10 Most Divisive Star Trek Moments

6. Dr. Culber's Death

Star Trek Generations Kirk
CBS

This one really got people riled up - to the point where the actors and producers had to calm people down on social media.

As the Discovery is sent into the mirror universe in the first season, Ash, who is about to be exposed as a sleeper agent, murders Dr. Culber, breaking his neck in a sudden, violent move that shocked audiences.

It was planned from the beginning that Culber would return thanks to the magic of the spore drive, yet this moment fell quickly into the crosshairs of fans due to its perceived entry into the 'bury your gays' trope.

Culber and Stamets are a happily married couple, who also both happen to be male. There has been a trend in Hollywood of killing off the gay characters on shows to get that extra emotional punch and this certainly seemed to fit that bill.

Even with the character's return, there is an argument that it was a somewhat cheap way of getting a shock out of the audience. Discovery season one was certainly not the strongest season of Star Trek that's ever been written!

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Contributor

Writer. Reader. Host. I'm Seán, I live in Ireland and I'm the poster child for dangerous obsessions with Star Trek. Check me out on Twitter @seanferrick