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Petrus4's guide to 'Star Trek: Voyager'

Voyager is my favourite Star Trek series, although for most people it seems to be the most infamous. It's bizarre, it's humorous, it often has fairly epic action, to the point of being low-budget Lethal Weapon or Die Hard, IN SPACE! It isn't as strong in the first three seasons as the last four, but there are still some gems to be had. My job is to help you separate the gems from the viscous brown substance that they are hidden in.

The rules are simple. If I mention it, I enjoyed it for some reason or other, and I think you should watch it. Since reading Optical Data's guide on this wiki, I've realised that Voyager actually has a lot more continuity than I thought. I don't list every single episode here which somehow has continuation somewhere else. Instead, I only list those episodes which I personally felt to contain solid entertainment. Some of the episodes I list here are acknowledged as Voyager's worst, and I will usually also admit that as well, where relevant. If those episodes are here, then it usually means that said episodes either still contained some element of humour which I liked, or had continuity which I considered too important to miss.

My Top Ten Episodes

This is the shortest possible version of this guide. If you are coming into Voyager completely blind, and don't want to watch the whole thing, these ten episodes are the true unmissables out of the entire series in my opinion, (in chronological, not preferential order) and will also help you figure out whether or not you want to spend time watching more of them.

Faces

The Thaw

Sacred Ground

Year of Hell

Prey

Timeless

Gravity

Dark Frontier

Equinox

The Void

Season 1

E01S01. Caretaker: Pilot. Boldly going 70,000 light years in order to visit a holographic alien nursing home, and then adopting a homeless love child of the Night Hob from The Never Ending Story, and Hoggle from Labyrinth. Also, we get the series' first recurring Big Bad, who turn out to be Space Rastafarians. Think Psychlos with anorexia, lower technology, and no John Travolta. As Chief Engineer, we also got Roxann Dawson/B'Elanna Torres, who went on to become the most chronic actor/character crush of my existence, so far.

E04S01. Phage: Space lepers steal Neelix's lungs. Janeway rages at space lepers, orders return of lungs. Space lepers can't give them back, but give Neelix holographic lungs instead. Janeway tells space lepers that if she ever encounters them again, she will end them as they have never been ended before. Space lepers look appropriately terrified.

E09S01. Prime Factors: Tuvok becomes insubordinate, and attempts to steal propulsion technology from space swingers.

E10S01. State of Flux: Space Rastafarians first seen in the pilot, blow up their ship after mishandling Federation technology, which they shouldn't have. Voyager has a traitor on board, who turns out to be Chakotay's ex-girlfriend. Small universe.

E13S01. Faces: Voyager provides masturbation material for Klingon fanboys.

E14S01. Jetrel: Voyager asks us a question. What if Robert Oppenheimer and Joseph Mengele had a love child, who was also born as a Talaxian?

Season 2

E01S02. The 37's: Amelia Earhardt and Bill Clinton meet up and shoot the breeze, in the Delta Quadrant.

E03S02. Projections: Voyager tries to provide the audience with the legal simulation of an LSD trip. This won't be the last time.

E05S02. Non Sequitur: Voyager does Sliders.

E10S02. Maneuvers: The next episode in the "Seksa and the Space Rastafarians" arc.

E12S02. Prototype: It's a B'Elanna Torres show. Enough said. Go and watch it immediately.

E16S02. Threshold: Voyager makes its own contribution to the cause of Mystery Science Theatre 3000. Recommended not due to how good it is, but how bad. Do not watch while sober.

E17S02. Meld: Grima Wormtongue makes a special guest star appearance on Voyager, and he's still a psychopath. Tuvok performs a mind meld with him because, as anyone can see, it was obviously the only logical thing he could have done. Chaos, lulz, and general merriment ensues.

E18S02. Dreadnought: It's another B'Elanna Torres episode. You know what I'm going to say, don't you?

E19S02. Death Wish: Q and son show up on Voyager. Serious Business ensues.

E20S02. Lifesigns: One of the space lepers from last season comes aboard Voyager, and temporarily becomes a holographic girlfriend for the Doctor. Romance and mild Glurge ensues.

E22S02. Deadlock: Harry Kim establishes his reputation as Voyager's answer to Kenny from South Park, or Waspinator from Transformers: Beast Wars.

E24S02. The Thaw: What Barney the Dinosaur should have been. Despite my flippant description, this is seriously one of Voyager's greatest episodes in my opinion, even if only because the level of weirdness here exemplifies Voyager's contribution to Trek as a whole. Recommended.

E26S02. Tuvix: Tuvok and Neelix develop an intimate relationship. Janeway gets in touch with her inner Jack Kavorkian.

E28S02. Basics, part 1: Die Hard With a Voyager, part 1. Grima Wormtongue plays Bruce Willis, and we get Space Rastafarians instead of Alan Rickman. Seska sets a trap for Voyager. Chakotay takes acid, has a conversation with his dead father, and as a result, decides that voluntarily falling into Seska's trap would be a good idea. Janeway and the rest of the crew get dumped on a barren planet.

Season 3

E01S03. Basics, part 2: Die Hard With a Voyager, part 2. Grima gets shot in the back with a phaser rifle before he can say, "Yippee Kiyay." Paris and some Talaxians also help save the ship. Voyager goes back and rescues Janeway and the crew, and none of the crew consider staging a mutiny against Janeway and Chakotay for getting them into the situation in the first place. Seska dies, and Space Rastafarians leave for the last time.

E03S03. The Chute: Paris and Kim get sent to a Space Prison and meet a 1960s version of Karl Marx, who's still a homeless person.

E06S03. Remember: B'Elanna Torres/Roxann Dawson episode.

E07S03. Sacred Ground: Voyager does Contact, but also adds a dash of Shirley McClaine's Out On a Limb, and a pinch of Labyrinth.

E08-09S03. Future's End: Voyager meets a time travelling version of Lex Luthor, who looks more like John Farnham. The Doctor gets shot at by some rednecks who think he's a demon, and they get back to the future with the help of a crazy homeless person.

E10S03. Warlord: Kes gets possessed, and then gets dangerous. Kes' finest hour, and the episode which Kes/Jennifer Lien's fans will usually talk about, when they explain why they think she was awesome.

E16S03. Blood Fever: On rewatching this episode, it is a lot more awkward than I remember. The opening scene where Vorik essentially tries to rape B'Elanna is particularly cringe inducing. Most of the rest of the episode is good, and we get continued clues about Tom and B'Elanna's developing relationship, (especially in the final scene) but some of the stuff with Vorik is forced, and just comes across as off-key.

E17S03. Unity: Chakotay goes on summer camp with the Borg.

E18S03. Darkling: The Doctor goes postal. Kes and Neelix break up.

E19S03. Rise: This episode is fairly thin, and doesn't really have much that is exciting or interesting. The one reason why it is worth mentioning, however, is that it has some good character development and interaction between Tuvok and Neelix. Tuvok does not like Neelix, and Neelix confronts Tuvok about this. Personally, I'm not sure how justified I feel this was, simply from the point of view that if there is one thing I've learned about Vulcans, it is that it's completely inappropriate for anyone to expect a Vulcan to react or behave in non-Vulcan terms. Most of the character conflict that occurs with Vulcans, anywhere in Trek, happens for this reason; Humans or some other more emotional race will expect a Vulcan to react to them with Human psychology or emotion, and they will typically then initiate conflict with the Vulcan when that does not occur.

E20S03. Favorite Son: "They killed Harry again! You BASTARDS!" Part Three of Voyager's Trifecta of Doom. Mostly included for surreal comedy value. You may, however, need therapy afterwards.

E21S03. Before and After: Kes' Excellent Adventure.

E22S03. Real Life: The Doctor gets a holographic family. Seriously good episode, from which the Doctor gets a lot of character development.

E25S03. Worst Case Scenario: The last episode of "pre-Seven Voyager", and a decent one at that. Seska comes back for one last encore performance.

E26S03. Scorpion: The point at which Voyager grew the beard according to consensus opinion. The first major appearance of the Borg, and Trek's first non-rubber headed alien race. Strong action, very nice CGI for the time, and a decent story. John Rhys-Davies is seen for the first time as a hologram of Leonardo DaVinci.

 

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Algernon_Asimov's guide to 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'

I've compiled an episode guide for 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'. This shows major milestones and character development - hopefully without giving away too many spoilers.

If you want to know which episodes are essential to watch (and which to avoid!) in the early seasons of Deep Space Nine, this is the page for you!

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Season 1

Episode Title Key points / milestones Characters featured Essential?
1 & 2 Emissary Commander Sisko, a man still suffering the consequences of the Battle of Wolf 359, takes command of space station Deep Space Nine in orbit around Bajor, after the end of the Cardassian occupation. A wormhole to the Gamma Quadrant is discovered nearby. All Engage!
3 Past Prologue First appearance of Garak. Cross-over appearance of Lursa & B’Etor. Kira meh
4 A Man Alone Jake and Nog first meet. Keiko starts a school. Odo Keiko Rom meh
5 Babel Gibberish virus. Avoid
6 Captive Pursuit First visitor from the Gamma Quadrant. O’Brien Just for fun
7 Q-Less First and only appearance of Q. Sisko Q Vash Just for fun
8 Dax Examination of Trill host/symbiont relationship. Jadzia meh
9 The Passenger Mysterious dead/non-dead person. Odo Bashir Avoid
10 Move Along Home First official delegation from Gamma Quadrant. Commonly regarded as one of the worst episodes of the series. (But I like it!) Quark Just for fun
11 The Nagus First appearance of Grand Nagus Zek. Development of Jake/Nog friendship. Zek Quark Jake Nog Just for fun
12 Vortex Odo character development. First mention of "changelings". First time Morn is mentioned by name. Odo meh
13 Battle Lines The end of Kai Opaka's story. Opaka Engage!
14 The Storyteller O'Brien the storyteller. Beginnings of O'Brien/Bashir friendship. O'Brien Avoid
15 Progress Kira versus crusty old Bajoran farmer. Jake and Nog and self-sealing stem bolts. Kira Jake Nog Just for fun
16 If Wishes Were Horses Dreams become real. Sisko gets his baseball. Avoid
17 The Forsaken First appearance of Lwaxana Troi. Nice character development of Odo. Lwaxana Odo Just for fun
18 Dramatis Personae Psychic invaders take over the crew. Avoid
19 Duet Widely acknowledged as the best episode of 1st season DS9, and one of the best of the series. Kira and a Cardassian war criminal. Kira Engage!
20 In The Hands Of The Prophets First appearance of Winn (huzzah!) and Bareil. Keiko's school in trouble with Bajoran religion. Winn Kira Engage!

Season 2

Episode Title Key points / milestones Characters featured Essential?
1 The Homecoming [Part 1 of 3] Bajoran war hero turns up. Kira Engage!
2 The Circle [Part 2 of 3] Coup on Bajor. Winn Bareil Engage!
3 The Siege [Part 3 of 3] Take-over of Deep Space Nine. Engage!
4 Invasive Procedures Threat to the Dax symbiont. Jadzia meh
5 Cardassians Controversy about Cardassian war orphans on Bajor. Garak Dukat Engage!
6 Melora Wheelchair-bound Starfleet Officer. Bashir Avoid
7 Rules of Acquisition Grand Nagus Zek sends Quark to Gamma Quadrant. First mention of the Dominion. Quark Zek Just for fun
8 Necessary Evil How Odo got started in law enforcement during Cardassian Occupation. Odo Kira Dukat Engage!
9 Second Sight Sisko meets a mysterious woman. Sisko Avoid
10 Sanctuary Refugees from Gamma Quadrant, fleeing the Dominion. Kira Engage!
11 Rivals Quark has a business rival. meh
12 The Alternate Odo's mentor visits. Odo character development. Odo Engage!
13 Armageddon Game Development of Bashir/O'Brien friendship. O'Brien Bashir Just for fun
14 Whispers O'Brien gets worried about his colleagues' behaviour. O'Brien meh
15 Paradise O'Brien and Sisko stuck in a pre-technological paradise. Sisko O'Brien meh
16 Shadowplay Odo and Jadzia investigate disappearing people from a colony. Odo makes a friend. Jake tries apprenticing with O'Brien. Bareil/Kira sparks. Odo Jadzia Jake Just for fun
17 Playing God Jadzia mentors a Trill initiate from the joining program. Jadzia meh
18 Profit and Loss Quark's old flame is a Cardassian dissident. We learn something about Garak's background. Quark Garak meh
19 Blood Oath Three old Klingons - Kor, Kang, and Koloth - invite Jadzia on a mission of revenge. Jadzia Just for fun
20 The Maquis, Part 1 Introduces the Maquis [for the purposes of setting up 'Voyager']. Sisko Dukat Engage!
21 The Maquis, Part 2 Sisko and Dukat work together against the Maquis. Sisko's famous "It's easy to be a saint in Paradise" speech. Sisko Dukat Engage!
22 The Wire Garak is getting headaches - but nothing is ever simple with Garak. Garak Engage!
23 Crossover 1st "mirror universe" episode. Mirror Just for fun
24 The Collaborator The election of the Bajoran Kai: Winn versus Bareil. Did Bareil collaborate with the Cardassians? Bareil Winn Kira Odo Engage!
25 Tribunal O'Brien on trial in Cardassia for being a Maquis. O'Brien Odo Engage!
26 The Jem'Hadar We meet the Dominion's soldiers: the Jem'Hadar. Sisko Engage!

Season 3

Episode Title Key points / milestones Characters featured Essential?
1 The Search, Part 1 The Defiant arrives. A new security officer. The search for the Dominion's Founders. Odo searches for his people. Odo Sisko Engage!
2 The Search, Part 2 The Dominion makes approaches to the Alpha Quadrant. Odo meets the Changelings. Odo Sisko Engage!
3 The House of Quark Quark kills a Klingon and gets involved in a Klingon feud. Quark Just for fun
4 Equilibrium Jadzia learns about a new previous Dax host. Jadzia meh
5 Second Skin Kira is really an undercover Cardassian operative and meets her father. Kira Engage!
6 The Abandoned Quark finds a Jem'Hadar baby. Odo raises it (they grow fast!). Sisko meets Jake's girlfriend. Odo Jake Engage!
7 Civil Defense An old anti-slave-uprising program is accidentally triggered on the station. Dukat comes to help and gloat. Just for fun
8 Meridian A planet shifts in and out of existence. Quark tries to capture Kira's image for a special hologram request. Jadzia Kira Avoid
9 Defiant Commander Will Riker (from the Enterprise) comes to Deep Space Nine. Sisko and Dukat try to prevent a Maquis attack. Riker Kira Sisko Dukat Engage!
10 Fascination Lwaxana returns to DS9. Everyone's in love with the wrong people at the Bajoran Gratitude Festival. More Odo development. Lwaxana Odo Avoid
11 Past Tense, Part 1 Sisko, Bashir, Jadzia find themselves on Earth in 2024, and get involved in the Bell riots. Sisko Engage!
12 Past Tense, Part 2 The timeline is broken and needs fixing. Sisko Engage!
13 Life Support Bareil is dying, but is needed by Winn for peace negotiations with the Cardassians. Bareil Winn Kira Engage!
14 Heart of Stone Odo and Kira trapped in a cave. Essential Odo character development. Nog wants to apply to Starfleet Academy. Odo Nog Engage!
15 Destiny Emissary "trilogy" I: An old Bajoran prophecy predicts that three Cardassians and the Emissary will destroy the wormhole. Sisko Kira meh
16 Prophet Motive Grand Nagus Zek has rewritten the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition. Quark Rom Zek Just for fun
17 Visionary O'Brien gets flashes of the future while Romulans demand information about the Dominion. O'Brien meh
18 Distant Voices Bashir finds himself on an abandoned Deep Space Nine, with Garak and the crew acting strangely. Bashir Avoid
19 Through the Looking Glass 2nd "mirror universe" episode. Mirror Just for fun
20 Improbable Cause [Part 1 of 2] Garak's tailor shop gets blown up, and Odo investigates. As usual with Garak, there's more to things than meets the eye. We meet Enabran Tain. Garak Odo Engage!
21 The Die is Cast [Part 2 of 2] The Cardassian Obsidian Order and the Romulan Tal Shiar are working together. Garak and Odo have some intense moments. The Battle of the Omarian Nebula changes things irrevocably. Garak Odo Engage!
22 Explorers Sisko builds an old-style Bajoran lightship, and he and Jake enjoy some father-son time while flying it to Cardassia. Jake tells his father he's going to be a writer. First mention of Kasidy Yates. Sisko Jake Engage!
23 Family Business Quark's mother is in trouble with the Ferengi Commerce Authority. First appearance of Brunt. Sisko finally meets Kasidy. Quark Nog Brunt Sisko Kasidy Just for fun
24 Shakaar Election for the new First Minister of Bajor. Kira's old leader, Shakaar, runs against Winn. Kira/Shakaar. Kira Shakaar Winn Engage!
25 Facets Jadzia performs the zhian'tara ritual, which allows her to meet Dax's previous hosts "in the flesh". Nog passes the Starfleet Academy tests. Jadzia Odo Nog Just for fun
26 The Adversary Sisko is promoted to Captain. The Defiant is sabotaged. Changelings enter the Alpha Quadrant. Sisko Odo Engage!
 

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Serialized Deep Space 9 Episode Guide

- /u/Darth_Rasputin32898

Introduction

The goal of of this guide is to provide an episode order to watch Deep Space 9 (DS9) that will deliver maximum impact of the series' overall story arcs in a minimum of episodes. My personal motivation in this matter was to introduce someone I know to Star Trek, a person interested in Star Trek who overwhelmingly favors non-episodic story-telling (a fan of HBO's Game Of Thrones). As such, I decided DS9 would be most appropriate.

Put another way, the purpose of this guide is enable new viewers to quickly 'rush' through the DS9 series without losing the benefits of essential plotlines or character development. No prior Trek experience is required, though reference to the 'Background' section may be helpful initially. All you need is simply the patience to sit through about the first and/or second seasons, which are quite abbreviated in this guide (since they're more episodic and generally considered lower quality).

The total number of episodes by my count is 125.

About Spoilers

This is a non-spoiler guide. Spoilers for any given episode will not be used in the Key Points for that episode. Spoilers for episodes may be included in the Key Points for episodes after that episode. These details will be contained in the spoiler code. Here is an example:

SeasonXEpisodeY

So, if you'd seen episode Y of season X, you'd be able to view that spoiler.

Background

The year is 2369. Humans have, over the past three and a half centuries, have made contact with aliens and helped form an interstellar government, the United Federation of Planets (simply, Federation) that is at the time of DS9 one of the major powers of the known galaxy. It is a post-scarcity, democratic, idyllic society dedicated peaceful to contact with other species and other inter-species governments. Its 'navy,' so to speak, is Starfleet, a 'peacekeeping and humanitarian armada,' jointly operated by its members. It is an exploratory organization, and the main focus of all Star Trek.

Unfortunately, most other known interstellar governments are not as peaceable. The chief rivals of the Federation at present are the Klingon Empire, Romulan Star Empire, and the more recently encountered Cardassian Union. All of these are expansionist military powers, and all of them have been at war with the Federation at some point. (However, the Klingons are now allied with the Federation.)

Anything else important is quite clearly shown in episode 1.

Episode List

Right! On to the episodes at last!

Season 1

Episode Title Key Points
1&2 Emissary This is the pilot of the series. It is often cut as a single feature-length episode, so don't panic if it's only shown as one. This episode does have spoilers for one of the best Star Trek: The Next Generation two-parters, but addressing those would far overcomplicate things.
3 Past Prologue Introduction of Garak: a very important character. More development of Cardassian-Bajoran history.
4 A Man Alone Keiko begins a school at DS9, and Odo deals with an odd murder case.
11 The Nagus Background on the Ferengi and Quark. Introduction of Zek.
12 Vortex Odo character development and background and more visitors from the Gamma Quadrant.
13 Battle Lines One of the best early DS9 episodes. Changes up the dynamic in the Bajoran government for future seasons.
19 Duet This is often considered the best episode of season 1. It's more development of Kira and the Occupation of Bajor.
20 In The Hands Of The Prophets Tensions mount between traditionalist Bajorans and the Federation citizens on DS9 regarding Keiko's school. Important episode in the SE1EP13.

Season 2

Episode Title Key Points
1 The Homecoming Bajoran extremism and history with the Cardassians. The first multi-part episode of DS9.
2 The Circle A continuation of the story begun in Homecoming.
3 The Siege A continuation of the story begun in Homecoming and continued in The Circle.
5 Cardassians More Dukat development and Cardassian/Bajoran history. An excellent dilemma regarding orphaned Cardassians left on Bajor.
7 Rules of Acquisition First mention of the 'Dominion.' Pay close attention to the Gamma Quadrant developments.
8 Necessary Evil Odo and Dukat development and background; includes flashbacks to the Occupation.
10 Sanctuary More visits from the Gamma Quadrant and mentions of the 'Dominion.'
12 The Alternate Great Odo background and character development. Some more exploration of the Gamma Quadrant.
20&21 The Maquis This is a two-part episode and is hugely important. It establishes a new political force and a new source of conflict between the Federation and the Cardassians.
22 The Wire Garak gets a headache...
24 The Collaborator It all comes down to this: SE1EP13.
25 Tribunal One of the first 'O'Brien must suffer' episodes. Development of Cardassian culture and background.
26 The Jem'Hadar The title is self-explanatory: the Jem'Hadar species is introduced. More about the Dominion is revealed.

Season 3

Episode Title Key Points
1&2 The Search The DS9 crew gets a new toy, and a new officer, Michael Eddington. More development for Odo, the Founders, and the Dominion.
5 Second Skin A really mindbending Kira episode. More Cardassian background and development.
6 The Abandoned Extensive background on the Jem'Hadar, Founders and Dominion.
9 Defiant Commander Will Riker (from the Enterprise in The Next Generation) pays DS9 a visit. The Maquis story progresses, and Federation-Cardassian politics become more tense.
13 Life Support The winner of the election for Kai needs the runner-up's help in important negotiations with the Cardassians.
14 Heart of Stone Odo, Kira, Founder, and Nog development.
20 Improbable Cause Further advancement of the Alpha-Gamma Quadrant tensions.
21 The Die Is Cast The second part to 'Improbable Cause.'
22 Explorers This episode is more stand-alone then most, but introduces an important new character (Kasidy Yates), has more background on the Bajorans and Cardassians, and has more Sisko relationship development, like in the Visitor.
24 Shakaar Shakaar is introduced. The election for First Minister of Bajor begins.
26 The Adversary Sisko development, and advancement of Founder-Federation tensions.

Season 4

Episode Title Key Points
1&2 The Way of the Warrior An old friend arrives on DS9 as the new Strategic Operations Officer. Tensions with the Klingons and the Founders escalate.
4 Hippocratic Oath More development of the Jem'Hadar, O'Brien, and Bashir.
5 Indiscretion Kira/Dukat development. Introduction of Tora Ziyal. Kasidy moves to DS9.
11 Homefront Founders step up interference in the Alpha Quadrant. The crew goes to Earth. Brilliant 9/11 terror allegory, even though this episode is from 1996.
12 Paradise Lost Continuation of Homefront.
13 Crossfire Odo, Kira, and Shakaar development. Follows up on SE3EP24.
14 Return to Grace Further development of Cardassian-Bajoran SE2EP24 and tensions with the Klingons.
15 Sons of Mogh Except for a bizarre and off-putting decision by Bashir and Sisko, this is a very good Klingon-centered episode.
16 Bar Association Rom takes a stand against Quark's exploitative business practices.
17 Accession Development of Bajoran culture, the Emissary, and Miles O'Brien.
22 For the Cause Is a member of the DS9 crew a Maquis? Garak/Ziyal development.
23 To the Death Introduction of Weyoun. Jem'Hadar tensions escalate. Further development of the Jem'Hadar.
25 Body Parts Quark, Kira, and O'Brien family development.
26 Broken Link Odo and Founder development. Essential advancement of the Klingon plot.

Season 5

Episode Title Key Points
1 Apocalypse Rising The DS9 crew's response to what they learned at the very end of Broken Link. Advancement of the Klingon plot and tensions with the Gamma Quadrant.
10 Rapture Is Bajor ready to join the Federation?
12 The Begotten Odo development and plot advancement.
13 For the Uniform Further development of the Maquis.
14 In Purgatory's Shadow Dominion tensions advance. Development of Garak.
15 By Inferno's Light The continuation of In Purgatory's Shadow.
16 Doctor Bashir, I Presume? As the title indicates, Bashir development. Very important Bashir development.
19 Ties of Blood and Water Kira and Cardassian development.
21 Soldiers of the Empire Worf, Martok, and Klingon development.
23 Blaze of Glory Maquis and Dominion plot advancement.
24 Empok Nor More of a standalone episode than most, this still sets up a plot device which becomes important later on. Cardassian development.
25 In The Cards Advancement of Dominion tensions.
26 Call to Arms Advancement of Dominion tensions.
 

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#Algernon_Asimov's guide to 'Star Trek: The Next Generation'

I've compiled an episode guides for 'Star Trek: The Next Generation'. This shows major milestones and character development - hopefully without giving away too many spoilers.

Whether you want to track the development of Worf during Next Generation, or skip the Wesley-heavy episodes, this is the page for you!

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Season 1

Episode Title Key points / milestones Characters featured Essential?
1 & 2 Encounter at Farpoint Captain Picard takes command of the Enterprise-D. The new crew faces a dilemma at Farpoint Station, and an unknown adversary called "Q". All Engage!
3 The Naked Now The Enterprise crew is infected with a virus which causes drunk-like symptoms. Data proves himself "fully functional" to Tasha. All meh
4 Code of Honor The leader of the Ligonians wants Yar as a wife. A fight to the death ensues between Yar and the Ligonian's First Wife. Yar Avoid
5 The Last Outpost The Enterprise deals with some Ferengi, and both get caught on a random planet. Introduction of the Ferengi. meh
6 Where No One Has Gone Before A Starfleet engineer arrives to upgrade the Enterprise's engines. We meet the Traveller. Picard appoints Wesley an Acting Ensign. Wesley Traveller Engage!
7 Lonely Among Us An energy creature takes over various Enterprise crew. Avoid
8 Justice Paradise has thorns. Wesley is sentenced to death. meh
9 The Battle The Ferengi present Picard with the wreckage of his old ship, the USS Stargazer. Picard Engage!
10 Hide and Q Q returns, and gives Riker the power of the Q. Q Riker Just for fun
11 Haven Troi has to fulfil her duty - an arranged marriage. First appearance of Lwaxana Troi (Deanna's mother). Troi Lwaxana meh
12 The Big Goodbye Picard plays detective Dixon Hill on the holodeck. Naturally, the holodeck malfunctions. Picard Just for fun
13 Datalore The Enterprise crew find another android, identical to Data: his "brother", Lore. Some background on Data. Data Lore Engage!
14 Angel One Riker has some sexy time in a female-dominated society. Riker Avoid
15 11001001 The crew has some downtime while the Bynars upgrade the Enterprise computer. Riker creates a fantasy woman on the holodeck: Minuet. Riker Just for fun
16 Too Short a Season The Federaton negotiator, Admiral Jameson, seems to be getting younger... Avoid
17 When the Bough Breaks The Aldeans kidnap some children from the Enterprise during negotiations. Wesley meh
18 Home Soil Terraformers discover unexpected life on a supposedly barren planet. Just for fun
19 Coming of Age Wesley sits the exams to enter Starfleet Academy, while an Admiral is investigating the Enterprise. Wesley Picard Engage!
20 Heart of Glory Enterprise takes some Klingons on board. Lots of background on Worf. Worf Engage!
21 The Arsenal of Freedom An automated weapons-selling demo. LaForge in command. Picard and Crusher have a moment. LaForge Picard Crusher Just for fun
22 Symbiosis Two planets and their medicine trade tests the Prime Directive. Worst anti-drug speech EVER. Picard Crusher meh
23 Skin of Evil Data learns about grief after a crew member dies on an away mission. Data meh
24 We'll Always Have Paris Picard meets an old flame, while experiments with non-linear time go awry. meh
25 Conspiracy Picard investigates a conspiracy at the top levels of Starfleet. Engage!
26 The Neutral Zone The Enterprise is sent to investigate what is destroying outposts along the Romulan Neutral Zone. Three humans from 20thC are unfrozen. Engage!

Season 2

Episode Title Key points / milestones Characters featured Essential?
1 The Child Troi gets impregnated by an alien. Staff changes: Dr Crusher gone, Dr Pulaski arrives; Worf is Chief of Security; LaForge becomes Chief Engineer; Guinan runs Ten-Forward; Riker grows a beard. Data: "One is my name; the other is not." Uniform change: no collar stripes. Troi meh
2 Where Silence Has Lease A curious energy entity toys with the Enterprise. Musings on death. Just for fun
3 Elementary, Dear Data LaForge challenges the holodeck to create an adversary to match Data's Sherlock Holmes. It does: Moriarty. Data Moriarty Engage!
4 The Outrageous Okona A charming rogue inspires Data to investigate comedy. Data Just for fun
5 Loud As A Whisper Troi is attracted to a deaf negotiator. Troi meh
6 The Schizoid Man The man who mentored Dr Noonian Soong, Data's creator, tries to take over Data's body. This is the only time we see Doctor Selar. Data Engage!
7 Unnatural Selection Pulaski catches an old-age disease from genetically engineered children. The Transporter Chief, who we've seen five times before, finally gets a name: O'Brien. Pulaski meh
8 A Matter of Honor Riker serves aboard a Klingon ship. Riker Engage!
9 The Measure of a Man A hearing to determine Data's personhood. Widely acknowledged as the best episode of the first two seasons of TNG, and one of the best of the series. Data Picard Engage!
10 The Dauphin Wesley falls in love with a girl who's destined to rule a planet. Wesley Avoid
11 Contagion Enterprise infected by a computer virus. Discover Iconian gateways. First mention of 'Earl Grey'. Just for fun
12 The Royale Crew discovers a real-life replica of a hotel from an old book. Riker Avoid
13 Time Squared A duplicate Picard from six hours in the future arrives and "present" Picard must prevent the destruction of the Enterprise. Picard Engage!
14 The Icarus Factor Riker is offered a promotion. His estranged father visits. Worf celebrates anniversary of his Rite of Ascension. Riker Worf Just for fun.
15 Pen Pals Data corresponds with a young girl from a doomed planet. Prime Directive. Data Engage!
16 Q Who Q transports Enterprise to meet... the Borg! Picard Guinan Q Engage!
17 Samaritan Snare Picard and Wesley bond while on a shuttle together. Enterprise and Pakleds. Picard Wesley Just for fun
18 Up The Long Ladder ~~Irish~~ Bringloidi refugees help a colony of clones. Avoid
19 Manhunt Lwaxana has a hyperactive sex-drive, and is looking for a man. Picard hides in the Dixon Hill holodeck program. Lwaxana Just for fun
20 The Emissary Worf meets an old flame, K'Ehleyr, and old feelings re-ignite. Worf Engage!
21 Peak Performance Picard versus Riker in war games. Data out-competes someone in a table-top game: "I 'busted him up'!" Data Riker Just for fun
22 Shades of Grey Worst! Episode! Ever! Due to a writers' strike: a clip show. Riker AVOID!
 

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Kraetos' guide to Star Trek

You know. 1966? 79 episodes, about 30 good ones.

- Phillip J. Fry

Ah, The Original Series. Where it all started. The show was tragically cancelled after three seasons, but on the other hand, it's easy to see why: the show missed more than it hit.

This guide has two sections:

  • Complete guide. This is a list of all the episodes, sorted by production order with a quick description and it's rating, on a simple four tier scale: Engage, Just for Fun, meh, and Avoid.
  • "30 good ones." If we take Fry's comment as gospel, which thirty episodes comprise the "good ones?"

Complete Guide

Season 1

Episode Title Description Rating
00 The Cage Aborted pilot, didn't air until 1988. No Kirk—instead, it's Captain Pike. Rejected for being "too cerebral." Just for fun
01 Where No One Has Gone Before Pilot, but didn't air until after the next two. The Enterprise leaves the galaxy and some crew members exhibit extraordinary powers. Engage!
02 The Corbomite Maneuver Kirk attempts to bluff his way out of a scrape with a much meaner alien ship. Engage!
03 Mudd's Women The Enterprise encounters freighter captain Harry Mudd, who travels with three beautiful women. meh
04 The Enemy Within A transporter accident splits Kirk into two halves—a "good" one, and an "evil" one. Engage!
05 The Man Trap Something is not as it seems when the Enterprise runs into one of McCoy's old romanic interests. Just for fun
06 The Naked Time The Enterprise crew becomes infected by a virus that has a similar effect as alcohol. Engage!
07 Charlie X A human boy raised by aliens has supernatural powers—can he adapt to Federation culture? meh
08 Balance of Terror A Romulan warbird strikes against Federation border outposts. Kirk must defeat the Romulan commander. Engage!!
09 What Are Little Girls Made Of? The Enterprise encounters Dr. Roger Korby, leading medical archaeologist, and Nurse Chapel's once fiancée. meh
10 Dagger of the Mind The Enterprise inadvertently picks up a stowaway from a penal colony. meh
11 Miri The Enterprise investigates a planet where virus kills everyone once they reach puberty. meh
12 The Conscience of the King A mass murderer may be loose on board the Enterprise. meh
13 The Galileo Seven McCoy, Scott, Spock and four other crewmen crash land on a planet, and not everyone gets along with Mr. Spock. Engage!
14 Court Martial When an officer (and friend) under Kirk's command dies in an ion storm, Kirk is accused of foul play. Just for fun
15 The Menagerie (Part I) Spock kidnaps his former captain, Pike, and takes the Enterprise to forbidden planet Talos IV for reasons unknown. Engage!
16 The Menagerie (Part II) Kirk discovers why Spock has stolen the Enterprise. Engage!
17 Shore Leave Kirk orders shore leave for the Enterprise crew, but the planet they've selected seems to be fulfilling everyone's fantasies. Just for fun
18 The Squire of Gothos The Enterprise is captured by Trelane, a seemingly omnipotent being. Just for fun
19 Arena The Metrons, an advanced alien species, pit Captain Kirk against a Gorn captain in personal combat. Engage!
20 The Alternative Factor The Enterprise is sent to investigate a mad scientist after a galaxy-wide spatial disruption. Avoid
21 Tomorrow is Yesterday The Enterprise accidentally travels back to the 20th century where they destroy a US Air Force aircraft and rescue the pilot, creating a time paradox as the pilot gains foreknowledge of events to come. Engage!
22 Return of the Archons The Enterprise visits a planet where an Earth ship was last seen before reported missing, 200 years ago. meh
23 A Taste of Armageddon The Enterprise discovers two civilizations fighting a computerized war—but the casualties are real. Just for fun
24 Space Seed The Enterprise rescues the SS Botany Bay without realizing the war criminal and genetic "superman" Khan is aboard. Engage!
25 This Side of Paradise The Enterprise investigates a colony where everyone should be dead from radiation exposure, only to discover the colonists are alive. Just for Fun
26 The Devil in the Dark The Enterprise crew must find a creature that has killed more than 50 workers at a vital Federation mining colony. Engage!
27 Errand of Mercy War breaks out between the Federation and the Klingon Empire, and Kirk is sent to fight the first battle over a planet called Organia. Engage!
28 The City on the Edge of Forever Dr. McCoy changes history in a manner which prevents the Federation from even existing. Kirk and Spock must follow him back and stop him. Engage!
29 Operation: Annihilate! Colonists on a distant planet are taken over by neural parasites. Just for fun

Season 2

Episode Title Description Rating
01 Catspaw Kirk and co. beam down to a Halloween themed planet. Avoid
02 Metamorphosis The Enterprise finds Zefram Cochrane, inventor of warp drive, on a distant planet, even though he's been believed dead for 150 years. Just for fun
03 Friday's Child Kirk attempts to negotiate mining rights with a primitive, honor-bound civilization. Just for fun
04 Who Mourns for Adonais? The Enterprise encounters an entity which claims to be the Greek god Apollo. meh
05 Amok Time Spock undergoes Pon Farr and must return to Vulcan to mate or he will die. Engage!
06 The Doomsday Machine The Enterprise encounters a planet killer and must stop it before it strikes again. Engage!
07 Wolf in the Fold Scotty is accused of murder during shore leave. Just for fun
08 The Changeling The Enterprise encounters Nomad, a human-built probe which has been altered to have one mission: the sterilization of all life. Engage!
09 The Apple A landing party explores a beautiful planet with primitive natives, before the planet begin killing redshirts. Avoid
10 Mirror, Mirror A transporter accident sends Kirk, Scotty, McCoy and Uhura to the "mirror universe," where good and evil seem to be inverted. Engage!
11 The Deadly Years The Enterprise crew becomes infected with a rapid-aging virus. Just for fun
12 I, Mudd The Enterprise bumps into Harry Mudd once again after a new crewman hijacks the ship. meh
13 The Trouble with Tribbles The Enterprise responds to a distress call from Space Station K7 when Klingons arrive at the station. Engage!
14 Bread and Circuses The Enterprise discovers a parallel Earth where Rome never fell. Just for fun
15 Journey to Babel The Enterprise transports Federation ambassadors to a conference on Babel. One of the Ambassadors is Sarek, Spock's father. Engage!
16 A Private Little War Kirk suspects that a primitive culture may have been armed by the Klingons. Just for fun
17 The Gamesters of Triskelion Kirk, Uhura and Chekov are kidnapped while preparing to beam down to Gamma 2. Spock must determine where the landing party has gone. Avoid
18 Obsession A cloud creature kills a number of redshirts on an away mission—but Kirk has encountered this creature before, and is determined to kill it. Just for fun
19 The Immunity Syndrome The Enterprise investigates the loss of the Federation starship Intrepid. Just for fun
20 A Piece of the Action The Enterprise encounters a planet where the culture is based entirely on 1920's mobsters. Just for fun
21 By Any Other Name While investigating a distress call, the Enterprise discover survivors who need the Enterprise to get home. Just for fun
22 Return to Tomorrow The Enterprise receives a distress call from a distant planet. Just for fun
23 Patterns of Force In search of Federation historian John Gill, the Enterprise discovers a planet modeled after Nazi Germany. Just for fun
24 The Ultimate Computer Kirk is ordered to test M-5, an advanced computer which can command a starship. Engage!
25 The Omega Glory A Federation captain breaks the Prime Directive and arms a primitive civilization. Avoid
26 Assignment: Earth The Enterprise travels back in time to 1968 and encounters secret agent Gary Seven. Just for fun