I don't know, "Shades of Grey" is a pretty good contender for being just as bad if not worse.
You are introducing someone to Trek for the first time -- which episode do you show them?
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I don't know, "Shades of Grey" is a pretty good contender for being just as bad if not worse.
Yeah if I wanted to start someone off with the worst episode just to point at it and say, "Dont' worry, this is as bad as it gets, it's all uphill from here," I'd go with these:
-Shades of Grey
-Turnabout Intruder
-Code of Honor
-The Perfect Mate (this is my all-time least favorite episode in the franchise)
I'd show them Spock's Brain if I wanted them to see how bonkers and campy Trek can be. A so-bad-it's-good-and-really-not-THAT-bad episode.
Star Trek 09.
If, for some reason, you absolutely insist on using one of the TV shows, though, I would vote either "The Doomsday Machine" or "Obsession." Maybe even "Arena" if you have the kind of friend who expects 1960s TV shows to have a certain inherent cheese factor.
If you're also including the spinoff series in that decision (a risky move, but could pay off) then I would suggest you start with "The Emissary," owing to the fact that the curb-stomping of the Saratoga is one of the most dramatically heavy moments in Trek history.
You know, It seems that it's very easy for just about anyone to get into Twilight Zone. Even kids seem to love that show even though it's in black and white. So perhaps an episode along those lines would really intrigue a virgin viewer to watch more.
[/]Cause and Effect[/I] might be a good example of that type of story. It's exciting, thrilling, a good mystery, it has déjà vu.
[/]Cause and Effect[/I] might be a good example of that type of story. It's exciting, thrilling, a good mystery, it has déjà vu.
This question comes up once in a while and I never really have an answer. As fans of Trek, we're so familiar with all the episodes that it's hard to look at them from a more neutral point of view. We may even like episodes that aren't particularly great just because they have some nice character moment or other random thing we enjoy as fans.
I will say I wouldn't expose somebody to TOS first because some people are just put off by the 60s look.
Now TNG obviously looks a little dated, too, but assuming we're not talking about a millennial it'll still feel like relatively modern TV, especially in HD. I also don't think DS9 is particularly accessible if you don't know anything about Trek.
And then it would obviously depend on the person... do they like action? Humour? Lots of talking?
There probably isn't one answer for everybody. I also would make them watch more than one episode to begin with.
I will say I wouldn't expose somebody to TOS first because some people are just put off by the 60s look.
Now TNG obviously looks a little dated, too, but assuming we're not talking about a millennial it'll still feel like relatively modern TV, especially in HD. I also don't think DS9 is particularly accessible if you don't know anything about Trek.
And then it would obviously depend on the person... do they like action? Humour? Lots of talking?
There probably isn't one answer for everybody. I also would make them watch more than one episode to begin with.
If you want to get the hooks into someone, you have to go with the most entertaining, engaging and intriguing episodes.
TOS: Balance of Terror. City on the Edge of Forever, Mirror Mirror, The Doomsday Machine and Trouble With Tribbles
TNG: Measure of a Man, Q Who, Yesterday's Enterprise, Sins of the Father, and Best of the Worlds
DS9: The Jem'Hadar, The Search, Way of the Warrior, Homefront, and Paradise Lost
VOY: Scorpion, The Gift, Year of Hell, Drone and Dark Frontier
ENT: Broken Bow, Regeneration, Forge, Awakening and Kir'Shara
Or, you can hook'em with the movies. The order I use for my non-Trek friends is:
TWOK
TSFS
TVH
TUC
ST09
STID
BEY
TOS: Balance of Terror. City on the Edge of Forever, Mirror Mirror, The Doomsday Machine and Trouble With Tribbles
TNG: Measure of a Man, Q Who, Yesterday's Enterprise, Sins of the Father, and Best of the Worlds
DS9: The Jem'Hadar, The Search, Way of the Warrior, Homefront, and Paradise Lost
DS9 is tricky, since explaining the whole Cardassian/Bajoran and the entirety of the Dominion can't be done in a few episodes, or even in 1 season. However, I think the above episodes would be enough to wet anyone's appetite for more DS9.
VOY: Scorpion, The Gift, Year of Hell, Drone and Dark Frontier
ENT: Broken Bow, Regeneration, Forge, Awakening and Kir'Shara
Or, you can hook'em with the movies. The order I use for my non-Trek friends is:
TWOK
TSFS
TVH
TUC
This is the final cruise of the Starship Enterprise under my command. This ship and her history will shortly become the care of another crew. To them and their posterity will we commit our future. They will continue the voyages we have begun and journey to all the undiscovered countries, boldly going where no man - where no one - has gone before.
Kirk's ending speech is a brilliant farewell and works as a great transition to the new movies.
Kirk's ending speech is a brilliant farewell and works as a great transition to the new movies.
STID
BEY
For what it's worth, TMP was my introduction to Star Trek and I've been a fan ever since.
Go figure.
Go figure.
I had considered mentioning YoH for VOY but in some respects it's not a typical episode of VOY. Ideally when introducing someone new to any TV show you want to give them examples of the typical episode.
But each to their own.
Q Who
To me it's got to be either duet which is such a highlight or tapestry. However you may want to think about showing an ok episode as they then might expect it to be that good at all times. An episode I recently watched which I consider to be a good ok episode (if you know what I mean) is lower decks.
The Emissary was OK, certainly key for Klingon politics. I suspect you mean 'Emissary', which has Gul Dukat, probably the best villan in all of trek.
My introduction was Voyage Home, followed by Encounter at Farpoint, it went on from then. Not sure how much TVH would resonate now, certainly it was good for a contemporary audience in the 80s, but 1986 is over 30 years ago. I'd be tempted to go for Trek-09, then Enterprise from Broken Bow.
TOS- If you dipped into one, try Where No Man Has Gone Before- It's a little rough around the edges, but the acting is very good (Nimoy, Shatner, Kellerman).
Devil in the Dark- I think after a while, anyone would forgive the alien. Of course in 2017, showing the TOS-R version is the only choice. My informal polls show 80% of people prefer them.
STNG-
Darmok-Star Trek encapsulated in one ep: Some action, some adventure, but at the core it's about understanding.
The Chase is basically Star Trek in a nutshell. The scope and implications reverberate through the franchise, but it's also a good Drama. The ending is pure Roddenberry.
The Inner Light- Not really a twist..it's a fully self-contained episode. All you have to understand outside of it is that Picard has been 100% career minded.
The Wounded- Again, the episode seems like it'll be action, and the military side of chain of command and brinkmanship is present, but it's the dynamic between Picard and Maxwell that brings the message through, while O'Brien's relationship from the war makes for a quieter counterpoint.
Q Who- Start at the Borg beginning. Well written show.
DS9-
Emissary- Intro to the show and one of the best pilots. A good place to start.
VOY-
Distant Origins- Philosophical. While Trek often gets the science wrong, this episode says the method of science is right.
Equinox-A lot of people thought that Voyager would be like Equinox. The two-parter shows what happeeeeens when captains go rogue.
Blink of an Eye- My only concern would be technobabble
ENT- Again, the pilot is a good intro.
The final option: Wait until Discovery. A fully modern show with women leads and state of the art production. 2 months away. Make it a premiere party.
Devil in the Dark- I think after a while, anyone would forgive the alien. Of course in 2017, showing the TOS-R version is the only choice. My informal polls show 80% of people prefer them.
STNG-
Darmok-Star Trek encapsulated in one ep: Some action, some adventure, but at the core it's about understanding.
The Chase is basically Star Trek in a nutshell. The scope and implications reverberate through the franchise, but it's also a good Drama. The ending is pure Roddenberry.
The Inner Light- Not really a twist..it's a fully self-contained episode. All you have to understand outside of it is that Picard has been 100% career minded.
The Wounded- Again, the episode seems like it'll be action, and the military side of chain of command and brinkmanship is present, but it's the dynamic between Picard and Maxwell that brings the message through, while O'Brien's relationship from the war makes for a quieter counterpoint.
Q Who- Start at the Borg beginning. Well written show.
DS9-
Emissary- Intro to the show and one of the best pilots. A good place to start.
VOY-
Distant Origins- Philosophical. While Trek often gets the science wrong, this episode says the method of science is right.
Equinox-A lot of people thought that Voyager would be like Equinox. The two-parter shows what happeeeeens when captains go rogue.
Blink of an Eye- My only concern would be technobabble
ENT- Again, the pilot is a good intro.
The final option: Wait until Discovery. A fully modern show with women leads and state of the art production. 2 months away. Make it a premiere party.
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Actually this is true.
After years and years of stubborness, I cajoled my friend into watching one episode of Star Trek. I chose DS9's 'The Visitor' because even though it's not a personal favourite, it's largely regarded as a masterpiece by the wider community.
He thought it was ridiculous. I rewatched it through his eyes and suddenly saw Brooks' acting missing the mark, technobabble, reset buttons, and just, I guess, a desperate grasp at poignancy.
If I was able to get him to try another one, I'd probably pick DS9's 'Starship Down', Voyager's 'The Void' or Enterprise's 'Cogenitor.' Easy to watch boilerplate Trek stuff that goes down well and still distills the essence of Trekkian storytelling.
Threshold, and tell them that this is the best episode in the franchise 
.
Q Who? is a good one as it shows how Picard and the crew deal with alien situations, uses Q well, and of course introduces the Borg.
.Q Who? is a good one as it shows how Picard and the crew deal with alien situations, uses Q well, and of course introduces the Borg.
It's the first Trek I ever saw (way back in 1973, when I was six--was hooked right away). Good choice and one I've made too.
This is good advice. It'll likely adhere to the storytelling and production styles of contemporary television in a way that will be easy for newcomers to recognize and appreciate. Then once the fire is already burning a little they can throw the other logs in there.
Absolutely do not show them Duet. That is one of the best episodes in the entire franchise.
You need an above average but not incredible episode, so the rest of trek doesn't disappoint. DS9 is my favourite series but nextgen and voyager have a lot of good single-episode stories that would be good entry points.
I recommend: Timescape, Ensign Ro, Counterpoint, or Blink of an Eye.
You need an above average but not incredible episode, so the rest of trek doesn't disappoint. DS9 is my favourite series but nextgen and voyager have a lot of good single-episode stories that would be good entry points.
I recommend: Timescape, Ensign Ro, Counterpoint, or Blink of an Eye.
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