Star Trek: The Next Generation is one of the most popular and critically acclaimed television series of all time. But it's not perfect, struggling in its early seasons to find an identity separate from that of the cultural monolith that was the original series. As a result, a fair number of episodes can be skipped by fans looking to save some time watching or re-watching the entire series.

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While some of its most skippable episodes hold some fascination - mostly in how they ever got to air - they hold nothing of consequence in terms of lore or character development that fans will miss out on. Many of them have been utterly forgotten by the series itself, which never looked back after finding its equilibrium in season three with some of the best Star Trek episodes ever made.

Up A Long Ladder

Riker greets Brenna in Star Trek The Next Generation.

Star Trek is generally viewed as progressive in its representations of others but "Up A Long Ladder" is just one of a few blunders early in its run. Its stereotypical depiction of Irish people - here rendered as the Bringloidi - is utterly mystifying, especially given the presence of Miles O'Brien.

The episode is not as funny or sexy as it thinks it is and wastes the real talent it has in its guest stars, including Rosalyn Landor. It can be skipped along with a lot of early season two entries for more considered and accomplished episodes in the back half.

The Royale

Data gambles in Star Trek The Next Generation.

The second season of the series was beset by the 1988 writer's strike, leaving the show scrambling to use older and rushed scripts. That resulted in "The Royale," which has Data, Riker, and Worf go to a gambling planet right out of 70s sci-fi.

The show is an easy skip thanks to its lack of tension or drama, as well as a tired premise - the crew finds evidence of an earlier human space expedition - that had been done and would continue to be revisited in Star Trek even after this.

Angel One

Riker and Troi appear in Angel One from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

"Angel One" is an episode that might be required viewing for those interested in the worst costumes in Star Trek history, but otherwise it's easy to skip. The episode fails to capitalize on the idea of flipping gender roles, instead focusing on the romantic interests of Commander Riker.

The B-plot of the episode has Captain Picard literally catching a cold and nothing happens in the show of any consequence, meaning fans won't miss anything if they skip right past it in the show's mostly forgettable first season.

Justice

Wesley Crusher talks with teenagers in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

"Justice" is one of a number of first-season episodes that fans can skip without any worry of missing anything. It treads very familiar ground, with the Enterprise visiting an alien world of human-type people who are mostly defined by their lack of clothes.

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The series is still searching for its identity at this point, recycling a lot of ideas from the original series and amplifying some of its worst traits, making this episode instantly forgettable and easily skippable.

Sub Rosa

Crusher and the entity form Sub Rosa.

"Sub Rosa" will never be confused for one of the best Beverly Crusher episodes of all time. Despite an ambitious attempt at telling a Gothic ghost story, the execution falls apart and this episode ultimately adds up to little, making it an easy skip.

This seventh season episode tries to add more history to Beverly's background and family history but results in some strange story choices that make it discordant with much of the rest of the series, especially in its standout later seasons.

The Masterpiece Society

Riker and Troi meet an alien in The Masterpiece Society.

"The Masterpiece Society" is in many ways a typical Star Trek episode in that it tackles a challenging issue - in this case, genetic engineering - through a sci-fi lens. The results aren't exactly "Space Seed", one of the best Star Trek episodes in history, that tackled the same subject.

This fifth season episode fails to capitalize on its premise by generating much of any conflict or compelling characters, making it one of a handful of episodes from an otherwise knockout season that fans can easily skip to save time.

Night Terrors

Bodies come back to life in Night Terrors from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

The fourth season of the series is where The Next Generation truly comes into its own, but every episode isn't essential. "Night Terrors" is a mid-season episode attempt at horror that ends with a laughable effect of Deanna Troi floating on an obvious wire.

It's routine in that Troi often experiences strange visions, dreams, or feelings from alien forces - and she did just a few episodes earlier in "The Loss," a superior episode that does a better job of integrating an alien threat with Deanna's power.

Code Of Honor

Tasha Yar fights in Code of Honor.

"Code Of Honor" would rank among the worst episodes of any Star Trek series. This very early episode from the first season pits the crew against the Ligonians, who were terrible stereotypes of African people in 1987 and are even worse now.

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Star Trek is renowned for its diversity but this episode is one of its biggest misfires and an instant pass for fans old and new looking to find the best episodes of what would become one of the greatest science fiction television series of all time.

Imaginary Friend

Worf talks to children in Star Trek The Next Generation.

"Imaginary Friend" arrives sandwiched between some of the best episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation ever, but it's an easy pass for fans looking to save time. The story focuses on a young girl named Clara whose imaginary friend turns out to be an alien entity.

The episode is one of the weaker efforts of season five and completely inessential to the stories of any of the major characters and has strong echoes of other, better episodes, like "The Bonding," Ronald D. Moore's first episode from season three.

Shades of Gray

Riker is operated on in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

"Shades of Gray," the final episode of the second season, is entirely skippable as it's mostly other episodes. The only clip show in the history of the series, it replays most of the first two years of the show as Riker undergoes a medical procedure on his brain.

The episode was a cost-saving measure and somewhat typical of television shows in the 80s, but it's completely inessential for Star Trek: The Next Generation fans looking to save some time going through the entire run of the acclaimed series.

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