Anthropologists who like Sci-Fi often list Star Trek as among their favorite television series. In my view some of the finest Anthropology focused episodes can be found in the seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation. I’ve previously looked online for a list of them, and hadn’t found one so I thought I would put one together and offer it up. Granted, almost every episode could be seen as dealing with issues in Anthropology, but these involve the field directly.

If you haven’t seen one, the episode title links will take you to the Wikipedia page, so watch out for spoilers.

I’ve arranged these in order of my favorites, and there are quite a few more I’ve left out. Have I missed any of your favorites?

1. Masks

Subfields: Cultural/Social, Archaeology, Linguistics

Encountering a mysterious object in space, the crew attempt to decode the ritual symbolism and mythology of an ancient culture. (Season 7, Episode 17) Note: I find it interesting that they don’t use the word “religion” once in the episode, and contrast the response to use of ritual and myth in the culture with disparaging comments about “superstition” in Who Watches the Watchers (see below), Devil’s Due, and other episodes.

2. Journey’s End

Subfields: Cultural/Social

Picard and Wesley become personally involved in the forced re-location of a Native American community who have settled on a disputed planet. (Season 7, Episode 20) Note: Although this episode can also be read as stereotyping and appropriating, albeit hundreds of years in the future, on another planet. Note the Klingon Kachina dolls in the Kiva.

3. Contagion

Subfields: Linguistics, Archaeology

Picard and Data investigate what might be the home-world of an ancient and unknown-to-them culture. (Season 2, Episode 11) Note: The Iconian culture makes an appearance later in Deep Space 9.

4. The Chase

Subfields: Biological/Genetic/Physical, Archaeology

The crew try to solve a genetic mystery uncovered by Picard’s former Archaeology professor. (Season 6, Episode 20) Note: I love this episode, but it’s strange how it’s never referenced again. The theme takes an interesting twist in the Voyager episode about a Saurian species Distant Origin.

5. Who Watches the Watchers

Subfields: Cultural/Social

The crew deal with the aftermath of a pre-warp culture discovering a hidden duck blind where Federation anthropologists have been secretly observing them. (Season 3, Episode 4) Note: The title is a great question for anthropologists to ask ourselves. As mentioned above, there’s a bit of disparaging talk about superstition and a narrative of science vs. religion.

6. The Gambit Parts I & II

Subfields: Archaeology

The crew investigate Picard’s disappearance during archaeological fieldwork. In part two, the mystery revolves around an ancient artifact. (Season 7, Episodes 4 & 5) Note: Another fun episode along these lines is Captain’s Holiday.

7. Loud as a Whisper

Subfields: Linguistics, Cultural/Social

A deaf mediator uses telepathic communication to speak through assistants, and must find a way to continue negotiations even after losing them. (Season 2, Episode 5)

8. Darmok

Subfields: Linguistics

To survive, Picard must learn a language based entirely on metaphor. (Season 5, Episode 2) Note: This is one of the most popular STTNG episodes, but not a favorite of mine. The “we’re trapped together down on a planet and need to battle and/or learn to communicate/cooperate” storyline feels overdone to me, from the original series, to Geordi and the Romulan, to Enemy Mine. The metaphorical language is a fascinating twist however. See also Ian Bogost’s article about this episode titled “Shaka, When the Walls Fell.”

9. Homeward

Subfields: Social/Cultural

Worf’s brother, a Federation anthropologist, takes an activist position to help his research subjects. (Season 7, Episode 13) Note: A heavy prime-directive episode — the IRB/Ethics Board would not approve.

10. Genesis

Subfields: Biological/Genetic/Physical

The crew “de-evolves.” (Season 7, Episode 19) Note: Biological anthropologists probably hate this one, actually — but, you’ve got to watch it just to see what the crew turn into…