10 Most Intense Star Trek Cold Opens

8. Tapestry

It's A Wonderful Life for some, but certainly not for Johnny Picard, in Star Trek's take on the classic Christmas tale. Though everything may come to a happy ending by the episode's close, opening the story with a dying captain in Worf's arms made audiences sit up straight.

The only context that we are given is Dr Crusher preparing to receive casualties before the group materialises directly into sickbay. These officers were mid-fight, a point confirmed by Riker moments later. But all eyes are on Jean-Luc, the burn on the front of his uniform, and his unconscious form.

Things flash to white just to confuse us further. Picard stands, seemingly alone, in a wide open space. John De Lancie's unmistakable voice floats through the air - confirming the captain's death. This sixth-season episode did not allow for a moment's pause before jumping into the opening credits, leaving the audience reeling, just as shocked as Patrick Stewart's face on their screens.