Ranking every Star Trek franchise’s 100th episode

Ranking every Star Trek franchise's 100th episode

As a lifelong Star Trek fan who’s seen every episode multiple times, I must say that the 100th episode of a series is like a badge of honor for any show. It symbolizes a long and fruitful journey through the cosmos, something that modern streaming shows with their paltry season lengths can hardly claim. Yet, in this new age of Nu Trek, only Prodigy seems to be on track to reach that hallowed number.

For enthusiasts of Star Trek, reaching the 100th episode is a testament to quality. It serves as a benchmark for shows that manage to maintain their relevance even as years pass. Unfortunately, in this day and age of streaming services, many series that survive for five, six, or seven seasons are fortunate if they can produce just ten episodes per season.

As a dedicated Star Trek fan, I’ve been on a journey through the new Trek universe, from Discovery to Picard, Short Treks, Lower Decks, and every other show. Yet, none has managed to reach the 100-episode milestone, with Strange New Worlds projected to fall between 50 and 70 episodes, depending on its run. Discovery currently holds the record at 65. The only series that seems to be heading towards the century mark is Prodigy, as it churns out a whopping 20 episodes per season, each roughly half the length of a standard Star Trek episode.

Moving forward, it seems like the period of “100” might be drawing to a close. With this in mind, let’s delve into the crème de la crème. Let’s begin by acknowledging a few notable contenders.

Honorable Mention – Enterprise- Maybe Shatner’s return?

Star Trek: Enterprise concluded after airing 98 episodes. If it had continued for another season (season 5), it was expected to focus on the Romulans and potentially feature the return of William Shatner. This could have meant that Shatner would have appeared in the series’ 100th episode, a significant moment that fans missed out on due to the show’s premature termination.

Honorable Mention First Trek -The Animated Series: “How Sharper Than a Serpent’s Tooth” (episode)

Star Trek: The Original Series and its Animated Series didn’t reach 100 episodes each independently. However, unlike other shows on this list, these two are linked. The Animated Series actually continues the tales started in The Original Series, featuring the same characters and creators. Consequently, if we were to merge them, the 100th episode would have been ‘How Sharper Than a Serpent’s Tooth,’ an episode from the second season of the animated series, which seems rather ordinary compared to the significance of this milestone.

Honorable Mention – Nu Trek: Discovery: “All In”

To put it simply, if Nu Trek (Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Picard) were considered as one continuous show, their 100th episode would have been “All In” from Star Trek: Discovery. Regrettably, similar to TAS (The Animated Series), “All In” is often criticized for its extended gambling plotline, which many viewers find less engaging compared to other episodes.

3. The Next Generation – Redemption Part I

According to different sources (Wiki versus Memory Alpha), it’s debatable whether the 100th episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation is Redemption Part I or Redemption Part II. However, both episodes are highly appreciated by fans as exceptional viewing. In my opinion, the first part, which is often considered the 100th episode, concludes with Denise Crosby’s return to the franchise as Sela, a significant revelation that marks the end of the season.

2. Deep Space Nine – “The Ship”

In the second episode of Deep Space Nine’s fifth season, titled ‘The Ship’, we find ourselves on a tense prelude to an impending war. This episode, set during the build-up to the Dominion War, plays a crucial role in establishing the severity and importance of the upcoming conflict. A Jem’Hadar ship crash-lands, placing Captain Benjamin Sisko and his crew in a dangerous struggle for survival amidst the wreckage. The tension is palpable throughout this heartrending episode.

1. Voyager – “Timeless”

In an alternate timeline, only Chakotay and Harry Kim managed to return to Earth from their Starfleet mission. These two decide to alter history, facing off against Captain Geordi La Forge in the process. This intriguing episode, helmed by LeVar Burton, who played Geordi, showcases the imaginative possibilities of the Voyager and its crew. It delves into themes such as survivor’s guilt, time travel, and emphasizes that it’s the journey, not the destination, that truly matters. This exceptional episode could very well be one of Voyager’s finest.

2024-11-29 02:23

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