This month’s poll ventures into the eerie corridors of the Star Trek universe, highlighting episodes that blend the franchise’s iconic exploration theme with unexpected chills and thrills. Diving into tales of ghostly apparitions, mysterious abductions, and unexpected dangers lurking in the vastness of space, we celebrate the episodes that showcase how the final frontier isn’t just about discovery, but also about confronting the unknown’s unsettling nature. These stories, filled with suspense and surprises, remind Trekkies that space offers more than just wonders—it also holds mysteries that can send a shiver down the bravest Starfleet officer’s spine.
Ever thought the universe of Star Trek was all phaser battles and philosophical ponderings? Well, occasionally it tosses in some eerie tales from the crypt keeper. As we get closer to the chills of Halloween, let’s navigate those episodes where Starfleet’s bold journeys felt more like spooky detours.
The iconic TOS episode “The Tholian Web” kicks things off. Captain Kirk has gone missing, and now there are eerie doppelgangers aboard? Here, Captain Kirk’s haunting apparitions create a spectral atmosphere after his mysterious disappearance in an alternate dimension. With the Enterprise trapped in the mesmerizing snare of the Tholians, one can’t help but feel an impending sense of dread. And, let’s face it, a ghost Captain Kirk really gives the Enterprise a haunted mansion vibe!
But, if you thought things got weird there, Star Trek: The Next Generation’s “Schisms” takes the eerie cake. Alien abductions? Check. Creepy examination tables? Double-check. While it’s a tad unsettling, it does make you wonder if the Enterprise crew might have benefited from a space neighbourhood watch program. As the crew grapples with memory lapses and the disturbing realization of being abducted and studied by aliens, the episode masterfully constructs a chilling environment where the known universe’s boundaries seem to blur.
Our voyage takes a terrifying detour with Star Trek: Enterprise’s “Impulse”. The discovery of a Vulcan ship with its crew transformed into violent, mindless beings serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers lurking in space’s uncharted territories. Imagine visiting a ship only to find its Vulcan crew has gone full-on zombie mode. If there ever was a “turn the spaceship around” moment, this was it!
But, as if to remind us that not all that’s unsettling is necessarily tangible, Star Trek: Voyager presents “The Haunting of Deck Twelve”. Our ghostly bard Neelix’s recounting of an electromagnetic lifeform’s eerie presence aboard the ship merges the essence of a classic ghost tale with the limitless enigma of space, making us question the very nature of the stories that echo through the galaxy’s corridors. Ancient mariners would nod in approval.
Lastly, but definitely not least, the abandoned setting of “Empok Nor” in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9) eerily resonates with themes from classic horror narratives. As the crew finds themselves hunted in a desolate Cardassian station, the sense of claustrophobic terror reaches its zenith, culminating our trek through Star Trek’s darker episodes. It’s all fun and games until the lights go out.
From spooky spectres to zombified Vulcans, Star Trek’s brilliance lies in its diverse storytelling, sometimes making us marvel at space’s beauty and at other times making us apprehensive of its unpredictable abyss. Join in the fun, cast your vote for the most unsettling-yet-quirky episode, and remember – in space, no one can hear you scream…
Or can they? 🌌🎃🖖
