On 12 September 2017, Netflix released a list of its most rewatched Star Trek episodes. A copy of that list is available on Nerdist. I do have to tell you, I can’t recall being more disappointed in my fellow man after reading that list because it’s a list I simply can not agree with. However, instead of screaming into the wind, I decided to compile my own list of Star Trek episodes that I am willing to watch and rewatch. All of these episodes can be found on Netflix and they all deal with a prominent Star Trek theme: second chances. By the way, there are spoilers in this post; however, the last Star Trek episode went off the air ten years ago. If you haven’t seen it by now, you probably don’t ever intend to watch it.
Star Trek (The Original Series)
1. The City on the Edge of Tomorrow – This episode was written by Harlan Ellison and was in the first season of the series. Following a medical accident Doctor McCoy travels back in time and changes history. Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock follow him and try to prevent McCoy from altering the timeline. In doing so Kirk falls in love with a woman who he comes to realize must die in order to save his future. At the end of show when Kirk says “Let’s get the hell out of here,” you know his pain is real.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
1. The Inner Light – In the fifth season, Captain Picard is rendered unconscious by a alien space probe. While minutes pass for the crew, Picard experiences a lifetime as a scientist named Kamin on a planet threaten by a sun about to nova. The purpose of the alien probe was to ensure that the memories of Kamin’s civilization would survive long after the planet was gone. The most touching moment was when Picard finds the flute that “Kamin” played and discovers that he has the musical skills to play it. The tune Picard plays is one of the most haunting melodies you’ll ever hear.
2. Parallels – In the seventh season, after Lieutenant Worf competes in a bat’leth tournament, he returns to the Enterprise only to discover that he now is drifting through various alternate realities and universes as the world around him changes, but he does not. In one of those realities, he is shocked to find he is married to Deanna Troi with children. Ultimately, he returns to his proper reality and for the first time seriously considers pursuing a relationship with Troi. Michael Dorn’s portrayal of a confused and befuddled Worf is priceless.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
1. The Visitor – In the fourth season, Captain Sisko and his son, Jake are aboard the U.S.S. Defiant to observe the inversion of the Bajorian Wormhole. The inversion causes a warp drive malfunction resulting in a energy discharge which strikes Sisko transporting him to a subspace dimension. Everyone believes Sisko to be dead, but every five years he’d reappear to Jake. Jake would later give up his successful writing career and his marriage and spend the rest of his life trying to bring his father back. The Visitor is a story about Jake’s sacrifice and his love for his father and learning from your mistakes.
2. Trials and Tribble-ations – In the fifth season, the production crew pulled a technological miracle using a digital video insertion technique previously seen in the movie, Forrest Gump. This is one of my favorites, not because of the story, but because of the film-making process. This episode has the crew of Deep Space Nine traveling back in time to prevent the assassination of Captain Kirk. The DS9 crew is seamlessly inserted into the original Star Trek episode, The Trouble with Tribbles. The episode took 9 weeks to shoot and cost over $3 million. It is a joy to watch.
Star Trek: Voyager
1. Before and After – In the third season, Kes finds herself living her life in reverse order. Jennifer Lien is splendid as Kes, who is confused by what is going on around her and to her. In some ways it reminds me too much of Parallels (from Star Trek: The Next Generation listed above). Be prepared to hear the words “Biotemporal flux” a lot. Also, if you are a Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman fan, you’ll get a kick out of Jessica Collin’s performance as Linnis Paris, Kes’ daughter. Collins played mob boss Mindy Church on that Superman series and she shows that she has big acting range.
Star Trek: Enterprise
1. This Star Trek franchise is considered by many the worst, but there is a gem in its legacy. In the third season, there was a heartbreaking episode called, “Twilight.” Captain Archer is injured in an accident while saving Sub-Commander T’Pol. As a result of his injury, he could no longer form new long term memories. He remembers everything prior to the accident but nothing new since. He is incapable of command and during the next 12 years he lives in a house with T’Pol, who you really feel sorry for. Every day for the last 12 years, out of a sense of obligation, T’Pol has remained at Archer’s side explaining to him every morning what has occurred over the last 12 years. She concludes her story to him by saying, “At this point you often wonder if you are the victim of some elaborate deception.” Archer admits that the thought did cross his mind. Then T’Pol makes certain Archer believes her by reminding him about an Earth woman he once asked to marry him. Archer asks how T’Pol could know so intimate a detail, and she explains that their relationship has “evolved.” This exchange is one of the most adult and frank in the series. Twilight is a tale of loyalty and second chances and that’s why it’s on my list.
As I said earlier, the Star Trek franchise is about hope and second chances. That’s why these episodes are on my list. What’s on yours?
I don’t know many episode titles but as far as the original series Balance of Terror should be in the top 5 all-time; For ST-TNG the episode where the Borg are introduced and the episodes where Picard is the Arbiter of Succession to replace K’Mpec; For ST-Voyager there’s a two-part episode having to do with one year in which Voyager is almost destroyed as a result of multiple battles; For ST-DS9 the episode where Worf is captured by the Jem Hadar/Dominion and forced to fight multiple Jem Hadar for sport.
I apologize for the unacceptable delay in responding. I blame it on software, but I am responsible for failing to acknowledging your comment. That said, all of those episodes you mentioned are good ones and I appreciate you reading my list.