10 Greatest Star Trek Season Finales
7. The Best Of Both Worlds Part One - The Next Generation Season Three
Though this list is largely avoiding cliffhanger endings, we cannot in good conscience leave The Best Of Both Worlds Part One off this list. While much of its brilliance is served from that incredible final scene, it would be too much of a disservice to the rest of the episode to say that was its only powerful moment.
The opening scene, the confirmation of the Borg, the first attack, the rising tension on board the Enterprise, Shelby - everything in this episode works, directed with aplomb by Cliff Bole, and written by Michael Piller.
There was much uncertainty behind the scenes as well, as both Piller and Patrick Stewart weren't officially signed on to return in the fourth season. Therefore, Piller wrote this as a bit of a challenge to whoever would have to write the second part. The joke was on him - he did return, and had to wrap everything up! Stewart also signed on, so Locutus had to go.
The Best Of Both Worlds Part One has transcended Star Trek to become one of popular media's most discussed and analyzed season finales of all time. There's a reason that every succeeding Star Trek cliffhanger is compared to this one - this is the one that broke the mold.