15 Biggest Star Trek Plot Holes & Loose Ends That Can Be Solved By Comics

Over the course of its 58-year history, Star Trek has featured numerous alien races and exotic planets. Some of these races, such as the Vulcans or the Borg, became integral to the Star Trek mythos. These races received substantial development throughout the years. Yet for every race or planet that would become foundational, many more were just forgotten about.

The Star Trek franchise is littered with loose ends and dangling plot lines. Recently, one of Trek’s biggest mysteries, the parasitic aliens from the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation, returned to the pages of Defiant. IDW’s new line of Trek comics has synthesized a number of franchise loose ends together, creating an epic, and cohesive, story. There are many more such plot lines in the Star Trek universe, and IDW’s comics are the perfect place to resolve them. Unconstrained by a visual effects budget, these stories could get the resolution they deserve.

15

The Borg Queen Was Going to Be a Major Player in the Star Trek Universe…Until She Wasn’t

IDW’s Star Trek comics could actually show what Agnes Jurati has been doing

Agnes Jurati, played by Allison Pill, was a key character in the first two seasons of Star Trek: Picard, but her most intriguing storyline was left out to pasture. After winning a war of wits with a Borg Queen in season two, Jurati becomes a new type of Queen. More benevolent than her predecessors, she and her forces appeared out of the blue, petitioning the Federation for membership.

These Borg were also monitoring something that could potentially be a threat. This highly intriguing premise was promptly discarded in favor of a Next Generation reunion in Picard’s final season. While a future spin-off show could address this issue, IDW’s Star Trek comics would be ideal to continue the story. The vague threat Agnes is protecting the Federation from could be displayed in all its cosmic glory, as could her new Borg.

14

Armus Had an Intriguing Origin, But Was Left Behind on a Desolate Planet

The comics could tie Armus into its franchise-spanning “God War”

Armus made one major appearance on-screen, but between his mind-blowing origin and murdering Tasha Yar, he made it count. In one episode, Armus boasted to the crew of the Enterprise that he was a cast-off from a “race of Titans.” These mysterious Titans distilled their evil and destructive urges, and it created Armus. A holographic form of Armus appeared in the recent Holo-Ween miniseries, but IDW’s new line of Star Trek comics would be perfect to follow-up on Armus and his origin.

The new Trek comics have explored humanity’s relationship with their gods. Armus, and the Titans that made him, could become major players in the ongoing god war that is rocking the franchise. The Titans could return for Armus, and find themselves in Kahless’ cross-hairs.

13

The Mystery of Darwin Station’s Illegal Activities Are Perfect For the Comics

Darwin Station flaunted the Federation’s Rules, and IDW can reveal how they got away with it

Genetic engineering of any kind is illegal in the Federation, but Darwin Station did it anyway, and the comics could solve lingering mysteries surrounding it. There is a “real world” reason why: the writers had not thought up the embargo on genetic engineering. The ban was revealed later in Deep Space Nine’s run, making it a retcon. However, the comics could provide a great “in-universe” rationale for the Darwin Station’s actions.

Even before the ban was revealed, Trek already had a dicey relationship with the topic. The warlord Khan was the product of genetic engineering, for instance. IDW’s Star Trek comics could show how Darwin Station skirted around not only the law, but the ethics of what they were doing. Star Trek: Defiant has worked in the franchise’s gray areas, making it perfect to continue Darwin Station’s story.

12

The Kelvan Empire Was More Powerful Than The Federation (But Haven’t Been Seen in 50+ Years)

The Kelvans’ unique appearance is absolutely perfect for a comics return

The Kelvans are the perfect Star Trek loose end for IDW to address. Hailing from the distant Andromeda Galaxy, the Kelvans came to ours on a mission of colonization. Of course, Kirk and company convinced the Kelvans of the error of their ways. Kirk gave the Kelvans their own planet, and then they were promptly forgotten. The Kelvans had technology able to traverse the gaps between galaxies, something the Federation still does not have as of the 32nd century.

The comics could showcase the Kelvans’ highly advanced ships, but even more importantly, the Kelvans seen on-screen were not their real form. Their true forms are highly Lovecraftian in nature, which could provide a challenge to even today’s FX budgets, but the comics would have no such issues, and could show the Kelvans in all their horrifying glory.

11

The First Federation Had Massive Starships, and Massive Potential

The enigmatic First Federation of Star Trek history is perfect for comics

The First Federation is one of Star Trek’s biggest mysteries, in more ways than one, and IDW’s comics could develop them even further. In their sole appearance, the First Federation possessed massive, globe-like starships that made the Enterprise look insignificant. Despite their episode ending with the promise of a cultural exchange, the First Federation was never seen again.

The First Federation’s enormous ships might prove daunting to a visual effects team. However, in the recent “Glass and Bone” story running through the flagship Star Trek title, artist Marcus To brought the Tzenkethi and their gigantic warships to stunning life. The First Federation appears far more peaceful than the Tzenkethi, meaning their ships will look very different, giving the comics an opportunity to explore an entirely new design aesthetic.

10

The Cytherians Could’ve Tipped the Balance of Power in the Alpha Quadrant

They can still return to play an important role in the oustanding “God War”

Introduced in Star Trek: The Next Generation’s fourth season, the Cytherians send probes out into the galaxy. One such probe found Lieutenant Barclay, and greatly increased his intelligence. Barclay then hijacks the ship, taking it to the Cytherians’ homeworld. The Cytherians were an immensely powerful race who only sought cultural exchange, but they were soon forgotten. With their great power and intellect, any information imparted by the Cytherians would have huge ramifications across the quadrant, but no canonical media has ever followed up on it.

With classic (and powerful) races such as the T’Kon and the Organians making their return in IDW’s Star Trek comics, the Cytherians could make an entry into the god war as well.

9

Where Did the Tin Man Go? The Comics Can Finally Solve The Mystery

Tin Man was one of the most unique life forms ever seen in Star Trek

The Star Trek universe is full of diverse types of lifeforms, and Tin Man might rank as one of the most memorable. The size of a small starship, “Tin Man,” as he came to be called, was a space-faring organism of great power. In his episode, both the Federation and the Romulans fought for control over him, but he proved to be more than a match for them.

In the same episode, Tin Man bonds with a troubled Betazoid. Data witnesses the whole thing happening, and refuses to describe it to Picard, heightening the mystery of Tin Man. While Tin Man may not be a Star Trek god in the same sense as Q and the Organians, he is still quite powerful and could easily become a target for Kahless and his crusade against the gods.

8

“Time Squared” Set Up an Eerie Mystery, But Never Delivered

The Star Trek comics can reveal the mystery of the episode’s ‘Time Trap’

“Time Squared” set up an intriguing mystery, but even the episode itself failed to deliver on the set-up. In it, the crew of the Enterprise discover a shuttlepod containing a copy of Captain Picard from six hours in the future. The crew discover that a calamity will befall the ship then. Shortly thereafter, they find themselves caught in some sort of vortex.

While a tense and enjoyable episode, “Time Squared” never revealed who was behind the time trap and the future Picard. IDW’s Star Trek comics would be the perfect forum to explore the implications of “Time Squared” further. The time trap the crew encountered could easily be worked into the god war storyline.

7

The Preservers Are Important to the History of the Star Trek Universe

The Preservers Explain a Key Franchise Mystery

Introduced in Star Trek’s third season, the Preservers were one of the franchise’s attempts to explain why so many aliens encountered on the show were humanoid. The Preservers traveled the cosmos, abducting people from their home planets and settling them on another. The Preservers themselves never appeared on-screen, only remnants of their advanced technology.

Their motivations are unknown, as is their final fate. IDW’s line of Star Trek comics have shown races far more advanced than the Federation, such as the T’Kon Empire and the Shapers of Sardakesh. In both cases, the comics gave a true glimpse of these entities’ amazing powers, and they far outstrip anything the Federation is capable of. The Preservers should get this treatment as well, as is befitting such an important Star Trek race.

6

Doctor Moriarty’s Missing Years: We Need To Know What Happened

How did Moriarty end up working for the shadowy Section 31?

One of the best Star Trek villains, the holographic Doctor Moriarty’s missing years deserve to be explored in the comics. In the episode “Ship in a Bottle,” airing during Star Trek: The Next Generation’s sixth season, Moriarty was trapped in a mobile memory cube. It was made to appear that he was exploring the galaxy with the love of his life. Moriarty seemed to have a happy ending.

However, in Picard season three, he is seen working as a security program in a Section 31 facility. No explanation was given as to how Moriarty ended up there, or if he even had any choice in the matter. Last year’s Star Trek Annual featured a group of rogue holograms, and the story beautifully touched on their right to exist. Moriarty’s return in the comics could touch on similar themes.

5

The Franchise’s Worst Episode Can Be Redeemed By The Return of Lazarus

Lazarus’ episode seeded several mysteries that IDW can finally pay off

Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise met Lazarus early in the five-year mission, but only the bare minimum was revealed about him, and the comics would be perfect to continue his story. Lazarus claimed to be fighting an evil entity from another dimension–albeit one that looked like him. Lazarus was also a being of great power: his appearances nearly destroyed the galaxy.

However, Lazarus was forgotten by the following episode, which, thanks to its incoherence and go-nowhere plot lines, is regarded as one of the franchise’s worst. IDW’s Star Trek comics are perfect for bringing Lazarus back. The evil entity Lazarus was fighting, whatever it may really look like, could be brought to life in the comics.

4

Worf’s Brother Kurn is One of Star Trek’s Most Tragic Characters

The comics can rectify a massive wrong in Worf’s family legacy

Worf and his family drama have been front and center in IDW’s line of Star Trek comics, and they should keep this trend going by bringing back his brother Kurn. Kurn, once a high ranking member of the Klingon Defense Force, had his memory wiped later in Deep Space Nine. At that time, the peace treaty between the Federation and the Klingos was null and void. In the aftermath, Worf was dishonored and this shame carried to his brother–hence the mind wipe.

Worf’s son, Alexander returned during Day of Blood, forcing Worf to confront the fact he was a less than stellar father. Like Alexander, Kurn did nothing wrong but had to pay because of Worf’s actions. Kurn’s return, and the ensuing drama, could make for compelling stories.

3

The Aftermath of Voyager’s Return Was Never Explored On-Screen

What happened to all the technology Voyager brought back?

When the starship Voyager returns home after seven years in the Delta Quadrant, it brought with it vast stores of information and technology. Voyager brings back powerful new weapons to fight the Borg, such as the transphasic torpedo. However, no on-screen Star Trek has explored what happened to the awesome technology in the wake of Voyager’s return.

Indeed, it seems some of Voyager’s innovations have been swept under the rug. Several Voyager characters have returned in IDW’s Star Trek comics. This allows for their stories to continue. For example, Harry Kim, Voyager’s Operations Officer, has grown up as an officer, and may have even joined Section 31. IDW has a golden opportunity to develop Voyager’s characters even further by revealing their lives post-return.

2

The Whale Probe Nearly Destroyed Earth (and The Federation)

It Took Off To Another Part of the Galaxy…And Was Never Seen Again

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is one of the most popular films in the franchise–and the source of one of its biggest dropped plot lines. The movie’s mysterious “whale” probe, named because the only creature that could communicate with it was whales, nearly destroyed Earth. It caused a great deal of environmental damage, but Kirk and company were able to save the day by depositing two 20th century whales in the ocean.

The two whales convinced the probe to stop whatever it was doing, and return home. The probe was an object of unbelievable power, able to render all technology useless. Where it went after Star Trek IV is unknown, but it would make a great addition to the god war storyline currently unfolding in IDW’s comics.

1

The Aliens from “Schism” Need to Follow The “Conspiracy” Aliens Back to the Star Trek Universe

The “Schism” aliens are still one of the franchise’s most terrifying, and mysterious

The sixth season Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Schisms,” ostensibly a story of alien abduction set in the 24th century, was one of the franchise’s most unnerving episodes. A race of mysterious, vaguely humanoid aliens from somewhere in subspace begin abducting Enterprise crew members and performing experiments on them. The aliens were depicted as just that: aliens.

In many ways, the aliens from “Schism” are like the parasites from “Conspiracy.” In both episodes, the Enterprise was under siege by terrifying aliens. Both episodes also end on an ambiguous note, with the implication that these species could return, and destroy us, at any moment. IDW’s Star Trek comics brought the “Conspiracy” aliens back, and made them more terrifying than ever–and there is no doubt they could do the same with the subspace dwellers from “Schism.”