10 Star Trek Episodes That Deserved To Become Classics (But Didn't)

10. A Private Little War

When Star Trek is at its best, it is telling modern stories through a futuristic, sci-fi lens. Never is this more apparent than in The Original Series, which led to some of the strongest stories in Star Trek's run. Having said that, not every episode managed to make their way onto classic lists, with A Private Little War being one of them.

The episode is an on-the-nose allegory for the Vietnam War, and specifically the United States' involvement in said war. With its release in 1968, the War was very much in full swing, so the episode's close only leads to a sad, yet prophetic, conclusion.

Kirk decides to arm the villagers, aiding them in evening the odds with their Klingon-backed enemies. There is no winner here, nor is there a cessation of hostilities. In fact, Kirk's decision is questioned by Scotty, which leads Kirk to spout the immortal line:

A hundred...Serpents for the Garden Of Eden.

The episode is, to be honest, a bit of a slow burn - but its timely message has only become more pressing in the years that have passed, making this a story that was well ahead of its time.