The Inner Light
We’ve established by now that The Next Generation is often at its best when it uses sci-fi set-ups to explore an intimate, human story that allows Patrick Stewart to act his socks off. This is never more true than in season 5’s “The Inner Light,” a beautiful, emotional tale that rightfully won the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation back in 1993 (one of only three Star Trek episodes to do so).
When Picard’s hit with an energy beam from an alien probe, his crew believe him to be simply knocked unconscious, but actually, Picard finds himself experiencing another man’s life: Kamin, a scientist on a faraway planet whose sun appears to be turning nova. Stewart’s performances as he ages 40 years in this other life is perhaps his very best in the franchise and the final reveal – that the probe acts as the last record of Kamin’s race after his world died – is a poignant and somber one.
“The Inner Light” is arguably the creative peak of TNG, with Stewart naming it as his favorite episode. The writing, acting, directing are all exceptional. And special mention should also go to the gorgeous flute-based score from composer Jay Chattaway.