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What is your ultimate Trek Comfort Viewing?

ananta

Fleet Captain
Fleet Captain
Here’s my question — which Trek series or episodes do you reach for when you feel the need of an emotional boost? And why?

This is undoubtedly one of the toughest years in living memory. It’s been even more so for me personally. I was diagnosed with advanced cancer in February and am now going through a fairly brutal chemotherapy regimen. I feel rubbish pretty much all the time at the moment, and that’s on top of all the concerns about Coronavirus and whatnot. It’s only now that I realise what a comfort Star Trek is to me. I don’t watch many new TV shows, as right now I seem to prefer things that I’m familiar with, and Star Trek particularly fits that bill (other things I’ve been rewatching are Futurama and Frasier).

I’ve been a fan ever since I was a kid, when TNG was first shown in the UK in the early 90’s. As a result I feel particularly nostalgic toward the first three seasons despite the initial ups and downs (there was a long gap between the BBC showing seasons three and four), not to mention TOS, which was also aired in the 90’s, and then DS9, which I think single-handedly got this sensitive introvert through high school. So part of my love of Trek is nostalgia, and part is the vision of hope it portrays, and how we’re always capable of overcoming the odds, even in the darkest of times.

I think for me, the most comforting Trek — the one that almost acts like a soothing drug — is seasons 1-2 of TOS.

I put on “The Man Trap” last night and was instantly overjoyed by all the little things I love about that show — the storytelling, the dashing spirit of adventure and exploration, the familiar and vivid central characters, the set lighting and those bright primary colours, the sound effects (I particularly love the sound effect they often used on alien planets —that hypnotic, droning hum sound), the vivid music, the inventiveness and somewhat dated quirks (I forgot “The Man Trap” features that plant of Sulu’s which was clearly a person’s hand in a pink dishwashing glove!). Also, while TOS was before Gene Roddenberry retconned his whole notion of the “evolved human”, it nevertheless captures the 60’s sense of vibrant optimism and forward-thinking hope for a bright future. I just love it.

So what’s the Trek that you turn to when you need cheering up? It may not be what’s considered the “best Trek”, but which episodes, seasons or series never fail to lift your spirits?
 
Probably Star Trek IV, more than anything else: it's a fun, funny movie, and it also brings back happy memories of the time I went to see it in the theater. (Yes, a single time, unlike everything from Star Trek VI onward. My parents were still controlling what movies we went to at the age I was at. Don't think we ever saw anything twice in the theaters.)
 
I can emphasize with you, ananta. I was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2011. Had surgery and chemo therapy.

(I went to work while I was still on chemo, but one day the side effects were so bad that I called in sick).

I started watching TOS in 1966. I thought that "The Trouble With Tribbles was particularly fun.

I agree with Replica Picard-The Voyage Home was indeed fun.

I also enjoy Futurama.

I understand your concerns regarding Covid 19. I have seen it compared to Spanish Flu about a century ago.

I am (with the rest of the area) currently under lock down in Seattle.
 
My comfort Trek is DS9. I rewatch it at least once every two years. I relate to many of its characters, and I find the story itself to be entrancing.

I didn't grow up with role models or a good idea of what family is, nor friendship. DS9 portrayed these things in a way that resonated with me. I watched it for the first time when I was 17 and I looked to media to help me establish a "path" to recovery in early adulthood. DS9 was it.
 
@ananta , so sorry to hear of your diagnosis.

On one level, all of Trek collectively is my comfort food. Basically any individual piece of the franchise will do the trick, more than any other non-Trek material.

But within that, there are the comfort-food-iest pieces. DS9 is my favorite Trek, but TNG is my most comforting, particularly seasons 1 and 2. That 80's early sci-fi tone just hits the spot somehow. It does practically drug me, I know exactly the feeling you describe. The relaxed pacing. The dreamy music. The weird plots. The ridiculous planet sets. The shiny costumes. The excellent cast chemistry, right out of the box. The lonely-deep-space feeling -- space in Star Trek never feels bigger and emptier and more mysterious than it does in season 1 and 2 of TNG. All the trippy remnants of ancient dead civilizations they stumble upon. It just puts me in a trance.

The are two episodes that particularly stand out -- "The Big Goodbye" and "11001001." I've seen those two a billion times each. Also in heavy rotation from these years are "The Arsenal Of Freedom", "Conspiracy", "Unnatural Selection", "Contagion", and "The Emissary."

Favorites from later years are "Yesterday's Enterprise", "Remember Me", "The Next Phase", "Time's Arrow", "Timescape", "Parallels."

I also really love so-bad-it's-good Trash Trek. This leads me to frequently watch "The Last Outpost", "Sub Rosa", "Genesis", "Turnabout Intruder", "Whom Gods Destroy", the "Basics" two-parter...
 
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I can emphasize with you, ananta. I was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2011. Had surgery and chemo therapy.

(I went to work while I was still on chemo, but one day the side effects were so bad that I called in sick).

I started watching TOS in 1966. I thought that "The Trouble With Tribbles was particularly fun.

That's what I have, although unfortunately it has also spread to my liver and lungs. But I'm far from beaten yet. I'm so glad you got through it and I hope you continue to stay well!

Must have been amazing to watch TOS in its original run and see the cultural phenomenon in its infancy. I can't imagine. I get nostalgic for TOS even though it was before I was born. "Trouble With Tribbles" is indeed an utterly delightful episode which never fails to raise my spirits.

@ananta , so sorry to hear of your diagnosis.

On one level, all of Trek collectively is my comfort food. Basically any individual piece of the franchise will do the trick, more than any other non-Trek material.

But within that, there are the comfort-food-iest pieces. DS9 is my favorite Trek, but TNG is my most comforting, particularly seasons 1 and 2. That 80's early sci-fi tone just hits the spot somehow. It does practically drug me, I know exactly the feeling you describe. The relaxed pacing. The dreamy music. The weird plots. The ridiculous planet sets. The shiny costumes. The excellent cast chemistry, right out of the box. The lonely-deep-space feeling -- space in Star Trek never feels bigger and emptier and more mysterious than it does in season 1 and 2 of TNG. All the trippy remnants of ancient dead civilizations they stumble upon. It just puts me in a trance.

The are two episodes that particularly stand out -- "The Big Goodbye" and "11001001." I've seen those two a billion times each. Also in heavy rotation from these years are "The Arsenal Of Freedom", "Conspiracy", "Unnatural Selection", "Contagion", and "The Emissary."

Favorites from later years are "Yesterday's Enterprise", "Remember Me", "The Next Phase", "Time's Arrow", "Timescape", "Parallels."

I also really love so-bad-it's-good Trash Trek. This leads me to frequently watch "The Last Outpost", "Sub Rosa", "Genesis", "Turnabout Intruder", "Whom Gods Destroy", the "Basics" two-parter...

Thanks Sakonna. I'm glad that I'm not the only one who unashamedly has a love of early TNG. While I know objectively it's not the greatest, there's just something about the spirit of it, the feel, the tone and atmosphere that I find much more exciting than later seasons (mainly mid-season 4 onward). I also love the fact there's a bit of an 80's tone to it, and the fact the sets, costumes and effects are often a little shaky adds to the charm and harkens back to TOS.

DS9. While I enjoy every iteraiton of Berman-era Trek, revisiting DS9 feels like being reunited with friends and family I haven't seen in a while and miss dearly.

I know what you mean. DS9 is my favourite yet I don't rewatch it too often, I like to have it be at least a little bit fresh when I rewatch. But I'm due to revisit it soon and can't wait! Whenever i come to the end of the series I feel pretty emotional -- "What We Leave Behind" gets me every time. It's like saying goodbye to an extended family. These characters got me through a lot when I was a lonely and struggling teenager.
 
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I almost forgot -- The Motion Picture is a film I just can't get enough of. I can watch it over and over again, and never tire of it. Objectively speaking, I know it's not the best film and it definitely has a number of flaws. Yet in spite of that, it's the one Trek film that feels truly epic in scope and which captures the sense of being in space and all the danger, wonders and awe inherent therein. The languid pace strangely works in its favour, and between the stunning visuals and Jerry Goldsmith's outstanding score, it's almost like a meditative experience watching this film. It all just washes over me, keeping me captivated yet strangely soothed. Definitely comfort Trek for me.
 
Thanks Sakonna. I'm glad that I'm not the only one who unashamedly has a love of early TNG. While I know objectively it's not the greatest, there's just something about the spirit of it, the feel, the tone and atmosphere that I find much more exciting than later seasons (mainly mid-season 4 onward). I also love the fact there's a bit of an 80's tone to it, and the fact the sets, costumes and effects are often a little shaky adds to the charm and harkens back to TOS.

You are definitely not the only one! :bolian:

It's outside of the season 1 & 2 sweet spot, but I've also recently discovered "The Vengeance Factor" is bursting with delightful 80's-ness, much more so than the rest of season 3, IMO. And, in a fun bit of trivia, it was the last TNG ep to air in 1989, so I like knowing that Trek gave the decade a suitable send-off.

I know what you mean. DS9 is my favourite yet I don't rewatch it too often, I like to have it be at least a little bit fresh when I rewatch. But I'm due to revisit it soon and can't wait! Whenever i come to the end of the series I feel pretty emotional -- "What We Leave Behind" gets me every time. It's like saying goodbye to an extended family. These characters got me through a lot when I was a lonely and struggling teenager.

You and me both. I am never not wrecked (in a good way) by that finale. I can recognize "What You Leave Behind" as a flawed work, with the poor pacing & regrettable cheesiness of the fire caves, yet I simultaneously regard it as one of the few PERFECT series finales I have seen -- I'd say the other names for that list are The Americans, Six Feet Under, The Leftovers, and TNG. There are no execution problems in those four finales, they are perfect in every way. But I probably like WYLB the best -- the emotional power it generates is so great, it makes it perfect, even though there are problems.

Which feels very fitting for DS9, a show that was forever turning problems and mistakes into assets and strengths.
 
Comfort Trek (not necessarily the same as "Best Trek" or even "Favorite Trek" btw):

1. TOS









2. TNG seasons 1-2
3. Star Trek V: The Final Frontier



4. DS9 middle seasons

5 Star Trek: The Motion Picture
 
When time permits, my comfort Trek is The Search For Spock followed by The Voyage Home. TSFS is an emotional rollercoaster for me - the intensity of the Sarek/Kirk mind meld, the exhilaration of Stealing the Enterprise, Saavik's compassion in soothing Spock's pon farr, sorrow/grief at Kirk's loss of David, and the hope, relief and joy of getting Spock back. I've watched this film so many times (it's my favourite Trek film) that it is a comfort to escape into its world (and what a lot of world it builds!). And then, a viewing of TVH is the ideal way to fully brighten my spirits afterwards :)

I'm far from beaten yet
- I'm glad to hear it. Stay safe and be well, ananta :bolian:
 
My best wishers to Ananta and Tim Walker over your medical concerns. My comfort Trek is I would say mostly TOS,TNG,DS9 especially the first two seasons of DS9. Plus the TOS movies. I think the TOS movies might be a big one I go to. Plus it's weird but I kind of feel young watching TNG season 1 even though it's not good by most measurable means. I mean they all make me feel that way but I think it's the ability to like something that isn't good is something that hits home since when your a child you usually don't watch high caliber stuff yet. I think Data episodes are also very comforting. A character who has no meanness or human sin at all in him appeals on a emotional level of wanting to be around people who are kind.


Jason
 
My comfort Trek is DS9. I rewatch it at least once every two years. I relate to many of its characters, and I find the story itself to be entrancing.

I didn't grow up with role models or a good idea of what family is, nor friendship. DS9 portrayed these things in a way that resonated with me. I watched it for the first time when I was 17 and I looked to media to help me establish a "path" to recovery in early adulthood. DS9 was it.

Such an interesting comment. To me the main theme of Star Trek is family and the preposterous politics of Federation earth in connection with the aliens representing human flaws are the imaginings of family in the eyes of someone inexperienced with a loyal and warm family. When I read you speak of relating to that group dynamic (not having experienced it) I can’t help but think that perhaps you and others have more in common with GR than you well know.
 
Over the years, I've kept gravitating back toward TNG. Their earlier seasons' flair for adventure, excitement, and mystery (and the occasional human condition exploration) just stand out better - even the cheesier episodes that are played straight and sincere often have a style and charm, despite most foibles and problems. It's perplexing. The cast chemistry helps immensely.

Season 2 in particular really gels. The running theme for the year is "Is Data sentient and does he have a soul?" is fantastic. Even in the episode where Pulaski takes a preemptive antidote to engage in a Klingon ritual where the drink would poison humans (not all foods are compatible between species, nice touch - never mind Crusher would never be so adventurous- she has her strengths as other episodes reveal, but Pulaski was always a deeper and more interesting character in these other ways shown during her brief tenure. )

That, and those early uniforms with the angles rock.

I do rewatch other spinoffs, and - of course - TOS.

DS9 is still my favorite Trek for its mix of character archetypes. It's not quite Blake's 7's mixture, but DS9's is just as enthralling.

But when I need some comfort viewing, the ultimate is TNG. It's like taking a 10 course meal and doing nothing more than licking the icing off the dessert cake.


My best wishes to Ananta and Tim Walker as well.
 
To me, Voyager is like a warm blanket on a cold morning.

Also, the original films (2-6).
 
In descending order of popularity

Select TNG episodes, mostly between season 3-5, but a number of outliers from other seasons as well

TOS movies 2-4, & some times 5 & 6 might suffice, after all, Kirk, Spock & Bones camping is about as comforting as it gets

& for a bit more fun a good number of TOS episodes
 
I almost forgot -- The Motion Picture is a film I just can't get enough of. I can watch it over and over again, and never tire of it. Objectively speaking, I know it's not the best film and it definitely has a number of flaws. Yet in spite of that, it's the one Trek film that feels truly epic in scope and which captures the sense of being in space and all the danger, wonders and awe inherent therein. The languid pace strangely works in its favour, and between the stunning visuals and Jerry Goldsmith's outstanding score, it's almost like a meditative experience watching this film. It all just washes over me, keeping me captivated yet strangely soothed. Definitely comfort Trek for me.

Took the words right out of my mouth. TMP is my all time favorite movie, and in a way it saved my life in my teenage years during especially rough times when I was struggling with my mental health. I've posted it elsewhere, but the first time I saw TMP on DVD, I was 14 years old and madly in love with a girl my age (my first serious crush, I guess you could say) who could not return the feelings. When I saw Kirk's bond with the Enterprise, in a weird and surreal sort of way it provided comfort, that the one Star Trek character I identified most with finally got the one thing he wanted most, even if I myself couldn't. Like Kirk, I have had horrible luck with relationships (let's face it, Kirk may have made out with a lot of women, but none of those women formed any lasting bond with him). I guess it just showed me that, to this day, the women who reject me aren't the end all be all, and that sometimes a single life isn't necessarily an empty life at all, as long as we have a purpose, like Kirk's command. :)
 
I almost forgot -- The Motion Picture is a film I just can't get enough of. I can watch it over and over again, and never tire of it. Objectively speaking, I know it's not the best film and it definitely has a number of flaws. Yet in spite of that, it's the one Trek film that feels truly epic in scope and which captures the sense of being in space and all the danger, wonders and awe inherent therein. The languid pace strangely works in its favour, and between the stunning visuals and Jerry Goldsmith's outstanding score, it's almost like a meditative experience watching this film. It all just washes over me, keeping me captivated yet strangely soothed. Definitely comfort Trek for me.

I've been got to be honest, I'm not even sure I'd say TMP is objectively flawed in any great way. It may have a pace that some find tedious and it may have some things that irk Trek fans in particular...but in a general sense, it's an extremely competent and well executed science fiction movie.
 
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