Dear Experienced Trekkies

[TribbleFeeder]

Couple of things...

I'd recommend that you watch the TOS era movies before you tackle TNG.

You've done good by buying TOS remastered but you might want to consider maybe Netflixing some of this stuff. Voyager and Enterprise did have some pretty good episodes, but that also had some real stinkers. Same with the first couple seasons of TNG. Plus... you're talking a good $1000 to own everything... But that's just my opinion, and I'm sure someone will refute it...

You wont miss anything by skipping V if that's what you want to do, but maybe it when it's all said and done you should pop it in just to see how bad it is! Seriously, though, it was pretty bad, ironically it does have some pretty good character moments, especially between Kirk, Spock, and McCoy.

three very good points to keep in mind.
I was unsure about when to watch the movies, I think that's the best idea
and I'm gonna try to get most of it off of netflix and just buy whatever i like the best
as for V I'll try to make a point to watch it after I've finished up with everything else haha

thanks!!

That's good but I concur; split up the movies by watching all the original cast movies before TNG.

The Netflix advice from Ralphis is very good as well.

As for watching TOS, it doesn't really make a lot of difference but I would suggest finding a list with the production order to watch the episodes. It's interesting to watch the evolution of the set, costumes, music and effects as the series got going.

totally gonna do that.
thanks!!

You are a breath of fresh air.

Many in the 'fan world' of STAR TREK didn't like the new movie because, among other reasons, it rebooted the concept, or, and you will find this interesting, they thought it was Star Trek for the masses. Meaning, it was dumbed down for this new generation. You will find many on this site who just can't stand the new movie. Oh well...you can't please everyone.

Others, more enlightened IMO, thought it would bring in a new generation of fans, such as yourself; and here you are.

As for what shows to watch? First off, be warned; there are 600+ hours of TV episodes. Buying them all could put you back several hundred dollars. And even some of TREK's biggest icons, Shatner among them, would suggest that a third of it is great...a third of it isn't and a third of it is somewhere between.

I would suggest watching these ten examples...

1.TOS--Amok Time
2.TOS--The Doomsday Machine
3.TOS--Mirror Mirror

4.TNG--Yesterday's Enterprise
5.TNG--The Offspring
6.Best of Both worlds (1 and2)

7. DS9--Emissary

Movie..Wrath of Khan
Movie--Voyage Home

I think if you watch those, and you like them, I think you can branch off from there. You're going to find that most TREK fans, IMO, do not like ALL of Star Trek. You'll end up clustering around the aspects of the show you like, and that is the fun part of exploring TREK.

Rob

thanks! I don't know why I'm so determined to watch everything. I love stuff that's really involved like all the Star Wars movies and stuff and this just seems like Star Wars on steroids which so I'm so PSYCHED ABOUT!!! hahahah

Good, good. Insult the intelligence of the newbie because of his taste in films. Classy work.

*HER

Wow, OP, your head must be spinning from all this advice. It's not so bad though.

Chronological order isn't all that important unless you're really picky about that sort of thing. I started by watching TOS (in syndication) and TNG (while it was airing) at the same time. Got to see all the movies from Generations onward in the theater.

The biggest think is just to take it at your own pace. There is so much to watch now a days that you can burn yourself out if you aren't careful. If the episode doesn't grab your attention, move on to another one and don't expect every episode to be great.

And, most importantly, have fun.

Oh, and I agree entirely with Scorpio's list, and would personally add The Undiscovered Country (movie) to it. I loved that one personally.

thanks a lot! I think you're so right about burning myself out.
I do that often when I have a new obsession hahaha

Don't do it! Becoming a Star Trek fan leads to a lonely existence of arguing with other nerds on the internet. Take the advice of one who was too young to heed the warnings and get out while you still can!

But if you insist...

Just to clarify, most of Trek is episodic fare and is not at all like Lost, most of Trek goes like this:

1) The ship visits some planet or space anomaly.
2) A crisis occurs.
3) The crisis is resolved, often through the use of made-up technical jargon.
4) The ship flies away never to return.

That's not to say that it's bad, if I thought that then I wouldn't be on this board, but you shouldn't be expecting epic storylines from all of the shows.

The main exception to this rule is Deep Space Nine, a show that set out to be different from the others by being set on a space station. In the early seasons they didn't mess with the format too much, but by season 3 the writers decided to do something different and they started developing storylines. By the final seasons the show had grown into an epic series about various factions vying for control of the galaxy. If you liked Lost then you stand a good chance of liking DS9 as well, I was a big fan of both shows.

Another exception to this is the latter seasons of Enterprise, particularly season 3. That year they broke with their usual format and did a year-long story about trying to destroy a weapon that is being built to destroy Earth. Many people find that concept silly, many others think they pulled it off reasonably well, I happen to be one of the latter. The final season of Enterprise started to lay the groundwork for a conflict with the Romulans, but the show was cancelled before they had a chance to tell that story.


Actually, most of it has been rubbish so far. You're lucky that I showed up to set you right.

I'm intrigued by your attitude, but also quite confused. Did you really find the new movie so good that you are determined to watch 600+ hours of this franchise? Seriously, if I had known when I started watching TNG that there was going to be this much of it I wouldn't have bothered.

Not trying to put you off, I'm actually very interested in seeing what you think of our bizarre entertainment franchise.

Good plan. It's not vital to start with TOS, it was actually the last of the Trek shows I watched, but if I had the opportunity to start at the beginning then I would have. Just remember that the show was made in the 60s and it has a different style to the latter shows. The characters are slightly different from the versions in the new movie, and if you have taste you'll come to agree that these are the superior versions.

well, A.) I'm already an obsessive sci-fi nerd and B.) i have way too much time on my hands hahaha

I'm excited about seeing all of the different angles they took throughout all of the various series. i think it's awesome how there's so many stories and characters that all connect in a crazy galactic way. I love space

as for one movie getting me into 600+ hours of material, I guess I was always intrigued by star trek but never had the initiative to watch any of it because there's SO much! but once I watched the movie, I was just hooked. I love sci-fi stuff so I had a feeling it would end up that way...hahah

I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL SEASON ONE COMES IN THE MAIL

1ittle:

Awesome. Hope you will be able to look past the cheesy sets and visualize them being similar to the set you seen in the 2009 Star Trek film. I know that if you do, you will really end up loving the Original Series.

- TNG

If you end up falling asleep in any of the episodes on the first disc in Season 1. I would just jump ahead to TNG Season 3 disc 1 then. You can always go back and watch the first two seasons after you grown attached enough to the characters to make the sacrifice.



Again, if you end up finding yourself waking up in a pool of your own drool over watching the first disc of Season 1: I would skip ahead to DS9 Season 3 disc 7 (episode titled "Adversary"). This is where the lead character called Sisko becomes a Captain and also it is when the Dominion War starts to heat up and get really good, too. Also, after getting the best of DS9, you can always go back and watch the first three full seasons as a prequel event.



The pilot episode is a must watch because it sets the story in motion for the entire series. However, if you find the other episodes are really plain and dull and hard to get thru: Then I would skip ahead to VOY Season 3 disc 7 (episode titled "Scorpion Part l"). Oh, and again, you can always go back and watch the first three full seasons after getting hooked to the best of the series.



I am glad you have decided on watching this series last. You will definitely understand why after you watch it.



I would watch the Original Series films (Movies 1-6) after the Original Series (Remastered) if you have already made a commitment in viewing the Original Series.

As for the TNG (Next Generation) films: I would watch...

1. Generations (after Deep Space Nine Season 3)
2. First Contact (after Deep Space Nine Season 5)
3. Insurrection (after Deep Space Nine Season 6)
4. Nemesis (after you watch all of Voyager)
5. New Star Trek (2009) film (after the TNG films and after you read the Countdown comic books).

(except V, I was told that it's pointless and poorly made.)

Yeah, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier is pretty bad. However, I think you should see it just because there are some scenes in it that are fun to witness. I mean, we have all sat thru bad movies before, and even in some bad movies there are certain things in it that make it worthwhile in seeing it.

- TAS

This one will be a true test of your commitment to Star Trek.
If you can get thru a 1970s cartoon show, then you are indeed on your way to true Trek enlightenment.




Anyways, enjoy your Trek viewing whatever you decide to do.
And I hope you like 90% of the series as much as I have.




Side Note:

Also, there is a way you can watch the series in an approximate chronological order, too (if your interested).

Here is a list in watching the series in chronological order by season....


Star Trek Chronological Viewing Order: (By Season)

Core Star Trek Series & Films:

Star Trek: The Cage Unaired Pilot
(Located on last disc in Original Series Season 3)
Star Trek: Where No Man Has Gone Before
Star Trek (Seasons 1-2)
Star Trek (Season 3 episodes 1-9) (Season 3: Episode 9: Tholian Web)
Star Trek: Enterprise: Mirror Universe (Season 4: Episodes "In A Mirror Darkly 1 & 2)
Star Trek (Season 3 episodes 10-24)
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan
Star Trek III: The Search For Spock
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Star Trek: The Next Generation (Seasons 1-5)
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Season 1)
Star Trek: The Next Generation (Season 6)
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Season 2)
Star Trek: The Next Generation (Season 7)
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Season 3)
Star Trek: Voyager (Season 1)
Star Trek: Generations
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Season 4)
Star Trek: Voyager (Season 2)
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Season 5)
Star Trek: Voyager (Season 3)
Star Trek: First Contact
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Season 6)
Star Trek: Voyager (Season 4)
Star Trek: Insurrection
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Season 7)
Star Trek: Voyager (Seasons 5-7)
Star Trek: Nemesis
Star Trek: Countdown Comic Book Series (Optional)
Star Trek: (2009 movie) (An Explained Alternate Prequel Time Line)

Star Trek: Enterprise (Seasons 1-4)
An Unclear or Unexplained Alternate Prequel Time Line:
(Conflicts With Other Series):

Star Trek: The Animated Series
(Seasons 1-3)

WOW thanks so much for taking the time to do all that! I really appreciate it

so it seems like it's pretty unanimous that I should both give V a chance, and watch the TOS movies before TNG. so I'm gonna listen to the experts concerning that hahaah

I think it's really smart to get all of the older stuff that's kind of harder to relate to (TOS, TOS movies, TAS) out of the way first so that I don't feel obligated to watch it after.

I'm just so stoked about all of this. It may seem bonkers but I'm not overwhelmed at all. all of you made me even more excited seeing how much dedication you've shown concerning the series and the movies. I just can't wait to get into it!

thanks SOOO muccchh!!!


oh, and I'll be on here but I'll be posting play-by-plays on twitter of what I think as I watch the episodes also because I'm afraid i'll see some spoilers in the forums hahaha

 

[TribbleFeeder]

1ittle:

Oh, and if your looking for a more exact chronological viewing order (with Enterprise and the Animated Series being primarily watched last), then I would follow this list then...

Spoiler: Complete Trek Viewing Order

Core Star Trek Chronological Viewing Order:

TOS - The Cage (Season 3 Disc 7) (Not the extended episode) *
TOS - Where No Man Has Gone Before (Season 1 Disc 1)
TOS - The Man Trap
TOS - Charlie X
TOS - The Naked Time
TOS - The Enemy Within
TOS - Mudd’s Women
TOS - What Are Little Girls Made Of?
TOS - Miri
TOS - Dagger Of The Mind
TOS - The Corbomite Maneuver
TOS - The Menagerie, Part 1
TOS - The Menagerie, Part 2
TOS - The Conscience Of The King
TOS - Balance Of Terror
TOS - Shore Leave
TOS - The Galileo Seven
TOS - The Squire Of Gothos
TOS - Arena
TOS - Tomorrow Is Yesterday
TOS - Court Martial
TOS - The Return Of The Archons
TOS - Space Seed
TOS - A Taste Of Armageddon
TOS - This Side Of Paradise
TOS - The Devil In The Dark
TOS - Errand Of Mercy
TOS - The Alternative Factor
TOS - The City On The Edge Of Forever
TOS - Operation: Annihilate
TOS - Amok Time
TOS - Who Mourns For Adonais?
TOS - The Changeling
TOS - Mirror, Mirror
TOS - The Apple
TOS - The Doomsday Machine
TOS - Cat’s Paw
TOS - I, Mudd
TOS - Metamorphosis
TOS - Journey To Babel
TOS - Friday’s Child
TOS - The Deadly Years
TOS - Obsession
TOS - Wolf In The Fold
TOS - The Trouble With Tribbles
TOS - The Gamesters Of Triskelion
TOS - A Piece Of The Action
TOS - The Immunity Syndrome
TOS - A Private Little War
TOS - Return To Tomorrow
TOS - Pattern Of Force
TOS - By Any Other Name
TOS - The Omega Glory
TOS - The Ultimate Computer
TOS - Bread And Circuses
TOS - Assignment: Earth
TOS - Spock’s Brain
TOS - The Enterprise Incident
TOS - The Paradise Syndrome
TOS - And The Children Shall Lead
TOS - Is There In Truth No Beauty?
TOS - Spectre Of The Gun
TOS - Day Of The Dove
TOS - For The World Is Hollow And I Have Touched The Sky
TOS - The Tholian Web
ENT - In A Mirror Darkly, Part 1 (Enterprise Season 4 Disc 5)
ENT - In A Mirror Darkly, Part 2 (Enterprise Season 4 Disc 5)
TOS - Plato’s Stepchildren
TOS - Wink Of An Eye
TOS - The Empath
TOS - Elaan Of Troyius
TOS - Whom Gods Detroy
TOS - Let That Be Your Last Battlefield
TOS - The Mark Of Gideon
TOS - That Which Survives
TOS - The Lights Of Zetar
TOS - Requiem For Methuselah
TOS - The Way To Eden
TOS - The Cloud Minders
TOS - The Savage Curtain
TOS - All Our Yesterdays
TOS - Turnabout Intruder
MOV - The Motion Picture
MOV - The Wrath Of Khan
MOV - The Search For Spock
MOV - The Voyage Home
MOV - The Final Frontier
MOV - The Undiscovered Country
TNG - Encounter At Farpoint
TNG - The Naked Now
TNG - Code Of Honor
TNG - The Last Outpost
TNG - Where No One Has Gone Before
TNG - Lonely Among Us
TNG - Justice
TNG - The Battle
TNG - Hide And Q
TNG - Haven
TNG - The Big Goodbye
TNG - Datalore
TNG - Angel One
TNG - 11001001
TNG - To Short A Season
TNG - When The Bough Breaks
TNG - Home Soil
TNG - Coming Of Age
TNG - Heart Of Glory
TNG - The Arsenal Of Freedom
TNG - Symbiosis
TNG - Skin Of Evil
TNG - We’ll Always Have Paris
TNG - Conspiracy
TNG - The Neutral Zone
TNG - The Child
TNG - Where Silence Has Lease
TNG - Elementary, Dear Data
TNG - The Outrageous Okona
TNG - Loud As A Whisper
TNG - The Schizoid Man
TNG - Unnatural Selection
TNG - A Matter Of Honor
TNG - The Measure Of A Man
TNG - The Dauphin
TNG - Contagion
TNG - The Royale
TNG - Time Squared
TNG - The Icarus Factor
TNG - Pen Pals
TNG - Q Who?
TNG - Samaritan Snare
TNG - Up The Long Ladder
TNG - Manhunt
TNG - The Emissary
TNG - Peak Performance
TNG - Shades Of Gray
TNG - Evolution
TNG - The Ensigns Of Command
TNG - The Survivors
TNG - Who Watches The Watchers?
TNG - The Bonding
TNG - Booby Trap
TNG - The Enemy
TNG - The Price
TNG - The Vengeance Factor
TNG - The Defector
TNG - The Hunted
TNG - The High Ground
TNG - Deja Q
TNG - A Matter Of Perspective
TNG - Yesterday’s Enterprise
TNG - The Offspring
TNG - Sins Of The Father
TNG - Allegiance
TNG - Captain’s Holiday
TNG - Tin Man
TNG - Hollow Pursuits
TNG - The Most Toys
TNG - Sarek
TNG - Menage A Troi
TNG - Transfigurations
TNG - The Best Of Both Worlds, Part 1
TNG - The Best Of Both Worlds, Part 2
TNG - Family
TNG - Brothers
TNG - Suddenly Human
TNG - Remember Me
TNG - Legacy
TNG - Reunion
TNG - Future Imperfect
TNG - Final Mission
TNG - The Loss
TNG - Data’s Day
TNG - The Wounded
TNG - Devil’s Due
TNG - Clues
TNG - First Contact
TNG - Galaxy’s Child
TNG - Night Terrors
TNG - Identity Crisis
TNG - The Nth Degree
TNG - Qpid
TNG - The Drumhead
TNG - Half A Life
TNG - The Host
TNG - The Mind’s Eye
TNG - In Theory
TNG - Redemption, Part 1
TNG - Redemption, Part 2
TNG - Darmok
TNG - Ensign Ro
TNG - Silicon Avatar
TNG - Disaster
TNG - The Game
TNG - Unification, Part 1
TNG - Unification, Part 2
TNG - A Matter Of Time
TNG - New Ground
TNG - Hero Worship
TNG - Violations
TNG - The Masterpiece Society
TNG - Conundrum
TNG - Power Play
TNG - Ethics
TNG - The Outcast
TNG - Cause And Effect
TNG - The First Duty
TNG - Cost Of Living
TNG - The Perfect Mate
TNG - Imaginary Friend
TNG - I, Borg
TNG - The Next Phase
TNG - The Inner Light
TNG - Time’s Arrow, Part 1
TNG - Time’s Arrow, Part 2
TNG - Realm Of Fear
TNG - Man Of The People
TNG - Relics
TNG - Schizms
TNG - True Q
TNG - Rascals
TNG - A Fistful Of Datas
TNG - The Quality Of Life
TNG - Chain Of Command, Part 1
TNG - Chain Of Command, Part 2
DS9 - Emissary
DS9 - A Man Alone
DS9 - Past Prologue
TNG - Ship In A Bottle
DS9 - Babel
TNG - Aquiel
DS9 - Captive Pursuit
TNG - Face Of The Enemy
DS9 - Q-Less
TNG - Tapestry
TNG - Birthright, Part 1
TNG - Birthright, Part 2
DS9 - Dax
TNG - Starship Mine
DS9 - The Passenger
TNG - Lessons
DS9 - Move Along Home
DS9 - The Nagus
DS9 - Vortex
DS9 - Battle Lines
DS9 - The Storyteller
TNG - The Chase
TNG - Frame Of Mind
TNG - Suspicions
TNG - Rightful Heir
DS9 - Progress
DS9 - If Wishes Were Horses
TNG - Second Chances
DS9 - Dramatis Personae
DS9 - The Forsaken
TNG - Timescape
DS9 - Duet
DS9 - In The Hands Of Prophets
TNG - Descent, Part 1
TNG - Descent, Part 2
DS9 - The Homecoming
DS9 - The Circle
DS9 - The Siege
TNG - Liaisons
TNG - Gambit, Part 1
TNG - Gambit, Part 2
DS9 - Cardassians
DS9 - Invasive Procedures
TNG - Interface
TNG - Phantasms
DS9 - Melora
TNG - Dark Page
DS9 - Rules Of Acquisition
DS9 - Necessary Evil
TNG - Attached
TNG - Force Of Nature
DS9 - Second Sight
TNG - Parallels
DS9 - Sanctuary
DS9 - The Alternate
TNG - Inheritance
TNG - Homeward
DS9 - Rivals
TNG - The Pegasus
DS9 - Armageddon Game
TNG - Sub Rosa
DS9 - Whispers
TNG - Lower Decks
DS9 - Paradise
DS9 - Shadowplay
TNG - Thine Own Self
DS9 - Playing God
TNG - Masks
TNG - Eye of The Beholder
DS9 - Profit And Loss
TNG - Genesis
TNG - Journey’s End
DS9 - Blood Oath
DS9 - The Maquis, Part 1
DS9 - The Maquis, Part 2
TNG - Firstborn
TNG - Bloodlines
DS9 - The Wire
TNG - Emergence
DS9 - Crossover
TNG - Preemptive Strike
DS9 - The Collaborator
DS9 - Tribunal
TNG - All Good Things...
DS9 - The Jem’Hadar
DS9 - The Search, Part 1
DS9 - The Search, Part 2
DS9 - The House Of Quark
DS9 - Equilibrium
DS9 - Second Skin
VOY - Caretaker
DS9 - The Abandoned
DS9 - Civil Defense
DS9 - Meridian
VOY - Parallax
DS9 - Defiant
VOY - Time And Again
DS9 - Fascination
DS9 - Past Tense, Part 1
DS9 - Past Tense, Part 2
DS9 - Life Support
DS9 - Heart Of Stone
VOY - Phage
DS9 - Destiny
VOY - The Cloud
VOY - Eye Of The Needle
DS9 - Prophet Motive
VOY - Ex Post Facto
DS9 - Visionary
MOV - Generations
VOY - Prime Factors
VOY - State Of Flux
DS9 - Distant Voices
DS9 - Through The Looking Glass
VOY - Heroes And Demons
DS9 - Improbable Cause
DS9 - The Die Is Cast
VOY - Cathexis
VOY - Faces
DS9 - Explorers
VOY - Jetrel
DS9 - Family Business
VOY - Learning Curve
DS9 - Shakaar
VOY - Projections
DS9 - Facets
VOY - Elogium
VOY - Twisted
DS9 - The Adversary
VOY - The 37’s
VOY - Initiations
VOY - Non Sequitur
DS9 - The Way Of The Warrior, Part 1
DS9 - The Way Of The Warrior, Part 2
VOY - Parturition
DS9 - Hippocratic Oath
DS9 - The Visitor
VOY - Persistence Of Vision
DS9 - Indiscretion
VOY - Tattoo
DS9 - Rejoined
VOY - Cold Fire
DS9 - Little Green Men
VOY - Maneuvers
DS9 - Starship Down
VOY - Resistance
DS9 - The Sword Of Kahless
DS9 - Our Man Bashir
VOY - Prototype
DS9 - Homefront
DS9 - Paradise Lost
VOY - Death Wish
VOY - Alliances
DS9 - Crossfire
VOY - Threshold
DS9 - Return To Grace
VOY - Meld
DS9 - Bar Association
VOY - Dreadnought
DS9 - Accession
VOY - Lifesigns
VOY - Investigations
VOY - Deadlock
DS9 - Sons Of Mogh
VOY - Innocence
DS9 - Rules Of Engagement
VOY - The Thaw
DS9 - Hard Time
VOY - Tuvix
DS9 - Shattered Mirror
DS9 - The Muse
VOY - Resolutions
DS9 - For The Cause
DS9 - The Quickening
DS9 - To The Death
DS9 - Body Parts
DS9 - Broken Link
VOY - Basics, Part 1
VOY - Basics, Part 2
DS9 - Apocalypse Rising
DS9 - The Ship
DS9 - Looking For Par’Mach In All The Wrong Places
VOY - Sacred Ground
VOY - False Profits
DS9 - The Assignment
VOY - Flashback
DS9 - Nor The Battle To The Strong
VOY - The Chute
DS9 - Trials And Tribble-ations
VOY - Remember
VOY - The Swarm
DS9 - Let He Who Is Without Sin...
VOY - Future’s End, Part 1
VOY - Future’s End, Part 2
DS9 - Things Past
VOY - Warlord
DS9 - The Ascent
VOY - The Q And The Grey
DS9 - Rapture
DS9 - The Darkness And The Light
VOY - Macrocosm
DS9 - The Begotten
VOY - Fair Trade
VOY - Alter Ego
DS9 - For The Uniform
VOY - Coda
VOY - Blood Fever
DS9 - In Purgatory’s Shadow
DS9 - By Inferno’s Light
DS9 - Dr. Bashir, I Presume
VOY - Unity
VOY - Darkling
DS9 - A Simple Investigation
VOY - Rise
DS9 - Business As Usual
DS9 - Ties Of Blood And Water
VOY - Favorite Son
VOY - Before And After
DS9 - Ferengi Love Songs
VOY - Real Life
DS9 - Soldiers Of The Empire
VOY - Distant Origin
DS9 - Children Of Time
DS9 - Blaze Of Glory
MOV - First Contact
DS9 - Empok Nor
VOY - Displaced
DS9 - In The Cards
VOY - Worst Case Scenario
DS9 - Call To Arms
VOY - Scorpion, Part 1
VOY - Scorpion, Part 2
VOY - The Gift
DS9 - A Time To Stand
DS9 - Rocks And Shoals
VOY - Day Of Honor
DS9 - Sons And Daughters
VOY - Nemesis
DS9 - Behind The Lines
VOY - Revulsion
DS9 - Favor The Bold
DS9 - Sacrifice Of Angels
VOY - The Raven
VOY - Scientific Method
DS9 - You Are Cordially Invited
VOY - Year Of Hell, Part 1
VOY - Year Of Hell, Part 2
VOY - Random Thoughts
DS9 - Resurrection
VOY - Concerning Flight
DS9 - Statistical Probabilities
DS9 - The Magnificent Ferengi
DS9 - Waltz
VOY - Mortal Coil
DS9 - Who Mourns For Morn?
VOY - Waking Moments
DS9 - Far Beyond The Stars
DS9 - One Little Ship
DS9 - Honor Among Thieves
VOY - Message In A Bottle
VOY - Hunters
DS9 - Change Of Heart
VOY - Prey
DS9 - Wrongs Darker Than Death Or Night
VOY - Retrospect
DS9 - Inquisition
VOY - The Killing Game, Part 1
VOY - The Killing Game, Part 2
DS9 - In The Pale Moonlight
VOY - Vis A Vis
DS9 - His Way
VOY - The Omega Directive
DS9 - The Reckoning
VOY - Unforgettable
DS9 - Valiant
VOY - Living Witness
DS9 - Profit And Lace
VOY - Demon
DS9 - Time’s Orphan
VOY - One
DS9 - The Sound Of Her Voice
DS9 - Tears Of The Prophets
VOY - Hope And Fear
VOY - Night
DS9 - Image In The Sand
DS9 - Shadows And Symbols
DS9 - Afterimage
DS9 - Take Me Out To The Holosuite
VOY - Drone
VOY - Extreme Risk
DS9 - Chrysalis
VOY - In The Flesh
DS9 - Treachery, Faith, And The Great River
DS9 - Once More Unto The Breach
DS9 - The Siege Of AR-558
VOY - Once Upon A Time
MOV - Insurrection
DS9 - Covenant
DS9 - It’s Only A Paper Moon
DS9 - Prodigal Daughter
VOY - Timeless
VOY - Thirty Days
DS9 - The Emperor’s New Cloak
DS9 - Field Of Fire
DS9 - Chimera
DS9 - Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang
VOY - Infinite Regress
DS9 - Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges
VOY - Nothing Human
DS9 - Penumbra
VOY - Counterpoint
DS9 - Til Death Do Us Part
VOY - Latent Image
DS9 - Strange Bedfellows
VOY - Bride Of Chaotica!
DS9 - The Changing Face Of Evil
VOY - Gravity
DS9 - When It Rains...
VOY - Bliss
DS9 - Tacking Into The Wind
VOY - Dark Frontier
DS9 - Extreme Measures
VOY - The Disease
DS9 - The Dogs Of War
VOY - Course: Oblivion
DS9 - What You Leave Behind
VOY - The Fight
VOY - Think Tank
VOY - Juggernaut
VOY - Someone To Watch Over Me
VOY - 11:59
VOY - Relativity
VOY - Equinox, Part 1
VOY - Equinox, Part 2
VOY - Survival Instinct
VOY - Barge Of The Dead
VOY - Tinker, Tenor, Doctor, Spy
VOY - Alice
VOY - Dragon’s Teeth
VOY - Riddles
VOY - One Small Step
VOY - The Voyager Conspiracy
VOY - Pathfinder
VOY - Fair Haven
VOY - Blink Of An Eye
VOY - Vituoso
VOY - Memorial
VOY - Tsunkatse
VOY - Collective
VOY - Spirit Folk
VOY - Ashes To Ashes
VOY - Child’s Play
VOY - Good Shepherd
VOY - Live Fast And Prosper
VOY - Muse
VOY - Fury
VOY - Life Line
VOY - The Haunting Of Deck Twelve
VOY - Unimatrix Zero, Part 1
VOY - Unimatrix Zero, Part 2
VOY - Drive
VOY - Repression
VOY - Imperfection
VOY - Critical Care
VOY - Inside Man
VOY - Body And Soul
VOY - Nightingale
VOY - Flesh And Blood, Part 1
VOY - Flesh And Blood, Part 2
VOY - Shattered
VOY - Lineage
VOY - Repentance
VOY - Prophecy
VOY - The Void
VOY - Workforce, Part 1
VOY - Workforce, Part 2
VOY - Human Error
VOY - Q2
VOY - Author, Author
VOY - Friendship One
VOY - Natural Law
VOY - Homestead
VOY - Renaissance Man
VOY - Endgame
MOV - Nemesis
COM - Star Trek: Countdown issue #1 (Optional) (Non Canon)
COM - Star Trek: Countdown issue #2 (Optional) (Non Canon)
COM - Star Trek: Countdown issue #3 (Optional) (Non Canon)
COM - Star Trek: Countdown issue #4 (Optional) (Non Canon)
MOV - Star Trek (2009)

Enterprise - An Alternate Time Line Series Viewing Order (Optional):

MOV - First Contact
ENT - Broken Bow
ENT - Fight Or Flight
ENT - Strange New World
ENT - Unexpected
ENT - Terra Nova
ENT - The Andorian Incident
ENT - Breaking The Ice
ENT - Civilization
ENT - Fortunate Son
ENT - Cold Front
ENT - Silent Enemy
ENT - Dear Doctor
ENT - Sleeping Dogs
ENT - Shadows Of P’jem
ENT - Shuttlepod One
ENT - Fusion
ENT - Rogue Planet
ENT - Acquisition
ENT - Oasis
ENT - Detained
ENT - Vox Sola
ENT - Fallen Hero
ENT - Desert Crossing
ENT - Two Days And Two Nights
ENT - Shockwave, Part 1
ENT - Shockwave, Part 2
ENT - Carbon Creek
ENT - Minefield
ENT - Dead Stop
ENT - A Night In Sickbay
ENT - Marauders
ENT - The Seventh
ENT - The Communicator
ENT - Singularity
ENT - Vanishing Point
ENT - Precious Cargo
ENT - The Catwalk
ENT - Dawn
ENT - Stigma
ENT - Cease Fire
ENT - Future Tense
ENT - Canamar
ENT - The Crossing
ENT - Judgment
ENT - Horizon
ENT - The Breach
ENT - Cogenitor
ENT - Regeneration
ENT - First Flight
ENT - Bounty
ENT - The Expanse
ENT - The Xindi
ENT - Anomaly
ENT - Extinction
ENT - Rajiin
ENT - Impulse
ENT - Exile
ENT - The Shipment
ENT - Twilight
ENT - North Star
ENT - Similitude
ENT - Carpenter Street
ENT - Chosen Realm
ENT - Proving Ground
ENT - Stratagem
ENT - Harbinger
ENT - Doctor’s Orders
ENT - Hatchery
ENT - Azati Prime
ENT - Damage
ENT - The Forgotten
ENT - E^2
ENT - The Council
ENT - Countdown
ENT - Zero Hour
ENT - Storm Front, Part 1
ENT - Storm Front, Part 2
ENT - Home
ENT - Borderland
ENT - Cold Station 12
ENT - The Augments
ENT - The Forge
ENT - Awakening
ENT - Kir’shara
ENT - Daedalus
ENT - Observer Effect
ENT - Babel One
ENT - United
ENT - The Aenar
ENT - Affliction
ENT - Divergence
ENT - Bound
TOS - The Tholian Web (Original Series Season 3 Disc 3)
ENT - In A Mirror Darkly, Part 1
ENT - In A Mirror Darkly, Part 2
ENT - Demons
ENT - Terra Prime
TNG - The Pegasus (Next Generation Season 7 Disc 3)
ENT - These Are The Voyages...

Animated Series - Cartoon Alternate Time Line Viewing Order (Optional):

TAS - The Magicks of Megas-Tu
TAS - The Practical Joker
TAS - The Slaver Weapon
TAS - Mudd's Passion
TAS - The Survivor
TAS - Beyond the Farthest Star
TAS - The Time Trap
TAS - Albatross
TAS - One of Our Planets Is Missing
TAS - Yesteryear
TAS - More Tribbles, More Troubles
TAS - The Lorelei Signal
TAS - The Ambergris Element
TAS - The Eye of the Beholder
TAS - The Infinite Vulcan
TAS - The Terratin Incident
TAS - Once Upon a Planet
TAS - The Jihad
TAS - How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth
TAS - The Pirates of Orion
TAS - The Counter-Clock Incident
TAS - Bem



Important Note:

Enterprise can be placed before TOS and the episode titled "These Are Voyages..." can be placed after the TNG episode titled "Pegasus". However, it is recommended that you watch Enterprise as a separate alternate time line after you watch the core time line (if at all).

Important Note 2:

~Of course TAS (The Animated series) can be skipped over if it is hard to get into it. Also, the Animated episodes are listed by stardate and not by airdate. So you will have to watch it according to this list and not the way that it presented within the DVD Complete Set. Furthermore, if you want to watch this series with the others (chronologically), it should be watched immediately after TOS (The Original Series).

Important Note 3:

* In addition, I recommend watching the Remastered Version of the original unaired pilot episode titled "The Cage" instead of the extended version. The extended episode of "The Cage" has black and white shots (or footage) mixed with color shots. it is a bit uneven or unnatural to watch the episode that way for the first time. Also, one will have to rent or buy the 3rd Season of the Remastered TOS in order to view "The Cage" first, too (Original Series Season 3 Disc 7).

question: did DS9, TNG, and VOY's airing overlap? or does that have to do with the timeline of the actual story?

 

[Arpy]

Their airings overlapped.

Since you seem to want to see all of it in chronological order of original airing remember to intersperse the movies around the same time as the TV seasons. They don't necessarily impact the series much, but some did (i.e. DS9 adopted First Contact uniforms shortly its release) and you can get a look at where TV/movie technology progressed to where at which point.

May I recommend seeing the Directors Edition of the first Trek movie, The Motion Picture. It is superior to the rushed dull original.

Also, be aware that one of the reasons they call it a Trek "franchise" is because each incarnation is different. You won't have the same experience with any series that you had with any other and the same for most of the movies - certainly for the latest that got you into Trek in the first place. I say start one of these threads every tine you begin a series/movie to get some input on how what you're about to see is different from what you have seen so far.

I look to different series for different reasons...some have better production values, others stories, others soul... And I can do this because the series are so different from each other...and from themselves from beginning to end. The movies too are no different.

You're gonna go through quite a roller coaster looking for what you liked in the latest movie. You'll find lots you don't like and lots you didn't consider that you may like very much. Let us know the results as you go on the journey, eh?

 

[DevilEyes]

Again, if you end up finding yourself waking up in a pool of your own drool over watching the first disc of Season 1: I would skip ahead to DS9 Season 3 disc 7 (episode titled "Adversary"). This is where the lead character called Sisko becomes a Captain and also it is when the Dominion War starts to heat up and get really good, too. Also, after getting the best of DS9, you can always go back and watch the first three full seasons as a prequel event.

Uh, no. Definitely no. Sure you can do it, but then you'll be spoiling your experience in so many ways. You definitely should not jump right into the middle of the story, missing all the setup and the important events and revelations of the first 3 seasons, not to mention the character development and building of relationships - and you'll be spoiling all the great episodes of the first 3 seasons... and trust me, there are so many awesome episodes in DS9 early seasons, many of its best. The only problem is the inconsistency, but almost every Trek season has the same problem. If you're impatient and you must skip something, skip some episodes that are bad/average/less important (you can ask people to give you a list of must-see episodes and not so good/important episodes) but you MUST NOT skip the seasons by any means. There are many episodes that are absolutely must-see not just for the quality, but for the way they affect everything that goes on afterwards. When TheGodBen said that DS9 becomes an epic serialized show in later seasons, you shouldn't misunderstand it and think that that's where those storylines start. The later seasons just continue the storylines that were already started and set up in the first 3 seasons, the difference is that in early seasons there is a greater number of standalone episodes unconnected to the main arcs, especially in season 1 (which is indeed rather weak, but has a few classics), less so in season 2 and 3. Though even the bad or average episodes usually have some important or good character moments. The character development and building of relationships starts from the pilot, and it's one of the crucial elements of DS9 and the main draw for many of its fans. One of the main characters, Major Kira, undergoes an enormous development and change during the first season - something you couldn't appreciate the same way if you skip that season.

 

[flemm]

First let me say that I consider myself to be a big fan of Trek, yet I can hardly imagine setting out to watch every episode and film the franchise has produced, let alone doing so in a coherent manner. There are still many episodes of Voyager and Enterprise that I have never watched, and even for shows like TNG, TOS and DS9, there are many terrible episodes that I cannot really recommend. Over time, you may develop an attachment to these shows and these characters and therefore find the weaker material interesting and endearing, but if you try to absorb it all at once, you may find that you don't enjoy the experience. Take your time, watch whatever interests you, don't try to stick to some pre-arranged plan, that would be my main advice.

With TOS and TNG, there is no reason at all to watch the episodes in chronological order, as there is only limited continuity. You will likely enjoy the lesser material more once you have seen these shows at their best. TOS' first season is one of the great seasons in all of sci-fi, though, so no harm in starting at the beginning here. It's an old show, so there are some tedious and dated elements that one simply has to tolerate in order to appreciate how much this show managed to accomplish with limited means.

With TNG I would recommend sampling some of the stronger episodes rather than starting at the beginning. TNG is a great show from seasons 3-6, but even within these seasons there is little reason not to skip around a bit. Seasons 1 and 2 can really be a painful experience at times, so I would be wary of focusing on these right away.

DS9 is a different animal and does benefit greatly from being watched in order, though you might want to consider condensing the first two seasons somewhat, as there are quite a few episodes that don't contribute greatly to the bigger picture in the earlier stages of the show. I could certainly suggest a condensed version of seasons 1 + 2, as could a number of other Niners, if you like. On the other hand, if you are up for it, DS9 is most rewarding if you take it from beginning to end without skipping. That's how I originally watched it (on DVD), and it does pay off.

 

[F. King Daniel]

Is this a bad time to mention that there are about 400 Star Trek novels out there too?

Although the novels aren't considered "canon" (i.e. not part of the TV continuity/"didn't really happen") they, like the TV shows, have told some really good (and some impossibly bad) stories over the years. A few alternate origin stories have cropped up, you might want to give William Shatner's Collision Course a go. It's recent, it's got a similar style to STXI - young, aimless petty criminal Kirk (who's gone off the rails after an horrific incident on a colony world) meets Spock in the back of a police car when they're both arrested (!), Kirk enrolls in the academy (at the same time as Spock in this version), they start off as enemies but end up working together...only this time Kirk knows (hates) his dad and he has a brother.

Sadly the four novels set after Star Trek XI (which would have been Kirk's first four missions) were cancelled by some idiot who thinks "only JJ Abrams can tell Star Trek stories now"

 

[TheGodBen]

so it seems like it's pretty unanimous that I should both give V a chance, and watch the TOS movies before TNG. so I'm gonna listen to the experts concerning that hahaah

There is at least one major event in the TOS movies that carries over into TNG and DS9: The Khitomer Accords. It's a good idea to know the story behind that before moving on to TNG, but not essential.

Good luck with Trek V, you might want to consider getting good and drunk before watching it.

I think it's really smart to get all of the older stuff that's kind of harder to relate to (TOS, TOS movies, TAS) out of the way first so that I don't feel obligated to watch it after.

It's best to watch it that way because the later series will sometimes reference back to the events in TOS, many of the writers on the later series were huge fans of the original Star Trek such as Ron Moore, René Echevarria, Mike Sussman, Manny Coto, and many, many more. One of the most popular episodes of DS9 involves the crew travelling back in time to the events of a famous TOS episode and they have to interact with the original crew. It's good fun.

question: did DS9, TNG, and VOY's airing overlap? or does that have to do with the timeline of the actual story?

DS9 overlapped for its entire run; seasons 1 & 2 ran concurrently with TNG seasons 6 & 7 while DS9 seasons 3-7 overlapped with Voyager's first five seasons. You shouldn't worry about that, the stories almost never overlapped, and Voyager took place on the other side of the galaxy to DS9 so they didn't ever interact with the same aliens!

DS9 does continue some stories and characters which were first introduced on TNG, but if you watch all of TNG before watching DS9 then you should be okay, you don't really need to intercut the episodes or seasons. I'd suggest that you watch each series separately to make it easier on you, so you can go from TNG to DS9 to Voyager.

When TheGodBen said that DS9 becomes an epic serialized show in later seasons, you shouldn't misunderstand it and think that that's where those storylines start. The later seasons just continue the storylines that were already started and set up in the first 3 seasons, the difference is that in early seasons there is a greater number of standalone episodes unconnected to the main arcs, especially in season 1 (which is indeed rather weak, but has a few classics), less so in season 2 and 3.

Indeed, I would never recommend that anybody skip entire seasons of DS9, there's too much important stuff for somebody to skip it entirely, even in season 1. I wouldn't even recommend skipping the bad episodes because even they have some worthwhile character material. DS9 takes time to get going, but once its does you'll be glad you sat through the crappy episodes in the early seasons.

 

[Luther Sloan]

Uh, no. Definitely no. Sure you can do it, but then you'll be spoiling your experience in so many ways. You definitely should not jump right into the middle of the story, missing all the setup and the important events and revelations of the first 3 seasons,

Indeed, I would never recommend that anybody skip entire seasons of DS9, there's too much important stuff for somebody to skip it entirely, even in season 1. I wouldn't even recommend skipping the bad episodes because even they have some worthwhile character material. DS9 takes time to get going, but once its does you'll be glad you sat through the crappy episodes in the early seasons.

Well, maybe I should revise what I said initially. A person should skip the first 3 seasons of Deep Space Nine ONLY if they have a hard time watching it. If they are completely turned off by the earlier episodes and just can't get into them (like a few people I know), then I would recommend in starting when Sisko becomes a Captain.

I mean, seriously. What is lost when you don't watch the first three seasons that you won't understand if you start at the Season 3 cliffhanger episode titled "Adversary"?

1. Death of Jennifer
(But is that really that important to the character in Seasons 4-7?)

2. Sisko's mission to get the Bajorans to join Starfleet
(Again, this was not an overall arc that was ever that paramount. Especially in Seasons 4-7).

3. Sisko becoming the Emissary
(You don't need the early episodes to be able to fill in the blanks on this one).

4. Evolution of characters (Sure it is nice to see the characters change) (But it is it necessary in order to understand the Dominion War story arc in Seasons 4-7? No.)

5. Dominion Introduction (But you don't need the back story episodes to understand that they are tied to the character of Odo and are the bad guys).

Besides, would you rather not have a person watch the series at all because they hated the earlier episodes? All I am saying is that if they enjoy or can tolerate the first three seasons they should obviously stick with watching DS9 chronologically.

But if that person is getting turned off by Deep Space Nine because of the early episodes, then I say it is worth the sacrifice in jumping ahead because it is better in having that person watch the best of Deep Space Nine than not watching the series at all.

 

[TheGodBen]

I mean, seriously. What is lost when you don't watch the first three seasons that you won't understand if you start at the Season 3 cliffhanger episode titled "Adversary"?

Spoiler: DS9 spoilers

1) Character growth for everyone
2) The Maquis
3) Nog joining Starfleet
4) Winn becoming Kai
5) Dukat becoming a good guy
6) The Dominion and the revelation about the Changelings
7) The destruction of the OO/Tal Shiar fleet

And that's only what I could come up with in a minute. If I bothered looking through an episode list I'm certain I could come up with much more.

1. Death of Jennifer
(But is that really that important to the character in Seasons 4-7?)

It's important in Shattered Mirror, yes.

2. Sisko's mission to get the Bajorans to join Starfleet
(Again, this was not an overall arc that was ever that paramount. Especially in Seasons 4-7).

It was the original intention of the show, it's one of the major balls that the writers dropped in the latter seasons.

3. Sisko becoming the Emissary
(You don't need the early episodes to be able to fill in the blanks on this one).

I think it is very important to watch the early seasons to fully understand that Sisko did not choose nor want to be the Emissary, he resisted it for years. Without knowing that you lose a lot of the meaning of that whole arc.

4. Evolution of characters (Sure it is nice to see the characters change) (But it is it necessary in order to understand the Dominion War story arc in Seasons 4-7? No.)

This is where you completely lose me. The stories and plots of DS9 were great, but it's the characters and their growth over the seven years that truly make the show something special. If you can't enjoy DS9 for the character material then you're missing out on a lot of what makes that show so great.

5. Dominion Introduction

Spoiler: A plot twist

(But you don't need the back story episodes to understand that they are tied to the character of Odo and are the bad guys)

.

Spoiler: The plot twist

The revelation that Odo's people are the leaders of the Dominion is one of the show's best twists. Hell, the revelation of the Dominion is a game-changing event that is only matched by TNG's Q Who. To skip these important moments in the show is to skip some of the show's best material.

Besides, would you rather not have a person watch the series at all because they hated the earlier episodes? All I am saying is that if they enjoy or can tolerate the first three seasons they should obviously stick with watching DS9 chronologically.

But if that person is getting turned off by Deep Space Nine because of the early episodes, then I say it is worth the sacrifice in jumping ahead because it is better in having that person watch the best of Deep Space Nine than not watching the series at all.

What you are suggesting is complete overkill, though. Just because someone has trouble getting past dreck like The Passenger or If Wishes Were Horses does not mean that they should skip episodes like Duet, The Circle Trilogy, Necessary Evil, Whispers, The Wire, The Jem'Hadar, Second Skin, Improbable Cause, The Die is Cast and many, many more. I'd even argue that otherwise poor episodes like The Storyteller, Rivals and Armageddon Game are worthwhile to watch because of how they detail O'Brien and Bashir's antagonism, and that era enriches their eventual friendship.

Sure, you can skip right to the epic seasons if you want, but by doing so you lose a lot of the richness and fine detail that makes DS9 such a rewarding show.

 

[flemm]

Well, maybe I should revise what I said initially. A person should skip the first 3 seasons of Deep Space Nine ONLY if they have a hard time watching it. If they are completely turned off by the earlier episodes and just can't get into them (like a few people I know), then I would recommend in starting when Sisko becomes a Captain.

I mean, seriously. What is lost when you don't watch the first three seasons that you won't understand if you start at the Season 3 cliffhanger episode titled "Adversary"?

I want to make sure we avoid anything spoilery here, but I don't think starting with The Adversary makes any sense at all. It's not as if there's a clean break between season 4 and what comes before. Even for someone who is only interested in the sci-fi action adventure aspect of the show, season 3 episodes like Improbable Cause/The Die is Cast should not be missed.

At minimum, I would recommend a condensed first three seasons along these lines:

Season 1 (10 episodes)
Emissary, Past Prologue, Captive Pursuit, Dax, The Nagus, Vortex, Battle Lines, Progress, Duet, In the Hands of the Prophets

Season 2 (14 Episodes)
The Homecoming, The Circle, The Siege, Cardassians, Necessary Evil, Whispers, Blood Oath, The Maquis Parts 1 and 2, The Wire, Crossover, The Collaborator, Tribunal, The Jem'Hadar

Season 3 (12 Episodes)
The Search Parts 1 + 2, The House of Quark, Second Skin, The Abandoned, Civil Defense, Destiny, Visionary, Improbable Cause, The Die is Cast, Explorers, The Adversary

That covers most of the character and universe building, or at least as much as possible in a limited number of episodes. Anyone who doesn't enjoy at least a healthy percentage of those episodes is unlikely to enjoy DS9 overall imo, and of course there are some people who just don't, as mystifying as that may be to me personally

Of course, I am firmly in the camp that watching it all is the best choice, because the real strength of the show is the character material and subtle changes over time, not the occasional spectacular space battle. All of those can easily be found on YouTube anyway

 

[DevilEyes]

I mean, seriously. What is lost when you don't watch the first three seasons that you won't understand if you start at the Season 3 cliffhanger episode titled "Adversary"?

Spoiler: DS9 spoilers

1) Character growth for everyone
2) The Maquis
3) Nog joining Starfleet
4) Winn becoming Kai
5) Dukat becoming a good guy
6) The Dominion and the revelation about the Changelings
7) The destruction of the OO/Tal Shiar fleet

Spoiler: DS9

- What the Obsidian Order was in the first place
- Who is this Enabran Tain
- What's the deal with Garak
- So, this Cardassia... what was it like before that civilian government came in power in TWOTW?
- So...the Founders... what's their problem?
- Why does Kira have a problem with Winn, did she do something wrong?
- Who is Tekeny Ghemor and how come he is so friendly with Kira
- So how did Kira and Odo become friends in the first place? Didn't they say something about him working for Cardassians during that occupation of Bajor they mention from time to time, while Kira was fighting against them?
- Wait, who the hell is this Grilka? Quark's ex-wife? WTF?

And so on... these are the things I can think of from the top of my head.

 

[Luther Sloan]

Sure, you can skip right to the epic seasons if you want, but by doing so you lose a lot of the richness and fine detail that makes DS9 such a rewarding show.

GB:

Yes. But it is not necessary for them to watch the first three seasons in order for them to understand what is going on. A new viewer can still enjoy and comprehend the later seasons (even with having no knowledge of any early episodes). Sure, certain things would not be explained in that great of detail and would not be as rich or rewarding. But that is the choice they would make if they could not get into watching the earlier episodes.

I mean, you make it sound like people are stupid and can't fill in the blanks for themselves or something. People are pretty quick to get what is going on or could live without certain things being explained. Trust me.

Since the rise in popularity in television shows, people all over the world have jumped in mid season into a certain TV series and have learned to enjoy them. Even the ones that have complex story arcs and character development.

But the point I was trying to make in my previous post was that Deep Space Nine should be skipped ahead only if the new viewer cannot get into the earlier episodes. Sure, you can give them a select handful of episodes that you think are necessary in the first three seasons. But if they find them cheesy or unwatchable: then your digging your hole deeper into losing their interest. That is why I would just move them ahead to the 3rd season cliffhanger episode and everything after that. That way there would be a better chance in keeping them within the Deep Space Nine camp.

Besides, it's not like the first 3 seasons are going anywhere. If they like seasons 4-7, they can always go back and re-watch the entire series with a new perspective and new found appreciation. Personally, if they were up for it: I would recommend a person into watching it chronologically. But there is a chance they could be intolerant of the earlier episodes of the show and not want to see the series at all. So I would provide them with a back up plan that would ensure that they are being exposed to the best of the series. Even though they may not be getting the entire picture (by not watching the first three seasons).

 

[Luther Sloan]

I want to make sure we avoid anything spoilery here, but I don't think starting with The Adversary makes any sense at all. It's not as if there's a clean break between season 4 and what comes before. Even for someone who is only interested in the sci-fi action adventure aspect of the show, season 3 episodes like Improbable Cause/The Die is Cast should not be missed.

Flemm:

I am not denying there are not important things that happen before. But in my opinion they are not necessary for you to enjoy or understand what is going in the later seasons. A new viewer is not going to go... "Oh what the Hell" "I have no idea what they are talking about" "So I am not going to care!"

No. We have seen plenty of episodes where back stories are described to us by characters and we understand full well what in the heck is going on.

Again, I am not suggesting that a person only watch Adversary and everything afterwards to begin with. I am only suggesting that they do so if they find it hard to get into Seasons 1-3.

Oh, and just in case you were wondering: I recommended Adversary and beyond because Sisko becomes Captain at this point, and it is when the Dominion War heats up, and it is when the directing, acting, action, production value, and story lines started to rise to a whole new level.

 

[TribbleFeeder]

so it seems like it's pretty unanimous that I should both give V a chance, and watch the TOS movies before TNG. so I'm gonna listen to the experts concerning that hahaah

There is at least one major event in the TOS movies that carries over into TNG and DS9: The Khitomer Accords. It's a good idea to know the story behind that before moving on to TNG, but not essential.

Good luck with Trek V, you might want to consider getting good and drunk before watching it.

I think it's really smart to get all of the older stuff that's kind of harder to relate to (TOS, TOS movies, TAS) out of the way first so that I don't feel obligated to watch it after.

It's best to watch it that way because the later series will sometimes reference back to the events in TOS, many of the writers on the later series were huge fans of the original Star Trek such as Ron Moore, René Echevarria, Mike Sussman, Manny Coto, and many, many more. One of the most popular episodes of DS9 involves the crew travelling back in time to the events of a famous TOS episode and they have to interact with the original crew. It's good fun.

question: did DS9, TNG, and VOY's airing overlap? or does that have to do with the timeline of the actual story?

DS9 overlapped for its entire run; seasons 1 & 2 ran concurrently with TNG seasons 6 & 7 while DS9 seasons 3-7 overlapped with Voyager's first five seasons. You shouldn't worry about that, the stories almost never overlapped, and Voyager took place on the other side of the galaxy to DS9 so they didn't ever interact with the same aliens!

DS9 does continue some stories and characters which were first introduced on TNG, but if you watch all of TNG before watching DS9 then you should be okay, you don't really need to intercut the episodes or seasons. I'd suggest that you watch each series separately to make it easier on you, so you can go from TNG to DS9 to Voyager.

When TheGodBen said that DS9 becomes an epic serialized show in later seasons, you shouldn't misunderstand it and think that that's where those storylines start. The later seasons just continue the storylines that were already started and set up in the first 3 seasons, the difference is that in early seasons there is a greater number of standalone episodes unconnected to the main arcs, especially in season 1 (which is indeed rather weak, but has a few classics), less so in season 2 and 3.

Indeed, I would never recommend that anybody skip entire seasons of DS9, there's too much important stuff for somebody to skip it entirely, even in season 1. I wouldn't even recommend skipping the bad episodes because even they have some worthwhile character material. DS9 takes time to get going, but once its does you'll be glad you sat through the crappy episodes in the early seasons.

hahaha, thanks for the advice

 

[Arpy]

Regarding the notorious first two seasons of TNG, I'm gonna paste below what I said in this thread started by a man who's sharing Star Trek with his wife. She was having trouble getting into the first season of TNG.

Given you've already shared numerous episodes, I won't say skip the season all together, but I do want to remind everybody that if she loses interest because of the early stinkers she'll miss both the later greatness and the early gems. And I say that as one who loves the first couple seasons.

I did a little episode ranking for myself some time back and thought I'd share, if you don't mind a list.

If you're gonna continue the first season, I say see:
103. The Naked Now
106. Where No One Has Gone Before
110. Hide And Q
115. 11001001
120. Heart of Glory
121. The Arsenal of Freedom
125. Conspiracy

If she still wants to see more of season one, consider:
105. The Last Outpost - Unless she has a low Ferengi threshhold, and who could blame her if she does?
112. The Big Goodbye
113. Datalore
114. Angel One
117. When The Bough Breaks
123. Skin of Evil
124. We'll Always Have Paris

Skip...
101./102. Encounter at Farpoint
104. Code of Honor
107. Lonely Among Us
108. Justice
109. The Battle
111. Haven
116. Too Short A Season
118. Home Soil
122. Symbiosis
126. The Neutral Zone
...until she's jonesing for any new Trek.

Similarly, for season two, I say see:
202. Where Silence Has Lease
203. Elementary, Dear Data
208. A Matter Of Honor
209. The Measure Of A Man
211. Contagion
213. Time Squared
216. Q Who
220. The Emissary
221. Peak Performance

Consider:
206. The Schizoid Man
207. Unnatural Selection
210. The Dauphin
214. The Icarus Factor
215. Pen Pals

Skip:
201. The Child
204. The Outrageous Okona
205. Loud As A Whisper
212. The Royale
217. Samaritan Snare
218. Up The Long Ladder
219. Manhunt
222. Shades Of Gray

 

[Luther Sloan]

hahaha, thanks for the advice

1ittle:

Yeah, just remember: If you are turned off by the earlier episodes of Deep Space Nine and you feel like you want to shoot your left leg off because of it and want to stop watching the series all together. Just remember my back up plan (in skipping ahead to DS9 Season 3 Disc 7 episode titled "Adversary") just in case.

Cause you know. It's always good to have a back up plan. Just in case the first plan fails (i.e. watching the earlier episodes of Deep Space Nine).

 

[Luther Sloan]

Regarding the notorious first two seasons of TNG, I'm gonna paste below what I said in this thread started by a man who's sharing Star Trek with his wife. She was having trouble getting into the first season of TNG.

Agreed. Watching the early episodes of a certain Trek series (TNG, DS9, VOY) can actually turn off a viewer from watching it entirely. I know. I have had many people experience the wrong episodes of Trek and think that is what the series is like. But they didn't watch the right episodes or the right seasons to get into it (to know any better), though.

So it's always good to have a back up plan to move them into the best of the series to get them involved in it.

 

[TheGodBen]

GB:

Yes. But it is not necessary for them to watch the first three seasons in order for them to understand what is going on.

But it's not about understanding what's going on, it's about the experience of watching the show. For example:

Spoiler: DS9's latter seasons

When watching Hippocratic Oath they would understand that O'Brien and Bashir are friends and this adventure has tried their friendship, but by watching the first three seasons you know that O'Brien used to hate Bashir and it took a long time for them to get to this point. You're much more invested in preventing a house of cards from collapsing when you've witnessed how hard it was to build in the first place.

You can watch Indiscretion and Return to Grace and figure out that Kira and Dukat have an antagonistic past but she is begrudgingly beginning to respect him, but that doesn't have the same impact as it would if you saw how much she hated all Cardassians at the beginning of the show but how she slowly came to accept them. Watching Dukat betray the AQ has a very personal meaning for Kira because it took a long time for her to respect Dukat and that makes the betrayal all the more bitter. Without witnessing her transformation you wont get the full impact of that betrayal.

But the point I was trying to make in my previous post was that Deep Space Nine should be skipped ahead only if the new viewer cannot get into the earlier episodes. Sure, you can give them a select handful of episodes that you think are necessary in the first three seasons. But if they find them cheesy or unwatchable: then your digging your hole deeper into losing their interest. That is why I would just move them ahead to the 3rd season cliffhanger episode and everything after that. That way there would be a better chance in keeping them within the Deep Space Nine camp.

The mistake you seem to be making is in thinking that the early seasons of DS9 are bad. They're not, in my opinion there isn't a single bad season of DS9, even season 1 only gets as low as being average. The problem with the early seasons has more to do with a lack of consistency, there was a lot of good episodes but also a lot of average and bad episodes. If you skip the bad episodes and focus on the above average ones what you are left with is a clutch of episodes that would favourably compare with DS9's latter seasons.

I mean, what's cheesy or unwatchable about Duet? What's cheesy or unwatchable about Necessary Evil? What's cheesy or unwatchable about The Wire? There's nothing bad in those episodes that you wouldn't also find in episodes in the latter seasons.

There's absolutely no need to go to the extreme of your suggestion. As the old saying goes, you're using an axe when what is needed is a scalpel. If someone is having trouble getting into DS9 and is considering giving up after a few episodes then you should advise them to cut out the fluff and focus on the good stuff. There's no need to cut out all the good stuff in the early seasons just to rush to an arbitrary point in the show where it's only a little bit more consistent than the previous season.

hahaha, thanks for the advice

1ittle:

Yeah, just remember: If you are turned off by the earlier episodes of Deep Space Nine and you feel like you want to shoot your left leg off because of it and want to stop watching the series all together. Just remember my back up plan (in skipping ahead to DS9 Season 3 Disc 7 episode titled "Adversary") just in case.

Cause you know. It's always good to have a back up plan. Just in case the first plan fails (i.e. watching the earlier episodes of Deep Space Nine).

1ittle, I don't mean to be rude to Luther Sloan, but I would advise you to ignore his advice. If you are having trouble with any of the series what I would suggest you do is visit the forum for that series and ask for a list of the good episodes to watch. TNG and DS9 both start off with first seasons that are weaker than the rest of the show, but there are still some great episodes in those seasons that you can enjoy. The people on this forum will be more than happy to help put together a list of good episodes for you to watch from those shows, we've done it for several other Trek noobs in the past.

 

[Luther Sloan]

Well, not everyone (or Niner) thinks exactly the same way you do. The earlier episodes of Deep Space Nine were just okay in my opinion. And I have known people who have hated Deep Space Nine because they watched the earlier episodes.

I am just offering an alternative or back up plan just in case the first plan fails. That is all. You may disagree with that. But not everyone will feel the same way you do about things.

Heck there are people who have watched the entire series of Deep Space Nine and have still hated it.

Which is beyond me.

 

[Luther Sloan]

1ittle, I don't mean to be rude to Luther Sloan, but I would advise you to ignore his advice. If you are having trouble with any of the series what I would suggest you do is visit the forum for that series and ask for a list of the good episodes to watch. TNG and DS9 both start off with first seasons that are weaker than the rest of the show, but there are still some great episodes in those seasons that you can enjoy. The people on this forum will be more than happy to help put together a list of good episodes for you to watch from those shows, we've done it for several other Trek noobs in the past.

GB:

Well, thats not nice to tell someone to ignore someone else's advice. There is merit to what I am saying, friend. You may not see it. But my argument still has weight.

In fact, I later revised (wanted to make it clear) that I never was against a person from watching the best episodes from seasons 1-3 or that they shouldn't watch it chronologically. I simply said that if they couldn't get into these episodes, then they should move ahead (to DS9 Season 3 Disc 7 episode titled "Adversary") to stay interested.