Newcomer with an ambitious project

[TrekFan2Be]

Hello all… I come from a family of dedicated and long-time Star Trek fans. I, however have somehow managed to completely stay away from the show. I have seen bits and pieces of episodes, but I know essentially nothing about the characters or storylines that are offered in the various series. However, I have recently become very interested in joining my family’s interest in Star Trek, so I have decided to attempt to watch all of the episodes and films before the new movie is released next May.

Luckily, my dad owns all of the episodes and movies on DVD. My uncle has supplied me with an excel spreadsheet that lists every episode in chronological order, beginning with Star Trek: Enterprise and ending with the movie Star Trek: Nemesis. I plan to begin tomorrow night following this order. His spreadsheet is rather detailed and the way he has it set up seems really convenient for a first-time viewer. My uncle also provided me with some very basic background on the five series, basically when they were produced and some very minor, general story details.

The reason I find myself here on this forum, is I would like to have the opportunity to offer my perspective on the episodes that I am going to be watching for the first time. I would also imagine that this forum has rarely offered what I would hope to be able to offer; a newcomer to the franchise (who has never seen a single episode from beginning to end), wanting to offer his opinions on episodes being seen from a unique perspective. I am also very anxious to hear what casual and hardcore fans think of the episodes that I am watching. I am asking that people avoid posting any spoilers in this thread (should people take an interest in it), so that I can enjoy it as a first-time viewer. I do however, welcome and encourage input on what I can expect from upcoming episodes.

Tomorrow I plan to watch the first eight episodes (2 disks) of Star Trek: Enterprise. The episodes are: BROKEN BOW, FIGHT OR FLIGHT, STRANGE NEW WORLD, UNEXPECTED, TERRA NOVA, THE ANDORIAN INCIDENT and BREAKING THE ICE.

I’m truly looking forward to this experience and I am excited to be able to share my first time viewing Star Trek with all of you.

 

[drasche]

Hello TrekFan2Be, welcome on board. I see you are well documented about the subject so I'll avoid any comment for now, I don't want to spoil your first time I'm looking forward to read your comments

 

[cbp44189]

Good luck! Hope you enjoy it.

Welcome aboard!

 

[Timelord79 (he/him)]

Oh dear. Watching ALL of it until may?
Is that even possible? Must be a pretty tight schedule.
Hope you enjoy it.

 

[TrekFan2Be]

Here are my thoughts on the first disk of Star Trek: Enterprise:

BROKEN BOW (****/****) - This was a fantastic pilot episode, having the look and feel of a feature. The one thing my uncle told me about Enterprise was that it was meant to be Star Trek's "The Right Stuff", and I can totally see that. I was also aware of the concept of Klingons, and I also found them interesting. The idea of soldiers fighting througout time in a "Temporal Cold War" is intriguing, and I have a feeling that this will be a major storyline running through the series. I completely enjoyed Scott Bakula's portrayal of a captain who is treading completely new territory for humanity. He plays it confident and wet-behind the ears. Connor Trinneer as Commander Tucker was also quite good. He's instantly relatable and charasmatic. I'm not quite sure how I feel about Jolene Blalock as T'Pol and John Billingsley as Doctor Phlox. Blalock has to play emotionless and cold, but needs to still be likeable enough to get behind as a character. Billingsley wasn't in it a whole lot, but his character seems like it could get annoying, especially with an exaggerated accent. The rest of the cast was solid... not really standing out in a good or a bad way.

Fight or Flight (***/****) - A very solid episode, but nowhere near as exciting and cinematic as "Broken Bow". It's an interesting look at how the crew reacts to death. Encountering a ship with an entirely dead crew is a reality check for them. Space can be a dangerous place, and the crew isn't quite prepared for it. This is really Linda Park's episode, as her character is unsure if she can handle long-term space travel. I did, however think the parallel with the slug in sickbay was quite overdone. There shouldn't be a need to completely spell it out at the end of the episode.

Strange New World (***/****) - Another solid, entertaining episode. It was refreshing to see the cast outside on an Earth-like planet. Jolene Blalock and Connor Trinneer were the standouts here. I was immediatley unsure about Blalock as T'Pol, but she sold me here. The crewmen being transported aboard the ship with rocks infused in his body was pretty cool.

So far the show is pretty good. "Broken Bow" was phenomenal, and was followed up by two very solid episodes that served their purpose. Some of the writing has been heavy-handed and forced, but the episodes are rather expertly directed and shot. The characters I was most unsure of off the bat have thus far eased by fears. Doctor Phlox was more subdued and less eccentric after "Broken Bow" and I settled in with the T'Pol character over the course of the first few hours.

Very much looking forward to the next four episodes later tonight. I'll be posting my thoughts late tonight.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

Glad you liked Broken Bow. I think it's a great, fun episode. I think you will appreciate it even more when you see the film First Contact, because the episode picks up from where that left off.

 

[Borg451]

Hello all… I come from a family of dedicated and long-time Star Trek fans. I, however have somehow managed to completely stay away from the show. I have seen bits and pieces of episodes, but I know essentially nothing about the characters or storylines that are offered in the various series. However, I have recently become very interested in joining my family’s interest in Star Trek, so I have decided to attempt to watch all of the episodes and films before the new movie is released next May.

Luckily, my dad owns all of the episodes and movies on DVD. My uncle has supplied me with an excel spreadsheet that lists every episode in chronological order, beginning with Star Trek: Enterprise and ending with the movie Star Trek: Nemesis. I plan to begin tomorrow night following this order. His spreadsheet is rather detailed and the way he has it set up seems really convenient for a first-time viewer. My uncle also provided me with some very basic background on the five series, basically when they were produced and some very minor, general story details.

The reason I find myself here on this forum, is I would like to have the opportunity to offer my perspective on the episodes that I am going to be watching for the first time. I would also imagine that this forum has rarely offered what I would hope to be able to offer; a newcomer to the franchise (who has never seen a single episode from beginning to end), wanting to offer his opinions on episodes being seen from a unique perspective. I am also very anxious to hear what casual and hardcore fans think of the episodes that I am watching. I am asking that people avoid posting any spoilers in this thread (should people take an interest in it), so that I can enjoy it as a first-time viewer. I do however, welcome and encourage input on what I can expect from upcoming episodes.

Tomorrow I plan to watch the first eight episodes (2 disks) of Star Trek: Enterprise. The episodes are: BROKEN BOW, FIGHT OR FLIGHT, STRANGE NEW WORLD, UNEXPECTED, TERRA NOVA, THE ANDORIAN INCIDENT and BREAKING THE ICE.

I’m truly looking forward to this experience and I am excited to be able to share my first time viewing Star Trek with all of you.

Should be watching.. 'City on the Edge of Forever' or 'The Voyage Home' or 'Futures End' or the other ones in the past...

 

[Timewalker]

My uncle also provided me with some very basic background on the five series, basically when they were produced and some very minor, general story details.

Five? FIVE?

There are SIX series! SIX!

Or does your uncle not consider The Animated Series to be legitimate Star Trek? At least watch "Yesteryear" -- it's a sequel to the TOS episode "City on the Edge of Forever."

 

[Count Zero]

The crewmen being transported aboard the ship with rocks infused in his body was pretty cool.

I think it were leaves, not rocks.

I'm curious as how you will perceive TOS in relation to Enterprise later on, especially with the many references Enterprise will make to it in the course of its run.
I'm glad you like Enterprise, so far. I think it was a good series over all, though it had its flaws. I believe Phlox will grow on you. He's really a great character played well by Billingsley.
But watching the entirety of Trek before the film in May? It strikes me as a sort of waste. There won't be any new Trek after the film for a while so I'd suggest rationing it. I'm in a similiar situation with Classic Doctor Who, which I'm watching from the beginning at the moment. I personally wouldn't want to rush through 26 years of a series too fast. But it's your choice, anyway.
Besides, it would also be an interesting perspective to watch the film in the right chronological order, too, after Enterprise but before TOS. On the other hand, it might be better to have seen TOS (and TAS) and the TOS movies before the new film because it might be hard to accept the production values of the 60s after having seen the same setting with those of today.

 

[Frontier]

I can't wait until you get out of Enterprise. If you think it's "solid" you'll be blown away by the worst episodes of the other 4 shows, lol. Enterprise is the weakest link in the Trek chain, so, when you start TOS and TNG and such... that'll be fun!

 

[Sector 7]

Since I have been a fan since the 70s, I am looking forward to the views and thoughts of a fresh face. Congratulations on joining the Trek Family!

 

[Dane_Whitman]

I'm really enjoying reading your thoughts about Trek, TrekFan2Be. I've recently started to watch the show with my girlfriend, who has never before been introduced to Trek. After having watched ENT we just finished season 2 of TOS tonight. I hope you will continue to write these little reviews. Enterprise is a fine series, I'm sure you'll enjoy the third and fourth seasons even more than the first two.

Just don't try to rush through Trek, it seems like a bit of a waste.

 

[ialfan]

I can't wait until you get out of Enterprise. If you think it's "solid" you'll be blown away by the worst episodes of the other 4 shows, lol. Enterprise is the weakest link in the Trek chain, so, when you start TOS and TNG and such... that'll be fun!

I beg to differ but won't go off on a rant over it.

That being said I look forward to reading this thread so please do keep us updated!

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

I can't wait until you get out of Enterprise. If you think it's "solid" you'll be blown away by the worst episodes of the other 4 shows, lol. Enterprise is the weakest link in the Trek chain, so, when you start TOS and TNG and such... that'll be fun!

I beg to differ but won't go off on a rant over it.

Yep. Some of us prefer "Enterprise" to a couple of the 24th century shows, so there's no telling how TrekFan2Be will feel about it.

 

[JiNX-01]

I can't wait until you get out of Enterprise. If you think it's "solid" you'll be blown away by the worst episodes of the other 4 shows, lol. Enterprise is the weakest link in the Trek chain, so, when you start TOS and TNG and such... that'll be fun!

, TrekFan2Be!

Actually, there are quite a few people on these boards who very much like ENT and prefer it over the various other incarnations of Trek (tho' most of us old timers still harbor a special love for the show that started it all ...)

 

[TrekFan2Be]

I really appreciate all of the welcoming words from you guys. I too am extremley excited to be a part of this forum and to continue to get acclimated to the show.

Or does your uncle not consider The Animated Series to be legitimate Star Trek? At least watch "Yesteryear" -- it's a sequel to the TOS episode "City on the Edge of Forever."

He did tell me about the Animated Series. I'm still sort of tossing around the idea of catching it. He told me that the show's creator officially took it out of the "canon" of the show. Basically, I haven't decided yet. I figure I have some time until I get to the end of The Original Series, where that show fits in.

But watching the entirety of Trek before the film in May? It strikes me as a sort of waste. There won't be any new Trek after the film for a while so I'd suggest rationing it.

I do agree that it is highly unlikely that I will be able to finish the entirety of the franchise before the release of the movie. I am, however keeping it as my goal. If I fall a bit short, I'll just keep pressing on after the movie. If the movie is as good as Kevin Smith apparently thinks it was, it will probably encourage me to continue.

To sum up my thoughts on Star Trek: Enterprise disk #2:

Unexpected (***/*****) - Unexpected is certainly the correct title for this storyline. The idea of a human male becoming pregnant made me laugh as soon as it was confirmed by Doctor Phlox. John Billingsley showed me something here as well. He had some really nice comic timing. Connor Trinneer was appropriately over-the-top and very amusing. I also enjoyed seeing the Klingons again. Love the idea of a race with that blunt, warrior mentality. In summation, this was mildy amusing and diverting but certainly nothing special.

Terra Nova (*/*****) - Eww... It started off interesting enough, but this story had very little "umph" to it. Quite lifeless and without the charm of the previous few episodes. I thought Anthony Montgomery struggled as Ensign Mayweather. This is the first time that I've seen the entire cast seem kind of out of their element.

The Andorian Incident (*****/*****) - Now that is more like it. The Andorians were AWESOME. Commander Shran is the best character I've seen so far (regulars included). When I first caught a glimpse of the blue guys with antenae, I chuckled and said "uh-oh, that last episode and then blue guys with antenae...". But as soon as they opened their mouths I was blown away. This is my favoirite performance by Dominic Keating so far... he did quite well in command. Bakula, Blalock and Trinneer were a great team in it as well. This episode also offers an outstanding and suprising twist ending.

Breaking the Ice (****/*****) - Once again, Jolene Blalock and Connor Trinneer were the standouts here. Especially Blalock. This offered a lot of layers not only to the T'Pol character but also to the culture of the Vulcans. I thought the scene with the crew taping a message for a school on Earth was fantastic. It offered a nice break from the science fiction and brought a lot of pretty good humor.

Aside from "Terra Prime" and to a lesser extent "Unexpected", Star Trek: Enterprise has been very, very good so far. I have thorougly enjoyed this so far. "The Andorian Incident" is the episode that truly sold me on the show. The Andorians were absolutley fantastic villians.

Tomorrow, I will offer my thoughts on at least disc 3 and most likely disc 4 as well.
DISC 3: "Civilization", "Fortunate Son", "Cold Front", "Silent Enemy"
DISC 4: "Dear Doctor", "Sleeping Dogs", "Shadows of P'Jem", "Shuttlepod One"

 

[Borg451]

I can't wait until you get out of Enterprise. If you think it's "solid" you'll be blown away by the worst episodes of the other 4 shows, lol. Enterprise is the weakest link in the Trek chain, so, when you start TOS and TNG and such... that'll be fun!

What the hell are you on about? Enterprise is the only Star Trek show worth watching in its entirety.. the others just have the odd good episode.. and the other episodes.. just bring 'Star Trek' as a whole down...

Im talking TOS, Early DS9 and Eps of TNG and Voyager..

Is a shame that they called it Star Trek: Enterprise at all.. shoulda just left it as Enterprise..

 

[Count Zero]

I'm surprised you didn't like "Terra Nova" but I share your sentiments about "The Andorian Incident" and "Breaking the Ice". Enterprise has a bad reputation although it isn't nearly as bas as some people claim. Glad you like it so far. And yeah, Montgomery, who plays Mayweather, isn't a very good actor, at least not on ENT.

 

[Forbin]

I think it's a real serious mistake to watch Enterprise (the LAST series) first, but I guess it's too late now.

 

[Aike]

I think it's a real serious mistake to watch Enterprise (the LAST series) first, but I guess it's too late now.

Why do you think that?