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!
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.