The Inner Light works much better f you know what kind of man Picard is. Not good for a first episode IMO.
I suggest you start all newbies on TNG. It goes down pretty easy compared to the rest of the Treks.
TOS may be too hokey for a newbie.
How to start my wife on Trek?
- Thread starter rmkwebdesign
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The Inner Light works much better f you know what kind of man Picard is. Not good for a first episode IMO.
I suggest you start all newbies on TNG. It goes down pretty easy compared to the rest of the Treks.
TOS may be too hokey for a newbie.
I saw Trek IV without seeing II or III first, and not only was I able to follow it, but it's what made me become a trekkie.
Marian
RobertScorpio
Pariah
Only one thing to say here:
DEEP SPACE NINE
Sucked my wife right in. She's a HUGE trek fan now. TOS, TNG, Voyager...she can't get enough of it now. She even bought all 4 seasons of Enterprise and we're both getting set to watch that whole series for the 1st time (for both of us actually). It's completely awesome. She was a mild TOS fan when I met her because of her older brother, but now...we got her...new full blown Trek fan.
Just get the entire series of DS9 and start at the beginning.
Tell her it's a soap opera in space!
We're currently at the end of Season 7 of DS9...it's s second viewing of the whole series for both of us. ENT is next.
Trust me...DS9....you'll have her after the first few episodes.
-Rabittooth
So true..you are so true. Just tell them it is GENERAL HOSPITAL in space, and DS9 will work. And I am telling you, HIS WAY with very little introduction is the one to use...
Rob
Scorpio
Whatever you do, don't start with TMP.
Maybe just cut to the chase and go to bed in a TOS-uniform muscle shirt and leopard thong, and insist that she call you Captain.
Maybe just cut to the chase and go to bed in a TOS-uniform muscle shirt and leopard thong, and insist that she call you Captain.
Since I am a ds9 fan I say start with that.I am biased
got my wife started on TNG. Since then we've watched TNG, DS9, VOY, TOS, ENT, movies, plus Babylon 5, Quantum Leap, Firefly, Farscape, and Sliders.
Q:How to start my wife on Trek?
A:First, get some duct tape...
Seriously, my wife was blown away by Trials and Tribbilations-she thought the trick photography was soooo clever. And she kept asking me about Dax so I acted annoyed and said, "Look, there's a couple DS9 episodes on the DVR-watch them for yourself, I don't want to run over seven years of episodes for you verbally..." and then logged on here and ignored her for about 3 hours. I guess it worked-we're watching part 2 of "What You Leave Behind" tonight after work-at her insistence.
A:First, get some duct tape...
Seriously, my wife was blown away by Trials and Tribbilations-she thought the trick photography was soooo clever. And she kept asking me about Dax so I acted annoyed and said, "Look, there's a couple DS9 episodes on the DVR-watch them for yourself, I don't want to run over seven years of episodes for you verbally..." and then logged on here and ignored her for about 3 hours. I guess it worked-we're watching part 2 of "What You Leave Behind" tonight after work-at her insistence.
When I first started dating my girlfriend four years ago, she had no idea about my love for Trek. In fact, the look of shock on her face when she discovered Trek DVD's on my bookcase one time was crushing. Refusing to let her pull me out of fandom though, I decided to try and pull her it.
She'd seen a few episodes of VOY before, but nothing that had made it anything that could be considered a 'good show' to her. I think I tried various TOS, TNG, DS9, etc, on her with little success.
What got her hooked was ENT. Big time. And whilst she is by no means a fan of Star Trek, she absolutely loves ENT. So much so that she often nags me to dig out my DVDs of the show!
I try the other series on her from time to time, but she doesn't fall for them really. She did cry during DS9's finale though without even having anything really invested in it, so that's a plus I think. The films never really grabbed her either, though I think INS did a good job.
The things that don't reek of Trek she likes, but otherwise the franchise might as well not exist to her. I think she'll like the new film though. Well she better, because she's gonna be forced to come see it with me a few times!
She'd seen a few episodes of VOY before, but nothing that had made it anything that could be considered a 'good show' to her. I think I tried various TOS, TNG, DS9, etc, on her with little success.
What got her hooked was ENT. Big time. And whilst she is by no means a fan of Star Trek, she absolutely loves ENT. So much so that she often nags me to dig out my DVDs of the show!
I try the other series on her from time to time, but she doesn't fall for them really. She did cry during DS9's finale though without even having anything really invested in it, so that's a plus I think. The films never really grabbed her either, though I think INS did a good job.
The things that don't reek of Trek she likes, but otherwise the franchise might as well not exist to her. I think she'll like the new film though. Well she better, because she's gonna be forced to come see it with me a few times!
As a man happily married for 10 years, here's my advice to you: Forget it.
I'm a big Star Wars fan. My wife is not. She is, however, my biggest Star Wars enabler. That's enough for me. I didn't need to start her on anything, no more than she tried to turn me on to anything she likes. We're different people. And that's what makes it work. We made no effort in trying to change each others' tastes and we've grown together over the things we have in common.
If you have kids, however, that's a different story. They are more accepting. Work on them.
It might not be possible, but if it's possible at all..I still say DS9...the whole series from the beginning will be your best bet.
-Rabittooth
-Rabittooth
Hey Jeff I'm talking about a proven method here
.I agree with you on the surface, but you need to remember also that most people who aren't Star Trek fans know Patrick Stewart as a noble and caring character in general. With his acting ability, it's not a stretch to care for him and respect him in that episode. To non-trek fans, he's Xavier from X-men (not a far reach from Picard himself).
I think it's nice when couples can enjoy something together though. If she's willing to watch a few episodes and give the series a chance, there's no harm in trying to pick some episodes that she'll be more likely to enjoy.
If she had no interest whatsoever in Star Trek, I'd agree with not even trying.
Unless your wife likes 60's stuff, I'm not so sure I'd start her off with TOS. I love the show and grew up on it myself...but for a first time viewer who is not attached to Trek yet and couldn't care less about Kirk, Spock and McCoy at this point in her life, I think the 60's look of it might be a bit distracting. It's obviously worth airing for her once she's into Trek...but I don't know as I'd start with it unless she likes retro stuff like scifi movies from the 50's and 60's, etc.
However, if you are just determined to start with TOS, I'd suggest The Menagerie. That's a story that girls like, and doesn't require you to know anything about Trek because the chief character in the episode is not even a regular! It's very self-contained, that episode.
IMO, the best movie to start out with, if you are gonna start with a movie, is First Contact. It's the only TNG movie that is really good, it's not dated at all, and it's a fun and exciting story that takes place mostly outside the 24th century, so it doesn't require much backstory except for an explanation of who the Borg are. Forget about TWOK or The Search for Spock. At this point, your wife doesn't CARE about Spock, and so the best part of those films - the emotion involved with Spock's death - would be completely lost on her (same goes for the TNG episode The Inner Light, by the way - it plays alot better to a person who has actually come to give a rip about Picard. Same with The Visitor - one of the best episodes of DS9 and an episode that girls generally like, but it's alot better for someone who has actually come to care about Ben and Jake Sisko).
If you want to get her into a series, I would actually suggest either DS9 or Voyager, depending upon the sort of TV viewer she is. If she likes serialized stories with lots of drama, character development, intrigue, suspense, and stuff, I'd say DS9. If she likes lighter entertainment or 'shippy stuff, I'd opt for VOY.
Both of those shows have aged well visually...and DS9 in particular is alot more like many shows on the air today - shows that have absolutely nothing to do with Trek or scifi.
Remember - your first shot at getter her interested will be your best shot at getting her interested. Make sure you don't show her what YOU like, but what you think SHE will like.
If you hook her, you can always show her what you like later.
However, if you are just determined to start with TOS, I'd suggest The Menagerie. That's a story that girls like, and doesn't require you to know anything about Trek because the chief character in the episode is not even a regular! It's very self-contained, that episode.
IMO, the best movie to start out with, if you are gonna start with a movie, is First Contact. It's the only TNG movie that is really good, it's not dated at all, and it's a fun and exciting story that takes place mostly outside the 24th century, so it doesn't require much backstory except for an explanation of who the Borg are. Forget about TWOK or The Search for Spock. At this point, your wife doesn't CARE about Spock, and so the best part of those films - the emotion involved with Spock's death - would be completely lost on her (same goes for the TNG episode The Inner Light, by the way - it plays alot better to a person who has actually come to give a rip about Picard. Same with The Visitor - one of the best episodes of DS9 and an episode that girls generally like, but it's alot better for someone who has actually come to care about Ben and Jake Sisko).
If you want to get her into a series, I would actually suggest either DS9 or Voyager, depending upon the sort of TV viewer she is. If she likes serialized stories with lots of drama, character development, intrigue, suspense, and stuff, I'd say DS9. If she likes lighter entertainment or 'shippy stuff, I'd opt for VOY.
Both of those shows have aged well visually...and DS9 in particular is alot more like many shows on the air today - shows that have absolutely nothing to do with Trek or scifi.
Remember - your first shot at getter her interested will be your best shot at getting her interested. Make sure you don't show her what YOU like, but what you think SHE will like.
If you hook her, you can always show her what you like later.
Only one thing to say here:
DEEP SPACE NINE
Sucked my wife right in. She's a HUGE trek fan now. TOS, TNG, Voyager...she can't get enough of it now. She even bought all 4 seasons of Enterprise and we're both getting set to watch that whole series for the 1st time (for both of us actually). It's completely awesome. She was a mild TOS fan when I met her because of her older brother, but now...we got her...new full blown Trek fan.
Just get the entire series of DS9 and start at the beginning.
Tell her it's a soap opera in space!
We're currently at the end of Season 7 of DS9...it's s second viewing of the whole series for both of us. ENT is next.
Trust me...DS9....you'll have her after the first few episodes.
-Rabittooth
So true..you are so true. Just tell them it is GENERAL HOSPITAL in space, and DS9 will work. And I am telling you, HIS WAY with very little introduction is the one to use...
Rob
Scorpio
I HATE His Way.
You'd be pretty hard pressed to find a bigger fan of DS9 among women than me...and I HATE that episode. In fact, I hate that whole 'ship. Very creepy.
If you want to show her a 'shippy episode of DS9, I'd go for Chrysalis. Seriously. And you don't need much backstory because the Jack Pack had only one other episode.
In Chrysalis, the Jack Pack is funny, you've got a brilliant but socially awkward (in a cute sort of way - the British accent does that!) Doctor who falls in love with a brilliant patient who is essentially just coming out of a years-long waking coma. Bitter-sweet ending - the works!
Doesn't get any soapier than that!
I don't know. I'm also a woman and a huge fan of DS9 and I loved His Way. If she is watching it for the first time, I don't think she would have any preconceptions about the characters and there's nothing inherently creepy about the relationship in that episode that I can recall. Of course, I'm one of the ones who liked it from the beginning, so I might not be the best judge.
Chrysalis is a really great choice along that vein too. It's another episode I liked, but I've also read that some people really hated Bashir's actions in it. I think DS9's Visitor is a really accessible one for a new fan too. This is such an extremely subjective matter though so no episode is guaranteed.
I have the same issue with my girlfriend, but I slowly got her watching all DVD's from TOS and TNG
. Currently, we watching all the episodes from Star Trek Deep Space Nine, then I hope to onto Voyager. I hope my plan works, maybe you can do the same type of plan.......who knows
While no girlfriend to introduce to Trek, I have helped my Dad out. For my whole life my Mom has hated Star Trek, never saw it but hated it. Well when my bank account allows, I've been buying the seasons of Star Trek. I was watching one of the Quark episodes of DS9 and my Mom came in and saw it and started watching it not knowing it was Star Trek. She liked it and so I skipped around showing her some of the funny DS9 episodes. Now we're watching the second season of DS9 and my Mom is no longer complaining about Star Trek, in fact she looks forward to seeing it now.
I've also managed to convince her to start B5. My Dad is so thankful for getting her to be accepting of sci-fi he may actually help me pay for college in the Spring.
I've also managed to convince her to start B5. My Dad is so thankful for getting her to be accepting of sci-fi he may actually help me pay for college in the Spring.
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