Which three episodes to introduce TNG

[Salinga]

I wonder which three episodes of TNG, in which order, would be best to introduce TNG to someone new? Which would make someone be interested in watching more/all of the show?

The selection is not easy, since you cannot just take the first three of season one, since they don't show the full quality of the complete show. But if you select later episodes, they should reflect the quality/variety of TNG but not give away too much of the character development and history of the show (no spoilers, for example regarding Tasha Yar).

My suggestions:

1. 3.4 - "Who watches the watchers?"
Using the point of view of the Mintaka's to introduce the crew and its philosphy.
2. 2.3 - "Elementary, Dear Data"
Showing the athmosphere of the first two seasons, the scope of the show regarding sets/places, its humor.
3. 5.18 - "Cause and Effect"
Showing phantasy science fiction and the polished view of the show in the later seasons.

 

[AdmiralScreed]

Start from the beginning with Farpoint. It introduces the main cast, the Enterprise-D, and one of the series best guest characters, Q. I had never watched a single episode of Trek until I watched this episode, but 20 minutes into it I was completely hooked.
Going from there, I would suggest watching the rest of the show in order. The Naked Now may not be a popular episode with the fanbase, but that doesn't mean that everyone won't enjoy. Speaking for myself, I thought it was a good episode when I first saw it.
Just my two cents.

 

[Captrek]

If you can wait for January, I’d say go with the BluRay sampler.

Otherwise, I guess we’re looking for episodes that are likely to be appealing to viewers who don’t have a grounding in the series. Most TNG episodes don’t really require a thorough grounding in the series, but avoid eps like BOBW, Family, Brothers, and anything related to the internal politics of the Klingon or Romulan Empire.

For action/adventure fans, Q Who? and Yesterday’s Enterprise are solid picks. If your friends are more philosophically oriented, Measure of a Man and Tapestry are great. For fans of unusual alien encounters, maybe Darmok and The Inner Light.

ETA:

On further reflection, I’m really high on Q Who? as an introduction to the series. It doesn’t really require any background in the series, as a few lines of dialog between Riker and Q tell the new viewer who and what Q is. It touches on a key introductory theme — namely, that they’re exploring territory beyond anything known to them and may not be ready for what they find there — and makes the point far more dramatically than Q’s growled warning in the pilot. It fascinatingly introduces the Borg, and most importantly, concludes with the hook, “They will be coming,” leaving your friends hungry for more.

 

[You_Will_Fail]

Start from the beginning with Farpoint.

I think your approach would put plenty of potential fans off. "Encounter at Farpoint" is a bore, I think you're in the minority if you were hooked by that pilot.

I suppose 3 that I would show to someone would be

"The Arsenal of Freedom"- Early, fun, exciting episode. This was a real standout to me when watching those early episodes

"Who Watches the Watchers"- Shows the philosophical side of trek encased in a sci-fi coating. Definitely a good primer.

"Thine Ownself" - A well written, high concept but easy to understand episode that shows what kind of sci-fi the show does and shows off its most interesting and popular character.

Overall think the OP has got the hang of the combination.
An early episode/one of the middle heavy thinking episodes and one of the later high concept polished episodes. I've basically replicated that too although I feel "Cause and Effect" isn't everyone's cup of tea due to the repetition and other high concept episodes like "Schisms", "Thine Ownself" or "Timescape" would be better choices.

 

[AdmiralScreed]

Start from the beginning with Farpoint.

I think your approach would put plenty of potential fans off. "Encounter at Farpoint" is a bore, I think you're in the minority if you were hooked by that pilot.

A bore? Hardly. We're just going to have to agree to disagree on that one.

EDIT: It's been a long time since I've seen Farpoint, so I can't remember all of the intricacies, but I remember being really interested in the cast, the great visuals, and seeing humanity put on trial by Q. As a pilot episode, I think Farpoint succeeded with flying colors. It is, IMO, the best way to introduce someone to this fantastic TV series. This episode has everything that makes a good Trek episode; a great guest star (Q), a well written story (putting humanity on trial for its mistakes), excellent visual effects, a fine soundtrack, and on top of that it does a great job introducing you to that main cast.

 

[sonak]

Start from the beginning with Farpoint.

I think your approach would put plenty of potential fans off. "Encounter at Farpoint" is a bore, I think you're in the minority if you were hooked by that pilot.

A bore? Hardly. We're just going to have to agree to disagree on that one.

EDIT: It's been a long time since I've seen Farpoint, so I can't remember all of the intricacies, but I remember being really interested in the cast, the great visuals, and seeing humanity put on trial by Q. As a pilot episode, I think Farpoint succeeded with flying colors. It is, IMO, the best way to introduce someone to this fantastic TV series. This episode has everything that makes a good Trek episode; a great guest star (Q), a well written story (putting humanity on trial for its mistakes), excellent visual effects, a fine soundtrack, and on top of that it does a great job introducing you to that main cast.

cool that you liked it, but as the other poster pointed out, yours is very much a minority opinion. EAF is NOT well-regarded, and I wouldn't use it to introduce someone to TNG.

Not only is it awkward and bad, it's not a good representation of what TNG would become.


It's like introducing DS9 with "move along home."

 

[AdmiralScreed]

I think your approach would put plenty of potential fans off. "Encounter at Farpoint" is a bore, I think you're in the minority if you were hooked by that pilot.

A bore? Hardly. We're just going to have to agree to disagree on that one.

EDIT: It's been a long time since I've seen Farpoint, so I can't remember all of the intricacies, but I remember being really interested in the cast, the great visuals, and seeing humanity put on trial by Q. As a pilot episode, I think Farpoint succeeded with flying colors. It is, IMO, the best way to introduce someone to this fantastic TV series. This episode has everything that makes a good Trek episode; a great guest star (Q), a well written story (putting humanity on trial for its mistakes), excellent visual effects, a fine soundtrack, and on top of that it does a great job introducing you to that main cast.

cool that you liked it, but as the other poster pointed out, yours is very much a minority opinion. EAF is NOT well-regarded, and I wouldn't use it to introduce someone to TNG.

Not only is it awkward and bad, it's not a good representation of what TNG would become.


It's like introducing DS9 with "move along home."

Well, in that case, since we're talking more mainstream popular episodes, one good choice might be The Measure of a Man. The controversy surrounding Data (whether or not he is sentient, what his rights are) is extremely interesting and thought provoking. For new viewers, it's a great introduction to Data and Picard (arguably the two greatest characters in TNG); Picard has one of his classic speeches at the end of the episode too. Anyway, just a thought. I still stand by Farpoint, but I guess if a lot of people don't like it, then it might not be the best episode to introduce to a new viewer.

 

[Salinga]

For action/adventure fans, Q Who? and Yesterday’s Enterprise are solid picks.

I was thinking about YE, but it gives away too much of Tasha's history.

Well, in that case, since we're talking more mainstream popular episodes, one good choice might be The Measure of a Man.

I had this also in mind, but again: Tasha's history is mentioned here.

 

[Captrek]

For action/adventure fans, Q Who? and Yesterday’s Enterprise are solid picks.

I was thinking about YE, but it gives away too much of Tasha's history.

Well, in that case, since we're talking more mainstream popular episodes, one good choice might be The Measure of a Man.

I had this also in mind, but again: Tasha's history is mentioned here.

Actually, Measure of a Man doesn't have explicit spoilers about Tasha's death. It is mentioned only that Tasha was special to Data and that they were intimate. It isn't mentioned that she's dead. She obviously isn't around any more, but neither is Beverly, who's alive and well in San Francisco.

 

[Mojochi]

Depends on your intention. If you are introducing someone to the show, then you should set up a 3 episode abridged introduction, by giving the breadth of the show. Start with Encounter at Farpoint, because it's the beginning. Then hit them with Q-Who, & finally Best Of Both Worlds. That way, you've shared some of the Q arc, & the Borg arc. You've shown some of how the show developed, & given some good entertainment in there too

However, if you are trying to interest someone in the show & the characters. Then you should present them with less substantial samplers, like Disaster, The Next Phase, & Timescape, which are all simpler episodes, are interesting, independent, ensemble centric, & have exciting moments, making for a good popcorn movie night

 

[You_Will_Fail]

Ew, two episodes with Q. I really couldn't stand him.

 

[M'rk son of Mogh]

I showed a female friend "The Offspring" (she had a basic understanding of all the characters) and she loved it.

 

[AdmiralScreed]

Ew, two episodes with Q. I really couldn't stand him.

That explains why you found Farpoint to be a "bore." Personally, I love Q, and I think a large majority of the TNG fanbase really likes him, that's why introducing a new viewer to a Q episode is such a great idea. Q is such a witty and comical character that it's hard not to love him.

 

[Dr. Crusher]

I always thought "Conundrum" might be a good place to start because if someone new saw it for the first time, it would be a great way to introduce a number of the characters. As the new person watching the show for the first time was figuring out who the characters are, the characters are figuring themselves out at the same time.

"The Defector" and/or "Face of the Enemy" might be a good introduction to the concept of the enemy in TNG. By that token, though, it is hard to find a good Borg episode that isn't divided into a two-parter (my vote would go to either "The Best of Both Worlds" or "Descent," but they are two-part episodes). In the case of these two Romulan-oriented episodes, the enemy is introduced in one episode, and I think the effect is felt.

Finally, since time-changes or time-travel (in a way) features in the series, and I would be certain to show a new person the film, "First Contact" eventually, I would probably go with "Yesterday's Enterprise" or "Cause and Effect" with a slight favoritism falling to the latter of the two.

I would probably rule out episodes that are great, but perhaps not the best TNG introductions, like "Darmok" and "The Inner Light." Both are fabulous, but they feature mostly Patrick Stewart and the whole rest of the cast is rather left out. Any other episode that falls into this category, whether Stewart-focused or focused on another character, I would also rule out.

 

[RAMA]

This seems to be one of the most oft asked about questions here...hmm.

I usually have different answers depending on who is being introduced. In general, these 3 might be the best:

1. The Chase: A microcosm of all of ST in themes and events. A perfect intro.
2. Darmok: Another episode that hits all the right Trekkian notes. Intelligence, action, understanding.
3. Inner Light: Simply a great story, well acted, well told.

Other good ones: The Defector, The Enemy, Where No One Has Gone Before, Yesterday's Enterprise, Tin Man, Sins of the Father, 1101001, Measure of a Man, A Matter of Time, Contagion, Survivors, The Wounded, Pegasus, Evolution, Who Watches the Watchers, Q Who.

You ca'tn better taste of STNG than the sampler....so if you can wait till January, do so.

RAMA

 

[trekfan_1]

"The Measure of a Man"

 

[WillsBabe]

"The Measure of a Man"

Pretty much the definitive TNG episode, as far as I'm concerned. Might go as far as to say the definitive Trek episode...

 

[Colonel Green]

I'd steer clear of Yesterday's Enterprise. It's a great episode, but I don't think someone who isn't already familiar with the show would fully appreciate it.

 

[Captrek]

I agree with Colonel Green. Seeing how the war has affected the Enterprise and her crew is more effective if you're already familiar with their "normal" counterparts.

Here's what I'm currently thinking regarding the selection of three episodes.

1. Q Who?. For reasons I posted earlier, I think this is a perfect episode for viewers new to the seies.
   
   
2. The Measure of a Man. If you're concerned with "spoiling" Tasha's death (though I don't think it really does), go with one of its philosophical cousins like Elementary, Dear Data or The Offspring. (One might argue that The Offspring spoils TMOAM just as TMOAM spoils Skin of Evil and The Naked Now, but I think that's a stretch.)
   
   
3. Sins of the Father. Previously, I suggested staying away from episodes dealing with the internal politics of the Klingon Empire and other major story arcs. On further reflection, an arc episode is fine as long as it's the start of the arc. It doesn't require prior knowledge of earlier episodes and doesn't spoil them, and much like the end of Q Who? it leaves the viewer curious about what will happen next. Worf eventually becomes TNG's third-most popular character (after Picard and Data), due in large part to this episode and its followups. This episode makes a good introduction to this popular character and to the story arcs that would become such a distinguishing feature of the series.

Of course, the particular audience must be taken into consideration. If they're TOS fans, include Sarek or possibly Relics. If they would identify with Barclay, show them Hollow Pursuits. Other early episodes worthy of consideration include: A Matter of Honor, The Emissary, The Enemy, The Defector, and Who Watches the Watchers.

Since you want to avoid spoiling even what we would consider major events, you may want to stick with the first three seasons. When BOBW first aired, we spent all summer not knowing whether Picard would survive or not. If this isn't a concern for you, excellent standalone post-BOBW episodes include The Inner Light, Tapestry, and Darmok.

 

[Captain Atkin]

The Best of Both Worlds (1 and 2) and Family. A nice little trilogy.