Mind-Blowing Star Trek Plot Twists That Will Leave You Speechless

Summary

Characters in Star Trek often make unexpected decisions or reveal hidden truths that surprise the audience.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine unveils numerous jaw-dropping revelations throughout its extensive Dominion War narrative. The series excels in delivering mind-bending plot twists, which encompass characters affiliating themselves with clandestine factions or undergoing loyalty transformations, thereby effectively captivating its audience.

Star Trek has never relied solely on big reveals and shock value, but that doesn't mean it hasn't seen its fair share of surprising plot twists. Since the debut of Star Trek: The Original Series in 1966, the franchise has utilized various storytelling techniques. The original series often left viewers hanging on cliffhangers or with dramatic reveals before commercial breaks, but as television shows started emphasizing serialized storytelling, shocking twists became more common. Nevertheless, almost every Star Trek series has featured at least one major revelation.

Many of the most shocking reveals in Star Trek involve well-known characters. They might make sudden, unexpected choices, or the audience may discover that a character has been deceitful for multiple episodes. While some twists have hints or foreshadowing, many are genuinely surprising. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, with its extensive Dominion War storyline and shifting alliances, has a plethora of shocking revelations, but it's not the only Star Trek show capable of astounding viewers. Keep reading to learn about 10 Star Trek plot twists that blindside everyone.

10 William Boimler Joins Section 31 In Star Trek: Lower Decks

9 Ro Laren Joins The Maquis In Star Trek: The Next Generation

: The second episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 2, titled "Kayshon, His Eyes Open," showcases Brad Boimler's transfer to the USS Titan, helmed by Captain William Riker. During one of his assignments on the Titan, an unintentional transporter glitch results in the creation of a duplicate of Boimler. This replica, known as William Boimler, becomes a valued member of the Titan crew, while Brad returns to his former post on the USS Cerritos. Fast forward to the eighth episode of Lower Decks season 3, named "Crisis Point 2: Paradoxus," where Brad Boimler discovers that his clone, William, tragically perished as a result of a gas leak onboard the Titan. However, the concluding scene of this episode unravels the truth as it is revealed that William Boimler faked his demise, secretly opting to join the clandestine Starfleet Intelligence division called Section 31.

Ro Laren, a Bajoran Starfleet officer, was introduced in "Ensign Ro," an episode from season 5 of Star Trek: The Next Generation. She had recently been demoted to Ensign following a failed away mission. Upon joining the crew of the USS Enterprise-D, Captain Jean-Luc Picard took her under his wing, and he urged her to remain on the Enterprise after completing her initial assignment. Towards the end of TNG in "Preemptive Strike," the 24th episode of season 7, Ro goes undercover within the rebel faction known as the Maquis but eventually questions her own loyalties. In the end, Ro chooses to betray Starfleet and align herself with the Maquis, much to Captain Picard's dismay. Many years later, in season 3 of Star Trek: Picard, it is revealed that Ro surrenders to Starfleet and goes on to become a member of Starfleet Intelligence.

8 Captain Lorca Is From the Mirror Universe In Star Trek: Discovery

7 Jack Crusher Has Borg DNA (And So Does Picard) In Star Trek: Picard

Captain Gabriel Lorca, portrayed by Jason Isaacs, made his first appearance in episode 3 of Star Trek: Discovery season 1, titled "Context is For Kings." He served as the Captain of the USS Discovery. Throughout the majority of season 1, both the audience and the characters mistakenly believed that Captain Lorca was from the Prime Universe, despite his unusual behavior. However, in episode 12 of Discovery, entitled "Vaulting Ambition," Michael Burnham, played by Sonequa Martin-Green, discovers Captain Lorca's deceit. Burnham carefully pieces together the evidence and realizes that the Lorca she knew was actually from the Mirror Universe. His intention was to use her and the Discovery to return to the Mirror Universe and seize control of Emperor Philippa Georgiou's ship, portrayed by Michelle Yeoh.

Throughout season 3 of Star Trek: Picard, there were indications of something amiss with Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers). He experienced peculiar visions and occasionally saw things through the eyes of other officers. In the penultimate episode of Picard season 3, titled "Vox," it is revealed that Jack Crusher harbors Borg DNA in his mind, causing these alterations. This Borg DNA was inherited from Jack's father, Jean-Luc Picard, following Picard's time as Locutus of Borg. The astounding comeback of the Borg in season 3 of Picard brilliantly completes Picard's narrative circle and delves into a storyline that originated three decades ago.

6 Lt. Commander Michael Eddington Is Maquis in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

After the Dominion finally revealed themselves to the Federation in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Lt. Commander Michael Eddington (played by Kenneth Marshall) was dispatched by Starfleet to assume the role of Security Chief aboard the space station Deep Space Nine. During his tenure on the station, Eddington collaborated closely with Constable Odo (portrayed by René Auberjonois) and developed a friendship with Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks). Little did Sisko or anyone else know, Eddington had been in secret communication with the Maquis for a substantial period and empathized with their cause. Approximately eighteen months after Eddington joined the Deep Space Nine crew, he defected to the Maquis, absconding with a shipment of replicators in the process. Eddington subsequently reached out to Sisko in an attempt to justify his actions, but Sisko made a solemn vow to apprehend him.

5 Seska Is A Cardassian Operative In Star Trek: Voyager

Seska, portrayed by Martha Hackett, was a member of the Maquis organization. She served alongside Chakotay, played by Robert Beltran, aboard the ship Val Jean. Both ships, Val Jean and the USS Voyager, were suddenly transported to the Delta Quadrant. Despite her initial reluctance, Seska became a part of Voyager's crew. Throughout her time on the ship, Seska frequently voiced her disdain for Starfleet and the Federation, showing little regard for their rules. However, her true identity was unveiled when she sustained injuries during her covert collaboration with the Kazon in the Delta Quadrant. The Doctor, portrayed by Robert Picardo, discovered that Seska was actually a Cardassian who had undergone alteration to appear Bajoran. It was later revealed that she was a Cardassian operative who had successfully infiltrated the Maquis and had become stranded with them in the Delta Quadrant. Following the exposure of her deceit, Seska departed Voyager and aligned herself with the Kazon.

4 Dr. M'Benga Kills Dak'Rah In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

3 Dr. Bashir Was Replaced By A Changeling in DS9

Throughout Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, there were subtle hints that Dr. Joseph M'Benga (played by Babs Olusanmokun) had a military background. However, it wasn't until "Under the Cloak of War," an episode in season 2, that viewers delved deeper into his past. The arrival of Ambassador Dak'Rah (portrayed by Robert Wisdom), a former Klingon War General, on the USS Enterprise triggers painful memories for both M'Benga and Nurse Christine Chapel (played by Jess Bush). They had experienced the horrors of the Klingon War firsthand while serving on the front lines. M'Benga, especially, struggles to interact with Dak'Rah due to his firsthand knowledge of the atrocities committed under Dak'Rah's command. Despite dedicating his life to saving lives as a doctor, the shocking twist in "Under the Cloak of War" reveals that Dr. M'Benga ultimately kills Dak'Rah, firmly believing that certain acts are unforgivable.

In the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode titled "In Purgatory's Shadow" from season 5, Lt. Commander Worf (played by Michael Dorn) and Garak (played by Andrew Robinson) embark on a trip to a Dominion prison following the decryption of a message by Garak's old acquaintance. Upon their arrival, Worf and Garak are apprehended and imprisoned by Dominion soldiers, only to discover that the real Dr. Julian Bashir (portrayed by Alexander Siddig) has been held captive there for quite some time. This revelation exposes the fact that the Dr. Bashir aboard Deep Space Nine is actually an imposter, a Changeling spy. The infiltrating Changeling causes mayhem on Deep Space Nine, but is ultimately eliminated when the USS Defiant destroys the stolen runabout he uses for his escape. Though the timeline surrounding the substitution of Bashir with a Changeling remains uncertain, witnessing a second Bashir emerging in the prison while supposed to be on the station was undeniably startling.

2 Garak Kills The Romulan Senator For Sisko In DS9's "In The Pale Moonlight"

In one of Star Trek's most somber episodes, Captain Benjamin Sisko confronts a series of profound moral dilemmas. The ongoing Dominion War poses a persistent threat to Deep Space Nine, and the Federation finds itself in a precarious position. In order to stand a chance at winning the war, the Federation and the Klingons are reliant on the Romulans joining forces with them against the Dominion. To achieve this pivotal alliance, Sisko seeks the aid of Garak, the skilled Cardassian tailor and former spy. Together, they devise a plan to fabricate evidence suggesting that the Dominion intends to launch an attack on the Romulans' home planet. However, their deceptive scheme is exposed when Romulan Senator Vreenak uncovers the truth. In a desperate act, Garak is compelled to eliminate Vreenak and manipulates the circumstances to implicate the Dominion as the culprit behind the murder. Subsequently, the Romulans are convinced to align themselves with the Federation. Ultimately, Sisko becomes an accomplice to Garak's crimes, condoning forgery, bribery, and even murder as necessary sacrifices to safeguard the Alpha Quadrant.

1 The Romulans Are Related To Vulcans on Star Trek: The Original Series

Considered as one of the finest episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series, "Balance of Terror" showcases not only gripping storytelling and exceptional performances but also serves as the introduction of the Romulans, who would go on to become key adversaries in the Star Trek franchise. Prior to the captivating debut of Mark Lenard as the first Romulan character on screen, Captain James T. Kirk (portrayed by William Shatner) and Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) engage in a discussion about the century-old conflict between Earth and the Romulans. As the Federation lacked advanced technology during that time, encountering a Romulan was an unprecedented event, with rumors circulating about their "cruel" and "treacherous" nature. The resemblance between the Romulans and Vulcans astonishes everyone on the Enterprise bridge, leading to doubts about Spock's loyalty from some members of the crew. Although subsequent episodes delve into the complex relationship between Vulcans and Romulans, this initial appearance remains one of the most captivating plot twists in Star Trek's rich history.