10 Biggest Star Trek Plot Holes

What are the Star Trek moments that left you scratching your head?

Star Trek Plot Holes
CBS

The very nature of ongoing storytelling - particularly storytelling that involves more than one writer - is that there are going to be dropped ideas, dead ends and, occasionally, plot holes from time to time. When a story is pushing sixty years old, like Star Trek is, it is seemingly inevitable that there are going to be plots that simply don't stick the landing.

This most certainly isn't going to be a hate list - many of the entries here are in the lovable camp! It is also possible that some of these entries may yet receive a resolution along the way as, thankfully, the audience is now receiving more Star Trek than ever before - with more opportunities to address some of these potential gaffs.

Follow on and let us know what you think of this list of plot holes!

10. Is Data Immortal?

Star Trek Picard
CBS Media Ventures

In Star Trek: Picard, the audience were treated to a wonderfully cathartic ending for Lt. Commander Data. He went out in a blaze of glory in Star Trek: Nemesis, an ending which left a lot of people feeling a bit...underwhelmed. This was not the ending that felt right for this iconic character, coupled with the fact that the film failed to impress at the box office.

The decision to create Data's consciousness from a single neuron allows much of the plot of Star Trek: Picard to unfold. Overall, it allows for the great ending to the character that we received. However, it also leaves a bit of a question in the air.

If Maddox could create this neuron, why leave it trapped in a solid state? With Soong, there was an entire planet of Synthetic life forms. The ability to create synthetic life, sentient at that, was clearly in their grasp. Leaving Data trapped the way that he was - was this an act of casual evil? Or simply ignorance in the face of their skills?

Some, though not all, of the extent of their skills are explored in the finale, most notably in the Golem that eventually houses Picard's consciousness. But alas, a satisfying explanation to Data's torturous existence is not among them.

Contributor
Contributor

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"