Summary
The sheer size of theStar Trekuniverse is part of the reason that the franchise continues to endure. The franchise charts humanity’s earliest voyages tothe distant post-Burn future. Countless episodes, novels, and video games have contributed to this mythos since the first episodes ofStar Trekin the mid-1960s.
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Yet while this complex universe means that fans always have something to explore (and to argue about), it can be difficult to know where to start. Do newcomers go back to the failed pilot, dip into the high points ofThe Next Generation, or watch in chronological order? Just as there are many alien species, there are many routes intoTrek.
6"The Cage" (Unaired Pilot)
Long before Anson Mount would earn the adoration of fans for his performance as Captain Christopher Pike, the character appeared in “The Cage,” Gene Roddenberry’s original pilot for his “wagon train to the stars” concept. Here played by Jeffrey Hunter, Pike is captured by the powerful Talosians, telepathic beings capable of creating life-like illusions. “The Cage” is a well-made introduction toStar Trek’s universe, althoughthe quasi-Satanic Mr. Spockand a cold and competent female character led to the network asking for a replacement. There were also concerns that the pilot was too cerebral.
Footage from “The Cage” was reused inThe Original Series' two-part story “The Menagerie” as a cost-cutting exercise. It is this fact that counts again startingStar Trekwith “The Cage,” as viewers will effectively watch the story twice in quick succession if they continue withThe Original Series. As such, newcomers may prefer to skip the unaired pilot. Those that choose to watch it, however, are likely to enjoy the experience.
5"The City On The Edge Of Forever" (The Original Series)
The Original Serieshas several “first episodes,” including the failed Jeffrey Hunter-led pilot “The Cage” and “The Man Trap,” which was the first episode actually broadcast.TOSdoes not have an episode explicitly detailing the premise of the series. Viewers are dropped straight into the five-year mission oftheStarship Enterprise.
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While this can be confusing, it also means that newcomers can pick the show up wherever they please. Harlan Ellison’s classic “City on the Edge of Forever” is often considered to be one of the franchise’s finest entries, and offers viewers a good sense of theStar Trektropes: Kirk the dashing romantic; Spock the loyal friend; a heartrending ethical quandary. “The City on the Edge of Forever” may be more interested in exploring the lives of the regular cast than in seeking out new beings and new civilizations, but it isStar Trekat its best.
4"Broken Bow" (Star Trek: Enterprise)
The much-malignedStar Trek: Enterprisehad the misfortune of killing TVTrekfor over a decade. This has resulted in its poor reputation, although much of this is undeserved (the failure ofStar Trek: Nemesisshould perhaps hold the lion’s share of the blame). WhileStar Trek: Enterpriserarely reaches the heights of theStar Trekshows that came before it, it offers an excellent entry point for new fans.
3"Lost And Found" (Star Trek: Prodigy)
WhileStar Trekonce offered fun for all the family, the grungy, sweary nature of more recent series makes them unsuitable for introducing younger fans to the franchise. This issue was solved with the release ofProdigy, the firstStar Trekseries aimed specifically at a younger audience. Rather than focusing on an adult Starfleet crew, the animated series thrusts a crew of teenage misfits into the spotlight as they discover an experimental Federation vessel, theProtostar. In “Lost and Found,” the impulsive alien Dal commandeers theProtostarwith the help of his friends and escapes captivity.
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Despite its kid-focus,Prodigyhas plenty to offer older fans. Multiple cameos byStar Treklegends (everybody from Lieutenant Uhura tothe shapeshifting Constable Odohas appeared in the show, thanks to archival voice samples) and a series that doesn’t talk down to its viewers mean thatProdigycan be enjoyed by parents as well as children. As such, it offers a perfect entry point into the franchise for the next generation of potential fans.
2"The Vulcan Hello" (Star Trek: Discovery)
Star Trek: Discoverylaunched the spacefaring franchise into the streaming era when it debuted in 2017. Although this edgier iteration ofTrekhas divided the fanbase, the truth is that “The Vulcan Hello” is more about courting newcomers to the franchise than pleasing older fans. This results in a series that plays fast and loose withStar Trek’s lore, conventions, and aesthetics. WhetherDiscovery’s embrace of grimdark storytelling isa betrayal of Gene Roddenberry’s utopian visionor a smart way to increase streaming numbers, the strategy has proven successful.
“The Vulcan Hello” acts as an explosive crash course on the world ofStar Trek. The basics are stylishly delivered: the Federation, the Klingons, and Starfleet and its ships. Rather than introducing an ensemble cast, “The Vulcan Hello"focuses on Michael Burnham(Sonequa Martin-Green), the first officer of the USSShenzhou. Burnham’s actions throughout the pilot establish not only her character but also the arc of the series, culminating in a full-scale war between the Federation and the Klingon Empire.Discovery’s pilot may be divisive, but it’s a great jumping-on point for fans who like their sci-fi dark and their heroes flawed.
1"Encounter At Farpoint” (The Next Generation)
EvenStar Trek’s most ardent fans will admit that its shows can take a while to find their feet. This is certainly true ofThe Next Generation, which often stumbles in its first season. Episodes like “Code of Honor” and “Angel One” are more likely to deter newcomers than convince them, and even the feature-length pilot “Encounter At Farpoint” is not without its issues. The pace is sometimes crushingly slow, and Captain Picard is overly brusque. Nonetheless, it provides an excellent introduction to Starfleet in the 24th century—as well asa truly memorable villain.
The pilot’s length allows it to properly introduce and develop the series' cast and world while also finding time for a classicStar Trekplot involving an unknown alien race.TNGalso provides an entry point for fans used to high-definition media: the remastered episodes look far more modern than other shows of the time, whose low resolution can be distracting to modern eyes. Yet perhaps the best reason to start withThe Next Generationis because it lays the foundations for subsequent ninetiesStar Trekshows, likeDeep Space NineandVoyager.
