Star Trek The Next Generation: Season 6

A brief synopsis of the "stand out" episodes of this particularly great season:

Relics - This superb episode is one of the most treasured episodes of the season as Scotty makes an appearance in the twenty fourth century and is befriended by the crew of the current Enterprise.

True Q - This is another great Q episode where John de Lancie makes his first of two sixth season appearances as Q. Amanda Rogers, a young honor student is aboard the Enterprise and she is beginning to display some "Q" powers.

Rascals - This is another one of the exceptional episodes of the season where a transporter accident turns Picard, Guinan, Ro Laren and Keiko O'Brien into children. Not longer after this "accident," Ferengi end up in control of the ship. Picard and the other "rascals" must find a way to regain control of the Enterprise.

A Fistful of Datas - Star Trek meets the old west in a hilarious and quite memorable episode. Alexander convinces his father to join him on the holodeck in an "ancient" western. Unfortunately the holodeck safeties become defective when Data performs an experiment that goes awry and he becomes integrated with the holodeck, putting Worf, Troi and Alexander in danger.

Chain of Command, Parts I & II - In this exceptional two part episode Starfleet Command has a new mission for Picard and part of that plan is replacing him with the irascible Captain Edward Jellico in command of the Enterprise. While Jellico is dealing with the Cardassians, Picard's team sets off on their mission but is captured. We meet Gul Madred who is played superbly by David Warner. In some of the most heart wrenching scenes of Trek ever, we're forced to watch as Gul Madred tortures Picard.

Ship in a Bottle - In this particularly great episode, the producers bring closure to the second season episode that introduced Professor James Moriarty and his being put in computer memory.

Face of the Enemy - This episode is probably one of the best Troi episodes of the entire seven year run. She awakens and looks in the mirror only to find she looks like a Romulan. Troi finds that she must act out the role of a Tal Shiar agent and help the Romulan "unificationists" in order to hopefully get away from the Romulans.

Tapestry - In a rare second "Q" episode in one season, Q returns when Picard is injured and his artificial heart is damage beyond repair. Q begins to explore the "tapestry" of Picard's life. Q takes Picard all the way back to when a Nausicaan ran him through with a sword, causing him to get the artificial heart. Tapestry in my opinion is probably the best Q/Picard episode of the series.

Birthright Parts I & II We are treated to an excellent episode as the Enterprise is docked at Deep Space Nine and Worf is approached by a Yridian named Shrek who wishes to sell him some information about his father. Worf agrees to purchase the information as long as Shrek takes him to where his father is supposed to be alive. What followed was one of the best "Klingon" episodes ever done in Star Trek.

Lessons - For the first time in his career, Picard meets a fellow officer under his command who he becomes attracted to. This is a beautifully well written episode as we see Picard falling in love with Commander Darren and then go through gut wrenching anguish as he fears his orders may have caused her death.

The Chase - In another excellent episode, we meet Professor Galen who was one of Picard's professors at the Academy. He offers Picard the opportunity of a lifetime for an archaeologist by joining him for an extended period of time. Unfortunately he must refuse as he cannot leave the Enterprise. Not long after Professor Galen departs, he is killed and Picard embarks on a mission of the utmost importance to find what Galen was looking for. They make an astonishing discovery in the end that falls on end. Of particular note is the "humanoid" at the end of the show played by Salome Jens whose later performances on DS9 as the leader of the Changelings are spectacular.

Rightful Heir - In another one of the most outstanding "Klingon" episodes, Worf seems to have lost his faith and requests leave to go to Boreth and seek Kahless, his people's mythic spiritual leader. One can only imagine his surprise as while he's seeking Kahless, Kahless appears before him in flesh and blood.

Timescape - This is one of the more intriguing episodes as it begins with Picard, Troi, Data and LaForge returning from a conference in a runabout. While on approach to the Enterprise's position, they begin to experience some temporal pockets. They then discover the Enterprise and a Romulan Warbird frozen in the middle of what "appears" to be a battle. {ssintrepid}

Special Features:

Mission Overview: Year Six
Special Crew Profile: Lt. Commander Data
Bold New Directions
Departmental Briefing: Year Six - Production & Dan Curry Profile
Bonus Trailers: Star Trek Nemesis & Star Trek: Deep Space Nine on DVD

Episode list:

Time's Arrow, Part II
Realm of Fear
Man of the People
Relics
Schisms
True Q
Rascals
A Fistful of Datas
The Quality of Life
Chain of Command, Part I
Chain of Command, Part II
Ship in a Bottle
Aquiel
Face of the Enemy
Tapestry
Birthright, Part I
Birthright, Part II
Starship Mine
Lessons
The Chase
Frame of Mind
Suspicions
Rightful Heir
Second Chances
Timescape
Descent, Part I

Of course, there are also some stinkers in S6, like the heavy-handed preachiness of 'The Chase' or a lame Geordi love story in 'Acquiel'. Still, it is miles better than Seasons 1 and 2 and for this reason I whole-heartedly recommend it.

Personal Favorite Episodes:

Time's Arrow: Part II, Relics, Schisms, True Q, Rascals, A Fistful of Datas, Chain of Command: Parts I and II, Face of the Enemy, Tapestry, Birthright, Part I, Starship Mine, The Chase, Frame of Mind, Timescape, and Descent: Part I