5 most controversial Star Trek: The Original Series episodes, explored

Star Trek: The Original Series was quite ahead of its time when it started airing in 1966 on NBC. The show, created by Gene Roddenberry, ran for three seasons. It followed the starship Enterprise and its crew as they explored distant worlds and made contact with alien civilizations.

However, despite its modern themes and diverse cast, Star Trek: The Original Series was still a product of its era. Many episodes featured outdated views on race and gender, and some plots are uncomfortable for modern audiences. These issues, though not always obvious at the time, stand out more today. Let’s take a look at the most controversial Star Trek: The Original Series episodes.

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Most controversial Star Trek: The Original Series episodes

These five episodes from Star Trek: The Original Series weren’t considered too controversial back in the day, but looking back now, they have a few flaws. Here are five episodes that continue to spark debate among fans and critics alike.

1. Turnabout Intruder (Season 3, Episode 24)

In this episode, Captain Kirk’s former partner, Janice Lester, switches bodies with him. She does so because she believes she was denied the chance to command a starship simply because she is a woman. Taking over Kirk’s body, she plans to lead the Enterprise herself and even considers killing him to keep her secret.

This storyline is often criticized for its portrayal of women. While Lester is shown as unstable, her frustration with the system seems justified today. The idea that women couldn’t hold command reflects the sexism that was normalized in the 1960s. Besides, the fact that a woman had to swap bodies with a man to be able to command a starship speaks volumes.

2. Operation: Annihilate! (Season 1, Episode 29)

This episode focuses on the crew’s fight against a deadly alien parasite that spreads across planets, controlling minds and causing chaos. The only solution seems to be the destruction of the creatures.

The way the situation is handled is controversial when viewed from a modern perspective. The characters don’t engage in a moral debate or search for alternative solutions; they simply wipe out the parasites. While they’re not intelligent beings, this still raises ethical questions. Modern Star Trek series tend to explore peaceful or creative resolutions. That makes this episode feel unusually harsh and one-sided — and one of the most controversial Star Trek: The Original Series episodes.

3. Mudd’s Women (Season 1, Episode 6)

In this episode, the crew rescues Harry Mudd, a con artist transporting three women to marry miners on a remote planet. At first, it seems like he’s doing the women a favor. However, it becomes clear that he’s actually profiting from selling them into arranged marriages.

The women are presented mainly for their looks, and the male characters—including the Enterprise crew—frequently comment on their appearance. The episode touches on serious topics like trafficking and consent, but it handles them poorly. It also reduces women to only their physical appearance, which is problematic, no matter the decade.

4. Elaan of Troyius (Season 3, Episode 13)

In this story, the Enterprise is tasked with escorting a princess named Elaan, who is to marry a man from a rival planet to bring peace. Elaan is strong-willed, but the crew treats her with condescension, and Captain Kirk tries to physically control her by spanking her—even slapping and kissing her in one scene.

This episode is controversial on various levels. Despite the attempt to create a powerful female character, the writing reduces her to a stereotype. Moreover, the fact that a man can touch and harass a woman without any consequences further raises questions about the portrayal of women in the show.

5. The Paradise Syndrome (Season 3, Episode 3)

In this episode, Captain Kirk loses his memory and ends up living with a peaceful alien tribe, eventually marrying one of its members. While the story is emotional, it leans heavily on harmful stereotypes of Indigenous people.

The tribe is portrayed using tropes often labeled as the “noble savage,” and none of the actors playing them are Native American. The episode’s romantic plot fails to be the focus due to its lack of cultural respect and understanding. Viewed today, this stands as one of the most controversial Star Trek: The Original Series episodes due to its poor representation of an entire culture.

Star Trek: The Original Series was an inspiration for many reasons. It tackled social issues, promoted diversity, and influenced decades of science fiction. But it also had its flaws. These controversial Star Trek: The Original Series episodes remind us that even shows with progressive aims can fall short in their execution.

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These controversial episodes remind us that even shows with progressive aims can fall short in their execution.

Star Trek: The Original Series is streaming on Paramount+.

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