List of essential episodes.

[Greg Cox]

For DS9, I'd add "Duet," which is easily the best of the early episodes. And also serves as a nice intro to the whole Bajoran/Cardassian thing, as well as Kira's backstory.

[AdmiralScreed]

d'Anconia wrote:

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You should add Maquis episodes from TNG/DS9/VOY as well. Together they form a great arc of stories.

For the Maquis I'd just stick with DS9 and TNG episodes. VOY terribly mishandled them. Even though half of the VOY crew were Maquis, their introduction and most of their development happened on the other shows. Just my two cents.

[R. Star]

Really the thing is, I've seen episodes listed on this thread, I'd consider bottom tier, and I bet some of my favorites may not be thought so by others.

It really is a subjective opinion on what makes an episode good or bad.

[jpch]

AdmiralScreed wrote:

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For the Maquis I'd just stick with DS9 and TNG episodes. VOY terribly mishandled them. Even though half of the VOY crew were Maquis, their introduction and most of their development happened on the other shows. Just my two cents.

That is so not true,in the first 3 seasons of Voyager there were so many amazing Maquis episodes. and no not half of Voyagers crew was made of Maquis,Voyagers crew was of 150 approx and the caretakers wave killed some of them,they were replaced with Maquis and the crew compliment was still referenced as 150 later in the series so the Maquis are most likely about 30 people max not half the crew. there was never a lack of crew in caretaker after the Incident,and you could actually count the Maquis.

[jpch]

martine wrote:

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I'm compiling a list for a friend who hasn't time to watch a lot. I found this thread, but it's far too extensive. My list is minimal.

I'm trying to include all the important story arcs and themes, e.g:

• The Borg
• Species 8472
• Dreams; hallucinations; illusions
• Q
• Eugenics/Augments
• Crossovers between series
• Mirror universe
• Time-travel
• Nazis
• Data and the Doctor dreaming or becoming more human; Dr. Soong
• Commander Shran's friendship with Archer
• Dominion War

I have more in mind, but not sure what's actually important. What themes do you think should be included?

What I need help with are hidden-gem episodes, like One Little Ship, The Haunting of Deck Twelve, Tuvix, Rascals and Distant Voices. I have no reliable way of finding these episodes. They fall under no conveniently searchable theme on Memory Alpha. What hidden gems do you know?

I love your list Martine <3

[Sector 7]

FWIW, my list was not meant as a judgement of good/bad episodes as much as an introduction to the FLAVOR/GIST of Star Trek. I do agree that Trials and Tribble-ations makes more sense if you saw The Trouble with Tribbles first, but it can work as a stand alone episode, also.