pacing and acting of a soap opera of that time period. Great idea, but weakly executed. It was tonally inconsistent. I liked the idea but found the episode “meh” at best.
Crankygrandma
2024-10-10 17:32:10 +0000 UTCToo late to get this heard, but I definitely put this in an A tier, despite the fact that it is one of my favorite episodes of the Season. It's a very good episode, and gives us a new perspective on these things. Unfortunately, it also somewhat retreads ground we've already covered before, and it does come off as a little bit silly. Still, all in all, it's a good episode, and I doubt it'll rate much below an A tier for you guys.
John
2024-10-10 15:41:20 +0000 UTCThat struck me too, the way it’s presented Troi actually looked quite intimidating, just materialising like that.
Paul Rymer
2024-10-10 14:42:06 +0000 UTCAt the time Bebe Neuwirth was a quite popular actress who was on Cheers. Her little role was pretty comical, which is likely why she was hired for it. Sex for freedom? Why not? EDIT: Bebe has already been mentioned by a few below. A-tier, for me.
Matt G Cowart
2024-10-10 13:08:08 +0000 UTC“First Contact” ranks in my Top 10 favorite TNG episodes! It was so effective in telling the story through the eyes of the planet’s inhabitants that when Picard and Troi first materialized, THEY jarringly came off as the aliens! A master class in effective writing! And a storytelling risk that paid off brilliantly!
Raphael Gaytan
2024-10-10 01:09:05 +0000 UTCA continuity I love - the wine bottle was from Robert Picard when he said "do not drink it all at once, and try not to drink it alone"
C
2024-10-10 00:31:45 +0000 UTCSolid A for me. It's a good first contact episode where it isn't really a happy go lucky ending. Picard always seems bothered and disappointed by the outcome which I like. Everything can't always come up roses. It also has a bit of a TOS feel to me.
s0rd3z
2024-10-09 23:39:57 +0000 UTCThis episode is the midway point of the TNG series.
Ron Hubbard Jr
2024-10-09 22:04:07 +0000 UTCRiker's interplanetary rizz.
Mike Rogers
2024-10-09 21:35:20 +0000 UTCI grew up on classic Doctor Who so a companion being whisked away from everything they knew without an opportunity to tell anyone and a chance they won't be coming back was a regular occurrence. So it never bothered me, except that they never followed up on it.
THE LORE!!!
2024-10-09 19:08:16 +0000 UTCInterestingly, Mirasta leaving at the end was the one part of the episode that didn’t really work for me. It’s like ok she’s caught up in the moment, but never seeing anyone you’ve ever known again, and being thrust into a “world” you know nothing about. I can’t believe Picard had carte blanche to just pick up citizens from non-federation planets. It was a very Mary Sue moment.
Glenn Johnson Barnes
2024-10-09 18:31:09 +0000 UTCStraight up one of my favorite TNG episodes. Not the best of the series, but definitely one of the most enjoyable.
Glenn Johnson Barnes
2024-10-09 18:24:59 +0000 UTCI missed it as it aired so I knew that she wouldn't. In fact, I didn't get to see this episode for one reason or another until much much later (post Nemesis) and was the last TNG episode I saw for the first time. So the episode itself was special enough as it was the last time with the crew. But she literally felt like the fictional embodiment of being a Star Trek fan, so always felt extra special to me.
THE LORE!!!
2024-10-09 17:52:46 +0000 UTCIf this was DS9, she definitely would have stayed and probably had a huge arc.
THE LORE!!!
2024-10-09 17:47:30 +0000 UTCI absolutely agree. There were too many of those "missed opportunities" throughout the Star Trek saga, and this one stands out. Mirasta is a true stand-out character, and here's to all those guest and recurring characters who are just like her.
Rhett Coates
2024-10-09 17:36:30 +0000 UTCOh dang, then I need to thank tng for the x files ! 🤣 it just feels like another show to me is what I mean to say, and x files it’s what it feels like.
Sixto
2024-10-09 13:33:35 +0000 UTCKirk would have been rizzin’ up every female within sight if this were a TOS episode…
marty63026
2024-10-09 12:37:33 +0000 UTCMany people think the US government has been hiding extraterrestrials existence from them for decades so I imagine on this planet his successor would be briefed and would keep the secret.
marty63026
2024-10-09 12:35:33 +0000 UTCX-Files did not premiere until 1993
marty63026
2024-10-09 12:31:55 +0000 UTCIt’s not a toomah
Phil Ken Sebben
2024-10-09 09:22:11 +0000 UTCI love this one. It gives a look at the complexity of a first contact mission. You can imagine how something like this would play out on earth. One of my favorites of the season, easy S tier for me.
JoeCensored
2024-10-09 06:05:06 +0000 UTCWhile this episode isn't executed perfectly, I'm biased to label it "S-Tier." The whole installment feels like a mind game "what if" fantasy, but it's fully played out and enjoyable and philosophical and very... Trek. There's a reason that RedLetterMedia like talking about this episode. It feels like the fundamental ideas and thought processes of Star Trek broken down to its key components. Just ignore the alien love-making portion and it's all golden.
Shortskirtsandexplosions
2024-10-09 03:42:33 +0000 UTCI always want to love this episode so much! I mean, FIRST CONTACT! But I always have a little bit of a problem feeling a bit too much like it’s trying to be an x-files episode. I always feel conflicted with it ! A true B episode for me.
Sixto
2024-10-09 03:31:06 +0000 UTCAn absolutely wonderful idea with good but not necessarily great execution. Very good but not "best of season" material.
Cirk Bejnar
2024-10-09 02:57:16 +0000 UTCI think you guys will enjoy this, has a lot to do at lot about the prime directive, and showing us as the alien's . So i think the plot and idea is good and has good moments. its not one i rewatch
DataL0re
2024-10-09 02:02:02 +0000 UTC“First Contact” is my favorite TNG episode. It is Star Trek in its purest form. This was the first time we are seeing Starfleet and the Federation from the viewpoint of an alien world. The chancellor reflecting how his world, his perception of the universe had changed by finding out his civilization isn’t unique was a powerful statement and one that has always stuck with me.
Ron Hubbard Jr
2024-10-09 02:00:02 +0000 UTCThe A plot is not Riker or really even the TNG characters - it is Mirasta and the Chancellor, giving a reflection of first contact from the other side. Those actors (not the other foils like doctors, Krola, and the supefan) elevate from A to S.
C
2024-10-09 01:26:32 +0000 UTCI rated this episode a B-tier and I believe you will find it entertaining. That being said, this is also an episode I can watch over and over again. I want to go back someday and see what happened. Did the President have to fight the traditionalist and anti science crowd as he tried to advance his people? Moreover, he had to try while withholding knowledge of the existence of other intelligent and more advanced life in the universe. What happened when he told his successor?
Aaron Holden
2024-10-09 00:08:37 +0000 UTCEpisode where Riker kinda gets raped. But otherwise good episode and raises some things to think about. I rated it an A but it's closer to a B then S.
Greg Quinn
2024-10-08 23:21:21 +0000 UTCWhen we first watched this my buddy and I hoped for the same thing. She was a great character! Imagine seeing strange, new worlds through her eyes!
Column Meanie
2024-10-08 22:19:14 +0000 UTCWhen I watched this back in 1991 I hated it with a passion, it was in 2001 when I saw it again As a result, I’m going to say and predict that you guys are gonna love this episode. As time has gone by my opinion of this episode has improved from being absolute trash to being a good solid A. It was jarring when I saw it originally it took too many things and turned them on their side in the way, I didn’t appreciate it, at the time. But looking at it now it’s one of the more clever episodes
Thicketdweller
2024-10-08 22:01:44 +0000 UTCLanel "I'll help you escape, but only if you make love to me like one of your Earth women" Riker "Alright, I'll do it..............for science"
Timothy Nikiforovs
2024-10-08 21:55:34 +0000 UTCYou mean she might have impregnated HIM? Let's hope Star Trek never has a story like that.
Timothy Nikiforovs
2024-10-08 21:54:13 +0000 UTCI’m not sure, however, if I’m not mistaken, that nurse is BB whatever her name is that was playing Frasier‘s wife on cheers and Frasier And she adds a certain weirdness to it just like she did in cheers
Thicketdweller
2024-10-08 21:45:47 +0000 UTCI guess I just never cared enough about most of the Malcorian characters to figure anything out. Then again, I do like several parts of it, so maybe on my next watch everything will finally come together for me. It hasn't on the several other times I've watched it, but since I did rank it higher than "Time Filler With Good Moments" one never knows...
KatWithAttitude
2024-10-08 21:33:31 +0000 UTCAgreed. They got away with it because of the genders for sure. He was uncomfortable as hell for sure.
Lt Dan I scream
2024-10-08 20:59:31 +0000 UTCThe society was supposed to be reflection of our own. Very very similar, just with small and insignificant differences.
Jovet
2024-10-08 20:11:39 +0000 UTCHow is it confusing?
Jovet
2024-10-08 19:48:29 +0000 UTCMany fantasies playing out here . . .
Jovet
2024-10-08 19:47:40 +0000 UTCIt wasn't and isn't "cringe." It's just as ludicrous as some people are about aliens then and today.
Jovet
2024-10-08 19:46:53 +0000 UTCThis is an excellent episode (A), with excellent writing, excellent characters, and is a rather unique microscope-mirror into our own society.
Jovet
2024-10-08 19:45:20 +0000 UTCR*pey as hell I'd say. The fact that it was a woman doing it to a man does not make it any less problematic.
JHVJ
2024-10-08 19:26:24 +0000 UTCThis is a very believable take on how dramatic a first contact with an alien species would affect society, in my opinion. I've always felt that Sci-fi is best when it serves as speculative fiction. Imagining what a different society might look like based on what we know of human behavior. I appreciate that the issue here is more multi-faceted than Who Watches the Watchers, which does just seem to be anti-religion/anti-faith.
Deep Red
2024-10-08 19:24:11 +0000 UTCThe nurse who wouldnt help unless Riker made love to her was a bit weird .. got to love 90s TV ... but overall good episode.
Lt Dan I scream
2024-10-08 19:10:02 +0000 UTCIf aliens made first contact with Earth, this episode is what the writers were afraid the general population's reaction would be - a hyper polarized pro/con. In reality, most of us wouldn't care because we kinda have a lot going on right now.
#MaxwellDidNothingWrong
2024-10-08 18:37:18 +0000 UTCUltimately, I prefer "Who Watches the Watchers" for a first contact episode, but this one is definitely an A-tier for me -- quite memorable and features some great performances. I can't help but think that the sex-for-escape scene wouldn't (or couldn't) be done today. I know it's played for laughs (particularly with Bebe Neuwirth playing the nurse role), but it was pretty cringe even in the '90s in what is otherwise a very serious and beautiful story. EDIT: "Who Watches the Watchers" was more of a Prime Directive story than first contact, although both of these feature mistakes by Starfleet that carry significant ramifications.
Jesse Manning
2024-10-08 18:28:53 +0000 UTCTrue
Keith S
2024-10-08 18:08:14 +0000 UTCI’m sure the biological is quite different. Highly doubt that they are compatible in that way. I bet the sex was weird
Phil Ken Sebben
2024-10-08 17:07:02 +0000 UTCThis is another S tier episode. This presented in a totally different and unexpected way and Frakes does a great job just laying in a bed most of the time. Picard provesto be a master diplomat again. Some cultures just aren’t ready despite their technological advancement. +1 to Riker on prof moff’s board. Even though this species has weird hands they are apparently compatible sexually.
Phil Ken Sebben
2024-10-08 17:05:23 +0000 UTCA good twist on the visitors from the stars idea where WE are the scary unknown. And an interesting cameo from the "Cheers" and "Fraiser" actress for Lilith. A great conceptual episode that explains a fundamental aspect of the franchise.
Nolan
2024-10-08 16:12:11 +0000 UTCAlmost an S, but I reserve that for game changers, like Best of Both Worlds and Family. Still one of my favorite non-S episodes, it's got everything great Science Fiction should have; aliens, sociology, an emerging warp society, and stakes for Riker. And last but not least, a plausible window into what our first alien contact might look like. Great Science Fiction wins every time. You will love this one!♥️
Michael Metrick
2024-10-08 15:54:13 +0000 UTCThis is my favorite first contact episode of any Star Trek franchise. The only other one that matches it for me is the pilot episode of Strange New Worlds. Everything was so well thought out and all of the characters and their actions were completely believable.
Nick Sauer
2024-10-08 15:51:35 +0000 UTCJust short of S tier for me, and my favorite episode dealing with alien first contact. I love that the society we see is complex, and realistic. I love that their leader truly is trying to bring his society together. Frankly, he out-Picards Picard with his speeches. If not for the ridiculous nurse scene, it might have made my S tier
Jeffrey
2024-10-08 15:47:30 +0000 UTCGuess that depends on how ‘different’ their sex is from humans. Riker says its ‘different’ so maybe the males don’t impregnate the females the same way we do.😎
marty63026
2024-10-08 15:21:28 +0000 UTCS tier for me
Josef Nitervol
2024-10-08 15:15:29 +0000 UTCI really appreciate that whoever was ultimately saying "yes" or "no" on things decided to give the green light to another episode about first contact going wrong(Who Watches the Watchers S3E4). This episode obviously has different themes which keeps it from feeling stale and Riker's Rizz getting him into and out of trouble is always fun, so I give it an "A" FWIW.
Pokeysaurus
2024-10-08 15:09:15 +0000 UTCSeeing most of the story from the aliens' perspective might make this a perfect episode for introducing someone to Star Trek for the first time.
Jeff Cornell
2024-10-08 14:59:41 +0000 UTCChancellor Duken may have trouble keeping this under raps. Especially if Lanel gets pregnant. Yup, I went there.
Keith S
2024-10-08 14:59:18 +0000 UTCPlayed by the actress that was Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth) in Cheers/Frasier.
Matthew Martin
2024-10-08 14:55:27 +0000 UTCRemembered mostly for a horny alien hospital worker wanting to shtup Riker...
Darin Wagner
2024-10-08 14:47:19 +0000 UTCThe hook on this show had me thinkimg I tuned in ER by mistake. Until the reveal that this was not an ER on Earth. Then of course that then they revealed that the patient was Riker. I also thought this was a short hook, but I think it that it was just paced very fast.
Keith S
2024-10-08 14:43:03 +0000 UTCThis is one of my favorite episodes. Carolyn Seymour, who plays Mirasta Yale, is one of my all time favorite actresses. She is so graceful and effortless in any role she plays. The plot is also pretty believable. I could see humans acting like the Malcorians. Also, Bebe Neuwirth!! 🍻 (Everyone knows her name!)
Connor Fallon
2024-10-08 14:38:00 +0000 UTCI hated this episode. I don't know why, but nothing about it worked for me. It's rare when I give an episode this low of a grade.. No hate on anyone who liked or loved it, just wasn't for me.
wildhunt1973
2024-10-08 14:35:19 +0000 UTCI think you’ll like this one, if for no other reason because it is mostly from the aliens’ point of view. Note the return of actress Carolyn Seymour, last seen as a Romulan in “Contagion.” I loved her voice!
tyranusfan
2024-10-08 14:26:26 +0000 UTCWatching episodes a 2nd (or 8th) time after having seen it on original airing, it's hard for me to dismiss those OTA feelings I had initially. Bebe Neuwirth took me out of the episode - and she still does. She was Lilith (Frazier) and I wish they'd used an unknown in the role. But a good episode aside from that.
Mushroom-Bagel-Bites
2024-10-08 14:26:02 +0000 UTCGreat premise that flips the script on first contact. Nearly an S but it's a bit heavy handed in its message and some of the character portrayals. Still a strong episode but when it comes to "Contact", Sagan did it better
Dan Halstead
2024-10-08 14:20:52 +0000 UTCDefinitely S-Tier. To me, this episode, along with Who Watches The Watchers, perfectly embody Gene's vision for the future of humanity. One in which we solve our problems with words instead of violence, and we embrace hope, peace, and science. That, and sex with aliens!
Michael Mannisto
2024-10-08 14:11:41 +0000 UTCReally wish Mirasta had become part of the regular cast. She had such an exuberance for planetary exploration and with how close of an analog the Malcorians are to 20th century humans, she could have been very relatable to what it's like to be a long way from home with these advanced beings. Great character, missed opportunity.
THE LORE!!!
2024-10-08 13:48:19 +0000 UTCOne of my favorites of the whole franchise. I love their chancellor. "This morning, I was the leader of the whole world, this afternoon I am but one voice in a chorus." Great stuff. (Yes, my fellow Trek fans, I probably didn't quote him word for word...it's the thought that counts)
Alexander McKechnie
2024-10-08 13:47:49 +0000 UTCI love this episode even though it mirrors the lack of progress in our own society. I felt disappointed when Durken said that they will pause the scientific programs.
Sainjl
2024-10-08 13:37:27 +0000 UTCI love this episode. Seeing it from the alien’s perspective is awesome, really the first time Star Trek has done that. It’s not the first time we’ve seen a first contact but it’s the first time it wasn’t by accident or a disaster. The leader of their government really wrestled with his decision and in the end wisely decided his society was just not ready to accept that aliens exist and Picard keeps his word and leaves. Great! This is why Picard is my favorite captain. ‘A’ tier for me…
marty63026
2024-10-08 13:33:57 +0000 UTCA good solid sci-fi ep.
Prof Moff
2024-10-08 13:26:02 +0000 UTCThis planet's version of Tucker Carlson was right.
Prof Moff
2024-10-08 13:25:26 +0000 UTCI’m not sure what fan consensus is on this one but for me it’s S tier, I love the approach the episode takes on first contact from the other side. The xenophobia and paranoia all seem quite realistic. It’s a good Picard episode and the guest case is pretty good overall too! Nice shout out to the bottle of wine Robert gave Picard too!
Darren Seal
2024-10-08 13:23:30 +0000 UTCProbably the only time in Riker's life he has to be bribed to have sex with a woman. For me a confusing episode that's all over the place, but I have it ranked as “Enjoyable”.
KatWithAttitude
2024-10-08 12:43:30 +0000 UTCOh boy, you know there are gonna be some serious conspiracy theories on that planet afterwards. Rumors of aliens visitors, government coverups, nixing the warp drive program. Really makes you wonder…
Evan Guthrie
2024-10-08 12:30:19 +0000 UTCProbably most people will like this better than me. But sometimes the human-looking "aliens" just get to be too much. It's Meh. I rate it a "C".
Charlie's Illiteracy
2024-10-08 12:21:01 +0000 UTCSays: “There are differences in the way my people make love.” Thinks: “Yeah, we gonna get it on.” -Riker, probably
Andrew F.
2024-10-08 12:20:16 +0000 UTCBy far one of my favorite episodes of the entire series. Love that the show starts by dropping us right in to the situation (in fact when it first aired in 1991 it was preempted 10 mins due to football and I thought I missed the first 10 mins!). Such a fascinating episode that flips the script on what first contact would really be like. Excellent guest cast all around. Of course Bebe Neuwirth steals her scene as the horny nurse who wants to bang Riker. The real star of the episode is Carolyn Seymour who is insanely believable as the scientist who’s wanted to go into space since she was a little girl (we saw her in Season 2 as the Romulan Taris in “Contagion”). Love her range in the scene where Picard and Troi reveal themselves, followed by her immense joy of seeing her world from the windows of Ten Forward. Also, note the wine that Picard and the Chancellor drink is from “Family”…Picard indeed didn’t drink it alone! Nothing short of S++ for me!
Column Meanie
2024-10-08 12:19:07 +0000 UTCThis is my kind of Star Trek episode! It's an S-tier for me along with Who Watches the Watchers for their first contact plots. It probably ranks a lot lower for most fans though. As someone who puts A Matter of Perspective in the same tier, I consider this the A Matter of Perspective of Season 4.
BN13
2024-10-08 12:17:49 +0000 UTCI love how it takes a lot of real life 20th century theories and perspectives on aliens and secret government knowledge about them and flips it on its head like this. Even if aliens were as benevolent as the Federation, it probably would still play out somewhat like this on Earth.
Forbidden Donut
2024-10-08 12:17:48 +0000 UTCThis episode is the only one in the series that changes the format dramatically, by telling the story from the alien's perspective. I think that works in its favor - we know the crew, let's see them through the alien's eyes.
xadg
2024-10-08 12:12:02 +0000 UTCS Tier episode, however in predicting both of your opinions, I think judging based on your liking, but not fawning over "Who Watches the Watchers" back in S3, you'll give this one a respectable A.
Paul
2024-10-08 12:10:54 +0000 UTCLol Riker gets a groupie. Picard’s diplomatic work in this episode is spot on.
Ross Townsend
2024-10-08 12:02:33 +0000 UTCIf my maths are correct - you're now at the halfway point of the entire run of TNG! (excluding the movies) So, genuine question, is it your favourite TV show ever yet? :) As for the episode - personally I really like this one - seeing First Contact from the other side is really interesting and it's easy to imagine our own politicians acting like this! Great guest cast including Carolyn Seymour - who we've seen before as a Romulan in Season 2's Contagion!
Alan F
2024-10-08 12:01:39 +0000 UTC
