1. Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG)
* Seasons 1-7: Follow the story of the USS Enterprise-D and its crew as they explore the galaxy. This is the foundation for the other series.
2. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9)
* Seasons 1-7: DS9 is a bit darker and more serialized than TNG. Start with this series after TNG to experience the interconnectedness, but be aware of minor spoilers for TNG events.
3. Star Trek: Voyager (VOY)
* Seasons 1-7: This series focuses on a starship stranded in the Delta Quadrant. It offers a separate storyline from TNG and DS9, allowing for some crossover episodes without major spoilers.
Why This Order?
* Timeline: TNG, DS9, and VOY generally take place in chronological order. This helps maintain the flow of events.
* Character Development: TNG characters and storylines form the basis for later series. Starting with TNG allows you to fully appreciate their roles and impact.
* Crossover Impact: By watching DS9 after TNG, you'll catch the deeper connections and implications of their shared events. VOY's later crossovers are less substantial but still enrich the overall Star Trek universe.
Important Notes:
* Minor Spoilers: It's impossible to avoid all spoilers. Some DS9 episodes touch on TNG events, but they're generally not plot-critical.
* "The Dominion War" (DS9): This significant storyline spans multiple seasons and involves major TNG characters. It's best to watch DS9 in order to fully appreciate its impact.
* "Star Trek: Enterprise" (ENT): This prequel series to TNG can be watched any time, but it's best to enjoy it after the other series for a more complete understanding of Star Trek history.
* Movies: The Star Trek movies are a mix of TNG and original series characters, but they're mostly separate storylines. You can watch them as you like.
Enjoy your journey through the galaxy!