10 Most Hated Star Trek Characters
Who are the characters that truly grind your gears whenever they are on screen?
Let's get this out the way - no, Wesley Crusher will not be appearing on this list. The simple fact is this - Wesley is not the hated character that his reputation suggests. While he was definitely a shaky character in the first season of Star Trek The Next Generation, he has evolved now to the point where could very well be a mascot or indeed flagbearer for the series. The fact is as well that the writing improved as the episodes went by.
Now that's out of the way, let's get to the rest of this list.
Not every character in Star Trek manages to be beloved. Some have reputations for dragging down whichever scenes they are in. For that, there is no one person at fault. At times, the writing just isn't up to scratch. Other times, the acting leaves a bit to desired. Sometimes, when both of those issues come together, the character can leave a stale taste in the mouths of the audience.
The characters on this list have, for one reason or another, not gone down in Star Trek history as the favourites of each of their series. To star this list, there is -
10. Michael Burnham
The first season of Star Trek: Discovery was, though not always, not the finest piece of work committed to screen. The visuals were fabulous and it was clear that a lot of time, effort and money had gone into designing the sets and aesthetic of the show. However, one aspect of the show suffered in the first season and that is Michael Burnham.
The backstage drama of the first season spilled into the writing of this character and, as such, a lot of her early episodes were written poorly. The fact that a Starfleet officer commits mutiny aboard a ship, resulting in her captain's death - for some reason, it just rings hollow. The show then proceeds to remain dark and offer Burnham very little to do, beyond attempt to rectify her errors.
It would take the entirety of the season for the character to truly come to life, beyond 'guilty mutineer'. This entry is focused entirely on the way the character was written - Sonequa Martin-Green does stellar work in the first season, doing her absolute best to make the audience care for Burnham.
Thankfully, the second season of Star Trek: Discovery saw an immediate upswing in the skill of the writers' room and Burnham has now become a far more likeable character, one easier to root for.