Summary
- Lengthy arcs can be used to further character growth and explore complex themes.
- Some story arcs have remained impactful throughout the Trek universe.
- The re-emergence of past characters makes for an interesting plot device.
For years, Star Trek has used multi-episode story arcs to allow for intricate world-building and the exploration of moral dilemmas faced by the captains and crews of Starfleet. Spanning three or more episodes, these arcs give writers the chance to deepen character development and explore complex themes without sacrificing the story for time constraints.
From the ongoing struggles of the Federation to out-of-this-world characters, long story arcs enhance emotional investment in the plot and are a staple of the sci-fi franchise. However, some arcs have a bigger impact than others on the series and show overall; here are a few big hitters across the world of one of sci-fi's longest-running shows.
10 Nova One - Star Trek: Lower Decks
Locarno’s Revenge
One of the biggest ongoing mysteries of Lower Decks Season 4, the Nova One’s appearance spans eight episodes, and despite only a quick glimpse at the end of most of them, it caused a lot of destruction. The ‘whodunnit’ ends in the episode ‘The Inner Fight’ with the return of Nick Locarno.
This small recurring mystery is fun for Star Trek: TNG fans as it brings Robert Duncan McNeill back as his original character after finding success in a much larger role, also a disgraced pilot, in Star Trek: Voyager. It's nice to have a follow-up on Nick's character and finally find out what happened once he was kicked out of Starfleet - despite the fact that he returns with a vengeance.
9 Vulcan Society - Star Trek: Enterprise
Room To Grow
A long-standing plot point of Star Trek: Enterprise is humans being held back from advancement by Vulcans and Archer learning to become more accepting of them. However, a lesser-discussed but by no means less important focus is also placed on the growth of trust Vulcans find in the human race and as a society.
As the show continues, Archer and his crew help bring about a spiritual awakening, root out the Romulan infiltrators, and act as mediators with the Andorians, essentially averting and ending numerous fights and wars. The Vulcan's growth shouldn’t be overlooked when remembering the TV show's importance in the franchise.
8 Pike And The Talosians - Star Trek: The Original Series/Star Trek: Discovery
The Fate Of Captain Pike
The original (unaired) pilot of TOS saw Captain Pike and the crew of the USS Enterprise encounter the Talosians, a telepathic race with the ability to create and maintain incredibly realistic illusions. A race revisited later in the series when Spock returns a disabled Christopher Pike to them after his unfortunate accident and a storyline that now spans three shows and nearly 60 years.
Star Trek: Things You Didn’t Know About Captain Pike
Captain Pike is a fascinating Star Trek character who has had a big impact on Starfleet. However, there's a lot that fans don't know about him.
Despite being only a blip in the Trek universe, Pike’s reappearance in Star Trek: Discovery resonated so deeply with fans that Strange New Worlds was born. Despite already knowing the end of Pike’s story, the enduring legacy of those original three episodes has turned into a new chapter for the show.
7 Species 8472 - Star Trek: Voyager
Janeway’s Decision
Agreeing to help the Borg in their destruction of another species was one of the many questionable decisions Captain Janeway made to get her crew home and one she had to come face to face with later on when 8472 wanted to take the fight directly to the Federation, learning what they can about Earth while in human form.
Janeway's initial decision is uncharacteristic of a Starfleet Captain. It sets a precedent that the audience cannot really know where the line is between the crew of the Voyager and the Prime Directive when out in the Delta Quadrant. While only appearing in a handful of episodes, Species 8472 has become an important part of Star Trek video games as well as Star Trek Online.
6 The Emissary - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Sisko And The Prophets
For fans of DS9, no question is bigger than - What happened to the Sisko? Accepting his role as Emissary of the Prophets was a pivotal moment for Benjamin Sisko and a subject laced deeply within the show. The mystery of what happened after he went with the prophets is not only a question for viewers (multiple theories have shown themselves over the years) but has even been referenced in-universe during a season 3 episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks.
Star Trek: What Does 'Deep Space Nine' Mean?
What is in a name? Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's space station designation had a meaning.
There may never be an official answer about what happened after season seven. However, the fact the question is still being asked today gives an insight into the lasting impression of the Bajoran emissary.
5 Nog - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
The First Ferengi In Starfleet
Nog’s growth from a carefree child to a war hero is entertaining but also, at times, harrowing and provides some of the best episodes of the series. The topic of Nog’s disability and PTSD is difficult to watch but is handled with care and consideration. By becoming the first Ferengi to join Starfleet, Nog defies his family and naysayers, becoming an integral member of the USS Defiant.
Listed in 45 episodes, Nog has the most appearances of any recurring character in DS9 and, as of Star Trek: Discovery, has a ship named after him. Nog’s story and character development aren’t just apparent in DS9; they resonate across the franchise.
4 The Dominion War - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
A Darker Side Of Star Trek
DS9 was initially disliked for its story serialization (which, at the time of its original airing, Star Trek was not known for), and one of the longest story arcs of the show is that of The Dominion War. Despite the war being a famously controversial storyline and originally seen as too “depressing” by co-creator Rick Berman, it is now an intrinsic part of Trek lore.
The dark themes work in Deep Space Nine’s favor, making the storyline memorable and thought-provoking. It shows a different side of Starfleet and the decisions they will make to keep the Federation safe, often forcing viewers to question the actions of the show's heroes.
3 Locutus Of Borg - Star Trek: The Next Generation
Picard’s Assimilation
Picard’s time with the Collective takes its toll on him psychologically, for not only what he did while with the Borg but also what he nearly did. The knowledge of this cracks his usual stoicism, and the trauma leads him to make decisions that he may never have made before his assimilation. How Picard wants to deal with ‘Hugh’ is notably out of character, and it takes confronting Hugh’s own sense of humanity to change his mind.
Even though his assimilation arc only lasts three episodes, the repercussions to Picard and those around him ripple through the different shows. And 33 years after the initial reveal, he is again forced to face the fallout from his time as Locutus of Borg in Star Trek: Picard, truly showing how pivotal those initial episodes have become across the Trek universe.
2 Seven Of Nine - Star Trek: Voyager
Finding Her Humanity
Initially assigned to work with Voyager during their forced allegiance with the Borg, Seven of Nine was taken by Captain Janeway, severing her link with the Collective and thus beginning her difficult and painful transformation from drone back to human, a transformation which sees her face new emotions, feelings and backlash.
While she is not the first human brought back from assimilation, it’s the first time viewers see the process in such a lengthy way, spanning 4 seasons and showing even the most painful parts of her character development. She becomes a fully-fledged crew member in her own right and forms romantic bonds, friendships and even maternal connections that bring depth and complexity to her character. Her reappearance in Star Trek: Picard shows an enduring love for the character, so much so that petitions appeared online almost immediately for a new series following the adventures of Captain Seven of Nine aboard the newly designated USS Enterprise-G.
1 Q And Picard - Star Trek: The Next Generation/Star Trek: Picard
Even Gods Have Favorites
A relationship spanning decades, sometimes fulfilling, often frustrating, Q and his random drop-ins on the USS Enterprise caused fun for fans and strife for the crew. Mainly Captain Picard, who is Q’s ambassador for humanity’s trial. Q and his meeting with Picard kickstarts a chain of events that follows both characters across several episodes and two shows, ending in Star Trek: Picard. Through Q, we are introduced to one of the biggest threats Starfleet has faced, causing turmoil and heartache.
The ripple effect from this action is visible across multiple shows in the series and affects more than just the crew of the USS Enterprise. Despite never truly knowing his intentions, Q’s fascination with Picard helps the latter learn and grow while teaching Q about humanity's persistence and why they are worthy of saving.
Which Part Of The Star Trek Timeline Do You Want To See More Of?
I would say I'd like to see more of the Next Generation era, but we did get the third season of Star Trek: Picard which did the TNG series some justice and a great final send-off. It would be neat to see more of the pre-Enterprise era, like at the founding of the Federation around the time Warp Speed was discovered and humanity first entered the interplanetary community, 100 years-ish before Enterprise. But the tumultuous version of Earth at the time would lend itself to schlocky action instead of an optimistic vision of the future.