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!
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.
It may be a bit of a meme, but Darmok. Genuinely beautiful episode.
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.
Captain Picard learns to play the flute the hard way episode
Oh yeah, I forgot about that one.
That episode reminds me of the true story of someone who fell and hit their head. They were in a coma for a few hours or days. When they woke up, they were asking for people no one had ever head of.
Turns out, in that time they were unconscious, they lived decades of a life that only existed in their mind. The people they were asking for were their spouse and children.
They had to go to therapy to mourn the loss of people and a life that were only real to them.
Great episode but bad intro because it’s mostly one main character off the ship.
Which is why it’s the best intro.
Intro to beginners flute :
Chapter 1 : you hit your head pretty hard there. You had a weird dream?
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
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the Corbomite Maneuver is the most Star Trek episode of Star Trek and it was somehow just the 3rd to be produced.
How about The Trouble With Tribbles. Has intrigue, diplomatic tension, and adorable problematic creatures.
“Yesterday‘s Enterprise”
I can’t really explain why. But those who have seen it will know.
Also, nice wordplay in the episode title
it depends on the person you want to introduce to Star Trek.
My first episode was cause and effect, when I was maybe 15 years old. I loved it and immediately wanted more.
but these days honestly I would choose something from SNW, something that does not require too much previous knowledge. Through the Lens of Time or maybe Charades if they want something lighter.
DS9 - The Magnificent Ferengi
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.
TNG - Cause and Effect. Classic TNG problem solving on display in full force.
DS9 - Past Prologue
TOS - Doomsday Machine or Balance of Terror
cause and effect was my first episode ever. I still remember how cool it was
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.
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
Subspace Rhapsody - I just love how hard they leaned into it
