Star Trek has a few gems sprinkled in the many series across the decades, capturing the festive spirit with redemption arcs and family bonding. With crews being under duress, it gives the opportunity to come together against all odds.
Star Trek uses a lot of selflessness as an act of gifting someone something far more precious than materialistic items. We’ve compiled the top 5 Star Trek holiday-themed episodes for you to watch when you’re in the mood for something festive.
5. TOS – The Trouble with Tribbles (S2E15)
A still from Star Trek: The Original Series | Credit: Paramount
The Trouble with Tribbles is a hilarious episode where the Enterprise is overrun by cute little tribbles that multiply uncontrollably. Managing the clutter brought the crew together in a bureaucratic nightmare that ended up with us having one of the most memorable Star Trek: The Original Series episodes that carries on the lore to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
4. DS9 – You Are Cordially Invited (S6E7)
A still from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | Credit: Paramount
Entering wedding season in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine sees the union of Worf and Jadzia in a refreshing breather of an episode. You Are Cordially Invited to watch this episode as a fun romcom vibe that adds a flavor of familial bonding between the characters.
3. DS9 – In the Cards (S5E25)
A still from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | Credit: Paramount
In one of the more lighthearted Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes, In the Cards gives us a fun adventure wherein Jake and Nog go on a farcical quest across the station to secure a 1951 Willie Mays card to cheer up Sisko. With morale low, this episode offers a low-stakes comedic breather where the small moments are appreciated by the crew.
2. TNG – Tapestry (S6E15)
A still from Star Trek: The Next Generation | Credit: Paramount
With a Christmas Carol-esque vibe to this episode, Star Trek: The Next Generation dives into new territory with none other than the mischievous Q. The episode was literally pitched as “A Q Carol” that took Picard on a journey through his life, and taught him the importance of learning from the mistakes he made.
1. Voyager – Death Wish (S2E18)
Easily the most festive of the lot, this Star Trek: Voyager episode is overtly Christmas-themed, with imagery quite obviously tied to the story. Quinn, a Q, turns Voyager into a tiny ornament hanging on a decorated tree while evading Q. Does that not sound fun? Despite dark themes in the episode, the miracle is not lost on Trekkies as Quinn is released.
Star Trek is not big on festive-style episodes, so to see one marks a more unique side of the lore that is much appreciated by diehard Trekkies. Here is a summary of the episodes mentioned.
Episode titleShowSeason & EpisodePremiseDeath WishStar Trek: VoyagerSeason 2, Episode 18A suicidal Q asks Janeway for asylum so he can end his immortal life.TapestryStar Trek: The Next GenerationSeason 6, Episode 15After dying, Picard is guided by Q through a redo of his reckless youth.In the CardsStar Trek: Deep Space NineSeason 5, Episode 25Jake and Nog scramble across DS9 doing favors to win a rare baseball card.You Are Cordially InvitedStar Trek: Deep Space NineSeason 6, Episode 7Worf and Jadzia’s Klingon wedding becomes a chaotic mess.The Trouble with TribblesStar Trek: The Original SeriesSeason 2, Episode 15Cute tribbles overrun a space station and the Enterprise.
What is your favorite holiday-themed episode? Let us know in the comments.
All Star Trek series are available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.
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