SERIES RANKINGS - PART ONE - 13th to 8th

This is the current version of my ever-changing and evolving rankings of every series of Star Trek. Over 6 decades, all have things to recommend them along with the odd clunker thrown in for good measure. This however is about what speaks to me and what I will most often reach for when I need a hit of Star Trek

13. VERY SHORT TREKS

OK, so it’s not technically a series but these promotional videos are designed as a unit. While one must credit Trek for trying something different, these missed the mark by so much it’s hard to understand  they were tonally all over the place and memorable for all the wrong reasons

I like - Ethan Phillips returning, The musical one

I don’t like - the snot one

12. SHORT TREKS

These are a brilliant concept and the main reason they’re not ranked higher is there simply aren’t enough when the possibilities are endless. ‘Calypso’ is a masterpiece. ‘Children of Mars’ is a perfect prelude to Picard. ‘Q&A has SINGING SPOCK. What more could you want? 

I like - the potential of the format

I don’t like - dropping the format

11. THE ANIMATED SERIES

This may be unfair but it’s the series I’ve revisited least. Nothing to do with ‘it’s not canon’ or some other nonsense. I remember some standout moments but if you put a phaser to my head I’d struggle to discuss them for any length of time

I like - It’s TOS Season 4

I don’t like - the problematic 60s TV writing elements

10. ENTERPRISE

I so want to love Enterprise but ultimately I don’t think many of the people involved had faith (not that one) in the premise. The Temporal Cold War was blatantly a get out of jail free card for if the series didn’t work. The technology also advanced a little too quickly for my liking. however, the Xindi arc and the mini-arcs of seasons 3 and 4 are terrific pieces of Star Trek. Sadly, people switched off after the first 2 (unfortunately, in my opinion) largely forgettable years. Cut off in it’s prime

I like - Jolene Blalock, one of the best actresses in the franchise

I don’t like - the boys club feeling that permeates the series

9. DISCOVERY 

I will always have a special place in my heart for Discovery. it brought Trek back to TV where it belongs and we’d have none of the subsequent shows without it. Sonequa Martin-Green is a revelation as Burnham and there honestly isn’t a weak link in the cast. It has Michelle freakin’ Yeoh for Prophets sake. While some ‘fans’ have trashed the series and behaved abhorrently towards some of the cast (I will not have a word said against Mary Wiseman, she is a gift). I can understand, though not necessarily agree, with some of the criticism. Quark and Garak explain it best in their iconic root beer scene. This crew at times feels a bit too ‘bubbly and cloy’ for my tastes but I love them nonetheless. Another series cut off in its prime

I like - the bravery of jumping to the 31st century

I don’t like - they cancelled it at its height

8. PICARD

Most of my issue with Picard is to do with the behind the scenes side. Over 2 seasons I fell in live with the characters of Rios, Jurati, Elnor and Soji along with the actors who played them. They were all then unceremoniously dropped to make way for the return of the TNG cast in S3. My disappointment however evaporated quickly on watching the final season. The first 2 are vastly underrated but the 3rd is on another level. Everything clicks, the new cast along with Seven, Raffi and the TNG crew are all at their best. people say it’s a 10 hour movie. I can’t help but wish that movie had room for the whole cast

I like - the connective threads joining to the rest of the franchise

I don’t like - the departures at the end of S2