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!
DS9 - The Magnificent Ferengi
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.
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
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
How about The Trouble With Tribbles. Has intrigue, diplomatic tension, and adorable problematic creatures.
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
Captain Picard learns to play the flute the hard way episode
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?
“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.
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.
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.
Subspace Rhapsody - I just love how hard they leaned into it
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 say that “Year of Hell” or “Macrocosm” would be a great introduction into Voyager. I, personally, love Nemesis, but if you aren’t already familiar with the Voyager scenario and crew, seeing Chakotay in that situation and then juxtaposed against what is occurring on the ship won’t have the same impact if someone is new to Trek.
“Year of Hell” is not only a great Voyager episode(s), but it is fantastic television. It would leave a newcomer with “Wow” factor that would make them want even more. Same with “Macrocosm”; these episodes put the captain at the center and really allow a new viewer to appreciate Janeway’s character.
For DS9, duet is great, but I think focusing on the effects of the Cardassian occupation of the Bajoran people is the strongest element of the show which is where a Garak-centered episode would shine best. Starting with either “Past Prologue” or “Cardassians” would help introduce DS9 while also giving focus to one its most brilliant characters.
TNG is much harder because the best episodes of TNG rely on having gone on some of the earlier journeys with them. I would say that “Symbiosis” is very classic Trek that would make someone eager to see more of the crew and more of the available stories. If the newcomer has any understanding of TOS-era Trek, then I would add “A Matter of Honor” because we get so much Klingon culture while still experiencing the whole crew.
These episodes are all a mix of the psychological, but also more action and character-based elements of Trek that make 90s Trek so beloved. Also, don’t discount Lower Decks or Picard because they are newer, but do save those for after you’ve already had them experience all of TNG, DS9, and Voyager because those are all necessary to appreciate the latter two.
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
