The latest buzz in the Star Trek community is the casting of the upcoming Star Trek feature film - Star Trek XI. We’ve already got word that Zachary Quinto will be playing Young Spock. Also, today SciFiChick.com announced the casting of Chris Pine as Captain Kirk. We also have word that Eric Bana has been confirmed as the first villain in the movie.
But, let’s take a moment to step back and remember the history of Star Trek. And, most importantly what is the best Star Trek TV series of all time? Ok, so up for debate are:
- The Original Series (1966–1969)
- The Animated Series (1973–1974)
- The Next Generation (1987–1994)
- Deep Space Nine (1993–1999)
- Star Trek: Voyager (1995–2001)
- Enterprise (2001–2005)
The Bag Man is going with “The Next Generation.” Honestly, why did they have to end the series so early? It was at the peak of its popularity, and far from becoming hackneyed in any way. Better to go out strong, than to finish on cancellation block.
Coming it at a strong two, is the Original Series. Typically, you can’t beat the original. The Original Series gets kudos for being the only one to be ported over to animation. Also, it’s the only series where most characters had catch phrases reiterated through several decades. Who could forget Spock saying the word “Logical.” Scotty would call for “More Power.” And, Dr. McCoy always yelled at Spock or Jim, saying “Dammit Jim, I’m a Doctor, not a” host of other things.
But, “The Next Generation” really solidified as a timeless franchise. And hey, it also introduced Worf, the first Klingon to make it on Starfleet.
“Deep Space Nine,” ehh, if forced to choose, it would be number 3. The series had a lot of potential, but didn’t really pick up until later in the series.
After “Deep Space Nine,” the debate really begins to dwindle. When the Bag Man first watched “Star Trek: Voyager,” all he could think was, “Wait, they ended The Next Generation for this?” Maybe there’s some bias here, but the only redeeming quality of “Voyager” was the infrequent appearances by Next Generation characters. They tried to isolate the series from familiar races like the Borg, Romulans and Klingons only to bring them all on board later.
What’s your opinion?
DS9 had the best character development and storylines…it wins hands down. Sure, it has probably the worst Captain out of all of them, but it more than made up for it elsewhere. The ending caused major depression.
TOS comes in a close second on a strong cast and movie franchise.
Voyager was solid all around, with the best ending in my opinion.
TNG was mostly utopian PC crap. I’ll never understand why it did so well, or at least why it did better than its spawn(besides Enterprise). It did have the PERFECT ending, however.
Enterprise was unwatchable, even though it had the most storyline potential going in.
I have to say my favourite series was DS9. I like the stories surround each character, how you get to see space battles beyond the likes you ever saw before. And I loved Garak, he was such a cool character.
Now, while I am not officially a Trekkie (I love Star Trek but I don’t think I am uber enough of a fan to be given that title), I’d have to say that the original and Next Generation were my favorites. It’s a close call between them. I love Patrick Stewart but William Shatner is great too.. It always seems to come down to the ‘ol who made a better captain debate: Picard or Kirk? Decisions, decisions!
Enterprise and Voyager both got bad wraps. I noticed, amongst my Trekkie friends, that Deep Space Nine seemed to be more well-received.. The later series definitely had the sex appeal as tie breakers. The abomination that shall be unnamed right now wasn’t all that terrible. I mean, Scott Bakula was the star.. How can you go wrong? Plus the Vulcan was kinda cute - HURRAY for alien boobies!
…Hey, someone had to have to gull to say it! =oD
P.S. The better questions for hardcore Trekkies may look like this: Which captains were the best (rank them in order)? Which crews were the most memorable (I think TNG gets my vote there - the dude from Reading Rainbow was there, FPS)? Which series offered the most tech-geek factors? The last question appeals to me because, as a game developer and avid gamer with a strong affinity to sci-fi and fantasy content, it is the little details that really make imaginary worlds come to life!!
My favorite is Next Gen, no contest. It’s what I grew up watching, so it helped kindle my love for science fiction. The cast worked together so well, and the writing… none of the other incarnations even compare to that level of quality, in my opinion. I can still sit down and watch reruns of any episode of Next Gen. I can’t say that of the other series. Once was enough.
the original series FTW!
What’s Enterprise? I thought the line died after DSN and Voyager. I never got into Voyager. Thought TNG was the best. Oh, I hated the Animated Series.
The Original series. Then a tie for Deep Space Nine and Next Generation. Uhura represented. Why did the only two black people on the Enterprise (TNG) Geordi La Forge and Worf have messed up faces? One was blind the other had to be a Klingon with a squiggle in the middle of his head.
Props go to the Original Series all day for having the first interracial kiss on network television
Deep Space Nine was a cool series. It wasn’t the Next Generation but it was definitely worth watching. I’m all about the Original as well.
come on Voyager wasn’t that bad. the original series will always be numero uno