El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed May 18, 2022 11:16 pm
My first instinct is to show them The Undiscovered Country. Good movie, good story, gives a flavor of the universe. But maybe there's a TOS and TNG episode that would be a better intro
If that's your instinct, I'd go with it. The fact that it's an entry you value will improve the experience.
I don't think I'd recommend First Contact myself. It's an independently enjoyable film with a lot to see, but "Picard the action hero" is a pretty major divergence from the TNG series character. I guess it might do a decent job of inspiring interest, but I don't believe it represents the franchise very well overall.
There are really two paths: TOS or TNG. Obviously you're looking for a single movie/episode and will let things evolve from there, but if I had the luxury of planning something broader: Are your kids (I don't pay enough attention to know their ages) already culturally aware of the characters of Kirk and Spock? Watch Wrath of Khan, Search for Spock, and Journey Home followed by Undiscovered Country. Or if they're completely blind to Star Trek, first look up a couple "best TOS episodes" lists and handpick whatever you have time for--1, 3, 5 episodes or whatever. This is if you think they'll have the attention span for the pacing and alternatively stilted/hammy acting, but this is where you can threaten to revoke various privileges.
Then, do the same for TNG... watch the best of the best/most relevant episodes (e.g. Best of Both Worlds). Or whatever you remember liking the most. I was always a big fan of the puzzle/time loop episodes. I respect the classics now, but they're not what got me into either series. I'm the weirdo who will tell you to watch Masks. You can of course skip TOS entirely and begin with TNG. But given how foundational it is, I'd only consider it if you're sure they won't go for TOS.
Then watch Generations to tie the two series together (still my favourite despite its flaws), and move on to First Contact if you wish. That's it. That's all the Star Trek anyone
needs to see. (Sure DS9 is amazing but it's a hell of a commitment.) They will understand 90% of cultural references and be able to interface with geeks and nerds whether or not they're of their ilk. And while I myself am childless, I imagine that's one of the major goals of parenting.