Picard Viewing Guide: The Star Trek to Watch Before the Show

As Patrick Stewart's return looms in Star Trek: Picard, get up to (warp) speed on what you need to watch with our viewing checklist. From battles with the Borg to android adventures to a side-trip to Star Trek: Voyager, this is the essential Picard pre-game viewing guide.
#ign

[@worf7271]

Just binge all of TNG, DS9 and Voyager over the holidays, it's only 526 episodes.

[@krismtl5581]

You say that, but I dedicated this last year and a half to doing just that. Hadn't ever watched any Star Trek besides a few eps with my Dad years and years ago... so I started TOS>TNG>DS9>Voyager + all the movies. Been quite a journey!!

[@deviantaffinity1626]

@@krismtl5581 And was DS9 the absolute best-est-est?

[@krismtl5581]

​@@deviantaffinity1626 I really like the darker tones of the franchise, so DS9 was awesome for that. And Quark is a gem. Wasn't a big fan of 'the prophets' plot but I don't care enough about that for it to really matter about my view of the show. It was great.

[@deviantaffinity1626]

@@krismtl5581 Yeah, TBH, my comment was more about me declaring my love for the show. I think that Dukat is one of the best villains to ever come out of Hollywood. And the last 8 episodes though... They neatly tied nearly every loose end up in a really convoluted plot. I am glad that you enjoyed it though, and hope that ST has found another lifelong fan.

[@corneliusantonius3108]

AY AY SIR

[@deviantaffinity1626]

"I'm a role model." My second favorite TNG quote, right after Worf's, "Captain, I am NOT a merry man!"

[@adamfrisk956]

Deviant Affinity I’ll be on the bridge.

[@thedevilsadvocate5210]

When Data says "I am a Frenchman " in Time`s Arrow

[@vect0r85]

I also like Picard's line "I spell knife with an n"

[@deviantaffinity1626]

@@vect0r85 Who doesn't? 🤔

[@Theogvineofthedead]

"I'm in the middle of a battle simulation and I need to hand hold an android"

[@hypertion]

I think my favorite moment is when picard plays the flute to mourn a falle. Civilization and the family he had seemingly lost in it. Its a scene that honestly left me more emotional than any other scene in the series.

[@swedishtrekkie]

Since Hugh is coming back in "Picard" as well, "I, Borg" (S5, E23), is also an essential episode.

[@simonwebster368]

And maybe Star Trek Voyager's final episode 'Endgame' since Janeway was supposed to have destroyed the Borg.

[@swedishtrekkie]

Basically, watch the entire series of TNG and VOY. :)

[@djhutchison]

I wonder if Guinan will make an appearance, since she's so closely associated w/ the Borg.

[@robertbeste]

@@simonwebster368 No she didn't. She destroyed one out of SIX transwarp hubs and "dealt a crippling blow" to the borg. She did, in no way, destroy them completely.

[@simonwebster368]

@@robertbeste Thanks for the clarification Robert. You motivated me to do a quick 5 mins research and it seems others would agree with you. In Dark Frontier when Janeway reached the Unicomplex, Tuvok states that it has thousands of substructures and TRILLIONS of lifeforms, so when that Unicomplex was destroyed by Admiral Janeway, it was indeed a "crippling blow to the Borg" but agreed, not annihilation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppTSdIaknM6AndU

[@aircanuck]

We're getting Q back, and that is everything to me.

[@northwindx79]

yet another useless video from IGN

[@theround3903]

I see four lights

[@chris746568462]

Chain of command

[@thevein4571]

*there are four lights

[@xSijnx]

click click click click

[@mr.horseshoe2301]

Just finished watching the entirety of TNG. Amazing series. Next up is DS9.

[@AlonsoFan2023]

DS9 starts off a bit weak, but gets better and better from season to season. But that's always the case with Star Trek series. The last seasons are the highlight of all Star Trek series from my point of view. In many points you can even say that DS9 was ahead of its time and also addressed topics which were not covered by any other series in the 90s. The actual quality can only be recognized from the third season onwards. Unfortunately there is no HD re-release of DS9, because this is hardly possible due to cost reasons and the technology used at that time.

[@colmhayes7750]

DS9 is great...It really explores the idea of Star Trek... It would be terrible to start with DS9 but it's great if you have seen some previous trek

[@gewitterhund3164]

Enjoy the "O'Brien suffers"- episodes. There are plenty ^^

[@Ertwin123]

TNG is my favorite Trek, but I fully admit that DS9 is hands down the best.

[@ImRux-yj7do]

I love ds9

[@PaulKentSkates]

Chain of command may also inform the character. Picard definitely got some ptsd from that.

[@Johnson09641]

@fenrif What? Explain

[@dmehus]

@@Johnson09641 He's saying the showrunners are all young bucks, who know very little about the franchise, and will probably butcher it like those did with Discovery. The Orville is the best new non-Star Trek Star Trek series. :)

[@Johnson09641]

@@dmehus nah, you people are so cynical

[@steviemartin1977]

I’d also throw in “Unification” for some Romulan back story. It is a two parter, but it includes Spock which is a nice bonus.

[@homehelpheart7440]

Thanks for this! Really looking forward to Picard. I was shocked that there was an episode in this retrospective that I had not seen!

[@Zotemann]

Generations is also important, cause his brother, his brothers wife and their siblings died in a fire. :-/

[@wolframflorian]

😅 Wow! You're right... almost forgot about that!

[@djhutchison]

Measure of a Man is a great episode, but it is also kind of dumb. The question of Data's sentience was decided before he was allowed to join Starfleet. That's right, he had to apply and be accepted, just like anyone else.

[@AnnusMirabilus]

I always greatly preferred "The Most Toys," which explores the same concepts in a much more fun manner. Courtroom dramas almost always bore the hell out of me.

[@markwilson7013]

I wonder if some in Starfleet wanted a better 'tech demo' and so made sure he was accepted to keep a closer look at his performance.

[@telectronix1368]

It wasn't established in the series (or the films iirc) that he had been established as "recognized sentient" by Starfleet. By dint of having a senior post on a ship Starfleet recognize/accept his functional ability.....but that doesn't require "...and this is also a conscious entity".

[@danyelPitmon]

Thanks a lot you got me more excited about the new card show to where there’s no reason not to watch I have every reason now to watch thank you very much much appreciate it

[@NocturnalMantis]

Awesome! Thanks for the video! IGN came through for me today.

[@feonjun]

The early days of Star Trek wasn't polluted with lens flares as the new crop Star Trek shows and movies.

[@deeef13]

That new Discovery series is so garbage compared to the ones reviewed in this video.

[@bluntbudsgamer7421]

I've just finished next generation ,voyager and ds9 and can't wait for the picard series ,i hope they keep it in the same style and not polluted like discovery. I even watched enterprise because i couldn't get enough

[@Gofr5]

Agreed. Enterprise was very underrated.

[@zerious1016]

I cant wait to the next season for Picard, I mean cpt. Picard. I love his show.

[@MINN2x]

Simple.. Watch star trek...cause it seems like its gonna have different people pop in and out from diff series well.. Tng ds9 voy and movies.

[@TOK150]

shouldn't voyagers endgame technically be essentiel too?

[@TOK150]

I mean its not a great story but it certainly seems to be connected to what comes next.

[@daemonthornhill1083]

Space probe episode is one of my favorite episodes

[@ChiaraWatson]

I already watched everything from TOS-Enterprise over a period of a year from Summer 2017-Summer 2018 than Discovery. I will be rewatching this list again though.

[@nickfilms8828]

Nemesis the “worst” of the bunch? Someone clearly didn’t stay awake through Insurrection

[@seanbirch]

You got to be kidding.

[@Nick871203]

@@seanbirch i enjoyed nemesis

[@colmhayes7750]

The problem with the TNG movies is that they fundamentally changed two characters. Picard became and action hero and Data became unbearable... Red Letter Media does great reviews of them... Thanks to RLM I like to think of The Best of Both Worlds as the end of TNG and pretend the movies didn't happen

[@seanbirch]

The_Wilsonator and me and more people enjoyed insurrection much more

[@USAgent-gk8es]

@@colmhayes7750 That wouldn't work well in the story of star trek since the movies play a huge role in future story elements including the new Picard show, with first contact they saved earth from the Borg and were the reason in helping Cochrane fly the Phoenix and pave the way towards the future, also the death with Data of course there are more smaller reasons but those are the main plots that revolve around the existence of the movies.

[@nathanboyer80]

The Inner Light is the best Trek episode of all the times.

[@futurescape3dsolutions441]

It would be worthwhile checking out episodes with Hugh in them as he seems to be an important character in Picard.

[@Cartman8402]

The Inner Light. My favourite episode of Star Trek TNG!

[@soylentteal]

A masterpiece. And DS9's "Children of Time," deserves mention alongside it.

[@Cartman8402]

@@soylentteal I need to watch that again. Can't remember that episode of DS9.

[@soylentteal]

@@Cartman8402 It's not as strong as Inner Light, but it leaves the viewer with similar feelings when it ends.

[@DamnZodiak]

"and yes, she made out with Riker once." I mean, who didn't?

[@MattSSPP]

I guess that mean's Data has the memory of making out with Riker.

[@DamnZodiak]

@@MattSSPP I never thought about that, but you're absolutely right.

[@PhantomGeass]

Every time this list is mentioned people seem to forget an important 2 parter. Voyager's Endgame, in which it shows the crippling of the Borg.

[@youthawe123]

Kinda makes me wonder if we're going to see the queen again

[@youthawe123]

It would be so cool if we saw the queen again

[@LoganBoyle12]

And first contact, it's essentially the continuation of best of both worlds and shows a lot of picard demons in relation to the borg in the same way "family" did, but first contact focuses more on the anger and chance for revenge.

[@lezhilo772]

In the (non-canon?) comics ST: Countdown, which was set in the main universe leading to the JJ reboot, the Romulans had access to some salvaged Borg technology that they used to enhance Nero's ship in ST 2009 after the destruction of Romulus. So it is possible for the Romulans to have been salvaging for Borg tech from Endgame onwards to Picard.

[@DIGOLOGIST]

If 7 is in Picard, then I'm gonna watch it for sure. Now to come up with the cash for all access!

[@telectronix1368]

She makes an appearance, at least, but maybe not a large role.

[@markgowans]

I liked 'Measure of a man'. It was great to see Jean Luc do his Perry Mason thing :)

[@RichardCermele]

Another great Picard Episode is "Chain of Command"

[@MartinAslaksen]

Basically everything since this is after voyager

[@davidterry3288]

I would suggest watching the episode "Dumpster Fire" so you know what the Fandom is referencing when reviewing the episodes.

[@LukeDavidRobinson]

First Contact should also be in there since it dealt a lot with Picard's Borg PTSD and maybe even VOY: Endgame since we see what happens to the Borg. Going by the trailers, the Borg are going to play a big role in the show.

[@deviantaffinity1626]

Data is not necessarily gone. They can easily retcon his death. They did find another model of Data in the movie, and if memory serves me correctly, Data's consciousness has back-ups.

[@randomnickify]

Trailer suggest that starfleet tries to build Data's "clones" and most likely fails horribly, we can safely assume Data is dead.

[@deviantaffinity1626]

@@randomnickify I don't know how I am going to feel about that. On the one hand more Data is never a bad thing. On the other hand, a mishandled retcon/script could ruin Data's legacy.

[@0Maloy1]

I thought data got rid of his back ups, because it was part of his desire to experience mortality

[@CrniWuk]

Comment section : Episode XYZ might be also of relevance because of XZY. Me : Watch the whole show! Damnit!

[@lezhilo772]

I think an argument can be made to drop Offspring and Q, Who for ST: Generations and ST: First Contact. These two movies provide important moments for Picard(Accepting his and his family's mortality in Generations, and overcoming his trauma and desire for revenge in First Contact.) But I understand that including Offspring and Q, Who is important for the new audience to get to know Data and the Borg so if this is primarily an ST: Picard viewing guide and not a Picard viewing guide(In that case replacing Q, Who with First Contact would still make sense). Otherwise solid list!

[@christaylor4828]

Can you put the recommended review episodes in the info box please?

[@SolidSolve]

This video is f'n awesome

[@ToddWaters_tw]

Nice.

[@derekfrost8991]

I know all about star trek's back catalog. I just wanted to know when is it coming out??

[@brianmessemer2973]

Yeah seriously.

[@lostdalek]

I would include I,Borg and Descent for Hughs backstory. Also Star Trek 09 for an insight on events after nemesis.

[@mkjirges5405]

Star trek 09 and anything that follows is trash.

[@lostdalek]

@@mkjirges5405 don't bother watching Picard then.

[@davethomas1241]

My favourite 2 parter is times arrow

[@tswiss6531]

Agreed. Great cliffhanger.

[@jamesr8610]

Exactly how is I, Borg and maybe even Descent parts 1 and 2 not on this list. The directly relate to Hugh, who is in the new series... Kinda important

[@antisomething4248]

Picard is the greatest tv character ever I think and the finale of the next gen Was the best ever

[@rollerbladinggeek5507]

Oh the weight of always being right.. my predictions about Picard ALL coming true despite people contradicting me

[@jimmylamb]

You have to watch the 2009 Star Trek movie as well this timeline has something to with why Picard wen home and retired.

[@Geeksmithing]

Surprised you didn't list any TNG episodes that feature Hugh.

[@Gofr5]

Hugh seems to be also playing a part in the new series, so I would say his episodes are also worth watching.

[@Geeksmithing]

Agreed.

[@SpocksFridayNights]

I wish I could erase everything I remember & watch all of the shows again...🥺 *(that includes Enterprise😤)*

[@hypertion]

Its been a long road..

[@SpocksFridayNights]

hypertion getting from there to hereeeeeeeee

[@emiliehall2432]

What about the one movie Star Trek with Chris Pine how it talked about the Romulan supernova that future Spock tried to prevent.

[@howlbigbadwolf]

I really hope Q, and Gina show up at some point, Even Janeway as well. I still remember in Drumhead, 10,000 died because he was turned into a Borg.

[@porpus99]

Movie wise, I think First Contact makes a better option. Picard is forced to face the Borg once more, confront the demons of his past. Voyager is also necessary as Jeri Ryan (AKA 7 of 9) will also be involved in the series. The issue is that there are so many unknowns about the show, that we do not know what will be involved and who. For all we know Q or the Dominion may be involved in some way.

[@54356776]

I'd just be happy with a Star Trek show made for people who actually like Star Trek.

[@Bill23799]

Picard taking his dog out for walkies on a cold winter morning at Chateau Picard. " Make it so, Number One ".

[@CmdrTomalak]

So funny that a super die-hard trekkie has no need at all to re-watch anything really. Just about all of the items here are considered essential viewing for any trekker to be honest. Actually had zero issues following along the premiere of ST:Picard and all of the references to these items.

[@alvaromedinagarcia]

I would have recommended this ones exactly (less Nemesis) and "Chain of command".

[@alefunzouzzle4049]

I hope he is with a Maquis crew. I would love for them to come back to Star Trek in a big way.

[@Sagitta62]

B4 becomes the Picard Baddy

[@hmm2598]

I wanna see data!!! He's my man! 🦄

[@Ggdivhjkjl]

What about Lore?

[@swanofnutella4734]

"Dom-Jot Hu-man!"

[@jasonpenz8902]

Wait wtf i didn't know when this was gonna happen. When is the new series coming out?

[@randyzeitman1354]

In the trial episode why didn't Riker bring in a blind folded Diana and say "Tell me who is in this room?" .... CHECKMATE!

[@btbf34]

I don’t think you’ll see the flute again. They auctioned it off a few years ago

[@seanbirch]

If only they could produce a replica

[@panther196321]

The flute may have been destroyed during the battle of Veridian III.

[@bailey2624]

0:13 DAT MOON FACE THO

[@fireemblemaddict128]

THE INNER LIGHT. In my opinion the best episode of Star Trek TNG, it should be one of the last episodes you watch if you skip and choose.

[@FastDuDeJiunn]

i always thought inner light was the best episode. Showed Picards most human relatable side finally

[@jeffreylightbourn9445]

"You humans talk and you talk, but you have no GRAMBA!" 5:06

[@FurnaxIkki]

My recommended viewing guide for Star Trek Picard is the Mr. Plinkett review. And then you stop.

[@EvanCops]

Dont forget the romulans ;)

[@tmofee]

I’m surprised you didn’t suggest I borg, considering who is in the new show...

[@redshirtveteran5688]

Hugh do you mean?

[@tmofee]

Redshirt Veteran yeah didn’t want to spoil it. They probably didn’t recognise him, it’s a blink and you miss it scene

[@redshirtveteran5688]

@@tmofee Fair. I didn't recognize him on first viewing of the trailer.

[@AzureWind91]

Just one thing missing: I, Borg.

[@NeoWind]

The puns lol

[@bigd1348]

What's the name of the new show

[@AdamDavid]

You missed Star Trek: First Contact???? Lol

[@ChiaraWatson]

Very true

[@systemlordanubis8272]

Nemesis was nice - and when i see what comes after... thx to the bad stuff of abrams that make nemesis to the last true trek movie

[@sofiabruiz17]

Into the darkness wasnt that bad. Beyond was horrible tho, probably rushed it because of the 50 anniversary

[@telectronix1368]

"I am going to compliment a thing....but only so I can go on to criticize something else."

[@daveofbakersfield47]

seriously tho...as long as its taking for the next season, theres literally been time to watch everything....everything.

[@TheInnacity]

i saw five queens of diamonds .

[@wildebtw]

Nemesis was great! Tom Hardy doesn't make bad films.

[@openmind2161]

Damn i thought that was wine advertisment

[@Drachenhannes]

what to watch before i ignore the show.

[@chawndel8279]

I actually love the movie Nemesis. I don't understand why people rag on it.

[@Frankhill425]

This has been written by the same people who did Discovery. So if your a fan of old school Star Trek, and Star Trek lore. Prepare to be dissapointed. Would be best to watch this series as if it had no association with the past

[@MindPetrol]

Way to ruin my year, dash my hopes, and send me spiraling into a deep and life threatening depression.

[@wolframflorian]

OMG!!! 😱 You forgot "Chain of Command" Part 1 & 2" 😱

[@dmhcman8237]

Let’s not forget “Generation’s” we found out that his brother and nephew had died. I would think that would be important.

[@pderham26]

Haven't seen Star Trek? Don't worry! Neither have the people making Star Trek these days!

[@bradleywasser2047]

Paul Derham I think they’ve modernized the show. I mean what Star Trek is like now (Discovery) is probably what TNG would have been like if they had the special effects we have today. I’m sure Picard will be more like TNG than Discovery, just more modern.

[@corssecurity]

@@bradleywasser2047 woke garbage? I'm worried about that too. Bad Robot and JJ are still part of the project in some capacity. This is still set in the Kelvin timeline. Sir Patrick Stewart is woke. But maybe they changed footing and came to their senses before finishing the first season

[@pderham26]

@@bradleywasser2047 The very way in which the show is organized is different. Not a story with much meaning anymore. Discovery is nothing like TNG would be, and while I do have hopes, Picard looks terrible..

[@JamesMichael333]

Data dying at the end of Nemesis was as annoying when Spock was killed. Fans became enraged and hence they brought back Spock. The should bring back Data somehow as well.

[@soylentteal]

Spiner had repeatedly asked them kill off Data. He got his wish.

[@JamesMichael333]

Seventh Mist why would an actor want to be killed off? I dont get it. Plus hes in the new Picard series

[@soylentteal]

@@JamesMichael333 Spiner was sick of having to have more and more makeup to hide his increasing wrinkles. Maybe the new Data will be a wrinkly one?

[@JamesMichael333]

@@soylentteal Im not sure why. It’s literally his only legacy and thing of note that he’s ever done

[@Elibbb-sx3kg]

What professor x doing in star trak ?

[@g_pazzini]

Elibbb1111 he is captain x

[@brettnelson7518]

There's a show called Star Trek: Picard?

[@drink15]

Dean Nelson yes

[@johnbeechy]

Deadline reported... 'Picard' has been renewed for season 2 ../.. as of this week.. Merry Christmas.. //

[@Forklift_Fella]

I refuse to accept Star Trek Nemesis as canon.

[@CalmingWinds]

Motion seconded

[@rormecub]

maybe it's not dreaming about Data, maybe it's B4 since they dumped the "memory" of Data in him

[@whichdoctor4858]

I hope it is brilliant. Dear lord...

[@aracon9721]

so basically it's based on some of the best episodes in trek history... noted

[@firstlast542]

Watch anything BUT nu-trek.

[@seanbirch]

Does Enterprise count as Nu-Trek?

[@seanbirch]

fenrif calm down. Enterprise was still a boring chore.

[@seanbirch]

fenrif I’ll take entertaining garbage over ungood boredom any day :D

[@MadhavendraSinghBika]

This is more complicated than I thought lol I'll just pass on tv series and stick with movies

[@dvxAznxvb]

How old is this guy?!

[@dansmith7106]

It,s director bullick

[@inuyasha]

They should make a COD style Star Trek game

[@GabrielPintoMusic]

Check out Star Trek Online ;)

[@54356776]

No.

[@vect0r85]

Star Trek: Elite Force was tons of fun. Didn't age well, but the online multiplayer was epic. Plus Chell had some great voice lines.

[@proberts34]

It's on CBS All-Access only, eh? Well, I don't subscribe to CBS All-Access, so I guess I won't be watching it. Maybe I'll catch it some other way someday.

[@trekkiegal1472]

I hope the writers did.

[@crayopopp7171]

Or you can watch X-men