Trying to get my wife into star trek

[N1ghtFr0g]

Trying to get my wife into star trek. What do you guys think would be more appealing to a woman who is not that into scifi original series or next generation.

Any advice welcome.

[Dutch_Master]

Don’t force it! It’s not difficult to push someone from tolerance to antipathy by forcing them stuff down their throats.

You might need to just get used to the idea that she doesn’t share your passion for this type of content. That’s not bad or wrong, just accept she has different interests then you. After all, she’s a different person then you

[N1ghtFr0g]

Haha well we had an agreement that I would watch one of her shows unbiased and see if I liked it and she would do the same with star trek. So I’m not forcing her just wanted to know which series I should go with as I am a bigger fan of the original series but I think next generation might have a broader appeal.

Or I could show here Starfleet academy HA JK wouldn’t show that to my worst enemy.

[Dutch_Master]

Well, the reason I brought it up is that I’m a techie, but not a trekkie And I’m quite annoyed by those who purport a causal correlation between the 2: you’re into tech, so you MUST like Star Trak, you like Star Trek so you MUST be a tech guy Nope, that correlation does NOT exist

Sorry, has nothing to do with your quest to have your better half watch an old TV show

[N1ghtFr0g]

LOL I’m also in tech I’ma jack of all trades consultant now finally made it out of the pits of helpdesk and being the hands on guy after 6 years.

But I actually got into trek when I was a kid my dad introduced me to it so I’ve always had a fondness for it.

[agis]

I’d suggest DS9.

There’s a lot to get into without ‘knowing’ trek.

[v0db7]

I was also going to suggest DS9. It could be a little more approachable given it has a consistent physical setting.

I’d also consider their favorite shows and suggest the Star Trek that has some similar themes/moods/etc.

[ack]

Does the 2009 Star Trek Abrams movie count as Star Trek?

Wife liked that one, she so far isn’t into the TNG series so I mostly watch it alone on the sofa.

The movies are varied and feel different to the shows, maybe some of them would appeal.

[wertigon]

If you do DS9… Do the first two-three episodes and then jump straight to when the Dominion starts to get aggressive. The in-between stuff, while cute, feels like filler episodes.

A lot of strong Trek episodes are strong because we are invested in the characters - Take TNGs “A measure of man“ where Data is judged whether or not he is sentient, or just a machine. Wonderful acting. Prime Trek. And… It only works so well, because we know who Riker, Picard and Data is, at this point. Our knowledge of the characters up the stakes significantly. Similarly the “Chain of Command“ with Picard being forced to say there are five lights has the same problem. Incredible acting, masterful performances. It isn’t a very good “normie“ episode, however.

Thing with Star Trek… It has huge payoffs, but only if you invest. And DS9 is the ultimate “Invest” show. DS9 is good, but it only gets good after the second season, when the Dominion arc starts.

My strategy? I asked AI for ten good gateway episodes. It provided this list, which is fairly decent, of old and new older Trek both. Watch these first, to dip some feets. Maybe throw in something of Voyager in there, too, though that one is extra tricky. Good Shepherd (S6:E20) could work perhaps. Tuvix or The Swarm are also good options IMO, but…

Stay away from Enterprise until she is hooked. And, also, Wrath of Khan is still one of the best Trek movies.

• “Balance of Terror” (TOS, S1E14)
• “The City on the Edge of Forever” (TOS, S1E28)
• “The Best of Both Worlds” (TNG, S3E26/S4E1)
• “The Inner Light” (TNG, S5E25)
• “Darmok” (TNG, S5E2)
• “Mirror, Mirror” (TOS, S2E4)
• “The Trouble with Tribbles” (TOS, S2E15)
• “In the Pale Moonlight” (DS9, S6E19)
• “The Visitor” (DS9, S4E3)
• “Q Who?” (TNG, S2E16)

[felixthecat]

The recent one, Strange New Worlds, maybe.

My wife likes it a lot.

[N1ghtFr0g]

Good suggestions all thank you and I have never actually watched ds9 I will have to give that a watch myself.

[Trinitron]

I wouldn’t try to “get her into it”. I’d just sit down at the TV and watch an episode and if she shows interest great, if not, great.

[Lt.Broccoli]

With DS9 there are no real filler episodes, even if some in the first two seasons are a little slow, they add character development and context. DS9 really hits its stride in season three when all the plot arcs start to build.

It’s better to watch DS9 after all of TNG. While it’s not necessary to enjoy DS9, a lot of backstory from TNG will make DS9 more enjoyable and meaningful. I’d also suggest watching Voyager after DS9 for the same reason, as some context in DS9 is relevant to the first season of Voyager especially.

[altano]

What DOES she like? That would help with suggestions.

is she very sentimental and into schmaltz? Inner Light.

Into linguistics? Darmok.

Action movies with a hint of cosmic horror? Best of Both Worlds.

AI moral quandaries and the philosophical conundrums of sentience? Measure of a Man.

I could go on but tell us what she’s like, not what she doesn’t like.

[N1ghtFr0g]

Aight I think I am good I should have worded it which started would be good for a scifi noob I ain’t trying to get her into anything just trying to see if she would like it I appreciate all the feedback though.

[SirReptitious]

You could compromise and watch Babylon 5 instead…

[wertigon]

Let us know how it went a couple of weeks from now! Other than that wish both of you a Jolly good time