The BEST episodes of The Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek
Every episode of The Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek!
In honor of the sci-fi franchise’s 55th anniversary this year and produced by The Nacelle Company, the project will feature interviews with cast, crew and experts as it explores pivotal moments in the franchise’s history, from its inception at Lucille Ball’s production company Desilu to recent film and television adaptations.
#1 - It's Been A Long Time...
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/13/2022
Plagued by fledgling UPN's under performance, Enterprise's premise (a prequel about the Federation's founding) was undercut by the decision to make the third season a reaction to 9/11. Lackluster ratings meant Captain Archer and his crew would only get four seasons.
Watch Now:Apple TV
#2 - Starships A-Z
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 2/27/2022
Kirk, Spock, Picard, Data -- the list of great "Star Trek" characters is incomplete without the Enterprise, Starfleet's flagship vessel; but Enterprise isn't alone, there's a whole list of Federation vessels that aren't appreciated enough.
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#3 - Lucy Loves Trek
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 11/5/2021
It all began when Gene Roddenberry convinced Desilu to foot the bill for not one, but two "Star Trek" pilots; thanks to Desilu's boss, America's darling Lucille Ball, the world met Kirk, Spock and McCoy.
#4 - Trek Goes To The Movies
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/22/2021
The 1980s saw Paramount release three linked Star Trek movies to huge box-office success. The first, The Wrath Of Khan, saw Ricardo Montalban as Khan, a villain from the original series, return. It was followed by The Search For Spock, directed by Leonard Nimoy. He returned to the director's chair for The Voyage Home, the biggest Star Trek success yet.
#5 - Voyage(r) to the Delta Quadrant
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/20/2022
1995 brought another Trek series. This one featured a new starship, a return to episodic storytelling, and Trek's first female Captain, Kathryn Janeway. It was also the flagship for Paramount's new television network, United Paramount Network (UPN). Despite running seven seasons, the addition of Seven Of Nine wasn't well-received by the entire cast.
Watch Now:Apple TV
#6 - Queue for Q
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/6/2022
In 1987 Paramount decided Trek should return to its roots - television. ST: The Next Generation would become the first hour-long scripted show sold directly to the syndicated television market. Paramount's gamble paid off. Who hasn't heard of Picard, Data, and Worf?
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#8 - Trekking through the '70s - Phase II and The Motion Picture
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/19/2021
Paramount wanted to launch a fourth network with the new Star Trek series Phase II as its flagship. When the network proved unworkable, Phase II appeared doomed - until Star Wars and Close Encounters Of The Third Kind proved box office hits. Phase II became the 1979 blockbuster Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
#9 - Saturday Morning Pinks
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 11/12/2021
Didn't realize there was a cartoon version of Star Trek in the early 1970s? Not only was it great, but with original series creator Gene Roddenberry, writer D.C. Fontana, and the series' original stars on board, it is the fourth season of the original show.
#10 - Dancing with Syndication in the Pale Moonlight
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/13/2022
After Gene Roddenberry's death, Trek ventured into yet another incarnation. Deep Space Nine was different from its predecessor, set on a space station. Its 1993 debut featured an African American Captain and heavily serialized story arcs - both firsts. This was new Trek.
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV