Trek Virgin

[h4rris]

Wow! Thanks for all the replies! Based on your answers, I think I'll begin with TOS, or at least a few episodes from it. If I don't like it (or finish it..) I'll move on the second movie or TNG. I'll post back here after I watch a few episodes.

If you let us know which shows you do like, we'll have a better idea of what appeals to you, and can be more precise in our recommendations.

I like Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, Firefly, and Battlestar Galactica.

 

[TheGodBen]

I like Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, Firefly, and Battlestar Galactica.

I don't know much about Stargate, but Firefly and BSG take place in a bleak future, and I know that Firefly has a fun sense of humour, so I think that DS9 is the closest Star Trek gets to those shows. Plus, Ron Moore (Executive Producer of the new BSG) was one of the main writers on DS9 and many see DS9 as the show where he got to try out some of the themes he would later develop on BSG.

If you find the original show doesn't work for you then I think DS9 might be worth a shot.

 

[EnsignRicky]

I know many would try to avoid recommending it on any level, but Voyager is kinda similar to BSG, (maybe more so the original version) in that they're struggling to make their way to Earth. It's also not a bad choice if your a Lost In Space fan.

 

[Gepard]

I know many would try to avoid recommending it on any level, but Voyager is kinda similar to BSG, (maybe more so the original version) in that they're struggling to make their way to Earth.

And poo is similar to chocolate in that they're both brown.

h4rris, if you like Stargate, you'll enjoy Star trek, I think. 'Gate became very Trek-like on occasion; "The Other Side" and "Memento" being two episodes that jump out at me.

 

[Kryton]

I would start watching STNG first, it has the best of all worlds: modern sensibilities with much of the philosophy behind the original ST.

RAMA

It's amusing that an episode of Trek that's 20 years old is considered "modern" anything. When TOS was 20 years old it wouldn't have been considered "modern" in any way.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Start with TOS. If it's too weird and off-putting to see all the "old hokey stuff," then jump over to DS9.

Personally I'd start with TNG. It was generally regarded as the most mass-populace popular incarnation of the show, and holds up pretty well today.

TNG has aged very poorly. In a way, it's worse than TOS, where the part that has aged is just the style, not the sensibility. I would really hesitate to sic anyone new on the first couple seasons of TNG, which is the worst stretch of Trek ever.

Jammer's site is very good for episode synopses and a star rating system to let you avoid the really bad stuff - not just Star Trek but also BSG.

 

[EnsignRicky]

I know many would try to avoid recommending it on any level, but Voyager is kinda similar to BSG, (maybe more so the original version) in that they're struggling to make their way to Earth.

And poo is similar to chocolate in that they're both brown.

Ehhh, go eat a Hershey bar.

 

[Australis]

Start with TOS. If it's too weird and off-putting to see all the "old hokey stuff," then jump over to DS9.

TNG has aged very poorly. In a way, it's worse than TOS, where the part that has aged is just the style, not the sensibility. I would really hesitate to sic anyone new on the first couple seasons of TNG, which is the worst stretch of Trek ever.

Jammer's site is very good for episode synopses and a star rating system to let you avoid the really bad stuff - not just Star Trek but also BSG.

I think that about the first TNG seasons, I just didn't want to say it and get jumped all over.

To me, Jammer's reviews are a definition of tough love.

 

[dreadpiraterose]

Uh...I wouldn't necessarily start with TMP. That movie is very polarizing. If you don't like it due to various reasons, it can turn you off to the entire franchise (most of which isn't done like TMP - story and theme, yes; execution, not really).

If you start with a movie, I would suggest Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. That seems to be more universally liked. Pretty much any episode of the first season of TOS. Pretty much any episode of TNG seasons 3+ would also be a good starter.

Yeah... stay away from the Motion Picture and skip to Wrath of Khan.

And yes, Next Generation is pretty episodic and a good starting point. Deep Space Nine is something to commit to, and sit and watch start to finish, but not a good way to start Trek as a virgin.

 

[Star Wolf]

Start with Galaxy Quest to see what you are about to become.

 

[Myasishchev]

Maybe Shades of Gray. It might actually be good, if you've never seen the scenes before.

But probably not.

In seriousness, those who recommended DS9 are on the money. It's probably the Trek with the most contemporary sensibility, and, in the opinions of some substantial few, the best of the bunch. However, I would add the caveat that from the first two seasons, only Emissary, Duet, and Jem'Hadar leap out at me as must-see, and there are quite a few episodes that aren't really necessary, many that are dull, and some that should be actively avoided except for ironic purposes, i.e. Move Along Home.

TOS (preferably although far from necessarily TOS-R) and TNG are fine choices as well, however. There are only two demonstrably wrong ways to go into the franchise. Together, they spell Victory in Europe.

 

[trekcast]

I do a Trek podcast you can find it at www.trekcast.com we did an episode on the top ten episodes to start with if you have never seen Star Trek check it out its episode 10 Empty Ferengi sack, its quite informative