Rotten Tomatoes’ critics ranking of Star Trek shows highlight the disconnect between critics and fans

Star Trek fans prove they’re more reliable as opposed to television and film critics.

No one is going to agree on all things all the time. That’s not just true with the Star Trek fandom but in life. When we talk about all-time favorites in the franchise, we talk about captains, shows, and the like and while some will like to make it a two-horse race (Picard OR Kirk, TNG or DS9), the fact is there are a lot of great captains and a lot of great shows.

Who your favorite is doesn’t have to be universally agreed upon by the fandom, as opinions change, and sometimes they’re formed under false pretentious, to begin with. Yet, what can’t be disputed is that fans understand the franchise better than critics and so the two will have wildly different views than one another.

Critics often defer to the Barney Stinson model of “Newer is always better.” Sorry, that’s just not true. Especially in the case of Rotten Tomatoes. If you look at how critics rated the shows, you’d think there was something wrong with Star Trek: Enterprise and you’d be foolish not to rush out and watch Star Trek: Discovery right this second.

Critics’ opinions are stuck at the moment. So when they pass judgment, that’s what it is, for good.

Fans, however, allow for change and growth. It may take time but eventually the quality, or lack thereof, of a property will eventually be brought to light. If a property leans too hard on nostalgia, it won’t age well (Star Wars: The Force Awakens). Yet if something is bold, that will oftentimes not be embraced at the moment but will be down the road. (Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker)

So if you look at how critics and fans vote on Rotten Tomatoes, you’re going to get wildly different scores. The critic scores are usually pulled after just three episodes, while the fan’s vote keeps going long after the show has aired. Meaning one better reflects the true legacy of a show than the other.

Critics’ Rank and Score

1. Strange New Worlds (99%)
2. Picard (94%)
3. The Next Generation (92%)
4. Deep Space Nine (91%)
5. Picard (89%)
6. Lower Decks (89%)
7. Discovery (85%)
8. The Original Series (80%)
9. Voyagegr (76%)
10. Enterprise (55%)

Fan Rank and Score

1. The Next Generation (89%)
2. Tie -The Original Series (89%)
3. Deep Space Nine (88%)
4. Strange New Worlds (80%)
5. Enterprise (79%)
6. Voyager (78%)
7. Prodigy (76%)
8. Lower Decks (71%)
9. Picard (58%)
10. Discovery (36%)

Fan scores better capture actual fan interest in various Star Trek properties

We’re all on board with you liking what you like and who you like. Have fun. Yet, we think the fan scores on Rotten Tomatoes are far more accurate to how the greater fandom sees the franchises’ various shows.

Critics are too quick to doll out compliments and pleasantries when reviewing something if it’s from a company they like, and often times they’ll either be too hard or not hard on something if they don’t like the concept from Jumpstreet.

Fans will change their minds. For starters, look at Enterprise. It was the show that killed the television Star Trek franchise for over a decade. At least, that was the stink it had in 2005. Now, in 2023, it’s the fifth highest-rated show among the fandom. Why? Because fans gave it a second chance and saw how well it was made.

It’s possible that opinions change on Discovery and Picard (as a whole, not just the third season) over time, and when they do, it’ll be properly reflected, as fans have the ability to change their minds. Critics, sadly, do not.