It’s no secret that every Star Trek fan has their list of least-favorite episodes. From the original series to the latest streaming spinoffs, the franchise has delivered its fair share of iconic moments and misfires. However, one episode often labeled as “the worst” by Trekkies is surprisingly becoming a hot topic—and not for the reasons you might think.
The Episode Fans Love to Hate
We’re talking about “Threshold,” the infamous Star Trek: Voyager episode where Tom Paris evolves (or devolves?) into a salamander-like creature after breaking the Warp 10 barrier. First aired in 1996, Threshold quickly became the laughingstock of the fandom. The bizarre storyline and questionable science have kept it at the bottom of most rankings for decades.
But here’s the twist: this divisive episode has recently sparked a new wave of discussions among writers, scientists, and hardcore fans—and it may just hold the blueprint for Star Trek’s next big leap.
Why “Threshold” Matters Now
Star Trek has always been about pushing boundaries, whether in storytelling, representation, or exploring “strange new worlds.” And while Threshold was ridiculed for its outlandish premise, it dared to tackle an idea few sci-fi series have ever attempted: the consequences of transcending physical and intellectual limits.
With shows like Star Trek: Discovery and Strange New Worlds diving deeper into time travel, multiverses, and post-human evolution, the themes introduced in Threshold suddenly seem relevant again. Fans on forums like Reddit have even joked that Threshold walked so episodes like Discovery’s “Calypso” or Picard’s exploration of synthetic life could run.
Lessons Learned from a “Bad” Episode
The reexamination of Threshold isn’t just about nostalgic fun. Modern Star Trek writers are reportedly looking at older episodes, even the polarizing ones, to mine bold ideas for future story arcs. This means we might see more creative risks and experimental plots—exactly what Threshold attempted to deliver, albeit clumsily.
In an era where science fiction is dominated by franchises like Dune and Foundation, Star Trek needs to reclaim its reputation as the genre’s daring pioneer. Revisiting the “so bad it’s good” stories might be the first step toward reinvention.
The Redemption Arc of Threshold
Interestingly, some fans have already started to soften their stance on Threshold. Podcasts and YouTube channels dedicated to Star Trek lore are reevaluating its themes, calling it a misunderstood episode rather than a total failure. The potential for Warp 10 and the ethics of human evolution could serve as intriguing foundations for Star Trek’s future projects.
As Paramount continues to expand the Star Trek universe, episodes like Threshold remind us that even the most flawed stories have a role to play. Love it or hate it, this episode might be exactly what Star Trek needs to boldly go where no franchise has gone before.
What do you think? Is Threshold finally getting the credit it deserves, or should it remain an evolutionary dead end? Share your thoughts in the comments!