So I’m a long time Trekkie and besides most of the newer shows (like Discovery, Picard, Lower Decks, Academy) I’m pretty familiar with each of the shows - the old ones anyway.
But when i managed to convince someone to watch a single episode of Star Trek I’m a little bit at a loss. Personally I’d go for one of the Ibsenesque power plays, just because the person in question likes Psychological thriller sci-fis - like Black Mirror.
So I’m stuck between these episodes:
- TNG: “The Survivors” - This was heart wrenching the first time I saw it. It’s one of those episodes that reminds of the old Frankenstein conundrum: who is really the monster? As an incurable romantic, I flip flop between condemning the antagonist and sympathising with his pain. He made a prison of his own making and I can sort of identify with that.
- Enterprise: “Cogenitor” - Though I find Enterprise hard to get into (because it’s such a departure from the rest of Star Trek), this episode sticks out to me as another conundrum. What if someone who didn’t know about freedom or individuality was introduced to those concepts, only to be forced back to a reality of servitude, subservience and being an organic appliance in people’s lives without the right to have your own?
- Voyager: “Nemesis” - I thought about this one purely for the reveal at the end. It’s not the best episode, but it’s one of those reveals that show you the lengths people are willing to go to when trying to destroy an enemy - even at the cost of people’s lives, and minds.
- DS9: “Duet” - this episode is the least sci-fi, but it sure shows the ravages of war - on the minds and hearts of anyone. Survivors guilt is one thing, and cowardice another, but what can be said for those who had to witness atrocities and felt powerless to do anything about it? The woes of a filling clerk…
These are just my picks, some episodes that stuck with me. But what episode - if only a single one, from any of the shows would you pick as someone’s first introduction to Star Trek?
Have a great one!
Measure of a man or drumhead are a good pick, if that someone is more into diplomatic people-in-rooms-talking stories
Measure of a man - Still sticks with me all these years later. Riker’s struggle because of his friendship with Data, ultimately doing the most difficult thing by going at him as hard as he could. Picard’s “there it sits” speech. Just peak TNG
Voyager: “Nemesis”
This is actually a very interesting pick - I tend to think it’s a mistake to try to start someone on an episode that would be considered among “the best,” since after that there’s nowhere to go but down. “Nemesis” fits the bill of something that’s reasonably interesting without being spectacular.
I’m very bad at answering the core question, but I think the beauty of the franchise is that it has a little of everything to offer, and you can tailor recommendations to the person’s tastes.
Do they like medical dramas? Procedural mysteries? Musicals? Gritty war stories? There’s something in there for everyone.
My Voyager Pick is Ex Post Facto
Well the whole psychological thriller aspect is what was requested, which is why Nemesis sort of ended up in the list - that, and I found it hard to find such episodes in my memory for Voyager.
Nemesis is a great example of a “classic” Star Trek episode. You don’t see it mentioned very often but I think it’s a great episode for someone looking to get a feel for the overall vibe of the franchise.
Been trying to get my spouse into Star Trek for years.
Started with The Orville, which she loved. Just finished Strange New Worlds, which she also really enjoyed. She also watched a few episodes of Discovery but didn’t get hooked on as much. Can’t blame her.
Now that I’ve broken her in, in a manner of speaking, I’m thinking about going for Voyager next. She’s seen me watch a bunch of TNG and by default, watched them as well, and doesn’t seem to mind it but I think that Janeway is probably going to be her favorite captain.
“Yesterday‘s Enterprise”
I can’t really explain why. But those who have seen it will know.
Also, nice wordplay in the episode title
How about The Trouble With Tribbles. Has intrigue, diplomatic tension, and adorable problematic creatures.
TNG - Best of both worlds. Just start them off with the first part, they’ll come back for the second. Now you’ve got em hooked.
Subspace Rhapsody - I just love how hard they leaned into it
do movies count? i would go with wrath of khan and then part 4 – i feel like if someone enjoys those 2 then they’d want to start at the beginning and go through all of it
I think the movies are okay, but it’s pretty lore heavy and is 90 minutes. Don’t want to burn them out on a first try 😅
definitely lore-heavy, but also a great introduction to every character–movie makers want everyone, including non trekkies, to enjoy the film. most 1 hour episodes focus on maybe 2 or 3 characters. and they’re pretty lore heavy also
If we count movies, then Galaxyquest
I traded episodes with someone once. I would watch some lower decks and she would watch some TNG. I found Lower Decks cynical and obnoxious, so I went with examples of the aspirational mood that I admired from TNG.
Measure of a Man puts treating someone as a person and with dignity should be more important than the utility (the researcher wanting to study Data), reasonableness (Riker’s proof that Data wasn’t alive), or personal feelings and relationships (Picard and the judge’s history).
Darmok is the Federation on a small scale. Seeking understanding even when that comes with risk, even in situations that seem hostile. Silicon Avatar does the same with a sharper contrast, but it doesn’t have all the memes.
The person I traded with understood from those why I didn’t like Lower Decks and really enjoyed the episodes. I don’t think it was enough to get her to watch more, but I’m still satisfied with having shown someone those two.
DS9 - The Magnificent Ferengi
I would steer clear of Enterprise in general because the show really hinges on familiarity with TOS and/or TNG, but i would doubly stay away from Cogenitor. If that was my first Trek episode, it certainly would have been my last
I’d echo hayvan that TOS “Trouble with Tribbles” is a safe bet, very silly on the surface but has all the trappings of good Trek. if that (or TOS in general) is too cheesy, SNW “Ad Astra Per Aspera” is more modern and more serious episode that’s still very representative of Trek as a whole
Both of mine are from TNG.
The Drumhead - An explosion prompts an impromptu trial mimicking “drumhead” trials which occur on battlefields.
Measure of a Man - Data is placed in trial and his humanity is questioned as Starfleet attempts to confiscate him as “property”.
The Wounded - Very relevant today. A Starfleet captain destroys a ship full of Cardassians on the basis that they’re preparing for war.
It sounds like you’re describing Measure of a Man, though The Drumhead is another absolutely fantastic trial episode.
Good looking out, edited.
It may be a bit of a meme, but Darmok. Genuinely beautiful episode.
@thorhop this is going to sound crazy, but I showed my kids TNG’s Rascals when they we’re like 6 and 8. It’s pretty self contained, not scary, and has plenty of funny moments while introducing the ship and world.
It went over pretty well!
