Unveiling the Mind-Blowing Encounters: 10 Star Trek Characters and Their Astonishing Doppelgangers!

Summary

Star Trek has a long history of exploring the concept of doppelgangers and has featured various characters encountering their own duplicates.

Captain Kirk, Lt. Commander Data, Captain Picard, Commander Riker, Chief O'Brien, Captain Janeway, The Doctor, Spock, Lt. Boimler, and Captain Pike have all had encounters with their respective doppelgangers. These encounters occurred due to transporter accidents, time travel, or the development of duplicates through technological advances. These incidents have sparked captivating storylines and contributed to the growth of the characters involved.

In the Star Trek universe, there have been several instances where characters have encountered versions of themselves, adding a strange element to the series. The concept of doppelgangers has fascinated people since ancient times, resulting in numerous stories about peculiar twins or duplicates. As split-screen technology gained popularity in the 1960s, creators in the film and television industry began exploring narratives involving duplicates. Despite the advanced technology in Star Trek, accidents can occur, resulting in duplicate Starfleet officers. The first occurrence of a doppelganger in Star Trek takes place in season 1, episode 5 of Star Trek: The Original Series, where Captain James T. Kirk is split into two separate versions of himself. The series even introduces an entire Mirror Universe populated by exaggeratedly evil versions of the characters, and frequently returns to the concept of doppelgangers. Whether stemming from transporter errors, time travel complications, or the discovery of long-lost twins, numerous characters have encountered their duplicates throughout the years.

10 Captain James T. Kirk - Star Trek: The Original Series

9 Lt. Commander Data - Star Trek: The Next Generation

The first appearance of a doppelganger in the Star Trek franchise was none other than Captain Kirk himself. Throughout his adventures, Kirk encountered various versions of himself on multiple occasions. In one incident during the original series episode "The Enemy Within," a transporter malfunction caused Kirk to be split into two distinct halves. He was confronted by his own worst traits as he came face to face with the evil version of himself. This dark Kirk not only assaulted Yeoman Janice Rand but also attempted to abandon several crew members on the freezing planet Alfa 177. Another encounter with a duplicate occurred during a mission to Exo III. Federation scientist Dr. Roger Korby created an android copy of Kirk, who cunningly impersonated the real Captain. In yet another instance, in the film "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," a Chameloid named Martia transformed into a version of Kirk, leading to a fierce battle between the Captain and his doppelganger.

In "Datalore," the 13th episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation season 1, Lore, the malevolent brother of Lt. Commander Data (both portrayed by Brent Spiner), is introduced. Dr. Noonian Soong, the brilliant cyberneticist (also played by Brent Spiner), is behind the creation of both Data and Lore. Initially, Data is thrilled to discover others like himself, but Lore soon exposes his true nature. Lore considers himself superior to both humanity and his brother, causing numerous problems for Data and the Enterprise. From stealing Data's emotion chip to forming an alliance with the Borg, Lore represents the complete opposite of Data in almost every aspect.

8 Captain Jean-Luc Picard - Star Trek: The Next Generation

When the USS Enterprise-D rescues a stranded shuttle in episode 13 of Star Trek: The Next Generation season 2 titled "Time Squared," they come across a duplicate of Captain Jean-Luc Picard aboard. As they delve into the perplexity of this occurrence, they unravel that the duplicate Picard hails from six hours in the future. However, this replication of Picard appears disoriented and struggles to articulate clearly, leaving the original Captain Picard unsettled by the notion that he could ever abandon his crew and vessel. Surprisingly, Captain Picard decides to eliminate his duplicate when the duplicate tries to depart the Enterprise. In Star Trek: Nemesis, Picard once again encounters another variation of himself, this time in the form of a youthful clone named Shinzon (Tom Hardy), who was engineered by the Romulans.

7 Commander William Riker - Star Trek: The Next Generation

In TNG season 6, episode 24, "Second Chances," a malfunction in the transporter results in Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) having a duplicate. During the Enterprise's visit to the planet Nervala IV, they stumble upon a duplicate of Will Riker who has been living alone on the planet for the past eight years. This duplicate was created when interference from the planet caused the transporter to malfunction. One of the Rikers continued his career in Starfleet, while the other, who goes by Thomas, was left stranded on the planet. Will and Thomas immediately clash, and eventually, Thomas decides to pursue a different path within Starfleet. Later on, Thomas Riker appears on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine after joining the rebel group called the Maquis.

6 Chief Miles O'Brien - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

5 Captain Kathryn Janeway - Star Trek: Voyager

Chief Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney) of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine faces a series of unfortunate events, making him one of the unluckiest characters in the Star Trek universe. On two separate occasions, duplicates of O'Brien are created, but he only interacts with one of his identical counterparts. In the episode "Visionary" from season 3 of DS9, O'Brien's life takes a turn when he starts having visions of the future due to exposure to radiation. Witnessing the destruction of space station Deep Space 9, O'Brien deliberately exposes himself to more radiation in order to uncover the cause of the explosion. Moments later, he finds himself transported three hours into the future, where he shares the entire situation with his future self. Tragically, O'Brien succumbs to radiation poisoning, leaving the O'Brien from three hours ahead to travel back in time and save the station.

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Deadlock," the USS Voyager encounters a plasma rift, resulting in the creation of a duplicate Voyager. However, due to the non-duplication of the antimatter powering the ships, both vessels experience power fluctuations. To compensate for the power loss, one Voyager employs proton bursts, inadvertently causing severe damage to the other vessel. In an attempt to find solutions, Captain Kathryn Janeway of the damaged ship voyages to the intact Voyager, leading to an intriguing collaboration between the two Janeways. Despite its dark tone, "Deadlock" offers an enjoyable spectacle as the two captains work together towards a resolution. Ultimately, the unharmed Voyager falls under attack by Vidiians, prompting Captain Janeway of that ship to make the selfless decision of sacrificing herself and her vessel to save the other Voyager.

4 The Doctor - Star Trek: Voyager

In Star Trek: Voyager season 6, episode 24, "Life Line," Federation scientists establish contact with the USS Voyager, located in the Alpha Quadrant. They deliver distressing news that Dr. Zimmerman (Robert Picardo), the creator of Voyager's Emergency Medical Hologram, is on the verge of death. Known for modeling the hologram after his own image, Zimmerman's deteriorating condition prompts the Doctor's desire to be transferred to the Alpha Quadrant via subspace in order to offer his expertise and aid. Upon meeting his creator face to face, the Doctor becomes increasingly frustrated with Zimmerman's dismissive attitude towards him. However, with the assistance of Lt. Reginald Barclay (Dwight Schultz) and Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis), the Doctor and Zimmerman eventually overcome their differences and the Doctor successfully saves Zimmerman's life.

3 Spock - Star Trek (2009) & Star Trek Into Darkness

J.J. Abrams revitalized the Star Trek franchise with his 2009 film, introducing the Kelvin timeline, an alternate reality within the Star Trek universe. To bridge the gap between the two timelines, Leonard Nimoy makes a cameo as the elderly Ambassador Spock from the Prime Universe. In the film, Ambassador Spock discloses that he and Captain Nero of the Romulan race (played by Eric Bana) were sent back in time, resulting in the creation of the alternate timeline when Nero attacked the USS Kelvin. Ambassador Spock urges the younger Spock (portrayed by Zachary Quinto) to continue his career in Starfleet and embrace emotions alongside logic. In the sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness, Quinto's Spock reaches out to Ambassador Spock for information regarding Khan Noonien Singh (played by Benedict Cumberbatch), to which the elder Spock advises against trusting Khan.

2 Lt. Brad Boimler - Star Trek: Lower Decks

1 Captain Christopher Pike - Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Ensign Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) experiences a transporter accident akin to Commander Riker's mishap in a captivating tale. This occurs in season 2, episode 2 of Star Trek: Lower Decks, titled "Kayshon, His Eyes Open." Amid his early exploits aboard the USS Titan, Boimler finds himself ensnared beneath wreckage during an assault by the Pakleds. Captain Riker endeavors to retrieve him through transport, inadvertently producing a duplicate Boimler. Naming himself William, this clone elects to remain with the Titan, while the original Boimler returns to the Cerritos. Later, Starfleet Intelligence's Section 31 orchestrates a fake demise for William Boimler, ultimately recruiting him. Unaware of his clone's survival, Brad Boimler embarks on a soul-searching journey, questioning his own significance. Fortunately, his friends rally around him, providing the support he needs to overcome this tumultuous period.

In the finale of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1, titled "A Quality of Mercy," an intriguing encounter takes place. Captain Christopher Pike, portrayed by Anson Mount, comes face to face with his future self. Seeking to avoid his tragic destiny, Captain Pike is visited by an older version of himself, now an Admiral, who hails from the future. This Admiral Pike unveils the changes that have occurred since Captain Pike's time. Unlike his younger self, the future Pike never suffers a horrific injury in a delta raty accident. As a result, he remains in command of the Enterprise as its Captain. "A Quality of Mercy" pays homage to the classic Star Trek episode "A Balance of Terror," but with an intriguing twist. This time, Captain Pike assumes the role of Captain Kirk. This alteration in the Star Trek timeline sets in motion a chain reaction leading to a devastating war with the Romulans and inflicting a terrible injury upon Lt. Spock, played by Ethan Peck, instead of Pike. Reflecting upon his experiences upon returning to the Enterprise, Captain Pike becomes more equipped to confront his inevitable fate.