Today is Star Trek’s 50th anniversary: Treat Yourself to These Episodes

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3.) The Inner Light (The Next Generation)

Do you like crying a lot? You will be by the end of this episode, unless you’re an emotionless android.

Captain Picard is knocked unconscious by an alien energy beam and must navigate a strange new life on an alien planet. In fact, he experiences 40 years as Kamin, a scientist who slowly discovers that his planet is dying. Over time, his life as a Federation Captain fades and becomes something like a strange fever dream. He has children, conducts research, argues with officials, and watches as the world falls apart around him. Picard/Kamin even learns how to play the “Ressikan flute”.

In the final scene, his doomed community launches a probe into space. As the wizened Kamin watches, one of his dead friends appears to explain the experience. The probe has produced the energy beam that knocked Picard unconscious. The whole experience – his life, his work, his family – is a reconstruction of a long-dead civilization. The probe is the only remaining record of this society.

Picard then wakes up on the bridge of the Enterprise. Though he’s experienced an entire lifetime as Kamin, he is told that only 25 minutes have passed. The probe, now inactive, is brought aboard and examined. It contains only a Ressikan flute. Picard retires to his quarters to play the flute and quietly freak out about his dream life.

There’s plenty of twists in this episode, but the real pleasure comes from masterful storytelling and character building. Of course, there’s always wonderful acting from Patrick Stewart as Picard. This episode won the 1993 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, so you know it’s got to be good.

Next: In the Pale Moonlight