Top 10 Episodes of Star Trek: Short Treks

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Okay, let’s explore the bite-sized brilliance of Star Trek: Short Treks! These short films offer unique glimpses into the Star Trek universe, expanding on existing characters and introducing new ones. Choosing just ten is tough, as they vary in style and tone, but here’s my take on the Top 10 Star Trek: Short Treks:

Top 10 Star Trek: Short Treks

1. “Calypso” (Season 2, Episode 2): This is arguably the best of the Short Treks, a beautiful and haunting story about a lone AI named Zora who falls in love with a human who stumbles upon the Discovery a thousand years in the future. It’s a poignant meditation on loneliness, connection, and the enduring power of hope. Aldis Hodge gives a fantastic performance. It also ties directly into the plot of Discovery season 2, and gives us a hint of where the ship will eventually end up in the far future.
2. “The Trouble with Edward” (Season 2, Episode 1): A hilarious and darkly comedic look at the origins of the Tribbles’ rapid reproduction. H. Jon Benjamin steals the show as Edward Larkin, a deeply incompetent scientist whose experiments go horribly wrong. It’s a fun and irreverent take on a classic Star Trek element.
3. “Q&A” (Season 2, Episode 4): This short features Spock’s first day on the Enterprise, where he’s trapped in a turbolift with Number One. It’s a charming and insightful look at the early relationship between these two iconic characters, with great performances from Ethan Peck and Rebecca Romijn. We also get a hint at the musical talent that Number One will eventually showcase in Strange New Worlds.
4. “The Girl Who Made the Stars” (Season 1, Episode 4): A beautiful and inspiring story that Burnham tells to a young Tilly to comfort her during a crisis. It’s a visually stunning animation that explores themes of courage, hope, and the power of storytelling. It showcases Burnham’s ability to lead and inspire, and offers a message of hope during dark times.
5. “Ephraim and Dot” (Season 2, Episode 3): A fast-paced and visually inventive animated short that follows a tardigrade and a repair drone through decades of Star Trek history, including moments from TOS and the first six Star Trek films. It’s a fun and nostalgic trip through the franchise, told from a unique perspective.
6. “Ask Not” (Season 2, Episode 6): This short features Cadet Thira Sidhu facing a seemingly impossible test when Captain Pike is taken hostage. It’s a tense and suspenseful story that explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the qualities of leadership. It’s a great showcase for the character of Pike, and sets up his relationship with Sidhu that will play out in Strange New Worlds season 2.
7. “Children of Mars” (Season 2, Episode 8): This short provides a poignant and heartbreaking look at the attack on Mars that sets the stage for Star Trek: Picard. It’s a powerful story about the human cost of conflict, told from the perspective of two young girls on Mars. It does an excellent job of setting the stage for Picard, and showcasing just how devastating this attack was.
8. “The Brightest Star” (Season 1, Episode 3): This short explores Saru’s backstory and his decision to leave his home planet and join Starfleet. It’s a beautiful and moving story about following your dreams and the importance of finding your place in the universe. It provides valuable context for Saru’s character in Discovery.
9. “Runaway” (Season 1, Episode 1): This short features Tilly encountering a runaway alien teenager, Xahean princess Po, on the Discovery. It’s a fun and heartwarming story about friendship and understanding, and it provides further insight into Tilly’s character, and showcases her ability to connect with others.
10. “The Escape Artist” (Season 1, Episode 4): Harry Mudd returns in this fun and twisty short, once again played by Rainn Wilson. It’s a clever and entertaining story that features multiple versions of Mudd, showcasing just how slippery and untrustworthy he can be.

Honorable Mentions: “The Bird Of Prey”, which features a Klingon point of view of the events of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

Star Trek: Short Treks may be short in length, but they’re often big on ideas and emotion. They provide a unique opportunity to explore different corners of the Star Trek universe and experiment with different storytelling styles. They’re a great example of how Star Trek can continue to innovate and evolve, even in bite-sized formats. They also did an excellent job of setting up plot points, or providing backstory for characters that would appear in the main shows.

Last update on 2025-12-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API