I love Symbiosis. Just wanted to put that out there. Everyone sees Pen Pals as the ultimate Prime Directive episode but to me, the dilemma in Pen Pals is irrational (even though the discussion about it was well-done). Cheers
Which Episode to Start off with to get into the Show?
- Thread starter Ziyal's Ghost
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I love Symbiosis. Just wanted to put that out there. Everyone sees Pen Pals as the ultimate Prime Directive episode but to me, the dilemma in Pen Pals is irrational (even though the discussion about it was well-done). Cheers
Oh Yeah, you're right the guy who kept warning him that he was making a mistake!!!
What a coincidence!
For me, it depends on the tastes of the individual. A contemplative type might best be served by a character-driven story like Measure of a Man or Inner light. An action fan might go for BoBW or Yesterday’s Enterprise. So many good choices.
I agree. Also, don't worry about "blowing the wad" re: action. If they are THAT concerned with conflicts, they may never get into TNG. Their loss imo as the series has great thought-provoking moments and excels mostly when it focuses in that area.
I would pick Q Who cause it's the earliest of the great episodes.
There is one awesome episode before it, 'The Measure of a Man'.
Normally I just suggest showing them in order or the best episodes, but I had another thought:
How about a two-parter, show her part one and see if that grabs her for #2. Possibly Sins of the Father and Reunion.
Also, show her some that are touchstones of the series; To me that means something like: The Chase (establishing both good character moments but also something of Trek history), or Darmok, Measure of a Man.
RAMA
How about a two-parter, show her part one and see if that grabs her for #2. Possibly Sins of the Father and Reunion.
Also, show her some that are touchstones of the series; To me that means something like: The Chase (establishing both good character moments but also something of Trek history), or Darmok, Measure of a Man.
RAMA
Oh, right. That is a great episode but it's not my favorite intro because it's not a space adventure episode.
I would classify 11001001 as 'Good'.
While that is a great episode it might not be the best introduction to TNG, everything is so very different in that alternate timeline.
Plus it really works best after one has a connection to Yar.
Show them "All Good Things" then ask their favourite time period. If it's "Farpoint", begin there. If it's the "present" start with season 3. If it's the future, start with Picard season 1.
I am not sure I'd show "All Good Things..." to a first-time viewer. I think it could spoil the series for them, like watching the finale of a firework show before the beginning, everything would seem bland in comparison.
I'd say The Offspring is good, solid, and emotional episode that'd be hard to dislike.
After re-reading all this, I would pick the 5 best out of Season 1 and then go from there.
I think most of us have only 5 or so quality picks from Season 1 (our tastes may vary but we usually all agree that only a handful are worth a re-watch). The rest can be discarded.
I think Farpoint works very well as a set-up (essential for the finale as well)
and then Datalore (you can circle back to this cringe if you truly hate it but I think it's essential for Brothers) then Arsenal of Freedom, Symbiosis, We'll Always Have Paris and then Conspiracy.
Fairly painless Season 1 re-watch for you and intro for her and it definitely only gets better for sure.
EDIT: Probably should throw in Skin of Evil for Tasha's arc and also Naked Now if you want the part of Data's trial about hooking up with Yar to make sense but I TOLD my daughter they hooked up and did not subject her to the goofiness that was the most disappointing episode ever for me - it followed a very strong pilot imo
I think most of us have only 5 or so quality picks from Season 1 (our tastes may vary but we usually all agree that only a handful are worth a re-watch). The rest can be discarded.
I think Farpoint works very well as a set-up (essential for the finale as well)
and then Datalore (you can circle back to this cringe if you truly hate it but I think it's essential for Brothers) then Arsenal of Freedom, Symbiosis, We'll Always Have Paris and then Conspiracy.
Fairly painless Season 1 re-watch for you and intro for her and it definitely only gets better for sure.
EDIT: Probably should throw in Skin of Evil for Tasha's arc and also Naked Now if you want the part of Data's trial about hooking up with Yar to make sense but I TOLD my daughter they hooked up and did not subject her to the goofiness that was the most disappointing episode ever for me - it followed a very strong pilot imo
From my personal experience 'All Good Things...' would be perfect, in the late 90s it was the only availanbe episode to buy on VHS, I got it and loved it and still do.
AGT also introduces Tasha if one doesn't want to go to season 1 episodes. Soon after that 'Legacy' would be a good view, it has Tasha's sister.
If I were to introduce someone to TNG, these would be the episodes.... maybe.
- All Good Things...' in one or two parts, originally it was hour and a half..
and then continue with great ones from season 3 when the show really gets going, something like
- The Bonding
- Who Watches The watchers
- The Defector
- Sins of the Father
- Evolution
- The Offspring
- Yesterday's Enterprise
Before going into the final episode of season 3 you should check out season 2 episode 'Q Who', first contact with the Borg.
And then into season 4.
But if you want to pick the best of the best pick the episodes listed above and then....
- Data's Day
- Clues
- Reunion
- Night Terrors
- The Nth Degree
- Redemption 1 & 2
- I Borg
Something like that.
That list might be missing more than a few but you'll find them.
One thing I would certainly not recommend to a first viewer is "Encounter At Farpoint"... It's too heavy-handed for one part Deanna Troi with her "I'll say everything twice" shtick which gets old pretty fast (which is why she never does it again for the rest of the series), Tasha and her overdramatized shouting, Worf trying to shoot the screen,... Well, let's just say, it's an acquired taste.
The first two seasons don't give a good idea on what the show will eventually be. There are few gems in season 2 but the entire feeling and look of the series really finds itself starting at season 3.
Season 2 gems are: 'The Measure of a Man' and 'Q Who' is a must watch as it introduces about the most dangerous enemy of the series.
Season 2 gems are: 'The Measure of a Man' and 'Q Who' is a must watch as it introduces about the most dangerous enemy of the series.
^ Seasons 1 and 2 are much more like TOS and quite different in feel from seasons 3-7. Season 1 especially takes some time for the cast chemistry to develop. Character mannerisms are also quite a bit more raw.
IDK, if someone needs that much convincing, they probably won't like anything you try to get them into.
I just the other day finished ripping my S1 blu rays to the computer, so a rewatch is coming soon.
IDK, if someone needs that much convincing, they probably won't like anything you try to get them into.
I just the other day finished ripping my S1 blu rays to the computer, so a rewatch is coming soon.
Okay, my suggestions are:
1) Yesterday's Enterprise (Fabulous episodes)
2) Cause And Effect (talk about a killer opening)
3) Q Who
4) The Best Of Borth World
5) Relics
^Interesting suggestions. My concerns are:
1) If you're not invested in the real crew, I'm not sure the episode is as impactful.
4) Not without watching #3 first.
5) Maybe, especially if they're a TOS fan? My only concerns are that a) if they haven't seen TOS then Scotty's appearance may not mean much, b) once the E-D is in the Dyson Sphere things kind of slow to a crawl, and c) depending on what angle you approach it from, the episode kind of makes our heroes look like dicks. Though, who exactly ends up looking most dickish may vary by viewer.
1) If you're not invested in the real crew, I'm not sure the episode is as impactful.
4) Not without watching #3 first.
5) Maybe, especially if they're a TOS fan? My only concerns are that a) if they haven't seen TOS then Scotty's appearance may not mean much, b) once the E-D is in the Dyson Sphere things kind of slow to a crawl, and c) depending on what angle you approach it from, the episode kind of makes our heroes look like dicks. Though, who exactly ends up looking most dickish may vary by viewer.
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