Where to Start (rek)?

There’s eighty zillion different series we haven’t seen on all these streaming channels, what should we watch?

Well…

Yes, we're doing another run through of Star Trek the original series. 

We needed something since we finished a giant film series that started when Rosa said, 

"We should watch the Godzilla movies again."

As Steve who owns the comic store said, 

"No other wife has ever said that in history, you are a lucky man."

This I know.

I considered looking for new observations to post about, or doing something like 

"one sentence per episode."

However, I think I'd rather just enjoy the experience this time. 

This viewing did answer a question I've been pondering, however.

I've read many on line discussions about where to start a friend or relative who hasn't seen Star Trek before.

I followed the arguments suggesting many options that would work.

Deep Space Nine does have the best story line and character arcs.

Next Generation is important to many people, is entrenched in popular culture, and is newer but still easy to select solo episodes.

Enterprise is the first chronologically.

Some in the most recent batch of series have the most up to date storytelling and effects, and are accessible.

The J.J. Abrams films are bright, exciting and built to be entry points.

Voyager has cool characters and situations. (Some say, anyway.)

If you count by which one I remembered details of, I began with the Animated series.

But after starting on this journey again with the fantastically crafted and groundbreaking first show, I am convinced that right here, where it all began with the Original Series is the best place to begin with this franchise.

Part of the reason relates to why the Star Wars films should be seen in release order-

The reveals and explanations of concepts were built to be experienced that way, making it work the best as an introduction to those things.

However, the main reason is:

This is the core, pure Star Trek in its most fundamental undiluted form.

The excellent story telling.

The presentation of values. 

The importance of diversity.

The fact that the crew have strong professional bonds, but more importantly that these people are friends.

The idea of Kirk Spock and McCoy representing the decisive, rational, and emotional parts that are required for a complete person is a huge central theme to Star Trek. Other shows have more diluted forms of this, but the original is still the best.

Also, this show is fun. 

Yes, there are strong moral messages. 

Yes, there are tragic moments and heavy drama that get mixed in, but the adventures are just that, adventures. The episodes are packed with storytelling, excitement and (often) laughter along the way. 

Plus, outside of some weirdness in the pilot episodes, there's no waiting for the show to find its way. The characters, relationships and key values are there from the very beginning. 

Kirk has the courage, decision making, and chutzpah to face down godlike beings.

Spock brings the factors of logic and reasoning to any situation. (Often with a subtle smirk when he's proved correct.)

McCoy is the champion of the importance of emotion and the importance of humanity over machinery.

Scott's technical competence is cantankerous but unsurpassed.

Sulu is all for adventure and exploration.

And Uhura's wisdom is full of compassion.

Intolerance and bigotry are highlighted as unacceptable almost immediately. 

The connections between the characters show up just as fast.

Spock develops and expression early on which clearly says, "I don't know how or why, but this weird coincidence is clearly Jim's fault." 

He and McCoy will follow Jim into any kind of danger, but both are good enough friends with him to point out where he may be making errors.

Despite their bickering, from the very early episodes, the logical half Vulcan and the wildly emotional doctor give hints that the two of them may have a stronger but less admitted friendship than either does with Jim.

Mr. Scott and Bones are "the two experienced guys."

But Spock and Scotty are "the two technical guys."

Kirk and Sulu bond over career path. 

I am sad the flirting between Uhura and Spock fades as the show continued and focused more on the "big three."

All their friendships and connections show, including background events. While the camera focuses on the main responses to bridge shaking attacks, behind the focal point, the crew can always be seen checking on and helping each other.

The way the characters support each other in times of crises, but are quick to jab at each others idiosyncrasies as well, only adds to increasing the desire to hang out with this gang. 

"Where should I start watching Star Trek?"

To get the real experience of what Star Trek is, you should start watching Star Trek right where Star Trek started.

Because that is the purest form of Star Trek.

But choose the updated effects.

THEY'RE SOOOOOOOOO SHINY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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