Best/Worst Star Trek Series
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1) Deep Space Nine: In the lead by quite a ways is my beloved Deep Space Nine. For me, this show represents the pinnacle of the Star Trek franchise. It's a story about a crew of misfits that rise above racial, political, and religious differences to build a multicultural community at the gateway to a new frontier. How can you get more “Star Trek” than that? This series takes the pre-established Star Trek setting and turns it into a sprawling, intricate universe full of quirks, twists, and political intrigue. DS9's greatest asset, though, is the vibrant array of endearing and fascinating characters around which the many captivating story arcs revolve.
2) The Next Generation: The Star Trek series that I grew up with. This show successfully set the stage for the thrilling events to come on DS9, but is also a joy to watch in its own right. The show’s spectacular third year is perhaps the most consistent season in the franchise. I will always have a special place in my heart for the crew of the Enterprise-D.
3) Star Trek (The Original Series): A true classic, though in reality I find only about half of the episodes worth coming back to. I have a great respect for the original Star Trek even though I think that two of its progeny eventually surpassed it.
4) Enterprise: I respect Enterprise for daring to try new things. Unlike DS9, however, this show was not blessed with beautifully written and performed characters to make the ambitious storylines worth watching.
5) Voyager: Occasional standout episodes amidst a vast sea of mediocrity. Character stagnation and an underutilized setting and premise reduce this show to last place. So much potential, though.
2) The Next Generation: The Star Trek series that I grew up with. This show successfully set the stage for the thrilling events to come on DS9, but is also a joy to watch in its own right. The show’s spectacular third year is perhaps the most consistent season in the franchise. I will always have a special place in my heart for the crew of the Enterprise-D.
3) Star Trek (The Original Series): A true classic, though in reality I find only about half of the episodes worth coming back to. I have a great respect for the original Star Trek even though I think that two of its progeny eventually surpassed it.
4) Enterprise: I respect Enterprise for daring to try new things. Unlike DS9, however, this show was not blessed with beautifully written and performed characters to make the ambitious storylines worth watching.
5) Voyager: Occasional standout episodes amidst a vast sea of mediocrity. Character stagnation and an underutilized setting and premise reduce this show to last place. So much potential, though.
"Enterprise" gets a lot of hate, but I've only just started watching it (nearly at the end of season 2, and I hear it gets even better). I love it! I just don't recognise a lot of the criticisms levelled at it - e.g. some one in this thread said "stupid characters". What??? They're great, and a lot more real than others in the franchise.
So, my list of favourite series (sorry, TOS is nearly so low; I do respect it and like the characters, I just don't find the series itself very engaging anymore).
1. TNG
2. DS9
3. ENT
4. TOS
5. VOY
Voyager is easily the worst, obviously in my opinion. Most of the criticisms I see fired at Enterprise really do seem to better fit Voyager - bland characters, terrible 'reset' episodes, bored storytelling etc.
Having said that, I find SOMETHING to like in all Star Treks somewhere.
So, my list of favourite series (sorry, TOS is nearly so low; I do respect it and like the characters, I just don't find the series itself very engaging anymore).
1. TNG
2. DS9
3. ENT
4. TOS
5. VOY
Voyager is easily the worst, obviously in my opinion. Most of the criticisms I see fired at Enterprise really do seem to better fit Voyager - bland characters, terrible 'reset' episodes, bored storytelling etc.
Having said that, I find SOMETHING to like in all Star Treks somewhere.
Enterprise is my favorite Trek series. The other four, I can't really put in order, I like the rest of them about the same.
"=4. TNG/VOY" maybe?
STAR TREK: The Next Generation stands alone. The rest of the franchise is just the "gravy," do you know what I'm trying to say? But for the Main Course, I'll fill my screen with the sights, the sounds, the stories and the wonderful characters of TNG! For one thing, TNG has Gene Roddenberry's stamp all over it. His dream. His vision. It's STAR TREK as it was always meant to be. We've got Seven Seasons, 4 blockbuster motion pictures and numerous guest appearances on other series to have and to hold until death do we part! So many major movie stars' careers were launched, thanks to TNG, as well.
You know, it truly can be said that all of 90's television owed THE NEXT GENERATION a debt, of some sort. And it showed the sequel spin-offs in the STAR TREK franchise the way. From the credible and moving performances of Sir Patrick Stewart, to the impactful guest starring appearances of Oscar Winner Whoopie Goldberg, it all comes together and makes a statement. And the ladies out there in the audience are sure to appreciate the solid performances and smooth moves of Jonathan Frakes as Commander William Riker. How many women have held their pillow, late at night, dreaming of #1 sweeping them off their feet ...? All of them, I suspect! And then, there's the rest of the cast, to help flesh out a complex crew whose fantastic voyages are pure satisfaction - guaranteed!
You know, it truly can be said that all of 90's television owed THE NEXT GENERATION a debt, of some sort. And it showed the sequel spin-offs in the STAR TREK franchise the way. From the credible and moving performances of Sir Patrick Stewart, to the impactful guest starring appearances of Oscar Winner Whoopie Goldberg, it all comes together and makes a statement. And the ladies out there in the audience are sure to appreciate the solid performances and smooth moves of Jonathan Frakes as Commander William Riker. How many women have held their pillow, late at night, dreaming of #1 sweeping them off their feet ...? All of them, I suspect! And then, there's the rest of the cast, to help flesh out a complex crew whose fantastic voyages are pure satisfaction - guaranteed!
I will take a stab at this since I am new here.
1. Star Trek-
This is the best. The original. Maybe one of the three best television shows in the history of the medium. It was way ahead of its time (which none of the other series can claim) and it broke entirely new ground on many different levels. It took enormous risks, was extremely intelligent on it's writing and story structure, and the characters (and actors) are cultural icons.
2. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
A Trek that dared to be different. Between the space station setting, the background of the Bajorans spiritual life vs the Cardassians occupation, and the anthology/serialized storytelling format, DS9 was sadly the last time Trek dared to be unique. The ensemble cast was brilliant, and like TOS the relationships and development of the characters and the exploration of the human condition was at the forefront of every story.
3. Star Trek: The Next Generation
Moments of brilliance and an OUTSTANDING and talented cast couldn't quite put this over DS9. Unfortunately, Roddenberry's influence over this show was at the height of his delusions of grandeur about being a visionary and prophet , and he sacrificed good drama as a result. Unfortunately TNG was bloodless and pretentious as often as it was interesting. And, it was rarely FUN. Still, an enjoyable series, but not the best.
4. Star Trek: Voyager
I can't, despite valiant efforts, finish a rewatch of this show. It's a hollow re-hash of TNG with weaker actors. It was more fun than TNG, but I can never shake the feeling that I'm watching an entire tv series based on Star Trek: Insurrection. It's fun and fluffy, but more often than not it's also irrelevant and completely un engaging. Largely a missed opportunity.
5. Star Trek Enterprise
Speaking of missed opportunities! Rather than being a prequel show about the pioneering beginnings of FTL space travel, this is TNG with a worse ship. The characters were poorly conceived, turning out either terribly derivative (T'Pol, Tucker) or terribly boring (Travis, Hoshi). This is the only series I couldn't maintain enough interest in to bother finishing.
1. Star Trek-
This is the best. The original. Maybe one of the three best television shows in the history of the medium. It was way ahead of its time (which none of the other series can claim) and it broke entirely new ground on many different levels. It took enormous risks, was extremely intelligent on it's writing and story structure, and the characters (and actors) are cultural icons.
2. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
A Trek that dared to be different. Between the space station setting, the background of the Bajorans spiritual life vs the Cardassians occupation, and the anthology/serialized storytelling format, DS9 was sadly the last time Trek dared to be unique. The ensemble cast was brilliant, and like TOS the relationships and development of the characters and the exploration of the human condition was at the forefront of every story.
3. Star Trek: The Next Generation
Moments of brilliance and an OUTSTANDING and talented cast couldn't quite put this over DS9. Unfortunately, Roddenberry's influence over this show was at the height of his delusions of grandeur about being a visionary and prophet , and he sacrificed good drama as a result. Unfortunately TNG was bloodless and pretentious as often as it was interesting. And, it was rarely FUN. Still, an enjoyable series, but not the best.
4. Star Trek: Voyager
I can't, despite valiant efforts, finish a rewatch of this show. It's a hollow re-hash of TNG with weaker actors. It was more fun than TNG, but I can never shake the feeling that I'm watching an entire tv series based on Star Trek: Insurrection. It's fun and fluffy, but more often than not it's also irrelevant and completely un engaging. Largely a missed opportunity.
5. Star Trek Enterprise
Speaking of missed opportunities! Rather than being a prequel show about the pioneering beginnings of FTL space travel, this is TNG with a worse ship. The characters were poorly conceived, turning out either terribly derivative (T'Pol, Tucker) or terribly boring (Travis, Hoshi). This is the only series I couldn't maintain enough interest in to bother finishing.
Thanks for the replies - they've definitely given me a few things to think about.
I'm rewatching them all again at the moment, and I am now seeing a few more flaws in Voyager. I'm not entirely sure why members of the Maquis feed information to Seska/side with Seska, with the reason being that they trust her? If you were in some kind of terrorist organisation like the Maquis, you'd feel so strongly against the other side - Cardassians in this case that you'd never want to be on their side under any circumstance. It seems rather stupid from a writers part to think that any Maquis crew members would even think about siding on their own with a Cardassian.
I'm rewatching them all again at the moment, and I am now seeing a few more flaws in Voyager. I'm not entirely sure why members of the Maquis feed information to Seska/side with Seska, with the reason being that they trust her? If you were in some kind of terrorist organisation like the Maquis, you'd feel so strongly against the other side - Cardassians in this case that you'd never want to be on their side under any circumstance. It seems rather stupid from a writers part to think that any Maquis crew members would even think about siding on their own with a Cardassian.
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