Star Trek: Strange New Worlds star Jess Bush reveals her favorite Star Trek episode. Bush stars as Nurse Christine Chapel in the latest series of the multi-generational science-fiction franchise. Set five years before Captain James T. Kirk commands the USS Enterprise, Strange New Worlds centers on Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and his crew of the Federation flagship. The show has proved popular with fans as it strives to return to the familiar episodic structure of the Star Trek of old, unlike the other recent series following the franchise's rebranding, led by writer-producer Alex Kurtzman, which follow a more serialized approach. As a result Strange New Worlds has received praise for its structure, poignant storytelling, and excellent performances, with the show being rated the highest since Kurtzman's introduction.

Originally created in 1966 by Gene Roddenberry, the Star Trek franchise has captivated audiences for the better part of six decades through eleven television series and thirteen films. Each iteration of the franchise brought its own unique take on the science-fiction series. Star Trek: The Next Generation revitalized the franchise for a new audience while the later shows greatly expanded on the lore of the futuristic universe.

In a recent interview with Slash Film, Bush shared her favorite episode in Star Trek franchise history. When asked about which episode from the massive franchise spoke to her, the actor revealed The Next Generation episode, "Inner Light." Read why Bush chose that episode above all others below.

"Well, if you don't watch any other ones, this episode is just so beautiful. I found that really inspiring and deeply moving. It's just, it's quite simple. In a way it's simple, the way that they tell the story, which makes it even more powerful, I think. There's not a lot of the classic big action sequences and crazy science things going on, but it's just really poignant and moving, and Patrick [Stewart]'s performance is just, ooh, beautiful."

The Next Generation episode, "Inner Light," has Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) encounter a mysterious probe from a long lost planet. The probe was sent into space by Kamin, an astronomer from a planet with its only star dying. After failing to have his planetary leaders heed his warnings regarding their eventual demise, a probe is created and sent into space as a way to preserve the memory of his people. When Picard comes into contact with the probe, he is forced to relive the entirety of Kamin's life in a matter of minutes.

Following the immense popularity of The Original Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation proved to be a worthy successor to popular show in both style and tone. However, the series also excelled with its heartfelt storytelling, as exemplified by Bush's excellent favorite episode choice, "Inner Light." Strange New Worlds aims to recapture that magic with its return the classic episodic formula where the crew engages in new adventures every week, with each episode carrying a strong thematic core.