Been trying to get my spouse into Star Trek for years.

Started with The Orville, which she loved. Just finished Strange New Worlds, which she also really enjoyed. She also watched a few episodes of Discovery but didn't get hooked on as much. Can't blame her.

Now that I've broken her in, in a manner of speaking, I'm thinking about going for Voyager next. She's seen me watch a bunch of TNG and by default, watched them as well, and doesn't seem to mind it but I think that Janeway is probably going to be her favorite captain.

It may be a bit of a meme, but Darmok. Genuinely beautiful episode.

Both of mine are from TNG.

The Drumhead - An explosion prompts an impromptu trial mimicking "drumhead" trials which occur on battlefields.

Measure of a Man - Data is placed in trial and his humanity is questioned as Starfleet attempts to confiscate him as "property".

The Wounded - Very relevant today. A Starfleet captain destroys a ship full of Cardassians on the basis that they're preparing for war.

Captain Picard learns to play the flute the hard way episode

Measure of a man or drumhead are a good pick, if that someone is more into diplomatic people-in-rooms-talking stories

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the Corbomite Maneuver is the most Star Trek episode of Star Trek and it was somehow just the 3rd to be produced.

How about The Trouble With Tribbles. Has intrigue, diplomatic tension, and adorable problematic creatures.

“Yesterday‘s Enterprise”

I can’t really explain why. But those who have seen it will know.

Also, nice wordplay in the episode title

@thorhop this is going to sound crazy, but I showed my kids TNG's Rascals when they we're like 6 and 8. It's pretty self contained, not scary, and has plenty of funny moments while introducing the ship and world.

It went over pretty well!

it depends on the person you want to introduce to Star Trek.

My first episode was cause and effect, when I was maybe 15 years old. I loved it and immediately wanted more.

but these days honestly I would choose something from SNW, something that does not require too much previous knowledge. Through the Lens of Time or maybe Charades if they want something lighter.

Voyager: “Nemesis”

This is actually a very interesting pick - I tend to think it's a mistake to try to start someone on an episode that would be considered among "the best," since after that there's nowhere to go but down. "Nemesis" fits the bill of something that's reasonably interesting without being spectacular.

I'm very bad at answering the core question, but I think the beauty of the franchise is that it has a little of everything to offer, and you can tailor recommendations to the person's tastes.

Do they like medical dramas? Procedural mysteries? Musicals? Gritty war stories? There's something in there for everyone.

DS9 - The Magnificent Ferengi

TNG - Best of both worlds. Just start them off with the first part, they’ll come back for the second. Now you’ve got em hooked.

Subspace Rhapsody - I just love how hard they leaned into it

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.

TNG - Cause and Effect. Classic TNG problem solving on display in full force.

DS9 - Past Prologue

TOS - Doomsday Machine or Balance of Terror

I would steer clear of Enterprise in general because the show really hinges on familiarity with TOS and/or TNG, but i would doubly stay away from Cogenitor. If that was my first Trek episode, it certainly would have been my last

I'd echo hayvan that TOS "Trouble with Tribbles" is a safe bet, very silly on the surface but has all the trappings of good Trek. if that (or TOS in general) is too cheesy, SNW "Ad Astra Per Aspera" is more modern and more serious episode that's still very representative of Trek as a whole

do movies count? i would go with wrath of khan and then part 4 -- i feel like if someone enjoys those 2 then they'd want to start at the beginning and go through all of it

• TNG: "The Survivors"

https://youtube.com/watch?v=SDrABWb9VIQ

I traded episodes with someone once. I would watch some lower decks and she would watch some TNG. I found Lower Decks cynical and obnoxious, so I went with examples of the aspirational mood that I admired from TNG.

Measure of a Man puts treating someone as a person and with dignity should be more important than the utility (the researcher wanting to study Data), reasonableness (Riker's proof that Data wasn't alive), or personal feelings and relationships (Picard and the judge's history).

Darmok is the Federation on a small scale. Seeking understanding even when that comes with risk, even in situations that seem hostile. Silicon Avatar does the same with a sharper contrast, but it doesn't have all the memes.

The person I traded with understood from those why I didn't like Lower Decks and really enjoyed the episodes. I don't think it was enough to get her to watch more, but I'm still satisfied with having shown someone those two.

One word, puppets.

🤯