POLL: What's the Ideal STAR TREK Watch Order For a Non-Fan?

NOVEMBER 7, 2023 - Last week I put out a simple poll on Twitter/X on the ‘Daily Star Trek News’ account.

Question of the week:

A friend, family member or partner says they want to watch every #StarTrek episode and movie with you, they leave it for you to decide which order, what do you choose?

Please RT for a bigger participation pool.

— Daily Star Trek News (@DailyTrekNews) October 30, 2023

And honestly, I was a little shocked as I am more of a chronological order kind of guy whether it’s Star Wars, Marvel, or here in Star Trek and in fact, I am CURRENTLY doing the exact thing, having finished Enterprise, Discovery Seasons 1 & 2, “The Cage”, Strange New Worlds, and am currently viewing “Miri” from season 1 of The Original Series.

I thought to speak more on the poll results and maybe encourage people to get involved in more as we do them, as the more people take part the more chance there is of me writing about the results.

Star Trek, the iconic science fiction franchise, has been captivating audiences for decades with its visionary tales of exploration, diplomacy, and adventure in the Final Frontier. Whether you're a seasoned Trekkie or just embarking on your own Starfleet journey, there are two distinct ways to approach the series: watching it in release order by year or in chronological order within the Star Trek universe's timeline. Both approaches offer unique advantages, and in this article, we'll explore the benefits of each to help you decide which path suits you best.

Release Order: The Classic Trek Experience

Witness the Evolution of Sci-Fi

One of the significant advantages of watching Star Trek in release order is experiencing the evolution of science fiction over the years. The series originally premiered in 1966 with Star Trek: The Original Series, and watching it in this order allows you to see how the genre and technology have evolved.

Times, They Are A-Changing

You can observe how the special effects, storytelling, and social commentary have progressed with each new iteration of the franchise.

Chronological Order: A Coherent Narrative

A Seamless Storyline

Watching Star Trek in chronological order within the universe's timeline provides a coherent narrative that connects various series and films. This approach allows you to see how events within the Star Trek universe align, creating a sense of continuity that is otherwise obscured when watching in release order.

Explore the Expansive Lore

The Star Trek universe is vast, spanning centuries and featuring various species, governments, and technological advancements. Watching in chronological order allows you to dive deep into the lore of the franchise, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the rich history and interconnectedness of the different eras, from the early 22nd century with Star Trek: Enterprise to the 25th century in Star Trek: Picard and beyond.

Some of the results we got from the poll, as well, were:

I'd show them an ep or two of each series, then start with whichever they like best

— 🌈🏳️‍⚧️👽 🇨🇱🌳 (@okelay) October 30, 2023

Which Is a great idea for bringing in some new Trekkies.

Ultimately, the choice of how to watch Star Trek is yours, and there's no wrong way to enjoy the franchise. Some fans even opt for a hybrid approach, mixing and matching episodes and movies to create a personalized viewing experience. Even alphabetically (haha!):

Alphabetical. It allows for an interesting mix.

— Kobayashi Saru🖖🏻🐊 (@3illSweet) October 30, 2023

Whichever order you choose, you're in for a thrilling adventure through space and time with Captain Kirk, Captain Picard, and the entire Star Trek crew.

To participate in other Polls, see “On This Day” posts, and more, follow @DailyTrekNews on X. Live long and prosper on your journey through the Final Frontier!