Star Trek is well known for making its fans feel a variety of emotions, especially those episodes with somber themes. In the original series, the writers knew how to deliver a gut punch that left viewers with feelings that ranged from introspection to grief for their favorite characters. The series has many moments like this, but here are 4 of the saddest endings that are especially memorable.
4. The destruction of Cheron in “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield”
When Enterprise rescues Lokai, who claims he’s fleeing from his home world of Cheron after leading a revolt against the oppression and slavery of his people, the crew finds itself embroiled in his cause. Tensions mount when Commissioner Bele arrives on board while in pursuit of Lokai, who he claims is a terrorist and murderer on Cheron. Bele takes over Enterprise, forcing the crew to return to Cheron; however, upon approach, Spock scans the planet and finds that both factions, who are different only in their black-and-white skin color being opposite of the other, have destroyed themselves. Bele and Lokai beam down to the ruined planet to continue their conflict, and Enterprise leaves them behind with Kirk noting that all they have left is their hate for one another. It’s a grim but vital message about how hatred can affect an entire culture.
3. Angela Martine’s grief in “Balance of Terror”
“Balance of Terror” gave viewers their first introduction to the Romulans, a people related to Vulcans but with a much more militaristic society. Captain Kirk and the crew investigate the destruction of several outposts, and the discovery of a Romulan warbird interrupts the wedding of crew members Angela Martine and Robert Tomlinson. The conflict between the two ships results in the death of Tomlinson, and her wordless grief when Kirk finds and comforts her in the ship’s chapel is palpable.
2. Spock realizes he was happy in “This Side of Paradise”
When Enterprise visits Omicron Ceti III, Kirk and the crew expect to find settlers there dead or dying from radiation. However, the settlers appear to be thriving. A woman from Spock’s past, Leila Kalomi, is among the settlers and leads him to a native plant that shoots spores and frees people from their inhibitions. Spock experiences love for her and abandons his logic because of the spores’ influence. Kirk discovers that powerful emotions destroy the spores and makes Spock purposefully angry to purge them. Together, they build a transmitter that sends out a signal to the planet to rid everyone else of the spores. As they leave the planet, Kirk asks Spock about his experience there. Spock says he has little to say except that for the first time in his life, he was happy. This brief glimpse into Spock’s hidden emotions reveals his status as an outcast among his father’s people.
1. Kirk’s obvious agony at the end of “The City on the Edge of Forever”
“The City on the Edge of Forever” is one of the original series' most well-known episodes. Dr. McCoy, under the influence of an accidental drug overdose, beams down to a mysterious planet and travels back in time via The Guardian of Forever, changing the present timeline. Kirk and Spock pursue him and meet Edith Keeler (guest star Joan Collins), who believes in a better future through worldwide peace. When Spock gets a glimpse of the future on a rebuilt tricorder, he sees that Edith must die for them to fix the timeline because she affects the next World War. However, Kirk reveals that he’s fallen in love with her.
Meanwhile, unaware of the paradox he’s created, McCoy recovers with Edith’s help. Spock, Kirk, and McCoy reunite joyfully, and Edith crosses the street, intent on the reunion. Kirk holds McCoy back as she steps in front of a car, knowing she has to die to prevent the Axis powers from winning World War II. Her off-camera scream and Kirk’s expression are the saddest moments of the entire series, even though her death restores the timeline.
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