10 Best Entry Points For Star Trek Newcomers

10. The Cage

Let's discuss The Cage first, although not because it's the best starting point, but rather the easy one. In 1964, Gene Roddenberry put together this episode to introduce the world (and the Network) to Star Trek. This new idea owed a lot to the SciFi serials that had come before, with Forbidden Planet certainly serving a massive influence. It was both a celebration of, and natural extension, the pulpy content of yesteryear.

However, it was and remains a bold, provocative piece of fiction. Captain Christopher Pike is a firm lead to rally behind. The dated dialogue is perhaps one of the reasons it may not be the best entry point to Star Trek in 2024, yet the performances are solid across the board. Jeffrey Hunter is an easy leading man, while Majel Barrett shines as Number One. Leonard Nimoy is instantly iconic as Mr. Spock, the alien-yet-familiar Vulcan.

The episode has of course been remastered for those who may struggle a bit with the 60s production values, though for fans of the classics, this episode has it all - even if the Network wasn't initially convinced. It was such a good failure though that they gave the green-light to commission a second pilot, Where No Man Has Gone Before, which was quite unusual at the time. 

The Cage is Star Trek in a very pure form, a little rough around the edges, but an excellent introduction to everything that would follow.