[Lava Lamp Freak]

Now that Enterprise is over, I'm ready to start on the other Trek series. I've seen the first season of TNG, and various reruns from elder seasons. I watched all of the last season of Voyager, but have only seen some reruns from the earlier seasons. I've never watched a single episode of DS9. So, I'm ready to watch all of DS9 and Voyager, but don't know where to start. Is there a certain point of TNG that will prepare me for DS9, and then a certain point of DS9 that will have caught me up to Voyager?

[Lateralus]

TNG, DS9 and Voyager are all independant of each other for the most part, oddly enough. The closest things to a tie in are guest appearances in pilot episodes for a kick off and references to Wolf 359.

That said, skip Voyager. It sucked.

Just blow through TNG and DS9 from beginning to end with a religious fervor, then repeat.

[Kilbey]

Start with "Star Trek: the Voyage Home" and then watch "Star Trek: The Wrath of Kahn." EVERYTHING will be better afterwards.

"Computer... computer..."

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by Lateralus

That said, skip Voyager. It sucked.

There were a few good episodes of Voyager. Just as there were some terrible episodes of DS9 and TNG.

The episodes of Voyager that Jamahl Epsicokhan (aka Jammer) of Star Trek: Hypertext gave 3 1/2 to 4 stars (out of 4) were:

Season 1: Prime Factors (3 1/2 stars), State of Flux (3 1/2 stars), Faces (3 1/2 stars)

Season 2: Projections (4 stars), Resistance (3 1/2 stars), Death Wish (3 1/2 stars), Lifesigns (3 1/2 stars)

Season 3: Remember (3 1/2 stars), Future's End Part 1 (3 1/2 stars... Part II only got 2 1/2), Unity (3 1/2 stars), Before and After (3 1/2 stars), Scorpion Part 1 (4 stars... Part II got 3 stars)

Season 4: Prey (3 1/2 stars), Living Witness (4 stars)

Season 5: Drone (4 stars), Timeless (4 stars), Someone to Watch Over Me (3 1/2 stars)

Season 6: Barge of the Dead (4 stars), Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy (3 1/2 stars), One Small Step (3 1/2 stars), Pathfinder (4 stars), Muse (3 1/2 stars), Life Line (3 1/2 stars)

Season 7: Flesh and Blood, parts I and II (3 1/2 stars), Lineage (3 1/2 stars), Workforce Part I (3 1/2 stars... Part II got 3 stars), Author Author (4 stars)

Jammer is not your typical "Star Trek Fanboy" reviewer. He is very critical and picky about the shows he reviews. I love his blunt sense of humor. He gave Threshold from season 2 zero stars, and that was after initially giving it only half a star.

[JoshuaZ]

Voyager was ok. I mean, every Trek series sucked for the first couple of seasons anyhow. DS9 in very under appreciated. TNG is worshiped.

Khaaan!

[andreas_g4]

Waht I liked most about TNG is Data and Picard. I think they got Data really good. I like his character because it's not overdone but an intelligent reflection on mankind himself. We all know how bad androids can get: C3PO.

[Gamoe]

True Star Trek is the original and TNG. A good derivative work is Voyager. DS9 did not represent Gene Roddenberry's ideals, and I do not consider Star Trek. Enterprise was sad and boring, and definitely not Trek.

My advice: Watch the original (and keep it in perspective, and the time it was done in), and TNG. TNG was the pinnacle of Star Trek. Lots of good stuff there.

[brutal]

I never liked DS9, so I'd skip that.

[OreoCookie]

I very much preferred DS9 to Voyager.

[d.fine]

I love TNG and Voyager. DS9 never caught my attention, didn't like it, and Enterprise sucked. It was like a bad copy of something. Didn't like it. But that's just me. After all the first episodes of any Season 1 were kinda funny.
I'd totally recommend watching TNG, and Voyager afterwards. Don't know why but it makes sense to me. I do remember (not exactly) some references in Voyager to discoveries or certain events from TNG. I'd watch them in that order.
Enjoy

[Gamoe]

Originally Posted by d.fine

I do remember (not exactly) some references in Voyager to discoveries or certain events from TNG. I'd watch them in that order.
Enjoy

There were even references to TOS, which was a nice homage, but at the same time it sometimes seemed to me that they did so in order to relate more to the origina Star Trek, to feed of its iconic image.

[starman]

You might as well watch everything in chronological order: TOS, Movies, TNG, DS9.

And yes, I actually like ST:TMP.

Mike

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

DS9 is the best and other than the pilot it doesn't connect to the other series at all. Which is a good thing.

[ranga]

If you haven't seen any of the original series (TOS), I'd save that for last. Watching TOS after seeing the newer series helps you appreciate how much good story matters in comparison to special effects and CG.

I'd start w/ TNG and watch the whole thing b/c the later shows build on events that took place in TNG. The first two seasons of TNG are not memorable, but starting w/ season 3, the show was great. I personally don't think it was as good as TOS but that is b/c I didn't like Picard (I prefer Kirk and Sisko who were more action oriented, though Picard comes close in First Contact), Troi, Riker or Wesley. TNG had a lot of good recurring characters (Ensign Ro, Lt. Barkley, Lore, Keiko, &c.) which made the series interesting.

I'd watch DS9 next b/c it takes place during and after TNG from a "historical" point of view. DS9 took about 3 seasons to get to the point that it was watchable and the last season wasn't that great. Some say the series was not watchable at all but I personally like seasons 4, 5 and 6.

When the show was on the air, I always thought that DS9 was a bad copy of B5, but when I watched it on DVD I actually found that I prefered most of DS9 to B5. What I found likeable about DS9 was the fact that there were humorous/frivolous episodes (ex. Trials and Tribbleations and Who mourns for Morn?) interspresed w/ the serious episodes. This reminded me of TOS - a show which did not take itself too seriously (TNG was often a bit too serious for me).

If you end up liking DS9 and you like games, I'd try to get a copy of DS9: The Fallen. It is a fun game where you get to play the same "episode" from Sisko, Worf and Kira's perspectives. It is very well done.

I would watch Voyager after DS9. I only watched the first 2 seasons of Voyager regularly. I couldn't get into Voyager b/c I didn't like the characters (other than the Doctor). The addition of 7 of 9 seemed to improve things, but from the episodes that I saw they didn't really expand her character well.

In terms of the movies, I'd watch 1-4 in order. I'd skip 5 (Final Frontier) and go right to 6 (Undiscovered Country). Final Frontier is a very bad movie. When you get around to watching it, I'd plan on watching Galaxy Quest soon after so that you can get a good laugh.

The TNG movies are pretty bad with the exception of First Contact, which I would watch after watching Undiscovered Country.

After you finish watching all that Star Trek if you find yourself wanting more, I would get a copy of "The Return" by Shatner from your local library. Non-spolier plot synopsis - Kirk returns from the dead and kicks butt. What more could a fan want?

--ranga

[Voch]

Originally Posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker

DS9 is the best and other than the pilot it doesn't connect to the other series at all. Which is a good thing.

There was at least one Q appearance and the return of Riker (no...the other one...not to give it away ). But it's easy to absorb.

I'd watch 'em like they came out (well, sorta...the movies overlapped the series in spots): TOS, movies "Motion Picture (1)" through "Undiscovered Country (6)", TNG, movies "Generations (7)" through "Nemesis(10)", DS9 (my personal favorite too), VOY, and ENT. You can stick in the Animated Series between TOS and the movies if you want...I've never seen 'em but have them on a tape somewhere...

This is how I plan to tell my uncle to watch 'em. He's only seen TOS and the movies "Motion Picture" through "Generations" (he probably had no clue who Picard was in ST:Generations).

Voch

[hotani]

you could go chronological - TOS, TNG, DS9, Voyager

As others have said, Voyager has some weak moments but is still worth watching I think. It has its strong points for sure. My personal favorites are TNG and DS9. Took me a while to warm up to DS9, now I think of it as one of the best series of them all.

I'm currently working thru Voyager - gotta love Netflix.

I still haven't sat down and watched all of TOS... maybe one day.

[Gamoe]

Originally Posted by ranga

The first two seasons of TNG are not memorable

I digress! It's true that things changed after the third season-- the characters become more familiar with each other, things become more natural and "flow" more. But I enjoyed pre-season 3 episodes as well, and it builds on the characters.... Picard gradually becomes more comfortable with the crew after season 3, but its fun to watch the change. It's like relationships in real-life... things are always kind of different in the beginning and then you become more familiar and comfortable with a person as time goes on.

For example, one of my favorite episodes, which is quite early on, is "Where No One Has Gone Before" (a homage to the original series as it shares the name with one of its episodes). "Datalore", and "Conspiracy" were also classic great episodes, and these are just in season 1.

A summary of all TNG episodes

It's true that many of the movies are really for fans. But, if you're going to watch all Trek, watch all of them too, in order (and yes, there was overlapping, but watch the original series, the original series movies, TNG, TNG movies, skip DS9 (or watch it if you're curious-- But it IS NOT Star Trek!), then Voyager). You get a feeling of how things evolve in Star Trek that way.

Generations was not a bad movie. It might not have been the greatest, but it wasn't bad. And, it has the sort of emotional stuff (the Nexus, Picard's dream world) that really gets you in touch with the Star Trek spirit and the character. First Contact was somewhat darker than most Star Trek, but it was quite a good movie. The only one I cannot recommend in Nemesis.

It disregards Star Trek history, and in my opinion is not Star Trek either. The characters look like their too old (specially Riker!), it's repetitive (borrowing from the original Trek movies- though its not the only one), Worf is a wuss (Oh, Romulan Ale-- snap out of it, you girly Klingon!!), and the movie just loses that special Star Trek spirit. I have completely disregarded Nemesis. I saw it once, was very disappointed and never want to see it again (unlike any other Trek movie).

[nforcer]

Originally Posted by Lateralus

Just blow through TNG and DS9 from beginning to end with a religious fervor, then repeat.

I second this.

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

DS9 in very under appreciated. TNG is worshiped.

Indeed.

Originally Posted by hotani

Took me a while to warm up to DS9, now I think of it as one of the best series of them all.

Same.

[ink]

I love DS9. TNG is OK. Voyager is OK.

[ink]

Originally Posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker

DS9 is the best and other than the pilot it doesn't connect to the other series at all. Which is a good thing.

It has Troy's mother (in 3 episodes?), Picard, Riker's brother, Worf (and all the assorted Klingons from TNG, including Alex, the "sisters" and such), and Tuvok. Plus some of the concepts (like the Maqui) are used in other series.

But I must agree, DS9 is the most entertaining; with the best actors.

Thank god it doesn't have the Borg or Kirk in it.

[Lateralus]

[Gamoe]

DS9 was not Trek. If you hold DS9 in better regard than TNG or TOS (for its time), then it is not Star Trek you like, but rather one of the (less close in spirit) derivatives that came after. Furthermore, the DS9 characters are not as likable as the TNG or TOS characters, and there was no better actor than Patrick Stewart in DS9. Don't even try to tell me that Sisko's heart attack moments were better than Picard's speeches or shining moments.

[TailsToo]

Voyager was ok, as was DS9, but I didn't care for TNG much.

[Lateralus]

Originally Posted by Gabriel Morales

DS9 was not Trek. If you hold DS9 in better regard than TNG or TOS (for its time), then it is not Star Trek you like, but rather one of the (less close in spirit) derivatives that came after. Furthermore, the DS9 characters are not as likable as the TNG or TOS characters, and there was no better actor than Patrick Stewart in DS9. Don't even try to tell me that Sisko's heart attack moments were better than Picard's speeches or shining moments.

I'm sorry but...

[jcadam]

Originally Posted by Gabriel Morales

I digress! It's true that things changed after the third season-- the characters become more familiar with each other, things become more natural and "flow" more. But I enjoyed pre-season 3 episodes as well, and it builds on the characters.... Picard gradually becomes more comfortable with the crew after season 3, but its fun to watch the change. It's like relationships in real-life... things are always kind of different in the beginning and then you become more familiar and comfortable with a person as time goes on.

For example, one of my favorite episodes, which is quite early on, is "Where No One Has Gone Before" (a homage to the original series as it shares the name with one of its episodes). "Datalore", and "Conspiracy" were also classic great episodes, and these are just in season 1.

A summary of all TNG episodes

It's true that many of the movies are really for fans. But, if you're going to watch all Trek, watch all of them too, in order (and yes, there was overlapping, but watch the original series, the original series movies, TNG, TNG movies, skip DS9 (or watch it if you're curious-- But it IS NOT Star Trek!), then Voyager). You get a feeling of how things evolve in Star Trek that way.

Generations was not a bad movie. It might not have been the greatest, but it wasn't bad. And, it has the sort of emotional stuff (the Nexus, Picard's dream world) that really gets you in touch with the Star Trek spirit and the character. First Contact was somewhat darker than most Star Trek, but it was quite a good movie. The only one I cannot recommend in Nemesis.

It disregards Star Trek history, and in my opinion is not Star Trek either. The characters look like their too old (specially Riker!), it's repetitive (borrowing from the original Trek movies- though its not the only one), Worf is a wuss (Oh, Romulan Ale-- snap out of it, you girly Klingon!!), and the movie just loses that special Star Trek spirit. I have completely disregarded Nemesis. I saw it once, was very disappointed and never want to see it again (unlike any other Trek movie).

Indeed, Nemesis truly sucks. See Mike Wong's synopsis.

[ranga]

Originally Posted by Gabriel Morales

For example, one of my favorite episodes, which is quite early on, is "Where No One Has Gone Before" (a homage to the original series as it shares the name with one of its episodes). "Datalore", and "Conspiracy" were also classic great episodes, and these are just in season 1.

I agree that the first season had several good episodes, however as a whole its not that memorable for me. I dislike the second season b/c the stories weren't that good and they replaced Dr. Crusher w/ Dr. Pulaski. For some reason I never liked Dr. Pulaski.

Originally Posted by Gabriel Morales

Generations was not a bad movie. It might not have been the greatest, but it wasn't bad. And, it has the sort of emotional stuff (the Nexus, Picard's dream world) that really gets you in touch with the Star Trek spirit and the character. First Contact was somewhat darker than most Star Trek, but it was quite a good movie. The only one I cannot recommend in Nemesis.

The only reason I didn't like Generations is because of the way that Kirk got killed. It should have been more dramatic.

I'm not sure I agree that First Contact was a "darker" Star Trek than most. It had some of the funniest lines of any of the movies, like when Dr. Crusher says 'Do you think they will build another one?' after enabling the Enterprise's self destruct and Picard says 'Plenty of letters left in the alphabet.'

I agree about Nemesis, it was a terrible movie - I can't believe I paid money to watch it.

Originally Posted by ink

Thank god it doesn't have the Borg or Kirk in it.

This is only partially correct - DS9 doesn't have the Borg but Kirk appears in the epsiode Trials and Tribbleations. I still have one of the promo Tribbles that UPN gave out when that episode aired.

--ranga

[starman]

Originally Posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker

DS9 is the best and other than the pilot it doesn't connect to the other series at all. Which is a good thing.

Uh, WORF?

[OreoCookie]

And Chief O'Brien, his wife Keiko, the Riker clone in one of the episodes, I see plenty of connections.

[budster101]

Whatever order you watch them in, just make sure you have headphones on and your eyes closed for the best experience... Star Trek movies suck.

Just my .02

[Sven G]

The original series was by far the best one, IMHO: maybe, sometimes, a little on the conservative and pseudo-moralistic side, but definitely unique...

[budster101]

pseudo-moralistic? Jesus. It was a launching vehicle for a liberal agenda and a utopian society that had no place for religion of any kind, unless it was some idiotic freaking ritual performed by the klingons, who were the scourge of the galaxy...

Of course at the time, I did enjoy it, and the cast was superb for what crap they delt with...

[starman]

Originally Posted by budster101

pseudo-moralistic? Jesus. It was a launching vehicle for a liberal agenda and a utopian society that had no place for religion of any kind, unless it was some idiotic freaking ritual performed by the klingons, who were the scourge of the galaxy...

Of course at the time, I did enjoy it, and the cast was superb for what crap they delt with...

Wow. You didn't watch Star Trek, did you?

[budster101]

Yes, I did. Did you?

[starman]

You must have been watching something else.

[Sven G]

Maybe because, in the '60s, religion was seen as rather obsolete?

I said pseudo-moralistic, for example, because of episodes like The way to Eden, where the young people's (maybe too) idealistic views are seen in a rather pessimistic and conservative way (and, paradoxically, it's Spock, there, who is the most sympathetic figure).

Liberal agenda and utopian society? All in all, that was the - very cool and human, IMHO! - spirit of those times, anyway. Good: when are we beginning to build upon Star Trek's positive suggestions...?

[budster101]

I realize the "Federation" represented the US and Capitalism, and "The Klingons' represented the red scare of Communism, but look at the show and the different situations exhibited? You bring up the "Way to Eden" which was on my mind when I posted what I did.

Now they are introducing lesbians, etc. into the mix of Star Trek.

The story continues into it's demise. Gladly.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by budster101

Now they are introducing lesbians, etc. into the mix of Star Trek.

Attractive lesbians are sexy. Besides, I think Dax was bi. Hotness!

[budster101]

Ok, point taken. Lesbians are hot... (Lipstick variety)