What are your top 3 Star Trek television shows?
- Thread starter Trelane_Squire_of_Gothos
- Start date
Got to update this.
1. DSC
2. TOS
3. PIC
4. DS9
5. TNG
6. Short Treks
7. Prodigy
8. VOY
9. LD
10. TAS
11. ENT
1. DSC
2. TOS
3. PIC
4. DS9
5. TNG
6. Short Treks
7. Prodigy
8. VOY
9. LD
10. TAS
11. ENT
The 1st three live action series ever aired on tv. TOS, TNG & DS9. They're the only ones that I've seen every episode. They're the only ones with episodes I've watched multiple times. In fact, I've probably watched every one of their episodes multiple times (Some much less than others). After that, it's gets spotty
My tastes change all the time. I picked the 3 current shows, since they're what I'm invested in and looking forward to more of.
It's still a little early for me: I'll wait until at least the first part of season one is over.
Those who critique Discovery incessantly say that it
- is too serialized,
- is too violent,
- is too martial,
- is too dark,
- has too much of the Mirror Universe and Section 31,
- features too much internal conflict,
- has an undeserving minority lead,
- and betrays Gene's vision,
In that thread, there are four posts by three people who make direct comparisons between between DS9 and Discovery, and only one poster who says, as you have suggested, that Discovery should do things the DS9 way. There are others who compare it to all the Berman era series or Burnham to all the other leads, but that doesn't get you, does it?
On top of that, what those four posters have written is pretty mild.
It's likely because it hits too close to home....not because it's "different." DS9 previously owned the market on "Star Trek that dared to be different"
There are distinct differences between DS9 and Discovery in other ways though. It is in the way that many of the characters behave and are portrayed. Discovery sometimes comes across as a "teen drama." The characters are sometimes awkward and overly dramatic. It's not believable to me that characters that behave this way would be successfully running a star ship. It was believable that the characters in DS9 would be capable of carrying out their responsibilities.
Well, to be fair, the guys who actually run the ship (until late in the 3rd Season), have like one or two lines an episode.
Discovery took some of the DS9 style ideas that stuff matters and that characters could be flawed and explored it further. The Discovery crew has awesome moments of talent, and are constantly struggling with a stream of tragedy. Their struggles feel more real.
That's exactly what it is. I expected a lot of TNG Fans not to like DSC because of issues with Gene's Vision or the drastic tonal difference. I expected a lot of TOS Fans to not like the visual changes DSC made and treading on TOS lore. These are all things I can understand. Where the Niners are attacking from is like from Outer Space to me.
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I like both shows for what they are. I like them for their similarities and their differences.
- Lots of people criticize DS9 for its focus on metaphysical / mystical / religious elements, focus on war/conflict and for its soap opera portrayal of character relationships. I'm not one of those people. I think DS9 is great the way it is and appreciate what it did differently from TNG and TOS.
- Lots of people criticize DSC for it's emotionally-charged leads, over-emphasis on action, and overblown "save the universe" serialized plotlines. I'm not one of those people. I think DSC is great the way it is and appreciate what it did differently from the rest of the franchise.
TOS (the original and best)
DS9 (the first to dare to be different)
DSC (the first to be different in the post-DS9 era)
are all shows that were more original and took huge chances with their formats and approaches. PIC is quickly on that path as well. I know PIC took a lot of flack, but I re-watched it fairly recently, and I remember thinking that my opinion of it had improved SUBSTANTIALLY upon that rewatch, thinking that it easily has the potential to overtake DS9 if the next season is as good.
To me, TNG/VOY/ENT/TAS/LD are all fine to varying degrees...but never rise to the height of the others because I value the franchise most when it breaks from the norm and takes risks. I'd rather have something be flawed and interesting than something that is safe and familiar. The franchise is just too massive for "more of the same" to interest me. That's just my own tastes.
As another example, I really like TFF as a Trek movie. Is it a "great movie?" No, of course not. But it's infinitely more interesting to me than "bad guy wants revenge" or "Earth is in jeopardy" that pretty much was the plotline of most of the other films. (Don't get me wrong...I absolutely love most of the Trek movies....I just find TFF more interesting than most fans)
DSC and PIC are also flawed. I don't think there's any denying that. There are many complaints about both series that are completely justified. But, from my perspective, I'm willing to overlook / outweigh the flaws because I find the premise and tone of the shows refreshingly unique compared to the bulk of the franchise that was produced in the late 80's-2004. It's kind of like what @Lord Garth was trying to illustrate by showing all the flaws of TWOK...you can overlook things like that if you just inherently like the show.
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