10 Star Trek Episodes That Hit Different Now
8. Encounter At Farpoint
This is an episode that could feature on this list for a number of reasons. The passing of Deforrest Kelley in 1999 makes Admiral McCoy's cameo even more poignant, particularly the mention that if the crew of the Enterprise-D treats her right, she'll always bring them home. Cue ugly crying every time that scene plays.
Today, it is another scene that now hits a little differently. Star Trek: Picard's third season episode The Bounty sees Raffi, Worf, and Riker confronted with several clues as to the identity of Daystrom Station's advanced A.I. is. There is a crow. There is Professor James Moriarty. And, most tellingly of all, there is a particular tune playing.
It is Riker who recognises Pop Goes The Weasel - as it is the very tune that Data was trying to whistle when Riker met him in Farpoint. There is a sense of full circle about the moment, as only Riker could have known the significance of the melody. The inclusion of footage from Farpoint in the later episode also shows just how much both Riker and Data have changed in the years between, something that is as heartwarming as the whistle Jonathan Frakes knocks off in the hallway.