star trek first season

• More to Explore
• Series & Movies

Star Trek: The Original Series

Cast of characters.

Latest Articles

• Latest Articles See More

Latest Videos

• Latest Videos See More

Latest Galleries

• Latest Galleries See More

TOS Season 1

• View history

The first season of Star Trek: The Original Series was produced and filmed from May 1966 to February 1967 by Desilu . It began airing in the fall season on NBC , running new episodes until the spring of 1967 , and continuing in repeats until the premiere of TOS Season 2 in the fall of 1967. In the United Kingdom, the season premiered on the ITV network on Sunday, September 6, 1981 , and ended on Sunday, March 21, 1982 .

• 1.1 First pilot
• 1.2 Season 1
• 3 Background information
• 4.2.1 Uncredited crew
• 6 External links

Episodes [ ]

First pilot [ ], season 1 [ ], summary [ ].

The Starfleet vessel USS Enterprise sets out on a five-year mission to explore new worlds and seek out new lifeforms in the Alpha Quadrant of the Galaxy . Under the command of Human Captain James T. Kirk and the Vulcan Spock , the Enterprise comes across many strange lifeforms in the first year of its mission – including shapeshifters , androids , and even more bizarre creatures . Elsewhere, there are run-ins with several prominent species, including the warrior race of the Klingons , the Romulan Star Empire , and the Gorn .

The rest of the crew develop close bonds on the long journey, and even as each one experiences the joys of the brave new world of space, they all experience grief and sacrifices. Amongst those who grow close as part of the senior staff are one of the ship's nurses, Christine Chapel , the ship's doctor Leonard McCoy , Kirk's yeoman Janice Rand , helmsman Hikaru Sulu and communications officer Uhura .

Background information [ ]

• Production for the initial season of Star Trek cost an average of US$190,635 per episode. (Some episodes went largely over budget, such as " The City on the Edge of Forever ", which cost $250,396, the most expensive of all episodes except the two pilots). But this figure would gradually decrease in the two seasons to come. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story )
• Each episode was scheduled to be filmed in six days; however, many of them went over schedule, resulting in one or two extra days of shooting. When Paramount Pictures took over Desilu in mid-season 2, schedules became much more strict, and episodes had to be completed in six days (closer to five and half days actually).
• The first season of TOS was nominated for two Emmy Awards in 1967 as "Outstanding Dramatic Series" and "Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama – Leonard Nimoy ".
• The episodes " The Menagerie, Part I ", " The Menagerie, Part II ", and " The City on the Edge of Forever " won Hugo Awards as "Best Dramatic Presentation". " The Corbomite Maneuver " and " The Naked Time " were also nominated.

Credits [ ]

• Jeffrey Hunter as Capt. Pike ("The Cage")
• William Shatner as Capt. Kirk ("Where No Man Has Gone Before" – "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• Leonard Nimoy as " Mr. Spock "
• DeForest Kelley as " Dr. McCoy "
• James Doohan as " Scott "
• George Takei as " Sulu "
• Nichelle Nichols as " Uhura "
• Grace Lee Whitney as " Yeoman Rand "
• Majel Barrett as " Christine Chapel "
• See : TOS Season 1 performers
• " The Cage "
• " Mudd's Women " (story)
• " Charlie X " (story)
• " The Menagerie, Part I "
• " The Menagerie, Part II "
• " The Return of the Archons " (story)
• " Where No Man Has Gone Before "
• " The Corbomite Maneuver "
• " This Side of Paradise " (story)
• " Mudd's Women " (teleplay)
• " The Enemy Within "
• " The Man Trap "
• " The Naked Time "
• " Charlie X " (teleplay)
• " Tomorrow is Yesterday "
• " This Side of Paradise " (teleplay/story)
• " Balance of Terror "
• " The Squire of Gothos "
• " What Are Little Girls Made Of? "
• " Dagger of the Mind "
• " The Galileo Seven " (teleplay)
• " The Conscience of the King "
• " The Galileo Seven " (teleplay/story)
• " Court Martial " (teleplay/story)
• " Court Martial " (teleplay)
• " Operation -- Annihilate! "
• " Shore Leave "
• " Arena " (teleplay)
• " A Taste of Armageddon " (teleplay)
• " Space Seed " (teleplay)
• " The Devil in the Dark "
• " Errand of Mercy "
• " Arena " (story)
• " The Alternative Factor "
• " The Return of the Archons " (teleplay)
• " A Taste of Armageddon " (teleplay/story)
• " Space Seed " (teleplay/story)
• " The City on the Edge of Forever "
• " Mudd's Women "
• " Court Martial "
• " Space Seed "
• " Charlie X "
• " The Galileo Seven "
• " A Taste of Armageddon "
• " This Side of Paradise "
• Gene Roddenberry
• Gene Roddenberry ("Where No Man Has Gone Before" – "Dagger of the Mind", "The Menagerie, Part II")
• Gene L. Coon ("The Conscious of the King", "The Menagerie, Part I")
• Gene Roddenberry ("The Conscious of the King", "The Menagerie, Part I")
• Robert H. Justman ("Where No Man Has Gone Before" – "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• John D.F. Black ("The Corbomite Maneuver" – "Miri")
• Byron Haskin ("The Menagerie, Part II")
• Steven W. Carabatsos ("The Conscience of the King" – "A Taste of Armageddon") (not credited for "The Menagerie, Part II")
• D.C. Fontana ("This Side of Paradise" – "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• Ernest Haller , ASC ("Where No Man Has Gone Before")
• Jerry Finnerman (all episodes, except "The Menagerie, Part II")
• William E. Snyder , ASC ("The Menagerie, Part II")
• Walter M. Jefferies ("Where No Man Has Gone Before", "Mudd's Women", "The Man Trap", "The Naked Time" and "Charlie X")
• Roland M. Brooks ("The Corbomite Maneuver")
• Walter M. Jefferies
• Franz Bachelin ("The Menagerie, Part II")
• Alexander Courage
• Alexander Courage ("Where No Man Has Gone Before", "The Man Trap", "The Naked Time", "Dagger of the Mind", "Miri", "The Galileo Seven" – "The Menagerie, Part II", "The Squire of Gothos" – "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• Fred Steiner ("The Corbomite Maneuver", "Mudd's Women", "Charlie X" – "What Are Little Girls Made Of?")
• Sol Kaplan ("The Enemy Within")
• Mullendore ("The Conscience of the King")
• Gerald Fried ("Shore Leave")
• John Foley , ACE ("Where No Man Has Gone Before")
• Robert L. Swanson ("The Corbomite Maneuver", "The Man Trap", "Balance of Terror", "The Galileo Seven", "The Menagerie, Part I")
• Bruce Schoengarth ("Mudd's Women", "The Naked Time", "Dagger of the Mind", "Court Martial", "The Squire of Gothos", "Tomorrow Is Yesterday", "A Taste of Armageddon", "Errand of Mercy")
• Fabien Tordjmann ("The Enemy Within", "Charlie X", "Miri", "Shore Leave", "Arena", "Return of the Archons", "The Devil in the Dark", "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• Frank P. Keller , A.C.E. ("What Are Little Girls Made Of?", "The Conscience of the King")
• Leo Shreve ("The Menagerie, Part II")
• James D. Ballas , ACE ("The Alternative Factor", "Space Seed", "This Side of Paradise", "City on the Edge of Forever")
• Edward K. Milkis ("The Corbomite Maneuver", "The Enemy Within", "The Conscience of the King" – "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• Robert H. Justman ("Where No Man Has Gone Before")
• Gregg Peters (odd-numbered episodes from "The Corbomite Maneuver" through "Arena", "Return of the Archons", "A Taste of Armageddon", "The Devil in the Dark", "City on the Edge of Forever")
• Michael S. Glick (even-numbered episodes from "Mudd's Women" through "The Alternative Factor", "Charlie X", "The Menagerie, Part I", "The Menagerie, Part II", "Tomorrow Is Yesterday", "Space Seed", "This Side of Paradise", "Errand of Mercy", "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• Tiger Shapiro (Second Assistant Director)
• Ross Dowd ("Where No Man Has Gone Before")
• Carl F. Biddiscombe ("The Corbomite Maneuver" – "What Are Little Girls Made Of?")
• Marvin March ("Dagger of the Mind" – "Operation -- Annihilate!") (uncredited for "The Menagerie, Part II")
• Edward M. Parker ("The Menagerie, Part II")
• William Theiss ("Where No Man Has Gone Before" – "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• Bill Heath ("Where No Man Has Gone Before" – "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• Jack Hunsaker ("Where No Man Has Gone Before")
• Robert H. Raff ("The Corbomite Maneuver" – "The Conscience of the King", "Court Martial" – "Shore Leave")
• Jim Henrikson ("The Galileo Seven", "The Squire of Gothos" – "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• Joseph G. Sorokin ("Where No Man Has Gone Before", "The Corbomite Maneuver" – "Charlie X", "What Are Little Girls Made Of?" – "The Conscience of the King", "The Menagerie, Part I", "The Menagerie, Part II")
• Douglas H. Grindstaff ("Balance of Terror", "The Galileo Seven", "Court Martial", "Shore Leave" – "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• Cam McCulloch ("Where No Man Has Gone Before")
• Jack F. Lilly ("The Corbomite Maneuver" – "The Return of the Archons", "Space Seed") (uncredited for "The Menagerie, Part II")
• Stanford G. Haughton ("The Menagerie, Part II")
• Cameron McCulloch ("A Taste of Armageddon")
• Carl W. Daniels ("This Side of Paradise" – "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• Howard Anderson Co. ("Where No Man Has Gone Before, "The Corbomite Maneuver", "The Man Trap", "The Enemy Within" – "Charlie X", "The Menagerie, Part II")
• Westheimer Company ("Mudd's Women", "What Are Little Girls Made Of?", "Dagger of the Mind", "The Conscience of the King", "Shore Leave", "Arena", "Tomorrow Is Yesterday", "Space Seed", "This Side of Paradise", "Errand of Mercy", "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• Film Effects of Hollywood ("Balance of Terror", "The Galileo Seven" – "The Menagerie, Part I", "The Squire of Gothos", "The Alternative Factor", "Return of the Archons", "A Taste of Armageddon", "The Devil in the Dark", "The City on the Edge of Forever")
• Cinema Research Corporation ("Miri")
• George A. Rutter ("The Corbomite Maneuver" – "Arena", "Return of the Archons" – "This Side of Paradise")
• Billy Vernon ("The Alternative Factor", "Tomorrow Is Yesterday")
• Wilbur Hatch ("Where No Man Has Gone Before – "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• Julian Davidson ("Where No Man Has Gone Before – "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• Bob Overbeck ("Where No Man Has Gone Before")
• Jim Rugg ("The Corbomite Maneuver" – "Operation -- Annihilate!"; except "The Menagerie, Part II")
• Joe Lombardi ("The Menagerie, Part II")
• Irving A. Feinberg (all episodes; uncredited for "The Menagerie, Part II")
• Jack Briggs ("The Menagerie, Part II")
• George H. Merhoff (all episodes; uncredited for "The Menagerie, Part II")
• Bob Campbell ("The Menagerie, Part II")
• George Rader ("The Corbomite Maneuver" – "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• James A. Paisley ("The Menagerie, Part II")
• Bernard A. Widin ("The Corbomite Maneuver" – "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• Robert Dawn ("Where No Man Has Gone Before")
• Fred B. Phillips , SMA ("The Corbomite Maneuver" – "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• Hazel Keats ("Where No Man Has Gone Before")
• Virginia Darcy , CHS ("The Corbomite Maneuver" – "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• Gertrude Reade ("The Menagerie, Part II")
• Paul McCardle ("Where No Man Has Gone Before")
• Margaret Makau ("The Corbomite Maneuver" – "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• Joseph D'Agosta ("The Enemy Within", "The Naked Time", "What Are Little Girls Made Of?", "The Conscience of the King")
• Glen Glenn Sound Co. ("Where No Man Has Gone Before" – "Operation -- Annihilate!")
• Norway Corporation
• Herbert F. Solow ("The Corbomite Manuever" – "Operation -- Annihilate!")

Uncredited crew [ ]

• Darrell Anderson – Transporter Effects ("The Cage")
• John Chambers – Special Makeup Creator (for Leonard Nimoy) ("The Cage")
• Morris Chapnick – Assistant to the Producer ("The Cage")
• Jim Danforth – Prop Maker ("The Cage")
• Richard C. Datin – Model Maker ("The Cage", "Where No Man Has Gone Before", "The Galileo Seven", et.al. )
• Kellam de Forest ( de Forest Research ) – Researcher ("The Cage")
• Roger Duchowny – Second Assistant Director ("The Cage")
• Linwood G. Dunn – Visual Effects Cinematographer
• Pato Guzman – Production Designer ("The Cage")
• Oscar Katz – Executive in Charge of Production ("The Cage")
• Richard A. Kelley – Camera Operator ("The Cage")
• Thomas Kellogg – Production Illustrator ("The Galileo Seven")
• Reuben Klamer – Prop Maker ("Where No Man Has Gone Before")
• Harvey P. Lynn – Researcher ("The Cage")
• Bill McGovern – Clapper/Loader
• Donald R. Rode – Assistant Film Editor (also responsible for editing the episode trailers)
• Penny Romans – Choreographer (Susan Oliver's dance) ("The Cage")
• Denis Russell – Scenic Artist ("The Cage")
• Leo Shreve – Film Editor ("The Cage")
• Speed & Custom Shop ("The Galileo Seven")
• Craig Thompson – Office Manager Post-Production
• Penny Unger – Gene Roddenberry's secretary
• Charles Washburn – DGA Trainee
• Gene Winfield – Model and Set Maker ("The Galileo Seven")
• Albert Whitlock – Matte Painter ("The Cage", "Where No Man Has Gone Before")

See also [ ]

• Star Trek: The Original Series (VHS)
• TOS Season 1 Blu-ray
• TOS Season 1 DVD
• TOS Season 1 HD DVD
• TOS Season 1 performers

External links [ ]

• Star Trek: The Original Series season 1 at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• The Original Series Season 1 episode reviews  at Ex Astris Scientia
• 3 ISS Enterprise (NCC-1701)

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Trivia & Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

Movies / TV

No results found.

• What's the Tomatometer®?
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening this week
• Top box office
• Coming soon to theaters
• Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

• Fandango at Home
• Netflix streaming
• Prime Video
• Most popular streaming movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• Challengers Link to Challengers
• I Saw the TV Glow Link to I Saw the TV Glow
• Música Link to Música

New TV Tonight

• Dead Boy Detectives: Season 1
• The Jinx: Season 2
• The Big Door Prize: Season 2
• Them: Season 2
• Knuckles: Season 1
• Velma: Season 2
• Secrets of the Octopus: Season 1
• Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story: Season 1
• We're Here: Season 4

Most Popular TV on RT

• Baby Reindeer: Season 1
• Fallout: Season 1
• Shōgun: Season 1
• Ripley: Season 1
• Under the Bridge: Season 1
• 3 Body Problem: Season 1
• We Were the Lucky Ones: Season 1
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV
• TV & Streaming News

Certified fresh pick

• Dead Boy Detectives: Season 1 Link to Dead Boy Detectives: Season 1
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

All Zendaya Movies Ranked by Tomatometer

Video Game TV Shows Ranked by Tomatometer

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

Awards Tour

The Most Anticipated Movies of 2024

Poll: Most Anticipated Movies of May 2024

• Trending on RT
• Marvel Movies In Order
• Seen on Screen
• Most Anticipated Movies of May
• Play Movie Trivia

Season 1 – Star Trek

Where to watch, star trek — season 1.

Watch Star Trek — Season 1 with a subscription on Paramount+, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

What to Know

An optimistic ode to humanity, Star Trek may look dated, but its gadgetry and solid storytelling solidify its place as one of pop culture's most enduring franchises.

Audience Reviews

Cast & crew.

William Shatner

Capt. James T. Kirk

Leonard Nimoy

DeForest Kelley

Dr. Leonard McCoy

James Doohan

Engineer Montgomery Scott

Nichelle Nichols

George Takei

More Like This

Tv news & guides, this show is featured in the following articles., critics reviews, season info.

Ranking Every Star Trek Series' First Season

"Star Trek" may very well be the greatest science fiction franchise of all time, a title it earns through its indelible legacy and enormous cultural impact. An entertainment behemoth, it has graced screens both big and small to tell stories packed with human drama, raw emotion, and plenty of suspense and excitement. But while there have been more than a dozen feature films in its history, "Star Trek" has always been at its best on television, with nearly a dozen full-length series to date.

From the iconic 1966 original series led by Captain Kirk all the way to modern streaming originals like "Star Trek: Discovery" and "Strange New Worlds," audiences have been dazzled by the best sci-fi that television has to offer for the best part of six decades. However, not every "Star Trek" series has gotten off to the best of starts. Some shows have struggled to get to impulse out of spacedock, while others came out at warp with phasers charged. Younger audiences might be surprised to learn that the original "Star Trek" series wasn't an overwhelming success and was actually canceled after just three seasons.

No matter how much we love every "Star Trek" series, they're not always at their best in their first years. So strap on your phaser and grab your tricorder, because we're beaming down to explore every "Star Trek" series' first season and ranking them from worst to best.

Star Trek: The Next Generation

It might come as a shock to some to see "The Next Generation," arguably the most beloved "Star Trek" series, at the bottom of this list. However, no matter how good the series became, its first season is nothing less than a train wreck. In fact, it's borderline unwatchable at times. Retro reviewers RedLetterMedia struggled to identify even a handful of decent episodes that year, and we agree; it's a season of poorly constructed, lifeless stories with uncomfortable concepts, often feeling like a show from an older era. Surprisingly cheap-looking sets and VFX that looked bad even for the day certainly don't help.

From its boring series premiere "Encounter at Farpoint" (which is notable only for the introduction of the villainous Q) to the offensive and cringe-inducing installment "Code of Honor," the series' debut season is filled with groan-worthy episodes. If one were to rewatch it today, alien races like the Ferengi and characters like Worf and Troi will seem almost unrecognizable, as writers and actors struggled to find their footing and seemed to be shaping the world as they went with absolutely no roadmap.

Thankfully, the cast and crew would crystallize midway through Season 2, the year actor Jonathan Frakes would sport new facial hair, which helped coin the phrase "Riker's Beard." The fact that it went on to become one of the greatest sci-fi shows ever helps us feel better about ranking the first season of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" as the worst debut season in the franchise.

Star Trek: Discovery

"Star Trek" returned with its first new series in over a decade in 2017, launching "Star Trek: Discovery" on CBS All Access, now known as Paramount+. Set more than ten years before the era of Kirk and Spock, it introduces an all-new ship and crew, with Commander Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) leading a cast that includes international superstars Michelle Yeoh and Jason Isaacs.

Violent, visceral, and uncompromising, it was unlike anything Trekkies were expecting, with a darker, more adult tone than the franchise had ever seen. Though it looked as good as "Star Trek" ever had with a lavish design and massive budget, the first season got the series off to a poor start. Perhaps owed to all the behind-the-scenes drama (the series lost its creator Bryan Fuller and its first pair of showrunners were fired after the season debuted), the first season felt like a roller coaster in all the wrong ways. Controversial changes to major elements of the franchise made "Discovery" divisive among fans , too, with most audiences agreeing it was something of a misfire, whatever the cause.

In the end, the first season was muddled by a confusing story and a misguided second half that took place entirely in the Mirror Universe. But as a set-up for the further adventures of Michael Burnham and the crew of the USS Discovery, it did its job, offering up a solid jumping off point for what would eventually become the most successful "Star Trek" in more than two decades.

Star Trek: The Animated Series

While "Star Trek: The Animated Series" has come to be remembered more fondly in recent years, loved for its kitschy campiness and ridiculous weirdness, few will argue that the series is the best the franchise has to offer. Though the first season does include a smattering of intriguing stories, including a few that have helped broaden "Star Trek" lore, the silly, cost-saving measures make it a slog to sit through.

This includes nonsensical additions to the series like "life support belts," devices that allow the crew to venture to strange new worlds without the need for the animation team to draw new environmental suits. Meanwhile, long periods of still, silent imagery seem designed to kill time, which is particularly irksome in 22 minute episodes. Inexplicably stiff and stilted voice work from its star cast — much of the cast of the original live action series returned to their roles — plus constantly recycled animation turned interesting ideas into painfully awkward episodes.

Perhaps the biggest sin the series commits is having lofty goals: Freed from the restraints of live action, writers dreamed up stories and ideas so bizarre and outlandish that they broke any sense of believability. Though the season has its charms and boasts a cult following, the entertainment value mostly comes from its oddness.

Star Trek: Picard

In 2020, Patrick Stewart returned to the role that made him a household name, stepping back into the final frontier for the legacy sequel "Star Trek: Picard." Set 25 years after the events of the fourth and final "The Next Generation" film, we find a disillusioned Jean-Luc Picard has long since retired. But when he encounters the apparent daughter of his old friend Commander Data, Picard is thrust into a dangerous new dilemma with galactic consequences and must assemble a rag-tag crew for an all-new mission.

Season 1 of "Picard" offered up a compelling mystery and a high stakes adventure, but the grim tone seemed too stark a contrast to "The Next Generation." It may also have boasted one too many subplots, with a messy side story involving Borg drones, evil Romulans, and a plot to topple Federation making the season choppy and poorly paced. Worse still, what should have been an emotional conclusion was let down by a finale that felt rushed and anti-climactic. Failing to tie up the dangling plot threads in a satisfying way, the head-scratching final twist only made things worse.

Throw in a few ill-conceived character deaths, seemingly designed only to provide shock value, and it's understandable that many fans weren't happy with the show's inaugural season. But, whatever your thoughts on "Picard" may be, it's hard to deny that it boasts a charismatic cast, strong performances, and some fine moments.

Star Trek: Enterprise

The 1990s were a new golden age for "Star Trek," with three new spin-offs on the air. When "Star Trek: Voyager" closed its doors in 2000, the announcement of "Enterprise" came as something of a surprise. Perhaps worried about franchise fatigue, the studio shook things up with a prequel set 300 years earlier, chronicling the dawn of Earth's space exploration aboard the first starship to bear the name Enterprise.

Launching in 2001, the series was led by "Quantum Leap" star Scott Bakula as frontier captain Jonathan Archer, who took his newly christened starship to the furthest reaches of explored space with primitive technology and an inexperienced crew. Departing from convention, the series dropped "Star Trek" from its title initially and used an upbeat pop song for its opening credits, perhaps hoping to attract a wider audience. The first series in the franchise to be broadcast in widescreen and high definition, it had a decidedly more contemporary feel to it.

Rekindling a sense of awe and wonder, early stories saw Archer and the Enterprise on the back foot while exploring strange new worlds, coming up against new rivals like the Klingons and Andorians. While the show struggled to find its identity early on, it still delivered plenty of high drama, big adventure, and thoughtful science fiction. Though many will point to its final two years as the best of "Enterprise," the first season is not to be overlooked, as it includes some of the show's most underrated episodes .

Star Trek: Lower Decks

Looking to diversify its biggest franchise, Paramount did something different for its next new "Star Trek" series after the success of "Star Trek: Discovery" and "Picard." Debuting in August of 2020, "Star Trek: Lower Decks" returned the franchise to the world of animation, not seen since "Star Trek: The Animated Series." But this time, they went for something more humorous and decidedly more skewed toward adults. To bring it to life, they tapped "Rick and Morty" writer Mike McMahan, a self-professed Trekkie who ran a tongue-in-cheek "Star Trek" themed Twitter account that was eventually turned into a book .

"Lower Decks" also took the unusual approach of focusing on a more ordinary ship and less extraordinary crew. Set aboard the USS Cerritos just a few years after the conclusion of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," the series — which takes its name from a Season 7 episode of "TNG" — shows a different side to life aboard a Starfleet ship. Here it's the ensigns who take center stage, with their wild, wacky, often juvenile misadventures being the focus of the action.

Fast-paced, off-the-wall comedy and razor-sharp wit are complemented by an abundance of "Star Trek" Easter eggs , callbacks, and references to keep fans amused. Sure, the first season of "Lower Decks" had its flaws, with a number of gags failing to land as intended. Nevertheless, it established the series as a breezy, tongue-in-cheek look at the "Star Trek" universe, providing a strong foundation for the series to build on.

Star Trek: Voyager

A high-concept series, the pilot episode of "Star Trek: Voyager" catapulted the ship and its crew — a mix of heroic Starfleet officers and renegade Maquis soldiers — into a remote region of the galaxy. Throughout the coming seasons, they would attempt to find their way back home. For the first time in the history of the franchise, there was a woman in the captain's chair, with Kate Mulgrew taking on the now iconic role of Captain Kathryn Janeway .

The first season proved that this was going to be a more action-heavy affair compared to other "Star Trek" shows up to that point, which became one of its signature elements. While some of the series' best moments were admittedly later in the run, its first season was solidly entertaining right out of the gate. Season 1 consistently delivered well-polished episodes packed with excitement, suspense, and drama, even if it did fail to take full advantage of the compelling nature of its lost-in-space premise.

"Voyager" got off to a famously rocky start as Mulgrew was cast late in the day: The producers' original choice (Genevieve Bujold) quit not long after filming began due to the long hours, as reported by Entertainment Weekly at the time. But the series recovered, and the debut season provided several entries that remain some of the show's best, such as mind-bending mysteries like "Eye of the Needle" and terrifying tales like "Phage." Though the year wasn't perfect, the first season of "Voyager" ultimately got the series off on the right foot.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Landing in January of 1993, "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" is arguably the franchise's first true spin-off. Not only did it involve members of "The Next Generation," but its premise was spun directly out of events in that series. The show swaps out the traditional starship setting, with Commander Ben Sisko assigned to a former Cardassian outpost bordering the planet Bajor where a wormhole to the distant Gamma Quadrant has just been discovered. Political tensions between Bajor and the Cardassians form the backdrop to the season, but the revelation that Sisko is a revered religious icon to the Bajorans adds a whole new layer to the lore.

With a darker tone and an unconventional cast of characters, "DS9" stood out. At the time, its use of morally ambiguous heroes and villains and its religious angle made it a departure from the "Star Trek" formula, which may have alienated some viewers who were hoping for another "TNG." But, through its exploration of serious issues, Season 1 proved the series was "Star Trek" in every way — and perhaps even better than it had ever been.

While the first batch of episodes aren't all perfect, outside of a few notable clunkers the first season of "Deep Space Nine" remains among the best debut years for any "Star Trek" since the original. From the tone-setting premiere "The Emissary" — which established the series as something different — to the groundbreaking and topical finale "In the Hands of the Prophets," Season 1 of "Deep Space Nine" shines bright.

Star Trek: Prodigy

While "Lower Decks" returned the franchise to animation, it would be the Nickelodeon-produced, CGI-animated "Star Trek: Prodigy" that brought it back to a young audience for the first time since the 1970s. Launched in 2021, the series follows a group of pre-teens who escape an alien world after discovering an abandoned Federation starship called the USS Protostar. It also features the return of Kate Mulgrew, who voices a holographic assistant based on Captain Janeway aboard the Protostar.

"Prodigy" is far more than the light-hearted, family-friendly romp that many anticipated. It also features an ongoing mystery centering on a time travel plot involving a villain called The Diviner, who has a grudge against the Federation and wants the Protostar for his own ends. The real Admiral Janeway, meanwhile, competes with both the Romulans and the Diviner to hunt down the Protostar, which she believes may be responsible for the disappearance of her former first officer Chakotay.

Full of break-neck action and plenty of humor and heart, while also brimming with everything that makes "Star Trek" great, the debut season of "Prodigy" proved a breath of fresh air that few saw coming. With deeper connections to the wider "Star Trek" universe than Trekkies expected, the first season of "Prodigy" is definitely something different, but it still provides surprisingly hard-hitting sci-fi drama. Plus, with a number of twists and turns and stunning revelations, the series has been lauded for being accessible and entertaining for kids while still appealing to adult fans.

Star Trek: The Original Series

Later "Star Trek" series usually had at least a little bit of unevenness in their first seasons, but that definitely wasn't the case for the franchise's inaugural year. In fact, the first ever season of "Star Trek" in 1966 still stands as one of the best years in the run of any "Star Trek," debuting with some of the best episodes the show has ever produced. Solid from the start, its cast made a quick impression with its premiere "The Man Trap," which saw William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and the rest all slipping into their roles with ease, as if they had been living in the 23rd century all their lives.

Full of all-time greats, there was hardly a dud in the bunch in the opening year, with tense thrillers like "Balance of Terror" and "Errand of Mercy," as well as the iconic two-parter "The Menagerie" that reused footage from the show's original, unaired pilot. "Space Seed" saw the first appearance of the franchise's greatest villain, with Ricardo Montalban playing the sinister superman Khan. To cap it all off, the season's penultimate installment remains one of the best episodes ever produced; the time travel classic "The City on the Edge of Forever."

A nearly perfect launch, we could go on and on listing episodes that wowed audiences and became etched into sci-fi history. It took a while to win over critics, as early reviews were less than enthusiastic , but they eventually came around, and Season 1 of "Star Trek: The Original Series" has since become the gold standard for TV science fiction.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

The original, unaired pilot of the 1966 "Star Trek" series featured Captain Pike, Mr. Spock, and Number One aboard the starship Enterprise, before the studio retooled the concept to feature Captain Kirk. More than 50 years later, the story of Pike's days on the Enterprise would finally make it to the screen in "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds," starring Anson Mount as Captain Pike, Ethan Peck as Mr. Spock, and Rebecca Romijn as Number One. Other iconic "Star Trek" favorites also joined the cast, including Cadet Uhura, Nurse Chapel, and Dr. M'Benga.

With an updated look and feel, the debut season of "Strange New Worlds" is a joy to watch. Kicking off with a time-tested story about the Prime Directive, the season strides from start to finish with a confident swagger and commanding presence not unlike its bold, enterprising captain. Eschewing the more grim tone and ongoing serialized stories of sister series "Star Trek: Discovery," it returns to episodic adventures and a brighter, more upbeat spirit.

Steeped in "Star Trek" lore, "Strange New Worlds" answered long-standing questions about the franchise's history while charting its own course with a raucous self-assuredness. Wowing both critics and audiences , there wasn't a weak episode to be found in its first season, with standouts that followed common "Star Trek" tropes but with fresh and inventive flair. Action, excitement, and ample human drama made the season a wall-to-wall winner, standing triumphant as the best debut season in the history of the franchise.

Screen Rant

L’ak’s star trek: discovery identity reveal was foreshadowed in season 5’s premiere.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 5 solved the mystery of what species L'ak is, but a big clue was dropped in his first scene in the premiere.

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 5 - "Mirrors"

• L'ak is revealed as a Breen in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 5, which is foreshadowed in season 5's premiere.
• L'ak's remark about disliking his helmet in Discovery season 5's premiere was a clue that he is a Breen.
• L'ak and Moll need to find the Progenitors' treasure in hopes the Breen will lift their blood bounty in exchange for it.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 5, "Mirrors," revealed L'ak (Elias Toufexis) is a Breen, but it was foreshadowed in the season 5 premiere. Written by Johanna Lee and Carlos Cisco and directed by Jen McGowan, Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 5 sends Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Cleveland Booker (David Ajala) into interdimensional space after L'ak, Moll (Eve Harlow), and the next clue to the ancient treasure of the Progenitors. The foursome are stranded on the derelict ISS Enterprise from the Mirror Universe where Burnham and Book learn L'ak is a Breen without his helmet.

The Breen were introduced in Star Trek: The Next Generation but became cult fan-favorite alien villains on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine . The Breen allied themselves with the Changelings in the waning days of DS9 's Dominion War, and the fearsome adversaries even attacked Earth. The Breen are recognizable for their distinctive helmets, refrigeration suits, and their unique language . Before Star Trek: Discovery season 5, no one had ever seen what a Breen looked like before, but it turns out audiences have been watching a Breen - L'ak - all along since Discovery season 5's premiere .

The Breen also appeared in an episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks .

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Returning Cast & New Character Guide

Star trek: discovery season 5’s premiere foreshadowed l’ak is a breen, l'ak really doesn't like helmets..

Star Trek: Discovery season 5's premiere, "Red Directive," cleverly foreshadowed that L'ak is a Breen. When Moll and Lak first arrived on the 24th-century Romulan starship of Doctor Vellek (Michael Copeman) seeking the first clue to the Progenitors' treasure, the lovers were wearing spacesuits with helmets. When Moll and L'ak shed their headgear, Moll complained about the smell of the ship, but L'ak replies, "It's better than wearing a helmet."

L'ak violated one of the Breen's fundamental laws when he showed his true face to Moll.

L'ak's remark flew over audiences' heads at the time, but it was the seed planted for Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 5's revelation that L'ak is Breen. In fact, L'ak is the nephew of the Breen Primarch Ruhn (Tony Nappo), who relegated L'ak to working in the shuttle bay. L'ak fell in love with Moll, who was a courier selling dilithium to the Breen Imperium, but L'ak violated one of the Breen's fundamental laws when he showed his true face to Moll, an offworlder and a "lesser being" according to the Breen.

Star Trek: Discovery’s Breen Bounty On Mol & L’ak Explained

Moll and l'ak are desperate for the breen to lift the erigah.

The flashbacks in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 5, "Mirrors", told the backstory of Moll and L'ak's romance, and why they are seeking the Progenitors' technology. Moll and L'ak are a forbidden love , and L'ak turned his back on the Breen for Moll. Worse, when they were discovered and confronted by Primarch Ruhn, L'ak defended Moll and shot his own uncle. For his crimes, the Breen placed an Erigah - a blood bounty - on Moll and L'ak's heads. This is an irreversible condemnation, and it means that the Breen will never stop hunting Moll and L'ak.

All L'ak wants is to be free to live his life with Moll without the Breen hunting him.

L'ak and Moll are actually desperate to find the Progenitors' treasure, which they hope to turn over to the Breen in exchange for them lifting the Erigah . There is no guarantee that the Breen would abide by this request, but it's the only chance Moll and L'ak have to be free. L'ak already had conflicts with the Breen's laws and culture, and it's unlikely L'ak would ever be allowed to return to the Imperium, not that he wants to. All L'ak wants is the freedom to live his life with Moll without the Breen hunting him. L'ak's dislike for his helmet in Star Trek: Discovery season 5's premiere was a hint of his true story as an outcast from the Breen Imperium that was told in "Mirrors".

New episodes of Star Trek: Discovery season 5 stream Thursdays on Paramount+

'Star Trek: Discovery' season 5 episode 5 'Mirrors' is a quality installment, but weighed down by another anchor of nostalgia

This entire episode was more than likely written for the sole reason that the sets from "Strange New Worlds" could be utilized.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Star Trek: Discovery" season 5, episode 5

The chase across the galaxy for the Progenitors MacGuffin continues, offering chances to insert stand-alone, episode-length adventures along the way. And this week's installment, entitled "Mirrors" features a brief and very random reminder that the Mirror Universe exists. 

And that alone would've made an genuinely enthralling episode, but...Alex Kurtzman et al could not resist the temptation for an utterly pointless and thoroughly unnecessary throwback to the USS Enterprise. Honestly, these people have a serious problem, they should seek help. 

To put all of this into context, the crew of the USS Discovery continue their pursuit of Malinne 'Moll' Ravel (Eve Harlow) and L'ak (Elias Toufexis) and that chase leads them to er...well, you know, a giant, space-time swirly orifice that fills the viewscreen. Apparently, it's some sort of wormhole that's spectacularly unstable because of the constant matter/anti-matter reactions that are taking place at the opening. It's actually more than a little reminiscent of the inside of the V'ger spacecraft from "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" and that's just fine. 

Watch Star Trek on Paramount Plus: Get a one month free trial  

Get all the Star Trek content you can possibly handle with this free trial of Paramount Plus. Watch new shows like Star Trek: Discovery and all the classic Trek movies and TV shows too. Plans start from $4.99/month after the trial ends.

But it's what they find inside that grinds gears. Since the Discovery is too big to squeeze through the constantly opening and closing orifice, Capt. Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Book (David Ajala) take a shuttle through only to find...the ISS Enterprise. Yes, indeed, last seen (and only seen, actually) in the epic "The Original Series" episode "Mirror, Mirror" (S02, E04).

While beaming back to the USS Enterprise during an ion storm, Kirk, McCoy, Scotty and Uhura materialize aboard a almost-identical Enterprise in a parallel universe. Here, the United Federation of Planets has been replaced by the Terran Empire and its inhabitants are violent and cruel. Their only hope is to artificially reproduce the effects of the storm to facilitate a return to their own universe. (" I mperial S pace S hip replaces the traditional " U nited S pace S hip.")

And while the idea of finding a derelict, 900-year-old starship from the latter half of the 23rd century is a great idea, in the name of the Great Prophet Zarquon, why-oh-why did it have to be the Enterprise? There are — at least — 10 other Constitution Class starships that could've been potentially chosen and thus still allowing the updated sets from "Strange New Worlds" to have been used. 

Get the Space.com Newsletter

Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!

The USS Cayuga (NCC-1557), USS Constellation (NCC-1017), USS Defiant (NCC-1764), USS Excalibur (NCC-1664), USS Exeter (NCC-1672), USS Hood (NCC-1703), USS Intrepid (NCC-1631), USS Lexington (NCC-1709), USS New Jersey (NCC-1975) and the USS Potemkin (NCC-1657). And those are just the ones that are canon. Another new vessel could just as easily have been introduced as it's not unknown for Nu-Trek to bring brand new ships to the line.

And of course Burnham makes reference to the fact that her brother, Spock, served on this ship, which is probably another reason why the Enterprise was forced upon the writers. And according to some extremely rushed exposition, most of the crew escaped the weird wibblywobbly wormhole and went on to lead peaceful and productive lives — we assume somewhere not too far away given how long ago it happened and the current location in deep space — in a somewhat Space Seed scenario. Another interesting throwaway remark from Burnham was, "Crossing between universes has been impossible for centuries now," which shuts down that potential story avenue rather abruptly. 

But let's also focus on why this episode could've been near-faultless if only someone could counsel Paramount showrunners on how to ween themselves off of nostalgia addiction. This week we get to see the whole Moll and L'ak backstory...and it's rather good and to add to that, Book and Moll confront the fact that they're distantly related. You know, because that makes things much more absurd orderly. (See how Burnham had to be related to Spock.)

The pacing of this episode, and with the exception of using the Enterprise, when any other Constitution Class starship could've worked — and served to expand the Mirror Universe a little bit — this is an enjoyable episode. It's a shame though that this is following the same cookie cutter seasonal storyline template by relying very much on a quest to follow while having standalone episode-long adventures to fill in the gaps, but hey, it can't be much worse than last season. So, there's that.

The fifth and final season of "Star Trek: Discovery" and every other episode of every "Star Trek" show — with the exception of "Star Trek: Prodigy" — currently streams exclusively on Paramount Plus in the US, while "Prodigy" has found a new home on Netflix.  

Internationally, the shows are available on  Paramount Plus  in Australia, Latin America, the UK and South Korea, as well as on Pluto TV in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland on the Pluto TV Sci-Fi channel. They also stream on  Paramount Plus  in Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In Canada, they air on Bell Media's CTV Sci-Fi Channel and stream on Crave.

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

When Scott's application to the NASA astronaut training program was turned down, he was naturally upset...as any 6-year-old boy would be. He chose instead to write as much as he possibly could about science, technology and space exploration. He graduated from The University of Coventry and received his training on Fleet Street in London. He still hopes to be the first journalist in space.

This Week In Space podcast: Episode 108 — Starliner: Better Late Than Never?

5 sci-fi movies that weren't great but still deserve a sequel

Russia vetoes UN resolution against nuclear weapons in space

Most Popular

• 2 Beavers are helping fight climate change, satellite data shows
• 3 Astronomers just discovered a comet that could be brighter than most stars when we see it next year. Or will it?
• 4 This Week In Space podcast: Episode 108 — Starliner: Better Late Than Never?
• 5 Boeing's Starliner spacecraft will not fly private missions yet, officials say

REVIEW: ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Season 5 Episode 5 — “Mirriors”

T hroughout its final season, Star Trek: Discovery  embarks on a journey of self-reflection , seeking to emulate the iconic elements and themes of past Trek installments as well as its own. However, in its earnest endeavor to honor the legacy of the franchise, Discovery risks diluting its own distinct identity. As the series navigates the fine line between homage and originality Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episode 5 leaves viewers to ponder whether it’s losing sight of what truly makes Discovery stand out.

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episode 5 opens with Discovery finding an unseen wormhole while trailing Moll ( Eve Harlow ) and L’ak ( Elias Toufexis ). Inside, they stumble upon the ISS Enterprise. This Enterprise will be familiar to fans of Star Trek: The Orginal Series from the episode “Mirror, Mirror” in Season 2, Episode 10. In that episode, a transporter glitch catapults Kirk, McCoy, Scotty, and Uhura into a parallel universe dominated by an evil Empire. There, Kirk reigns as a tyrant and Spock serves as his cunning right-hand man establishing the Mirror Universe. Since then, the universes have clashed in various Star Trek franchises, including Discovery.

With the Discovery unable to enter the wormhole, they opt to send a shuttle instead. Booker ( David Ajala ) and Burnham ( Sonequa Martin-Green ) pilot the shuttle into the wormhole, setting up a showdown between the couples as hinted earlier in the season. Their encounter aboard the ISS Enterprise continues the recurring mirror themes. Before the USS Discovery arrived in the future, Booker and Burnham were couriers together for a year. Burnham, having almost lost hope of reuniting with her crew, would have done anything for Booker. He was essentially her only family in the galaxy , much like La’k is for Moll. The question arises: would Burnham have also pursued Progenitor technology if it meant safeguarding everything she holds dear?

Moll’s connection to Booker adds another layer to the mirror theme. Booker’s mentor was Moll’s father, sparking a complex exploration for the pair throughout the episode. If Moll’s father had stayed with her, she might have lived a much different life, potentially mirroring Booker’s. The question arises: is the man Booker idolized truly as great as he believed? Additionally, Booker was willing to jeopardize the entire galaxy’s fate to prevent the tragedy that befell his homeworld from happening elsewhere. Aware of the Federation’s forgiving nature, he understands Moll’s intentions better than anyone.

Meanwhile, Commander Rayner ( Callum Keith Rennie ) leads the Discovery crew in what’s meant to be a feel-good moment in Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episode 5. Once trapped, he “assists” them in finding a solution to rescue Burnham and Booker from the wormhole. However, it took four episodes for him to build confidence and earn the crew’s favor, even though he wasn’t the one to ultimately solve the problem.

His role this season could have been fulfilled by any existing crew member, potentially allowing more screen time for characters like Dr. Hugh Culber ( Wilson Cruz ). Despite the season acknowledging Dr. Cubler’s struggle to find himself after his experiences, his screen time remains limited to brief moments of self-reflection. Instead, more attention is devoted to developing empathy for Commander Rayner.

To compound matters,  Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episode 5 finally delves into Moll and La’k’s backstory . However, it falls painfully flat. When Moll’s motivations for pursuing technology with galaxy-altering potential finally reveal themselves, they lack the depth of the profound love we’ve seen other characters develop throughout the series. It diminishes one of Discovery’s key distinctions from other Star Trek franchises: its adept handling of complex romantic relationships. Instead, the villain’s primary motivation resembles a fleeting teenage infatuation.

While the last two seasons differentiated themselves from previous Trek series, this one is inclined to pay homage. Like other episodes this season, the episode’s title is a direct homage to other Treks with “Mirrors” directly referencing The Orginal Series ‘s “Mirror, Mirror.” This connection to other franchises echoes patterns seen in earlier seasons. However, it is a weak imitation of the rich history it tries to honor, losing what makes the Discovery franchise distinct. This connection to other franchises echoes patterns seen in earlier seasons. It would have been refreshing to see the series strive for something new and set itself apart one last time.

As Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episode 5 attempts to echo the Trek that came before it, the portrayal of Moll and La’k as mirrors to Burnham and Booker falls short. With familiar paths continuing to play out, revisiting the episodes that inspired this final season might be more rewarding than the episodes themselves. At the very least, you can skip Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episode 5 , where even dialogue recaps the lessons from this episode and previous episodes like an after-school special.

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episode 5 is streaming exclusively on Paramount+ with new episodes every Thursday.

The post REVIEW: ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Season 5 Episode 5 — “Mirriors” appeared first on But Why Tho? .

• Movies & TV
• Featured Categories

Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

Amazon Prime includes:

Fast, FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button.

• Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
• Unlimited Free Two-Day Delivery
• Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
• A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
• Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
• Unlimited photo storage with anywhere access

Important:  Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.

Return this item for free

Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges

• Go to your orders and start the return
• Select the return method

Image Unavailable

• Sorry, this item is not available in
• Image not available
• To view this video download Flash Player

Star Trek: The Original Series: Season 1

• Prime Video $34.99
• Blu-ray —
• Multi-Format $21.87

Purchase options and add-ons

Frequently bought together.

Similar items that may deliver to you quickly

From the manufacturer

Paramount provides premium content to audiences across worldwide. We connect with billions of people. Our studios create content for all audiences, across every genre and format, while our networks and brands forge deep connections with the world’s one of the most diverse audiences. In streaming, our differentiated strategy is scaling rapidly across free, broad pay, and premium.

Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global

Product details

• MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ Unrated (Not Rated)
• Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.1 x 5.42 x 0.58 inches; 2.93 ounces
• Media Format ‏ : ‎ NTSC
• Release date ‏ : ‎ June 14, 2016
• Studio ‏ : ‎ Paramount
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01EDYDXMU
• Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
• Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 6
• #112,423 in DVD

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Reviews with images

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Become an Amazon Hub Partner
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

'Star Trek: Discovery' Season 5's Captain Rayner Ran His Ship Like a Pirate

Callum Keith Rennie also discusses coming into 'Discovery's final season, getting into prosthetics, and how much he has in common with Rayner.

The Big Picture

• Callum Keith Rennie's Captain Rayner brings conflict and depth to Star Trek: Discovery 's final season.
• Rennie discusses his experience on Star Trek: Discovery , praising the supportive cast and crew, despite the initial challenges of joining an established series for its last season.
• In Season 5, Episode 4 "Face the Strange," Burnham and Rayner must work together within a time bubble to save the universe.

As Captain Michael Burnham ( Sonequa Martin-Green ) embarks on one last adventure with her crew, Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 is bringing a few new characters along for the ride. Chief among those newcomers is the blunt, war-worn Captain Rayner. Played by Battlestar Galactica alum Callum Keith Rennie , Rayner is Burnham's new second in command on the Discovery , taking over after Saru ( Doug Jones ) took a different position at Starfleet.

Having lived through The Burn, Rayner doesn't have time for niceties and butts heads with Burnham almost immediately — so naturally, she takes it upon herself to give him a second chance when Starfleet is ready to cut him loose. Last week's episode saw him, rightfully, put in his place a bit as Tilly ( Mary Wiseman ) attempted to help him connect with the crew, much to his chagrin. In Season 5 Episode 4, "Face the Strange," Rayner and Burnham are thrown into a time bubble, forcing them to work together if they ever want to get back to the correct timeline and prevent the universe from being destroyed.

Ahead of the episode, I sat down with Rennie to dig into Rayner's backstory, what we can expect from him in the rest of the season, and what it will take for Rayner to truly connect with the crew of Discovery . During our conversation, we also discussed Rennie's history with sci-fi, what it was like joining Discovery for the show's final season, and what he's taking away from the whole experience.

Star Trek: Discovery

*Availability in US

Not available

Taking place almost a decade before Captain Kirk's Enterprise, the USS Discovery charts a course to uncover new worlds and life forms.

Rennie is no stranger to science fiction, having had roles in such series as The Umbrella Academy , Jessica Jones, and Battlestar Galactica. As Battlestar Galactica was the series that turned me into a sci-fi fan, and perhaps Rennie's most recognizable role, I had to ask him about being a part of such massive and beloved franchises within the genre. "It's amazing," he said. For Rennie, even though Battlestar was also a reboot of a classic series , the show's success was a lot less predictable than the mainstay that is Star Trek . He explained, "Like, say Battlestar , when I started on that I had no idea where that one was gonna go. Discovery was already very established , but I actually didn't let any of that into my [head], because I went, “That's not gonna help.” So, I didn’t. Now, I'm feeling the world of it. Now, I'm sensing what the world of Discovery is and how many people love it, and how it fits. "

Discovery also isn't his first experience with Star Trek , "I watched the original. That was my thing, and that was it," Rennie told me. While he may have missed some of the series' in between, saying, "There's big chunks of time where I just didn't watch a lot of TV, so I missed all of the other stuff," he'll always make time for The Original Series when he comes across it, "even if the old Star Trek comes on, I'll still watch it because that was my Star Trek . Jim Kirk, and all of that. "

While we've gotten a pretty good sense of who Rayner is in these first four episodes, most of his backstory remains a mystery. Rennie revealed that "some backstory comes up in a few episodes." Part of his gruff exterior will be explained as we'll "get a sense of why he's maybe got a chip on his shoulder and has some unprocessed resentments about a bunch of things that maybe have played out in his work in a negative way."

Rennie Calls 'Star Trek: Discovery's Latest Episode "Amazing"

"Face the Strange," is such a classic Star Trek episode, employing the ever-entertaining sci-fi trope of sticking our main characters in a time loop, both to put an obstacle in their path as well as to bring them face to face with some of their own demons. For Rennie, the episode really put the science in science fiction. "It was like, 'Whoa! What's happening? I don't get it.' There's just so much science stuff and talk, so much jumping about to places and history and stuff." But he had high praise for his fellow castmates as well as the crew behind the camera." Lee [Rose] being the director, you're in great hands. Being in scenes with Sonequa, you know that you're gonna be in it , and it was great. I watched it again last night, and there’s just an amazing amount of stuff in there. It was just an amazing episode. "

In this episode, Burnham and Rayner are tossed back in time to the first season of Discovery , bringing them both face to face with the version of Burnham who's fresh off her own demotion in Starfleet . Throughout the episode, it becomes quite clear that Burnham and Rayner have a lot more in common than either of them might have realized. When asked if this experience might put them more on equal footing, Rennie confirmed that "he's learned an understanding of the crew." He went on to point out that we haven't seen the relationship that Rayner had with his own crew.

He explained: "We're not on the Antares talking about his crew, which I think is an important part that we missed, where you go, 'How did I see my people on my particular ship? And how well did I know them?' No one's asking me how well I knew everybody because I did, but if I've only been there a brief time, you're only gonna have facts." He admits that it is important for Rayner to connect past the surface level. "Through that particular episode, you learn and go, 'Yes, it is good to know what people are up to and where they're from,' because in that particular instance, it saved us. So, I learned a thing, and I give a, 'Yes. Got it. Thank you.'"

Rayner Will Have to Shorten the Distance Between Himself and the Discovery Crew

While it doesn't sound like we'll be getting any flashbacks to Rayner's time on the Antares Rennie believes that he'd spent a similar amount of time with that crew as Michael has with hers. "We didn't get to inhabit that, I get to make it up in my own mind," he said. "But for me, it was more like a pirate ship that I had. " While Rayner comes off as the more stubborn, stick-to-the-mission Captain between him and Burnham, Rennie doesn't think he was quite so strict on his own ship. He said:

"That's the way I perceived it. It wasn't some rigid, completely stoic, boss fest, but a little bit of a wild card ship. We're gonna go into things that nobody else wants to go into, or knows how to deal with, but we would. "

While the walls around Rayner are still pretty high, Rennie explained that we will see him "shorten the distance" he's put between himself and the crew of the Discovery. "There's a great bit, there's an episode where Burnham leaves me again to take control of the ship. There's an interaction with everybody in a certain way because they don't like me yet. [Laughs] And I need some help a little bit, but I've created a distance, and I have to shorten that distance between everybody." He went on to say there are plenty of "fun dynamics" to look forward to and Rayner's insistence on keeping everyone at arm's length will likely come back to bite him.

Star Trek has quite a long list of original alien species created for the franchise, and Rayner just happens to be a Kellerun, a race that hasn't been seen since Deep Space Nine . In classic Trek fashion, Kelleruns appear mostly human with the most visible difference being the shape of the ears. As he follows in the footsteps of the likes of Leonard Nimoy and any actor who has ever played a Vulcan or a Romulan, I asked Rennie about getting into prosthetics for the role. "Those guys are great. Rocky [Faulkner] was great, Nicola [Bendrey] was great." While it was certainly an extra step the process was brief enough that it didn't bother him to come to set a bit earlier than usual. "That was probably an hour, and I really didn't think about that enough to go, 'Oh, that's right. I have to get up earlier.' But I think we got it down to an hour and a bit for just the ears because there’s a lot of stuff on them."

Despite the agonizing wait of sitting in front of a mirror for an hour, Rennie noted that Faulkner and Bendrey made the make-up experience as fun as it could possibly have been. He said: "I don't love just sitting there looking at myself for an hour, but there's music and great company and coffee, and it became a really sweet part of the day, and then another sweet part of the day where I download. " It wasn't his first time getting into prosthetics, but his previous experience had been brief. After playing Rayner across an entire season, Rennie admitted by the end, removing the glue actually started to feel like you'd expect pulling costume glue off your ears to feel. "There was a point near the end where the glue-on, glue-off became quite painful for a while."

The Support of the Cast and the Fans Are Highlights of Rennie's 'Star Trek' Experience

While this is Rennie's first season on the show, it's the final bow for Star Trek: Discovery . When asked what he'd be taking away from this experience, he had nothing but high praise for the cast and crew. As a newcomer on a well-established show, jumping into the fifth season had a bit of a learning curve. "I found that coming into the show was difficult for me because it was unlike a show that I'd been on before. It was already very well established." He went on to say:

"I pat myself on the back because I made it through, and there was this wonderful group energy that helped me do that. The good naturedness of the show was something that I maybe haven't worked on. There was a wholehearted goodness about it, which was quite nice, which overlapped into how people treated each other and mutual respect. Also, I kind of blocked out all Star Treks in my mind, so I'm there not thinking of Star Trek history. I'm just doing scene-to-scene and working on this stuff, and then it finishes, and then I forget that there's an incredible vast following of the show that somehow you are now part of it like that. All of that, this is all relatively new to me."

As a new addition to an already established group, I pointed out that it seemed as though Rennie's experience mirrored that of his characters, and he agreed. "I'm excited for people to see the season. And then, coming into it playing, “I don't want to be liked. It doesn't matter if I'm liked. I'm there to do my job, like Rayner, and I'm doing it. And then there's the after-effect of an incredible fan base that seems to be very supportive ."

You can watch our full conversation in the player above, and catch the latest episode of Star Trek: Discovery now on Paramount+.

'Star Trek: Discovery' Season 5 Review: One Hell of a Final Ride

Watch on Paramount+

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Star Trek: Picard

Follow-up series to Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) that centers on Jean-Luc Picard in the next chapter of his life. Follow-up series to Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) that centers on Jean-Luc Picard in the next chapter of his life. Follow-up series to Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) that centers on Jean-Luc Picard in the next chapter of his life.

• Kirsten Beyer
• Michael Chabon
• Akiva Goldsman
• Patrick Stewart
• Michelle Hurd
• 2.8K User reviews
• 78 Critic reviews
• 14 wins & 54 nominations total

Episodes 30

• Jean-Luc Picard

• Raffi Musiker

• Seven of Nine

• Dr. Agnes Jurati

• Cristóbal Rios …

• Adam Soong …

• La Sirena Computer

• Jack Crusher

• Doctor Beverly Crusher

• Captain Liam Shaw

• Ensign Sidney La Forge

• Ensign Esmar

• Titan Computer …
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Stellar Photos From the "Star Trek" TV Universe

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia The Chateau Picard vineyard first appeared in Family (1990) . It was run by Jean-Luc Picard's brother Robert and his wife Marie, and their son René. Jean-Luc would learn in Star Trek: Generations (1994) that Robert and René had both burned to death in a fire, leaving Jean-Luc as the last in the Picard line.
• Goofs Commodore Oh often wears sunglasses. Star Trek lore establishes that Vulcans have an inner eyelid to protect against harsh sunlight on their desert planet. Oh's shades are a fashion statement, not a protective measure.
• The first season features a Borg cube and the planet Romulus.
• The second season features a Borg ship, a wormhole and hourglass, and the Borg Queen's silhouette.
• The third season does not have an opening titles sequence.
• Connections Featured in Half in the Bag: Comic Con 2019, The Picard Trailer, Streaming Services, and Midsommar (2019)

User reviews 2.8K

• Apr 13, 2023

Exceptional Robots on Film & TV

• How many seasons does Star Trek: Picard have? Powered by Alexa
• Are they going to have any other characters from previous Star Trek shows in this new show?
• Is there an air date?
• Why make a TV series about Picard rather than a movie?
• January 23, 2020 (United States)
• United States
• Official site
• Star Trek: Captain Picard
• The Sunstone Villa and Vineyard, Santa Ynes, California, USA (Château Picard)
• CBS Television Studios
• Roddenberry Entertainment
• Secret Hideout
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 46 minutes
• Dolby Digital

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed