Star Trek: Every Two-Parter Ranked From WORST To BEST
Which Star Trek double episode made you wish away at least the week?
In Star Trek, a two-parter isn't just an excuse not to think of a second title, and sometimes not even that. It is the chance to extend a good story beyond the usual 40 or 20 minutes or so, and leave the audience hanging… "To Be Continued…" or "To Be Concluded Next Week". As Trek fans are currently and keenly aware, almost every iteration, including Strange New Worlds, has used this trick.
Everyone loves a rule, so let's set a few. To count as a two-parter, both episodes must have aired one after the other. That discounts the likes of That Hope is You, Parts 1 & 2, for example. In one fashion or another, both episodes must also have first been broadcast separately. That means no series pilots, no series finales (except one), and no feature lengths like Dark Frontier, The Way of the Warrior, or Flesh and Blood. Finally, we won't be including multi-episode arcs or set-ups for the next season.
Now, who amongst us hasn't done their best rendition of Majel Barrett's computer voice to "Last time on Star Trek…", "And now the conclusion…"? Just me? Well, we'd best get on with it then. In the words of another, also not on this list, "And The Adventure Continues".
42. Terra Firma, Part 1, Terra Firma, Part 2
First on the list, Star Trek: Discovery's third season two-parter is on shakier ground than its title. Terra Firma, Parts 1 & 2 weren't outright bad by any means, but there are 41 double episodes that are better. Life, the Mirror Universe, and Everything, and one in the form of Carl, Guardian of Forever, or it was curtains for Philippa Georgiou.
At the time, Terra Firma was meant as the backdoor (and the big gate) to the ex-Emperor's own spin-off TV show. That was a rocky road to what was Star Trek's first-to-streaming movie. The two-parter's most egregious error was, then, no doubt, that it became 'three-' in what was made of Star Trek: Section 31.