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 – Journey’s End [7.20]

A treaty with the Cardassians puts several Federation colonies into Cardassian space, including one populated by Native Americans who refuse to move.  Wesley Crusher comes aboard the Enterprise, growing disenchanted with Starfleet.  Disapproving of the recent Federation policy, Wesley stirs up trouble for the Enterprise with the local population. 

Star Trek: The Next Generation – The First Duty [5.19]

Wesley Crusher is becomes involved in a cover-up regarding the reasons for a fatal space fighter accident at Starfleet Academy. 

Star Trek: The Next Generation – The Game [5.6]

Wesley Crusher returns to the Enterprise for a visit to find that the entire crew is becoming addicted to a small video game that Riker was introduced to during a jaunt to Risa. 

Star Trek: The Next Generation – Final Mission [4.9]

Before Wesley finally joins Starfleet academy, he accompanies Picard on a shuttlecraft mission that goes awry, leaving them stranded on a desert planet. 

Star Trek: The Next Generation – Remember Me [4.5]

Beverly is concerned when her visiting friend, Dr. Quaice, disappears, leaving behind no record of his existence.  It gets worse when members of the Enterprise crew begin to disappear as well and nobody remembers them but her. 

Star Trek: The Next Generation – Sarek [3.23]

The Enterprise plays host to important negotiations that can only be held by legendary Federation ambassador Sarek.  However, the aged Sarek is suffering from a rare debilitating disease that causes his emotional control to break down. 

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 – Yesterday’s Enterprise [3.15]

When a previous Starship Enterprise comes through a rift from the past into Picard’s time, history is changed so that the Federation has been at war with the Klingons for over 20 years.  Tasha Yar, who is alive in this timeline

Star Trek: The Next Generation – Evolution [3.1]

In the midst of a time sensitive scientific experiment, the Enterprise computer begins to malfunction, threatening the safety of the ship and crew.