I am trying to convert a non-Trekkie into a Star Trek fan...

[Good Will Riker]

Now, this what I currently own in my Region 1 DVD collection. Will this be enough material to pull him into our cause, or allow him to at least get ths scope of what TNG and VOY are all about? -


Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 1
Star Trek: Fan Collective - Q
Star Trek: Fan Collective - Borg
Star Trek: Generations
Star Trek: First Contact
Star Trek: Insurrection
Star Trek: Nemesis

 

[Smiley]

It's enough material, but choose judiciously. Pick the episodes and movies most suited to your friend's tastes.

 

[Good Will Riker]

That's a relief...considering most of my collection comprises of Season 1 of TNG and the TNG feature films, not to mention quite possibly the 2 episodes of DS9 and ENT that definitely would not make a Niner or an Enterpriser out of a potential fan.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Re: I am trying to convert a non-Trekkie into a Star Trek fa

Well, I don't think you have much to work with there. TNG season 1 is terribly dated and some of the characters are very one-dimensional during that season. I mean, does Worf do anything besides growl in season 1?

Personally, I'd show them First Contact, The Q Collective (except for Q-Less which he won't even understand if you don't have any other episodes of DS9), and The Borg Collective.

After that, I think you are SOL if your objective is to impress a non-Trek fan.

Because the rest is either too dated, or too terrible to show anyone you are trying to impress.

 

[Good Will Riker]

Re: I am trying to convert a non-Trekkie into a Star Trek fa

When I was living in South Korea a few years ago (I was teaching ESL), a Korean friend of mine watched Star Treks 1-7 on DVD, which I let him borrow. Of course, these DVDs are in Region 3 so the majority of my American friends cannot watch them who only own Region 1 DVD players.

Anyways, he enjoyed watching the first 6 films (except for Star Trek V, which he claimed "was not a good film, but he understood the message and the intent behind it."), but shut-off GEN when it got to the Worf promotion boat scene because his response was "WTF? They just kill off Captain Kirk like that, and went onto the boat scene like that...WTF?"

Mind, you him being born in 1982, he grew up with watching only TNG reruns so he didn't even know who Captain Kirk or anything about TOS, but immediately got the grasp of Kirk/Spock/McCoy triumvirate, Spock's logic, McCoy's cantankerous nature, immitating Sulu's "deep voice," (although, Chekov's pronunciation of "nuclear wessels" did not translate at all into a joke in Korean subtitles, for some reason...) etc. He "got TOS" just by watching the 6 TOS feature films.

I wonder if the same can be said by watching a few representative episodes of TNG?

 

[Huntingdon]

Re: I am trying to convert a non-Trekkie into a Star Trek fa

You're probably best off with the Borg collective, Q Continuum and First Contact. Show Q if he has a sense of humour, or the Borg if he likes Action. They both have a bit of both so will most likely appeal better than the others.

 

[Good Will Riker]

Re: I am trying to convert a non-Trekkie into a Star Trek fa

The thing is that -- now this is going to sound weird, but bear with me now. Bear with me now, okay? -- but I would prefer my friend(s) to get into Star Trek through the original conception of William Riker ("Kirk 2.0") as he was presented in Season 1 of TNG.

What he evolved into as a character in the later seasons as well as the feature films is fine, but I am personally wondering whether it is "the characters" or "the quality of episodes themselves" that lure potential viewers into becoming Star Trek fans?

I remember back in the mid-80's when I became fascinated in Star Trek reruns, it was through the Mr. Spcok character. I tell you, if he was not part of the ingredient that made Star Trek into a popular worldwide phenomenon that it is today, I myself would not be a fan today. I feel the sameway in regards to TNG. No Season 1 Riker -- not a Star Trek fan today, at least in my case.

Scratch that -- whatever episodes or films makes him into a fan is fine, but all the same, I would prefer his first exposure to Star Trek be via 1st Season of TNG with the introduction of Will Riker as he was presented in "Encounter at Farpoint."

 

[Huntingdon]

Re: I am trying to convert a non-Trekkie into a Star Trek fa

It depends on the person. If you're looking to covince him through the Will Riker character then can I recommend Arsenal of Freedom?

Riker doesn't have a huge part in it, but it did give some background and is perhaps the most formative episode in terms of my impressions of Riker, although that will vary...

 

[Good Will Riker]

Re: I am trying to convert a non-Trekkie into a Star Trek fa

Huntingdon said:
It depends on the person. If you're looking to covince him through the Will Riker character then can I recommend Arsenal of Freedom?

Riker doesn't have a huge part in it, but it did give some background and is perhaps the most formative episode in terms of my impressions of Riker, although that will vary...

NO!

My idea of Will Riker encased in a force field for half the episode is not my idea of showcasing this Errol Flynn-esque action hero in action. Although that part where he sarcastically mentions to Captain Paul Rice that his ship is "The Lollipop" was quite amusing, though wouldn't you say?

 

[JD]

Re: I am trying to convert a non-Trekkie into a Star Trek fa

If you are just trying to get your friend into Trek, then yeah I think the Borg and Q collectives would be a pretty good idea. Though, I would personally stay away from TNG season 1 untill after he has gotten more into Trek, because I'm sorry but IMHO it comes across as kinda cheesy today.
As for first season Riker, I can't think of any really stand out Riker episodes from that season.

 

[Huntingdon]

Re: I am trying to convert a non-Trekkie into a Star Trek fa

Good Will Riker said:
Although that part where he sarcastically mentions to Captain Paul Rice that his ship is "The Lollipop" was quite amusing, though wouldn't you say?

Yeah - that and the Paul Rice scene are what I was referring to. I think they transcend the rest of the episode.

 

[Good Will Riker]

Re: I am trying to convert a non-Trekkie into a Star Trek fa

^^^

That scene was soooooo good that it got a repeat play in "All Good Things..."

Which I also found to be odd considering the said actor was still alive and well during the production of the final episode, and could have just reprised that scene from 6 years prior rather than looping his own voice over pre-recorded footage.

 

[Smiley]

Re: I am trying to convert a non-Trekkie into a Star Trek fa

If you're aiming for Riker-centric in Season 1, "The Last Outpost" and "Hide and Q" probably feature him the most. They aren't exactly the season's or the series' best, but they also aren't the worst.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Re: I am trying to convert a non-Trekkie into a Star Trek fa

Good Will Riker said:

Huntingdon said:
It depends on the person. If you're looking to covince him through the Will Riker character then can I recommend Arsenal of Freedom?

Riker doesn't have a huge part in it, but it did give some background and is perhaps the most formative episode in terms of my impressions of Riker, although that will vary...

NO!

My idea of Will Riker encased in a force field for half the episode is not my idea of showcasing this Errol Flynn-esque action hero in action. Although that part where he sarcastically mentions to Captain Paul Rice that his ship is "The Lollipop" was quite amusing, though wouldn't you say?

ACK! Okay...as a HUGE fan of Errol Flynn, I have to protest this remark. No WAY is Jonathan Frakes anywhere NEAR Errol Flynn....nor is Riker anywhere NEAR Errol Flynn's characters - characters like Peter Blood and Robin Hood.

For starters, Errol Flynn never played second fiddle to anyone. He wouldn't be a 'first officer'. He RAN that shit. He ran every ship, every fighter squadron, every platoon, and every western town. And if he didn't start the film running them, you better damn well believe he did by the end.

Secondly, I could hardly see Jonathan Frakes flying through the air on a rope like Errol Flynn did in all of his pirate films...or in a masterful sword fight up and down flights of stairs like Errol Flynn did in films like The Adventures of Robin Hood or The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex. And no bloomin' WAY could Jonathan Frakes play a convincing Don Juan.

Errol Flynn was the greatest swashbuckler EVER, and the only other actor who even remotely belongs in the DEBATE is Tyrone Power.

No one else has ever come close.

Not in a million years.

 

[Good Will Riker]

Re: I am trying to convert a non-Trekkie into a Star Trek fa

PKTrekGirl said:

For starters, Errol Flynn never played second fiddle to anyone. He wouldn't be a 'first officer'. He RAN that shit.

Once again, this proves the notion that an old bald man like Picard got the Sexy Man nod from TV Guide while Frakes didn't, because Patrick Stewart headlined the show...and Jonathan Frakes, even with his traditional hunkiness on display, didn't.

Biologically speaking, all the requisite components of attraction were at Frakes's finger tips, yet alas. Well, well, well...such is life.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Re: I am trying to convert a non-Trekkie into a Star Trek fa

Good Will Riker said:

PKTrekGirl said:

For starters, Errol Flynn never played second fiddle to anyone. He wouldn't be a 'first officer'. He RAN that shit.

Once again, this proves the notion that an old bald man like Picard got the Sexy Man nod from TV Guide while Frakes didn't, because Patrick Stewart headlined the show...and Jonathan Frakes, even with his traditional hunkiness on display, didn't.

Biologically speaking, all the requisite components of attraction were at Frakes's finger tips, yet alas. Well, well, well...such is life.

Actually, not so much.

I was merely talking about Errol Flynn's roles in my other post - roles that were much more hardcore swashbuckler than Frakes could ever pull off without looking ridiculous.

But if we are gonna talk about looks, then that is something else entirely...and yet another area were Flynn blasts Frakes out of the water.

Frankly, I don't think Frakes is very good looking at all. If auntiehill ever put him in the genre hunk of the week thread, I'd vote him a thumbs sideways at best...and quite possibly a thumbs down.

I don't see him as a hunk. I see him as kind of a lug, to be honest. Especially when compared with Errol Flynn. I mean, even the way he carries himself is not very graceful.

But this right here:

Now THAT is one breathtaking man!

And I doubt that you'd be seeing Frakes doing this in his free time on his own personal yacht:

I'm sorry...but you are comparing two people who aren't even in the same league. It's like comparing the winner of the national dog show finals to a winner of the local-yokel kiddie pet contest.

There was, after all, a reason why Flynn was Warner Brothers top star at one time. And that is because he 'had it'.

ALL of it.

Every SINGLE damn bit of it. :thumbsup:

 

[Good Will Riker]

Re: I am trying to convert a non-Trekkie into a Star Trek fa

^^^

...well by that logic, so did Danny DeVito! DeVito was at least as if not if more successful and adored in Hollywood than Errol ever did during his Hollywood tenure. :thumbsup:

 

[Kegek]

Re: I am trying to convert a non-Trekkie into a Star Trek fa

PKTrekGirl said:
I mean, does Worf do anything besides growl in season 1?

Yeah, he gets torn between his Starfleet allegiance and his Klingon identity in "Heart of Glory." In other words, Worf is like he is in every single season of TNG and four seasons of DS9. He even gives a variation of a joke he would repeat in DS9 S7. But he's still a comparatively minor character in TNG S1.

Bigger character problems are, well, seriously botched handlings of major characters. "Haven" comes to mind, with a syrupy and contrived love triangle for Deanna Troi. Anything with Worf in that season is a bright spot compared to that.

And one can list a dozen bad Yar moments, too, impressive for someone who got killed off this season. If it isn't her cornball seduction of Data, it's her moralising speech to Wesley.

Now, Good Will Riker I love TNG S1, but I do so with full knowledge of its many failings and its frank impenetrability to a casual modern audience. I know you want to show your friends S1 Will Riker; but, IMHO... get around to that. Hook them on Star Trek first.

And the Borg are a good starting point.

 

[McCoy]

Re: I am trying to convert a non-Trekkie into a Star Trek fa

My best friend was one of those people who would say "How can you watch that stuff?".

Since VOY is the Trek show that was geared to a broader audience, I used it to hook her.

Now, she loves DS9!

Edited to add that this

Danny DeVito was at least as if not if more successful and adored in Hollywood than Errol ever did during his Hollywood tenure

is just all kinds of not even close.

 

[Good Will Riker]

Re: I am trying to convert a non-Trekkie into a Star Trek fa

Kegek said:
Now, Good Will Riker I love TNG S1, but I do so with full knowledge of its many failings and its frank impenetrability to a casual modern audience. I know you want to show your friends S1 Will Riker; but, IMHO... get around to that. Hook them on Star Trek first.

And the Borg are a good starting point.

Apparently, I can have my cake and eat it, too.

If he checksout the Q Fan Collective DVD set first, he would be witnessed to Q, the Borg, and the 1st Season Will Riker simultaneously. Then, move onto the Borg Fan Collective and Star Trek: First Contact (none of that you have to watch First Contact in between "Descet, Part II" and "Scorpion, Part I." If the film is good as it is, it will stand on its own. ).