Media Analysis: Star Trek Pilots

We have been asked to look at the pilots of different Star Treks and rank them based on which episode was most socially and culturally relevant at the time it aired. 

Here is how I would rank them: 

(1) “The Cage.” Star Trek: The Original Series
Aired 1965 as a Pilot. This is the first pilot of the series. I don't feel there would be a Star Trek without this episode. Although a lot is changed after this episode, I feel that the willingness to look at complex issues such as gender sets the tone for the rest of the franchise moving forward. 

(2) “Encounter at Far Point.” Star Trek: The Next Generation

Aired  September 28th, 1987. This is the first pilot and series premier for The Next Generation. For me this was my main entrance into Star Trek Television. I had seen the Star Trek Movies, but leaping even further into the future of Star Trek made me a life long fan so some nostalgia might be warping my judgment on this ranking. For my generation I feel that TNG helped revitalize the the excitement of adventure but a show that still dealt with complex issues of humanity and our treatment towards others different than ourselves. 

(3) “Where No Man Has Gone Before.” Star Trek: The Original Series

Aired September 22, 1966. This episode was so important for the relaunch of Star Trek with the more colorful uniforms and the introduction as William Shatner as Captain Kirk. The moral dilemma of ones powers becoming to destructive fits into the concerns of a Cold War America but the more action fight scenes helped keep the show exciting for audiences that wanted more excited. 

(4) “Emissary.” Star Trek: Deep Space 9

Aired January 3, 1993. Deep Space 9 has grown on me as a fan as I've gotten older and started watching shows again on Netflix. Avery Brooks being casted as the first lead African-American commander in the Star Trek universe was a big deal only a few years after Rodney King and the LA riots. The Bajorans as  freedom fighters or terrorists story arcs at this distant frontier played an important part of the early episodes as a post-Cold War world was grappling with terrorism.  

(5) “Caretaker.” Star Trek: Voyager
Aired January 16th, 1995. Captain Janeway played by Kate Mulgrey as the first female captain was an important milestone in the Star Trek Universe. 

(6) “The Vulcan Hello.” Star Trek: Discovery
Aired September 24, 2017. This fully streaming show is entering into a paradigm shift of media consumption as more people are streaming their shows instead of watching at set times. I think it is still early to tell how this model will lead to success of the series.

(7) “Broken Bow.” Star Trek: Enterprise
Aired September 26th, 2001. This retro series that tried to go before the original series tried to keep the franchise moving into the 2000s. The themes of not being fully ready to see what's out there tried to get to the feel of America post Cold War, but with the events of September 11th, I don't think the series ever really caught on as well as it could have.