What's your favourite episode/s (of any Trek series) to lift your spirits when you're feeling a bit overwhelmed and fragile? Those episodes that wrap their arms around you, as only Trek can?
Emotional Support Episodes
- Thread starter Youcan'tsaythattoasehlat
- Start date
Good question! I think this will very likely be different for everybody, but yes, I have a number “comfort” episodes, that despite having already watched them countless times, they just have a calming effect on me. I’m not sure though if it’s always necessarily really the episode themselves that have that effect or if it’s more a case of the episodes connecting me to my childhood / easier times.
Off the top of my head I would name:
“The Cage” (TOS)
“Yesteryear” (TAS)
“11001001” (TNG)
“Peak Performance” (TNG)
“A Matter of Perspective” (TNG)
“Cause and Effect” (TNG)
“The Next Phase” (TNG)
“Frame of Mind” (TNG)
“Emissary” (DS9)
“Whispers” (DS9)
“Visionary” (DS9)
“The Visitor” (DS9)
“Trials and Tribble-ations“ (DS9)
“It's Only A Paper Moon” (DS9)
“Parallax” (VOY)
“Eye of the Needle” (VOY)
“Night” (VOY)
“Rise” (VOY)
“Dead Stop” (ENT)
“The Crossing” (ENT)
“Observer Effect” (ENT)
It’s interesting, because this isn’t necessarily a list of the best episodes (although I personally think they all are wonderful episodes) and if you’d ask me for my favorite episodes, the list would be different (although there would definitely be overlaps). So it’s definitely not necessarily the quality of the episode that gives it that emotional support aspect. It has more to do with how an episode puts me in a certain mental state. Sometimes it has something to do with the mood of the episode, though. Some episodes are very calm and low-key with not much loud action happening necessarily. And what’s maybe also interesting to note is how most of these are self-contained stories that you can just pop in and know that there will be a satisfying end in 45 minues.
For an episode that I feel is very much about emotional healing and that also has that effect on the viewer I’d name TNG’s “Family”. And also “Night” and “Mortal Coil” (both from VOY).
What are some you would name, @Youcan'tsaythattoasehlat ?
Off the top of my head I would name:
“The Cage” (TOS)
“Yesteryear” (TAS)
“11001001” (TNG)
“Peak Performance” (TNG)
“A Matter of Perspective” (TNG)
“Cause and Effect” (TNG)
“The Next Phase” (TNG)
“Frame of Mind” (TNG)
“Emissary” (DS9)
“Whispers” (DS9)
“Visionary” (DS9)
“The Visitor” (DS9)
“Trials and Tribble-ations“ (DS9)
“It's Only A Paper Moon” (DS9)
“Parallax” (VOY)
“Eye of the Needle” (VOY)
“Night” (VOY)
“Rise” (VOY)
“Dead Stop” (ENT)
“The Crossing” (ENT)
“Observer Effect” (ENT)
It’s interesting, because this isn’t necessarily a list of the best episodes (although I personally think they all are wonderful episodes) and if you’d ask me for my favorite episodes, the list would be different (although there would definitely be overlaps). So it’s definitely not necessarily the quality of the episode that gives it that emotional support aspect. It has more to do with how an episode puts me in a certain mental state. Sometimes it has something to do with the mood of the episode, though. Some episodes are very calm and low-key with not much loud action happening necessarily. And what’s maybe also interesting to note is how most of these are self-contained stories that you can just pop in and know that there will be a satisfying end in 45 minues.
For an episode that I feel is very much about emotional healing and that also has that effect on the viewer I’d name TNG’s “Family”. And also “Night” and “Mortal Coil” (both from VOY).
What are some you would name, @Youcan'tsaythattoasehlat ?
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I think that TREK V: FINAL FRONTIER might work as emotional support, but only because of Goldsmith's ''Busy Man'' musical piece.
Sorry to see this hasn’t any more takers so far, because I personally think it’s a very interesting topic. I suspect many here have been long-time fans since way back when they were kids. So I’m sure everyone has at least one episode that they put on when they need to go to that happy place. Maybe it‘s even entire shows for others instead of specific episodes.
Bumping this one more time, because I would just love to know what those “emotional support” episodes are for others.
Bumping this one more time, because I would just love to know what those “emotional support” episodes are for others.
TREKs tended to regarded as more escapism than all-out emo catharsis. Abrams did say INTO DARKNESS would get into tear-worthy bits like the ten-minute temporary death of Kirk.
Getting back to the earlier movies again, certainly WRATH OF KHAN and SEARCH FOR SPOCK have high drama mostly involving Kirk.
When I left the first house I ever lived in after many years, it later reminded me how Kirk left the bridge without a second to spare in SEARCH FOR SPOCK. He left with a bit more dignity than I did. I was equally afraid of unknown new experiences, but I also could not stay. In the end, it all worked out, but on that day I was an emotional mess.
Getting back to the earlier movies again, certainly WRATH OF KHAN and SEARCH FOR SPOCK have high drama mostly involving Kirk.
When I left the first house I ever lived in after many years, it later reminded me how Kirk left the bridge without a second to spare in SEARCH FOR SPOCK. He left with a bit more dignity than I did. I was equally afraid of unknown new experiences, but I also could not stay. In the end, it all worked out, but on that day I was an emotional mess.
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Well, on the opposite side of that coin, I have not been able to bring myself to watch "The Visitor", likewise with Buffy's "The Body", since my mom died over 8 years ago.
As for the subject of the thread, honestly I can throw on just about any Star Trek at any time and feel comforted by it being on the screen.
Sometimes, I'll even let Mr Barclay choose my episode for me.
watchtrek-lookforward.com
As for the subject of the thread, honestly I can throw on just about any Star Trek at any time and feel comforted by it being on the screen.
Sometimes, I'll even let Mr Barclay choose my episode for me.
REG – Random Episode Generator – Watch Trek – Look Forward
watchtrek-lookforward.com
For a similarity of that nature, I understand completely. (I was hooked on OZ, but I have a brother in prison.)
So once can be enough. I can't conceive a finer episode of BUFFY than The Body....or any episode in that series which saved a smidgen of the supernatural until the very end.
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Great question! And welcome aboard!
This is, at the same time, an easy and a difficult question to answer. There are a LOT of episodes that give me comfort, but also a LOT of episodes that are emotional.
Tosk mentioned three of my personal favorites: "Data's Day", "EXPLORERS, and "IN THE CARDS". All three are simple stories, but they are EXCELLENT! Especially "IN THE CARDS" makes me feel great afterward... when Ben hugs Jake, I feel like the show just gave me a hug.
"OUR MAN BASHIR" is ALWAYS a rewatch when it appears on Pluto TV. (This may very well be the single most watched episode in the franchise, and I have seen ALL of the TOS to ENT episodes a minimum of 8 times.) As a Trekkie and a Bond fan, this just always makes me smile.
"TRIALS AND TRIBBLE-ATIONS" - just a fun episode all around, and I even get to hear my actual first name in the episode! (Even though it's Darvin's cover identity when he comes aboard.) The cast and crew clearly had fun shooting this, and I don't think a better tribute to TOS could have been made.
"BODY PARTS" - the ending, in particular, always make me smile. (And it's my wife's favorite scene in DS9.) I've always felt that scene alone shows precisely why DS9 is the spinoff that best exemplifies what the franchise is about. A station full of people with completely different cultures, philosophies, values, and backgrounds all come together to help out one of their own. And even more importantly... someone who is now an outcast to his own people. DS9 was home to a lot of outcasts (at one time or another): Garak, Worf, Odo, Quark. But that didn't matter to those who lived on DS9. Everyone is welcome and we can all live and work together for a common good. What better message is there? And it's why I have always felt such a connection to DEEP SPACE NINE. (Particularly while I was growing up, as I was very much an outcast. TNG, and Data in particular, always has a special place in my heart because it made me a scifi fan. But DS9... is where I truly belonged.)
Thanks everyone for all the suggestions - I agree, this is a very broad question, but also a personal and subjective one. I was having a tough time when I posted the question, and just hearing from the community helped a lot. But yeah, I totally get that it depends on circumstances - e.g. the other side of the coin re people who can't watch certain episodes because of personal circumstances, I gravitate towards episodes that emphasise certain things due to circumstances. For example, I love watching episodes that emphasise the protective nature of Worf and Riker because I am recovering from being in a violent relationship, and trying to recover from the fear that has instilled in me, so seeing these sorts of male characters is comforting, silly as that might sound.
It's also just inspiring to see a vision of the heights to which humanity can ascend, in theory.
And I think, at the end of the day, it isn't individual episodes or even series or movies - it's the community the franchise has generated, and continues to generate, that is the real pillar of support; the knowledge that there are people out there who try to embody the values and standards reflected in the series.
In saying that, Carbon Creek made me happy yesterday (I adore T'Pol, ad Trip always brings a smile) and Data's Day is always a favourite, as is Trials and Tribble-ations (Jadzia is a favourite - I will NEVER recover from her death - and I particularly love that she checks out Spock - because, same, girl! Lol and honestly TOS generally, lifts my spirits) Also, Voyager - Riddles sstands out, because I can just get lost in the performance of Tim Russ (there are not many Vulcans I don't love tbh!)
I know there are others, but gosh it is hard to think of them, hence the message. Thanks again, everyone - I have your recommendations locked and loaded xoxo
It's also just inspiring to see a vision of the heights to which humanity can ascend, in theory.
And I think, at the end of the day, it isn't individual episodes or even series or movies - it's the community the franchise has generated, and continues to generate, that is the real pillar of support; the knowledge that there are people out there who try to embody the values and standards reflected in the series.
In saying that, Carbon Creek made me happy yesterday (I adore T'Pol, ad Trip always brings a smile) and Data's Day is always a favourite, as is Trials and Tribble-ations (Jadzia is a favourite - I will NEVER recover from her death - and I particularly love that she checks out Spock - because, same, girl! Lol and honestly TOS generally, lifts my spirits) Also, Voyager - Riddles sstands out, because I can just get lost in the performance of Tim Russ (there are not many Vulcans I don't love tbh!)
I know there are others, but gosh it is hard to think of them, hence the message. Thanks again, everyone - I have your recommendations locked and loaded xoxo
I don't know about emotional support per se, but if I feel like watching a random episode, these seem to be the ones I land on most frequently:
TOS:
The Doomsday Machine
The Ultimate Computer
TNG:
Heart of Glory
The Arsenal of Freedom
A Matter of Honor
Q-Who?
Samaritan Snare
Peak Performance
The Vengeance Factor
The Best of Both Worlds I & II
The Wounded
Disaster
DS9:
Defiant
The Way of the Warrior
In the Pale Moonlight
Take Me Out to the Holosuite
TOS:
The Doomsday Machine
The Ultimate Computer
TNG:
Heart of Glory
The Arsenal of Freedom
A Matter of Honor
Q-Who?
Samaritan Snare
Peak Performance
The Vengeance Factor
The Best of Both Worlds I & II
The Wounded
Disaster
DS9:
Defiant
The Way of the Warrior
In the Pale Moonlight
Take Me Out to the Holosuite
The only ones that immediately come to mind are:
TOS: "The Devil in the Dark" -- the first episode I saw in its entirety.
SNW: "Subspace Rhapsody" -- yes, the concept is silly, but that's the point.
TOS: "The Devil in the Dark" -- the first episode I saw in its entirety.
SNW: "Subspace Rhapsody" -- yes, the concept is silly, but that's the point.
Actually there are so many episodes that give you hope, episodes about not giving up, about a better future, about believing in the impossible, about fighting/healing/overcoming diseases, about immortality/life after death/dealing with death, about peace, about solidarity, about friendship and love and about wonders.
Star Trek helped me out many times.
This is a great topic, because I know Star Trek is a great comfort to many people and for me, it's like a warm bath/perfect cup of tea/favorite blanket. During COVID, when there was so much uncertainty and isolation in the world, I found that binging on Season 1 & 2 of TNG and revisiting TOS was very healing. Several years before that, it was a great companion during my divorce! So yeah, I completely understand this thread!
"Latent Image" is my favourite episode of Star Trek ever and for me is about coming to terms with grief and accepting yourself as what you are and taking steps to continue with life.
To those, I'll add TOS: "The Corbomite Maneuver." Because it's got so many "firsts," and is so amazingly good in and of itself, and because (like "The Devil in the Dark) " it so perfectly lives out the ideals of ST.
All the silly doomed romance ones everyone else seems to hate. The stakes are never too high and everything works out fine in the end.
Unless your name is Jim Kirk.
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