What episodes of TNG should I watch before First Contact?

[Paper Moon]

Mojochi wrote:

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You might want to check out Redemption 1&2 for an introduction to Lursa & B'Etor

I mean this facetiously (for the most part), but you don't really need to know anything about Lursa and B'Etor other than that they are Evil Klingons Who Want To Destroy The Enterprise™. I mean, yes, TPTB deserve credit for using previously established villains, but their choice in that respect leaves something to be desired in my opinion.

But, yeah, "Redemption" is a great two-parter, so you should watch it anyway.
(And it is a thoughtful suggestion in any case. )

Honestly, I think a better use of "background episode" time would be to watch something that introduces you to Guinan and her Intuition. I think "Yesterday's Enterprise" would be good introduction in that sense. (And it's a killer episode in any case.) Understanding her character as she appeared in the series makes her role in this story more poignant, I think.

[R. Star]

You can literally substitute any generic villain for those two in Generations and it wouldn't effect the film in any way. You wouldn't even have to change any of their lines.

[Greg Cox]

Mojochi wrote:

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You might want to check out Redemption 1&2 for an introduction to Lursa & B'Etor

Also maybe "Family," for relevant bits of Picard's background.

[Tiberius]

Star Grinch wrote:

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You can literally substitute any generic villain for those two in Generations and it wouldn't effect the film in any way. You wouldn't even have to change any of their lines.

Soran struck Tomalak across the face, sending the Romulan reeling.

He looked back up, touching his mouth where green blood was beginning to flow. Tomalak met Soran's eyes and saw the anger in them. "I hope, for your sake," the Romulan said, "that you are initiating a mating ritual..."

Maybe not ALL of the lines can stay unchanged...

[Dale Sams]

DalekJim wrote:

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There's nothing you can watch that will prepare you for Generations . Up until 2009, it was the worst Star Trek movie.

Seriously though, you don't need to have seen any TNG before it really. It's self-contained unlike First Contact which has a backstory.

In the spirit of that "Most unjustly hated ep thread"

I loved Generations. The opening part is fantastic, I loved the soundtrack. Thought Stewart's acting in relation to what happens to his family was awesome.

Everything else was 'ok'. But I loved those parts.

"My God...was anyone in here?"
"aye."

edit: You don't have to defend your hatred with a long list. I understand why peeps didn't like it.

[Phily B]

I've neve rbought the whole "BUT TV PICARD" argument when it comes to FC Picard. I think Picard lost his shit when the Borg looked like they were about to destory the Federation and his ship once again.

Though I probably rate FC above TWOK on a personal rating purely cause of the end scene.

[R. Star]

Tiberius wrote:

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Soran struck Tomalak across the face, sending the Romulan reeling.

He looked back up, touching his mouth where green blood was beginning to flow. Tomalak met Soran's eyes and saw the anger in them. "I hope, for your sake," the Romulan said, "that you are initiating a mating ritual..."

Maybe not ALL of the lines can stay unchanged...

Haha, touche. Oddly enough that would make the movie more interesting though.

Thinking on it the only other scene I can think of that their lines would indicate they are Klingon females is their complaining about how ugly Crusher is.

[Timelord_Victorious]

If you watch the Descent 2-parter for Data backstory you should also watch I, Borg, so you know what lead up to that story and than you have actually completed all Borg episodes together with Q, Who? BoBW (and Family).

[MikeS]

Y'all forgot Thine Own Self - to explain why Troi was driving, you should probably watch Disaster as a backstory to Thine Own Self.

There's a scene in Encounter at Farpoint that will fill in why Data wants to do what he does with the thing that he has.

And if you're having to watch Redemption then don't forget to precede it with Sins of the Father and Reunion. Damn - then you'll also have to watch The Emissary (TNG not DS9 - but watch that too for an interesting other point of view about BOBW and the Borg)

Did I forget anything?

[CorporalClegg]

The way this thread is going, pretty soon every TNG episode will be on the list, well except for "Code of Honor."

[Seven of Five]

Perhaps Nibbz should just watch Code of Honor, and then anything else that follows will be simply amazing.

[Anji]

It doesn't matter what you watch, FS will disappoint you.

[DostoyevskyClone]

tomalak301 wrote:

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I would also include Family and The Drumhead to Dream's list. Both show the effects and denial Picard went through leading up to the movie.

Absolutely, 100% agree with this recommendation. I'm surprised more people haven't mentioned 'Family.' And I can't praise 'The Drumhead' enough for eluding to Picard's trauma - really, really well done.

[DalekJim]

I'd recommend Family even if it had nothing to do with FC, great episode.

Watched First Contact this morning for the first time in a while. Really enjoyed it. Probably my fourth favourite Star Trek film behind 1, 2 and 6.

[tighr]

Phily B wrote:

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Though I probably rate FC above TWOK on a personal rating purely cause of the end scene.

I also am a huge fan of FC, and put it up there with TWOK.

I'm assuming he already watched all these at this point, but I don't think that anybody recommended that he read Moby Dick by Herman Melville. Highly important for understanding why Picard does what he does.

Yesterday's Enterprise and ST: GEN are important for knowing what the little ships in Picard's ready room are.

He should probably listen to some Steppenwolf to get into the mindset of Cochrane.

And watching Voyager's Caretaker pilot will help him understand what's going on in sickbay.

He also needs to see The Big Goodbye to understand Dixon Hill.