5 Great Star Trek Episodes That You May Have Missed (Pre- Discovery)
Even the most devoted Trekkies sometimes overlook hidden gems in the vast Star Trek universe. Whether you're rediscovering a classic or experiencing it for the first time, these episodes are well worth a watch. Here are five of our favorites that you might have missed—or just need a good excuse to revisit!
STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES
★ A Taste of Armageddon (Season 1, Episode 23)
The Enterprise is sent on a diplomatic mission to Eminiar VII, a planet locked in a bizarre 500-year war with its neighbor, Vendikar. But when Kirk and his landing party arrive, they discover the conflict is nothing like they expected. Instead of physical battles, the war is fought through computer simulations—where “casualties” are real people who voluntarily report to disintegration chambers.
The situation escalates when Eminiar VII declares that the Enterprise has been “destroyed” in a simulated attack, meaning its entire crew must submit to execution. Trapped and facing annihilation, Kirk and Spock must outthink their captors to escape, save the Enterprise, and put an end to this horrifyingly efficient war.
Why You Should Watch:
This episode is a brilliant example of Star Trek’s philosophical storytelling, raising questions about the nature of war and the cost of making it “clean.” It also features Captain Kirk at his best—bold, strategic, and defiant in the face of bureaucratic madness.
★ The Trouble with Tribbles (Season 2, Episode 15)
When the Enterprise is assigned to guard a crucial shipment of grain at Deep Space Station K7, Kirk is less than thrilled. But what starts as a dull security mission quickly spirals into chaos—thanks to a fast-multiplying species of adorable, furry creatures called tribbles.
Initially seen as harmless pets, the tribbles begin reproducing at an alarming rate, overrunning the station and even infesting the Enterprise itself. Things get even more complicated when it’s revealed that the Klingons hate tribbles—and tribbles hate Klingons. As tensions rise, Kirk and his crew must uncover a saboteur before the grain supply is ruined.
Why You Should Watch:
This is Star Trek’s comedic masterpiece. From Kirk being buried under an avalanche of tribbles to Scotty’s creative solution for dealing with them (hint: he beams them somewhere very inconvenient), this episode is pure fun. It also gave us one of Trek’s most beloved alien species!
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
★ Yesterday’s Enterprise (Season 3, Episode 15)
The Enterprise-D encounters a strange rift in space, and out of it emerges the heavily damaged USS Enterprise-C—an older starship thought to have been destroyed years ago. The moment it appears, reality shifts: the peaceful Enterprise-D transforms into a warship, and the Federation is locked in a losing battle against the Klingons. Even more unsettling, Lieutenant Tasha Yar—who had died in the original timeline—now serves as tactical officer, completely unaware of any changes.
Only Guinan senses that something is wrong. She insists that the Enterprise-C must return to its own time, even though doing so will almost certainly mean the deaths of its crew. The choice: allow history to remain altered and watch the Federation fall, or send the Enterprise-C back to its doom in hopes of restoring the past.
Why You Should Watch:
This episode is a masterclass in time-travel storytelling, packed with high stakes, gripping battles, and an emotional farewell for Tasha Yar. It’s also one of Captain Picard’s most intense moments, as he fights for the survival of the Federation.
★ I, Borg (Season 5, Episode 23)
While investigating a crashed Borg ship, the Enterprise crew finds a single surviving drone—a young Borg later named Hugh. While Dr. Crusher insists on treating him, Picard and the others see an opportunity: they can implant Hugh with a virus that will spread through the Borg Collective, wiping them out completely.
But as Hugh regains his health, he begins developing individuality, forming an unlikely friendship with Geordi La Forge. The crew finds themselves grappling with a moral dilemma: should they use him as a weapon, or allow him the freedom to choose his own destiny?
Why You Should Watch:
This episode challenges everything we thought we knew about the Borg. Instead of mindless villains, we see a glimmer of humanity in one of them. It’s a fantastic exploration of ethics, free will, and the power of individuality.
STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
★ Emissary, Parts I & II (Season 1, Episodes 1 & 2)
Commander Benjamin Sisko is assigned to the newly liberated space station Deep Space Nine, orbiting Bajor after decades of brutal Cardassian occupation. Bitter and grieving the loss of his wife at the Battle of Wolf 359 (where Picard, as Locutus of Borg, played a role in her death), Sisko is unsure if he even wants to remain in Starfleet.
But everything changes when he discovers a stable wormhole leading to the unexplored Gamma Quadrant. The beings inside—the Bajoran "Prophets"—exist outside of time and challenge Sisko to confront his past. Meanwhile, tensions with the Cardassians threaten to erupt into war, and Sisko must prove himself as both a leader and the prophesied "Emissary" of Bajor.
Why You Should Watch:
This is one of the strongest Star Trek pilot episodes ever made. It introduces DS9’s darker, more serialized storytelling and sets up the show’s major themes: politics, religion, war, and personal redemption. Plus, the chemistry between Sisko and Kira is electric from the start!
Final Thoughts
Star Trek is filled with legendary episodes, but sometimes, the real gems are the ones that don’t get talked about as often. These episodes showcase the best of what the franchise has to offer—philosophical dilemmas, emotional storytelling, and just the right amount of humor.
Have a favorite underrated Star Trek episode? Let us know in the comments!