Best Star Trek Episodes For Halloween

As a long-time fan of both Star Trek and horror movies, I must say these three episodes have truly left their mark on me. The chilling tales of body horror, ghost ships, and undead crew members have kept me on the edge of my seat more times than I can count.

Star Trek might not be everyone’s first thought when it comes to horror, but there are numerous episodes that blend elements of science fiction with the eerie and unsettling. With such a vast collection of series associated with this franchise, it’s no surprise that some of them incorporate chilling and spooky aspects, making them perfect for Halloween viewing.

Here are some spooktacular Star Trek episodes ideal for Halloween viewing! These episodes introduce thrilling twists on classic tales, featuring spectral vessels and the undead, while others delve into the myriad terrors lurking within the chilling emptiness of space. The creative minds behind Star Trek have also explored themes associated with Halloween, such as psychological horror and dark fantasy, which are equally captivating.

7 Charlie X

TOS: Season 1, Episode 2

Directed By: Lawrence Dobkin
Guest Starring: Robert Walker, Charles J. Stewart, Dallas Mitchell, Patricia McNulty
Air Date: September 15, 1966

Supporters of “The Twilight Zone” may find echoes of a sorrowful tale about a youngster who transported those testing his patience into a cornfield. In this instance, though, that charming child possesses dominion over an entire galaxy. As he begins to appreciate his power, intervention from outside sources could be the only means to free the Enterprise from the grip of his divine abilities.

On a barren, uninhabited planet following the wreckage of a crash that left him as its lone survivor, Charlie X was discovered. Yet, he wasn’t entirely alone; a kind-hearted band of alien entities without physical forms and possessing formidable psychic abilities saved him. These powers, which extended his life, came at an immense price – he was forever cut off from any human connection.

6 Bride of Chaotica!

Voyager: Season 5, Episode 12

Directed By: Allan Kroeker
Guest Stars: Martin Rayner, Nicholas Worth, Paul F. O’Brien
Air Date: Season 5, Episode 12

If you’re a fan of Halloween-themed attire and shows like “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” you might appreciate “Bride of Chaotica!” from “Star Trek: Voyager.” While holodeck episodes can sometimes be dull, this one is an exception, making it worth watching even outside of Halloween for any dedicated “Star Trek” fans.

Tom Paris and Harry Kim are having fun with another exciting installment of “Captain Proton’s Adventures” on the Holodeck, when suddenly they are called away, allowing the program to continue playing. A group of aliens who exist as pure energy enter the Holodeck through a spatial anomaly from another dimension.

In the Captain Proton series, the villain, Dr. Chaotica, wages a war that endangers the crew of Voyager, forcing them to enact their roles in this simulation to vanquish him. One intriguing aspect of this plot is Starfleet Captain Janeway’s portrayal as Queen Arachnia, who is fated to become Dr. Chaotica’s bride.

5 Vanishing Point

Enterprise: Season 2, Episode 10

Directed By: David Straiton
Guest Stars: Keone Young, Gary Riotto, Ric Sarabi
Air Date: November 27, 2002

In this time when transporters were still novel and somewhat unreliable, Hoshi understandably felt apprehensive about utilizing one, especially for an emergency evacuation. Her worries proved justified, as after stepping through the transporter to return to the ship, she encountered instances where it appeared as if she was vanishing. Unfortunately, her disappearance became permanent, and what added to her distress was the belief among her crewmates that she had perished.

In this specific episode of “Star Trek: Enterprise”, the theme of a malfunctioning transporter is employed, and it stands out as one of the scariest instances. It’s not merely the fear of vanishing, but the chilling experience of observing the process unfold gradually, with no means to halt it.

4 Hard Time

DS9: April 15, 1996

Directed By: Alexander Singer
Guest Stars: Rosalind Chao, Margot Rose, Hana Hatae, F. J. Rio
Air Date: Season 4, Episode 19

On planet Argratha, they’ve learned a hard-earned lesson about the deepest fears stemming from our inner minds. They designed their penal institutions with this knowledge, reflecting the idea that the root of terror often lies in the darkest, most hidden corners of one’s psyche, lingering even after the traumatic event has passed.

In the event that O’Brien is found guilty, the Argrathians impose a 20-year imprisonment term for his misdeeds, however, the time spent is only in his mind as a memory. He undergoes the full torment of a genuine 20-year prison sentence, and though it’s merely an implanted memory, his emotional trauma, recurring nightmares, and deep sadness are all too genuine.

3 Genesis

TNG: Season 7, Episode 19

Directed By: Gates McFadden
Guest Stars: Dwight Schultz, Patti Yasutake, Carlos Ferro, Majel Barrett
Air Date: March 19, 1994

Movies such as “The Fly” and “The Thing” delve into the genuine fear of bodily transformation and human degeneration, while “The Next Generation” explores similar themes in its episode titled “Genesis”. This narrative isn’t just about scaring you; it’s also strange and disturbing, making it no wonder that this episode was nominated for a remarkable 10 Emmy Awards in the category of “Outstanding Individual Achievement in Makeup for a Series.

The story unfolds when harmless anti-flu vaccination is administered to Reginald Barclay, but it triggers his dormant genetic material, leading to a transformation into a spider. To add to the chaos, this mutation becomes contagious, rapidly spreading throughout the ship in no time. Unfortunately, when Captain Picard and Data return from their off-ship mission, they discover the once living vessel adrift in space, its crew transformed into grotesque creatures such as apes, lizards, and other frightening organisms due to this strange contagion.

2 Impulse

Enterprise: Season 3, Episode 5

Directed By: Season 3, Episode 5
Guest Starring: Sean McGowan
Air Date: October 8, 2003

In the “Impulse” episode of the series Enterprise, we encounter an exciting blend of elements typical of Star Trek and horror genres. This mix includes haunting sights such as a phantom spaceship, zombie-like creatures, and Vulcans. The narrative commences with a rescue operation, initiated by a SOS signal from the Vulcan cruiser Seleya. A prior Vulcan vessel, the Vaankara, had attempted to aid, but its crew fell victim to an unknown, violent insanity that made them attack each other, ultimately leading to the ship’s demise.

As a gamer, I found myself drawn into the chilling tale of the crew aboard the Seleya, specifically the Vulcan team. Their conduct was eerily reminiscent of the undead madness we often see in games, complete with mottled skin and an unsettling silence. Yet, it wasn’t until T’Pol started exhibiting similar terrifying symptoms that the puzzle began to unravel.

1 Night Terrors

TNG: Season 4, Episode 17

Directed By: Les Landau
Guest Stars: Rosalind Chao, John Vickery, Duke Moosekian, Craig Hurley
Air Date: Season 4, Episode 17

In the chilling storyline of “Night Terrors,” the haunted ship concept is reimagined as an exploration of dread caused by unseen entities rather than zombies. The crew embarks on a mission to locate and aid the stranded USS Brattain, only to discover it adrift in space with all crew members deceased except one, who appears catatonic. The lone survivor, Andrus Hagan, is also a Betazoid, prompting Counselor Troi to attempt communication with him telepathically while the rest of the officers investigate the derelict vessel.

Initially, Counselor Troi experiences terrifying dreams, Captain Crusher uncovers a horrifying truth about the crew – they have inexplicably killed one another, and Chief Engineer Geordi can’t detect any issues with the ship yet it remains motionless. In these dreams, Troi witnesses eerie images of distant glows and disembodied voices repeating phrases that don’t appear to be coherent. The resolution of this episode, however, is a complex scientific explanation that contrasts starkly with the enigmatic narrative that drives the plot.

2024-10-14 11:34