Star Trek: The Next Generation is considered one of the most well-received iterations of the sci-fi franchise, its popularity being second only to the original series. However, the series took some time to find its footing, with some of its early episodes being objectively bad.
One of the show’s first season episodes was so bad that lead actor Patrick Stewart openly criticized its regressive themes and subject material. Similarly, actors Michael Dorn and Jonathan Frakes also disowned the episode publically. As a result, fans must be curious about what went wrong with the episode, and here is everything you need to know.
Patrick Stewart the Star Trek: The Next Generation Episode He Considers the Wost
Star Trek: The Next Generation has its fair share of poor episodes in its early seasons, with actor Jonathan Frakes admitting that the show did not find its stride until its third season. However, one episode from season one particularly stands out because of its divisive subject material.
The episode in question is the fourth episode of the series, titled Code of Honor. It follows the crew of the USS Enterprise-D as they try to retrieve a vaccine from a planet populated with a race of black aliens. Given the premise, it isn’t a surprise that the episode was criticized for being racist.
During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Patrick Stewart, who played Captain Jean-Luc Picard, also named the episode as a low point for the series. He said:
I can think of one very early on that involved a race of black aliens that we all felt quite embarrassed about.
From Stewart’s words, it is evident that the actor wasn’t pleased with the episode’s subject material, especially its racial stereotypes when depicting black people. In contrast, Stewart cited the ninth episode of season 2, titled The Measure of a Man, as a better example of the series handling societal themes.
Michael Dorn and Jonathan Frakes Also Disowned the Star Trek: The Next Generation Episode
Aside from Stewart, actors Michael Dorn and Jonathan Frakes were also critical of the subject material and racist undertones in the episode Code of Honor. Both have voiced their displeasure with the episode’s depiction of the black alien race.
During a conversation with the official Star Trek website, Dorn admitted that he wished that the series had never made the episode. However, Dorn considered himself lucky as his character wasn’t a part of that episode.
There was an episode I wish they hadn’t done, but luckily I wasn’t in it. That was Code of Honor.
Dorm made the above statement, clearly distancing himself from the episode’s problematic subject material.
Meanwhile, Frakes reportedly sought to have the episode removed from re-runs and its director was also allegedly fired after it had aired. Hence, Dorn and Frakes’ words also suggest that the episode was extremely poorly received, even by the show’s cast, who did not wish to be remembered for it.
Star Trek: The Next Generation is streaming on Paramount+.
