For the first time in 16 years you can watch a new Star Trek series on the small screen.
But can Star Trek: Discovery live up to the heights of the previous series?
There are some incredible episodes of Trek and DSC has a high bar to reach.
So what are the best episodes of Star Trek?
Well, a group of fans attending the 50th Anniversary Star Trek convention in Las Vegas attempted
picked 10 highlights from the 726 available episodes at the time.
Welcome to Final Frontier; these are the top 10 Star Trek episodes… of all time.
Number 10: The Magnificent Ferengi; Deep Space Nine
When Quark's mother Ishka is abducted by the Dominion, the Grand Nagus offers a huge reward
for her return, so Quark, Rom and Nog lead a team of Ferengi to rescue ‘Moogie’ on
Empok Nor.
We open with a surprising entry.
This episode just pipped ‘The Trouble with Tribbles’ to the top 10, and is very much
a light humour-filled episode amidst the darkness of the ongoing war with the Dominion.
This episode showcases the best of the Ferengi who can, admittedly, be divisive.
Of all the episodes on this list, this is the only light-hearted one.
Number 9.
In a Mirror, Darkly; Enterprise
Commander Archer mutinies against Captain Forrest to capture a future Earth ship found
in Tholian space.
If that doesn’t sound like the Federation it’s because this episode is set in the
alternate ‘Mirror Universe,’ which was first introduced in The Original Series episode
‘Mirror, Mirror’ where the Federation instead developed into the aggressive Terran
Empire.
This two-parter represents the fifth- and fourth-to-last episodes of Star Trek: Enterprise,
and what a way to end the much-maligned series.
The episode starts with a great touch with alternate opening credits representing the
alternate history of humanity in the Mirror universe.
Number 8.
Balance of Terror; The Original Series
As Captain Kirk prepares to perform a wedding ceremony between two crewmembers, an emergency
alarm sounds – Federation Outpost 4 in the Neutral Zone is under attack from an unknown
enemy.
This Original Series episode introduces one of the most enduring villains in the Star
Trek universe, the Romulans.
This episode was described as a touchstone for Star Trek: Discovery by Bryan Fuller.
It saw the first appearance of Mark Lenard on the show as the Romulan Commander, who
would ultimately wind up playing Spock's father, Sarek.
Number 7.
Chain of Command; The Next Generation
While newly assigned Captain Jellico tries to whip the Enterprise crew into shape for
a confrontation with the Cardassians, Picard is caught on a secret mission, taken prisoner
and interrogated.
With Deep Space Nine preparing to take to the air, the ‘Chain of Command’ two-parter
was designed to help to establish the Cardassians as formidable adversaries: this ruthless and
cunning species would be a key player in the Dominion War.
A superb story, with elements that resonate strongly with real-world events to this day,
is coupled with some of the finest acting seen in the series, both from Patrick Stewart
and guest stars Ronny Cox and David Warner.
Number 6.
The Visitor; Deep Space Nine
After a freak accident claims the life of Benjamin Sisko, his son Jake refuses to accept
that his father is dead.
Instead, he lives out his life in an endless quest to find out where his father is.
This is the story of the incredible bond between a father and son.
We once again are treated to magnificent performances as Star Trek does what it does best: use the
genre to tell a very human story.
The Director, David Livingston, singles out this episode as his favourite.
To quote, “It’s probably the show I’m most proud of, because of the impact.
People would tell me that they cried after seeing the episode.”
Number 5.
Yesterday's Enterprise; The Next Generation
A rift in space opens, and the USS Enterprise-C emerges, changing the timeline into a reality
where the Federation is in a bitter war with the Klingon Empire.
The only person on the Enterprise-D who realises that something is not right is Guinan, and
she must help return the displaced starship to its proper time in order for the Enterprise-D
crew to save themselves.
This gripping episode sees the return of Tasha Yar who was originally killed without fanfare
in the first season episode ‘Skin of Evil’, and we see her at her best here trying heroically
to save the future.
Number 4.
Amok Time; The Original Series
While the Enterprise is on route to a presidential inauguration, Spock begins to behave erratically
and changes course for Vulcan against Kirk's orders.
A medical exam reveals his bodily functions are becoming imbalanced, and Spock reluctantly
admits to Kirk that it is the time of ‘pon farr’: when a Vulcan must return home to
mate… or die trying.
A great episode with a mix of drama, humour and action.
And talking of action – who wouldn’t love to see a fight to the death between Spock
and Kirk?
This is precisely what Amok Time delivers…
who wins?
I’ll let you find out for yourselves…
Number 3.
The Inner Light; The Next Generation
After being caught in a probe’s energy beam, Picard finds himself on a distant planet…
and that’s as much as I will dare tell you.
Ask ANY Star Trek: The Next Generation fan their top 5 episodes, and The Inner Light
will almost certainly feature.
And rightfully so.
This episode is my personal favourite of all time – perhaps of any TV series ever – and
is best approached with zero spoilers.
When I first watched this episode with my family, we were all mesmerised for an hour…
and it was like a spell breaking when the story ended.
I still remember us all looking around at each other overawed at what we had just seen.
This scene here is not from The Inner Light, but a sixth season episode called Lessons
where Picard plays a melody on a flute, which has great significance in The Inner Light.
Number 2.
In the Pale Moonlight; Deep Space Nine
To save the Federation at the height of the Dominion War, Sisko has to figure out to what
lengths he will go to to achieve what he feels needs to be done.
A masterpiece of an episode that pushes the boundaries of the Trek universe, with Avery
Brooks once again a tour-de-force as he battles his conscience in a complex and engaging episode
that will leave you absolutely stunned… and a little bit uneasy.
Number 1.
The City on the Edge of Forever; The Original Series
The Enterprise crew discover a time portal (the Guardian of Forever) and McCoy accidentally
alters history for the worse.
Kirk and Spock follow him to try and undo the disaster and land in 1930s New York.
There they meet Edith Keeler – a dedicated pacifist who runs a homeless shelter.
But what price will they have to pay to put history back on course?
This episode not only revolves around the relationship between Kirk and Edith but also
the ever-closer friendship between Kirk and Spock, which would form a key foundation for
the series and the films that followed.
An absolute classic, with a poignant, tragic story and brilliant performances.
So, what did you think?
These lists are subjective by their very nature and I know many of you will have expected
to see episodes such as TNG’s Best of Both Worlds on here.
So let me know in the comments which episodes you would like to have seen.
Star Trek: Discovery certainly has a lot to live up to and let’s hope that one day we
will see DSC episodes on similar Top 10 lists.
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