What Episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation Was Banned?

The Star Trek: The Next Generation episode that was notably banned is "The High Ground."

This particular episode faced a ban in the United Kingdom due to its content, specifically for what was perceived as casual support for violence and its direct references to the Irish Unification movement.

Details of the Banned Episode

• Episode Title: The High Ground
• Season/Number: Season 4, Episode 12
• Original Air Date (US): January 28, 1991

Why "The High Ground" Was Banned in the UK

The primary reasons for the ban revolved around sensitive political and social issues relevant at the time of its initial airing. The episode's narrative included:

• References to Irish Unification: The plot features a group of separatists using violent tactics for their cause. A specific line in the episode where Commander Data mentions that "terrorism has been a successful tactic throughout history" citing examples like the Irish Unification, was particularly problematic for UK broadcasters. Given the ongoing political climate and paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland, any perceived glorification or normalization of such tactics was highly sensitive.
• Casual Support for Violence: The general theme exploring the effectiveness of insurgent tactics and the struggle for independence was deemed too controversial and potentially inflammatory for broadcast in the UK, especially to a general audience. The portrayal of a conflict where one side uses violence to achieve political goals, combined with Data's analytical, non-judgmental observation on terrorism's historical efficacy, was seen as problematic by regulators.

The ban meant that "The High Ground" was not shown on UK television for many years following its initial production, making it one of the most well-known instances of censorship within the Star Trek franchise. Eventually, edited versions or full versions were made available through other mediums, but its initial broadcast was significantly impacted.