Introducing a Friend to Star Trek

[ckildegaard]

Hey everyone!

New here. Looks like a pretty cool forum that you've got!

I'm quite the trekie, although I can't recognize episodes with a single quote like some of you can (for the most part). Anyway, I want to get my best friend started with Star Trek, but I need suggestions on where to start.

Do I start from TOS and work onward in the cannon? Or do I introduce him to something that had a better budget and might be more appealing to a newbie (e.g., Voyager or TNG)?

Also, whatever series we select...do we start with the first episode (which may be less developed story-wise than some others and less polished), or do we start when the characters and story are well-established, a bit later in the series?

I appreciate any and all thoughts on this.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Kilana2]

A chronological approach is what I would recommend. I would start with TOS as there are only three seasons.
Then TNG. After that it is up to you wether you pick Voyager, DS9, or Enterprise. DS9 is a special case, playing on a station not aboard a starship (mostly). But it has great characters and recurring guests. Watching DS9 chronologically is important lest you get lost along the way.

 

[Greg Cox]

If the idea is to introduce them to TREK, I don't think you need to worry about doing them in order. If they want to do a full, chronological rewatch later on, once they're hooked, they can do so. For now, though, you just want to put together a nice sampler plate.

Aside from DS9, most Trek shows were not super-serialized, so, with rare exceptions, you can treat most of them as standalones. Sure, you may lose certain nuances, but a newbie isn't going to care about that. We're talking first impressions here.

You know your friend's tastes better than we do. Does he like comedy, action, political intrigue? What his tolerance for 60's era production values and acting styles? I'm inclined to choose a classic TOS ep or two, but I'm realistic to know their age is going to be a turn-off to some viewers. In that case, you might want to go with something more modern.

Or you could start them with one of the better movies: The Wrath of Khan maybe, or "the one with the whales." I've found the latter tends to more accessible to newcomers than some of the other films. You don't need to be a Trekkie to enjoy it.

 

[USS Firefly]

I've got my wife and best friend hooked on first with the movies, and then with DS9.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Depends on what you know of your friend. Is he mostly a fan of newer television or does he have some older favorites?

I think some of the best TNG episodes are perfect intros to Trek. Q Who, for example. But also some of the best TOS episodes would be great like Balance of Terror, The Corbomite Maneuver, City on the Edge of Forever, so long as he is a person who wouldn't be put off by the cheaper aesthetic.

Also a couple people I know who weren't into Trek when it was on started with TNG, then watched DS9, and got much more into DS9. DS9 should be what they transition to after being introduced though, because there's stuff going on there that isn't as impactful without context. Knowledge of TNG makes DS9 better.

 

[Trekkin]

I'd say start with the films, either TWOK, TVH, FC or Abrams. Not knowing your friend, the ones that ended up crowd pleasers would be the safest bet.

 

[Greg Cox]

I'd say start with the films, either TWOK, TVH, FC or Abrams. Not knowing your friend, the ones that ended up crowd pleasers would be the safest bet.

Not a bad strategy.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Some of the movies are quite good but I don't think they're the best introduction because they're not representative of the TV series. I would start with the best episodes.

 

[Terok Nor]

Start with "Spock's Brain" then follow it up with "Code Of Honor" and "Threshold". You should conclude with that Enterprise episode where Archer spends the whole hour whining about something in sickbay. You can't go wrong.

You're welcome.

 

[Sparkle Fabulosa]

You could have your friend read up on each show and he could then decide what he wants to start with based on what he finds most interesting.

 

[Tracy Trek]

Perhaps pick a good collection of original series and TNG and alternate them. Make sure they know original Trek is almost 50 years old and might looked dated. TNG might be better for a beginner, but you might miss out on some really good original series episodes. Like "City on the Edge of Forever" and "Space Seed".

I would wait until after they have seen some TNG to move onto DS9 and Voyager. At least have them watch the TNG episodes that are lead ins to these 2 series. For DS9 that would include "The Best of Both Worlds" and "Ensign Ro". For Voyager it would be "Journey's End" and "Pre-emptive Strike".

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

I'd suggest picking a few episodes from each series ones that either show them at their best or the kind of story your friend would like. That way they can see how plots they enjoy in other shows work in a sci-fi setting.

If a friend of mine wanted to watch an episode to see why I liked Trek the one I'd show them is "Duet" from DS9. Watched it again recently and it is by far one of the best in the entire history of Trek.

 

[Trekkin]

There was a DVD that came out in the lead-up to STID that acted as a bit of a sampler. I cant remember what they called it, but I think it had Trouble with Tribbles, Space Seed and Errand of Mercy. For an intro to TOS (and especially if he's seen Abrams films), that's not a bad pick.

There's also the TNG two-partners they cut together as 'movies' for the blurays. I remember they did BOBW and Chain of Command, and I'm pretty sure they released another one.

On a somewhat related note, my little cousins love Trouble with Tribbles. I don't think they know entirely what's going on, but they recognise that a) I have a toy one, b) that they're getting thrown at Kirk's head, and c) they scare Klingons. That's enough for them.

 

[Tracy Trek]

Hela, have they ever seen DS9's Tribble episode?

 

[Trekkin]

No, but they've seen 'More Trouble, More Tribbles' from TAS. They're all between 3 and 6 years old, so the DS9 one might fly over their heads a bit.

 

[Forbin]

I'd say limit your intro to 4 or 5 eps from each series.

I guess I'd start at the beginning with TOS and Where No Man... Then throw a few of the better TOS episodes at them, such as Balance of Terror, Journey to Babel, City on the edge of Forever, and Is There in Truth... (my favorite for 60s morality), Tribbles. I guess if you're eventually going to show Wrath of Khan, you should also show Space Seed.

TNG has few standouts for me. Measure of a Man, the Survivors, The Inner Light, The Wounded.

DS9 has tons of great episodes. Duet, The Visitor, Our Man Bashir... unfortunately I can't think of them all off the top of my head.

V'ger and Boobyprize - fuhgetaboudit. The younger fans with poorer taste will have to recommend episodes from them. ( )

 

[Tracy Trek]

Hela, I think I've seen the animated one as I found DVDs of the animated series in the bargain dvd bin at the dollar store, although I haven't watched all of them yet.

The reason I asked is because when you said they noticed Kirk was getting tribbles thrown at his head, I assumed you meant when they all fall out of the bin onto him. In the DS9 episode, it seems like the ones that Sisko and Dax are tossing away after scanning them for the bomb might be the individual ones that keep falling on him after the initial avalanche.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

I believe that you should ideally present one story (one episode or arc) that combines character studies with some action:

Doomsday Machine
Unification I & II
The Way of the Warrior
Year of Hell I & II
Proving Ground

I think all of these provide some mid-series waypoint that would give a sense of where the characters are going to see if it is worth investing in learning about them.

 

[Jeffe525]

If your friend has absolutely no history with Trek, I'd come up with a first 10 sampler, 2 from each series and a couple of movies. This way, they may avoid falling into "The first Trek I watched was the best" prejudice.

Stay away from nuTrek until they can appreciate the "Trek before it was cool" stuff.

 

[uniderth]

I've found that for adults who are not interesting that much in science fiction, Star Trek: The Voyage Home, is the best introduction. It's something they can relate to and have fun with. For someone who is into science fiction that probably wouldn't be the best to start with.