Today is the 50th anniversary of the debut of Star Trek, according to stuff I read on Twitter. This, of course, necessitates a ranking of Star Trek TV shows, because no anniversary can pass without arbitrarily deciding which things we like about a thing in order to celebrate that thing. Hooray, things!
Note: The following is a ranking of TV shows, and not movies or books or collectible card games or awesome Bluetooth recreations of Star Trek props or other ephemera related to the TV shows in question. Just the TV shows. Please also note that this list is objective, not subjective, and thus no dissent will be tolerated in the comments.*
1. Deep Space Nine
The first Star Trek series to really embrace multi-episode arcs and a series-long narrative, Deep Space Nine is the best of the Treks. Between the Dominion War (which featured a prolonged assault by shape-shifters who had infiltrated the Federation) and the machinations of the Federation intelligence agency Section 31, you'd think that the show was a commentary on post-9/11 America. You'd be wrong, though, given that it was off the air by 1999. It was just remarkably prescient, like all good art.
Sisko is the best captain, combining Kirk's physicality and derring do with Picard's intellect. On this there can be no debate.
2. The Next Generation
The best villains (Q and the Borg) and the best episodes (the pair of two-parters, Best of Both Worlds and Chains of Command) of any Trek series.
3. The Original Series
I mean, it's fine, I guess.
4. Voyager
A lady? In charge of a space ship? WHOA.
Voyager had a great concept and just wasn't quite sure what to do with it. Stranded on the other side of the galaxy with little hope to get home? Great idea! It was always just kind of ... meh. Even introducing the delightfully droll Seven of Nine
wasn't quite enough to save the show.
5. Enterprise
As far as I can tell, no one actually watched this show. I mean, I only watched about four episodes of it. Maybe it was good? Whatever, it's last. Sorry Quantum Leap Guy, your Star Trek show was unmemorable.
*Made you look for a comments section, didn't I? Joke's on you, loser.