Star Trek TV series(es) - general discussion of the franchise

[Buddy Bradley]

Okay, so after Discovery I've got back into ST and am really looking forward to watching Picard next year. But what else do I need to catch up on before then, in order to understand the backstory/lore and get the most out of it? Obviously watching the entirety of TNG/DS9/Voyager/Enterprise isn't likely to happen, but are there any recommendations for essential stuff to catch up on?

I have the first 10 films on DVD, if that helps...

 

[ruffneck23]

best of both worlds part 1 & 2 , TNG episodes for a start.

 

[strung out]

Okay, so after Discovery I've got back into ST and am really looking forward to watching Picard next year. But what else do I need to catch up on before then, in order to understand the backstory/lore and get the most out of it? Obviously watching the entirety of TNG/DS9/Voyager/Enterprise isn't likely to happen, but are there any recommendations for essential stuff to catch up on?

I have the first 10 films on DVD, if that helps...

Given some of the stuff in the trailer, I'm guessing you'll want to watch all the Borg stuff from TNG and Voyager. For general stuff around the state of play in the Federation, the whole Dominion war of DS9 (plus associated Klingon, Romulan, Cardassian politics episodes) would be both useful and also encompass the best that Trek has to offer.

Annoyingly, you might also want to watch Star Trek 2009 to get a handle on why the Romulan Empire is in such a shit state post TNG, along with (shudder) Star Trek Nemesis.

 

[cybershot]

Okay, so after Discovery I've got back into ST and am really looking forward to watching Picard next year. But what else do I need to catch up on before then, in order to understand the backstory/lore and get the most out of it? Obviously watching the entirety of TNG/DS9/Voyager/Enterprise isn't likely to happen, but are there any recommendations for essential stuff to catch up on?

I have the first 10 films on DVD, if that helps...

DS9 probably isnt going to have much impact on the Picard series (I could be wrong, poster above says watch it)

You'll probably need to watch TNG borg episodes, First Contact, Nemesis, VOY Borg episodes at a minimum, and maybe read the Star Trek: Countdown graphic novel I think is now classed as 'canon' but it's not 100% and this series may blow that out the window, but it goes into greater detail to explain the demise of Romulus before the first reboot film and how Spock Prime end up in the Kelvin timeline.

 

[danny la rouge]

TNG S2: E9 the Measure of a Man
TNG S3:E26 & S4:E1 the Best of Both Worlds
TNG S4:E11 Data’s Day

VOY - I'd suggest trying to watch all of series 4-7. It’s easily the best Trek outside of the best of TOS. But if you don’t have time, you’ll have to try and see -

VOY S3:E26 & S4:E1 Scorpions
VOY S5: E15&16 Dark Frontier (not a fan of the Borg Queen concept, but given that she was introduced by TNG, she had to feature, and aside from that, this is a vital story).

But overall, Seven of Nine resuscitated VOY, and you should probably find a list of all her big stories.

I’d skip DS9. It doesn’t seem to apply to this trailer, and it’s by far the worst Trek series, although it has its moments (notably the Tribbles episode, although Sisko spoils every scene he’s in with his terrible timing).

 

[strung out]

Voyager is shocking

(for the most part anyway, it has a few good episodes)

 

[danny la rouge]

Voyager is shocking

Disagree strongly. It’s great.

 

[ruffneck23]

I’d skip DS9. It doesn’t seem to apply to this trailer, and it’s by far the worst Trek series, although it has its moments (notably the Tribbles episode, although Sisko spoils every scene he’s in with his terrible timing).

wrong!

 

[danny la rouge]

wrong!

You think Sisko can act? I beg to differ.

 

[ruffneck23]

wasnt saying that, should have clarified , DS 9 is my favourite of the series, Enterprise was the worst IMO

 

[danny la rouge]

wasnt saying that, should have clarified , DS 9 is my favourite of the series, Enterprise was the worst IMO

I don’t get the ENT hate. I grew to quite like it. I’d say, in order:

TOS (for starting it all)
VOY
DISCO
TNG
ENT





DS9

 

[ruffneck23]

well youre quite riight to have an opinion, I just dont agree with it, but it would be a boring old world if we all agreed

 

[danny la rouge]

well youre quite riight to have an opinion, I just dont agree with it, but it would be a boring old world if we all agreed

Also, I didn’t watch them as they aired: I caught up on everything post TOS (and post TAS) in the last couple of years, by binge watching on Netflix. So I’m not thinking back fondly to TNG or whatever in the context of how it seemed compared to the TV of the time as it aired, because I didn’t see it in its era.

 

[strung out]

Also, I didn’t watch them as they aired: I caught up on everything post TOS (and post TAS) in the last couple of years, by binge watching on Netflix. So I’m not thinking back fondly to TNG or whatever in the context of how it seemed compared to the TV of the time as it aired, because I didn’t see it in its era.

You're wrong about DS9 though, it's the best TV show of all the Star Trek series, and possibly of all time on television generally.

 

[danny la rouge]

You're wrong about DS9 though, it's the best TV show of all the Star Trek series, and possibly of all time on television generally.

I found it hadn’t dated well. It was very soap-like, and the phantasy stuff was way over the top. (Fight scenes where people fire beams out of their hands is not sci fi. It’s magic). And Sisko was terrible. And the mirror universe stuff was embarrassing.

 

[kabbes]

Even at the time it suffered poorly in comparison to Babylon 5

 

[strung out]

I don't think I can handle two of my favourite posters being mean about DS9

 

[kabbes]

I actually liked it at the time but I haven’t rewatched it. I just preferred B5 a lot.

 

[maomao]

And Sisko was terrible.

Yes but often captivating nonetheless.

 

[danny la rouge]

Yes but often captivating nonetheless.

I feel I should back down because strung out was nice about me.

 

[Ax^]

I don’t get the ENT hate. I grew to quite like it. I’d say, in order:

TOS (for starting it all)
VOY
DISCO
TNG
ENT





DS9

Shut up Wesley

 

[Ax^]

So watched the Picard trailer

so little girl is a proto borg queen

looks mucho fun

 

[danny la rouge]

Shut up Wesley

If that’s a dig at my jumper...

 

[Ax^]

one other thing, the data scene look a bit like a holo deck simulation

data appeared like he was still on the enterprise..

 

[DexterTCN]

Even at the time it suffered poorly in comparison to Babylon 5

The greatest.

 

[Ax^]

Meh

 

[DexterTCN]

Meh

So say we all.

 

[Buddy Bradley]

View attachment 178293
The greatest.

Just started the final season of this, actually, thus my question about what ST to watch next. It'll be nice to watch something without random sexy scenes popping up unexpectedly when watching it on the plane...

 

[SpookyFrank]

Just started the final season of this, actually, thus my question about what ST to watch next. It'll be nice to watch something without random sexy scenes popping up unexpectedly when watching it on the plane...

DS9 had the same showrunner as BSG for much of its run and addresses similar themes so yeah, that one.

 

[SpookyFrank]

Also don't get your hopes up for that final season of BSG.

Spoiler

God turns out to be, um, Bob Dylan.