By Array on Sep 26, 2017 12:00 am
With advancements in special effects and bigger television budgets, the Star Trek series has evolved with the times to create a show that is fitting for every era. While some shows hold up and still entertain today, others aren't as good as the very first time you saw them. With Star Trek: Discovery premiering tonight, it's only fitting that we rank every Star Trek pilot episode from worst to best. Keep in mind, this is not the same as ranking the series as a whole. That is a completely different list. Here, we're just talking about the first episode of each show. Disclosure: GameSpot's parent company is Star Trek: Discovery producer CBS Interactive.
7. Star Trek (Original Series)
Pilot Episode: "The Cage" Under the command of Captain Christopher Pike (Jeffrey Hunter), the USS Enterprise receives a radio distress call from a strange planet in the Talos star group. A landing party is assembled to investigate the signal and is then beamed down to find the source. Upon finding the signal source, the crew discovers a camp of survivors from a scientific expedition that went missing 18 years prior. Among the survivors is Vina, a beautiful young woman who Captain Pike is instantly drawn to. Unfortunately, Vina isn't all she appears to be, and in Pike's hypnotized state (hypnotized by her beauty), he is captured by an alien race that lives beneath the surface. Where does it rank? The original pilot ranks the lowest of the low because Captain Christopher Pike (played by Jeffrey Hunter) is devoid of emotion and sucks the life out of the dialogue. Frankly, it's insufferable. The production is improved by the second pilot which corrects casting missteps by adding the charismatic and charming William Shatner.
6. Star Trek: The Animated Series
Pilot Episode: "Beyond the Farthest Star" While exploring the galaxy, the Federation Starship Enterprise becomes trapped in the orbit of a dead star. The crew discovers there is a massive derelict ship floating around this unknown star. Captain Kirk (William Shatner) beams aboard the starship with a boarding party that includes First Officer Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Chief Medical Officer Dr. McCoy, and Chief Engineer Scott, where they learn the star was once home to an insectoid race. From there, it's a race against time to get back to the Enterprise before the rogue ship self destructs. Where does it rank? The pilot ranks low, but I give it props for incorporating elements of the live-action show into the animated series. The original voice cast is there, and they do the best they can, but the dialogue and animation make it a hard task to sit through.
5. Star Trek: The Next Generation
Pilot Episode: "Encounter at FarPoint" In 2364, the new crew of Starfleet's USS Enterprise gets right into the action against Q, an omniscient figure from the Q Continuum. Q is sent to test the intelligence and the endurance of the new starfleet group. Captain Jean Luc-Picard (Patrick Stewart) is confident in his ability to lead his crew on this mission, but it isn't an easy task. Q declares that humanity is being put on trial--and deciding that their actions in the upcoming mission will be used to judge humanity's worthiness and determine their fate as a race. Where does it rank? "Encounter at Farpoint" ranks low due to camp overload. It's as if Roddenberry was trying too hard to recreate the original series instead of giving this its own identity. The dialogue is laughably awkward, even for Star Trek.
4. Star Trek Enterprise
Pilot Episode: "Broken Bow" We see a young Jonathan Archer on Earth in the year 2121 watching his father paint a model space craft. His father is chief principal designer of the planet's first Warp 5 engine ship. Fast forward to the year 2151, and Jonathan Archer is soon to be Captain of the Enterprise NX-01. However, test flights and missions are met with opposition from Vulcans. Breaking the chain of command, Archer goes straight to Admiral Forrest to request permission to take the new ship on a mission to the planet Qo'noS. Where does it rank? Broken Bow ranks middle-of-the-road because it's interesting in some aspects (like taking place in the past), but it moves entirely too slowly to hold much interest. Watching more than the first episode of this series is required to truly get into the show.
3. Star Trek: Voyager
Pilot Episode: "Caretaker" On Earth, Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation starship USS Voyager recruits Tim Paris, a Maquis from a maximum security prison to help track down a missing Maquis spacecraft. Leaving the Deep Space Nine space station, Voyager journeys to the Badlands, where it is scanned by a "coherent tetryon beam" before being struck by a wave that places Janeway and her crew 70,000 light years away from the federation and scrambling to find a way back. Where does it rank? Voyager ranks high because it continued to break free of the tropes Roddenberry established in this universe. Being so far from the nearest station, Captain Janeway must rely on her crew and her wits to get them safely back to the federation--thus leaving her in the "caretaker" role.
2. Star Trek: Deep Space 9
Pilot Episode: "Emissary" Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9) finds Captain Picard passing the torch (of sorts) to Captain Benjamin Sisko, who is now in charge of the crew at the Deep Space 9 outpost station. The Bajor requested protection from a Starfleet command after the Cardassian war. However, the discovery of an unexplored wormhole near the space station expands Sisko's mission beyond protecting the Bajor. This pilot episode is action-packed, and what better way to introduce your characters then to see them in action? Where does it rank? Deep Space 9's pilot episode ranks high on the list because it's the start of the series finding a new identify. It's diverse, well written, and not afraid to show the flaws in its crew early on. Upon multiple viewings, this show still holds up nicely in terms of action and production value.
1. Star Trek: Discovery
Pilot Episode: "The Vulcan Hello" Discovery is set 10 years before the original series and is a precursor to the Klingon war. At this time, the Klingon houses were divided, but they soon joined forces to fight against the Federation. Captain Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh), First Officer Burnham (Soniqua Martin Green), and the rest of the crew of the USS Shenzou were on a mission investigating a remote part of space. They find hostile Klingon forces, which they engage in battle. Where does it rank? I can't give too much away, but Discovery is high on the list for going against the typical structure of Star Trek. The show is told from the perspective of First Officer Michael Burnham, and not the ship's Captain. She is also a human with a vast amount of Vulcan knowledge because she was raised by Vulcans. That's just brilliant.
By Peter Brown on Sep 25, 2017 07:30 pm
Square-Enix is a regular fixture on the Tokyo Game Show floor, offering an impressive range of merchandise representing its most popular games, old and new. Soundtracks are by far the most common item, but there are plenty of toys to look at if music isn't your thing. Join us on a tour through Square-Enix's Tokyo Game Show 2017 merchandise booth, and keep an eye out for your favorite series; you may find something special (read: expensive) you never knew existed.
NieR: Automata was a surprise hit earlier this year, and its soundtrack lives on as a mesmerizing treat. Video game soundtracks on vinyl are also a recent phenomenon, and here we have a look at some of the original art created for the upcoming vinyl releases. Speaking of...
Whoa! Hold the phone, I thought these soundtracks weren't supposed to release until December? Square-Enix pulled a fast one and offered early copies to TGS attendees. On the left you can see a box set that contains selections of tracks from NieR: Replicant, NieR: Gestalt, and NieR: Automata. To the right are the individual soundtracks within. You could save a few hundred yen by purchasing the individual releases, but who doesn't want the sweet boxset with the fiendish mask worn by NieR's lead creative, Yoko Taro? (I couldn't resist.)
Well there's a face we haven't seen in a while. What we have here is a series of orthographic sketches devised to inform Square-Enix's upcoming figure of Xenogears' iconic mech, Welltall. Before there was Xenoblade Chronicles, or Xenosaga, Xenogears was the only Xeno-game on the block, and it's viewed by many as a long-lost classic that never quite got its due. Square-Enix will bring Welltall back as a new Wander Arts series figure down the road, and while it was a bit disappointing to miss out on seeing an actual prototype at TGS, it's nevertheless gratifying to see Xenogears get some love, nearly 20 years after its release.
Speaking of Wander Arts, here's a look at a new figure of a Wanzer mech from Square-Enix's Front Mission series.
You know what they say: one good Wanzer deserves another...
...and another. Seriously, these mechs look great in person, and may be the perfect accompaniment to the recently announced Left Alive, the newly announced game purportedly set in the Front Mission universe, coming in 2018.
Odin rides again, making his second appearance as a Play Arts Kai figure. This rendition of Odin was hard to place at first, but that's because it doesn't belong to a mainline Final Fantasy game: it's Odin as seen in 2015's arcade-exclusive Dissidia Final Fantasy, the basis for the upcoming Dissidia Final Fantasy NT.
Keen-eyed fans of Final Fantasy may also notice that this is one of the most accurate renditions of Odin compared to Yoshitaka Amano's original concept art for the character's debut in Final Fantasy III.
A new Play Arts Kai variant of Bahamut strikes a pose for the camera.
Here we see Zack (Cloud Strife's former best friend at Shinra) from Final Fantasy VII and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII.
Everyone's favorite corporate enforcer-turned vampire, Vincent Valentine, showed up at TGS too. This new figure is still a work in progress, hence the drab paint job.
Lightning also gets an updated figure to ring in the arrival of Dissidia: Final Fantasy NT.
Terra, a main character from Final Fantasy VI with a tragic story, looking ready for the release of Dissidia: Final Fantasy NT.
Advent Children took Final Fantasy VII's designs and bumped them up a notch. Here we see Cloud Strife riding Fenrir, his elaborate motorcycle.
While Sephiroth appears to be a pre-existing figure, Cloud on the right has been newly minted to hype up the much-anticipated Final Fantasy VII Remake.
Final Fantasy VII's Cid finally gets a modern figure from Square-Enix, and it appears he's not alone...
Cait Sith is along for the ride too!
Sora will make a comeback when Kingdom Hearts III comes out, but until that day comes, you can look forward to a pair of new figures coming soon.
Here's the alternate Sora, featuring the Guardian Form color scheme from Kingdom Hearts III.
This figure of Balthier from Final Fantasy XII came out earlier this year, but when it looks this good, why not show it off again.
The same goes for this top-notch Gabranth figure.
And why not, bunny-eared Fran for good measure.
Aranea Highwind (who shares a surname with Final Fantasy VII's version of Cid) will make her Play Arts Kai debut in early 2018.
Now onto the cute Final Fantasy stuff, namely Chocobos and Moogles!
And where there are Moogles, Cactuars and Tonberrys are sure to follow.
Beyond the impressive soundtracks we showed off earlier, NieR: Automata made a strong showing in the figure section as well.
Some of the NieR figures were on the cuter end of the spectrum.
But for the most part, NieR's figures opted for a more authentic look.
And no figure (or android) would be complete without swappable body parts.
Not to leave the Enix side of Square-Enix out, here we see a smattering of plushies representing iconic Dragon Quest enemies, like the sizable King Slime.
And after you've filled out your sheet with little marks next to every item you want, time to line up and pay the piper. For more behind-the-scenes looks into Tokyo Game Show 2017, head over to our TGS cosplay gallery to see some of the best homespun and high-end costumes from the show floor. For a more encompassing look at TGS' big and bizarre sights, look no further: we've got you covered.
By Mat Elfring on Sep 25, 2017 05:48 am
Star Trek: Discovery is coming to CBS and the network's streaming service, All Access, on September 24 at 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT. It's the first time in 12 years that Trekkies have seen their favorite franchise on the small screen, with Star Trek: Enterprise ending in 2005. Now, a new ship and crew are taking off into space on a whole new adventure, and we're going to break down everything you need to know about the new show before its premiere. You can also check out Discovery's new opening title sequence and the New York City stunt involving the Discovery. Disclosure: CBS is GameSpot's parent company.
How To Watch Star Trek: Discovery
If you're looking to watch Discovery, it won't be as simple as tuning into CBS every Sunday night. Only the first episode of the series will appear on network television. After that, you'll have to subscribe to the streaming service CBS All Access to catch the rest. The base price for the service is $6 a month, but that comes with a one-week free trial. CBS All Access is available through your PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4, as well as a few other options. For further specifics, check out our full guide on how and where to watch Star Trek: Discovery.
It Will Run For 6 Months
The first season of the show will consist of 15 episodes. It will start on September 24, and the finale will air on February 18, 2018. However, there will be a two-month, mid-season break from November 7 until January 7, 2018.
Where And When It Takes Place
Discovery takes place in the main Star Trek universe, not the JJ Abrams-created parallel universe from the recent feature films. The series takes place just 10 years prior to the events of the original 1966 series. In one decade, fashion changed a whole lot at Starfleet.
The Show's Star Isn't The Captain
For the first time in the history of the franchise, the main character for the Star Trek series will not be the captain. Walking Dead's Sonequa Martin-Green will star as First Officer Michael Burnham, and she'll be taking orders and giving them as well. It will be interesting to see how she deals with Captain Philippa Georgiou in situations where they may not agree with each other--we get a little bit of that through various trailers.
Burnham Was Raised By Vulcans
Even more interesting is the face that Burnham was raised by a Vulcan. Piecing together bits and pieces from teasers and trailers, her parents were killed on Vulcan after a Klingon attack, which Ambassador Sarek felt responsible for, so he raised Burnham on his own. Star Trek obviously has a long tradition of putting Vulcan ideology into the show, and Discovery will be no different, even if Burnham is human.
Ambassador Sarek Is Spock's Dad
Sarek has appeared in many of the movies that feature his son, Spock. According to IMDb, he'll only appear in one episode, he'll be playing the father-figure for the main character. James Frain (Gotham, True Detective) will play the role of Sarek in his one appearance, which comes during the premiere episode
Discovery Introduces A Brand-New Alien Species
Star Trek has its fair share of alien species, but Discovery will be the first in the franchise to introduce the Kelpian. This species has a heightened awareness of danger and can sense when death is coming (via EW). Doug Jones (Hellboy) will play the Kelpian Science Officer and Lieutenant Commander Saru.
Yes, There Will Be Klingons
Early on, we knew that Klingons would be the villains for the this season. Set photos back from February revealed this, and like many of their appearances in the Star Trek franchise, they will be on the warpath. Remember, they are the reason First Officer Burnham's parents are dead.
Why The Klingons Look Different
Even if you're a casual fan, you may have noticed the Klingons on Discovery look nothing like the ones from Star Trek: The Next Generation, specifically Worf. There's a reason for that. During a panel at an event in Las Vegas (via TrekMovie), Kenneth Mitchell, who plays Klingon commander Kol explained that the Klingon Empire is made up of 24 different houses, and each of those houses has different ideologies, clothing, and even physical appearances. The series will showcase how diverse this alien species actually is.
Recent Articles:
| 
No comments:
Post a Comment