Which Season of Star Trek: The Next Generation was the best?

I am nearly at the end of my review of the entirely of Star Trek: The Next Generation, something I’ve been doing for several years now.  Occasionally, in conversation with others about the series, the question of which season of the show (it had seven) was the best in terms of overall quality?  I have decided to find out.

Star Trek: The Next Generation – Inheritance [7.10]

During a mission, Data meets human scientist Juliana Tainer who reveals that she is his “mother” – she helped to create him and was in fact married to Data’s creator, Noonian Soong.  However, during the course of the mission Data realizes that Dr. Tainer is in fact also an android, albeit a highly sophisticated one. 

Star Trek: The Next Generation – Chain of Command, Part I [6.10]

When tensions with the Cardassians increase, Picard is reassigned to a special undercover sabotage mission against what is believed to be a new deadly weapon.  Meanwhile, a new Captain comes aboard the Enterprise, causing tension with all the officers by his abrasive manner. 

Star Trek: The Next Generation – True Q [6.6]

Amanda Rogers, a gifted young student, comes on board the Enterprise as an intern.  However, it turns out that she is being tested by Q, since her parents were members of the Q Continuum who had chosen to live as human beings. 

Star Trek: The Next Generation – The Outcast [5.17]

Commander Riker works closely with Soren, a member of an androgynous race in which identification with one gender or another is forbidden.

Star Trek: The Next Generation – New Ground [5.10]

Worf’s foster mother comes for a visit, bringing Worf’s son Alexander to stay. 

Star Trek: The Next Generation – Legacy [4.6]

Attempting to rescue two stranded Federation crew members, the Enterprise travels to Turkana IV, the homeworld of deceased crew member Tasha Yar.

Star Trek: The Next Generation – Tin Man [3.20]

The Enterprise is assigned to work with Tan Elbrum, a disturbed alien communications expert, to make contact with “Tin Man” – a living organic space ship that has been discovered near a star that is soon going to go nova.  The Romulans are also interested in Tin Man

Star Trek: The Next Generation – The Defector [3.10]

The Enterprise picks a low-ranking Romulan defector, claiming to have information regarding an imminent Romulan attack. 

Star Trek: The Next Generation – The Price [3.8]

Troi falls quickly in love with negotiator Devinoni Ral, who is competing against the Federation for control of a newly discovered stable wormhole.  Troi discovers that Ral is secretly empathic, and uses his ability to gain him advantages in his work.