10 Star Trek Burns That Still Sting

Perhaps you thought Star Trek didn't have snappy one-liners? Think again!

Star Trek Burns
CBS

Sometimes, it really is a lot of fun to hear one character take down another with a simple sentence or two. That doesn't make us bad people, right? There have been some absolute zingers in Trek history, often from the main cast but sometimes the odd guest or two gets a line that's remembered for the ages.

Yes, Elim Garak is on this list. He may be a simple tailor but if he isn't also the most fabulous b*tch the show ever produced, we don't know who is!

What makes a good burn? Is it mean? Sometimes but not always. Is it funny? Well it needs to be to stand out from being just another low blow. Is it memorable? Well, if it isn't, there wouldn't be much of a list now would there?

Sometimes, it's all in the delivery, and sometimes it really is just the fact that the character really shouldn't have gotten into a digging match with Garak to begin with.

Stick to the safe side of the screen and let the characters take these shots, giving us all the grins, the gasps, and bitching to enjoy!

10. Double Dumbass On You!

Star Trek The Voyage Home
CBS

When the crew of the Enterprise, or more accurately the crew of the HMS Bounty, end up in 1980s San Francisco, they quickly learn that they need to adapt to the times. Most of them are clad in Starfleet uniforms, meaning they need to ditch their rank insignia. Spock tears away a strip of his robes to wear a headband that covers his eyebrows and pointed ears. So far, so good.

Then, they hit the streets of the city and rapidly find themselves lost among the locals. Admiral Kirk, not understanding the way traffic and automobiles work, walks right out into the road and is almost run down by a taxi. The driver, very understandably, shouts:

Why don't you watch where you're going, you dumbass?

Kirk, at a moment's loss, gathers himself for the greatest comeback in all of Star Trek's many years of history. He takes a breath and retorts:

Well, double dumbass on you!

We sincerely hope that driver applied salve to that burn because that's not going away anywhere any time soon. Well played, Admiral Kirk. Well played.

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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"