10 Most Satisfying Twists In Star Trek

The Star Trek: The Next Generation episode The Defector focuses on Admiral Jarok's race to prevent a full-scale war between the Federation and the Romulan Empire. Unfortunately, his patriotism was used against him by the Romulan Senate, leaving the Enterprise in a very sticky situation, having entered the Neutral Zone at his urging.

To enter the zone is to invite conflict with either power, so when two Romulan Warbirds de-cloak directly in front of the Starfleet ship, it frankly doesn't look good for their chances. However, Commander Tomalok did not reckon with Captain Picard.

Throughout the episode, Picard had quietly spoken with Worf, just enough to suggest to the audience that they knew something that no one else did. This secret becomes apparent when Picard faces off against Tomalok. While the Romulan gloats that the Enterprise will be brought, broken, to the Romulan capital city, Picard calmly tells him that both he and his crew are ready to die in the service of the Federation. Tomalok scoffs, thinking he's called his bluff.

Then, at Picard's order, Worf signals for the three cloaked Klingon Birds of Prey to make themselves known to the Romulans. Though it is a tense standoff, Tomalok accepts his defeat and slinks away, leaving a relieved Picard and a cheering audience behind.