Best episode to get someone started on?

[Captain_Koloth]

I'm trying to hook someone on Star Trek... I used to use Tribbles for this, but do you think someone who's never seen it would appreciate the doomsday Machine? Or Balance of Terror? Or something else?

 

[ZERO_of_ZERO]

I would have thought "THE CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER" is a good choice. Great story & Joan Collins featuring.

 

[Zeppster]

Balance of Terror, Doomsday Machine, Amok Time

 

[zazenist]

Doomsday Machine, A Taste Of Armageddon, Amok Time

Tribbles is cute, City On The Edge Of Forever is brilliant, but not sure about it as a "first Trek experience." It's bit deeper and a bit darker than most other episodes.

 

[Zeppster]

I've thought of one or two more

Journey to Babel, Naked Time, Day of the Dove

 

[Trekwatcher]

Actually, The Man Trap is a good one to start with, and not just for the obvious reasons. It is a good intellectual scifi story, it establishes the big three quickly, and it has a great ending. The problem with starting with TCOTEOF or BOT is that they are sooooo good it will make the next one they see seem somehow disappointing in comparison. Let them build up to it. See 'em in the order they aired.

 

[Lieut. Arex]

The Corbomite Maneuver.

In my opinion, it's the archetypal ST episode. A strong story dealing with the exploration of the unknown and human reactions to it, solid character interaction and conflict, plenty of humor. The third episode shot and few in the succeeding forty years match or top it.

 

[KeepOnTrekking]

"Journey to Babel"

Good intro to Spock and his conflicted nature illustrated with his parents onboard.

Good drama with Spock/Amanda scenes.

Good comedy with the Spock/McCoy scenes.

Interesting mystery with the whodunnit murders.

Obligatory action with the battle scene with the Orions and the Kirk/Thelev fistfight.

Shows the Kirk/Spock/McCoy Friendship in action throughout the episode.