I don’t know that Those Old Scientists would make any sense or be quite as enjoyable to someone who hasn’t watched any trek or at most a few episodes. It’s like a love letter to fans who know what’s what.
That's the only full episode of SNW that I always enjoy re-watching lol
I also love that on an episode that was showcasing the hilarity of combining Lower Decks with SNW, they give a lot of love to Enterprise, like A LOT of love haha.
I agree with this for sure, when I was a kid I liked the more twilight zone style episodes (everyone devolving into ancient species ) and as an adult I like the more emotionally complex episodes (like when Troy’s mother falls in love with the guy who’s society says he had to die at 40) it’s going to depend a lot on what hooks them specifically, also, most of this is pretty old tv and it’s going to be hard to get a kid to pay attention to it
I love Blink of an Eye. It was such a beautiful story the way it progressed. The way the episode starts, and the final shot and how the two link back full circle...always makes me emotional.
Devil in the Dark encapsulates so much of why The Original Series was so beloved and remains timeless to this day
Kirk demonstrating his leadership by delegating tasks. Spock and Bones using their science and medical expertise to find solutions to uncertain problems. The Starfleet/Federation motto of rejecting the "shoot first, ask questions later" approach. Just because something looks terrifying and feels alien...doesn't mean finding middle ground is not possible.
Also what are her likes? What is she interested in? This can help dictate what episodes. For instance, the drum head or measure of a man would be great for those heavy into social justice but may be too heavy for more casual viewing.
Whereas ship in a bottle or the first Moriarty episode might be good ones for a casual watcher.
Introducing their niece to 3 episodes of Academy would be a neat trick.
While you can show off your pedantry, it’s pretty obvious they're referring to the “regular” live action TV series: TOS, TNG, DS9, VOY, ENT, DSC, and SNW. That would be 21 episodes, but then, they did say “at least”.
Nothing else would make much sense as an introduction because they all rely too much knowledge of what went before. Seriously, who’s going to consider introducing someone to Star Trek with Picard?
My wife (who hates Star Trek) was hooked by the first 3 episodes of Picard. She checked out by episode 6 because the story took such a sharp left turn and the writing quality went downhill.
Fwiw, they showed Darmok in my high school English class. Since it's been literally more than 20 years ago, I don't even remember why
But I do remember even I, at the time a stupid punk teenager who thought Star Trek looked corny and dumb, saw that episode and thought it was interesting.
That was really my first exposure to any kind of Trek. Took 17 years to finally give it a chance and boy am I glad I did.
Back when I taught, during a "half day" before a break where many kids didn't even show up, another teacher and I showed this episode to our 8th graders with a half-cocked justification to discuss Picard's use of the "scientific method."
Apart from one kid shouting "Man, she is fine!" when Troi was on screen, the discussion that followed was very good and the kids were able to draw basic parallels between Picard trying to figure out the Tamarian use of metaphor and testing a hypothesis. Most of these kids had never watched Star Trek previously, but they DEFINITELY got the point of the episode, even if it was really just an half-cocked lesson plan to justify showing the episode. ;-)
If I was going to show a newbie a rather heavy DS9 two-hander, I'd go with "Waltz". Same general effect, but not as emotionally heavy. It's further into the story, but if someone likes that huge dose of Sisko and Dukat and wants to find out more about their story, they'll be hooked.
This is an episode I’ve shown friends who are not into Star Trek and they enjoyed the episode. Whereas, I love that episode.
But is there another episode that would do a good introduction that would provide enough context for what Star Trek actually is, and is still great? Then, follow that episode with the inner light.
If I tried hard enough, i'm sure I could find something.
The episode where Picard has to tell Data "Its possible to do everything right and still lose. That is not weakness, that is life". When he loses space chess to some asshat alien.
There's probably better. That line strikes me
is a good one that represents Picard
I'd just show her some of those "Star Trek out of context" videos on YouTube. If that doesn't peak her interest then nothing will.
More to your question though, a lot of the greatest episodes of Trek don't really hit as hard when viewed without any prior knowledge of who the characters are, their relationships to one another, and overarching storylines in the case of shows like DS9.
The planet killer from TOS, best of both worlds TNG, romulan plot DS9, the equinox VOY. The musical episode SNW. I can't think one particular ENT episode or two partner I would specifically recommend.
Okay my thing is don't introduce her to the TV shows she can do that if she likes it introduce her first to some films films are shorter but they get the point across the idea I recommend TNG obviously Star Trek first contact and insurrection.
Not sure if her age but some can't get into the older stuff which is okay but the point is the first like the idea of Star Trek I think that's done easier with movies it gives you a window inside the universe let you know if you should explore More.
I am not trying to get her to "like" anything. I just want to distill each series into their respective styles. What defines the characters, what problems are encountered and solved not using combat arms, where were "we" going and why.
It's hard to answer for some series like DS9, Disco, and Picard because of the way they were serialized.
I will say though that for TOS, Devil in the Dark stands out right away. For TNG, I would lean toward Darmok or Measure of a Man. For VOY, Blink of an Eye and the episode that featured the Romulan who agrees to try and help the Voyager crew even though he's a sworn enemy of Starfleet, and also displaced by several decades. I forget the title of that episode, but it's a really great one.
For Enterprise, I always loved the more "slice of life" episodes before the Xindi stuff really started to make the show turn into "War on Terror in Space." Episodes like Breaking the Ice and Dear Doctor are some of my favorites from those earlier seasons
the episode that featured the Romulan who agrees to try and help the Voyager crew even though he's a sworn enemy of Starfleet, and also displaced by several decades. I forget the title of that episode, but it's a really great one.
I believe that’s “Eye of the Needle”.
Dear Doctor are some of my favorites
Oof. “Dear Doctor” is my least favorite Star Trek episode. Given how divisive that episode is, I wouldn’t recommend using it for trying to convince someone to watch Star Trek.
I mean that’s true of most episodes, but the question of whether or not an artificial life form is truly alive, and Picard’s defense of Data, is a great representation the kind of stories, moralities, and values TNG has to offer.
If you’re going to do movies, I wouldn’t do the Kelvin movies. While I do enjoy them, they’re not really representative of ST as a whole. Surely First Contact would be a better film to introduce a newcomer to Trek?
That's too much, too overwhelming and might actually turn her off.
Why don't you try to just show her the pilots of TNG, DS9 and Voyager and hope that one of them get's her hooked. If one of them does than that's the series to start with.
The Trouble with Tribbles: It's fun, and you don't need to understand much other than the basic premise of the series to enjoy it.
Space Seed: It's a great character episode with plenty of philosophical questions and a great villain. Plus, once she's seen it you can just skip the first movie and show her Wrath of Khan.
The Doomsday Machine: A classic big idea 1960s sci-fi story with some memorable moments. It's a perfect standalone episode of the show.
So I think Conundrum is an interesting way to start because it’s got the characters figuring out who they are while amnesiac… and they wouldn’t see the extra character as extra, which would be unique
TOS : City On The Edge Of Forever
TNG : Measure of a Man
DS9 : In The Pale Moonlight
VOY : Living Witness
ENT : NONE
DISCO : The Hope That Is You
Picard : I mean 'No Win Scenario' , but really NONE
Lower Decks : Entire Series
Prodigy : All The World's A Stage, But really the whole series
SNW : Those Old Scientists
For TOS Balance of Terror, The Trouble with Tribbles, City on the Edge of Forever. For TNG The Best of Both Worlds, The Inner Light, Unification. For DS9 I’d say The Way of The Warrior, The Visitor, In the Pale Moonlight. For Voyager I’d go with Scorpion, Blink of an Eye, Timeless. For Enterprise I’d go with Zero Hour, Carbon Creek, and In a Mirror Darkly. That’s a good foundation before moving onto the new Trek series.
What are her interests? If she likes upbeat RomComs, then no point showing her In The Pale Moonlight or Best of Both Worlds. If she likes those "home for Christmas" dramas, then Family is on the list. Does she like camp comedy? Shore Leave or Trouble With Tribbles. Political Thrillers? Inter Armin longest name ever... Does she like self inflicted pain and torture, then anything from Discovery's Season One.
I'd have to know more about the mark to tailor the recs.
Star Trek is at its best when it's exploring the human condition and Data's episodes are perfect for that. Darmok is the perfect expression of communication across barriers.
Balance of Terror, Guardian of Forever and Mirror Mirror
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Measure of a Man, Q Who, Best of Both Worlds
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Duet, The Visitor, In the Pale Moonlight
Star Trek: Voyager
The Pilot, The Thaw, Living Witness
New Trek
Nepenthe (Picard), Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach (Strange New Worlds), Unification Part III (Discovery)
I would also nominate the episode where the crew of Discovery finally meet the Ten-C. I think seeing them develop lines of communications with such a profoundly alien species is one of the most Star Trek moments of New Trek. What better way to show the aspirations of the show than for the crew of Discovery to meet with and learn to communicate with so different a species.
Just do the Wrath of Khan to Voyage Home movie trilogy. That's got everything you need to show what Trek is: space battles, Klingons, time travel capers, and a charismatic cast solving problems and having fun.
If you don’t know the relationship between Picard, Riker and Data, Measure of a Man becomes a basic legal drama.
Drumhead would be a much better “legal” episode to use to introduce someone to TNG. You get a show with character based drama, a b-admiral running amuck, a classic Picard moral high ground speech plus his dedication to the crew despite the personal cost is all on display
In most cases, I would recommend skipping TOS and going straight to TNG or DS9, depending on her interests.
From TNG, I would recommend "The Measure of a Man", "Darmok", and "The Inner Light". From DS9, I would recommend "Duet", "The Wire", and "The Visitor". These aren't necessarily my personal top-three stories, but they capture the themes of their respective series very well, they don't require much foreknowledge of the setting, and they're character studies that showcase performances that hold up 30+ years later, as opposed to special effects that maybe don't. And they are very good.
I would recommend not introducing her to it that way. Have her start with lower decks and she vibes on that see if she wants to see the more dramatic parts of the universe.
I agree with the majority - 3 episodes is the most you should watch total, not per show!
In the past two years, I've gotten 3 new people into Star Trek. I showed them all the same three episodes first:
Swashbuckling Star Trek:
1. Strange New Worlds s1e7 - The Serene Squall
2. Lower Decks s2e3 - We'll Always Have Tom Paris
3. Strange New Worlds s2e7 - Those Old Scientists *
4. (Optional) The Next Generation s7e14 - Sub Rosa **
The total runtime is under 3 hours, all of the episodes are light hearted, and the pirate theme helps newbies.
Don't forget to report back to let us know what you picked, and how your niece liked it! Happy Holidays!!!
*(It works best when the crossover is a surprise. It's easy to queue up the episode and skip ahead while everyone is taking a break. But if you're not meeting in person to watch, this might be difficult.)
**(Because I don't want to get any flak for not including legacy Trek, lol. I can't believe it either, but all three of my New-Fan-Friends LOVE this episode. We watch it together every Halloween!)
we are not confined to such broad strokes in the internet era
if you must insist on forcing her to like it somehow, do so via compilation videos showing a specific character in a specific light, or music videos (and take care to choose a good one rather than lazy keyword association slop) from an artist she already likes
then let her access one of the series through a streaming service she or the family already use
Thank you. The hit rate on people who actually want their uncles to preach Star Trek to them without being asked is very, very low; people on this sub think it's very high.
That’s a lot of trek for someone that never watched it.
I’d start with the more approachable TNG and then hop around.
Did she actually say she wanted to see any Trek?
Carbon Creek.
Then the first two episodes of Disney's Gargoyles.
Then an episode of Season 2 Beyond Belief Fact or Fiction.
Then some TNG.
Nice list.
Sprinkle in some Reading Rainbow season 4 or 5.
this is actually better than what they asked for 😂
Oh I forgot to add "Those Old Scientists" at the end
I don’t know that Those Old Scientists would make any sense or be quite as enjoyable to someone who hasn’t watched any trek or at most a few episodes. It’s like a love letter to fans who know what’s what.
That's the only full episode of SNW that I always enjoy re-watching lol
I also love that on an episode that was showcasing the hilarity of combining Lower Decks with SNW, they give a lot of love to Enterprise, like A LOT of love haha.
What appeals to her? Like the best recs would be very different depending on what appeals to her.
I agree with this for sure, when I was a kid I liked the more twilight zone style episodes (everyone devolving into ancient species ) and as an adult I like the more emotionally complex episodes (like when Troy’s mother falls in love with the guy who’s society says he had to die at 40) it’s going to depend a lot on what hooks them specifically, also, most of this is pretty old tv and it’s going to be hard to get a kid to pay attention to it
"Admitted" LOL
For Voyager I would nominate:
But honestly, just show her SNW s1e1
I love Blink of an Eye. It was such a beautiful story the way it progressed. The way the episode starts, and the final shot and how the two link back full circle...always makes me emotional.
Balance of Terror.
Errand of Mercy.
Devil in the Dark.
TOS.
This is a perfect list. Devil in the dark is my go to introduction episode for trek.
Devil in the Dark encapsulates so much of why The Original Series was so beloved and remains timeless to this day
Kirk demonstrating his leadership by delegating tasks. Spock and Bones using their science and medical expertise to find solutions to uncertain problems. The Starfleet/Federation motto of rejecting the "shoot first, ask questions later" approach. Just because something looks terrifying and feels alien...doesn't mean finding middle ground is not possible.
Trouble with tribbles should be in there somewhere. Id swap out EoM
Could work since Klingons.
City of the Edge of Forever?
Also what are her likes? What is she interested in? This can help dictate what episodes. For instance, the drum head or measure of a man would be great for those heavy into social justice but may be too heavy for more casual viewing.
Whereas ship in a bottle or the first Moriarty episode might be good ones for a casual watcher.
That’s at least 18 episodes! Maybe go easy on her. The “somekind” montages are a good start
Where did you get 18 episodes from?
Counting Short Treks and Academy, Star Trek is at 13 series, 14 movies, and 1 pod cast
Introducing their niece to 3 episodes of Academy would be a neat trick.
While you can show off your pedantry, it’s pretty obvious they're referring to the “regular” live action TV series: TOS, TNG, DS9, VOY, ENT, DSC, and SNW. That would be 21 episodes, but then, they did say “at least”.
Nothing else would make much sense as an introduction because they all rely too much knowledge of what went before. Seriously, who’s going to consider introducing someone to Star Trek with Picard?
My wife (who hates Star Trek) was hooked by the first 3 episodes of Picard. She checked out by episode 6 because the story took such a sharp left turn and the writing quality went downhill.
Darmok
Too complicated for newbies
“Picard must communicate with aliens via memes he does not understand” is a plot that is easier to understand now then it was back in the ‘90’s
Fwiw, they showed Darmok in my high school English class. Since it's been literally more than 20 years ago, I don't even remember why
But I do remember even I, at the time a stupid punk teenager who thought Star Trek looked corny and dumb, saw that episode and thought it was interesting.
That was really my first exposure to any kind of Trek. Took 17 years to finally give it a chance and boy am I glad I did.
no, as a dive in it's far better than episodes that rely on arcs
the conceit that aliens speak english FOR A REASON is all it takes to get what's going on here
Back when I taught, during a "half day" before a break where many kids didn't even show up, another teacher and I showed this episode to our 8th graders with a half-cocked justification to discuss Picard's use of the "scientific method."
Apart from one kid shouting "Man, she is fine!" when Troi was on screen, the discussion that followed was very good and the kids were able to draw basic parallels between Picard trying to figure out the Tamarian use of metaphor and testing a hypothesis. Most of these kids had never watched Star Trek previously, but they DEFINITELY got the point of the episode, even if it was really just an half-cocked lesson plan to justify showing the episode. ;-)
Good concept show but it's only about Picard.
TNG The Inner Light. Its more emotional, which I think has a higher chance of sucking someone in.
DS9 Duet. Kira goes head to head with a war criminal... with a twist
If I was going to show a newbie a rather heavy DS9 two-hander, I'd go with "Waltz". Same general effect, but not as emotionally heavy. It's further into the story, but if someone likes that huge dose of Sisko and Dukat and wants to find out more about their story, they'll be hooked.
VOY Death Wish. My favorite voyager episode, fave Q episode across all the shows as well.
This is an episode I’ve shown friends who are not into Star Trek and they enjoyed the episode. Whereas, I love that episode.
But is there another episode that would do a good introduction that would provide enough context for what Star Trek actually is, and is still great? Then, follow that episode with the inner light.
If I tried hard enough, i'm sure I could find something.
The episode where Picard has to tell Data "Its possible to do everything right and still lose. That is not weakness, that is life". When he loses space chess to some asshat alien.
There's probably better. That line strikes me is a good one that represents Picard
Another episode to establish Picards character "The measure of a man". Trial about Datas rights etc
Early TNG is so bad in retrospect lol
But that's really one of the best lines across all of Trek. I have to remind myself of that line constantly when I'm at my lowest points
I know what you mean. I watched through every single episode from the first season of TNG once, just once, and never again.
I would show it as the third episode, so she has a chance to understand Picard before that episode rips Picard out of his role.
I'd just show her some of those "Star Trek out of context" videos on YouTube. If that doesn't peak her interest then nothing will.
More to your question though, a lot of the greatest episodes of Trek don't really hit as hard when viewed without any prior knowledge of who the characters are, their relationships to one another, and overarching storylines in the case of shows like DS9.
Pique her interest
I would just show The Naked Time and The Trouble with Tribbles with no context.
The planet killer from TOS, best of both worlds TNG, romulan plot DS9, the equinox VOY. The musical episode SNW. I can't think one particular ENT episode or two partner I would specifically recommend.
City on the Edge of Forever, The Inner Light, The Visitor
TNG: The Offspring
TOS: Miri
VOY: Threshold
Devil in the Dark is possibly the quintessential Star Trek episode across all series.
I honestly think Encounter at Farpoint is completely fine as an introduction to TNG even if it's not the best episode.
DS9 is a lot harder to pin down due to the serialized aspect. This will be a hot take, but I think Rules of Acquisition might work.
Duet, duh
If you show her Trouble with Tribbles, you HAVE to follow up with DS9’s Trials and Tribbles-ations. I’d also recommend DS9’s Far Beyond the Stars.
For SNW: All Those Who Wander, Ad Astra per Aspera, and Terrarium
That would make me never watch trek
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
DS9 "The Visitor". Its about the strong bond between father and son. It will definitely put a tear in your eye.
Show her Star Trek 4.
Encounter at Farpoint first two episodes. Hooked me!
Okay my thing is don't introduce her to the TV shows she can do that if she likes it introduce her first to some films films are shorter but they get the point across the idea I recommend TNG obviously Star Trek first contact and insurrection.
Not sure if her age but some can't get into the older stuff which is okay but the point is the first like the idea of Star Trek I think that's done easier with movies it gives you a window inside the universe let you know if you should explore More.
Opener of SNW
I am not trying to get her to "like" anything. I just want to distill each series into their respective styles. What defines the characters, what problems are encountered and solved not using combat arms, where were "we" going and why.
It's hard to answer for some series like DS9, Disco, and Picard because of the way they were serialized.
I will say though that for TOS, Devil in the Dark stands out right away. For TNG, I would lean toward Darmok or Measure of a Man. For VOY, Blink of an Eye and the episode that featured the Romulan who agrees to try and help the Voyager crew even though he's a sworn enemy of Starfleet, and also displaced by several decades. I forget the title of that episode, but it's a really great one.
For Enterprise, I always loved the more "slice of life" episodes before the Xindi stuff really started to make the show turn into "War on Terror in Space." Episodes like Breaking the Ice and Dear Doctor are some of my favorites from those earlier seasons
I believe that’s “Eye of the Needle”.
Oof. “Dear Doctor” is my least favorite Star Trek episode. Given how divisive that episode is, I wouldn’t recommend using it for trying to convince someone to watch Star Trek.
For DS9, just show the baseball one. It’s at least hilarious.
Jesus Christ no
Of the three series I’ve seen the most:
TNG: The Measure of a Man, The Wounded, I Borg. Two parter honorable mention: Best of both worlds.
DS9: Duet, Hard Time, In the Pale Moonlight. Two parter honorable mention: Emissary. The best pilot in my opinion.
VOY: Death Wish, Distant Origin, Latent Image. Two parter honorable mention: Equinox
These aren’t necessarily my favorites but I feel they do a good job of highlighting each series’ feel.
I have to disagree with measure of a man out of context you won’t properly appreciate that
I mean that’s true of most episodes, but the question of whether or not an artificial life form is truly alive, and Picard’s defense of Data, is a great representation the kind of stories, moralities, and values TNG has to offer.
Sub Rosa
That is all.
And the moral of the story is timeless! If a rape ghost brainwashes you into falling in love with it, it’s ok because he made your grandmother happy.
Gtfo lmao
The problem with the shows that capture the essence of each series lose the punch if you don’t know the background.
if you don’t know who Data is and his relationship to Picard and Riker, Pinocchio’ strings getting cut does not have that emotional gut punch.
There is no shock when Riker orders Worf to fire on Locutus
You don’t understand what Worf truly gives up by accepting discommended (the first time).
Personally… I would introduce her with the Kelvin movies or with the Star Trek 2-3-4 “trilogy”
If you’re going to do movies, I wouldn’t do the Kelvin movies. While I do enjoy them, they’re not really representative of ST as a whole. Surely First Contact would be a better film to introduce a newcomer to Trek?
That's too much, too overwhelming and might actually turn her off.
Why don't you try to just show her the pilots of TNG, DS9 and Voyager and hope that one of them get's her hooked. If one of them does than that's the series to start with.
TNG: Darmok, Cause and Effect, Thine Own Self
Here's my vote for TOS:
The Trouble with Tribbles: It's fun, and you don't need to understand much other than the basic premise of the series to enjoy it.
Space Seed: It's a great character episode with plenty of philosophical questions and a great villain. Plus, once she's seen it you can just skip the first movie and show her Wrath of Khan.
The Doomsday Machine: A classic big idea 1960s sci-fi story with some memorable moments. It's a perfect standalone episode of the show.
Get her hooked on one series, and start with TNG's The Inner Light in season 5.
Mirror, Mirror, Assignment Earth, City on the Edge of Forever (TOS)
Best of Both Worlds Pt 1& 2, The Nth Degree, Times Arrow Pt 1& 2 (TNG)
Year of Hell, Hunters, Scorpion Pt 1 & 2 (Voyager)
The Homecoming & The Circle (2 part series), Little Green Men, The Way of The Warrior. (DS9)
So I think Conundrum is an interesting way to start because it’s got the characters figuring out who they are while amnesiac… and they wouldn’t see the extra character as extra, which would be unique
City on the edge of forever; the inner light; amok time.
For TNG:
Schisms
Night Terrors
Frame of Mind
Just really break the expectations of what Trek is actually like.
TOS : City On The Edge Of Forever
TNG : Measure of a Man
DS9 : In The Pale Moonlight
VOY : Living Witness
ENT : NONE
DISCO : The Hope That Is You
Picard : I mean 'No Win Scenario' , but really NONE
Lower Decks : Entire Series
Prodigy : All The World's A Stage, But really the whole series
SNW : Those Old Scientists
DS9: Children of Time
Voyager: Blink of an Eye, Scorpion parts 1&2.
Enterprise: Carbon Creek, Azati Prime
Strange New Worlds: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
DS9: the great Ferengi.
Maybe skip to Strange New Worlds episode 1. Or maybe the 2009 movie.
Before I recommend episodes, it’d be helpful to know what she likes. Also, I’d suggest that it’d probably be best to start with 3-5 episodes total.
Trouble with Tribbles
Wrath of Khan is the best introduction for new people in my opinion
DS9 Trail and Tribbliations, gives a good amount of depth, good amount of DS9 lore, some TOS Lore.
VOY - blink of an eye
For TOS Balance of Terror, The Trouble with Tribbles, City on the Edge of Forever. For TNG The Best of Both Worlds, The Inner Light, Unification. For DS9 I’d say The Way of The Warrior, The Visitor, In the Pale Moonlight. For Voyager I’d go with Scorpion, Blink of an Eye, Timeless. For Enterprise I’d go with Zero Hour, Carbon Creek, and In a Mirror Darkly. That’s a good foundation before moving onto the new Trek series.
As long as you hit The Trouble With Tribbles from TOS and Trials and Tribble-ations from DS9.
Star Trek: The Animated Series
S01E02 Yesteryear
S01E04 The Lorelei Signal
S01E12 The Time Trap
What are her interests? If she likes upbeat RomComs, then no point showing her In The Pale Moonlight or Best of Both Worlds. If she likes those "home for Christmas" dramas, then Family is on the list. Does she like camp comedy? Shore Leave or Trouble With Tribbles. Political Thrillers? Inter Armin longest name ever... Does she like self inflicted pain and torture, then anything from Discovery's Season One.
I'd have to know more about the mark to tailor the recs.
TOS:
Devil in the Dark, City on the Edge of Forever, Trouble with Tribbles
TNG:
Who Watches the Watchers? Devil's Due, Best of Both Worlds
Voyager:
Blink of an Eye, Counterpoint, Equinox
Progeny Measure of a Man Darmok
Star Trek is at its best when it's exploring the human condition and Data's episodes are perfect for that. Darmok is the perfect expression of communication across barriers.
Star Trek
Balance of Terror, Guardian of Forever and Mirror Mirror
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Measure of a Man, Q Who, Best of Both Worlds
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Duet, The Visitor, In the Pale Moonlight
Star Trek: Voyager
The Pilot, The Thaw, Living Witness
New Trek
Nepenthe (Picard), Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach (Strange New Worlds), Unification Part III (Discovery)
I would also nominate the episode where the crew of Discovery finally meet the Ten-C. I think seeing them develop lines of communications with such a profoundly alien species is one of the most Star Trek moments of New Trek. What better way to show the aspirations of the show than for the crew of Discovery to meet with and learn to communicate with so different a species.
Hard to name single episodes as many of the greatest episodes assume you already know who the characters are.
TOS- The City On The Edge of Forever, The Trouble With Tribbles, All Our Yesterdays
TAS- Yesteryear (I can't think of the titles of 2 more of the animated series)
TNG- The Measure Of A Man, Half A Life, The Inner Light
DS9- Duet, The Visitor, Trials And Tribble-ations
VOY- Timeless, Blink Of An Eye, Lineage
ENT- Broken Bow, Carbon Creek, E2
“City on the Edge of Forever”, TOS “Measure of a Man”, TNG “Duet”, DS9
for a start
Q Who (TNG) Balance of Terror (TOS) Emissary (DS9)
Just do the Wrath of Khan to Voyage Home movie trilogy. That's got everything you need to show what Trek is: space battles, Klingons, time travel capers, and a charismatic cast solving problems and having fun.
Subspace rhapsody
TOS Return to Tomorrow - so that your niece can learn why we’re on the Enterprise.
TNG Measure of a Man.
DS9 - Bar Association - so we learn what kind of ancestors to emulate.
I second Measure of a Man
If you don’t know the relationship between Picard, Riker and Data, Measure of a Man becomes a basic legal drama.
Drumhead would be a much better “legal” episode to use to introduce someone to TNG. You get a show with character based drama, a b-admiral running amuck, a classic Picard moral high ground speech plus his dedication to the crew despite the personal cost is all on display
I tend to try to tailor it to their taste. What kind of stories/characters do they enjoy?
But if they asked me to show what I'd like or thought was the best:
TNG: Measure of a Man, All Good Things
DS9: Far Beyond the Stars, The Visitor
Lower Decks: Second Contact, Three Ships
In most cases, I would recommend skipping TOS and going straight to TNG or DS9, depending on her interests.
From TNG, I would recommend "The Measure of a Man", "Darmok", and "The Inner Light". From DS9, I would recommend "Duet", "The Wire", and "The Visitor". These aren't necessarily my personal top-three stories, but they capture the themes of their respective series very well, they don't require much foreknowledge of the setting, and they're character studies that showcase performances that hold up 30+ years later, as opposed to special effects that maybe don't. And they are very good.
This is a good list.
Id add VOY: Blink of an eye SNW : Under the cloak of war DS9: Necessary Evil
I would probably not try to get someone interested in DS9 with three extremely heavy, small-cast episodes.
I would recommend not introducing her to it that way. Have her start with lower decks and she vibes on that see if she wants to see the more dramatic parts of the universe.
Lower decks would make me never watch trek again
I'm a fan, but it's no place to start.
I agree with the majority - 3 episodes is the most you should watch total, not per show!
In the past two years, I've gotten 3 new people into Star Trek. I showed them all the same three episodes first:
Swashbuckling Star Trek: 1. Strange New Worlds s1e7 - The Serene Squall 2. Lower Decks s2e3 - We'll Always Have Tom Paris 3. Strange New Worlds s2e7 - Those Old Scientists * 4. (Optional) The Next Generation s7e14 - Sub Rosa **
The total runtime is under 3 hours, all of the episodes are light hearted, and the pirate theme helps newbies.
Don't forget to report back to let us know what you picked, and how your niece liked it! Happy Holidays!!!
*(It works best when the crossover is a surprise. It's easy to queue up the episode and skip ahead while everyone is taking a break. But if you're not meeting in person to watch, this might be difficult.)
**(Because I don't want to get any flak for not including legacy Trek, lol. I can't believe it either, but all three of my New-Fan-Friends LOVE this episode. We watch it together every Halloween!)
Lol I can't believe I got downvotes for this. To each their own, I guess.
Happy holidays ya filthy animals!!!
...don't
we are not confined to such broad strokes in the internet era
if you must insist on forcing her to like it somehow, do so via compilation videos showing a specific character in a specific light, or music videos (and take care to choose a good one rather than lazy keyword association slop) from an artist she already likes
then let her access one of the series through a streaming service she or the family already use
Thank you. The hit rate on people who actually want their uncles to preach Star Trek to them without being asked is very, very low; people on this sub think it's very high.
The first 2 parter of each next generation series.
Also Enterprise.
If none of that works, try Babylon5.
TOS - City on the Edge of Forever, Trouble With Tribbles, Balance of Terror
TNG - Measure of a Man, Sins of the Father, Yesterday’s Enterprise
DS9 - In the Pale Moonlight, The Visitor, The Siege of AR-558
Unfortunately, Ive not seen Voyager enough times to decide on decent episodes. I find the series underwhelming.
Enterprise - The Andorian Incident, Damage, Twilight