Poll of the Month: New Beginnings

[Jona ch'Ranni]

It's 2022 (or 2399) and it couldn't get here soon enough! Get outta here 2021, we don't want you anymore! 

Every time the calendar flips to a new year, we get an opportunity to reflect. It's a natural moment for rekindling optimism and purpose, as well as a reminder that the future has yet to be written.

It's only logical to apply this perspective to our science-fiction universe. Each new incarnation of Star Trek is greeted with the same sense of surprise and enthusiasm. We're excited to go on a new adventure, not knowing where we'll finish up, but ready to grab on for dear life through all the twists and turns.

The power of a new "Season 1, Episode 1" is that it may set the stage for a whole season. It is a pivot point that establishes the tone of the series. Will it be about exploration and science, or about conflict and danger? As the key characters are introduced in the pilot, we ask ourselves: Is the commanding officer an experienced professional or a newcomer to the game? 

An opening episode establishes the momentum that will propel the audience into the wide unknown and keep them coming back week after week. 

"Emissary" from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine emphasized a less sophisticated, more frontier arena than the series that came before it. It introduced creatures that had been shown briefly in TNG but would now play key roles in the stories. What about the opener for Star Trek: Enterprise? The crew of the Enterprise NX-01 was full of hope but had no genuine experience with the perils that lay ahead. The Vulcans were painted in a different light than they had ever been previously. Meanwhile, Star Trek: Lower Decks provided us with a behind-the-scenes peek at the crew that wasn't the greatest but yet got the job done - frequently with frantic antics.

But which of these series premieres was the BEST? Don't forget to persuade us in the comments about your pick!

[Jo Marshall]

Gotta say, DS9 Emissary was an explosive start to a new series, and definitely cool. 

But... Voyager. 

[John Kendrick]

After spending 21 seasons in 24th century I was really excited to see Str Trek taking a new direction with Enterprise. I absolutely loved "Broken Bow". Unfortunately it wasn't until the show's third and fourth season that it really found it's footing.

[Jona ch'Ranni]

On 1/16/2022 at 2:09 AM, John Kendrick said:

After spending 21 seasons in 24th century I was really excited to see Str Trek taking a new direction with Enterprise. I absolutely loved "Broken Bow". Unfortunately it wasn't until the show's third and fourth season that it really found it's footing.

Have to say I agree with this. Enterprise hold a close place in my heart. While I wouldn't categorize it as my favorite series, it was the first series that I actively followed from the very first episode. The buildup anticipation of the first episode didn't lead to disappointment. Loved it and still love it.

[+ Hutch]

Ah, Voyager.

So much potential, so much waste...

Caretaker was a great set up with Starfleet and Marquis at odds and forced to live and work together.