Which would you start a new fan with?

[NeroShrimp]

So, my friend has become a new fan of Star Trek and we have already watched all of the original series in addition to a few animated episodes. Now she's ready to move onto the films. However, I am not sure which one I want to introduce her to. I have high doubts that she is going to enjoy TMP, even though it does explain how the crew gets back together. What would you start it off with? Star Trek I, II or IV?

 

[Kilana2]

TMP is a matter of taste. You may as well begin with TWOK. Khan is the hell of a foe. After Khan I would stick with the chronological order.

 

[NeroShrimp]

TMP is a matter of taste. You may as well begin with TWOK. Khan is the hell of a foe. After Khan I would stick with the chronological order.

Good point! In addition to it being a sequel to "Space Seed". Thanks for the input!

 

[bbjeg]

I'd get them to watch a few episodes of the original series first, just the key ones like Space Seed. If you want a key list of episodes, just choose one from the TOS forum, there's a bunch of threads for it.

But out of the choices in the poll, Wrath of Kahn.

 

[Greg Cox]

I think Khan is pretty accessible, even if you haven't seen Space Seed. The movie does a pretty good job of re-introducing Khan: he's an old enemy of Kirk's, who blames Kirk for stranding him on a planet many years ago.

That's really all a new viewer needs to know.

 

[EnriqueH]

TVH is my favorite, but TWOK best represents the franchise, so TWOK.

 

[The Old Mixer]

My first instinct was to say TWOK, as TMP isn't for the casual fan...but if she got through all of TOS...the good, the bad, and the ugly...then maybe she'd appreciate what TMP has to offer.

Has she ever seen 2001?

 

[Sparkle Fabulosa]

I agree with TWOK because it's the first in the trilogy but my first thought was TVH because it's so freaking funny! Though she might get confused like I was so go with TWOK.

 

[Trimm]

Honestly, if your friend has seen all of TOS and liked it, there's no reason not to start with TMP. TWOK is certainly a more exciting film, but if you intend to go through the movies anyway you may as well start from the beginning. I'd strongly advise against TVH as a starting point, as it does benefit from having seen TWOK and TSFS.

 

[T'Girl]

Start them with three fingers of whiskey, with green food coloring in it.

Then TWOK.

 

[Sparkle Fabulosa]

Or have her look up all the summaries and trailers, then let her pick which one she is most interested in watching first.

 

[eyeresist]

TWOK or ST09. TWOK does have some creaky moments, and requires more assumed knowledge that most fans would acknowledge. ST09 has the advantage of being an origin story, but not everyone likes the style. So it would depend on the person. I didn't pick an option.

 

[SPCTRE]

Unless the new fan is really old, ST09 will be the best bet.

 

[BillJ]

Star Trek (2009)

 

[Kor]

To follow up directly on the series, I would say that TWOK is a safe bet (though I actually prefer TMP).

TWOK has a broad appeal. Also, TVH kind of depends on having seen TWOK and TSFS already.

Kor

 

[NeroShrimp]

My first instinct was to say TWOK, as TMP isn't for the casual fan...but if she got through all of TOS...the good, the bad, and the ugly...then maybe she'd appreciate what TMP has to offer.

Has she ever seen 2001?

She has, and she loved it.

Unless the new fan is really old, ST09 will be the best bet.

She's 27.

 

[The Old Mixer]

If she watched all of TOS and she likes 2001, then I'd say it's worth taking a chance on TMP. Let her see the series as it unfolded and make her own assessment.

 

[Trek Survivor]

I watched TWOK at the weekend, and really don't feel it's aged that well. The pacing is not great, I think it's not the perfect one to start with.

So I voted Trek 09 because I know a fair few people who had never seen Trek/had any interest who really enjoyed that movie.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

TWOK. It's a movie of substance (with some nice underlying comments) as well as being easier to get into than TMP, with plenty of action along the way.

It explains all you really need to know without having to rewatch Space Seed.

 

[TheGoodStuff]

I voted TMP. Allow me to explain.

I adore Star Trek and I love TMP [very underrated!]. To me, Trek really isn't about action, it is about philosophising, ethical questions and moral dilemmas.

Sure, showing them 'Wrath of Khan' would be postivie, its a great film...but it is almost a false precedent for an introduction. To go from WoK to 'Measure of a Man' or 'Inner Light' may shock this new fan.

TMP has some action, but it is super slow [akin to Alien etc] and is a little deeper than pew,pew,pew.

Also, chronological order is the way to do everything.