How to Watch Star Trek

This is the most clear-cut and practical approach to watching everything Star Trek has to offer while getting the most out of the experience. It is not completely in sync with release/air dates, and definitely not in sync with production order, but that particular methodology is ridiculously tedious for the viewer, and I would in no way recommend it.

Note: In reference to the above statement, my one exception to this opinion concerns Star Trek: The Original Series, specifically Episode 02, "Where No Man Has Gone Before." That particular episode, in my opinion, should be viewed before any other episode of TOS as it was the -second- pilot, and standard characters, set designs, and uniforms were not in place. It is therefore considered to have come before the rest of the series. It will be located on the first disc of any Star Trek DVD set you acquire. The rest of the episodes can really be viewed in any order.

Note # 2: I would be remiss not to mention Episode 01 of TOS, "The Cage" which is NOT featured on any Season One set (to my knowledge). It was the first pilot for the series, and some parts are considered non-canon. The parts of the episode which ARE within established continuity are presented in the two-part Season One episode, "The Menagerie." So you won't miss out;-)

Series
Seasons: 3
Episode Count: 79

Star Trek: The Original Series chronicles the adventures had by the crew of the Federation starship Enterprise. This is the series that started it all. Captain James T. Kirk commands the gallant crew in their quest to "seek out new life and new civilizations." At his side is his logical half-Vulcan science officer, Mr. Spock, and the impassioned chief medical officer Dr. "Bones" McCoy.

Crew:
William Shatner - Captain James T. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy - Commander Spock
DeForest Kelley - Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy
James Doohan - Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott
George Takei - Lt. Hikaru Sulu
Nichelle Nicols - Lt. Nyota Uhura
Walter Koenig - Ensign Pavel Chekov
Grace Lee Whitney - Yeoman Janice Rand
Majel Barrett - Nurse Christine Chapel

Why It's Important
TOS broke a lot of new ground in the '60s. First and foremost, it featured a crew of people of various nationalities and genders who all worked together peacefully. It presented a future where mankind had overcome its own problems and successfully reached for the stars. Most science fiction of the day presented doomsday tales of death and destruction. Also notable is the myriad of stories that dealt with hot button topics not touched by conservative studio censors of the time. It should also be noted that TOS was the first television series to feature an interracial kiss.

Series
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 22

Star Trek: The Animated Series picks up where TOS left off, with the crew of the Enterprise boldly going where no man has gone before, only now in animated form. The series features the return of characters from the original series like Koloth, and Harry Mudd, as well as a sequel to "The Trouble With Tribbles."

Crew:
William Shatner - Captain James T. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy - Commander Spock
DeForest Kelley - Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy
James Doohan - Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott
George Takei - Lt. Hikaru Sulu
Nichelle Nicols - Lt. Nyota Uhura
Majel Barrett - Nurse Christine Chapel
James Doohan - Lt. Arex
Majel Barrett - Lt. M'Ress
Nurse Christine Chapel

Why It's Important
TAS is more than a children's cartoon. It's almost completely a continuation of the original series. It retained many of the writers and actors from the original series. While some people claim it is non-canonical, many "canon" elements of the Star Trek Universe were first disclosed on The Animated Series. It should also be noted that it was the first Star Trek series to win an Emmy Award.

Feature Film

When an unidentified cloud destroys three Klingon D7 cruisers on its way to Earth, Starfleet has little choice but to replace the captain of the newly refitted U.S.S. Enterprise, with a more experienced commanding officer: Admiral James T. Kirk. His mission: Stop the alien threat and learn the secret of its mysterious existence.

Cast

William Shatner - Admiral James T. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy - Commander Spock
DeForest Kelley - Doctor Leonard "Bones" McCoy
James Doohan - Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott
Nichelle Nichols - Lt. Commander Nyota Uhura
George Takei - Lt. Commander Hikaru Sulu
Walter Koenig - Lieutenant Pavel Chekov
Majel Barrett - Doctor Christine Chapel
Stephen Collins - Captain Wil Decker
Persis Khambatta - Ilia

Why It's Important

Star Trek: The Motion Picture marked the first time the original cast had been reunited in ten years. It was an awe-inspiring film that, while rather slow-paced, gave fans a first peek at what could truly be accomplished with Star Trek in terms of scope and special effects.

Feature Film

Fifteen years of bad blood comes to a boil when Khan, the genetically engineered former-prince of Earth's past finds escape from the planet James T. Kirk exiled him to (TOS, "Space Seed"). As Admiral Kirk celebrates his birthday and dreams of adventures gone by, Khan hatches a masterful scheme to take his revenge on Kirk and procure Genesis, a device which holds the potential for great creation--or great destruction.

Crew:
William Shatner - Admiral James T. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy - Captain Spock
DeForest Kelley - Doctor Leonard "Bones" McCoy
James Doohan - Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott
Nichelle Nichols - Commander Nyota Uhura
George Takei - Commander Hikaru Sulu
Walter Koenig - Commander Pavel Chekov
Kirstie Alley - Lt. Saavik
Bibi Besch - Carol Marcus
Merrit Butrick - David Marcus

Why It's Important

This film featured many milestones, some for the Star Trek franchise, and some for cinema in general:

* First mention of Trek taking place in the 23rd century

* First involvement of producer Harve Bennett and director Nick Meyer

* First appearance of the naval-based red tunic uniforms that inspired the uniforms of all subsequent series

* First Trek feature to have mainstream success

* First film to ever feature a sequence rendered in complete CGI.

Feature Film

Picking up where TWOK left off, Kirk and the Enterprise crew must disregard Starfleet orders to journey to a forbidden planet to save Spock and Doctor McCoy. Also en route to said planet: the renegade Klingon Kruge (Christopher Lloyd) who desperately desires the deadly secrets of that world, and will stop at nothing to obtain them.

Crew

Crew:
William Shatner - Admiral James T. Kirk
DeForest Kelley - Doctor Leonard "Bones" McCoy
James Doohan - Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott
Nichelle Nichols - Commander Nyota Uhura
George Takei - Commander Hikaru Sulu
Walter Koenig - Commander Pavel Chekov
Robin Curtis - Lt. Saavik
Merrit Butrick - David Marcus

Why It's Important

*Leonard Nimoy makes his directorial debut.

* Mark Lenard reprises his role as Spock's father Sarek

* Christopher Lloyd plays Klingon Commander Kruge

*Robin Curtis officially takes over the role of Lieutenant Saavik, previously portrayed by Kirstie Alley

Feature Film

A mysterious probe of unknown origin threatens the life of every creature on Earth. To save Earth, Kirk and crew must travel back in time to a primitive, absurd period of Earth's history: 1986.

Crew:
William Shatner - Admiral James T. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy - Captain Spock
DeForest Kelley - Doctor Leonard "Bones" McCoy
James Doohan - Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott
Nichelle Nichols - Commander Nyota Uhura
George Takei - Commander Hikaru Sulu
Walter Koenig - Commander Pavel Chekov
Robin Curtis - Lt. Saavik

Feature Film

An impassioned Vulcan from Spock's past amasses an army and uses his Vulcan mental abilities to hijack the Enterprise on a quest for ultimate knowledge.

Crew:
William Shatner - Captain James T. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy - Captain Spock
DeForest Kelley - Doctor Leonard "Bones" McCoy
James Doohan - Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott
Nichelle Nichols - Commander Nyota Uhura
George Takei - Commander Hikaru Sulu
Walter Koenig - Commander Pavel Chekov

Feature Film

It's the final voyage of the starship Enteprise under the command of James T. Kirk. The crew is due to stand down in just three short months, and the Enterprise is to be decommissioned. But even with retirement looming, there are greater events at play: an end to nearly 50 years of hostility between the Federation and the Klingon Empire seems to have finally arrived, and the Enterprise is the ship ordered to escort the Chancellor of the Klingon High Council to the peace talk summit. Unfortunately, the Chancellor is assassinated, and all evidence points to Kirk and his crew.

Crew:
William Shatner - Captain James T. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy - Captain Spock
DeForest Kelley - Doctor Leonard "Bones" McCoy
James Doohan - Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott
Nichelle Nichols - Commander Nyota Uhura
George Takei - Commander Hikaru Sulu
Walter Koenig - Commander Pavel Chekov

Series
Seasons: 7
Episodes: 178

Nearly 80 years have passed since Captain James T. Kirk sat in the center seat of the starship Enterprise, but the legacy lives on. Captain Jean-Luc Picard has been assigned the task of commanding the latest ship to be named Enterprise as they "seek out new life and new civilizations" on a continuing journey to unimaginable.

Crew:

Patrick Stewart - Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes - Commander William Riker
Marina Siritis - Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner - Lt. Commander Data
Michael Dorn - Lt. Commander Worf
Levar Burton - Lt. Commander Geordi LaForge
Gates McFadden - Chief Medical Officer Beverly Crusher
Wil Wheaton - Wesley Crusher
Whoopi Goldberg - Guinan

Feature Film

An emotionally unstable scientist plans to destroy an entire world to enter the Nexus: a bizarre energy ribbon where time and space have no meaning. To stop him, Captain Picard of the Enterprise - D joins forces with legendary Captain James T. Kirk.

Crew:
William Shatner - Captain James T. Kirk
James Doohan - Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott
Walter Koenig - Commander Pavel Chekov
Patrick Stewart - Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes - Commander William Riker
Marina Siritis - Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner - Lt. Commander Data
Michael Dorn - Lt. Commander Worf
Levar Burton - Lt. Commander Geordi LaForge
Gates McFadden - Chief Medical Officer Beverly Crusher
Whoopi Goldberg - Guinan

Series
Seasons: 7
Episodes: 176

Commander Ben Sisko is ordered to take command of Deep Space Nine, a formerly Cardassian space station orbiting the planet Bajor. The Bajorans have recently taken the station after freeing themselves from the burdens attributed them during the harrowing Cardassian Occupation of their world. At the behest of the Bajoran Provisional Government, the United Federation of Planets has agreed to take joint command of the station in trying times. Sisko is less than enthused about his new assignment, as he and his son are still putting the pieces of their lives back together after the untimely death of his wife. But things begin to get interesting on Deep Space Nine when the leader of the Bajoran people disclose that she believes him to be "The Emissary," a spiritual leader whose coming has been prophesied by The Prophets, non-linear extraterrestrials who reside within a stable worm hole to the unexplored Gamma Quadrant.

As Sisko struggles with his responsibilities as space station commander and the supposed emissary to the Bajoran people, the station becomes a place of intergalactic commerce. Conflict arises often, and danger lurks behind every corner. Not so much danger, however as what lies just beyond the worm hole. The Dominion, a powerful regime from the Gamma Quadrant, has aspirations to expand its reach of control. Aspirations that will lead to full scale intergalactic war.

Crew

Avery Brooks - Commander/Captain Benjamin Sisko
Nana Visitor - Major Kira Nerys
Michael Dorn - Commander Worf
Alexander Siddig - Dr. Julian Bashir
Colm Meaney - Chief of Operations Miles O' Brien
Terry Farrell - Lt. Jadzia Dax
Armin Shimmerman - Quark
Rene Auberjonois - Constable Odo
Cirroc Lofton - Jake Sisko

Series
Seasons: 7
Episodes: 172

While in pursuit of a group of terrorists called the Maquis, the U.S.S. Voyager, captained by Kathryn Janeway, enters an unstable sector of space known as the Bad Lands. Inexplicably, both Voyager and the Maquis ship are transported 70, 000 light years away to the Delta Quadrant, and are unable to return. Stranded 75 years away from home, both crews must join forces and work together to make the arduous journey back to the Alpha Quadrant. Many dangers await along the way, including savage hunter-race the Hirogen, the barbaric Kazon, and the Borg, whose space Voyager must travel through to find its way home.

Crew

Kate Mulgrew - Captain Kathryn Janeway
Robert Beltran - Commander Chakotay
Robert Picardo - The Doctor
Ethan Phillips - Neelix
Jennifer Lein - Kes
Jeri Ryan - Seven of Nine
Garret Wang - Ensign Harry Kim
Roxanne Dawson - Lt. B'Elanna Torres
Tim Russ - Lt. Tuvok
Robert Duncan McNeill - Lt. Tom Paris

Feature Film

Picard's fiercest enemy, The Borg, have returned. This time, they are traveling into the past to assimilate Earth before the Federation is formed. En suite is Captain Jean-Luc Picard and crew of the Enterprise, intent on stopping the Borg and saving mankind.

Crew:

Patrick Stewart - Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes - Commander William Riker
Marina Siritis - Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner - Commander Data
Michael Dorn - Commander Worf
Levar Burton - Commander Geordi LaForge
Gates McFadden - Chief Medical Officer Beverly Crusher

Feature Film

Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the Next Generation crew are presented with a dilemma: Choose to uproot the peaceful inhabitants of a world that offers eternal life, or disobey the Federation and lose their careers.

Crew
Patrick Stewart - Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes - Commander William Riker
Marina Siritis - Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner - Commander Data
Michael Dorn - Commander Worf
Levar Burton - Commander Geordi LaForge
Gates McFadden - Chief Medical Officer Beverly Crusher

Feature Film

When the Romulan Empire informs the Federation they want to engage in peace negotiations, Starfleet sends Captain Jean-Luc Picard. But the crew is met with less than peaceful intentions when the new leader of the Romulan Empire is revealed to have a disturbing link to Picard, and an even more disturbing secret agenda.

Crew
Patrick Stewart - Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes - Captain William Riker
Marina Siritis - Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner - Commander Data
Michael Dorn - Commander Worf
Levar Burton - Commander Geordi LaForge
Gates McFadden - Chief Medical Officer Beverly Crusher

Series
Seasons: 4
Episodes: 98

Set in 2151, Star Trek: Enterprise chronicles the pre-Federation adventures of Starfleet Captain Jonathan Archer and his crew aboard Enterprise NX-01, the first Warp 5 vessel. First contact with the Klingons, Romulans, Ferengi, Andorians, and other familiar Trek species are seen in this series, as well as a sequel to the original series episode, "The Tholian Web."

Crew

Scott Bakula - Captain Jonathan Archer
Connor Trinneer - Commander Charles "Trip" Tucker III
Jolene Blalock - Sub-Commander T'Pol
Linda Park - Lt. Hoshi Sato
Anthony Montgomery - Ensign Travis Mayweather
Dominic Keating - Lt. Malcolm Reed
Jon Billingsly - Dr. Phlox

Feature Film

When a Romulan from the 24th century begins taking revenge on the Federation of the past, an alternate timeline is created. Cadet James T. Kirk must learn to trust his bitter rival Spock in order to stop maniacal Romulan Nero from destroying every planet in the Federation.

Crew

Chris Pine - Cadet James T. Kirk
Zachary Quinto - Commander Spock
Karl Urban - Doctor Leonard "Bones" McCoy
Zoe Saldana - Lt. Nyota Uhura
John Cho - Lt. Hikaru Sulu
Anton Yelchin - Ensign Pavel Chekov
Simon Pegg - Lt. Commander Montgomery "Scotty" Scott
Ben Cross - Sarek
Winona Ryder - Amanda Grayson
Bruce Greenwood - Captain Christopher Pike
Leonard Nimoy - Spock Prime