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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!
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.