25 WORST Episodes Of Star Trek EVER

The fact that this episode is a clip show was necessitated by the 1988 Writers' Strike. They simply hadn't produced enough episodes to complete the season and were stuck for a finale. To be absolutely fair, the framing device of Riker being attacked and poisoned isn't that bad, it's just what they do with it that doesn't work.

Star Trek was not the only show to rely on a clip show (Stargate SG-1 had them roughly once a season) but it was so out of place and ham-fisted that it stands out. Bringing back all of these clips, time wasting aside, kills any sense of plot to the episode as there is no underlying thread beyond negative thoughts and positive thoughts.

With the episode coming in at the end of the second season, there honestly weren't many examples of strong episodes to draw clips from - so the audience is treated to reminders of stinkers of episodes, wrapped up in this show.

That is probably what adds to the episode's legacy as one of the worst of the Next Generation's run. While stymied with the fact that they couldn't write much of a plot, they could at least have tried to work a better narrative framework together. The actors do their best with what they have available, which isn't much.

The episode also marks the last appearance, for better or worse, of Diana Muldaur as Dr. Pulaski, who left the show after the season ended, never to return. Based on this send off, who could blame her?