Cliff Bole

Trek became famous in large part for its (often corny) science-fiction morality plays...Few episodes of either series achieve this goal more elegantly than Melinda Snodgrass' 'The Measure of a Man.'

As good as, if not better than, any of the feature films that would later star the Next Generation cast.

Not only did the third season mark a quantum leap in non-niche popularity for the series, but a greater consistency in the show's writing and execution that meant a precipitous drop in fan complaints.

Perhaps the most commonly applied adjective when it comes to the Klingon homeworld episodes of Star Trek...is 'Shakespearean'...[given] a certain unity of voice, as well as compelling throne-room drama and civil-war intrigue.

Under the leadership of head writer Michael Piller...the series broke the mold with the outstanding character piece 'Family.' That episode title would also serve as a pithy summation of the fourth season's primary theme.

By its sixth season, Star Trek: The Next Generation had figured out how to maximize its cast and characters.