I answered this earlier, but I don’t recall what I said…so I’m answering again and I’ll go back and see if it was the same or different.
1. TOS: The original that started it all. All the foundational world building. The amazing chemistry between the leads that has often been copied but never recaptured. An awesome combo of thoughtful science fiction with fun action/adventure. It also showed that the format can be a vehicle for almost anything: social commentary, romance, drama, action, political intrigue, comedy, courtroom drama. It is and always will be the best.
2. DS9: This was the first show that took the Star Trek format and expanded it in a very different direction, while never losing sight of the importance of characters and exciting stories. It had great production values, a fantastic extended cast, a rich and detailed world, and was the best “serialized” take on Trek to date.
3. PRO: I’m shocked even as I write this, as I’m not a huge fan of animation and I’m also not the “target demographic “ for this. But to me, this is everything that LD as an animated series is not. It’s very thoughtful, widely accessible, has a full cast of extremely likable characters, and unbelievably captures the spirit of Star Trek while still taking things in a very different direction. There hasn’t been an episode I’ve found unentertaining yet, and the pacing/story arcs/visual style are all virtually flawless.
4. TNG: Honestly, TNG should be 3rd, but I did a rewatch very recently and I found so much of it (too much) to be a mundane slog. It’s just so static and formulaic. As flawed as the first two seasons are, in retrospect they feel more exciting and engaging than the later seasons. Still, the cast is brilliant, the visuals are still beautiful to this day, and the best of TNG still blows away the best of almost any other series.
5. DSC: This series is so interesting and I really hope some day a tell-all book gets written. This used to be higher on my list, I’m quite sure. But, as much as the first two seasons excited with unique characters, twisty storytelling, huge (sometimes ill -advised) risks and stunning visuals….the last two seasons have been muddled and bogged-down in a massive amount of unnatural-feeling self-consciousness that has created a strangely disconnected experience for me as a viewer. The first two seasons were up there with DS9 for risky, exciting stories and plots. The last two seasons remind me more of rejected VOY scripts with the names and some details changed. They’re not bad, but they are oddly paced, plotted, and toned. S5 should be interesting….
6. SNW: Probably too early to tell, but SNW could soar much higher depending on how S2 goes. There were a few great 9/10 episodes, and then some inexplicable 5 or 6/10 episodes that were just totally off. But, a fantastic cast, awesome visuals, and genuine attempt to re-capture TOS’s tone and feel make this an early high-potential to rise into a top-3 spot for me.
7. VOY: I used to put This one in last place. A recent watch-through has proven that is unfair. And, maybe my tastes have changed as I’ve gotten older. This show gets criticized for being too comfy and too generic. Honestly, it’s true…but I find that’s why I like it. It’s a cozy/comfortable Trek that is not particularly engaging, but also not particularly objectionable either. And again, all Treks can be different, and this one has its place for sure.
8. ENT: I now view ENT and VOY much the same way…but ENT has too many longer stretches of “blah” that cause me to rank it a little lower. Still, when I watched much of it for the first time several years ago, I found it to be very enjoyable and engaging, despite some obvious flaws.
9. TAS: Good stuff, especially with the original cast and designs, but it’s just too low-quality for me to be really nostalgic or engaged with it.
10. ST: Tough one to rate, because it’s admittedly just some random experimental stuff set in the Trek universe. But, for that reason, it’s pretty cool. And, “Calypso,” and “Children of Mars” are both unique and absolutely beautiful additions to Star Trek.
11. LD: Admittedly I come in with an inherent bias towards not liking animation. But, it’s just too silly and inconsistent for me to really like it too much. It has some legit 9/10 episodes, but it also has two episodes I have been embarrassed by and turned off, which I’ve never ever done with Trek before. And much of the rest of it is just “ok fun but immediately forgettable” stuff. I do absolutely love the call-backs and Easter eggs…but the dizzying OCD pace, annoying characters, and juvenile humor are just not for me. I primarily watch for the call-backs.
