Ask Slashdot: How To Introduce Someone To Star Trek? 634
First time accepted submitter red$hirt writes "I have a few friends, plus my girlfriend, who I would like to introduce to Star Trek. They do have a general interest to watch it, but I'm not sure what's the best way to start. There are so many series and movies and I would like to pick an order that keeps them interested. My first idea is to start off with a few good TNG episodes, and then let them watch First Contact. What does Slashdot think? I'm sure some of you have introduced others to Star Trek before. How did you do it, and how successful were you? Which particular episodes would you recommend watching for someone who is completely new to all this?"
Khaaaaaaaaaan!!!!!! (Score:5, Informative)
KHAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!
I don't know the best way (Score:4, Informative)
Brain and brain! What is brain? (Score:3)
Re:Brain and brain! What is brain? (Score:4, Interesting)
I'd start with TNG, don't cherry pick episodes because if you do that then they maybe disappointed with the rest. Start at the beginning. I'd say start with the 66 series as well, but for some that can be too big of a leap. With TNG there are recognizable actors, special effects by the end of the series are relatively good even by today's standards.
If they enjoy it, go back and watch the 66 series and continue with DSN/Voyager/Enterprise
First, be polite and don't look it in the eyes. (Score:5, Funny)
Star Trek can be skittish around strangers and if you approach it from the wrong side or too qucikly.
If Star Trek begins to smoke, move away quickly and cover head.
Re:I don't know the best way (Score:5, Insightful)
One could show Star Trek without Star Trek, by staring with good stories.
TNG: Darmok
DS9: The Visitor
VOY: Blink of an Eye
TOS: The Devil in the Dark, The City on the Edge of Forever
(and a few others)
Such stories are accessible to new viewers since they do not depend on much cannon or story arcs or character history to be fully enjoyable. The major cannon episodes that series fans enjoy for being loaded with many intersections of individual motivations, big conflicts, implicit story, and consequence (e.g., "The Best of Both Worlds") would be lost to anyone who had not been exposed to the big players and landmarks. Starting with character development episodes would bet too much on new viewers caring about the characters on first exposure, and similarly with arc development episodes.
Re:Khaaaaaaaaaan!!!!!! (Score:5, Interesting)
Watch the original series episode that introduces Khan back to back with the movie.
Re:Khaaaaaaaaaan!!!!!! (Score:5, Funny)
For future reference the title of that episode is "Space Seed" which, unfortunately, sounds like a porn version of Star Trek.
Re:Khaaaaaaaaaan!!!!!! (Score:5, Funny)
Sex Trek
Sex Trek: The Search for Cock
Sex Trek: The Next Penetration
Sex Trek: Deep Sixty-Nine
Sex Trek: Voyeurism
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:3)
Sex Trek: In Her Eyes
or
Sex Trek: Enter Guys*
But what about TAS? Sex Trek: The Animated Orgies?
*The gay guy in me likes the second one the best, but you people are mostly straight so I put the hetero one first.
Re:Khaaaaaaaaaan!!!!!! (Score:5, Informative)
TOS may be campy, but it's first season is one of Trek's best. Why? Because it was written by lots of science fiction authors, rather than the standard TV crap writer. (NOTE: Season 1 is also best-watched in production number order, not airdate order. The storyline will make more sense then.)
Re:Khaaaaaaaaaan!!!!!! (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Khaaaaaaaaaan!!!!!! (Score:4, Interesting)
Three possibilities spring to mind:
1) Nostalgia filter - TNG episodes don't look nearly as good as you remember since you're point of reference has changed.
2) While the special effects were much more dated, the writing/plot of TOS was superior, so that the dated components were responsible for less to the total experience.
3) TOS is so dated it crosses the "B-movie threshold" and you simply accept the special effects as stand-ins for what was intended, and/or find them entertaining in their own right (so bad it's good). I know the latter certainly applies to some of my cherished original-series Doctor Who episodes.
Don't lead w/the Movies... (Score:5, Insightful)
Your friends will enjoy the moves a lot more after they absorb the chemistry; McCoy + Spock don't really hit their stride until the end of the first season. Anyway, while people with no background in StarTrek certainly can enjoy the movies, people with some background in StarTrek will enjoy the movies at least twice as much. (I say it is worth the wait; you asked for how to best introduce your friends to Star Trek... so realizing there is no need to rush anything will help you do a better job with that introduction).
TOS stories are (mostly) all well done. And the concepts are ground breaking when you consider they were presented in 1968. Some of the social points are astonishing; equality, moral dilemmas, and so on - especially(!) when you compare them to other shows that were airing in the late 60's early 70's. (Myself, I like using TOS as a mirror to get a glimpse of that generation's culture.)
So... maybe show them 3 TOS episodes then leave it at that; more than that will risk burning them out. If they like TOS they'll follow up on their own, or come back for more "home video nights." (And if you can do it, go with the re-mastered TOS; they really do look nicely done).
Maybe for a later "video night" in a do a few TNG episodes. Or they may be grooving on working through TOS. *shrug* Either way, at that point, they will ask for more or just politely nod and focus on other things.
Lastly, and this could be the most important part, show some restraint in pacing and tempo with what you play for your friends. And express interest in what your audience likes and is passionate about; you might find something new that you like, and you will almost certainly learn more about your friends.
Re:Khaaaaaaaaaan!!!!!! (Score:4, Insightful)
As for series - start off with TOS, then I'd do ST:Enterprise, then ST:TNG, then Voyager and DS9.
Re:Khaaaaaaaaaan!!!!!! (Score:5, Insightful)
It's fucking hard to get through the campiness of TOS, though.
I mean, Space Hippies [youtube.com]. That's pretty much the best way to make someone never want to watch a Trek show again.
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Indeed - skip the first Star Trek movie and go directly to Star Trek II - The Wrath of Khan! My favorite Star Trek movie by far, so much so that the Khan bellow is my ringtone on my phone.
As for series - start off with TOS, then I'd do ST:Enterprise, then ST:TNG, then Voyager and DS9.
The first film is great, not action oriented but really epic. It's a true science fiction film.
And because of this it's the perfect film for someone that is not a trekkie.
For the other films I'd go ST II, ST IV and ST VI for classic star trek.
Next generation : First contact only, the rest are best forgotten.
Tv series : no questions asked DS9
Re:Khaaaaaaaaaan!!!!!! (Score:4, Insightful)
The first film is great, not action oriented but really epic. It's a true science fiction film.
And because of this it's the perfect film for someone that is not a trekkie.
The first film's basically a drawn-out version of one of the original episodes (the Changeling) that starts pretty well and ends strong but has tons of dead space in the middle because the plot's too thin to support more than 45-50 minutes. You'd be better off watching the original episode or many of TOS episodes instead.
Re:Khaaaaaaaaaan!!!!!! (Score:5, Insightful)
Bitch all you want about the /. moderation system, but that is correct in every possible way with the exception of a new Funny/Informative rating.
Comment removed (Score:5, Informative)
My advice (Score:5, Funny)
If you want to keep your girlfriend, forget about Star Trek.
Re:My advice (Score:5, Insightful)
Shared interests = good relationship (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Shared interests = good relationship (Score:4, Insightful)
so... she can hate whatever it is he likes and not have to watch, but he still has to watch her relationship dreck-disguised-as-horror?
Re:Shared interests = good relationship (Score:4, Funny)
Re:My advice (Score:5, Informative)
Not everybody likes the same thing.
If you insist upon Star Trek, I'd start with TNG because Gene Roddenberry purposely made each episode a stand-alone story. According to his wife Majel he thought continuing stories alienated the viewers (because they would be lost).
I'd start with some of season 1's better episodes (because they establish character backgrounds), skip the writer's strike-damaged season 2, and then continue onward from there.
Or you could just start with season 3 which I thought was the best of all of them. Almost every episode is a winner.
Re:My advice (Score:4, Informative)
A lot of people watch shows with continuing story lines now: Lost, True Blood, Breaking Bad, The Wire I think have proven this point. I recently started going through Deep Space 9 for again on Netflix, and it's incredible! I think it's now my favorite of the modern TV Treks. A broad story arc with several different conflicts, very interesting characters and extremely interesting villains -- someone could probably write a doctoral dissertation on Gul Dukat or Garak. It also features complicated political problems and intrigues, and occasionally Starfleet officers do evil things, without being possessed by a lizard alien. It's exactly the kind of show Roddenberry would never have allowed to be made.
There are also amazing gems like Little Green Men [memory-alpha.org] and Trials and Tribblations [memory-alpha.org].
My issue with starting someone on TNG is that season three is great, but it gets soap-opera'y by season 7, with evil twin brothers, love triangles, and all the actors are so chummy it feels like a community theater show. Also several of the later episodes fall into particle-of-the-week-ism and repeat premises from earlier in the series.
Re:My advice (Score:5, Funny)
someone could probably write a doctoral dissertation on Gul Dukat or Garak
Gul Dukat I can understand... but Garak was just a simple unassuming tailor.
Re:My advice (Score:5, Insightful)
Beware of anybody that makes a living in skilled hand trades in a world with replicators.
Re:My advice (Score:5, Funny)
My dear fellow, you make it sound so insidious!
How else does one distinguish themselves amongst a galaxy of replicator clad humanoids if not for fine quality hand made fabrics carefully assembled in the styles of the day?
Re:My advice (Score:5, Informative)
There are a few gems in the second season like Elementary, Dear Data and Measure of a Man.
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The trick, I think, is to show a few really good episodes from all the series, that shows what Trek is all about, while avoiding some of the camp and nonsense.
Hardly a complete list, but a few good ones that should leave the right sort of impression. People don't get into Star Trek because they don't get Star Trek. These episodes are a crash course on what it's all about:
TOS: Space Seed, The City on the Edge of Forever, Mirror Mirror, The Trouble with Tribbles, The Tholian Web
TNG: The Measure Of A Man, The
Re:My advice (Score:5, Insightful)
The joy in Trek is largely nostalgic. As a kid Star Trek was one of the first "grown up shows" I watched. While it covered issues and topics I didn't always get until I was older, but a Space Ship, Aliens who wern't scary, and cool tech, was enough to keep me interested. As I got older and watching the shows over again I found more complexity in the plot. As I went into adolescence it was a family approved show with babes in tights or short skirts where you sometimes get a panty shot. Then you get more of the plot. After that it is a lot nostalgic of when you were a kid and life was easy.
For most people the debat over TOS TNG DS9 VGR and ENT falls what you watched when you were 8-12 years old.
If you didn't watch Trek as a kid, you are probably not going to get that into it. For one the age of the shows covers many issues that are no longer a big deal. Second the plots and acting while ok are for the most part not spatactular.
That said... I think Deep Space 9 is the best bet. It isn't as campy as the other Trek and there is growth in all the charactors.
Re:My advice (Score:4, Insightful)
For most people the debat over TOS TNG DS9 VGR and ENT falls what you watched when you were 8-12 years old.
I watched TOS during that age in my life, and yet DS9 is my favorite series, with TNG and Enterprise tied for next (both had some problems, but both also had some great episodes). And, Voyager was absolutely the most unwatchable (I've only seen the first couple of seasons).
To answer the original question, I second the motion of starting with "Space Seed" from TOS, then WoK. After that, go back to some of the better TOS episodes (if nothing else, "The Trouble With Tribbles" is absolutely required), then continue with the TOS movies (skipping VI). If they are still interested at that point, TNG or DS9 depending on whether they like a continuing storyline better than mostly stand-alone episodes. Even if DS9 is their choice, some of the better TNG episodes would still be worthwhile first to set some of the background for new technology.
Re: (Score:3)
then continue with the TOS movies (skipping VI).
Of course I meant to skip V: The Final Frontier. /. needs a "sanity check" on posts.
Re:My advice (Score:4, Funny)
Wait, this Trekky claims to have a girlfriend? Is it just me, because I don't buy this story at all.
My suggestion samzenpus: get some spock ears, take your supposed girlfriend to a restaurant, and verbally explain to her all the back stories in deep space nine. That will REALLY get her involved.
LOL.
What not to! (Score:3, Funny)
Please not Deep Space 9!
Re:What not to! (Score:5, Insightful)
Why not? I think it's the best. It's pretty much a soap opera in space. Story arcs some tech babble thrown in.
Re:What not to! (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:What not to! (Score:5, Funny)
Ferengis look stupid and because of that, the show looks dorky as fuck
Arrogant Hooman!
Your just jealous because we have the lobes for business and control our females! Or as you hoomans say it, we got all the money and bitches!
Re:What not to! (Score:5, Interesting)
I think DS9 was the best. It was the most emotionally complex Trek series, and showed a future that wasn't so clean and utopian, with people who weren't so predictable. The introspective and rather cynical view it took of the Federation was by itself enough to elevate it above other series.
Re:What not to! (Score:5, Interesting)
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Totally, without doubt this is the best series to introduce people to Star Trek. Just imagine your friends trying to comprehend the complexity of a plot line where the main governing power isn't necessarily the "good guys". This sort of originality really sets the series apart from others. Make sure to devote some serious time after
Re: (Score:3)
Re:What not to! (Score:5, Interesting)
>>>Please not Deep Space 9!
Probably not a fan of Babylon 5 either. (Or novels.) I know it sucks when shows make you have to remember plot details over the course of an entire season, but hey, that doesn't mean the show is bad. ;-)
B5 and DS9 still rank up there as my favorite SF shows. Add-in Hercules and Xena and the X-Files and seaQuest (year one) and earth2 and Buffy and Twilight Zone and Outer Limits..... and the 90s was an awesome decade for fantasy/science fiction television. Most of it was produced off-network as individually-funded shows (syndicated). It's a shame the syndication market died out. CW/MyNetworkTV is a poor substitute..... the independent channels died out.
Agreed. (Score:4, Insightful)
I tried to introduce myself to star trek, and deep space 9 was recommended online as the best series.
It completely turned me off star trek.
Redshirts (Score:5, Informative)
Re: (Score:3)
I was rather disappointed by Redshirts. It started off well. But about 1/2 through, the deux ex machina showed up. And not a very good one. I know that is sort of the point of the book (there are a couple levels of parody). But it made the story arc peak too soon. The rest was a chore.
At least that's one person's opinion. Other Scalzi books I'd happily reread. Not this one.
Odd question. (Score:5, Insightful)
Sometimes I'm glad that I'm old. Sheesh, "Introduce" somebody to Star Trek. What a weird concept.
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I would start with TNG, not DS9, atltough DS9 is my favorite Trek series
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Yeah, but.
The first episode, despite the way everyone sneers at the mere mention of "Encounter at Farpoint", gave me the one thing I'd been waiting for years to see. Ever since I bought my first Enterprise Technical Manual and saw that the saucer section could separate from the rest of the ship, I wanted to see that on screen. Right out of the gate, STNG gave me that. It earned enough goodwill from me, in that first act, for me to watc
Re:Odd question. (Score:5, Interesting)
Over the past 18 months or so, I've been watching TNG with my (now) almost-14 year old daughter. To start things off we shot through the first 6 films, then switched to TNG. Having recently finished TNG we've flipped back to the films (from Generations onwards) and are about to watch Insurrection. Due to time constraints (she's also chewing her way through Buffy* plus normal evening TV) we only did 'highlights' of TNG - about 10-12 episodes per season picked by me. I tried to ensure that all the key episodes were watched and that each character had enough screen time to develop over the seven seasons (interestingly, Seasons 6 and 7 are on reflection, almost all about Data).
Her stand-out TNG moment so far are the Four Lights scenes in Chain of Command. Her favourite character is unsurprisingly Data**.
Not sure where to go next to be honest, thinking of doing ENT - mainly because I've only seen it through once, so a revisit would be nice for me too.
As far as Star Trek (2009) stands - I really didn't gel with it. Can't put my finger on what was wrong, but it definitely isn't proper Trek for me. :(
* Thankfully she hates Twilight :D :/
** SPOILER ALERT: The end of Nemesis is really going to hit her HARD.
Oh while, I'm at it - on topic for the OP: Almost 13 years ago I went to a house party. On the shelf there was a limited edition numbered box set of the first 5 Trek films on VHS so I asked whose it was. I'm now rapidly approaching my 10 year wedding anniversary with the owner of those tapes, and she is my soulmate, my inner trill, and a woman who loves Sci-Fi even more than I do. :D
Well... (Score:5, Interesting)
As someone who introduced my ex to Trek a few years back, and who's still in largely into it despite not being together anymore, I took the simple approach of "show the good, skip the crap".
More specifically, this is what I did:
- Saw Star Trek 2009. Explained beforehand, very briefly, that it was a "darker and edgier reboot" of the original series that for canon purposes took place in an alternate universe. Answer any questions she has ("Why is Spock bleeding green? What is a Romulan? What is Warp?")
- Showed her DS9 and TNG, especially First Contact, since that's one of my favourites, along with Generations.
- Watched some Voyager, some Enterprise, etc. A bit of everything.
And that was it. Again... show the good stuff, skip the crap stuff ("Threshold"? What is that? I am not aware of any episode with that title). It's a show with a huge body of content; there are some gems in there, but there are some poo nuggets too.
Re:Well... (Score:5, Insightful)
Also, don't fucking go on a massive rant about Subject X. If she asks, "What is Warp?" Just say, "It lets the ship go faster than light." Don't regurgitate the entire Memory Alpha article that you've memorized or possibly helped write.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
If she asks, "What is Warp?" Just say, "It lets the ship go faster than light."
That's way too technical; the correct answer is: "That's how the ship goes from one planet to another"
Re:Well... (Score:5, Insightful)
If "It lets the ship go faster than light." is too technical, it is time for a new girlfriend.
Re: (Score:3)
- Saw Star Trek 2009. Explained beforehand, very briefly, that it was a "darker and edgier reboot" of the original series that for canon purposes took place in an alternate universe. Answer any questions she has ("Why is Spock bleeding green? What is a Romulan? What is Warp?")
It might help to point out that the rest of Trek wasn't directed by J.J. Abrams and thus has things besides lens flares visible on screen.
Next Gen Q (Score:5, Funny)
The Next Generation Q episodes are the most demented fun. From Picard waking up in bed after a sexual encounter only to be greeted by Q to my favorite exchange in the final "All Good Things" episode:
Elderly Picard: Q, where's the anomaly?
Elderly Q raises horn to ear: Where's your mommy? Why, I don't know.
Re:Next Gen Q (Score:5, Insightful)
No, while Q was acted well, he was the worst plot device in the entire franchise and is guaranteed to put off any new viewer. Even worse than the holodeck on Voyager.
Re: (Score:3)
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I think it's just another example of the character growth that went on on TNG, the early seasons do not seem like they're about the same characters as the later ones almost across the board. Q was no exception; like the Ferengi, it seems like they wrote him to be menacing but the character came off more like a prankster, and once they embraced that, I think they really put out some good stuff.
The episode Tapestry stands out as a good Q episode that really gave a better overall impression of the character (
The Films? (Score:3)
Perhaps go with the films? I was never a big Star Trek fan. I preferred Babylon 5. I loved the original films though. In fact, I really have liked every feature film I've seen. Maybe that can be an entry way into the TV series.
Don't bother (Score:4, Insightful)
The Inner Light (Score:5, Informative)
Get them to watch The Next Generation episode "The Inner Light." This was by far one of the best hours of television in history. Then maybe "City on the Edge of Forever" from the original series. If those don't hook them, don't bother trying any further, it's a hopeless cause.
Re: (Score:3)
Re:The Inner Light (Score:4, Interesting)
Take it a little farther (Score:5, Insightful)
Worked for me. Although, to tell the truth, Valerie watched some Star Trek with me before Stanley came along.
Depends on the girlfriend (Score:4, Insightful)
What does your girlfriend like to watch? Start with the episodes/movies that are closest to that. For some people, "Star Trek: First Contact" is the best intro. For others, it's the JJ Abrams reboot, for others it's DS9, etc. "Star Trek: Insurrection" is often referred to as "Star Trek: Date Movie" for good reason; that might be a starting place.
San Fransisco! (Score:3)
Start with Star Trek IV, it's very accessible.
you lie! (Score:5, Funny)
>"I have a few friends, plus my girlfriend"
Oh, c'mon... I stopped believing you right there.
Speak to her in Klingon... (Score:5, Funny)
start with the original series (Score:5, Funny)
The one where Vader hacks off his son's hand with a laser sword.
Re:start with the original series (Score:5, Funny)
Followed by the one where Han Solo watches a witch doctor pull the beating heart out of a kid's chest.
Re: (Score:3)
I like the one with all the naked Grace Park cylons
Drinking games ... (Score:4, Insightful)
Don't foist too much of the geeky stuff on them, have fun with it ... drinking games!
Every time McCoy says "dammit", everybody drink. Every time Spock says "fascinating", drink. Every time Kirk gets his shirt off, drink. Every time an un-named red-shirt gets killed, drink. Every time Uhura says "scanning all frequencies", drink.
Of course, if you're watching next gen, any time Wesley saves the day, they mention tachyons or other particles with magic properties, or Deanna Troi wears the cheerleader outfit, or Warf drinks prune juice ... drink.
But, in the end, maybe just let sleeping dogs lie ... your friends may never really appreciate your beloved Trek, and in the end may decide it's not something they like. It isn't everybody's cup of tea.
First... (Score:3)
The first rule of introducing Star Trek to people who have never seen it is: Do not introduce Star Trek to people who have never seen it.
The second rule of introducing Star Trek to people who have never seen it is: Do not introduce Star Trek to people who have never seen it.
Go with the flashy new movie (Score:3)
Leslie Nielsen (Score:4, Insightful)
If your friends have the remotest interest that will certainly reel them in.
Obvious (Score:3)
easy! (Score:3)
(2) lots of beer
(3) eyelid clips
Series guide (Score:4, Interesting)
My guide to the six Star Trek series is below. If you've ever wanted to watch a few episodes of a series and stop there, pick some from the relevant "best of show" list. They're all independent episodes that require essentially no back story (though caring about the characters always helps), unless otherwise noted. The NxM numbers indicate season and episode.
The Original Series (TOS): quality varied wildly. Season 2 was the best; season 3 was largely weird.
* Best of show: 1x28 The City on the Edge of Forever [memory-alpha.org]; 2x05 Amok Time [memory-alpha.org]; 2x10 Mirror Mirror [memory-alpha.org]; 1x08 Balance of Terror [memory-alpha.org].
* Worst of show: 3x06 Spock's Brain [memory-alpha.org].
The Animated Series (TAS): terrible for adults; decent for kids (or maybe nostalgia if you saw it as a kid). One real season.
* Best of show: 1x02 Yesteryear [memory-alpha.org].
* Worst of show: 1x05 More Tribbles, More Troubles [memory-alpha.org].
* Most surreal moment in all of Star Trek: Midway through 1x04 The Lorelei Signal [memory-alpha.org], Scotty sings Welsh ballads while the Enterprise slowly orbits. The scene drags on for 37 seconds.
The Next Generation (TNG): season 1 is terrible. 2 and 3 are hit-and-miss. 4-7 are quite good, with 6 and 7 being almost universally good.
* Best of show: 5x25 The Inner Light [memory-alpha.org]; 2x16 Q Who? [memory-alpha.org]; 3x26 The Best of Both Worlds [memory-alpha.org]; 6x15 Tapestry [memory-alpha.org]; 3x15 Yesterday's Enterprise [memory-alpha.org]. The series finale, 7x25 All Good Things... [memory-alpha.org], is also quite good and has no "spoilers".
* Worst of show: 2x22 Shades of Grey [memory-alpha.org] (clip show); 2x12 The Royale [memory-alpha.org]; Wesley's part in 1x03 The Naked Now [memory-alpha.org] (also Wesley's most annoying part period).
Deep Space 9 (DS9): season 1 is terrible with the notable exception of Duet. 2 is a marked improvement (for instance, Siddig learns to act). 3 and 4 are sometimes hit-and-miss. Seasons 5-7 are excellent if you like space opera.
* Best of show: 1x19 Duet [memory-alpha.org]; 5x06 Trials and Tribble-ations [memory-alpha.org] (excellent if you've seen the TOS episode!); 4x03 The Visitor [memory-alpha.org]; 4x08 Little Green Men [memory-alpha.org]--these are each essentially independent episodes. 6x19 In The Pale Moonlight [memory-alpha.org], 6x06 Sacrifice of Angels [memory-alpha.org], and the series finale 7x25 What You Leave Behind [memory-alpha.org] are all excellent as well, but they're part of the Dominion War story arc and should really be watched starting from, say, 4x26 Broken Link [memory-alpha.org].
* Worst of show: 5x07 Let He Who Is Without Sin... [memory-alpha.org].
Voyager (VOY): seasons 1 and 2 are terrible. Again it slowly amps up until 6 and 7 are pretty universally good. Lots of good 2-parters. Fun fact: Captain
Patrick Steward (Score:3)
Pick something that is Picard-heavy, could be sth. Borg-related.
If you could find an episode that also features a heavy amount of Guinan and Data, you should be at a good starting point. Patrick Steward, Brent Spiner and obviously Whoopie Goldberg are the best that ever happened to Trek. Ever. Seriously. I love Nimoy, but Steward and especially Spiner took it to a level that fits Goldberg.
A Q episode might easily do the trick.
Also, the Sherlock Data/Moriarty episodes are brilliant, but some of the humor might be to complex and tied to the characters to fully enjoy.
I'd then pick one nice episode of every series but Voyager (there was not one nice episode to pick) and show how the series changed over time, and that there are lot of different 'versions'. A lot of brilliant episodes have already been mentioned here. Pick Way of the Warrior for DS9. It has everything, brilliant humor, acting, suprise, action, and loads and loads of Klingons. Plus five thousand photon torpedoes armed and ready to launch. Goose bumbs here. "He said: it's a good day to day". Oh my good was it great to watch that for the first time. I hated DS9 until that point. What a turnaround!
Enterprise: the episode in which they unveal the Vulcans using the monestary to spy on the Andorians. Self-explaining, deep for showing how twisted the Vulcans really are. Plus T'Pal. Uh I actually forgot about those nice "we have to go through desinfection again" fanservice scenes...
TOS: Horta, obviously. There are better episodes, but this one nails the 'Trek against dilemma' sheme. After that show "mind meld" (the documentary) which fills in the background of Shatners father dying during shooting it.
As for movies, IV is the most funny and brilliant, while The Unknown Country is by far the best Trek movie EVER EVER made, as it perfectly chimes into the tune of the universe. II of course... KAAAAAAAHN' - but VI is even better. Avoid uneven numbers, they suck. That's law.
Re:Voyager (Score:4, Informative)
Holy fuckballs, do not start with Voyager. That is terrible advice.
The Voyager characters were bland as fuck, the stories were retarded (outside of a few exceptions, Year of Hell [wikipedia.org] comes to mind) and as a committed Star Trek junkie even I had a hard damn time pushing through many of them. I mean, I've read a lot of the novels and some of the comics and enjoyed most of them more than Voyager, and there is a lot of craptacular novels, believe me.
The main problem with Voyager (Score:5, Funny)
Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,
A tale of a fateful trip...
Re: (Score:3)
as a committed Star Trek junkie even I had a hard damn time pushing through many of them. I mean, I've read a lot of the novels and some of the comics
I think you left out the part where you give the advice on what to start with.
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With the deepest respect, I suspect you had trouble pushing through Voyager because you were a "committed Star Trek junkie". The question is about how to get non-Trekkers interested in Trek. I still think that Voyager is probably going to do it better than any other series.
My (admittedly non-scientific) experience is that non-Trekkers tend to like Voyager in a way that Trekkers don't.
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Oh, a quick meta-comment. Of the 500+ comments I've made here in the last 13 odd years, this one is, to my knowledge, the first to get more than one "-1, Troll". For some reason, I find this hilarious.
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You have a 5 digid UID and *THAT* was your *FIRST* troll?
That's not hilarious... that's just sad.
It suggests to me that either you are a pathological conformist, virtually incapable of holding a controversial viewpoint for yourself, or else you have shown almost unimaginable restraint against divulging too much of your own opinions.
Re:Voyager (Score:4, Informative)
I don't want to get caught up defending throw-away remarks, but I'd like to point out two things:
1. It was far better than most things on US TV in 1987. But compared to later seasons, it sucked like a gravitational anomaly.
2. The problem was almost entirely budgetary.
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Enterprise is better than Nemesis. But I understand if you blocked that movie out.
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Good choice. I think a good episode that really captures the overall "feel" of The Next Generation (and Star Trek as a whole) is The Measure of a Man [wikipedia.org]. Patrick Stewart has gone on record as saying that his performance in that episode is one of the favorites of his entire career, which is saying a lot coming from such an accomplished Shakespearean actor as himself. One of my personal favorites.
Also, The Inner Light [wikipedia.org]. Another amazingly powerful episode that is a must see for Star Trek fans and non-fans
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Agreed, The Inner Light [wikipedia.org] is one of my favorites as well.
I also nominate Darmok [wikipedia.org] and the "There are four lights [wikipedia.org]" episodes.
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TNG could have been okay had they picked a captain that wasn't Scott Bakula. He has all the range of the kid picked to play a rock in the 3rd grade class play.
Sure, his one style worked well playing a reluctant hero just out to do the right thing in Quantum Leap, but it did not make for a good "leader of leaders" blazing a trail in the final frontier. (The writers didn't help, for sure. It's like they were writing for Bakula. Worst. Captain. Ever.)
The sexy (you can tell because her lips looked like ballo
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Re:Gotta Start with TOS (Score:4, Funny)
And don't forget 'City on the Edge of Forever,' a Hugo award winner. And a GF winner I believe.