Star Trek backdrop
Sci-Fi & FantasyDrama

The Worst Episodes of Star Trek

Every episode of Star Trek ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Star Trek!

Binge this in 2d 18hPeaking at 9.2/10

Space. The Final Frontier. The U.S.S. Enterprise embarks on a five year mission to explore the galaxy. The Enterprise is under the command of Captain James T. Kirk with First Officer Mr. Spock, from the

Airs on

Seasons3

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    Star Trek Season 3 Episode 4 - And the Children Shall Lead
    5.2/10(3885 votes)

    #1 - And the Children Shall Lead

    S3:E4

    On a distant planet, Kirk, Spock and McCoy find a scientific team dead, and their children who, unknown to the crew, have great powers at their disposal.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Star Trek Season 3 Episode 20 - The Way to Eden
    5.4/10(3912 votes)

    #2 - The Way to Eden

    S3:E20

    The Enterprise picks up a group of space "hippies" looking for Eden.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Star Trek Season 1 Episode 27 - The Alternative Factor
    5.7/10(4419 votes)

    #3 - The Alternative Factor

    S1:E27

    Kirk and Spock encounter an alien named Lazarus who claims to be from an anti-matter universe.

    Director:Gerd Oswald

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Star Trek Season 3 Episode 1 - Spock's Brain
    5.7/10(4138 votes)

    #4 - Spock's Brain

    S3:E1

    An alien female beams aboard the ship and, after incapacitating the rest of the crew, surgically removes Spock's brain. Kirk and the crew have just hours to locate and replace it before Spock's body dies.

    Director:Marc Daniels

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Star Trek Season 2 Episode 23 - The Omega Glory
    6.0/10(3949 votes)

    #5 - The Omega Glory

    S2:E23

    Captain Kirk must find the cure to a deadly disease and put an end to another Starfleet captain's cultural interference.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Star Trek Season 2 Episode 7 - Catspaw
    6.2/10(4134 votes)

    #6 - Catspaw

    S2:E7

    Two powerful aliens threaten the well-being of the Enterprise and her crew.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Star Trek

    READ
  8. Star Trek Season 3 Episode 18 - The Lights of Zetar
    6.2/10(3332 votes)

    #7 - The Lights of Zetar

    S3:E18

    Strange incorporeal aliens threaten the Memory Alpha station and the Enterprise.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Star Trek Season 2 Episode 5 - The Apple
    6.4/10(3967 votes)

    #8 - The Apple

    S2:E5

    The crew of the Enterprise visits a mysterious paradisical planet controlled by a computer that is served by the local inhabitants.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Star Trek Season 3 Episode 10 - Plato's Stepchildren
    6.5/10(3776 votes)

    #9 - Plato's Stepchildren

    S3:E10

    The crew of the Enterprise encounters an ageless and sadistic race of humanoids with the power of telekinesis and who claim to have organized their society around Ancient Greek ideals.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Star Trek Season 3 Episode 12 - The Empath
    6.5/10(3645 votes)

    #10 - The Empath

    S3:E12

    While visiting a doomed planet, the landing party is subject to torturous experiments by powerful aliens.

    Director:John Erman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Star Trek Season 3 Episode 16 - The Mark of Gideon
    6.5/10(3456 votes)

    #11 - The Mark of Gideon

    S3:E16

    A race of overpopulated aliens abduct Captain Kirk to solve their problem.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Star Trek Season 3 Episode 17 - That Which Survives
    6.5/10(3381 votes)

    #12 - That Which Survives

    S3:E17

    Kirk, McCoy, and Sulu are stranded on a barren planet where a mysterious woman attempts to kill them one at a time, while the Enterprise must travel halfway across the galaxy to rescue them.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Star Trek Season 3 Episode 22 - The Savage Curtain
    6.6/10(3492 votes)

    #13 - The Savage Curtain

    S3:E22

    Aliens force Captain Kirk and First Officer Spock to join forces with "Abraham Lincoln" and "Surak" to battle villains in a contest of good vs. evil.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Star Trek Season 1 Episode 6 - Mudd's Women
    6.7/10(5486 votes)

    #14 - Mudd's Women

    S1:E6

    Rescuing the crew of a ship from an asteroid belt, the Enterprise plays host to conman extraordinaire, the cunning Harry Mudd and his cargo: three beautiful women looking for suitors.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Star Trek Season 2 Episode 11 - Friday's Child
    6.7/10(3902 votes)

    #15 - Friday's Child

    S2:E11

    The crew of the Enterprise become entangled in a planet's tribal power struggle.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Star Trek Season 3 Episode 3 - The Paradise Syndrome
    6.7/10(3794 votes)

    #16 - The Paradise Syndrome

    S3:E3

    An alien device on a primitive planet erases Captain Kirk's memory, and he begins a new life with the planet's indigenous people.

    Director:Jud Taylor

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Star Trek Season 2 Episode 19 - A Private Little War
    6.8/10(3770 votes)

    #17 - A Private Little War

    S2:E19

    The crew of the Enterprise discovers Klingon interference in the development of a formerly peaceful planet and is forced to help maintain a balance of power.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Star Trek Season 3 Episode 24 - Turnabout Intruder
    6.8/10(3439 votes)

    #18 - Turnabout Intruder

    S3:E24

    The Enterprise is in danger when Janice Lester, one of Kirk's former lovers, steals his body.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Star Trek Season 1 Episode 8 - Miri
    6.9/10(5143 votes)

    #19 - Miri

    S1:E8

    On a planet populated by children whose aging process has been slowed artificially. Kirk’s landing party members contract a virus that kills adults. Despite their violent attacks, Kirk is determined to help the children.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Star Trek Season 3 Episode 5 - Is There in Truth No Beauty?
    6.9/10(3690 votes)

    #20 - Is There in Truth No Beauty?

    S3:E5

    The Enterprise travels with an alien ambassador whose appearance induces madness.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Star Trek Season 3 Episode 14 - Whom Gods Destroy
    6.9/10(3558 votes)

    #21 - Whom Gods Destroy

    S3:E14

    Captain Kirk faces off with a demented shape-shifting starship captain determined to control the universe.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Star Trek Season 1 Episode 2 - Charlie X
    7.0/10(6276 votes)

    #22 - Charlie X

    S1:E2

    Raised from boyhood by non-corporeal beings, 17 year old Charles Evans is picked up and transferred to the Enterprise. On board the ship, the teenager proves dangerously unable to wield his enormous psionic powers with maturity.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Star Trek Season 2 Episode 16 - The Gamesters of Triskelion
    7.0/10(4026 votes)

    #23 - The Gamesters of Triskelion

    S2:E16

    Captain Kirk and his companions are abducted into slavery and trained to fight as gladiators for the gambling entertainment of three disembodied beings.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Star Trek Season 2 Episode 25 - Bread and Circuses
    7.0/10(3765 votes)

    #24 - Bread and Circuses

    S2:E25

    The Enterprise crew investigates the disappearance of a ship's crew on a planet that is a modern version of the Roman Empire.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  26. Star Trek Season 3 Episode 13 - Elaan of Troyius
    7.0/10(3640 votes)

    #25 - Elaan of Troyius

    S3:E13

    The USS Enterprise ferries a spoiled princess whose betrothal to a royal Troyian is hoped will bring peace to a star system at war.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Worst Episodes Summary

"And the Children Shall Lead" is the worst rated episode of "Star Trek". It scored 5.2/10 based on 3885 votes. Directed by Marvin J. Chomsky and written by Edward J. Lakso, it aired on 10/11/1968. This episode scored 0.2 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The Way to Eden".