While it's become a common criticism that Season 1 of STAR TREK: TNG is possibly the most infamous example of what went on to be a long-running, successful TV show having a shaky start, I have to admit that "Encounter At Farpoint" is actually a pretty solid pilot episode.
It helps that it was co-written by Gene Roddenberry & DC Fontana, veterans of the franchise, and there's a clear show of growth since the TOS era. Roddenberry finally got a chance…