The Void any good as an introduction to Star Trek?

[Jefferies]

I posted a thread in general Trek about finding a good episode to introduce children to the franchise. I volunteered the Voyager episode The Void as a possibilty. The main points in favour for me were that it does not require any background know how, but manages to convey a hopeful quientessential Trekkian message and gets you interested in wider themes like what the Federation is. It's also not too complicated or scary and its a newer episode which is probably more appealing for younger viewers when watching for the first time. However, most seemed to think the episode not very worthwhile or failed to comment on it.

So what do you guys here in the Voyager forum think? Thumbs up or down as a first time episode for kids?

 

[AuntKate]

I posted a thread in general Trek about finding a good episode to introduce children to the franchise. I volunteered the Voyager episode The Void as a possibilty. The main points in favour for me were that it does not require any background know how, but manages to convey a hopeful quientessential Trekkian message and gets you interested in wider themes like what the Federation is. It's also not too complicated or scary and its a newer episode which is probably more appealing for younger viewers when watching for the first time. However, most seemed to think the episode not very worthwhile or failed to comment on it.

So what do you guys here in the Voyager forum think? Thumbs up or down as a first time episode for kids?

I think "The Void" is an excellent example of Trek, especially because it carries a positive "morality play" message that is easily grasped. It highlights the positive qualities of the Federation/Starfleet ethic, and it shows how important it is to stick to one's values through hard times.

I am not surprised to hear that you did not get much of a response to your question in the general Trek forum. Voyager does not get enough credit from the "general" Trek crowd--and I'm not sure why. I think it may be that many of them have not viewed the series in many years (if ever) and tend to accept the opinions of others (largely critical) as being true. However, it is my favorite series, and I think it is as good as or better than the others.

 

[BillJ]

I am not surprised to hear that you did not get much of a response to your question in the general Trek forum. Voyager does not get enough credit from the "general" Trek crowd--and I'm not sure why. I think it may be that many of them have not viewed the series in many years (if ever) and tend to accept the opinions of others (largely critical) as being true. However, it is my favorite series, and I think it is as good as or better than the others.

He got answers, just none that were to his liking. I don't hate Voyager (I own four seasons of it on DVD), it's just not the starting point I'd chose for introducing someone to Trek.

 

[JanewayRulz!]

It depends on the audience you are trying to reach and the message you are trying to convey.

"The Void" is a good episode of Trek in general... but I suspect (if we are going with just Voyager options at the moment) that the best ep to "introduce" a new audience to would simply be "Caretaker".

 

[Shatnertage]

Not an awful episode, but not one I'd use to introduce kids to Trek.

If you want to use Voyager, I'd choose "One Small Step" over that one.

 

[BillJ]

If your talking strictly Voyager, I'd go with Friendship One.

 

[Gov Kodos]

Not an awful episode, but not one I'd use to introduce kids to Trek.

If you want to use Voyager, I'd choose "One Small Step" over that one.

'One Small Step' is a great intro to Voyager as well as being a great story in its own right for kids to think about. The importance of history, the value of risk taking, and other points in the story are well portrayed here.