Trying to Get Someone Interested in VOY

[Excelsius]

I'm trying to get someone pretty sophisticated interested in Voyager. She'll be going to grad school and has a science background. However, I'm pretty sure she hasn't seen much of Voyager.

It would be cool to show her an episode that could really draw her in so we can enjoy watching Voyager together.

Anyone describe an episode that you would really recommend, and why you would recommend it? Thanks for your help.

 

[Charles Trip Tucker III]

Have her watch "Caretaker" as it sets up the series. From there, proceed with the rest of Season 1 or show her the best of each season.

Since your friend is a pretty sophisticated grad school student with a science background, there's a good chance she may slam the show for being unrealistic. Be prepared for that outcome. Hopefully, she'll realise it's just a TV show and enjoy most episodes.

 

[Excelsius]

Thanks for the comment.

She's also into genetics, so maybe I want to avoid some of the ones with biological overtones. She'll probably just dismiss 'em as completely unrealistic.

However, my faves include the the episode, "Tuvix", which implies a biological process that is obviously impossible under today's understanding of microbiology. I hope she'd suspend her disbelief enough to enjoy it, though.

Any other suggestions would be welcome, too.

 

[Kevin]

Do not show her season 1! Caretaker is fine but do not show her the countless random anomalies they encounter. They are beyond boring for someone who is not already into Star trek. I suggest showing her a more adventure oriented episode. on that won't get her totally lost, yet that will interest her.

 

[Excelsius]

Thanks. I was going to show her the episodes with the Borg Queen, but I thought that they might be a bit confusing. Heck, they sometimes confuse me!

 

[Charles Trip Tucker III]

You should show her the series in order from premiere to finale. Ask her if she wants to see the episodes in order or if she'd like to skip around. Also tell her about an episode you think she should skip and give her the chance to decide if she wants to see it.

 

[Excelsius]

That would take a long time; is there one that you think is particularly good for someone with a scientific background? Preferably with a lot of compelling character development. Again, I like the Borg Queen episodes, but they're not particularly plausible. I also like the episode with Neelix and the story about the Great Forest and the Guiding Tree. This last one doesn't even pretend to be too scientific, but it's damn good television.

 

[Charles Trip Tucker III]

Have her watch "Deadlock."

 

[Excelsius]

I don't know how to react to that. It's a pretty high-concept episode (parallel universes and all). But, it's pretty interesting, too, aside from the parallel universe concept. I'll certainly consider it.

 

[Charles Trip Tucker III]

The episode has nothing to do with parallel realities. In the episode, every particle of matter is duplicated resulting in two identical Voyagers. The catch is, anti-matter wasn't duplicated, so the two ships exist in the same space time unaware of each other for a good while. There are numerous debates as to which Voyager was the original and which was the duplicate. I would say neither is the original and neither is the duplicate. What happened was similar to a cell splitting in two and growing into two cells.

 

[Excelsius]

Interesting comments, CTC3. I'll keep them in mind.

 

[Good Will Riker]

Women respond to things emotionally. If you show her a typical episode of Star Trek, which appears indistinguishable in her eyes to other science-fiction shows out there, then you are not going to hook her in.

When I was in Las Vegas last fall, I was at the Star Trek: The Experience, and of all episodes, they happened to be playng my absolute favorite "Star Trek: Voyager" episode of all time in their gift shop at the time of my visit: the Season 2 episode "Lifesigns" with Denara Pel (Susan Diol), who is suffering from the effects of the physically debilitating disease of the phage virus.

Now, I don't know about you, but there was something warm, sympathetic, and caring about this character. How she could never be close to someone romantically all her life due to the effects of her disease. She hated herself, while she herself was trying to help her own people find a cure to this life threatening disease. And, also The Doctor. You can see from his point-of-view, how he is initially disappointed in himself for his lack of understanding and experience when it comes to interpersonal relationships, and just blurts out "I love you" to Denara just like that when she is initially warming up to him.

There was something about this episode that helps you reaffirm your belief that there is hope for humanity after all. Through Denara's compassion, she was able to show The Doctor what love is. And The Doctor for the first time in his life was able to show Denara how to care for the caring, humane person that she is on the inside. This was one of the few highpoints of "Star Trek: Voyager" for me. It is well-produced episodes like these that reaffirms my faith in why I came to marvel and appreciate Star Trek so much in the first place.

 

[Equinox]

I would think the episode Latent Image would get anyone interested in Trek. First, you have the series best character giving a very good performance, good directing, little techno-babble and an unconventional storyline (not just aliens fighting us).

I would also recommend Timeless for the same reasons but only because it is more dramatic and has a "Titanic" feel to it in a way...and we all know how chicks dig Titanic.

 

[Charles Trip Tucker III]

"Timless" is definnately a good episode. I'd also recommend "Future's End, Parts I & II" and "Equinox, Parts I & II."

Make sure "Endgame" is the very LAST episode you show her.

 

[CaptJamieway]

I'd definitely start out with "Caretaker". Then, I'd forget about science & show her "Resolutions".

 

[Excelsius]

I've been inspired to review some of these episodes. It'll be great to get reacquainted with them once again. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Needless to say, VOY itself is truly "timeless".

 

[Equinox]

Caretaker is an okay episode but really, most of the stuff from season 1 & 2 is forgettable. The really good character driven episodes come in Season 4 and later and the nice thing abot Voyager vs. DS9 (or even Battlestar Galactica) is that since the episodes were made for syndication, usually you can watch any standalone episode and get most of the intended entertainment out of it.

What you really need to do is figure out what character you believe offers the most enjoyable viewing content in the series and can show what the Voyager universe is all about and then show the person you want to watch episodes directly relating to them.

If your friend is an independent, strong willed career woman show might enjoy Janeway focused episodes the most. If she is more easy going and wanting humor mixed in, use the Doctor, etc.

I'd avoid introducing episodes w/ Seven early on because contrary to what us guys would like to think, I don't think most girls enjoy watching big-boobed blonde girls in cat suits fighting aliens and surrounded by testosterone in space. If she sees Seven TOO much early on, she'll be like "This is a show for nerdy, virgin guys"...if she gets a feeling for the show w/o her, THEN you can explain to her that Seven was brought on to *yes* sex up the show for ratings...but to also add anotehr character type into the mix for story reasons.

 

[Excelsius]

I think she really would enjoy episodes with a strong Janeway focus. That's good advice, Equinox. Thank you.

 

[Caprica_Six]

Honestly I'd avoid showing her many of the episodes in order as continuity isn't this show's strong suit. Show her the good stand alone episodes like Counterpoint, Latent Image, Year of Hell etc etc.

 

[Equinox]

^^^ I think the show handles continuity very well for being syndication-based. Its just not so blatantly obvious and required as it is in shows like DS9 or BSG. I'd try to show the eps in chronlogical order, but not necessarily in perfect 1,2,3,4... order. Many episodes should be skipped.