5 most underrated Star Trek episodes, explored

When people talk about Star Trek episodes, the older ones usually find themselves under the limelight—with The Trouble with Tribbles or The Best of Both Worlds sort of episodes getting all the accolades. Star Trek, however, is a humongous franchise that has been going on for decades, and beneath the glow of some of those classic favorites are episodes that do not get their rightful recognition.

These stints did not necessarily generate great fanfare or headlines, but they quietly offered sharp commentary, unconventional storytelling, or outstanding acting that stood the test of time.

This article is not an attempt to redefine what is great, but instead, it takes a closer look at those moments in Star Trek's history that maybe flew under the radar of casual fans, or even diehard fans.

Here are all those underrated selections from different series within the franchise, chosen for their thematic, narrative depth, as well as whether or not they defy the Star Trek convention.

5 Star Trek episodes that are far more worthy of accolades than they have received

1. "The Empath" – Star Trek: The Original Series, Season 3, Episode 12

The Empath almost never shows up on lists of greatest episodes, but its minimalist aesthetic and quietly emotional heart make it a weirdo gem of The Original Series. It is the tale of a woman named Gem, who can take on other humans' pain—a metaphor for empathy carried to an extreme.

The episode has sparse sets and abstracted direction, so it feels more like a stage play than a standard science-fiction tale. It is also far too frequently ignored by critics, as it is plodding and extremely theatrical. But it does teach us a richly philosophical lesson in sacrifice and empathy. And, in an otherwise underwhelming season, The Empath is a quietly powerful episode.

2. "Duet" – Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Season 1, Episode 19

Although later seasons of Deep Space Nine turned out to be critical successes, Duet was among the early episodes that surprised people. With virtually all the action happening in an interrogation room, the episode sees Major Kira questioning a Cardassian war criminal, or at least she thinks so.

With no violence or harsh repercussions, it depends on dialogue and moral nuance to wrestle with themes of war trauma, justice, and complicity.

Wonderful as it is, it's been overtaken too many times by later, more complex DS9 plots. Duet is still a wonderful example of how Star Trek raises ethical questions without offering easy answers.

3. "The Thaw" – Star Trek: Voyager, Season 2, Episode 23

Clowns and VR born of fear do not generally mingle in science fiction, but The Thaw takes hold of an arm. Being in a computer simulation where fear has coalesced into a flesh-and-blood entity, the episode includes a horror clown nightmare haunting the Voyager crew led by Michael McKean. It is alienating—even weird—at first, but explores the psychological fear of losing control, and even fear itself.

The alienating setting and unorthodox mood will disorient some, but it's precisely that unorthodox approach that makes it well worth repeat viewing. The Thaw is unsettling in a way that Voyager never allowed itself to be.

4. "Whispers" – Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Season 2, Episode 14

On a show that tends to get heavy-handed in the philosophy department, Whispers is a remarkable psychological thriller. The episode brings Chief O'Brien back to Deep Space Nine and slowly starts suspecting that everyone around him is turning against him.

Paranoia overwhelms him, and the unexpected twist at the end recontextualizes the entire story. It's a slow burn, with a growing sense of unease not typical of Star Trek. As it's not sci-fi convention-based, it generally tends to get forgotten in the wake of more action-packed episodes. But its narrative structure and eerie location make it a fascinating franchise member.

5. "Carbon Creek" – Star Trek: Enterprise, Season 2, Episode 2

Carbon Creek diverges from the bigger Enterprise storyline to tell a stand-alone tale of Vulcans who crash-landed in Pennsylvania during the 1950s. It's framed as a narrative, perhaps crafted by T'Pol, leaving the truth open to outright ambiguity. It humanizes Vulcans in a difficult-to-reach way, highlighting adjustment, curiosity, and even sacrifice.

As much as it's a numerically well-liked Enterprise episode among enthusiasts, it's under-debated even in larger Star Trek communities. Its subtle quality and period setting have enabled it to find its niche as a contemplative character-piece and not as a mission-of-the-week fare.

These installments did not map the path of the franchise nor spark ginormous cultural movements, but they demonstrate what Star Trek does so well: ask tough questions, experiment with form, and explore the human (and alien) condition in new ways.