First time TNG watcher

[ReadyAndWilling]

Okay, so the title isn't exactly accurate. I did watch it during the first run on TV, but that was a long time ago, and since then I've only really seen a couple eps and the TNG movies.

I've seen all of Voyager and Enterprise and a most of DS9.

What should I be expecting from TNG compared to the other shows?

I assume it's going to be hard to watch because it's so dated now?

Thanks

 

[Dream]

The first two seasons are a little dated. However there are several gems scattered throughout the first two years. TNG starts to pick up in the third season with many good episodes and stays that way for the rest of the series.

 

[Kegg]

Well, assuming you're watching the series in chronological order... the first two seasons, particularly the first, have dated fairly poorly, but this is because they're quite poor overall (though the second season does have a couple of above-par episodes and also my favourite of the series, "The Measure of a Man"). There's some honestly fairly excruiating stuff there, and I mean borderline unwatchable. "When the Bough Breaks" is not something I pop into the DVD player often, I guess my point is.

It's the third season where they had a large staff change behind the scenes, with the writers who would go on to shape DS9, Voyager and Enterprise cropping up. It's at this point the series becomes good far more consistently, and it remains so up until the final season, where they plainly began to run out of ideas... before concluding with what in my opinion is the best finale in the franchise's history. This stretch, I think, hasn't dated too badly at all, and is very similar to the three series you've mentioned seeing. Think a more polished, engaging Voyager and you've more or less got it.

So, yeah. There are some pretty terrible lows but many wonderful highs, so it'll be interesting to see what you think of the show.

 

[RyuRoots]

You're best off watching TNG 3-7, with a few particular ones picked out from the first two seasons.

 

[ReadyAndWilling]

So, yeah. There are some pretty terrible lows but many wonderful highs, so it'll be interesting to see what you think of the show.

hey man, thanks for the thoughtful reply. i'll try to watch it in chronological order.

 

[Yeoman Randi]

Theres alot i would skip in Season 1, and although Season 2 isnt quite up to par, there are more that i would watch than skip.... But like everyone else said, seasons 3 and up are fabulous, with an occasional dog. Enjoy!!

 

[Canuck69]

I agree with most everyone here, season three and on is the best. But I would watch all of it, without the horrible ones we get in seasons 1 and 2 we wouldn't have anything to compare the great ones too. It is worth it to watch it all so you can see the full extent of the growth of the show, actors and characters from beginning to end IMO.

 

[Solarbaby]

Troi looks like a witch season 1 apart from the pilot. The men wear dresses throughout the 1st season which is quite funny.

The 2nd season had a writers strike and it shows. Shades of grey is bad TV and we suffered Polaski.

TNG has the original holodeck malfunctions that were quite entertaining before they became all the same thing poorly used in DS9 and VOY.

The Borg really are scary and invincible unlike Voyager which makes them look like a nuissance rather than a major threat. You will never see a better cliff hanger on any TV program sci fi or not than Best of Both Worlds.

We see the early impish naughty Q that mellowed in VOY- yawn

TNG gave a really nice warm sense of family not seen in the the shows.

Some of the best sci fi stories are in TNG.

You can watch season 3-6 without having to skip a totally dodgy episode

I would avoid Masks season 7 at all costs unless you are an insomniac and looking for a cure.

Troi is very funny in night terrors floating around a grey cloud in a dream.

Gambit 2 parter is high camp space pirates unlike any other trek. It would have made a great movie.

All good things is the best finale and wraps the show in a sentimental fun way that comes full circle.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

Gambit 2 parter is high camp space pirates unlike any other trek. It would have made a great movie.

When I got the "Greatest Battles" set years ago, this was on the tape, both parts. Before that a friend of mine recorded this show for and seemlessly edited the two parts together. It's a fun romp in the vein of 60's Trek. The only flaw is in the casting. Has there ever been a lamer actor trying to chew the scenery as a villain?

 

[DWF]

Gambit 2 parter is high camp space pirates unlike any other trek. It would have made a great movie.

When I got the "Greatest Battles" set years ago, this was on the tape, both parts. Before that a friend of mine recorded this show for and seemlessly edited the two parts together. It's a fun romp in the vein of 60's Trek. The only flaw is in the casting. Has there ever been a lamer actor trying to chew the scenery as a villain?

Richard Lynch has been playing villains for years, I thought if anything he alittle tame in Gambit.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

ah that might be what i meant. Whatever happened is that he did seem flat. I think if he made it a real character and not simply a "villain of the week" it would have worked

 

[BillJ]

Dissenting voice here...

I actually prefer Seasons One and Two compared to what came later. Where else can you see the Prime Directive used as a weapon?

 

[FordSVT]

It's at this point the series becomes good far more consistently, and it remains so up until the final season, where they plainly began to run out of ideas... before concluding with what in my opinion is the best finale in TV history.

Fixed that for you.

I really do think AGT is one of the best series finales in television history, not just confined to sci-fi or Star Trek.

 

[K'Ehleyr]

RAW ~ Have a look at the TNG rewatch thread on page 3 at the mo. We're up to end of series 4 at the mo and it seems to have dropped off. There may be some spoilers but I don't think it would ruin your viewing Maybe you could help bring it back to life.

 

[Joshua Howard]

I started off with TOS, and then moved on to TNG from there; to be honest, I was impressed by all the TNG seasons, but then again, I think I tend to be a tad unparticular compared to some. In any case, the Farpoint Encounter (first TNG episode) remains one of my favorites. I just finished watching all of TNG for the first time yesterday, as a matter of fact.

I think that the quality of any given episode really depends alot on individual taste; even the worst episodes are the favorites of a few.