Every Star Trek Series Finale, Ranked

A sequence finale affords a present one final likelihood to make a grand assertion about its core themes whereas providing a send-off to its major characters. Nonetheless, identical to a pilot episode, not all sequence finales are created equal, with some managing to stay the touchdown whereas others are useless on arrival. This definitely applies to the Star Trek franchise, which has steadily launched a number of tv sequence since its begin in 1966. Whereas Star Trek has offered followers with a few of the finest finales in TV historical past, different exhibits within the franchise have stumbled throughout the end line.

In some circumstances, Star Trek exhibits have ended with out their finale being deliberate to conclude a sequence run, with the cancelation resolution made both throughout or after manufacturing. These finales are noticeably much less passable than the opposite sequence which have a deliberate coda, paying off on years of storytelling. However when Star Trek pulls off a stable finale, it reminds followers why they fell in love with the franchise within the first place. Right here is each Star Trek sequence finale ranked from worst to finest.

As groundbreaking and enduring as “Star Trek: The Authentic Sequence” is, additionally it is, sadly, nonetheless very a lot a product of its time in ’60s. That is particularly obvious in its sequence finale, “Turnabout Intruder,” which has Janice Lester (Sandra Smith), a former lover of Captain Kirk (William Shatner), swap our bodies with him. Blaming systemic sexism within the Federation for her stunted profession path, Lester takes command of the Enterprise in her new physique. Kirk, in Lester’s physique, works with the senior officers in his crew to disclose the deception.

Although not meant to be a sequence finale, “Turnabout Intruder” ends “TOS” on one of many worst episodes the Star Trek franchise ever produced. The sequence had been a number one beacon on tv for equality and variety, just for its final episode to counsel misogyny was simply as firmly ingrained in its enlightened society. This depiction of sexism extends to the episode’s performances, with Shatner going much more over-the-top than traditional, exhibiting Lester as a lady vulnerable to emotional matches and tantrums. The episode additional denigrates Starfleet’s esteemed status by having Lester almost use the court-martial system to condemn the Enterprise’s senior workers to dying for mutiny.

“Turnabout Intruder” means that career-minded girls ought to be thought-about hysterical, all whereas sustaining office sexism into the twenty third century. The episode does not simply finish “TOS” on a weak word, each in premise and execution, however skewers the progressivism the present and franchise established.

After 4 seasons, “Star Trek: Enterprise” concluded its run with “These Are the Voyages…” a two-parter masking the ultimate mission of the Enterprise NX-01, commanded by Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula). The episode makes use of a framing gadget of Commander Will Riker (Jonathan Frakes) witnessing this journey by means of the holodeck through the “Star Trek: The Subsequent Technology” period when in search of steering. As noticed by Riker, Archer and his crew perform a rescue mission on behalf of their Andorian frenemy Shan (Jeffrey Combs). This ends in the dying of Archer’s chief engineer, Journey Tucker (Connor Trinneer), although Archer finds the power to proceed to encourage Starfleet.

“These Are the Voyages…” rightfully gained a infamous status as one of many worst finales ever, significantly for a Star Trek sequence. Sequence common Jolene Blalock publicly lambasted the episode earlier than it even aired, whereas the solid and crew criticized it over the subsequent years. A widespread supply of criticism was the episode relegating the “Enterprise” solid to visitor characters for their very own finale, with the framing gadget making Riker the story’s ostensible protagonist. Equally, Tucker’s dying was decried as an inexpensive technique to generate shock and a way of significance couched in a flashback program, slightly than organically earned.

A whole disservice to the legacy and arduous work behind “Enterprise,” “These Are the Voyages…” a minimum of saved its harm centered on one sequence slightly than the complete franchise.

After operating for 2 seasons within the ’70s, the ultimate episode of “Star Trek: The Animated Sequence,” like its live-action predecessor, wasn’t consciously developed as a sequence finale. “The Counter-Clock Incident” has the Enterprise caught in a cosmic anomaly that quickly de-ages its crew, together with its visiting first captain, Robert April (James Doohan), and his spouse Sarah (Nichelle Nichols). Due to Robert and Sarah’s superior age previous to the incident, they’re nonetheless sufficiently old to function the ship and steer it to security. Not at risk, Robert and Sarah use the transporter to revive themselves and the crew to their correct ages.

“The Counter-Clock Incident” definitely is not one of many weakest episodes of “TAS,” although it’s a bit, in case you’ll pardon the pun, infantile. April’s standing in Star Trek lore would turn into a recurring matter of debate till his eventual inclusion on “Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds” a long time later. However the thought of the crew being de-aged into youngsters is not a very authentic one, and one which the “The Subsequent Technology” episode “Rascals” does a lot better. Although critically acclaimed, “TAS” didn’t earn sturdy sufficient scores to warrant a renewal, making April’s final Enterprise journey the final for the present general.

Midway by means of its run, “Star Trek: Discovery” obtained a artistic shot within the arm by transporting its ship and crew to the thirty second century. The ultimate three seasons of the five-season present concerned the Discovery main the Federation and Starfleet to rebuild themselves after an interstellar cataclysm. On the ultimate season, the Discovery scrambles to get better expertise left by the Progenitors, who created humanoid life within the galaxy. After the mission’s success, the finale flashes ahead a long time into the longer term as Admiral Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Inexperienced) sends the Discovery off on its ultimate voyage.

If the coda to the sequence finale feels prefer it’s been tacked-on to the remainder of the episode, it is as a result of it was. “Discovery” wasn’t initially planned to conclude with its fifth season, with its finish determined later and reshoots convened to provide the epilogue. The coda feels a bit superfluous, with the episode’s emotional climax being a marriage between Ambassadors Saru (Doug Jones) and T’Rina (Tara Rosling). However, given the uneven production history behind “Discovery,” a slapdash epilogue could have been essentially the most acceptable means for the present to finish its run.

The underlying plot thread all through the animated sequence “Star Trek: Decrease Decks” is its major ensemble of junior officers reaching their dream of being promoted into Starfleet senior workers. This profession ambition is realized on the Season 5 finale, “The New Subsequent Technology,” because the USS Cerritos strikes to forestall a cross-dimensional rift from destabilizing the multiverse. Ensigns Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) and Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) are each promoted to co-first officers whereas their pals obtain their very own varied promotions. With a brand new captain on the helm, the Cerritos continues to tackle Starfleet’s extra menial duties, however with extra esteem and respect than it beforehand loved.

“The New Subsequent Technology” is one other episode that wasn’t essentially deliberate to function a definitive sequence finale, leaving the door open for a possible future. True to “Decrease Decks” type, the episode typically veers into outright chaos however manages to return collectively in a satisfying way by the end. Although not as cohesive as previous “Decrease Decks” season finales, “The New Subsequent Technology” leaves open loads of fascinating free ends to probably comply with up on. “The New Subsequent Technology” looks like a stopgap slightly than a real finale, tying up simply sufficient plot to fulfill audiences whereas tantalizing them with hopefully extra to return.

By its seventh and ultimate season, “Star Trek: Deep Area 9” was not an episodic sequence however one revolving round an overarching serialized narrative. A coalition led by the Federation battled the Founders, a shape-shifting race from the Gamma Quadrant, in a devastating battle known as the Dominion War. The final handful of episodes are instantly linked, culminating within the two-parter “What You Depart Behind” because the alliance launches an assault on the Cardassian Union. The villainous Dukat (Marc Alaimo) makes an attempt to unleash the ethereal Pah-wraiths, solely to be stopped by Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks).

With all of its transferring items, from the plan to contaminate the Founders to the Cardassians turning on the Dominion, the “DS9” finale is an epic end to the sequence. The present’s weakest aspect is its Pah-wraith subplot, linked to Sisko’s function as an emissary to non-corporeal beings residing in a close-by wormhole. Although tracing again to the sequence premiere, these plot threads have been all the time the clumsiest components of the story, and so they do not enhance right here. However other than the awkward deus ex machina decision between Sisko and Dukat, “DS9” brings the Dominion Conflict to a satisfying shut.

“Star Trek: Voyager” chronicles the arduous journey of the USS Voyager from the Delta Quadrant all the best way again to Federation area, taking years to take action. Alongside the best way, Voyager encounters the Borg Collective, together with the sinister Borg Queen (Alice Krige), who has designs on assimilating all life within the galaxy. The “Voyager” finale, “Endgame,” completes this journey whereas eliminating the specter of the Borg — a minimum of at that time of the franchise. Admiral Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), from an alternate future, joins the present-day Voyager to alter historical past and full its journey early, averting additional catastrophe.

From Admiral Janeway’s confrontation with the Borg to B’Elanna Torres (Roxann Dawson) welcoming her youngster, “Endgame” packs quite a bit in its two-episode runtime. The finale reveals how far Janeway will go for the sake of her crew whereas a lot of the different major characters get their very own time to shine. “Endgame” additionally seamlessly brings collectively an entire host of traditional Star Trek tropes, together with time-travel, the Borg, and thrilling ship-to-ship motion. “Voyager” had a tendency to be scattershot in its tone and quality, however the sequence introduced all of it residence, actually, for its ending.

Although Patrick Stewart’s return to his star-making function as Jean-Luc Picard was eagerly obtained by followers, reception to the precise present, “Star Trek: Picard,” was extra tepid. After two meandering seasons, not sure of the story it was making an attempt to inform, “Picard” completed sturdy with its third and ultimate season. The season not solely reunited the “TNG” solid, however pitted them towards a resurgent Borg Queen, now allied with the Founders to infiltrate Starfleet at its highest ranges. The sequence finale put the traditional crew again on the restored Enterprise-D, whereas Picard confronted the Borg Queen for one final showdown.

The “Picard” sequence finale not solely fantastically concludes the sequence, but in addition the franchise’s whole “TNG” period, together with the following film sequence. Picard’s confrontation with the Borg Queen resolves his deepest trauma, now framed throughout the context of saving his son, the literal subsequent era. On a extra epic scale, the Enterprise-D again in motion and the closing poker scene makes “The Final Technology” really feel just like the “TNG” movie fans never got. The final hurrah for the “TNG” crew whereas leaving the door open for brand new adventures, “Picard” is the cinematic stage of storytelling the present deserved all alongside.

An ideal sequence finale ought to repay on the main long-standing plot threads, clearly articulate the present’s mission assertion, and ship a satisfying conclusion for its major characters. With that in thoughts, “The Subsequent Technology” is a uncommon present with an ideal finale, wrapping up its seven-season run with the two-parter “All Good Issues…” As Picard investigates a spatial anomaly, he finds his thoughts divided in three totally different timelines: the current, the occasions of the sequence premiere, and an alternate future. All of the whereas, Picard’s expertise is guided by Q (John de Lancie), reminding the captain that he’s nonetheless judging humanity’s value.

From its clear callback to the beginning of the sequence to potential ending factors for every of its major characters, “TNG” closes its story fantastically. Q’s presence makes for a implausible bookend to the overarching narrative, whereas the finale touches on what “TNG” does so effectively, with its thought-provoking humanist sci-fi. The conclusive coda to the sequence is a poker recreation between the senior workers, itself a recurring motif on the present, now taking part in to Picard’s sense of belonging. “All Good Issues…” looks like an absolute triumph and units a bar for finales transferring ahead, not only for Star Trek, however within the wider movie and tv medium.

A sequence finale affords a present one final likelihood to make a grand assertion about its core themes whereas providing a send-off to its major characters. Nonetheless, identical to a pilot episode, not all sequence finales are created equal, with some managing to stay the touchdown whereas others are useless on arrival. This definitely applies to the Star Trek franchise, which has steadily launched a number of tv sequence since its begin in 1966. Whereas Star Trek has offered followers with a few of the finest finales in TV historical past, different exhibits within the franchise have stumbled throughout the end line.

In some circumstances, Star Trek exhibits have ended with out their finale being deliberate to conclude a sequence run, with the cancelation resolution made both throughout or after manufacturing. These finales are noticeably much less passable than the opposite sequence which have a deliberate coda, paying off on years of storytelling. However when Star Trek pulls off a stable finale, it reminds followers why they fell in love with the franchise within the first place. Right here is each Star Trek sequence finale ranked from worst to finest.

As groundbreaking and enduring as “Star Trek: The Authentic Sequence” is, additionally it is, sadly, nonetheless very a lot a product of its time in ’60s. That is particularly obvious in its sequence finale, “Turnabout Intruder,” which has Janice Lester (Sandra Smith), a former lover of Captain Kirk (William Shatner), swap our bodies with him. Blaming systemic sexism within the Federation for her stunted profession path, Lester takes command of the Enterprise in her new physique. Kirk, in Lester’s physique, works with the senior officers in his crew to disclose the deception.

Although not meant to be a sequence finale, “Turnabout Intruder” ends “TOS” on one of many worst episodes the Star Trek franchise ever produced. The sequence had been a number one beacon on tv for equality and variety, just for its final episode to counsel misogyny was simply as firmly ingrained in its enlightened society. This depiction of sexism extends to the episode’s performances, with Shatner going much more over-the-top than traditional, exhibiting Lester as a lady vulnerable to emotional matches and tantrums. The episode additional denigrates Starfleet’s esteemed status by having Lester almost use the court-martial system to condemn the Enterprise’s senior workers to dying for mutiny.

“Turnabout Intruder” means that career-minded girls ought to be thought-about hysterical, all whereas sustaining office sexism into the twenty third century. The episode does not simply finish “TOS” on a weak word, each in premise and execution, however skewers the progressivism the present and franchise established.

After 4 seasons, “Star Trek: Enterprise” concluded its run with “These Are the Voyages…” a two-parter masking the ultimate mission of the Enterprise NX-01, commanded by Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula). The episode makes use of a framing gadget of Commander Will Riker (Jonathan Frakes) witnessing this journey by means of the holodeck through the “Star Trek: The Subsequent Technology” period when in search of steering. As noticed by Riker, Archer and his crew perform a rescue mission on behalf of their Andorian frenemy Shan (Jeffrey Combs). This ends in the dying of Archer’s chief engineer, Journey Tucker (Connor Trinneer), although Archer finds the power to proceed to encourage Starfleet.

“These Are the Voyages…” rightfully gained a infamous status as one of many worst finales ever, significantly for a Star Trek sequence. Sequence common Jolene Blalock publicly lambasted the episode earlier than it even aired, whereas the solid and crew criticized it over the subsequent years. A widespread supply of criticism was the episode relegating the “Enterprise” solid to visitor characters for their very own finale, with the framing gadget making Riker the story’s ostensible protagonist. Equally, Tucker’s dying was decried as an inexpensive technique to generate shock and a way of significance couched in a flashback program, slightly than organically earned.

A whole disservice to the legacy and arduous work behind “Enterprise,” “These Are the Voyages…” a minimum of saved its harm centered on one sequence slightly than the complete franchise.

After operating for 2 seasons within the ’70s, the ultimate episode of “Star Trek: The Animated Sequence,” like its live-action predecessor, wasn’t consciously developed as a sequence finale. “The Counter-Clock Incident” has the Enterprise caught in a cosmic anomaly that quickly de-ages its crew, together with its visiting first captain, Robert April (James Doohan), and his spouse Sarah (Nichelle Nichols). Due to Robert and Sarah’s superior age previous to the incident, they’re nonetheless sufficiently old to function the ship and steer it to security. Not at risk, Robert and Sarah use the transporter to revive themselves and the crew to their correct ages.

“The Counter-Clock Incident” definitely is not one of many weakest episodes of “TAS,” although it’s a bit, in case you’ll pardon the pun, infantile. April’s standing in Star Trek lore would turn into a recurring matter of debate till his eventual inclusion on “Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds” a long time later. However the thought of the crew being de-aged into youngsters is not a very authentic one, and one which the “The Subsequent Technology” episode “Rascals” does a lot better. Although critically acclaimed, “TAS” didn’t earn sturdy sufficient scores to warrant a renewal, making April’s final Enterprise journey the final for the present general.

Midway by means of its run, “Star Trek: Discovery” obtained a artistic shot within the arm by transporting its ship and crew to the thirty second century. The ultimate three seasons of the five-season present concerned the Discovery main the Federation and Starfleet to rebuild themselves after an interstellar cataclysm. On the ultimate season, the Discovery scrambles to get better expertise left by the Progenitors, who created humanoid life within the galaxy. After the mission’s success, the finale flashes ahead a long time into the longer term as Admiral Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Inexperienced) sends the Discovery off on its ultimate voyage.

If the coda to the sequence finale feels prefer it’s been tacked-on to the remainder of the episode, it is as a result of it was. “Discovery” wasn’t initially planned to conclude with its fifth season, with its finish determined later and reshoots convened to provide the epilogue. The coda feels a bit superfluous, with the episode’s emotional climax being a marriage between Ambassadors Saru (Doug Jones) and T’Rina (Tara Rosling). However, given the uneven production history behind “Discovery,” a slapdash epilogue could have been essentially the most acceptable means for the present to finish its run.

The underlying plot thread all through the animated sequence “Star Trek: Decrease Decks” is its major ensemble of junior officers reaching their dream of being promoted into Starfleet senior workers. This profession ambition is realized on the Season 5 finale, “The New Subsequent Technology,” because the USS Cerritos strikes to forestall a cross-dimensional rift from destabilizing the multiverse. Ensigns Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) and Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) are each promoted to co-first officers whereas their pals obtain their very own varied promotions. With a brand new captain on the helm, the Cerritos continues to tackle Starfleet’s extra menial duties, however with extra esteem and respect than it beforehand loved.

“The New Subsequent Technology” is one other episode that wasn’t essentially deliberate to function a definitive sequence finale, leaving the door open for a possible future. True to “Decrease Decks” type, the episode typically veers into outright chaos however manages to return collectively in a satisfying way by the end. Although not as cohesive as previous “Decrease Decks” season finales, “The New Subsequent Technology” leaves open loads of fascinating free ends to probably comply with up on. “The New Subsequent Technology” looks like a stopgap slightly than a real finale, tying up simply sufficient plot to fulfill audiences whereas tantalizing them with hopefully extra to return.

By its seventh and ultimate season, “Star Trek: Deep Area 9” was not an episodic sequence however one revolving round an overarching serialized narrative. A coalition led by the Federation battled the Founders, a shape-shifting race from the Gamma Quadrant, in a devastating battle known as the Dominion War. The final handful of episodes are instantly linked, culminating within the two-parter “What You Depart Behind” because the alliance launches an assault on the Cardassian Union. The villainous Dukat (Marc Alaimo) makes an attempt to unleash the ethereal Pah-wraiths, solely to be stopped by Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks).

With all of its transferring items, from the plan to contaminate the Founders to the Cardassians turning on the Dominion, the “DS9” finale is an epic end to the sequence. The present’s weakest aspect is its Pah-wraith subplot, linked to Sisko’s function as an emissary to non-corporeal beings residing in a close-by wormhole. Although tracing again to the sequence premiere, these plot threads have been all the time the clumsiest components of the story, and so they do not enhance right here. However other than the awkward deus ex machina decision between Sisko and Dukat, “DS9” brings the Dominion Conflict to a satisfying shut.

“Star Trek: Voyager” chronicles the arduous journey of the USS Voyager from the Delta Quadrant all the best way again to Federation area, taking years to take action. Alongside the best way, Voyager encounters the Borg Collective, together with the sinister Borg Queen (Alice Krige), who has designs on assimilating all life within the galaxy. The “Voyager” finale, “Endgame,” completes this journey whereas eliminating the specter of the Borg — a minimum of at that time of the franchise. Admiral Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), from an alternate future, joins the present-day Voyager to alter historical past and full its journey early, averting additional catastrophe.

From Admiral Janeway’s confrontation with the Borg to B’Elanna Torres (Roxann Dawson) welcoming her youngster, “Endgame” packs quite a bit in its two-episode runtime. The finale reveals how far Janeway will go for the sake of her crew whereas a lot of the different major characters get their very own time to shine. “Endgame” additionally seamlessly brings collectively an entire host of traditional Star Trek tropes, together with time-travel, the Borg, and thrilling ship-to-ship motion. “Voyager” had a tendency to be scattershot in its tone and quality, however the sequence introduced all of it residence, actually, for its ending.

Although Patrick Stewart’s return to his star-making function as Jean-Luc Picard was eagerly obtained by followers, reception to the precise present, “Star Trek: Picard,” was extra tepid. After two meandering seasons, not sure of the story it was making an attempt to inform, “Picard” completed sturdy with its third and ultimate season. The season not solely reunited the “TNG” solid, however pitted them towards a resurgent Borg Queen, now allied with the Founders to infiltrate Starfleet at its highest ranges. The sequence finale put the traditional crew again on the restored Enterprise-D, whereas Picard confronted the Borg Queen for one final showdown.

The “Picard” sequence finale not solely fantastically concludes the sequence, but in addition the franchise’s whole “TNG” period, together with the following film sequence. Picard’s confrontation with the Borg Queen resolves his deepest trauma, now framed throughout the context of saving his son, the literal subsequent era. On a extra epic scale, the Enterprise-D again in motion and the closing poker scene makes “The Final Technology” really feel just like the “TNG” movie fans never got. The final hurrah for the “TNG” crew whereas leaving the door open for brand new adventures, “Picard” is the cinematic stage of storytelling the present deserved all alongside.

An ideal sequence finale ought to repay on the main long-standing plot threads, clearly articulate the present’s mission assertion, and ship a satisfying conclusion for its major characters. With that in thoughts, “The Subsequent Technology” is a uncommon present with an ideal finale, wrapping up its seven-season run with the two-parter “All Good Issues…” As Picard investigates a spatial anomaly, he finds his thoughts divided in three totally different timelines: the current, the occasions of the sequence premiere, and an alternate future. All of the whereas, Picard’s expertise is guided by Q (John de Lancie), reminding the captain that he’s nonetheless judging humanity’s value.

From its clear callback to the beginning of the sequence to potential ending factors for every of its major characters, “TNG” closes its story fantastically. Q’s presence makes for a implausible bookend to the overarching narrative, whereas the finale touches on what “TNG” does so effectively, with its thought-provoking humanist sci-fi. The conclusive coda to the sequence is a poker recreation between the senior workers, itself a recurring motif on the present, now taking part in to Picard’s sense of belonging. “All Good Issues…” looks like an absolute triumph and units a bar for finales transferring ahead, not only for Star Trek, however within the wider movie and tv medium.