But credit must be given to David Warner as the antagonist in that episode also. It was so amazing to see those two veteran British actors go at it like that.
That final cry Patrick Stewart gives is chilling, but the goosebumps hit me in a later scene when he confesses that, in that moment, he believed there were five lights. That's the real terror of the episode, such a strong man wasn't willing to admit there were five lights, he actually _believed_ there were five lights.
I always loved the scenes where Odo and Lwaxana Troi were trapped in the DS9 elevator, and Odo has reached his physical limit and needs to return to his gelatinous form. With no bucket available, Odo is embarrassed and humiliated. Lwaxana is so tender and caring, and contains Odo in her skirt. That first warmed me up to her character, and showed another side of her instead of her usually annoying side.
Agreed. While Lwaxana originally had a thing for Odo because he was there at the time, she actually started to warm to him because, unlike other men who coveted her status, Odo didn't want any of it. His 'hard to get' response was what she needed to gain a real interest instead of her desire to have a good time and then move on.
speak it! so many people watched TOS and Nurse Chapel and said that Majel "couldn't act", if they saw this episode they'd know how incredibly talented she was
For me, Picard's defence of Data's sentience in "Measure of a Man" is up there. When Picard is delivering a powerful monologue about "a thousand Data's being a race" and about personal liberty and freedom. The lines, "Are you prepared to condemn him and all who come after him to servitude and slavery? Your Honour, Starfleet was founded to seek out new life. Well, there it sits!" My god, Stewart is bloody marvellous. Oh, and Chain of Command! David Warner (RIP) and Patrick Stewart acting off each other is sublime.
For a similar courtroom performance, the actor who embodied the character "Samuel T. Cogley, Attorney at Law" in the episode when Kirk was accused of killing one of his men by making either a mistake or had an animus against the man (Ben Finney). Cogley had such a laser-focus on the beauty of the law, particularly by understanding why it exists, how it works, and why it is important - something we in the modern day often lose sight of and as others seek to dismantle the laws that got us to the current time with all the achievements along the way.
Frakes held up his end in that one, too. That smile when he finds Data's off switch in the schematic, which he thinks will solidify his win, then his look of disgust at himself when he realizes why he's smiling. The look he shoots Picard, after his opening statement, when he turns Data off in open court. A look that says "Sir, for God's sake, you HAVE to beat me." And a very subtle, sly smile, when Picard goes off on Maddox, and Maddox starts squirming. "WHAT IS HE?!? You see, he's met two of your criteria for sentience, so what if he meets the third, consciousness, in even the smallest degree, what is he then?", and Riker's looking him like "Get him, boss!"
An episode I never see get enough praise -- the DS9 episode where OBrien and Keiko's daughter Molly goes through that time vortex cave thing, and when they find her she's 16 years old and has spent a decade completely alone. The way the older Molly actress portrays her is beautiful and heart-rending. She's feral and non-verbal but retains a few slight memories, she is almost an adult but acts completely childish because she never had adult models to learn from, it's an incredible performance. And then at the end, when she understands how to fix things, and just says "Molly home" and they think she means she's going back to the open fields where she feels happy, but she really means she's going to send young Molly back through the time rift so that older Molly never even exists and thus Molly truly does go home... I dunno, it's one of my favourite Trek episodes of all time and I never see it mentioned on any lists.
One of my favourites was when Nog finally answers Sisko on why he wanted to join Starfleet so very badly from the episode "Heart of Stone". Avery and Aaron really put the shine on that whole gut wrenching scene when Nog breaks down and tells Sisko that he wants to be in Starfleet more than he ever wanted anything.
The acting on TNG's "The Inner Light" was incredible. And "Darmok" - with Paul Winfield and Patrick Steward playing off each other. It was epic (like the story that Stewart brought to life).
The biggest lie Picard ever told, "I'm not much of a story-teller." …and proceeds to give one of the most incredible abbreviated recaps of a classic epic ever.
Darmok is THE perfect episode. The fact that you understand the final exchange between Picard and the Tamarian second in command is shockingly good writing.
This makes the Top 5 TrekCulture lists of all time. This is the depth and power of Star Trek that I feel is missing from what we get today from many franchises. I think a list of best individual performances for each series, or at least TNG, DS9, and Voyager are warranted. Just a couple off the top of my head: * Lal saying goodbye to Data in offspring * Picard in Chain of Command * Harry Kim in Timeless * O'brien in Hard Time Honestly, there are far too many to think of now or list here, but you get my point. Let's continue to celebrate the amazing legacy and true art that was Star Trek at its finest.
Hard Time, and Miles' final breakdown at the end, his contemplation of suicide, and Julian talking him down. Colm Meany knocked it out of the park. One of the handful of Trek episodes that brought me to genuine tears.
It's amazing how many incredibly talented actors Trek picked up by accident. Meany signed on as a recurring extra in S1 of TNG, before they realized just how good he was, and Andy Robinson took the one-off character of Garak and wrote his whole backstory over a weekend, creating one of the most amazing characters in the whole franchise, out of almost nothing. That's just two examples.
@@SamCogley honestly DS9 was the best thing for O’Brien and Worf, they had such better character development. (But O’Brien went from recurring to main cast)
Aaron's performance in It's Only a Paper Moon isn't just one of the best performances in Trek, it's one of the best performances in film. The scene between Nog and Vic definitely stands out, but the entire episode is perfectly done as Aaron telegraphs beautifully the entire time how not ok Nog is.
It’s a credit to Blalock that when I think of Vulcans T’Pol is second only to Spock. It’s sad that her and Jerry Ryan both fell under the thumb of “hot girl syndrome.” They both did phenomenal work portraying their characters.
I hate to admit that it was the initial "use" of both characters that put me off both shows initially. I hated the pandering. Having watched much of their work, though, it's a credit to both Blalock and Ryan that they were not only so immensely talented that they overcame that, but that they cared about TREK and their characters enough to insist that the characters evolve from it.
Trek has had good luck with Vulcans. Most of them have ended up being interesting. This despite the damage Enterprise tried to do with its desperately retconned-at-the-last-minute militaristic asshole portrayal of the species.
@@WUZLE The Vulcan species nearly wiped itself out due to their strong emotions, they had to do something slightly different with the Vulcans and for me this was the best part of Enterprise .Jolene was the perfect Vulcan for me and she was head and above in every scene she was in.
Two problems with the 7 character. She should not have had hair when she was liberated by Janeway. Except for stubble. Her having long hair that she keeps in a bun makes no sense to the character. Until she embraces her humanity. Then, she should take back her human name. The fact that she's still going by 7 is more proof that Picard (the series) is crap.
I have one for you. “Captain! Jim!” As spoken by Spock right after believing he had killed essentially his best friend and comrade. This one moment takes a steely-eyes Vulcan and strips away his rigid philosophy with joy. Spock is surprised and overjoyed to see Jim, alive. It is so perfect. They could have gone with a lesser emotional response but in this moment, it was exactly what was needed. Then he self corrects and goes back into his Vulcan portrayal. Absolutely brilliant.
The episodes where Nog lived the the holosuite to deal with his PTSD left me more impressed by Quark's reaction to the PTSD than anything else. Several times in the Series, Quark was distrusting of Star Fleet because, "You order your soldiers out to battle, but it's the family's that really have to suffer from your decisions.". Not only did Quark follow his nephew to battle (which is nearly unthinkable considering Ferengi society), but Quark gave up the profits from his most popular holosuite program for several months, and always left the arrangement open ended for. Quark cared more for the well being of his nephew, whom he tried to disuade from joining Star Fleet, than for his money.
In Voyager, the episode "Real Life" where the Doctor gets a "real" family and has to cope with the death of his daughter has to be listed as one of the best performances. Great job Robert Pircardo.
That fight between Jean-Luc Picard and his brother Robert is one of my favorite scenes from TNG. The way he both reconciles with his brother and starts healing from being assimilated by the Borg... It was really well done.
Anyone who has a sibling with less than favorable relations can understand the need to beat and love their sibling. On one hand you want to belittle and berate them but on the other you just want them to be better than yourself.
The thoughtful character development in DS9 is one of the reasons that series is the best ST of them all. Nog in particular who went from a minor character as an obnoxious, annoying greedy Ferengi side kick to an important and vital member of the crew especially in this episode exemplifies both the series writing and Aaron's acting ability. That was one of my top three DS9 episodes.
DS9 is my favourite as well. Character development is on an another level . I'd even say there isn't a bad character in the entire show all are well writen and all have good arcs.
oh god I hated the Nog character at first, I was like "oh god here we go again, another fucking Wesley, now even more annoying", but then it started to change. it was so awesome. DS9 went where no trek had gone before. that was truly the POINT of star trek; to search boundaries, new worlds. Deep Space 9 did it.
The depth of the stories and characters in DS9 was astonishing. Duet is what set the tone for me, for the rest of DS9 (in a good way), it was just so raw and deep. When other series ventured into character's depth, it was quite fantastic as well.
Tony Todd and Avery Brooks playing off one-another in The Visitor makes me tear up every single time I watch it. It is third on my all-time ST: DS9 favourite episodes, behind In The Pale Moonlight and Far Beyond the Stars. Damn amazing performances.
I would add Scott Bakula in ST Enterprise: Damage. He wrestles with his ethics when to complete the mission to protect Earth from the Zindi, he has to steal a part from a ship which the inhabitants, are 3 yrs away from home. Due to the loss of the part, they are effectively marooned in the expanse. It was not the first time in the season that he has to do that, but the episode is his most intense fight with himself.
The episode where chief Obrien spends 20 years in a prison that was in fact just a short cerebral implantation of the memory, was a stunner to me to see the man he became after such a treatment. This one was deep.
You left out one that I think should be towards the top. Chain of Command (Star Trek: The Next Generation) Picard's performance was amazing in this 2 part episode during the interrogation. Cheers LLAP!
"Whenever I look at you now, I won't see a powerful Cardassian warrior. I will see a six year old boy who was powerless to protect himself. In spite of all that you've done to me, I find you a pitiable man."
Mulgrew doesn't get enough recognition for her multi-dimensional Janeway: swagger, empathy, stern command, & a chilling "I will murder you" menace. Her performance is a masterclass of character nuance.
Its a short scene, but when the Enterprise is being shot up by the cloaked Klingons, Sulu gives an order to hurry and help, and is told, "Sir, the ship will fly apart." Captain Sulu says (yells) "FLY HER APART THEN..." George Takei's deliverance of that one line and the emotional and meaningful tone, in his voice and on his face REALLY made the character of Sulu, come to life, showing Sulu as a man who really respected and admired, "his Captain."
That was respect to all Captains of every navy who took suicide risks to intercept an enemy. Look into the Pacific battles of WW2 in particular the USS Johnson.
@@crhu319 Sammy B (from the same battle as Johnston) was even a better parallel for that scene, considering her chief engineer (Lt. "Lucky" Trowbridge) locked down the safeties on her boilers and was running them at 150% of nominal - 600psi instead of 400 - so that a pokey little 24 knot DE actually had a chance to close the range to Chokai to make a successful torpedo run. They officially logged a 28.5 knot top speed on their suicide run, some of the survivors reported that they actually hit 29.5 or maybe slightly faster. Somehow, the boilers held together until they were blown to shrapnel by 14" battleship shells from Kongo. And while Trowbridge *was* flying her apart, her captain, Lt. Cdr. Copeland, was giving the crew the only real-life example I'm aware of of the "we're going into a fight we can't win, we're probably not going to survive, but I know that you'll all do your jobs well" speech that fiction writers love to use in some form or another. (There's an additional tidbit that would make a great bit of gallows humor if anyone ever makes a big-budget movie about Samar, where the fatally wounded Sammy B is being dismantled by Kongo after having absolutely mauled Chikuma in the crossfire with Heermann - Copeland and his XO, who both survived, are on the wrecked bridge, the ship is being quite literally taken apart out from under them, and the engines are gone. Copeland gives the order to abandon ship (at that point, the abandon ship signal had have been about the only thing still working), they look at each other, simultaneously unholster their .45s, and throw them as far into the ocean as they can from the bridge rail, and run down what's left of the access ladders to the main deck to look for survivors.)
Just want to acknowledge the fantastic actresses who appeared in single episodes, notably in TOS where co-stars had to match Shatner’s Shakespearean intensity. However, my favourite performance is from TNG: Hallie Todd as Lal in The Offspring. “I will feel it for both of us.” Providing emotional insight into a character who does not believe he has emotions is a challenging task and she completed it with grace and passion.
I think Jolene Blalock and Linda Parks should get credit to for their chrs.too,especially when you see how their T'Pol changed from an aloof Vulcan to someone who assisted the crew with more warmth and Hoshi who was scared at first, but became even braver.
That remains my favorite original series episode, and Windom's performance might be the best one-time appearance in any of the series. I can't think of one that can top it, and there were some great one-off appearances in all of the series.
William Windom was incredible in his portrayal of Commodore Decker. So much so I could have watched an entire series set aboard the Constellation based on this one time appearance by Windom. Sadly something we can never see the realization of.
Wanted to mention Nog's performance in DS9 season 3 episode 14 . Him talking to Sisko about his desire to join Starfleet. That I would consider a stellar show of the actors chops back then. So much strong raw emotion and desire from someone who is playing a Fereigi who is far removed from that stereotype that was established for them.
You were missing the double episode of Picard when he got captured and tortured by the Cardassians. That scene of "there are four lights!" still scares me even today. (Even though a similar story in babylon 5 was even better)
The greatest thing about DS9 is it's wonderful cast. I do not know if the stars were aligned when the jobs were handed out, but by far the best professional acting group of all Star Treks. Yes, other Star Treks had great single actors, but as a group, DS9 is the standard that I wish all Star Trek's were measured by.
Ricardo Montalbán's performance in Star Trek 2, The Wrath of Kahn, will always be the best because not only did he do an amazing acting job, but he made that movie the greatest Star Trek movie ever made (Along with a good script and a great musical score.) which probably saved the Star Trek franchise from ending after the first Star Trek movie failed.
Fans always joke about the long suffering of Miles Obrien, but I take that as a coping mechanism for the many things Miles goes through hits very close to home.
I saw Wrath Of Khan at the theater, it was packed the night I went. When Spock died you could have heard a pin drop in there. I distinctly remember hearing at least three people crying.
Same thing happened when I was in avengers movie. With spider man dying. Heard multiple parents counseling there kids moment he past away. Very rare moments at a theater
Honorable mention for jetrel in voyager, and that voyager episode where the doctors program breaks down after he choosesnn by one crewman’s life he knew over another, I was always astonished by the real emotion both performances put out
I STILL say that #7 should have gotten him an Emmy!!! That performance was POWERFULL!!! Thank you for this video, you've basically proven what I've said about DS9 for decades.... THE BEST CAST IN THE FRANCHISE!!
Richardo Montalban gave the best performance ever in the Star Trek franchise when he said the following words as if Khan satisfying revenge against Kirk was total fulfilment from deep within: Khan Noonien Singh: I've done far worse than kill you. I've hurt you. And I wish to go on... hurting you. I shall leave you as you left me, as you left her. Marooned for all eternity, in the center of a dead planet. Buried alive... buried alive. James T. Kirk: [shouts] KHHHHAAAAAAAAN! [echoes] KHHHHAAAAAAAAN!
The Empath: original series: S3: E 12🤔You CANNOT have this category without adding Kathryn Hays' non-speaking stellar performance as The Empath, Hays conveyed every emotion possible without speaking a single word giving into her gifts and saving Dr. McCoy's life; offering her life the music swells, and so do the viewers' emotions 🥺
Reading these comments, we definitely have room for a part 2 😁 My additon: Voyager season 7 episode called Lineage. Bleanna trying to change the DNA of her child because of her history with her father, in the end she breaks down with Tom in the sick bay why she's doing it Tom saying he hopes all they're children look like her .... I actually cried 😭
For me it is the very first episode of DS9 when Sisko is talking to the Prophets and he keeps going back to his wife's Jennifer death and he asks, "Why do you keep bringing me here?" And the say, "It is you that brings us here." Then they go through the scene and he says, " I just can't leave her here!!" as he is pulled out of the room and the Prophets tell him it is not linear as he cries and shakes his head no. That scene gets me every time!!
I’m surprised seven of nine isn’t on this list. She has some incredible moments especially the episode where she becomes other people. I guess only the more serious moments get attention.
I was expecting to see one of my favourite scenes from the much maligned Star Trek 5, where Dr. McCoy re-lives the death of his father. For me, that was one of the most emotional scenes in all of Trek, with great performances from De Forest Kelley and Laurence Luckingbill as Sybok.
I will die on the Hill that DS9 is the greatest Star Trek series of all time, not just for the performance of the main cast, but for the amazing recurring roles. Nog, Garek, Gul-Dukat, and even Morn, there was rarely a bad performance. The stories and the emotions DS9 manages to convey still stand the test of time.
I have to agree. Though TNG takes the #1 spot for me as it was the Star Trek I was first introduced to.... for nostalgia's sake. But DS9 is the best written and has best character development (Both Good and Evil). I will stand on this hill with you, but the back of my DS9 T-shirt will have TNG on it! Cheers!
Avery Brooks is my favorite cast member ever, Sisko was a well rounded human being, he was a dedicated father, he was a soldier, and he also was a war criminal/hero. Besides Sisko was seriously the only captain I ever found intimidating.
Anyone who says William Shatner can't act has simply never watched any of his performances, or has only watched a few of the weaker ones. I recently rewatched the entire original series and the movies featuring the original characters, and I was impressed by Shatner more often than not. There really weren't any bad actors among the original cast, for that matter. And I'm happy to see Kate Mulgrew on this list, I have always thought that Voyager works in large part because of her. Janeway is one of my favorite characters in all of Trek.
Yeah when he breaks down talking about how Maritza cried listening to those screams, it genuinely makes you feel bad and you realize that sometimes even in the midst of the horrible happening that if effects everyone involved.
@@sanjasrdanovic3727 Maritza wasn't a war criminal he was a victim as much as the bajorans. Being unable to stop the slaughter doesn't make you complicit in it, being afraid doesn't make you a monster. Anyone who can't understand the nuance and context of what he was in obviously had a child like view of the world.
@@idlehands1864 At some point, anyone who chooses to participate in torture, genocide, and crimes against sentient life for whatever reason - compulsion, belief, fear, ignorance, stupidity, or whatever - still has to be held to account. You don't get a free pass just because the choice before you may have been 'be involved in horrors' or 'be executed'. There were a number of soldiers in WW1 that chose to not do horrible things and were, consequently, executed as one real world example. You can be put in an untenable situation with no good outcome. But even then, you can't become complicit with horrific acts for any reason. If you do, you do deserve to answer for that.
Wow! DS9 took five out of the top ten including #1 in all of Star Trek! Superb acting and writing but also I think the fact that DS9 isn't as utopian as the other franchises makes it more relatable.
William Windom as Commodore Matt Decker in the T.O.S. episode "The Doomsday Machine" is for me the single best performance by anyone in any of the franchises ; From shock over his crew's death, to assuming command of the Enterprise in a rage worthy of Captain Ahab chasing Moby Dick, to the near apoplexy as he faces his death when the shuttle he's piloting is swallowed by the "Planet Killer"
"Oh now... it's the sock... no wait... fireplace log.... giant flashlight".... I know, the SFX wasn't so bad for the time. And Windom was brilliant as Decker, a traumatized Captain who tried to save his crew and had to watch as they died. That was some great work in setting up the storyline and Windom's performance was exceptional.
Tim Russ also gave a stellar performance as Tuvok in Voyager. At Ds9 I was always impressed with the characters Benjamin Sisko, Odo and Garak. Their personalities were layerd which made them very fascinating to watch
Ricardo Montalban, Glen Corbett and Mark Leonard certainly delivered performances that ended up translating into the movies. And Shatner's "Let's get the hell out of here" at the end of City on the Edge of Forever is as big an emotional gut punch as his reaction to the death of Edith.
I just have to say, Patrick Stewart's performance under Sareks mind meld, to me, has to be the most powerful performance Ive ever witnessed on television, let alone Star Trek. I saw this episode the day it first aired and I was stunned for weeks.
This afternoon I got to “For The Uniform” in my DS9 rewatch, and my main takeaway from it was that I don’t think people talk about the scene with Sisko venting to Dax while battering a punchbag as much as they should. The pure rage that Sisko feels because of what Eddington did and how he was able to trick him so easily is just so palpable in this scene. It pours through the screen and feels so relatable. Avery Brooks has so many performances in DS9 that could legitimately be described as a Tour de Force, and we quite rightly talk about “In The Pale Moonlight” and “Far Beyond The Stars” until the cows come home, but I feel that For The Uniform, the aforementioned punchbag scene especially, deserves way more love.
"I am a human being" is thee most gut punching, heart wrenching, tear jerking line delivery I've ever heard. Everyone has the right to equality, regardless of upbringing, race, age, gender, all that sets anyone apart. Roddenberry would've been proud of Avery Brooks in general, but this episode especially! LLAP everyone!
I want to state this: After seeing a comparison between "Balance of Terror" and "Quality of Mercy", I think people are too harsh on Shatner for his dramatic pauses. When viewing the identical scenes, you can tell that EVERYONE on TOS had those dramatic pauses, but Shatner is the one that gets picked on. That's just how things were at the time.
"Whenever I look at you now, I won't see a powerful Cardassian warrior. I will see a six year old boy who was powerless to protect himself. In spite of all that you've done to me, I find you a pitiable man."
Although I cannot argue with one single choice in your list (rankings notwithstanding), I would have given… “He knows Doctor…he knows” and all before and after it, some space in the list.
According the the book "Star Trek: Making Movie Memories" (a biography written by William Shatner), Kirk was supposed to sit in the captain's chair when he heard of David's death. The scene as it plays in the movie is due to Shatner tripping, but as he stayed in character it was decided to leave the "blooper" in.
It does feed the scene REALLY well, though...especially if you take into account what we learn about Klingon family culture and honor in the later series. Kirk: "You Klingon *bastard*, you killed MY SON!" Kruge: *internally* "Oh, FUUUUUUUUUUU-"
I'm glad 'The Visitor' is finally getting credit, that episode utterly breaks me every time I watch it. It inevitably leaves me crying, and I mean *ugly* crying, and its power only grew when I lost my dad.
When I watch that episode I’m always amazed that it was only 43ish minutes. It feels like you live an entire lifetime. And yes, ugly cry every single time.
A difficult list to create for sure with so many amazing performances by so many wonderful actors. You could easily add ten more from the original series alone including Michael Forest as Apollo at the end of the episode Who Mourns For Adonais his voice cracking in anguish and tears rolling down his face. Or James Daly as Flint in Requiem For Methuselah when Rayna dies. Or Natalie Woodville as Natira in For The World Is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky. Her entire performance of regal elegance and charm as the High Priestess of Yonada. But for me and I'm sure so many others the number one performance in all of Trek is William Windom's portrayal of Commodore Decker in The Doomsday Machine. My God what a performance. "They say there's no Devil Jim but I saw it right out of Hell".
I just did a re-watch of the TOS crew movies (I-VI) and am in agreement with you here. II and III featured Shatner's best performances in Star Trek, and arguably of his entire career.
You missed about 100 other scenes. Picard in First Contact on why he won’t blow up the ship. Nog telling Sisko why he wants to join Starfleet. Quark telling Nog about humans. Data dressing down Worf about his performance as first officer. Picard shouting there are four lights. Picard telling Troi he actually saw five lights. Kirk arguing with Spock about helping the Klingons in Undiscovered Country. Probably a few dozen scenes for Garak, too many for me to list. But the one that stands out is at the end of the war as he and Julian talk for the last time. Jeffrey Combs as Weyoun and Shram. Worf and Picard in First Contact, you know the scene. Data about to murder someone then telling Riker “perhaps” the transporter must have triggered the weapon. I need to stop typing
At the end of ST V when Kirk says i lost a brother once, i was lucky, i got him back. And Bones replies i thought you said men like us don't have families? And Kirk says, i was wrong. Powerful stuff.
@@angrytvrobot6130 Yes i'm sure he did however i'm only referring to the end scene here after Spock laments his half brother Syboks death and then we get the conversation i mention. However there are some emotional moments in all the original movies. This one stood out for me as i was long estranged from my family and my friends were my family.
I hold "Duet" up there with the finest episodes across every series. To this day I can't watch it without tearing up. Can anyone honestly say they know what they would do if they had been in Maritza's position?
As I wipe my tears from my eyes, I say: "YOU GOT THIS 100% right." Paper Moon = YES. The Visitor = Dear God YES! Duet = Are you kidding?! Amazing. Far Beyond the Stars = Silence... utter silence... Nailed it y'all
RIGHT ON! Damn! You’re good! I actually just re-watched the episode with Sisko (two of the ones you mentioned). These are literally two of the best hours ever been produced on television. I could’ve written that entire list. good work!
Dammit Sean ! While watching this list of performances, I felt myself welling up a bit with each passing entry. Started to really hit hard with Tony Todd's performance in The Visitor. When you got to Aron Eisenberg's well-deserved #1 spot for It's Only a Paper Moon, I just couldn't keep the tears in. Such an amazing performance (really by all on this list), but Aron's in particular. Perfectly portrayed by the actor, and to be fair, also to James Darren's Vic Fontaine. One line of his that always stuck with me is, "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but at least you're in the game."
Anytime Majel Barret gets the chance to take Lwaxana Troi seriously is going to be a good show. Dark Page, on the other hand, is a whole other level beyond, and I wish we got the chance to see that more often...
Picard at the end of "Family" where he breaks down in front of his brother, relating what the Borg did to him should have made the cut. Or his famous "The line must be drawn here" from First Contact
One I think is worth a honorable mention is the episode where Data creates and loses his child. Even though he'd depicted as an android, somehow something so emotional as parenting is taken into a context of an emotionless android. The audience can't keep from feeling their emotions, but Spiner absolutely knocks that one out of the park.
Agree with every choice here! I'll add honourable mentions for Jeffrey Combs for Treachery, Faith and the Great River in his double roll and also Brad Dourif as the deeply enjoyable Lon Suder in Meld. (Actually Tim Russ was also great in that episode.)
I think an honourable mention is needed for the incredible Anson Mount in Through the Valley of Shadows. His conviction as he accepts his future date is incredible.
"The Visitor" is such a powerful episode and Tony Todd really does a superb job. You are not human if don't shed at least a tear while watching this episode. The music also plays an important part. When I went to the live "Star Trek Ultimate Voyage" concert, you could hear the crowd sobbing when the music for this episode, with selected scenes from the episode, played.
@@fivestar5897 You still have emotions but you repress them. And Vulcans have stronger emotions than humans. But, to quote Sarek: My logic is uncertain where my son is concerned.
Oh... it's so hard to list my own without feeling like it sounds like I'm faulting your choices. The fact is, there are so MANY. But of all the ones I could think of, there are two that I would not only include in a top ten, but which might have been numbers one and two on this list... * Anson Mount in DISCOVERY - "Through the Valley of Shadows" - Anson Mount's portrayal of Pike getting the time crystal is one of the most chilling moments in ALL of Trek to me, for so many different reasons, not the least of which is that it gives the backstory to one of the most horrific stories of the original series. His disorientation at suddenly being thrust into the "there and now" of his accident and then its aftermath reminds me of my other pick below, and is compounded by his horror at what he sees, and then the weight of the decision he must make. This could have been overplayed, but Mount played it beautifully. It was one of the key scenes that sold me on DISCOVERY and made me so thrilled that STRANGE NEW WORLDS got the green light. * Patrick Stewart in NEXT GENERATION - "All Good Things" - This is my all-time number one without question. Patrick Stewart not only had to play a character who was jumping back and forth between multiple timelines, but he had to find the center of the character in each of those timelines, and then believably "sell" the fact that "he" was the constant through all of them as he figured out what was going on. Aging Picard putting together the mystery of the anomaly is as believable as newly appointed Captain Picard trying to figure it out in HIS time. The transitions are amazing: Stewart played the moments where he found himself suddenly in a different time and place than he'd been in moments before perfectly. Especially amazing was the double disorientation he put across when he'd make the switch to future, slightly-senile Picard, and was not only disoriented from the sudden switch, but from the fact that cognitively, in that time, he wasn't as competent as he had been just moments before. It's a jawdropping performance which makes ALL GOOD THINGS, to my mind, THE BEST SINGLE (ok, two part) EPISODE IN ALL OF TREK, and again, I don't want to sound like I'm faulting your choices, but HOW COULD THIS NOT EVEN MAKE YOUR TOP TEN??? ;) Great list which I'm sure will generate some fun comments. I love your channel-- it's the only TREK fan channel I really watch. Keep up the great work.
My absolute favorite was in the DS-9 performance of Duet. The interplay between Major Kira and Gul Dar Heal who turned out not to be that war criminal but just his clerk is the most engaging and terrifying looks into the mind of a psychopath who as it turns out wasn't. Anyone who hasn't seen this episode I can't recommend it more. A stellar performance!!!!!!!!!
The reveal and breakdown of Maritza will forever be etched in my mind because it was one of the few video clips on the original 'Omnipedia CD Rom' and it was so good I watched it countless times!
Another outstanding video. I know you were limited in what you could chose but I would have added Kirk’s scene at the end of Requiem for Methuselah where he’s heartbroken. It the death of the Android and Spock mind melds and says one word, “forget” to ease his friend’s pain. Other than that, you guys have the best job in the quadrant. LLAP!
"Heart of Stone" deserved a mention here, either for Nog's confession of why he wants to join Starfleet or Odo's confession of his love for Kira. They both hit me hard to this day, and I rewatch those scenes periodically, as well.
My #1 is still Garak v Sisko. So much of the series had been leading up to this confrontation. Before this moment, Sisko had remained the steadfast and honorable captain of DS9. Yes, even when he used biogenic weapons on the Maquis ... because he could still somewhat defend his actions as "in the best interests of SF". But sanctioning the murder of an ambassador ... ? Violating the most inviolable of laws? Love him or hate him, you CAN'T see Sisko the same after this moment. The best captain in all of Trek *_BECAUSE_* he (above all others) goes "where angels fear to tread".
My wife and I recently started at the beginning of DS9. We're only 6 episodes in and it's already clear that Sisko i perfectly willing to operate in the grey areas and also to honor the spirit of the law even if he's playing fast and loose with or skirting around the letter of the law. If I were to choose one scene that embodies what I think is this core aspect of Sisko, it's his boxing scene with Q. "You hit me! Picard never hit me!" "I'm not Picard."
You know, there is a saying that exemplifies what you've described: Only the good die young. That observation simply notes that if you live long enough, you're going to have to have faced a situation where there maybe isn't a good option, just varieties of bad options, and you have to choose and execute a bad option. It may be least of the evils, but it is still evil.
Spock using a mind meld on Kirk and telling him to 'forget' at the end of "Requiem for Methuselah" was/is a powerfully touching scene that gave great insight into how much he cared for his friend and captain.
The very best performance by any actor in the whole Star Trek franchise isn't even on this list. Come on, William Windom as Matt Decker! The scene where they find him on the Constellation alone should have put him in first place. From the slow reaction to the hypo to the breakdown ("Don't you think I know that? There was, but not anymore!"), you really feel his pain, his anguish.
Robinson's Garek in The Wire is one of the most memorable episodes for me largely due to his manic break towards Siddig's Bashir. Andrew manages to naturally transition through every emotional spectrum in a 3 minute scene. Honorable mention for Tate's Bilby in Honor Among Thieves.
"There are 4 Light's."
These words still give me goosebumps.
I think this was one of Patrick Stewarts best Performances.
This was the first scene I though when I saw the title of this video... 🖖
And also a great performance by the late great David Warner.
That fact that it wasn't on this list shows how many incredible performances Trek has to offer. I think this needs a sequel.
But credit must be given to David Warner as the antagonist in that episode also. It was so amazing to see those two veteran British actors go at it like that.
That final cry Patrick Stewart gives is chilling, but the goosebumps hit me in a later scene when he confesses that, in that moment, he believed there were five lights. That's the real terror of the episode, such a strong man wasn't willing to admit there were five lights, he actually _believed_ there were five lights.
I always loved the scenes where Odo and Lwaxana Troi were trapped in the DS9 elevator, and Odo has reached his physical limit and needs to return to his gelatinous form. With no bucket available, Odo is embarrassed and humiliated. Lwaxana is so tender and caring, and contains Odo in her skirt. That first warmed me up to her character, and showed another side of her instead of her usually annoying side.
She also showed that she too had something she was hiding from people. Both showed each other their most vulnerable sides.
Agreed. While Lwaxana originally had a thing for Odo because he was there at the time, she actually started to warm to him because, unlike other men who coveted her status, Odo didn't want any of it. His 'hard to get' response was what she needed to gain a real interest instead of her desire to have a good time and then move on.
I always hated her arrogant character...but absolutely loved her in that episode.
She was a far better character on DS9 than she was on TNG.
speak it! so many people watched TOS and Nurse Chapel and said that Majel "couldn't act", if they saw this episode they'd know how incredibly talented she was
For me, Picard's defence of Data's sentience in "Measure of a Man" is up there. When Picard is delivering a powerful monologue about "a thousand Data's being a race" and about personal liberty and freedom. The lines, "Are you prepared to condemn him and all who come after him to servitude and slavery? Your Honour, Starfleet was founded to seek out new life. Well, there it sits!"
My god, Stewart is bloody marvellous.
Oh, and Chain of Command! David Warner (RIP) and Patrick Stewart acting off each other is sublime.
He had the best monologues. Great writing + that voice = Chef's kiss
"Measure of a Man" is the Stewart performance I would've put on the list.
For a similar courtroom performance, the actor who embodied the character "Samuel T. Cogley, Attorney at Law" in the episode when Kirk was accused of killing one of his men by making either a mistake or had an animus against the man (Ben Finney). Cogley had such a laser-focus on the beauty of the law, particularly by understanding why it exists, how it works, and why it is important - something we in the modern day often lose sight of and as others seek to dismantle the laws that got us to the current time with all the achievements along the way.
Frakes held up his end in that one, too. That smile when he finds Data's off switch in the schematic, which he thinks will solidify his win, then his look of disgust at himself when he realizes why he's smiling. The look he shoots Picard, after his opening statement, when he turns Data off in open court. A look that says "Sir, for God's sake, you HAVE to beat me." And a very subtle, sly smile, when Picard goes off on Maddox, and Maddox starts squirming. "WHAT IS HE?!? You see, he's met two of your criteria for sentience, so what if he meets the third, consciousness, in even the smallest degree, what is he then?", and Riker's looking him like "Get him, boss!"
@@bryancorrell3689 Me, too
There really needs to be a list for each show. There are WAYYYY too many amazing performances for 10 from 60 years of Trek
An episode I never see get enough praise -- the DS9 episode where OBrien and Keiko's daughter Molly goes through that time vortex cave thing, and when they find her she's 16 years old and has spent a decade completely alone. The way the older Molly actress portrays her is beautiful and heart-rending. She's feral and non-verbal but retains a few slight memories, she is almost an adult but acts completely childish because she never had adult models to learn from, it's an incredible performance. And then at the end, when she understands how to fix things, and just says "Molly home" and they think she means she's going back to the open fields where she feels happy, but she really means she's going to send young Molly back through the time rift so that older Molly never even exists and thus Molly truly does go home... I dunno, it's one of my favourite Trek episodes of all time and I never see it mentioned on any lists.
One of my favourites was when Nog finally answers Sisko on why he wanted to join Starfleet so very badly from the episode "Heart of Stone". Avery and Aaron really put the shine on that whole gut wrenching scene when Nog breaks down and tells Sisko that he wants to be in Starfleet more than he ever wanted anything.
100%
I have re--watched that episode a few times just to watch the scenes with Nog.
That right there is 1 of 2 scenes as to why DS9 has been my favorite series of the franchise since it originally aired.
great scene
I was going to mention Heart Of Stone...a perfect example of an episode where the B story smokes the A....
The acting on TNG's "The Inner Light" was incredible. And "Darmok" - with Paul Winfield and Patrick Steward playing off each other. It was epic (like the story that Stewart brought to life).
Very classic Shakespearean in his portrayal of the story of Gilgamesh. And another tearjerker when Dathon succumbs to his wounds.
The biggest lie Picard ever told, "I'm not much of a story-teller." …and proceeds to give one of the most incredible abbreviated recaps of a classic epic ever.
Picard's story of Gilgamesh was epic but Stewart could read the instructions on hemorrhoid medicine and it would be memorable.
@@pattimcb31, riiiiiiiiight?!?!?!?!
Darmok is THE perfect episode. The fact that you understand the final exchange between Picard and the Tamarian second in command is shockingly good writing.
This makes the Top 5 TrekCulture lists of all time. This is the depth and power of Star Trek that I feel is missing from what we get today from many franchises.
I think a list of best individual performances for each series, or at least TNG, DS9, and Voyager are warranted. Just a couple off the top of my head:
* Lal saying goodbye to Data in offspring
* Picard in Chain of Command
* Harry Kim in Timeless
* O'brien in Hard Time
Honestly, there are far too many to think of now or list here, but you get my point. Let's continue to celebrate the amazing legacy and true art that was Star Trek at its finest.
Hard Time, and Miles' final breakdown at the end, his contemplation of suicide, and Julian talking him down. Colm Meany knocked it out of the park. One of the handful of Trek episodes that brought me to genuine tears.
Same here. It's weird to say it's one of my favorite episodes when its so dark. But it was such a good episode to show Colm Meaney off
The best of the "O'brien must suffer" episodes.
Probably my favorite ds9 episode. So good.
It's amazing how many incredibly talented actors Trek picked up by accident. Meany signed on as a recurring extra in S1 of TNG, before they realized just how good he was, and Andy Robinson took the one-off character of Garak and wrote his whole backstory over a weekend, creating one of the most amazing characters in the whole franchise, out of almost nothing. That's just two examples.
@@SamCogley honestly DS9 was the best thing for O’Brien and Worf, they had such better character development. (But O’Brien went from recurring to main cast)
Aaron's performance in It's Only a Paper Moon isn't just one of the best performances in Trek, it's one of the best performances in film. The scene between Nog and Vic definitely stands out, but the entire episode is perfectly done as Aaron telegraphs beautifully the entire time how not ok Nog is.
Agreed 100%! Could have won an Academy, Oscar, Golden Globe...take your pick. He wins easily, hands down, no contest. May he rest in peace.
I'm in tears every time I watch it. It was brilliant.
Nogs character development throughout the series is one of my favorite parts of it.
I lost a son to PTSD, that trauma to this day makes it one of the hardest to watch. Would choose this one as well.
It’s a credit to Blalock that when I think of Vulcans T’Pol is second only to Spock. It’s sad that her and Jerry Ryan both fell under the thumb of “hot girl syndrome.” They both did phenomenal work portraying their characters.
I hate to admit that it was the initial "use" of both characters that put me off both shows initially. I hated the pandering. Having watched much of their work, though, it's a credit to both Blalock and Ryan that they were not only so immensely talented that they overcame that, but that they cared about TREK and their characters enough to insist that the characters evolve from it.
Both were fantastic actors and very smart in their portrayals!
Trek has had good luck with Vulcans. Most of them have ended up being interesting. This despite the damage Enterprise tried to do with its desperately retconned-at-the-last-minute militaristic asshole portrayal of the species.
@@WUZLE The Vulcan species nearly wiped itself out due to their strong emotions, they had to do something slightly different with the Vulcans and for me this was the best part of Enterprise .Jolene was the perfect Vulcan for me and she was head and above in every scene she was in.
Two problems with the 7 character. She should not have had hair when she was liberated by Janeway. Except for stubble. Her having long hair that she keeps in a bun makes no sense to the character. Until she embraces her humanity. Then, she should take back her human name. The fact that she's still going by 7 is more proof that Picard (the series) is crap.
I have one for you. “Captain! Jim!” As spoken by Spock right after believing he had killed essentially his best friend and comrade. This one moment takes a steely-eyes Vulcan and strips away his rigid philosophy with joy. Spock is surprised and overjoyed to see Jim, alive. It is so perfect. They could have gone with a lesser emotional response but in this moment, it was exactly what was needed. Then he self corrects and goes back into his Vulcan portrayal. Absolutely brilliant.
The episodes where Nog lived the the holosuite to deal with his PTSD left me more impressed by Quark's reaction to the PTSD than anything else. Several times in the Series, Quark was distrusting of Star Fleet because, "You order your soldiers out to battle, but it's the family's that really have to suffer from your decisions.". Not only did Quark follow his nephew to battle (which is nearly unthinkable considering Ferengi society), but Quark gave up the profits from his most popular holosuite program for several months, and always left the arrangement open ended for. Quark cared more for the well being of his nephew, whom he tried to disuade from joining Star Fleet, than for his money.
In Voyager, the episode "Real Life" where the Doctor gets a "real" family and has to cope with the death of his daughter has to be listed as one of the best performances. Great job Robert Pircardo.
An excellent scene.
Robert picardo had many great episodes/scenes
That fight between Jean-Luc Picard and his brother Robert is one of my favorite scenes from TNG. The way he both reconciles with his brother and starts healing from being assimilated by the Borg... It was really well done.
Anyone who has a sibling with less than favorable relations can understand the need to beat and love their sibling. On one hand you want to belittle and berate them but on the other you just want them to be better than yourself.
The thoughtful character development in DS9 is one of the reasons that series is the best ST of them all. Nog in particular who went from a minor character as an obnoxious, annoying greedy Ferengi side kick to an important and vital member of the crew especially in this episode exemplifies both the series writing and Aaron's acting ability. That was one of my top three DS9 episodes.
DS9 is my favourite as well. Character development is on an another level . I'd even say there isn't a bad character in the entire show all are well writen and all have good arcs.
Totally agree. That show was singularly the best at characters. It’s what always keeps me coming back.
oh god I hated the Nog character at first, I was like "oh god here we go again, another fucking Wesley, now even more annoying", but then it started to change. it was so awesome. DS9 went where no trek had gone before. that was truly the POINT of star trek; to search boundaries, new worlds. Deep Space 9 did it.
@@ZZombyWooff Agree. DS9 didn't have a Wesley or Neelix type. Not at all.
"Duet" and "It's Only a Paper Moon" were two outstanding examples of what Trek could do with good writers and great actors.
The depth of the stories and characters in DS9 was astonishing. Duet is what set the tone for me, for the rest of DS9 (in a good way), it was just so raw and deep. When other series ventured into character's depth, it was quite fantastic as well.
clips of Duet on youtube, is what got me into watching the whole series and giving it a chance, I love DS9.
Tony Todd and Avery Brooks playing off one-another in The Visitor makes me tear up every single time I watch it. It is third on my all-time ST: DS9 favourite episodes, behind In The Pale Moonlight and Far Beyond the Stars. Damn amazing performances.
I would add Scott Bakula in ST Enterprise: Damage. He wrestles with his ethics when to complete the mission to protect Earth from the Zindi, he has to steal a part from a ship which the inhabitants, are 3 yrs away from home. Due to the loss of the part, they are effectively marooned in the expanse. It was not the first time in the season that he has to do that, but the episode is his most intense fight with himself.
The episode where chief Obrien spends 20 years in a prison that was in fact just a short cerebral implantation of the memory, was a stunner to me to see the man he became after such a treatment. This one was deep.
On a lighter side “sir, I must protest, I am not a merry man” by Worf takes it every time 😂❤
Riker "Computer: Remove plank."
... and the Animal House nod in the same episode. (Worf mashes lute.) "Sorry."
The scene where Nog ask Sisko to sponsor his application to Starfleet is one of my top 10.
Not so much when Nog asked for the sponsorship, but the raw emotion he let off when Sisko was digging for the true reason.
You left out one that I think should be towards the top. Chain of Command (Star Trek: The Next Generation) Picard's performance was amazing in this 2 part episode during the interrogation. Cheers LLAP!
Easily no. 1 most memorable: "there ... are ... four ... lights!"
"THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!"
There are...FOUR......LIGHTS!!!!!!!
"Whenever I look at you now, I won't see a powerful Cardassian warrior. I will see a six year old boy who was powerless to protect himself. In spite of all that you've done to me, I find you a pitiable man."
An excellent tandem, Patrick Stewart and David Warner, that's a heavy weight acting master class.
Mulgrew doesn't get enough recognition for her multi-dimensional Janeway: swagger, empathy, stern command, & a chilling "I will murder you" menace. Her performance is a masterclass of character nuance.
Not even ”I will murder you" but "I will leave you alive to suffer in the ruin of your own stupidity once I'm through with you."
If only the writing had been up to her acting.
SHe is great acress but her real life arrogance spills into her character. My least fav captain
Not a fan of Kate Mulgrew, not since I first say her as Mary Ryan in Ryan’s Hope.
@@Earendilkg If you think Mulgrew's behind the scenes "arrogance" makes her character unlikable, just wait 'til you hear about that Shatner guy.
Its a short scene, but when the Enterprise is being shot up by the cloaked Klingons, Sulu gives an order to hurry and help, and is told, "Sir, the ship will fly apart." Captain Sulu says (yells) "FLY HER APART THEN..." George Takei's deliverance of that one line and the emotional and meaningful tone, in his voice and on his face REALLY made the character of Sulu, come to life, showing Sulu as a man who really respected and admired, "his Captain."
That was respect to all Captains of every navy who took suicide risks to intercept an enemy. Look into the Pacific battles of WW2 in particular the USS Johnson.
@@crhu319 Sammy B (from the same battle as Johnston) was even a better parallel for that scene, considering her chief engineer (Lt. "Lucky" Trowbridge) locked down the safeties on her boilers and was running them at 150% of nominal - 600psi instead of 400 - so that a pokey little 24 knot DE actually had a chance to close the range to Chokai to make a successful torpedo run. They officially logged a 28.5 knot top speed on their suicide run, some of the survivors reported that they actually hit 29.5 or maybe slightly faster. Somehow, the boilers held together until they were blown to shrapnel by 14" battleship shells from Kongo. And while Trowbridge *was* flying her apart, her captain, Lt. Cdr. Copeland, was giving the crew the only real-life example I'm aware of of the "we're going into a fight we can't win, we're probably not going to survive, but I know that you'll all do your jobs well" speech that fiction writers love to use in some form or another. (There's an additional tidbit that would make a great bit of gallows humor if anyone ever makes a big-budget movie about Samar, where the fatally wounded Sammy B is being dismantled by Kongo after having absolutely mauled Chikuma in the crossfire with Heermann - Copeland and his XO, who both survived, are on the wrecked bridge, the ship is being quite literally taken apart out from under them, and the engines are gone. Copeland gives the order to abandon ship (at that point, the abandon ship signal had have been about the only thing still working), they look at each other, simultaneously unholster their .45s, and throw them as far into the ocean as they can from the bridge rail, and run down what's left of the access ladders to the main deck to look for survivors.)
Just want to acknowledge the fantastic actresses who appeared in single episodes, notably in TOS where co-stars had to match Shatner’s Shakespearean intensity. However, my favourite performance is from TNG: Hallie Todd as Lal in The Offspring. “I will feel it for both of us.” Providing emotional insight into a character who does not believe he has emotions is a challenging task and she completed it with grace and passion.
I think Jolene Blalock and Linda Parks should get credit to for their chrs.too,especially when you see how their T'Pol changed from an aloof Vulcan to someone who assisted the crew with more warmth and Hoshi who was scared at first, but became even braver.
"Thank you for my life..." gets me every time
William Windom as Commodore Matt Decker in the TOS episode "The Doomsday Machine". One of the best performances of ANY series.
That remains my favorite original series episode, and Windom's performance might be the best one-time appearance in any of the series. I can't think of one that can top it, and there were some great one-off appearances in all of the series.
William Windom was incredible in his portrayal of Commodore Decker. So much so I could have watched an entire series set aboard the Constellation based on this one time appearance by Windom. Sadly something we can never see the realization of.
"Don't you think I know that!"
Morgan Woodward and his crazy eyes as Van Gelder
@@Hellgie1 lol. He was Definitely good for his time. I wonder how that would play today. Seems a bit over the top now.
Wanted to mention Nog's performance in DS9 season 3 episode 14 . Him talking to Sisko about his desire to join Starfleet. That I would consider a stellar show of the actors chops back then. So much strong raw emotion and desire from someone who is playing a Fereigi who is far removed from that stereotype that was established for them.
Picard: How many people does it takes admiral, before it becomes wrong? A 1000? 50.000? HOW MANY ADMIRAL!
Of all the deaths in Trek, Lal's death is the one that hits me the hardest, "I will feel it for both of us.Thank you for my life"
You were missing the double episode of Picard when he got captured and tortured by the Cardassians.
That scene of "there are four lights!" still scares me even today. (Even though a similar story in babylon 5 was even better)
The greatest thing about DS9 is it's wonderful cast. I do not know if the stars were aligned when the jobs were handed out, but by far the best professional acting group of all Star Treks. Yes, other Star Treks had great single actors, but as a group, DS9 is the standard that I wish all Star Trek's were measured by.
DS9 is peak Trek, it has the holy trinity of actors, storyline and writing.
Ricardo Montalbán's performance in Star Trek 2, The Wrath of Kahn, will always be the best because not only did he do an amazing acting job, but he made that movie the greatest Star Trek movie ever made (Along with a good script and a great musical score.) which probably saved the Star Trek franchise from ending after the first Star Trek movie failed.
The final moments in Hard Time, "Be well Miles" is an excellent line, there is just so much to love about that episode.
I was waiting for that one to come up.
Shocked it didn't
Fans always joke about the long suffering of Miles Obrien, but I take that as a coping mechanism for the many things Miles goes through hits very close to home.
I saw Wrath Of Khan at the theater, it was packed the night I went. When Spock died you could have heard a pin drop in there. I distinctly remember hearing at least three people crying.
Same thing happened when I was in avengers movie. With spider man dying. Heard multiple parents counseling there kids moment he past away. Very rare moments at a theater
40 years later, and it's STILL heartbreaking to watch.
Should be in the top 5 at least-probably #1
Honorable mention for jetrel in voyager, and that voyager episode where the doctors program breaks down after he choosesnn by one crewman’s life he knew over another, I was always astonished by the real emotion both performances put out
Two patients! Equal chance of survival!
@@merickful What then, mmh? Flip a coin? Pick a card?
That Doctor episode was so amazingly good
Latent image I believe? Picardo was just aces as the Doctor. The best part of Voyager.
@@Justicemace Every episode where Picardo flexes his acting muscles is amazing.
Maritza's moment of death is a huge character development moment for Kira. And Nog's performance is brilliant.
I STILL say that #7 should have gotten him an Emmy!!! That performance was POWERFULL!!! Thank you for this video, you've basically proven what I've said about DS9 for decades.... THE BEST CAST IN THE FRANCHISE!!
Richardo Montalban gave the best performance ever in the Star Trek franchise when he said the following words as if Khan satisfying revenge against Kirk was total fulfilment from deep within:
Khan Noonien Singh: I've done far worse than kill you. I've hurt you. And I wish to go on... hurting you. I shall leave you as you left me, as you left her. Marooned for all eternity, in the center of a dead planet. Buried alive... buried alive.
James T. Kirk: [shouts] KHHHHAAAAAAAAN! [echoes] KHHHHAAAAAAAAN!
The Empath: original series: S3: E 12🤔You CANNOT have this category without adding Kathryn Hays' non-speaking stellar performance as The Empath, Hays conveyed every emotion possible without speaking a single word giving into her gifts and saving Dr. McCoy's life; offering her life the music swells, and so do the viewers' emotions 🥺
I concur. It also is perhaps DeForest Kelly's best turn as McCoy. That episode had no right being as good as it was.
@@andyharris4048 Thanks! And I wholeheartedly agree, it may very well be DeForest Kelly's best Dr. McCoy performance.
Thank you for acknowledging these great moments of Trek history. A very appropriate perspective for the greatest sci fi television series of all time.
Reading these comments, we definitely have room for a part 2 😁
My additon: Voyager season 7 episode called Lineage. Bleanna trying to change the DNA of her child because of her history with her father, in the end she breaks down with Tom in the sick bay why she's doing it Tom saying he hopes all they're children look like her .... I actually cried 😭
For me it is the very first episode of DS9 when Sisko is talking to the Prophets and he keeps going back to his wife's Jennifer death and he asks, "Why do you keep bringing me here?" And the say, "It is you that brings us here." Then they go through the scene and he says, " I just can't leave her here!!" as he is pulled out of the room and the Prophets tell him it is not linear as he cries and shakes his head no. That scene gets me every time!!
I’m surprised seven of nine isn’t on this list. She has some incredible moments especially the episode where she becomes other people. I guess only the more serious moments get attention.
I was expecting to see one of my favourite scenes from the much maligned Star Trek 5, where Dr. McCoy re-lives the death of his father. For me, that was one of the most emotional scenes in all of Trek, with great performances from De Forest Kelley and Laurence Luckingbill as Sybok.
I will die on the Hill that DS9 is the greatest Star Trek series of all time, not just for the performance of the main cast, but for the amazing recurring roles. Nog, Garek, Gul-Dukat, and even Morn, there was rarely a bad performance. The stories and the emotions DS9 manages to convey still stand the test of time.
I have to agree. Though TNG takes the #1 spot for me as it was the Star Trek I was first introduced to.... for nostalgia's sake. But DS9 is the best written and has best character development (Both Good and Evil).
I will stand on this hill with you, but the back of my DS9 T-shirt will have TNG on it! Cheers!
Avery Brooks is my favorite cast member ever, Sisko was a well rounded human being, he was a dedicated father, he was a soldier, and he also was a war criminal/hero. Besides Sisko was seriously the only captain I ever found intimidating.
Growing up I would have said voyager but growing older DS9 has definitely become my favorite of all the treks. Dagum I miss good trek.
@@coreysayre1376 Yep....the new stuff isn't working for me.....I've tried and tried again, but, damn....
I long to hear about any one of Morn's many adventures. Even though he's a bit of a chatterbox.
Please do a part 2 on this. So many more amazing performances.
Anyone who says William Shatner can't act has simply never watched any of his performances, or has only watched a few of the weaker ones. I recently rewatched the entire original series and the movies featuring the original characters, and I was impressed by Shatner more often than not. There really weren't any bad actors among the original cast, for that matter. And I'm happy to see Kate Mulgrew on this list, I have always thought that Voyager works in large part because of her. Janeway is one of my favorite characters in all of Trek.
Maritza's monologue was one of the most extraordinary scenes in all television.
Yeah when he breaks down talking about how Maritza cried listening to those screams, it genuinely makes you feel bad and you realize that sometimes even in the midst of the horrible happening that if effects everyone involved.
Terrifying is that all war criminals in history think the same as Marica - what I did wrong?
@@sanjasrdanovic3727 Maritza wasn't a war criminal he was a victim as much as the bajorans. Being unable to stop the slaughter doesn't make you complicit in it, being afraid doesn't make you a monster. Anyone who can't understand the nuance and context of what he was in obviously had a child like view of the world.
I just left a comment paraphrasing the same thing. Still our performance.
@@idlehands1864 At some point, anyone who chooses to participate in torture, genocide, and crimes against sentient life for whatever reason - compulsion, belief, fear, ignorance, stupidity, or whatever - still has to be held to account.
You don't get a free pass just because the choice before you may have been 'be involved in horrors' or 'be executed'. There were a number of soldiers in WW1 that chose to not do horrible things and were, consequently, executed as one real world example.
You can be put in an untenable situation with no good outcome. But even then, you can't become complicit with horrific acts for any reason. If you do, you do deserve to answer for that.
Wow! DS9 took five out of the top ten including #1 in all of Star Trek! Superb acting and writing but also I think the fact that DS9 isn't as utopian as the other franchises makes it more relatable.
Good lord, what a great list! And so well presented. I really appreciate the positivity and praise being heaped on these much-deserving performances.
IKR? This definitely deserves a “10 More” follow-up!
It seems so stupidly utterly ridiculous that I should even have to type this, but "it's nice to Shatner get the props he deserved as an actor."
I was hoping to see Lal and Data in The Offspring make the list. Glad to see DS9 well represented here.
Avery Brooks was involved in the four of them. Not an accident.
He is The Sisko.
Mark Alaimo in Waltz had an amazing performance when he admitted that he hated the Bajorans
William Windom as Commodore Matt Decker in the T.O.S. episode "The Doomsday Machine" is for me the single best performance by anyone in any of the franchises ; From shock over his crew's death, to assuming command of the Enterprise in a rage worthy of Captain Ahab chasing Moby Dick, to the near apoplexy as he faces his death when the shuttle he's piloting is swallowed by the "Planet Killer"
Windom actually altered the portrayal of Decker from how the writers intended. That makes his performance even more remarkable and powerful.
"Oh now... it's the sock... no wait... fireplace log.... giant flashlight"....
I know, the SFX wasn't so bad for the time. And Windom was brilliant as Decker, a traumatized Captain who tried to save his crew and had to watch as they died. That was some great work in setting up the storyline and Windom's performance was exceptional.
@@ghandimauler The prop was a wind sock dipped in concrete.
Tim Russ also gave a stellar performance as Tuvok in Voyager. At Ds9 I was always impressed with the characters Benjamin Sisko, Odo and Garak. Their personalities were layerd which made them very fascinating to watch
Ricardo Montalban, Glen Corbett and Mark Leonard certainly delivered performances that ended up translating into the movies.
And Shatner's "Let's get the hell out of here" at the end of City on the Edge of Forever is as big an emotional gut punch as his reaction to the death of Edith.
It's easy to forget that to Kirk, Edith's death happened just minutes before.
“He knows, Doctor. He knows.”
I just have to say, Patrick Stewart's performance under Sareks mind meld, to me, has to be the most powerful performance Ive ever witnessed on television, let alone Star Trek. I saw this episode the day it first aired and I was stunned for weeks.
That scene is beaten by Stewart's performance in another episode, remember the "THERE ARE....FOUR LIGHTS" ?
Completely agree… can’t watch it today… once was enough
This afternoon I got to “For The Uniform” in my DS9 rewatch, and my main takeaway from it was that I don’t think people talk about the scene with Sisko venting to Dax while battering a punchbag as much as they should. The pure rage that Sisko feels because of what Eddington did and how he was able to trick him so easily is just so palpable in this scene. It pours through the screen and feels so relatable. Avery Brooks has so many performances in DS9 that could legitimately be described as a Tour de Force, and we quite rightly talk about “In The Pale Moonlight” and “Far Beyond The Stars” until the cows come home, but I feel that For The Uniform, the aforementioned punchbag scene especially, deserves way more love.
YOU BETRAYED YOUR UNIFORM
How could Jeffrey Combs not take at least one spot in the top-ten? That's criminal.
Leave it to the Pink-Skins to forget about him.
Because if he's in one entry, then they'd have to make every other one his performances.
Because the character was lacking. It is a slight to the character, not the actor.
"I am a human being" is thee most gut punching, heart wrenching, tear jerking line delivery I've ever heard. Everyone has the right to equality, regardless of upbringing, race, age, gender, all that sets anyone apart. Roddenberry would've been proud of Avery Brooks in general, but this episode especially! LLAP everyone!
I'm jealous of your uniform!
I want to state this: After seeing a comparison between "Balance of Terror" and "Quality of Mercy", I think people are too harsh on Shatner for his dramatic pauses. When viewing the identical scenes, you can tell that EVERYONE on TOS had those dramatic pauses, but Shatner is the one that gets picked on. That's just how things were at the time.
I'd like to nominate Patrick Stewart for the next generation episode chain of command, there are FOUR lights!!!!
"Whenever I look at you now, I won't see a powerful Cardassian warrior. I will see a six year old boy who was powerless to protect himself. In spite of all that you've done to me, I find you a pitiable man."
You should totally do the DS9 list, and then the not DS9 list to feel more fair. In the Pale Moonlight alone is a list.
An actor is doing it right when they go from you wanting to strangle them, to trusting them with your life.
Although I cannot argue with one single choice in your list (rankings notwithstanding), I would have given…
“He knows Doctor…he knows” and all before and after it, some space in the list.
The people who criticize Shatner for the melodramatic acting in TOS forget that it was very often a melodrama.
According the the book "Star Trek: Making Movie Memories" (a biography written by William Shatner), Kirk was supposed to sit in the captain's chair when he heard of David's death. The scene as it plays in the movie is due to Shatner tripping, but as he stayed in character it was decided to leave the "blooper" in.
It does feed the scene REALLY well, though...especially if you take into account what we learn about Klingon family culture and honor in the later series.
Kirk: "You Klingon *bastard*, you killed MY SON!"
Kruge: *internally* "Oh, FUUUUUUUUUUU-"
I'm glad 'The Visitor' is finally getting credit, that episode utterly breaks me every time I watch it. It inevitably leaves me crying, and I mean *ugly* crying, and its power only grew when I lost my dad.
Especially if you know that a close relative of Tony Todd pass away before making of *The Visitor* .
When I watch that episode I’m always amazed that it was only 43ish minutes. It feels like you live an entire lifetime. And yes, ugly cry every single time.
RIP Aaron Eisenberg what a great performance in Its only a paper moon, gets me tearful every time
Great vid, Eisenberg really knocked it out of the park with paper moon.
Keith Urban should have gotten an Oscar nod for playing McCoy in ST 09'.
The shuttle scene was brilliant.
Karl Urban. Keith Urban is a country singer
@@CaptainEnglehornI'll just blame the auto correct...
A difficult list to create for sure with so many amazing performances by so many wonderful actors. You could easily add ten more from the original series alone including Michael Forest as Apollo at the end of the episode Who Mourns For Adonais his voice cracking in anguish and tears rolling down his face. Or James Daly as Flint in Requiem For Methuselah when Rayna dies. Or Natalie Woodville as Natira in For The World Is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky. Her entire performance of regal elegance and charm as the High Priestess of Yonada. But for me and I'm sure so many others the number one performance in all of Trek is William Windom's portrayal of Commodore Decker in The Doomsday Machine. My God what a performance. "They say there's no Devil Jim but I saw it right out of Hell".
I just did a re-watch of the TOS crew movies (I-VI) and am in agreement with you here. II and III featured Shatner's best performances in Star Trek, and arguably of his entire career.
You missed about 100 other scenes. Picard in First Contact on why he won’t blow up the ship. Nog telling Sisko why he wants to join Starfleet. Quark telling Nog about humans. Data dressing down Worf about his performance as first officer. Picard shouting there are four lights. Picard telling Troi he actually saw five lights. Kirk arguing with Spock about helping the Klingons in Undiscovered Country. Probably a few dozen scenes for Garak, too many for me to list. But the one that stands out is at the end of the war as he and Julian talk for the last time. Jeffrey Combs as Weyoun and Shram. Worf and Picard in First Contact, you know the scene. Data about to murder someone then telling Riker “perhaps” the transporter must have triggered the weapon. I need to stop typing
There is going to be another list.
From the content of these comments
There will be another list.
At the end of ST V when Kirk says i lost a brother once, i was lucky, i got him back. And Bones replies i thought you said men like us don't have families? And Kirk says, i was wrong. Powerful stuff.
Wait didn't Kirk lose an actual blood brother in the original series? Sam Kirk? That's cold.
@@angrytvrobot6130 Yes i'm sure he did however i'm only referring to the end scene here after Spock laments his half brother Syboks death and then we get the conversation i mention. However there are some emotional moments in all the original movies. This one stood out for me as i was long estranged from my family and my friends were my family.
I hold "Duet" up there with the finest episodes across every series. To this day I can't watch it without tearing up. Can anyone honestly say they know what they would do if they had been in Maritza's position?
As I wipe my tears from my eyes, I say: "YOU GOT THIS 100% right." Paper Moon = YES. The Visitor = Dear God YES! Duet = Are you kidding?! Amazing. Far Beyond the Stars = Silence... utter silence... Nailed it y'all
RIGHT ON! Damn! You’re good! I actually just re-watched the episode with Sisko (two of the ones you mentioned). These are literally two of the best hours ever been produced on television. I could’ve written that entire list. good work!
Dammit Sean !
While watching this list of performances, I felt myself welling up a bit with each passing entry. Started to really hit hard with Tony Todd's performance in The Visitor. When you got to Aron Eisenberg's well-deserved #1 spot for It's Only a Paper Moon, I just couldn't keep the tears in. Such an amazing performance (really by all on this list), but Aron's in particular. Perfectly portrayed by the actor, and to be fair, also to James Darren's Vic Fontaine. One line of his that always stuck with me is, "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but at least you're in the game."
Majel Barret in Dark Page is my favourite. Not a fan of Lwaxana Troi but this performance tears me apart every time
Anytime Majel Barret gets the chance to take Lwaxana Troi seriously is going to be a good show. Dark Page, on the other hand, is a whole other level beyond, and I wish we got the chance to see that more often...
Picard at the end of "Family" where he breaks down in front of his brother, relating what the Borg did to him should have made the cut. Or his famous "The line must be drawn here" from First Contact
Yes… that scene with his brother was heart felt… he realized that he was loved!
One I think is worth a honorable mention is the episode where Data creates and loses his child. Even though he'd depicted as an android, somehow something so emotional as parenting is taken into a context of an emotionless android. The audience can't keep from feeling their emotions, but Spiner absolutely knocks that one out of the park.
Agree with every choice here! I'll add honourable mentions for Jeffrey Combs for Treachery, Faith and the Great River in his double roll and also Brad Dourif as the deeply enjoyable Lon Suder in Meld. (Actually Tim Russ was also great in that episode.)
All I need say (or shout) is "THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!!!!"
I think an honourable mention is needed for the incredible Anson Mount in Through the Valley of Shadows. His conviction as he accepts his future date is incredible.
Aron was a MUCH better actor than he got credit for. I wish he had gotten to do more in life. RIP.
"The Visitor" is such a powerful episode and Tony Todd really does a superb job. You are not human if don't shed at least a tear while watching this episode. The music also plays an important part. When I went to the live "Star Trek Ultimate Voyage" concert, you could hear the crowd sobbing when the music for this episode, with selected scenes from the episode, played.
Couldn’t agree more, you’d need a heart of stone not to be moved.
My great love and respect for Tony Todd is why I can’t bring myself to watch the new Candyman movie.
what if you are Vulcan?
@@fivestar5897 You still have emotions but you repress them. And Vulcans have stronger emotions than humans. But, to quote Sarek: My logic is uncertain where my son is concerned.
@@EugenioAngueira It's one of the few times where we see Sarek not quite certain what to say for a moment...and we all know why.
Oh... it's so hard to list my own without feeling like it sounds like I'm faulting your choices. The fact is, there are so MANY. But of all the ones I could think of, there are two that I would not only include in a top ten, but which might have been numbers one and two on this list...
* Anson Mount in DISCOVERY - "Through the Valley of Shadows" - Anson Mount's portrayal of Pike getting the time crystal is one of the most chilling moments in ALL of Trek to me, for so many different reasons, not the least of which is that it gives the backstory to one of the most horrific stories of the original series. His disorientation at suddenly being thrust into the "there and now" of his accident and then its aftermath reminds me of my other pick below, and is compounded by his horror at what he sees, and then the weight of the decision he must make. This could have been overplayed, but Mount played it beautifully. It was one of the key scenes that sold me on DISCOVERY and made me so thrilled that STRANGE NEW WORLDS got the green light.
* Patrick Stewart in NEXT GENERATION - "All Good Things" - This is my all-time number one without question. Patrick Stewart not only had to play a character who was jumping back and forth between multiple timelines, but he had to find the center of the character in each of those timelines, and then believably "sell" the fact that "he" was the constant through all of them as he figured out what was going on. Aging Picard putting together the mystery of the anomaly is as believable as newly appointed Captain Picard trying to figure it out in HIS time. The transitions are amazing: Stewart played the moments where he found himself suddenly in a different time and place than he'd been in moments before perfectly. Especially amazing was the double disorientation he put across when he'd make the switch to future, slightly-senile Picard, and was not only disoriented from the sudden switch, but from the fact that cognitively, in that time, he wasn't as competent as he had been just moments before. It's a jawdropping performance which makes ALL GOOD THINGS, to my mind, THE BEST SINGLE (ok, two part) EPISODE IN ALL OF TREK, and again, I don't want to sound like I'm faulting your choices, but HOW COULD THIS NOT EVEN MAKE YOUR TOP TEN??? ;)
Great list which I'm sure will generate some fun comments. I love your channel-- it's the only TREK fan channel I really watch. Keep up the great work.
My absolute favorite was in the DS-9 performance of Duet. The interplay between Major Kira and Gul Dar Heal who turned out not to be that war criminal but just his clerk is the most engaging and terrifying looks into the mind of a psychopath who as it turns out wasn't. Anyone who hasn't seen this episode I can't recommend it more. A stellar performance!!!!!!!!!
The reveal and breakdown of Maritza will forever be etched in my mind because it was one of the few video clips on the original 'Omnipedia CD Rom' and it was so good I watched it countless times!
...and to think "Duet" only exists to save money in the effects budget...
Another outstanding video. I know you were limited in what you could chose but I would have added Kirk’s scene at the end of Requiem for Methuselah where he’s heartbroken. It the death of the Android and Spock mind melds and says one word, “forget” to ease his friend’s pain. Other than that, you guys have the best job in the quadrant. LLAP!
I love that scene.
"Heart of Stone" deserved a mention here, either for Nog's confession of why he wants to join Starfleet or Odo's confession of his love for Kira. They both hit me hard to this day, and I rewatch those scenes periodically, as well.
My #1 is still Garak v Sisko. So much of the series had been leading up to this confrontation. Before this moment, Sisko had remained the steadfast and honorable captain of DS9. Yes, even when he used biogenic weapons on the Maquis ... because he could still somewhat defend his actions as "in the best interests of SF".
But sanctioning the murder of an ambassador ... ? Violating the most inviolable of laws? Love him or hate him, you CAN'T see Sisko the same after this moment. The best captain in all of Trek *_BECAUSE_* he (above all others) goes "where angels fear to tread".
My wife and I recently started at the beginning of DS9. We're only 6 episodes in and it's already clear that Sisko i perfectly willing to operate in the grey areas and also to honor the spirit of the law even if he's playing fast and loose with or skirting around the letter of the law. If I were to choose one scene that embodies what I think is this core aspect of Sisko, it's his boxing scene with Q. "You hit me! Picard never hit me!" "I'm not Picard."
You know, there is a saying that exemplifies what you've described: Only the good die young. That observation simply notes that if you live long enough, you're going to have to have faced a situation where there maybe isn't a good option, just varieties of bad options, and you have to choose and execute a bad option. It may be least of the evils, but it is still evil.
@@ghandimauler "Either you DIE a HERO, or you LIVE long ENOUGH to watch yourself BECOME a VILLAIN."
--- attributed to Harvey Dent.
We can't see him the same after that moment, all right...
...but *neither can HE*.
Spock using a mind meld on Kirk and telling him to 'forget' at the end of "Requiem for Methuselah" was/is a powerfully touching scene that gave great insight into how much he cared for his friend and captain.
I agree… they were brothers!
The very best performance by any actor in the whole Star Trek franchise isn't even on this list. Come on, William Windom as Matt Decker! The scene where they find him on the Constellation alone should have put him in first place. From the slow reaction to the hypo to the breakdown ("Don't you think I know that? There was, but not anymore!"), you really feel his pain, his anguish.
William Shatner above Tony Todd, come on!!! The scene was fine but Todd smashed it for an entire episode and not just one short scene
Sean it always nag me when i see your pips on the wrong side of the collar. but i love the way you host these episodes
Same. Also that they're not regulation size or shape.
i loved nog and his old man
Not forgetting in the same scene Spock's '... the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.. or the one..'
Commodore Matt Decker (William Windom, The Doomsday Machine) should have been high on this list.
Good thing it's not a ranking, huh.
Robinson's Garek in The Wire is one of the most memorable episodes for me largely due to his manic break towards Siddig's Bashir. Andrew manages to naturally transition through every emotional spectrum in a 3 minute scene.
Honorable mention for Tate's Bilby in Honor Among Thieves.