10 Most Intense Star Trek Cold Opens

7. The Killing Game

Following Star Trek: Voyager for three and a half years means that one grows close to the characters, particularly those with whom one spends the most time. If killing Picard in Tapestry and EVERYONE in Cause And Effect worked, then why not try it again?

Captain Janeway was, usually, a human being. So, seeing her in full Klingon regalia, with a forehead to match, was an eye-opener as The Killing Game began. With a Mek'leth in hand, she fends off foes - including a Hirogen Alpha, a member of a newly introduced race of villains.

Kate Mulgrew gave it all she had in the swift, brutal combat, baring her teeth and growling with enough gusto to give Gowron a smile. Still, the Hirogen ducks, weaves, and dives - plunging a dagger straight into her chest. Without any concern, he lifts a Starfleet combadge and calls for her to be sent to sickbay.

Why was Janeway Klingon? Who was this Hirogen hunter? Why did he have a combadge? We yearned to know more - and we weren't disappointed.