The Essential Trek

[Tiberius]

An idea for a thread I've been toying with for a while...

I'm introducing my girlfriend (who I'm going to get onto these forums sooner or later!) to Trek. We're about halfway through Season 1 of Enterprise, and I plan on taking her through Trek in chronological order (where two series overlap, I'm planning on going by airdates).

Now, I know there are some pretty crappy ones like Shades of Grey and Threshold that are a given to skip.

But which are the essential episodes? By that, I mean, which episodes that are referenced in other episodes (like how Sins of the Father is the catalyst for many of the TNG Klingon episodes), which episodes contribute to character development (like The Measure of a Man), and which are just damn good episodes (like The Inner Light)?

So, post an episode that you feel is part of the essential trek, and why you think it is!

 

[Boxyno1]

Here we go again lol...

For TNG I'd recomend the following, with links between episodes where appropriate:

- The Measure of a Man (The Quality of Life is not essential but can be a nice follow up to this episode)
- Q Who ---> The Best of Both Worlds ---> First Contact (the film not the episode)
- Family
- The Offspring
- Datalore ---> Brothers ---> Descent (would also be good to watch I Borg before Descent)
- Sins of the Father ---> Reunion ---> Redemption
- Yesterday's Enterprise
- The Enemy ---> The Defector
- Sarek ---> Unification (also a good follow up to Redemption)
- The Drumhead
- Darmok
- The First Duty (consider watching Final Mission before this and Journey's End after this, but only if you like Wesley)
- The Inner Light ---> Lessons
- Chain of Command
- Tapestry
- Alll Good Things...

Also watch all the films except The Final Frontier and Inssurection, only watch Generations for continuity (Data's emotion chip (essential for First Contact), Kirk's death, Enterprise D's destruction etc...)

 

[jefferiestubes8]

Best of

which are the essential episodes?

which episodes contribute to character development

Entire series really. It's ongoing.

and which are just damn good episodes

See:
The Best of Star Trek: The Original Series

The Best of Star Trek: The Original Series, Vol. 2


The Best of Star Trek: The Next Generation

The Best of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Vol. 2

 

[Gojira]

I'd still watch the Final Frontier it has excellent character development for Kirk, Spock and McCoy.

 

[Tiberius]

Please note that I'm not just talking about the best episodes. I'm talking how one episode might have a single line that is referenced in another episode later on...

Like in Strange New World, that episode is referenced when Archer tells that other captain what's her name about that mission at the beginning of Season 4. That sort of thing.

 

[JohnChod]

You're making her watch Enterprise and she hasn't left you yet?

 

[jefferiestubes8]

Trek canon references

I'm talking how one episode might have a single line that is referenced in another episode later on...

Really what you are asking is something like this with hyperlinks...
the most definitive, accurate, and accessible encyclopedia and reference for everything related to Star Trek.

http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/Portal:Main

 

[Greg Cox]

Re: Trek canon references

Okay, I'll play . . .

"Amok Time." Our first glimpse of Vulcan, plus the concept of pon farr is introduced.

"Journal to Babel." We meet Spock's parents, Sarak and Amanda, who appear (or are referenced) in various future films and episodes.

"Space Seed," of course. Khaaan!

 

[BillJ]

The Cage
Where No Man Has Gone Before

 

[DrCorby]

Why not just plan to watch the entire series in order, evaluating whether to skip an episode when you come to it? There were a lot of episodes that didn't necessarily have major consequences down the line, plot-wise or character-wise, but are still just a pleasure to watch. Many had some nice character moments, or just plain fun. Don't deprive her of those!

You're making her watch Enterprise and she hasn't left you yet?

This almost made me spray my monitor with tea.

 

[zar]

Re: Trek canon references

I'm talking how one episode might have a single line that is referenced in another episode later on...

Really what you are asking is something like this with hyperlinks...
the most definitive, accurate, and accessible encyclopedia and reference for everything related to Star Trek.

http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/Portal:Main

I would start here:

http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/Arcs

 

[jefferiestubes8]

story arcs

I would start here:

http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/Arcs

wow zar those multi-episode arcs are so detailed. Thanks.
I like how TNG's "The Best of Both Worlds", being a 2-part episode is listed as 3-parter with "Family" Ep#402 being the 3rd part of the story.

I also like how for ENT Search for the Xindi superweapon storyline it mentions 3 separate episodes and then it actually says

The entire third season of Enterprise

 

[Anji]

Tiberus,
Speaking as someone who has dated non-Trekkies, please don't show her too many episodes at once. She may not get into it like you do and you may ruin your relationship.

Otherwise, I'd introduce her to the Trek comedies first. They are the most non-trekkie friendly. "Trouble with Tribbles" and the movie "The Voyage Home" may be the places to start. Don't go Sisko on her and hit with "The Motion Picture" or "Sins of the Father", you may do more damage than good.

 

[Tiberius]

don't worry Anji, she's really getting into it.