10 Star Trek Episodes That Paid Off WAY Later

3. The Tholian Web

Star Trek The Tholian Web
CBS Media Ventures

The Tholian Web hails from The Original Series' oft-maligned third season. The budget for the show had been slashed as it went into its final year, with the initial production of The Tholian Web requiring some creative ideas to make work. A new Constitution-class model was created, rechristened the USS Defiant, and given a green hue for all of its scenes. As well as this, the Tholian web-spinners were introduced.

Both the Defiant and the Tholians would return in the fourth season of Star Trek: Enterprise. Here, it is explained that once the ship vanishes, it reappears in the Mirror Universe. Captured by the mirror-Tholians, they are attempting to strip it for parts. However, the ship is taken by the Terran Empire, leading to some fairly big headaches for the Tholian Assembly.

The two-parter In A Mirror, Darkly is one of the best stories in Enterprise, coming right at the end of its final season. It ties a nice bow on the story of the Defiant, though it would be mentioned again in Star Trek: Discovery. It also goes a way to explaining how the Terran Empire remained as strong as it was for so long, with the infusion of future technology.

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Seán is the host and head writer/presenter for TrekCulture, as well as a writer/presenter on WhoCulture and WhatCulture Horror. He has authored two novels, dozens of short stories, and hundreds of articles for WhatCulture. He holds a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from University College Dublin. As part of his work with TrekCulture, Seán has been invited to participate in collaborations with Roddenberry Entertainment, as well as contributing to several Star Trek community projects. An avid fan of Star Trek, Doctor Who, and the horror genre at large, Seán's expertise has helped develop these channels to the successes they are today. As host of the Ups & Downs series on TrekCulture, Seán has become internationally recognised for his positive yet critically informed approach to reviewing every episode of modern Star Trek, ensuring he is one of the go-to voices in the Trek community. Favourite Quote to describe himself: "I'm serious about what I do, just not always about the way that I do it"