The season begins with the crew defeating Lore and his group of rogue Borg, resulting in the disassembly of Lore. It continued this theme of family history with most of the episodes. After dealing with Lore, Data also confronts the realization that his "mother" is still alive ("Inheritance"). In "Interface", Geordi attempts to save his mother from a damaged ship and is forced to deal with his loss. Worf meets a future version of his son, Alexander, in "Firstborn" and his foster brother in "Homeward".
Both Troi and Dr. Crusher confront old family secrets in "Dark Page" and "Sub Rosa". Picard also faces challenges with a son he never knew he had in "Bloodlines" and his relationship with his family – past, present, and future – in the series finale "All Good Things..."
The series ends with Q concluding his trial of humanity, giving Picard an opportunity to save all of humankind.
This season was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, making Star Trek: The Next Generation the first (and, as of 2020, only) syndicated series to be nominated for the award.
Worf and Troi reluctantly play host to two Iyaaran ambassadors while Picard crashes in a shuttle with another Iyaaran. He is rescued by a human female who exhibits strange behavior.
The Enterprise crew investigate the apparent murder of Captain Picard during an archaeological trip. Riker is kidnapped by mercenaries and finds Picard working as part of their crew.
A psychic breakdown puts Lwaxana Troi in a coma and Deanna works to save her life. This episode features a young Kirsten Dunst playing the little girl Hedril.
Reclusive aliens imprison Picard and Dr. Crusher on charges of espionage. Experimental implants linking their minds telepathically cause them to face their latent feelings for each other.
Riker's former Captain boards the Enterprise to retrieve the USS Pegasus. Picard investigates the circumstances of its loss and finds that there has been a cover-up. Features Terry O'Quinn as Admiral Eric Pressman.
A civilization doomed to extinction is saved by a Federation observer – Worf's human foster brother – in violation of the Prime Directive, forcing the Enterprise crew to actively determine their fate. Based upon material by William N. Stape.
Dr. Crusher attends her grandmother's funeral and finds that the house is inhabited by a spirit who is 800 years old, and was her grandmother's lover. Based upon material by Jeanna F. Gallo.
Data loses his memory after retrieving radioactive fragments on a planet's surface and endangers the humanoid settlement he encounters, while Deanna studies to become a bridge officer.
A routine medical treatment inadvertently creates a virus that begins to de-evolve the Enterprise crew while Picard and Data are on an away mission. This is the first and only episode to be directed by Gates McFadden, who plays Dr. Crusher.
Lieutenant Ro graduates from advanced tactical training and is sent by Picard to lure Maquis terrorists into a trap. Guest star Richard Poe as Gul Evek.
