Each Star Trek Pilot Episode, Ranked From Worst To Finest

So far as tv science fiction goes, no present has had such a legacy or enduring affect on the style and medium as “Star Trek.” With nearly a dozen shows since the start of the franchise in 1966, “Star Trek” has successfully blended social commentary with exhausting sci-fi ideas and earned tens of millions of followers worldwide. Nonetheless, not each “Star Trek” collection has come out the gate on its finest foot, with many needing to seek out their overarching route over time. These first impressions are made by pilot episodes, with networks deciding to fee the collection by the energy of this inaugural episode.

The varied “Star Trek” pilot episodes are an enchanting look again on the exhibits’ historical past, and in some circumstances, they’re removed from how every respective collection would progressively evolve. The ensemble casts of every present have a tendency to seek out their characters shortly, however perhaps not fairly totally grown into them but. And but, there’s nonetheless sufficient recognizable in each pilot that they’re unmistakably “Star Trek” tales. 

Right here is each “Star Trek” pilot episode, ranked from worst to finest.

After an absence spanning over a decade, “Star Trek” returned to tv in 2017 with “Star Trek: Discovery.” Kicking off the streaming period for the franchise was “The Vulcan Hiya,” introducing audiences to the brand new present’s protagonist Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Inexperienced). Raised among the many Vulcans by Sarek (James Frain), Burnham’s first encounter with the Klingon Empire results in them and the United Federation poised for all-out warfare. Regardless of the objections of Captain Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh), Burnham strikes to strike first in opposition to the assembling Klingons in a disastrous effort to earn their respect.

Even the “Discovery” solid has since brazenly admitted that their collection got off to an uneven start earlier than ultimately discovering its personal voice and route. In its opening episode, regardless of a robust efficiency from Martin-Inexperienced, “Discovery” debuts a protagonist that viewers discovered initially tough to root for. This, coupled by a radical redesign of the Klingons, began “Discovery” on a clumsy word, with the Klingon redesign quietly abandoned by subsequent “Star Trek” collection. “Discovery” fully revitalized the whole “Star Trek” franchise, however it will take a while for the show to actually find itself.

Although the animated collection “Star Trek: Decrease Decks” grew to turn out to be a well-regarded addition to Paramount+’s rising library of unique “Star Trek” collection, its begin was shakier. The collection premiere, “Second Contact,” introduces the USS Cerritos, a smaller Starfleet vessel assigned with finishing the Federation’s extra menial duties. Newly assigned Ensign Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) desires of advancing up the officer ranks whereas his finest good friend Ensign Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) flagrantly flouts guidelines and rules. Joined by fellow ensigns D’Vana Tendi (Noël Wells) and Sam Rutherford (Eugene Cordero), the junior officers study they’re extra necessary to Starfleet than they understand.

The polemical dynamic between Boimler and Mariner that types a lot of the “Decrease Decks” rapport is current in “Second Contact,” however the present hasn’t fairly discovered its comedic voice but. Even by the present’s requirements, the pilot is very chaotic, operating off the rails with out giving viewers an opportunity to breathe and course of. All of the items for what makes “Lower Decks” so great are current, they simply have not fairly coalesced simply but. “Decrease Decks” considerably improved throughout its first season, operating for 5 seasons general, nevertheless it stumbled out the gate.

The 2-part premiere to “Star Trek: Enterprise,” 2001’s “Damaged Bow,” is among the many franchise’s most bold pilots. Set roughly a century earlier than “Star Trek: The Unique Sequence,” the present has Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) take command of the prototype starship, the Enterprise NX-01. Archer is tasked by Starfleet to escort an injured Klingon to his homeworld, regardless of objections from the Vulcans. This results in the crew uncovering a conspiracy linked to what turns into often called the Temporal Chilly Battle between totally different time-traveling factions.

“Enterprise” comes out the gate intent to set a lot of its overarching story into movement, maybe an excessive amount of for the sake of launching a brand new collection. Not solely is the crew of the NX-01 launched, however so too is the state of the nascent Starfleet, with a time-bending thriller at its core. Although early “Enterprise” episodes are a bit rocky, the core dynamic between Archer and his crew are shortly established right here, particularly along with his new Vulcan liaison T’Pol (Jolene Blalock). A bit extra of a colorless begin to a “Star Trek” present, “Enterprise” appears like a back-to-basics strategy when its pilot successfully connects.

In a uncommon distinction, “Star Trek: The Unique Sequence” had two separate pilots produced earlier than it was formally greenlit by NBC: “The Cage” and “The place No Man Has Gone Earlier than.” The primary featured a totally totally different lead, with Jeffrey Hunter taking part in Captain Christopher Pike, commanding the USS Enterprise. Haunted by a latest violent mission, Pike and his staff, together with Spock (Leonard Nimoy), go to a planet populated by highly effective telepaths. Kidnaped for his or her research, Pike experiences his best fears and wishes by the telepathic visions he is subjected to.

As groundbreaking as “The Cage” was in comparison with anything on American tv at the moment, you possibly can see why NBC opted to supply one other pilot. The episode is a bit tough across the edges, each in dialogue and manufacturing worth, whereas its themes are admittedly extra cerebral than ’60s audiences in all probability would’ve favored. Hunter’s Pike is likely one of the moodier “Star Trek” captains, and one can see why he quit the show moderately than return to movie its second pilot. Nonetheless, “The Cage” does lay the groundwork for the extra philosophical fare “Star Trek” would turn out to be identified for as soon as it found out lastly get on the air.

After being unceremoniously sidelined from the franchise he created as a result of blended response to “Star Trek: The Movement Image,” Gene Roddenberry turned his focus again to tv. Roddenberry created “Star Trek: The Subsequent Era,” partially out of frustration as the films continued with out his involvement, introducing an all-new Enterprise solid headed by Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). The opening two-parter, “Encounter at Farpoint, Components I & II,” brings this crew collectively for a thriller at Farpoint Station whereas being noticed by the all-powerful Q (John de Lancie).

There is a dream-like high quality to the primary “TNG” episode, with its use of cinematography and lighting, particularly for scenes set in Q’s courtroom. This helps distinguish the episode from the remainder of what is essentially a weak season general, making “Encounter at Farpoint” a standout. The pilot by no means fairly justifies its doubled runtime, with loads of self-indulgent moments, like Riker (Jonathan Frakes) assembly Knowledge (Brent Spiner) on the Holodeck. Nonetheless, the episode lays a agency basis for its ensemble solid as “TNG” ultimately grew to turn out to be the most celebrated “Star Trek” series.

Initially launching on Paramount+ in 2021 earlier than shifting to Netflix for its second season, the animated collection “Star Trek: Prodigy” was positioned to introduce “Star Trek” to younger audiences. The present’s two-part pilot episode, “Misplaced and Discovered,” launched the cruel mining world of Tars Lamora, within the Delta Quadrant, distant from Starfleet jurisdiction. A gaggle of younger aliens led by precocious Dal (Brett Grey), escape their merciless overlords after discovering and reactivating the crashed USS Protostar. Because the makeshift crew learns function their starship, they study in regards to the Federation from a sophisticated hologram program of Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew).

“Prodigy” hits the bottom operating, with “Misplaced and Discovered” simply being essentially the most action-packed “Star Trek” pilot so far. This frenetic sensibility makes “Prodigy” really feel extra faraway from the broader “Star Trek” franchise, by design given its premise, however that detachment continues to be jarring. It would not be till “Prodigy” took the time to decelerate and breathe that it actually related with followers in a deeper manner. Having mentioned that, “Misplaced and Discovered” catches its viewers’ consideration immediately and barely loosens its grip because it presents a daring imaginative and prescient of “Star Trek.”

The Battle of Wolf 359, whereas pivotal, takes place off-screen in “The Subsequent Era,” however its spinoff collection “Star Trek: Deep Area 9” opens proper within the thick of it. After dropping his spouse to the Borg, led by an assimilated Picard, Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) is assigned to supervise area station DS9. The station is of significant strategic significance, close to the planet Bajor, which was lately liberated from the Cardassian Union. The station’s significance grows significantly when a wormhole to the Gamma Quadrant opens, with ephemeral, non-corporeal beings rising from it.

The 2-part pilot, “Emissary,” throws quite a bit at audiences, even with its doubled runtime, however fortuitously, quite a lot of it sticks. Lots of the present’s beginning major ensemble go away nice first impressions, together with its memorable recurring villain Gul Dukat (Marc Alaimo). Nonetheless, the extra esoteric components of “DS9,” involving the wormhole entities, was at all times a weaker side of the present and equally are unusual and ineffective right here. “DS9” stands as some of the distinct “Star Trek” collection and that is clear proper from its trauma-fueled premiere.

4 years after “The Unique Sequence” broadcast its finale, the franchise returned in 1973 on Saturday mornings as “Star Trek: The Animated Sequence.” That includes the vast majority of the primary solid and several other writers from “TOS,” the cartoon continued the adventures of the Enterprise and its fan-favorite crew. “TAS” started with the episode “Past the Farthest Star,” with the Enterprise investigating a hypergravity nicely. This results in the ship being possessed by a sinister entity trying to escape its gravity jail whereas inserting the crew at risk.

Whereas the animation itself is certainly of its period, “Past the Farthest Star” is a solidly crafted, standalone sci-fi story with Kirk (William Shatner) and his crew. An enormous a part of that pedigree is the episode being written by Samuel A. Peeples, who additionally wrote the profitable “TOS” pilot “The place No Man Has Gone Earlier than.” Every of the returning actors slide again into their acquainted roles effortlessly, if a bit extra sedate than that they had been in live-action. “Past the Farthest Star” proved “Star Trek” may work in animation, and work nicely, giving “TAS” a robust begin.

After a tepid farewell to the franchise with 2002’s “Star Trek: Nemesis,” Patrick Stewart returned to the function that made him a family title with “Star Trek: Picard.” The present’s pilot episode, “Remembrance,” reintroduces a retired and annoyed Picard, nonetheless bitter by Starfleet’s refusal to help Romulan refugees and ban artificial life. Picard’s seclusion is upended by the sudden arrival of Dahj (Isa Briones), an artificial girl focused by Romulan assassins. Again in hurt’s manner and studying of Dahj’s connection to Knowledge, Picard units out on a brand new journey, this time with out Starfleet’s backing.

For as turgidly paced as the primary season of “Picard” is general, its inaugural episode is a welcome return for Stewart’s Jean-Luc Picard. The episode correctly retains the deal with its titular protagonist, with Stewart effortlessly reprising his fan-favorite function like reconnecting with an previous good friend. That is clear proper from the collection’ very first scene, starting with a personal poker recreation between Picard and Knowledge, feeling like a pure extension of “TNG.” It might take two seasons for “Picard” to become the show that fans had hoped for, however there’s an inherent heat to its opening episode that continues to carry up.

Simply as “Deep Area 9” spun out of the fires of warfare in “The Subsequent Era,” “Star Trek: Voyager” emerges from a rising battle in “DS9.” The “Voyager” two-part premiere, “Caretaker,” has the USS Voyager scour a unstable nebula for the Maquis, a paramilitary group opposing the Cardassian Union in opposition to Federation diplomatic coverage. The instability within the nebula displaces Voyager and a badly broken Maquis vessel to the Delta Quadrant, over 70,000 lightyears from Federation area. Including the Maquis crew to reinforce their very own, Voyager should navigate uncharted area as they start the perilous journey again house.

In comparison with the franchise’s different two-part pilots, “Voyager” maintains a steadier focus and better sense of harmful stakes for its crew. Kate Mulgrew, who got here in replacing original intended lead actor Geneviève Bujold, initiatives a commanding authority as Captain Kathryn Janeway. This enhances the misfit vitality that the Voyager crew possesses, even earlier than they settle for the Maquis officers into their ranks. “Voyager” had an inherent sense of jeopardy baked into its premise and the present’s pilot offers this intriguing route to “Star Trek” a correct liftoff.

Although NBC did not fee “Star Trek” based mostly on its first pilot, “The Cage,” it noticed sufficient potential to supply a second pilot, “The place No Man Has Gone Earlier than.” This pilot launched William Shatner as Captain James Kirk and his Enterprise crew as they encountered an odd vitality barrier in area. After coming into contact with the barrier, two crew members, together with Kirk’s good friend Gary Mitchell (Gary Lockwood) achieve godlike powers. Kirk is compelled to confront Mitchell because the latter’s burgeoning godhood turns him right into a murderous madman.

“The place No Man Has Gone Earlier than” is the a lot stronger pilot in comparison with “The Cage,” downplaying meditative themes for one thing extra action-oriented. The dynamic of Kirk and Spock (Leonard Nimoy), although nonetheless visibly in its early phases, already serves as a character-driven core and driving pressure for the episode. The stability between sci-fi existentialism and journey is best achieved right here, with vital emotional weight as Kirk watches what’s turn out to be of his good friend and what he should do accordingly. Curiously, the community selected to air “The place No Man Has Gone Earlier than” later within the season, preferring the generic monster-of-the-week episode “The Man Trap” to premiere the series as an alternative.

After their outstanding roles within the second season of “Discovery,” Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and the crew of the Enterprise launched their very own collection, “Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds.” The pilot episode, which shares the title of the collection, has Pike return to energetic responsibility in Starfleet following the Enterprise’s repairs. Pike’s first mission again includes him rescuing his first officer, Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn) after she went lacking throughout a primary contact mission. With the world that captured Chin-Riley getting ready to warfare, Pike implores the alien civilization to study from humanity’s personal errors.

Whereas “Star Trek” has had nice moments and tales since its return in 2017, “Unusual New Worlds feels like the shot in the arm the franchise wanted. That is clear proper from its opening episode, with its sweeping cinematography and clear real-world parallels in its storytelling. Mount and his senior officers are joined by a unbelievable ensemble, many with sturdy ties to the wider “Star Trek” canon. For each new viewers looking for a jumping-on level to the franchise and longtime followers, “Unusual New Worlds” brings the franchise again to its viable roots.