Continuing the theme of best/worst of Trek
Best series pilot episode
- Thread starter Xerxes1979
- Start date
Re: Best series introductory episode
I've always considered DS9's "The Way of the Warrior" as a good episode to introduce to someone new to DS9. Despite being the season 4 opener, it still has all the feeling of a rebooted pilot.
However, now that you meant an actual series pilot.... I still would go for "Emissary" - it was more than a show that introduced the main characters, it also had a great story.
I've always considered DS9's "The Way of the Warrior" as a good episode to introduce to someone new to DS9. Despite being the season 4 opener, it still has all the feeling of a rebooted pilot.
However, now that you meant an actual series pilot.... I still would go for "Emissary" - it was more than a show that introduced the main characters, it also had a great story.
While I love "Where no man has gone before", I don't think it's a real pilot episode, meaning an episode that introduces the stage and the key players.
I'm voting for "Caretaker" - it was a well rounded episode, introduced some of the conflicts within the crew and set the stage for the whole series. "Broken Bow" comes a close second - even though the series then couldn't quite live up to the promise.
"Encounter at Farpoint" and "Emissary" were just a bit too boring to me - although perhaps "Emissary" sort of comes full circle in Sisko's return to the prophets in "What you leave behind"...
I'm voting for "Caretaker" - it was a well rounded episode, introduced some of the conflicts within the crew and set the stage for the whole series. "Broken Bow" comes a close second - even though the series then couldn't quite live up to the promise.
"Encounter at Farpoint" and "Emissary" were just a bit too boring to me - although perhaps "Emissary" sort of comes full circle in Sisko's return to the prophets in "What you leave behind"...
Easily "Emissary" for me. It manages to not only set up the show but, as Zion Ravescene pointed out, also tells a great story. And I think it makes really great use of the idea of linear vs. non-linear existence.
It's only a few years ago that I realized how a person can end up in a place like Sisko, not really moving on anymore. I think it's a very relevant issue and is one of the points that makes this such a strong episode.
It's only a few years ago that I realized how a person can end up in a place like Sisko, not really moving on anymore. I think it's a very relevant issue and is one of the points that makes this such a strong episode.
I voted for Emissary, though Broken Bow is a pretty close second. Voyager's pilot was also pretty good.
Kills me to say it, since it's my favourite series, but TNG had the worst pilot by far.
Kills me to say it, since it's my favourite series, but TNG had the worst pilot by far.
"Emissary" is the clear winner. Nice balance between interpersonal drama, political intrigue, wacky science (OMG! a wormhole!) and weird-ass metaphysics/spirituality (WTF are the Prophets babbling about) that formed the basis for DS9 going forward.
The interpersonal drama and political intrigue turned out a lot better than the metaphysics/spirituality, and the wacky science was, as always, just a means to an end, but all the elements were there from the first.
The interpersonal drama and political intrigue turned out a lot better than the metaphysics/spirituality, and the wacky science was, as always, just a means to an end, but all the elements were there from the first.
I gotta go with "Emissary." I didn't find "Broken Bow" all that impressive, or even "Caretaker." Can't comment on "WNMHGB" since I haven't seen it.
Emmissary getting to see Sisko's backstory the borg attack at wolf 259 and the loss of his wife Jennifer and how it impacted his life. The Issues he has with Picard in that Confrontation scene was very powerful.Bajor and the cardassians the wormhole being discovered.
Caretaker, oddly enough.
Voted ''BROKEN BOW'' it brought me back to TREK!
The Original Series Premiere would be The Man Trap.
In the old days, often Pilots weren't even shown or held over until later in the run... so audiences are introduced to a cast more comfortable in their roles and a premise, almost pitch perfect. Ironic then, that Where No Man trumps most of the episodes immediately after it. Probably explains why even the discontinuities didn't prevent the network showing it that third week.
In the old days, often Pilots weren't even shown or held over until later in the run... so audiences are introduced to a cast more comfortable in their roles and a premise, almost pitch perfect. Ironic then, that Where No Man trumps most of the episodes immediately after it. Probably explains why even the discontinuities didn't prevent the network showing it that third week.
I would have to say Emissary, followed closely by Caretaker. Both of them introduced the characters and the setting and then went right into an interesting story. Broken Bow was ok, but not quite as good. Where No Man Has Gone Before was forgettable to me (I've seen it, but I don't remember much about it).
Encounter at Farpoint was just dreadful. Oh, the pain.
Encounter at Farpoint was just dreadful. Oh, the pain.
I also would have to say "Emissary". It set the stage for DS9, it really let us get to know Sisko, it showed us some of the actual battle of Wolf 359 (which was just cool, IMO), and it did give us a good introduction to the main cast. On top of which, it told an interesting story, and I loved the presentation of Sisko's interaction with the prophets. "Encounter at Farpoint" wasn't bad, but it isn't anywhere near as good as any at least decent ep from S3-7 (like every other ep in the first 2 seasons) where "Emissary" is one that holds up even now to me, after finishing the show just as an episode.
"Caretaker" was almost really good, but the ending killed it for me. Man, it's such a shame that we don't have explosive devices that can be fired from ships and set with a variety of paramters, maybe even things like timers. If only we had such a device.
"Caretaker" was almost really good, but the ending killed it for me. Man, it's such a shame that we don't have explosive devices that can be fired from ships and set with a variety of paramters, maybe even things like timers. If only we had such a device.
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