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James darren, star of 'gidget' and 'star trek: deep space nine,' dies at 88.

James Darren, star of "Gidget" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," dies at 88, leaving behind a lasting legacy.

James Darren, the teen idol who became famous for his role in "Gidget" and later appeared in shows like "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "T.J. Hooker," passed away at the age of 88 on Monday at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. His son, Jim Moret, confirmed the news, noting that Darren expressed his love for his family while being treated in the cardiac unit. "He was a good man. He was very talented," Moret said. "He was forever young."

Born in Philadelphia, Darren began his acting career after studying with Stella Adler in New York. He signed with Columbia Pictures, making his film debut in "Rumble on the Docks." His breakthrough role came in the 1959 film "Gidget," where he played the surfer Moondoggie. Darren also sang the title track for the movie, which became a significant hit and led to a successful singing career. He achieved a gold record with "Goodbye Cruel World" in 1961 and released over 14 albums throughout his career.

Darren continued his acting career with roles in films such as "The Guns of Navarone" and "Because They’re Young." Despite typecasting frustrations, he reprised his Moondoggie role in sequels "Gidget Goes Hawaiian" and "Gidget Goes to Rome."

In television, Darren starred in "The Time Tunnel" and became a regular on "T.J. Hooker" from 1983 to 1986. He also transitioned to directing, working on popular series like "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Melrose Place." In 1998, he gained a new fan base as Vic Fontaine, the holographic lounge singer on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine."

James Darren is survived by his wife, Evy, and sons Jim Moret, Christian Darren, and Tony Darren, along with five grandchildren.

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The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time

By Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone

The thing that has always distinguished TV storytelling from its big-screen counterpart is the existence of individual episodes. We consume our series — even the ones that we binge — in distinct chunks, and the medium is at its best when it embraces this. The joy of watching an ongoing series comes as much from the separate steps on the journey as it does from the destination, if not more. Few pop-culture experiences are more satisfying than when your favorite show knocks it out of the park with a single chapter, whether it’s an episode that wildly deviates from the series’ norm, or just an incredibly well-executed version of the familiar formula.  

Still, that episodic nature makes TV fundamentally inconsistent. The greatest drama ever made , The Sopranos , was occasionally capable of duds like the Columbus Day episode. And even mediocre shows can churn out a single episode at the level of much stronger overall series.   For this Rolling Stone list of the 100 greatest episodes of all time, we looked at both the peak installments of classic series, as well as examples of lesser shows that managed to briefly punch way above their weight class. We have episodes from the Fifties all the way through this year. We stuck with narrative dramas and comedies only — so, no news, no reality TV, no sketch comedy, talk shows, etc. In a few cases, there are two-part episodes, but we mostly picked solo entries. And while it’s largely made up of American shows (as watched by our American staff), a handful of international entries made the final cut.

Fargo, “Bisquik” (Season 5, Episode 10)

Our list of classic episodes starts with its most recent entry, from a January 2024 installment of the great FX anthology drama inspired by the work of the Coen brothers. Fargo Season Five dealt with the growing sense of polarization in America, and the debts — both literal and figurative — that everyone feels they’re owed from everyone else. It all culminates in a long, surprising, utterly gorgeous scene where our firecracker of a heroine, Dot Lyon (Juno Temple) finds herself face-to-face with immortal sin-eater Ole Munch (Sam Spruell), who has come for a rematch of their clash in the season premiere. With her husband and daughter in the house with her, Dot declines to fight this terrifying man, and instead explains, patiently and with palpable kindness, that perhaps Ole Munch might prefer a world focused less on resentment and more on love. — Alan Sepinwall

The Cosby Show, “Theo’s Holiday” (Season 2, Episode 22)

There’s a temptation with these lists to immediately disqualify anything associated with the true monsters like Bill Cosby. But his crimes shouldn’t erase from the history books the wonderful work of everyone else involved in “Theo’s Holiday,” in which the Huxtables get together for an elaborate role-playing exercise to teach Theo (Malcolm Jamal-Warner) a lesson about the economics of life in, as he puts it, “the real world.” All the actors throws themselves into these larger-than-life characters, like Clair (Phylicia Rashad) as a cheery restaurant owner as well as a fast-talking furniture saleslady, or little Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) as a powerful businesswoman. The idea of the whole clan teaming up to both mock Theo and help him out is so intoxicating that even his best friend Cockroach (Carl Anthony Payne II) admits, “I wish they did this kind of stuff at my house!” — A.S.  

South Park, “Scott Tenorman Must Die” (Season 5, Episode 4)

A show that features an anthropomorphized turd in a Christmas hat and at least one projectile vomit scene per episode, South Park has never been known as highbrow. Yet there are elements of “Scott Tenorman Must Die,” a Season Five episode focused on Cartman’s elaborate revenge plot against a high schooler who scammed him by selling his pubes, that are nothing less than virtuosic. There’s the plot itself, a retelling of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, which culminates (spoiler alert, I guess) with the protagonist forcing a woman to unwittingly eat her own children. There’s the exquisite cameo appearance by Radiohead, the culmination of Scott Tenorman’s debasement. And there’s Cartman’s classic taunt, “Charade you are, Scott Tenorman,” a reference to an obscure track of Pink Floyd’s Animals. Co-creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker have often referred to “Scott Tenorman Must Die” as the apex of Cartman’s villainy, marking the character’s transition from obnoxious troll to next-level sociopath. But really, the episode marks another transition entirely: that of Stone and Parker from poop joke purveyors to dark-comedy masters. — Ej Dickson

You’re the Worst, “There Is Not Currently a Problem” (Season 2, Episode 7)

Here’s an odd but welcome trend: FX not only has an excellent track record with extremely niche half-hour comedies (some of which you’ll find higher on this list), but many of them manage to weave thoughtful, even dramatic, material about mental health issues into their usual humor. The hip-hop comedy Dave did it with a terrific episode where we learn that Lil Dicky’s hype man GaTa struggles with bipolar disorder. The final Reservation Dogs season revolved around a character who’d spent much of his life institutionalized. And You’re the Worst — a romantic comedy about two selfish, immature people who would be horrified to learn they were the main characters in a romantic comedy — found a new level with an episode revealing that Gretchen (Aya Cash) suffers from clinical depression. Much of “There Is Not Currently a Problem” is fairly comedic: a bottle episode where the gang is stuck together with Gretchen and Jimmy (Chris Geere) because a local marathon has caused a traffic jam in their neighborhood. But this forced closeness comes while Gretchen is trapped in her latest depressive episode, with no choice but to finally reveal her condition to Jimmy — and to admit that she’s less worried that he’ll reject her for it than that he’ll become the latest man convinced he can “fix” her. Cash conveys every bit of the pain and fear Gretchen is experiencing, in a way that enriches the laughter rather than undercutting it. — A.S.  

In Treatment, “Alex: Week Eight” (Season 1, Episode 37)

Most episodes of this drama were presented as real-time therapy sessions between Dr. Paul Weston (Gabriel Byrne) and one of his patients, or Paul visiting his own shrink. Occasionally, though, outsiders found their way into Paul’s office, like Alex Prince, Sr. (Glynn Turman), the father of one of Paul’s patients, seeking answers as to why his son committed suicide. Alex Jr. had spent most of his sessions to that point painting his dad as such a monster, it should have been impossible for any actor to both live up to those stories and not seem like a cartoon. Turman, in one of the best dramatic performances you will ever see on television, somehow did it, channeling both the bogeyman and the grieving father, in a riveting two-hander with Byrne. — A.S.   

Bob’s Burgers, “Tina-rannosaurus Wrecks” (Season 3, Episode 7)

Bob’s Burgers loves puns, but “Tina-rannosaurus Wrecks” is a groaner of a title even for them. No matter, because the episode so expertly combines many of the series’ hallmarks into one tight, funny, awkward package. Once again, a well-meaning parenting gesture by Bob (H. Jon Benjamin) goes awry, when he lets Tina (Dan Mintz) drive the family station wagon in a nearly empty parking lot, and she somehow crashes into the only other car there. Once again, the Belchers find themselves on the verge of financial calamity, when the other car turns out to belong to Bob’s ruthless rival, Jimmy Pesto (Jay Johnston). Once again, the family gets mixed up in the plans of a lunatic, when insurance adjuster Chase (Bob Odenkirk) forces them to aid him in an insurance fraud scheme in order to get out of the mess with Jimmy. And, once again, Bob’s lovable but terrible children somehow prove surprisingly useful, when Tina uses her brother’s Casio keyboard to get incriminating evidence that frees them from Chase’s clutches. All’s well that ends… not necessarily well, but at least not substantially worse than usual. — A.S.

Enlightened, “Consider Helen” (Season 1, Episode 9)

Today, it seems almost obligatory for cable and streaming shows to devote one or two episodes a season to presenting the POV of a minor character. When future White Lotus creator Mike White did it with his first HBO series, Enlightened , it was still relatively rare. And in this case, the shifts in perspective came as a welcome, even necessary, relief from all the time spent in the head of the show’s fascinating but maddening main character, Amy Jellicoe (Laura Dern), a toxically narcissistic former executive trying to rebuild her life after a nervous breakdown. With “Consider Helen,” White moved the focus to Amy’s mother Helen (played by Dern’s real-life mom, the great Diane Ladd), to present a day in her life, to show what a chore it is to have to deal with such a pathologically needy child, and to make clear that Enlightened itself understood exactly how its audience would respond to Amy. — A.S.

Maude, “Maude’s Dilemma” (Season 1, Episodes 9 & 10)

This two-parter, in which Maude (Bea Arthur) is shocked to discover that she’s pregnant again at 47, and has to decide whether she wants to get an abortion, was so ahead of its time, even the original Supreme Court verdict on Roe v. Wade was two months away. Well after Maude decided to end her pregnancy, the rest of television shied away from the subject, often having pregnant characters suffer conveniently-timed miscarriages before they could make up their minds and potentially alienate viewers and sponsors. But “Maude’s Dilemma,” with a teleplay by future Golden Girls creator Susan Harris, ran toward the thorny subject, and handled it with both humor and grace. — A.S.

Scrubs, “My Screw Up” (Season 3, Episode 14)

There are plenty of shows we call dramedies, even though they’re really just half-hour dramas, as well as lots of alleged comedies that aren’t particularly interested in making the audience laugh. The hospital show Scrubs , though, was remarkably comfortable at balancing silliness and sadness throughout its run, especially in “My Screw Up.” Brendan Fraser reprises his role as Ben, wisecracking brother-in-law to John C. McGinley’s bitterly sarcastic Dr. Cox. Ben’s leukemia appeared to be in remission when last we saw him, so there’s room for him to relentlessly tease J.D. (Zach Braff) about having made out with both of Ben’s sisters, as well as a lighthearted subplot where Turk (Donald Faison) tries to convince Carla (Judy Reyes) to take his name when they’re married, in exchange for having a mole she hates removed. But things also get plausibly serious, even before we get to the Sixth Sense -style twist: Ben was the patient whose death earlier in the episode caused a rift between Cox and J.D., and Cox has been in denial about it ever since. Even the revelation that Cox has been imagining conversations with his dead friend is reflective of the show’s juggling of comedy and drama — it’s the dark mirror of how Scrubs generates so much humor from taking us inside the highly-distractible mind of J.D. — A.S.    

Watchmen, “This Extraordinary Being” (Episode 6)

Even for a series as sophisticated and layered as Watchmen , this episode is an acrobatic feat. In the most dramatic departure from the show’s source material, the 1980s comic of the same name, “This Extraordinary Being” tells the origin story of one of this world’s seminal vigilante superheroes, Hooded Justice (a man lionized in a modern-day TV show-within-the-show that kicks off the episode). Told almost entirely in black and white, it sees our current-day heroine Angela Abar (Regina King) — herself a vigilante who goes by Sister Night, when she’s not working her day job as a cop — sucked into the memories of her grandfather, Will Reeves, after swallowing a bottle of his “nostalgia pills.” Transported to 1930s New York, we watch Will (played as a young man by Jovan Adepo), and sometimes Angela-as-Will, join the NYPD, where he encounters racism so virulent, his fellow cops stage a near-lynching, covering him with a hood and briefly hanging him from a tree as a warning to stand down. The message he takes away, though, is that there is plenty of evil to fight in the world, even in his own precinct. He just has to do it undercover — appropriating for his costume the very hood and noose that had been used to terrorize him. With balletic camerawork, a period soundtrack of big band standards, and visceral performances from King and Adepo, the episode is a sweeping achievement that inverts a fundamental truth of the series’ world — this revered hero that everyone assumed was white is Black — and underscores one about ours: Justice often comes at a steep price. — Maria Fontoura

The Golden Girls, “Mrs. George Devereaux” (Season 6, Episode 9)

The Golden Girls experienced so many adventures together, as Dorothy (Bea Arthur), Rose (Betty White), Blanche (Rue McClanahan), and Sophia (Estelle Getty) lived together as pals and confidantes. But “Mrs. George Devereaux” is a truly touching treatment of grief and loss. Blanche, the most frivolous of the Girls (and the funniest), opens the door and beholds a strange sight: her late husband George, telling her that he faked his death and now wants her back. The episode explores how all the characters live with their different kinds of grief — and how that grief is what brought them here together in the first place. It has the most emotional resonance of any Golden Girls episode, but it’s also the funniest in terms of pure farcical comedy, as Dorothy gets swept up in a bizarre love triangle with two 1970s heartthrobs, guest stars Sonny Bono and Lyle Waggoner. As usual, Blanche gets the best line, when she confronts Cher’s ex-husband with the command, “Sonny Bono, get off my lanai!” — Rob Sheffield

SpongeBob SquarePants, “Pizza Delivery” (Season 1, Episode 5)

The absurdist humor that made SpongeBob SquarePants beloved across multiple generations is already at full strength in this early episode. At the end of another shift at the Krusty Krab, a customer calls in to order a pizza to be delivered to his home. Never mind that the restaurant doesn’t make pizzas: Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown) sees a few bucks to be earned, and somehow turns a Krabby Patty burger into a pizza, complete with box, then orders SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) and Squidward (Rodger Bumpass) to take it to its destination. Instead, SpongeBob’s usual difficulty with driving strands the odd couple far from Bikini Bottom, trying various bizarre methods to get home — all of them borrowed from the “pioneers,” like the idea of riding on giant rocks. In the end, we get one last, great punchline: The customer lives right next door to the Krusty Krab, and they could have just walked the pizza over to him. — A.S.

Roseanne, “War and Peace” (Season 5, Episode 14)

Both in its Nineties heyday and its modern reinvention as The Conners , Roseanne had a real knack for blending domestic comedy with candid material about poverty, addiction, sexuality, and more. In this terrific conclusion of a two-part story, Dan (John Goodman) gets hauled off to jail after beating up Fisher, the abusive boyfriend of Jackie (Laurie Metcalf), while Roseanne tends to her sister, and Darlene (Sara Gilbert) gets to briefly relish the sight of her disciplinarian father behind bars. “War and Peace” doesn’t hide from the horror of Jackie’s experience, but even its dark moments are flavored with sass, like when Roseanne warns Fisher, “If you ever come near her again, you’re gonna have to deal with me, and I am way more dangerous than Dan. I got a loose-meat restaurant. I know what to do with the body!”  — A.S.

The Dick Van Dyke Show, “Never Bathe on Saturday” (Season 4, Episode 27)

Somehow, the best showcase for Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore as one of TV’s all-time couples is in an episode where Moore is frequently off-camera. A romantic getaway for Rob and Laura goes horribly awry when Laura’s big toe gets stuck in a hotel bathtub faucet, the bathroom door gets locked, and Rob makes the ill-timed decision to draw a fake mustache on his upper lip that he can’t wipe off — leading every hotel worker who arrives to help assuming he’s up to no good. Written by Dick Van Dyke Show creator Carl Reiner, this installment keeps finding new and amusing ways to escalate the sticky situation, and to push the outer edge of the envelope of censorship circa 1965, with a story about the risk of other people seeing Laura naked. By this point in the series’ run, Reiner knew exactly how to use his leading man’s fluency with physical comedy, and how his leading lady’s voice on the other side of that locked door was all that was needed to sell Laura’s dismay at being trapped in such an embarrassing position. — A.S.

Black Mirror, “San Junipero” (Season 3, Episode 4)

What would your ideal afterlife look like? Black Mirror — the British dystopian anthology series with a nihilistic approach to rapidly-developing technology — is known for being a show that doesn’t only answer questions about the future but depicts the worst possible alternative you’ve never even considered. Maybe that’s why, when fans were introduced to the couple at the heart of “San Junipero,” and found the answer of the ideal afterlife to be an Eighties beach town party that never ends, they responded so fondly. Yorkie (Mackenzie Davis) and Kelly (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) meet on a night out and quickly fall into a romantic entanglement. But what begins as a love story about two lesbians finding each other in a heaven on earth is quickly revealed to be a virtual reality — one where the elderly and those who have died can be uploaded and then live on forever as their younger selves. The two — both dying in real life — must deal with whether or not the love they’ve found in pixels is enough for both of their forevers. It’s a touching love story that embodies Black Mirror at its very best. — CT Jones

Sex and the City, “My Motherboard, My Self” (Season 4, Episode 8)

Family is, arguably, everywhere in Sex and the City — from those the core four start with their partners to the ones they marry into (have there ever been more terrifying mothers-in-law than Frances Sternhagen or Anne Meara?) and the one they build just among themselves. But when it comes to the blood relations of Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Charlotte (Kristin Davis), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), and Samantha (Kim Cattrall), the show is surprisingly thin, which is what makes “My Motherboard, My Self” stand out so much. It’s not that the other subplots aren’t memorable — the endless physical comedy of Samantha losing her orgasm; Carrie’s Macintosh meltdown and trip to Manhattan 1990s mainstay Tekserve (R.I.P.), where technician Dmitri (a brilliantly dry Aasif Mandvi) rags on her for not “backing up” — but Miranda’s turn here feels different. As she attends her mother’s funeral in Philadelphia (where she is, apparently, from, and where she has, apparently, multiple siblings), we see a more human side of a character who until this point has largely maintained her station as “the analytical one.” (Though it’s notable that the most intimate moment she has in the City of Brotherly Love isn’t with a direct relation, but the fitting room attendant trying to sell her a bra.) While the show has been criticized for celebrating solipsistic behavior, this episode is a prime example of the four women grappling with their ability to be vulnerable. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul

Broad City, “Knockoffs” (Season 2, Episode 4)

Both stories in the stoner comedy’s most laugh-out-loud installment involve imitation products. In one, Ilana (Ilana Glazer) and her mother Bobbi (Susie Essman) travel into the sewers of Manhattan to obtain counterfeit designer purses. In the other, Abbi (Abbi Jacobson) is shocked when her boyfriend Jeremy (Stephen Schneider) asks her to peg him with a strap-on — a development that so thrills Ilana, she does an upside-down twerk on her friend’s behalf — then has to scramble to find a reasonable facsimile after her dishwasher melts Jeremy’s custom-made dildo. In the end, the replacements prove shoddier than the real thing, but “Knockoffs” is so perfectly constructed, and so memorable, that when the friends met Hillary Clinton in a later episode later, among the first things a flustered Abbi can think to tell her is, “I pegged!” — A.S.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, “Papa’s Got a Brand New Excuse” (Season 4, Episode 24)

When The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air went on the air in 1990, Will Smith was such an inexperienced actor that he literally mouthed the lines of his co-stars while they spoke. But it didn’t take long for Smith to learn his craft and land roles in dramatic movies like Six Degrees of Separation . That’s why the creative team behind this series knew he was ready for a Season Four episode where Will reunites with his father (played by Ben Vereen) 14 years after he walked out on the family, only to see him leave once again after they reconciled. “I’ll be a better father than he ever was, and I sure as hell don’t need him for that, ’cause ain’t a damn thing he could ever teach me about how to love my kids!” Smith roars, before breaking down in the arms of Uncle Phil. “How come he don’t want me, man?” For anyone who grew up without a father, the moment cut deep. “I shed a tear til this day every time I see this episode,” LeBron James wrote on Instagram in 2015. “This hit home for me growing up and I couldn’t hold my tears in. Til this day they still coming out when this episode come on.” — Andy Greene

Doctor Who, “Blink” (Season 3, Episode 10)

The scariest, cleverest episode of the British sci-fi institution Doctor Who features monsters who are elegant in their simplicity: the Weeping Angels, predatory aliens who resemble stone statues of angels, and who can only move when you’re not looking at them. Writer Steven Moffat places these disturbing creatures in service of a story that barely features the Doctor (David Tennant) and his then-companion Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman), instead focusing on a young Carey Mulligan as Sally Sparrow, a woman who keeps running afoul of the Weeping Angels. Her only hope of surviving the ordeal comes in the form of a DVD Easter Egg that creates the illusion of the Doctor having a conversation with her, and even the Time Lord himself struggles to adequately explain all the seeming paradoxes contained within Moffat’s tale. “People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect,” he tells Sally, “but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint, it’s more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff.” Yet it all makes exciting sense by the end. — A.S.

Alias, “Truth Be Told” (Season 1, Episode 1)

Throughout his career, J.J. Abrams has struggled with endings, as anyone who sat through The Rise of Skywalker can tell you. Few, though, are better at beginnings, and the pilot episode of his spy drama Alias is so fantastic that it bought years of goodwill from viewers, no matter how nonsensical the plots grew as the show went along. While undercover agent Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) is in Taiwan being interrogated by a torture expert, we flash back through the events that led her here, starting with her double life as a grad student by day, CIA agent by night. This turns out to be a triple life when Sydney discovers that she’s been tricked into working for a terrorist organization called SD-6, and that her father, Jack (Victor Garber), is secretly her co-worker. Oh, and Sydney’s fiancé gets murdered on the order of SD-6 boss Arvin Sloane (Ron Rifkin), plus a half-dozen other characters have to be introduced, Sydney has to try on multiple hair colors and accents, and more. Between the fractured timeline and the multiple lies Sydney has to live at once, “Truth Be Told” should be absolute gibberish. But Abrams, in one of his earliest efforts as director as well as writer, keeps everything coherent and thrilling in an episode that made him into a star just as much as it did Jennifer Garner. — A.S.  

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, “Mac Bangs Dennis’ Mom” (Season 2, Episode 4)

Most of the time, the Paddy’s Pub gang aim to screw over other people but really just end up screwing themselves, and that’s just what happens in this crude, tangled adventure. When Frank (Danny DeVito) promotes Charlie (Charlie Day) from a sleazy janitor to manager of the bar, he sets in motion a dizzying sequence of events that puts each character’s Achilles’ heels on full display: Mac’s (Rob McElhenny) sensitivity, Frank’s lost youth, Dennis’ (Glenn Howerton) pride, Charlie’s unrequited love, and Dee’s (Kaitlin Olson) conniving impulses. In order to get out of the grunt work Charlie left behind, Dennis goes on a mission to sleep with the unnamed character the Waitress (Mary Elizabeth Ellis), but ends up setting his sights on Mac’s mom (and later Charlie’s) when he finds out Mac banged his mom (and Frank’s ex-wife). Meanwhile, Charlie draws up a plan to finally bang the Waitress; Dennis’ sister Dee isn’t looking for sex, just power, as she plays the henchman to Charlie’s mastermind; and Frank just wants to bang any “young broad” who will give him the time of day. “That doesn’t make any sense,” Mac says to Charlie after encouraging Mac to sleep with Dennis’ mom. Charlie’s response pretty much sums up the entire FX sitcom: “It doesn’t have to.” — Maya Georgi

Grey’s Anatomy, “It’s the End of the World/As We Know It” (Season 2, Episodes 16 & 17)

Hearing main character Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) refuse to get out of bed for fear that she’ll die at work should have been a clue that it wouldn’t be a good week. But viewers were still terrified when the series seemingly tried its hardest to make every main character (plus guest stars Christina Ricci and Kyle Chandler) have near-death experiences in this two-parter, which began airing after Super Bowl XL. Bailey (Chandra Wilson) is in labor at the hospital waiting for her husband, who won’t answer his phone. Derek (Patrick Dempsey) can’t concentrate on saving his patient’s life while the man’s cell keeps going off (put two and two together here). And when a newbie paramedic shoves her hands into the chest cavity of a patient who’s bleeding out, it’s Meredith who learns that what’s currently killing him is unexploded ammunition that could go off at any minute, taking her and the entire O.R. with it. The bomb squad evacuates the floor, but if Derek leaves, Bailey’s husband dies. Meredith steps in for the paramedic, who’s had a panic attack, so now, if Meredith moves, she and Derek and Bailey’s husband die. Richard (James Pickens, Jr.) has a heart attack from the stress of the evacuation. Izzy (Katherine Heigl) and Alex (Justin Chambers) are off hooking up in a closet, which is also life-threatening if you consider Alex’s numerous confirmed STDs. And if Bailey, who is refusing to push without her husband being present, doesn’t give birth, she and the baby will die. It’s an all-in, melodramatic pivot for a series that has since become known for putting its main characters in life-threatening situations. And yet, in the midst of these increasingly heightened stakes, the standout scene remains George’s (T.J. Knight) gentle cajoling that finally convinces Bailey to push — and to name her son after him. “You’re Doctor Bailey,” he says, in a scene that remains one of the most tender of the entire series. “You don’t hide from a fight.”  — CTJ

Girls, “American Bitch” (Season 6, Episode 3)

If ever Hannah Horvath was a voice of a generation, this was it. Airing just a few months before the #MeToo movement exploded in 2017, this quiet cri de coeur — in which famous author Chuck Palmer (Matthew Rhys, nimble as ever) confronts Hannah (Lena Dunham) about a blog post she wrote slamming his alleged misconduct with several college girls — taps into every conversation we’re still having about power and consent. Chuck summons Hannah to his stately apartment, where she attempts to explain why taking advantage of his literary stature to hook up with young women is predatory, while he hurls every trick in the Bad Men Handbook at her: flattery (“You’re very bright”); faux honesty (“I’m a horny motherfucker with the impulse control of a toddler”); defensiveness (“These girls throw themselves at me!”); casual intimacy (“You’re more to me than just a pretty face”). With astonishing precision and economy, Dunham turns the tables such that by the end of the episode — that is, by the time Chuck and Hannah are lying clothed atop his bed, and he takes out his dick and flops it onto her thigh — Hannah has fallen prey to the very manipulations she was calling out. A hallmark moment in a show that will only age better with time. — M.F.

Everybody Loves Raymond, “Baggage” (Season 7, Episode 22)

Like Carl Reiner once did with The Dick Van Dyke Show , Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal liked to come up with stories by asking his writers what they’d been up to with their families lately. More often than not, there was a conflict that mapped pretty easily onto the Barone family, like an argument that writer Tucker Cawley had with his wife about who would put away the last suitcase left over from a recent vacation. The fictionalized version of it becomes a cold war of sorts between Ray (Ray Romano) and Debra (Patricia Heaton), even as Marie (Doris Roberts) compares the stalemate to a fight that once almost wrecked her marriage to Frank (Peter Boyle). (This leads to one of the great sitcom lines that makes zero sense out of context and seems absolutely logical in context: “Don’t let a suitcase filled with cheese be your big fork and spoon.”) The whole thing culminates in a slapstick battle between the spouses, demonstrating the impressive physical-comedy chops that Romano and Heaton developed over the series’ run. — A.S.  

King of the Hill, “Bobby Goes Nuts” (Season 6, Episode 1)

Some episodes made this list because they do innovative things with episodic structure, or because they have something deep to say about the human condition. This one’s here because Bobby Hill (Pamela Adlon) kicks a bunch of guys in the groin. Well, no. This one’s here because he learns to do this from taking a women’s self-defense class at the Y — at the unwitting urging of Hank (Mike Judge), who just wants his son to learn how to stand up to bullies — and incorporates not only the crotch attacks, but a high-pitched screech of, “THAT’S MY PURSE! I DON’T KNOW YOU!” every time he does it, just like he and his middle-aged, female classmates were taught. Sometimes, you just have to cherish the little things, you know? — A.S.  

Insecure, “High-Like” (Season 3, Episode 5)

The struggling women of Insecure can’t even catch a break when they head to Coachella to see Beyoncé headline. Newly unemployed Issa (Rae) needs everything to go perfectly for the group’s last hurrah before Tiffany (Amanda Seales) gives birth, while Molly (Yvonne Orji) is preoccupied with work, and Keli (Natasha Rothwell) just wants to have a good time. The girls (minus Tiffany, or so we thought…) take edibles and pop so much MDMA they are forced to miss Bey, instead finding themselves in a drug-fueled frenzy that makes the chaos and humor feel like they’re seeping through the screen. Keli takes “Beyoncé or bust” too far and pisses herself after getting Tasered by festival security. Tiffany cries in a closet and tells her husband, “It’s our weed, baby” after admitting to “one bite” of a pot brownie. Molly bugs out and types nonsense on her work laptop, while Issa insists the mess of the night is all her fault. For an episode that starts with a silly Thug Yoda appearance and ends with the abrupt, emotionally-charged return of Issa’s ex-boyfriend, Lawrence (Jay Ellis), it packs in one hell of a trip. — M.G.

Game of Thrones, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”  (Season 8, Episode 2)

Because Game of Thrones presented spectacle on a scale never before seen on television, it’s easy to forget that the series first became beloved when its budget was much smaller and it couldn’t afford to depict massive battles, dragon attacks, or ice zombie hordes. That stuff, when it came with frequency, was icing on the cake that was the deep roster of memorable characters George R.R. Martin had created, who the GoT writers brought to such vivid life. Even in its later, more epic seasons, the show was still most potent when it placed people first and carnage second. “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” takes place the evening before a coalition of heroes from across Westeros will face the Night King and his undead army. It’s almost all talking, as the characters have the kinds of conversations you’d expect when they don’t believe they’ll survive the next day. The most powerful of these is the moment that provides the episode with its title, as Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) realizes that, by the laws of Westeros, he can fulfill the dreams of his old friend Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) and grant her the knighthood she spent her whole life believing her gender disqualified her from achieving. The actual battle with the Night King winds up being the most visually underwhelming episode of the series, but writer Bryan Cogman’s love letter to these characters still resonates years later.  — A.S.

The Good Place, “Michael’s Gambit” (Season 1, Episode 13)

TV has a mixed track record with twist endings. For every Twilight Zone , it seems there are a half-dozen disasters like the Dexter season where Edward James Olmos was a ghost, or the Westworld season where Ed Harris and Jimmi Simpson were playing the same character — both ideas that fans sniffed out long before those series’ producers expected them to. But then there is the marvelous conclusion to the first season of the metaphysical comedy The Good Place . For the previous 12 episodes, Eleanor (Kristen Bell) and her friends had struggled to figure out why the seemingly perfect afterlife in which they found themselves had so many obvious flaws. In the end, it’s dum-dum Eleanor who’s the only one smart enough to see through the genial exterior of their host, Michael (Ted Danson), and recognize that, for all their worry of ending up in the Bad Place, “ This is the Bad Place!” In hindsight, the idea was clearly seeded; some viewers did guess it in advance, but not so many that it ruined the surprise for everyone else. Rather than undercut everything that happened before, the twist is in keeping with the show’s basic premise about heaven being not all it’s cracked up to be. And it set the series off in new, increasingly wild directions, rather than repeating the same jokes about fro-yo for years on end. — A.S.

Star Trek, “City on the Edge of Forever” (Season 1, Episode 28)

This episode, written by author Harlan Ellison, offers one time-travel tragedy to rule them all. When a deliriously ill Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) staggers through a time portal on a mysterious planet, he somehow alters history enough that the Enterprise is no longer in orbit above the away team. It’s up to Kirk (William Shatner) and Spock (Leonard Nimoy) to follow their friend, winding up in Depression-era New York, where interplanetary lothario Jim Kirk finds himself falling hard for do-gooder Edith Keeler (Joan Collins). Unfortunately, Spock figures out that Edith is a pivot point for the future of humanity, where her life will ironically lead to centuries of pain and misery, while her death will lead to the timeline our heroes know well. Torn between his duty to the galaxy and the desires of his own heart, Kirk allows Edith to be fatally struck by a car, in a tearjerker ending that wound up echoing throughout the future of TV science fiction. — A.S.

My So-Called Life, ”Pilot” (Episode 1)

Meet Angela Chase, a high school sophomore who offers us a look into her life in a mundane suburb of Pittsburgh. She has a major crush on Jordan Catalano (“I just like how he’s always leaning. Against stuff. He leans great”) and is quite possibly the only person in history to be jealous of Anne Frank (“She was stuck in an attic for three years with this guy she really liked”). My So-Called Life premiered 30 years ago, giving teens a much more realistic portrayal of what it’s like to endure the “battlefield” that is high school over primetime soap operas like 90210. And the pilot lays that groundwork perfectly, with Angela (Claire Danes) narrating as she navigates her strained relationship with her mom, outgrows her best friend and abandons her for two cool, kindred spirits, and, yes, watches Jordan (Jared Leto) excel at leaning. A battlefield indeed. — Angie Martoccio

Master of None, “Thanksgiving” (Season 2, Episode 8)

Though Aziz Ansari was star, frequent writer, and occasional director of his series about an actor named Dev trying to find meaning in his life, he periodically turned over episodes from the first two seasons to other characters, demonstrating that their stories had just as much richness as Dev’s, if not more. “Thanksgiving” tracks many years of the holiday, as Dev’s best friend Denise (Lena Waithe, who co-wrote the episode with Ansari) gradually comes out to her family, slowly but surely wearing down the resistance of her mother (Angela Bassett), aunt (Kym Whitley), and grandmother (Venida Evans). Partly inspired by Waithe’s own coming-out story, the warm and knowing episode was such a creative success that when the series finally returned for a third season four years later, it was built entirely around Denise’s marriage, with Dev now a minor figure in what was once his own show. — A.S.

For All Mankind, “The Grey” (Season 2, Episode 10)

The second season of this sci-fi drama, set in an alternate timeline where the Soviets beat America to the moon, triggering a never-ending space race, is the platonic ideal of the intensely serialized, “10-hour Movie” approach so much of dramatic television has taken in the years since The Wire , and that so few shows actually do well. Everything that happens throughout Season Two, even the parts that seem slow and pointless when you first watch them, have thrilling payoffs in the finale , where Earth seems on the verge of nuclear Armageddon, while American astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts wage war on and around the moon. All the earlier subplots matter, like Gordo (Michael Dorman) putting his new devotion to jogging to good use when he and ex-wife Tracy (Sarah Jones) have to run across the lunar surface, clad only in spacesuits jury-rigged out of duct tape, to prevent a nuclear meltdown. — A.S.

St. Elsewhere, “Time Heals” (Season 4, Episodes 17 & 18)  

This innovative hospital drama pushed the boundaries of its format throughout its run. One episode was set largely in the afterlife. Another told a quartet of stories about the stages of life from birth through death. The most audacious, and satisfying, of these, is the two-part “Time Heals,” which aired over consecutive nights. As St. Eligius prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, we get glimpses of the hospital across the decades, and see how Dr. Westphall (Ed Flanders), Dr. Craig (William Daniels), and the other senior members of the staff each came to work there. Beyond all the backstory — including a great guest turn by Edward Hermann as Father McCabe, the priest who founded the hospital and helped raise the orphaned Westphall — “Time Heals” impresses because each vignette from the past is presented in the style of movies (or, in some cases, television) of that period: Scenes in the 1930s are in black and white, ones in the Sixties are much more brightly lit, and so on. — A.S.

Larry Sanders, “Flip” (Season 6, Episode 12)

“You could sense there would never be another show like that again,” The Larry Sanders  Show actress Ileana Douglas said of the show’s final scene. “And there hasn’t been.” As Rip Torn, Jeffrey Tambor, and show creator Garry Shandling group-hug in an empty studio, a poignant sadness infuses the acerbic wit that Shandling’s revolutionary series displayed for six seasons. Set around Larry’s final show, the Peabody Award-winning episode features gags that remain timeless: Jim Carrey serenading Larry on-air while excoriating him off-air, Tom Petty telling Clint Black to “quiet down, cowpoke” before getting into a fistfight with Greg Kinnear, and Carol Burnett and Ellen DeGeneres catching Larry in a lie that destroys both the show-within-the-show itself and Larry’s glass-fragile ego. It’s a brilliant ending that balances pathos (“I don’t know exactly what I’m going to do without you,” Larry says to his audience before choking up. “God bless you. You may now flip”) with the series’ trademark send-up of Hollywood phoniness (Torn instinctively telling a bumped Bruno Kirby on the last show that “we’ll have you on another time.”) The show that invented the modern sitcom and stuck the landing perfectly. — Jason Newman

Orange Is the New Black, “Toast Can’t Never Be Bread Again” (Season 4, Episode 13) 

The Netflix prison series is the only show in Emmy history to be reclassified from the comedy categories to the drama ones, in part because its tone was so elusive, even to the people making it. But when Orange wanted to get totally serious, it was incredible, like in this episode set in the aftermath of the shocking death of beloved inmate Poussey at the hands of a guard. As Taystee (Danielle Brooks) and the other women grieve the loss of Poussey, then fume at the realization that the guard will go unpunished while most of them are stuck behind bars for much lesser crimes, their pain and rage boils over into a prison riot that will take up the entire following season. — A.S.

The Andy Griffith Show, “Opie the Birdman” (Season 4, Episode 1)

The Andy Griffith Show set the template for broad, light, homespun small-town humor, but the best episode of the long-running 1960s show is as raw as a modern prestige TV feelings-fest. Gifted a slingshot by Don Knots’ iconically bumbling deputy Barney Fife, a young Opie Taylor (played by a nine-year-old Ron Howard) accidentally kills a bird, orphaning its three young offspring. “You gonna give me a whippin’?” Opie asks his father, Sheriff Andy Taylor, played by the show’s star, Andy Griffith. Not this time. Instead, TV’s all-time cool-headed dad simply opens Opie’s window so his boy can listen to the newly motherless baby birds in the tree outside, filling the Mayberry night with their desolate emo chirps. Howard later said the tears he cried in the scene where he kills the bird were real, because he was thinking of his recently deceased dog. The episode doesn’t have any big laughs, a bold move considering it was a season-opener. But by breaking with formula, they made a heartbreaking classic. — Jon Dolan

Good Times, “The I.Q. Test” (Season 2, Episode 7)

As the Seventies sitcom’s iconic gospel theme song noted, there was a lot of scratchin’ and survivin’ to do for the Evans family in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green housing projects. And the Maude spinoff was so smart in illustrating the many ways the deck was stacked against Florida (Esther Rolle), James (John Amos), and their kids. In “The I.Q. Test,” everyone is shocked when gifted youngest son Michael (Ralph Carter) flunks a school standardized test, until Michael explains that he refused to finish after recognizing that the test is racially biased, with questions geared towards the experience of reasonably well-off white children. The episode nimbly addresses systemic problems in a way that few shows were even thinking about at the time, much less willing to incorporate into their scripts. And it does it while still having some fun with the situation, through the obliviousness of the white test proctor. — A.S.

Moonlighting, “Atomic Shakespeare” (Season 3, Episode 7)

At the point “Atomic Shakespeare” rolled around in the third season of Moonlighting , the private detective comedy had already established two things: 1) that the onscreen chemistry of co-stars Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd was as scorching as any couple — even an unconsummated one like this — ever put on television; and 2) that the show’s writers didn’t feel in any way bound by the conventions of genre or era, as they had already done a black-and-white film noir tribute, as well as put Willis’ David into a musical number helmed by Singin’ in the Rain director Stanley Donen. So it felt wholly natural to translate the familiar David and Maddie dynamic back to Shakespearean times, with a postmodern retelling of The Taming of the Shrew , with Willis and Shepherd playing David and Maddie-flavored versions of Petrucchio and Kate, and that at various points features ninjas, a horse wearing sunglasses, and wannabe blues singer Willis wailing on the classic rock hit “Good Lovin’.” The episode even gets away with rewriting the Bard: Instead of Kate submitting to Petrucchio’s insistence that the sun is in fact the moon, as a way of humoring her new husband, she instead stands her ground and gets him to admit that, “My wife hath called it: ’Tis the sun, and not the moon at all!” — A.S.

Severance, “The We We Are” (Season 1, Episode 9)

By the time we reach the Season One finale of the satirical workplace thriller Severance , the employees of the macrodata refinement department of Lumon Industries have reached their boiling point. Part of a cohort who volunteered for a surgical procedure that separates their work selves, called “Innies,” from their personal selves, called “Outies,” they all live bifurcated lives, where one half has no clue what the other half does. But now, the Innies, sure they’re getting the short end of the deal, are fed up. With the help of Dylan (Zach Cherry), who hacks into a control room, Helly (Britt Lower), Mark (Adam Scott), and Irving (John Turturro) find a way to inhabit their Outie personas — and, as a result, learn all kinds of things about themselves that they aren’t fully prepared to know. Mark faces his wife’s death in a car accident. Irving tries to reignite his workplace romance with Burt (Christopher Walken), who retired his Innie self. And Helly is shocked to discover she’s descended from the family that championed Lumon’s severance procedure. A master class in building and maintaining tension, the episode reaches a heart-racing crescendo before an abrupt, cliffhanger ending. Premiering two years after the pandemic, as many employees returned to the office with shifted priorities and revamped notions of “work-life balance,” the Dan Erickson-created, Ben Stiller -directed series captures something essential about our modern malaise. But as the mirror maze of this episode shows, completely severing work and home may not be the fix we think it would. — Kalia Richardson

Review With Forrest MacNeil, “Pancakes, Divorce, Pancakes” (Season 1, Episode 3)

In this cult comedy, Andy Daly plays Forrest MacNeil, a pompous fool who has committed himself to the self-destructive task of undergoing and reviewing whatever life experiences his viewers ask him to. Installments prior to this one saw Forrest becoming addicted to cocaine, acting racist, and trying to make a sex tape. But the true folly of the exercise doesn’t hit until the third episode, where two different binge-eating assignments are wrapped around Forrest having to divorce his wife, without even being allowed to explain to her why he’s doing it. It’s a classic case of a joke building and building, until we get a traumatized Forrest declaring to his awful audience, “Perhaps I simply understood, from the darkest corner of my soul, that these pancakes couldn’t kill me, because I was already dead.” — A.S.

Homeland, “Q&A” (Season 2, Episode 5)

When this spy thriller about domestic terrorism ended its first season without brainwashed double agent Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis) going through with a planned suicide bombing, it felt like a failure of nerve from the creators of a show that would have been best served as a one-and-done. But the first half of Season Two, featuring an ongoing cat-and-mouse game between Brody and CIA analyst Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes), was excellent, and led to the series’ single-best episode, where Brody gets arrested and Carrie is given a limited window to interrogate him in the hopes of turning him into an asset. Danes and Lewis put on a mesmerizing acting duet, so potent it’s easy to ignore a silly subplot about Brody’s daughter Dana (Morgan Saylor) and her boyfriend Finn (a young Timothée Chalamet) getting into a hit-and-run incident. It was largely downhill for Homeland from here, at least until the producers were finally willing to kill off Brody for real, but that takes nothing from “Q&A.” — A.S.

China Beach, “Hello Goodbye” (Season 4, Episode 16)

Long before cable and streaming dramas began to experiment with fractured timelines, there was the final season of this wildly underrated series about the staff of a U.S. Army hospital base during the Vietnam War. Episodes bounced back and forth between events at various points in the war and in the lives of nurse Colleen McMurphy (Dana Delany) and her surviving colleagues throughout the Seventies and Eighties. Much of the series finale takes place in 1988, as recovering alcoholic McMurphy warily attends a China Beach reunion event, then joins her pals in an impromptu (and incredibly poignant) visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in Washington, D.C. But “Hello Goodbye” also takes us back to China Beach one last time, to show us McMurphy caring for a dying soldier she knows she can’t save, as a closing reminder of the costs of war, whether or not you fight in them. — A.S.  

The Jeffersons, “Sorry, Wrong Meeting” (Season 7, Episode 14)

All in the Family , the parent show of The Jeffersons , had already done a story about the Ku Klux Klan four years prior to the KKK-themed “Sorry, Wrong Meeting.” But the very nature of the spinoff and its leading man made the latter episode feel anything like a rehash. A racist neighbor decides that he can’t tolerate the presence of Black tenants like George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) and hosts a Klan rally to drive this undesirable element out of the building. But he invites the supremely WASPy Tom Willis (Franklin Cover), not realizing that Tom is best friends with George. Tom mistakenly assumes that the meeting will be about a recent spate of break-ins, and later suggests George attend with him. It’s a perfect set-up for both comedy and drama, as an oblivious George enters and cheers on what he thinks is rhetoric aimed solely at low-class criminals, rather than an upstanding businessman like himself, while the meeting’s vile host is shocked by his presence. But then some earlier business about CPR training leads to a great, dramatic climax: This spectacle agitates the Klan leader into a heart attack, and George turns out to be the only one in the room capable of saving the life of someone who thinks of him as less than human. — A.S.

What We Do in the Shadows, “On the Run” (Season 2, Episode 6)

For a show that specializes in absurdist, nonsensical humor, creator Jemaine Clement and company take it next-level with “On the Run.” The episode plucks pompous vampire Laszlo ( Matt Berry , who in July finally got an Emmy nomination for his work on this show) out of Staten Island, where he lives with four roommates — his undead wife Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), energy vampire Colin Robinson (Mark Prosch), 760-year-old Nandor (Kayvan Novak), and Nandor’s familiar Guillermo (Harvey Guillén) — and relocates him to small-town Pennsylvania, where he’s hoping to escape an old friend (Mark Hamill) who’s come to collect on a nearly two-century-old debt of unpaid rent. A stranger in a strange land, Laszlo goes undercover as a “regular human bartender” named Jackie Daytona and, naturally, becomes an avid supporter of the local girls’ volleyball team. His disguise of dark-wash jeans and a toothpick is enough to fool his pursuer… until a mirror (and the removal of the toothpick from his mouth) exposes his true identity. Fully withdrawn from the show’s usual despondent setting, “On the Run” humorously plays Laszlo’s macabre nature against his desire to help 14-year-old girls make it to their state championship. What more could you want from a small-town, salt-of-the-earth bloodsucker? — CTJ

Friday Night Lights, “Mud Bowl” (Season 1, Episode 20)

When a train derailment near the school forces the relocation of a crucial playoff game, Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler), seeking a neutral battleground, opts for the most retro possible site: a cow pasture that turns into a swampy mess after a downpour starts during the contest. While everyone else thinks the coach has lost his mind by eschewing a modern facility, he sees it as a back-to-basics location that will allow himself, his players, and the Dillon High School fans to reconnect with the pure essence of the sport, rather than all of the usual cynical distractions. In the same way, “Mud Bowl” provides the most concentrated blast of emotions that this most heart-tugging of all dramas ever provided: the joy of seeing the Panthers have fun and play well despite the weather conditions, and the horror of Tyra (Adrianne Palicki) barely fighting off a rapist while skipping the game to study. — A.S.

Better Things, “Batceañera” (Season 4, Episode 9)

Pamela Adlon’s stunning, semi-autobiographical comedy-drama about Sam Fox, a single mom-slash-actress raising three daughters, is packed with installments that feel worthy of being called the best, but “Batceñera” brilliantly captures what makes this underrated gem of a show so special. It opens with a surprise: Frankie (Hannah Alligood), Sam’s headstrong middle daughter, perfectly reenacting a Jerry Lewis bit from Who’s Minding the Store? set to composer Leroy Anderson’s “The Typewriter.” The heart of the episode is the blending of a bat mitzvah and a quinceañera for 15-year-old Frankie and her friend Reinita, respectively. The episode has everything: carnitas and knishes, a replica of Frida Kahlo’s suit, an all-female mariachi band, great needle-drops, poignant mother-daughter exchanges with each girl, Sam’s ex finally feeling a bit of proper shame for not being there for his kids, and much, much more. It’s a batceañera you never want to end. — Lisa Tozzi

The Honeymooners, “The Man From Space” (Episode 14)

For fans of The Honeymooners , it’s impossible to choose an all-time favorite episode, but like Jackie Gleason himself, “The Man From Space” is one of the greats. Originally airing on New Year’s Eve 1955, it pit Gleason’s blustering Ralph Kramden against his dimwitted pal o’ mine Ed Norton (Art Carney) in the Raccoon Lodge costume contest. Norton rents his outfit — a foppish French getup that’s supposed to evoke the engineer who built the sewers of Paris — while Ralph aims to prove he can do better by making a costume out of everyday items: a flashlight, the ice-box door, a kitchen pot as a helmet. His vision is “the man from space,” but neither his long-suffering wife Alice (Audrey Meadows) nor Norton take it that way. When the live audience finally sees Ralph emerge in all his resplendent glory, their reaction is unhinged, even as pieces of his spacesuit unexpectedly fall to the floor, teeing up a classic Gleason ad lib: “Let me have that,” he barks at Alice, “that’s my denaturizer.” The final scene at the costume party, with Norton barging in from his shift in the sewer in a gas mask, is one for the ages. — Joseph Hudak

Six Feet Under, “Everyone’s Waiting” (Season 5, Episode 12)

Alan Ball’s HBO drama usually kicked off its episodes with a grisly and/or highly ironic death. For the series finale, however, the showrunner opted for something a little different: He’d begin the last chapter of the Fisher family and their associates not with a life being snuffed out, but with a birth — and then he’d end the show not with one death, but a dozen. Having spent the bulk of its swan song tying up all of its loose narrative ends, Six Feet Under then shows us how every one of its surviving main characters would eventually shuffle off this mortal coil: Matriarch Ruth Fisher will die of old age with her family around her; Federico has a heart attack on a cruise ship; David’s security-guard husband Keith is murdered during a robbery, etc. Set to the Sia song “Breathe,” this justly praised montage doubles as a full-frontal assault on your tear ducts. It saves Claire’s passing for last, and before she takes her last breath at age 102, we see evidence of friends, loved ones, professional accolades, and personal memories all around her. For a series so devoted to sudden death, it goes out with a tribute to a long life well-lived. — David Fear

Columbo, “Etude in Black” (Season 2, Episode 1)

As rumpled homicide detective Lt. Columbo, Peter Falk was so superhumanly charming that he could have onscreen chemistry with a doorknob. But the iconic mystery series was at its best whenever Falk had a strong foil. This episode, with the dogged cop trying to prove a famous orchestra conductor murdered his mistress, has a home-field advantage in this regard, as the bad guy is played by Falk’s close friend and frequent collaborator John Cassavetes. Beyond the actors’ ease around one another, the dynamic crackles because the Columbo formula depends on the killers being too arrogant to assume this mumbling schnook could possibly outsmart them — and Cassavetes had a gift for playing smug and irritated. — A.S.

Friends, “The One Where Everybody Finds Out” (Season 5, Episode 14)

The best Friends moments come from full-ensemble episodes (Season Three’s “ The One Where No One’s Ready ,” Season Seven’s “ The One With Monica’s Thunder ”) where all six buds join forces and create a killing floor of comedy. The result is always a propulsive 22 minutes that doesn’t have a single dull moment, and “ The One Where Everybody Finds Out ” is this dynamic at its best. Secret’s out: Everyone has found out about Monica and Chandler’s relationship (OK, maybe Ross is a little late), and the gang play a game of chicken, one-upping each other to see who cracks first. Phoebe’s line, “They don’t know that we know they know we know!” embodies everything great about this episode, and the wit and wordplay that make the series a classic. No surprise it was nominated for three Emmys. — A.M.

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James Darren , famous for his work on movies like "Gidget" and TV shows like "T.J. Hooker" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," is dead.

The veteran actor died peacefully in his sleep Monday at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles ... his son, Jim Moret , confirmed to TMZ.

The cause of death is unclear, but James' son says his famous father was having heart issues and was being treated at the hospital's cardiac unit. We're told James initially went to the hospital for an aortic valve replacement, but was deemed too weak to undergo the procedure and was sent home ... only to be taken back to the hospital.

James became a teen idol back in the day when he played a surfer known as Moondoggie on 1959's "Gidget" and its two sequels ... "Gidget Goes Hawaiian" and "Gidget Goes to Rome."

On TV, James had a recurring role on "T.J. Hooker" as police officer Jim Corrigan ... appearing in 66 episodes across four seasons.

James also had a recurring gig on 'Deep Space Nine' ... playing holographic lounge singer Vic Fontaine in the late 1990s TV series.

In addition to acting, James enjoyed a successful career as a singer ... and he also directed a variety of TV episodes on shows like "Melrose Place," "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "The A-Team" ... among others.

James sang the theme song for "Gidget" and performed another track in the flick ... and in 1961 he reached No. 3 on the Billboard charts with "Goodbye Cruel World."

He's survived by his 3 sons and 5 grandkids.

James was 88.

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Old news is old news! Be First!

'Dawson's Creek' actor Obi Ndefo dead at 51

If you or someone you know is battling an eating disorder, please call the National Eating Disorders Helpline at (800) 931-2237 or text "NEDA" to 741741 for immediate support.  

LOS ANGELES – Actor Obi Ndefo, known for his roles in "Dawson’s Creek" and "Stargate SG-1" died following his battle with orthorexia, his family announced. 

His sister, Nkem Ndefo, announced his passing on social media. "Heartbroken at the loss of my younger brother and knowing he’s finally at peace," she wrote on Facebook . 

Ndefo died at a Los Angeles hospital on Wednesday, August 28. His sister said his heart gave out due to complications with his eating disorder. 

"He started as a raw vegan which in hindsight was the beginning of the orthorexia as it was more about controlling food than health. The severity only worsened," she wrote on X . 

She continued to write, "New research shows a strong link between autoimmunity and eating disorders but sadly conventional treatment centers have not caught up with the research so my brother was never tested and treated. The split between psychiatry and neurology and immunology is so harmful."

His family is ra i sing awareness of orthorexia in hopes of helping others suffering from the disease. They are collecting donations in Obi’s name to further research on autoimmunity in eating disorders. Those interested in donating or learning more can visit the National Eating Disorder Association .

In addition to appearing on "Dawson's Creek," Ndefo also played on hit shows such as "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," "The District," "Role of a Lifetime," and "Dream Big."

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The Dogs of Star Trek

I thought it would be fun to do a retrospective of the most memorable dogs to appear in the various Star Trek series. From beloved companions of captains and Klingon warriors, to wild alien creatures, and sly shape-shifters, there are some great moments featuring dogs (and sometimes very fictional “dogs”) in each series.

Star Trek: The Original Series Episode 1.5 “ The Enemy Within ” 1966

Something goes horribly awry with the ship’s transporter, causing it to beam back two versions of each life form: one good and one evil. This is probably the most memorable use of a dog on a Star Trek episode. The dog actor in this episode portrays an “alien animal specimen,” and ultimately, embodies the epitome of Star Trek camp.

Star Trek: The Next Generation Episode 6.13 “ Aquiel “  1993

This episode is burned into my memory as containing the one and only tv moment to deeply traumatize my little sister. In this episode, ship engineer Geordi grows close to the prime suspect in a murder investigation. Spoiler: it turns out, her dog is host to a body-snatching alien organism, who is the true killer. Geordi witnesses the dog morph into the alien’s natural blob-like state, which then proceeds to attack him. I guess the idea of a cute dog suddenly morphing into a murderous blob really hit a nerve with my then 6-year-old sister. The dog in this episode was played by Friday, a terrier mix.

Star Trek: The Next Generation Movie “ Generations”  1994

In the Star Trek movie “ Generations ,” Captain Kirk is transported into the “Nexus,” which is an energy ribbon that allows those who enter it to transcend time. Kirk is able to re-visit loved ones from his past, including his wife, his children, and his beloved great dane  Butler . During the filming of the movie William Shatner apparently requested that Kirk’s dog be called Butler, because he had recently lost his own dog of that name. Spoiler: The scene with Kirk and Butler occurs shortly before his death.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Episode 4.08 “ Little Green Men” 1995

In this episode, Odo, a changeling and the security chief of Deep Space Nine, spies on questionable Ferengi business meetings multiple times by taking the form of a German Shepard.

Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Enterprise Multiple Episodes 1995-2005

On Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001), Captain Janeway frequently made references to her dog Mollie, who was an Irish Setter. On Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005), Captain Jonathan Archer’s Beagle  Porthos  makes many appearances. Many other canine companions are also mentioned throughout Enterprise .

Klingon Targs Multiple Episodes, Multiple Series  1987-2001

And finally, although they are not technically dogs , I can’t omit the Klingon dog-like Targs. Although Targs are also hunted by Klingons for sport and food, many prominent Klingons have fond memories of these boar-like beasts as highly valued pets and companions. General Martok once said his Targ was “a filthy, mangy beast, but in his bony breast beat the heart of a warrior.” Worf (below) also mentioned having had a Targ as a child.

…Do you have memories of the dogs of  Star Trek ? Although these moments were few and far between, they stand out in my memory. And, as a side note, I definitely think of myself and Miles as being akin to Klingon and Targ.

Our Fifth Agility Trial: Miles is Awarded His First Agility Title!

Our sixth agility trial: agility buddies.

Emma Kesler, CDBC, CPDT-KA

Emma Kesler, CDBC, CPDT-KA is an award-winning Certified Dog Behavior Consultant who has worked with clients around the world for over a decade. Emma dedicates her work at Terrier Academy to terriers, as they are underserved in the dog behavior and training world. Emma shares her life with her Welsh Terrier copilot Miles.

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I LOVE THIS POST SO MUCH!!! Thank you Captain Miles and Lieutenant Commander Emma!

In one episode of Star Trek Voyager, an alien scientist actually owned a dog.

An alien also owned a dog on Risa in Star Trek Enterprise.

Why are dogs more widespread than humans?

Because they’re good dogs, Amoraq.

There are puppies…….Q tries to seduce Janeway with puppies in an STV episode; and in STTNG there is a scene with Troi’s son Alexander playing with puppies, Golden Retrievers.

STV episode 11, season 3, “The Q and the Grey”

I am watching right now and one of the items Q gifts Janeway when trying to woo her is a puppy. Not sure if it’s an Irish Setter like her Mollie is back in the Alpha Quadrant or a dark red golden, but the poor pup – like Janeway – wants nothing to do with Q either!

Y’all forgot Voyager “The Q and the Grey” (Irish setter puppy)

This is for all of the wild dogs out there, for the people who love them, and for those who want get to know them. You've come to the right place. 🐶

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Commander Kruge was a male Klingon officer of the 23rd century Klingon Empire . In 2285 , he commanded a Klingon Bird-of-Prey . He was romantically involved with Valkris and kept a " Klingon monster dog " as a pet .

• 1.1 Seeking Genesis
• 1.2 Searching the surface
• 1.3 Encounter with the Enterprise
• 1.4 The final confrontation
• 2.1.1 Developing the character
• 2.1.2 Casting the role
• 2.1.3 Filming the character
• 2.1.4 Visualizing Kruge's demise
• 2.1.5 Reception
• 2.1.6 Trivia
• 2.1.7 Merchandise
• 2.2 Apocrypha
• 2.3 External links

Service record [ ]

Seeking genesis [ ].

Kruge in command of his Bird-of-Prey

Kruge with Maltz , receiving the information about the Genesis Device

In 2285, Kruge played a major role in a plot to obtain intelligence on the Genesis Device , a Federation technology designed to instantly terraform an entire planet . He saw it as an incredibly powerful weapon , and sought to bring that technology to the Empire. He recruited Valkris as a spy to obtain material from the project, and once successful, she made a rendezvous with Kruge while a passenger on the Merchantman . When he learned from her that she had viewed the material even though she was not to have done so, he destroyed the vessel without beaming her aboard.

Kruge, now with the project summary in hand, ordered a course set for the Genesis Planet , which had only recently been formed. Arriving at that destination, he and his crew encountered the USS Grissom , a Federation science vessel assigned to study the planet. Kruge wanted hostages with which to bargain for the Genesis technology, so he ordered his gunner to target the Grissom 's engines in order to disable the vessel. However, in what the gunner described as a " lucky shot," the Grissom was destroyed. Kruge responded by instantly killing the gunner. After Torg found that a landing party from the Grissom had survived on the planet's surface, Kruge led a team to search for them.

Searching the surface [ ]

Shortly after beaming down to the surface of Genesis, Kruge and his officers had an encounter with some giant worms , one of which momentarily throttled Kruge until he bloodily squeezed the creature to death with his bare hands. He then contacted the Bird-of-Prey to report that their search had been uneventful.

Kruge and his companions eventually located the team they had been seeking, consisting of Starfleet officer Lieutenant Saavik , David Marcus – son of Admiral James T. Kirk – and a rejuvenated Captain Spock , whose body had been inadvertently revived by the effects of the Genesis Device. Taking the team as hostages, Kruge demanded to know the secret of Genesis, and refused to believe Saavik when she informed him that the technology was fundamentally flawed, and that the planet they were on was on the verge of destroying itself.

Encounter with the Enterprise [ ]

Upon the arrival of Admiral Kirk and the USS Enterprise , Kruge returned to his ship and attempted to ambush the Federation vessel. The Enterprise crew detected the Bird-of-Prey's cloaked approach and, upon determining that Kruge's ship was targeting them, preemptively fired a pair of photon torpedoes at the now visible Klingon ship, causing the death of Kruge's monster dog. An enraged Kruge returned fire with a torpedo , expecting to be destroyed because the Federation craft outgunned him ten to one. He was meanwhile unaware that the Enterprise was crewed only by Kirk and a handful of bridge officers . Without its normal crew of hundreds, the Enterprise was effectively disabled when Kruge's torpedo knocked out its automation center . Kirk, bluffing , opened communications to demand Kruge's surrender .

Sensing that Kirk was hiding something, Kruge instead ordered Kirk's surrender, threatening to execute the prisoners as "enemies of galactic peace." As proof of his commitment, Kruge ordered his men on the surface to choose at random and kill one of the prisoners. One of Kruge's men moved to stab Saavik, but David immediately intervened, sacrificing his own life to save her. In response, Kirk deceived Kruge into believing that he was indeed surrendering, allowing a Klingon team aboard the Enterprise while he and his own crew surreptitiously set the ship's auto-destruct and beamed down to the planet.

The final confrontation [ ]

Kruge falls to his death

After the destruction of the Enterprise and the death of the bulk of Kruge's crew, Kirk contacted him from the surface, demanding to be beamed up. Kruge, however, chose to beam down himself to confront Kirk, allowing the rest of his crew to transport to the Bird-of-Prey.

Kruge then engaged in a fight with Kirk, amid the conflagration of the dying Genesis planet, but lost his footing as the ground gave way beneath him, leaving him clinging to the edge of a cliff. Kirk offered to pull Kruge up from the precipice he was hanging from, but instead of accepting Kirk's offer of mercy, he attempted to yank them both to their deaths. He failed, and was left dangling from Kirk's foot over an immense lava flow. Kirk then kicked him in the face three times, causing him to fall into the inferno to die. ( Star Trek III: The Search for Spock )

Appendices [ ]

Background information [ ].

Kruge was played by actor Christopher Lloyd .

Developing the character [ ]

An early concept image of Kruge, picturing him as a Romulan

While the antagonists in Star Trek III were originally to have been Romulans , this character was likewise thought of as a Romulan, the unnamed commander of a Romulan Bird-of-Prey . He was depicted that way in a story treatment called Star Trek III: Return to Genesis , written by Harve Bennett and dated 16 September 1982 . In that story outline, he was initially described thus; " The Commander is a handsome, swarthy man with a dignity reminiscent of the 20th Century actor Omar Sharif . Like all Romulans, he is physically similar to Vulcans , his brother race. The sharp pointed ears … the tilted brows . But unlike the more highly evolved Vulcan civilization, cool and dedicated to logic , the Romulan is of blood and passion. His mission is intelligence. He is Captain of a spy ship. " At the end of the story, the Romulan commander, stranded alone on the disintegrating Genesis planet, with Kirk and his crew having commandeered the Bird-of-Prey, was contacted by Kirk and offered a chance to escape. However, he declined, choosing to be doomed together with the Genesis planet. ( Star Trek: The Magazine  Volume 3, Issue 8 , p. 30)

Kruge wasn't named until the writing of the film 's screenplay, in which he was referred to as a "Battle Commander". In the stage directions from the first draft of the script, he was initially characterized thus; " Battle Commander Kruge is tall, dark, and universally attractive. Some of that comes from his arrogance, his relative youth and, by Klingon standards, his charm. He is a deadly swashbuckler . " This version of the script (dated 23 March 1983 ) did not include Kruge's romantic connection and killing of Valkris (as her character was yet to be invented). Instead, at the start of the story, Kruge was absent from a flotilla of Klingon battle cruisers , leading his superiors, who were in command of those ships, to wonder where he was. He then decloaked in a Romulan Bird-of-Prey amidst the flotilla, having somehow managed to commandeer that ship. His abrupt arrival in a Romulan vehicle completely surprised the assembled Klingons. ("Space Docks and Birds of Prey", Star Trek III: The Search for Spock  (Special Edition) DVD & Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ( BD ) special features) Just before leaving the Bird-of-Prey's bridge , he made a joke which implied that he and his crew had served time in prison . Already having the Genesis demonstration tape with him, Kruge proceeded to convince the Klingon council of war to assign him, his officers, and a mysterious spy named Galt to investigate the secret of Genesis and travel, aboard the Romulan craft, to the Genesis planet. During his encounter with large serpentine creatures there, Kruge demonstrated to his second officer, who had been about to shoot the serpents, that it felt better to instead kill them by crushing them with one's own bare hands. At the end of the script, Kruge was killed by Kirk throwing, into his back, the same Klingon dagger which had been used to murder David Marcus.

The writers decided to have Kruge kill Valkris as a way to impart to the audience that the Klingon species was extremely ruthless. ( audio commentary , Star Trek III: The Search for Spock  (Special Edition) DVD & Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ( BD ) special features) In the revised final draft of the script (dated 7 October 1983 ), he was portrayed in much the same way as he is in the final version of the movie, including his involvement with Valkris, and his death scene. Kruge was initially described, in this draft's stage directions, as "a Klingon War Lord of handsome but frightening presence, and relative youth." The reference to him as a "Klingon War Lord" explains why Saavik, Valkris, and his crew refer to him in the film as "my Lord ." Additionally, he was still referred to as a "Battle Commander" in the script. [1]

Ever since he first read the screenplay for Star Trek III , Kirk actor William Shatner was impressed by the writing of the Kruge character. In the Shatner and Chris Kreski book Star Trek Movie Memories (hardcover ed., pp. 159-160), Shatner remembered, " I liked Kruge, our over-the-top gung-ho/psycho Klingon power junkie, a lot. "

Casting the role [ ]

Prior to Christopher Lloyd being cast as Kruge, many candidates tried out for the part. ( Star Trek Movie Memories , hardcover ed., p. 168; I Am Spock , hardcover ed., p. 226) Leonard Nimoy , who directed and starred in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock , described the task of casting the role of the Klingon commander as "the biggest issue we had on III ." He and Harve Bennett discussed a lot of people who might fit the part. ( Star Trek Movie Memories , hardcover ed., p. 168) Nimoy and Bennett also auditioned many actors for the job, although it kept seeming as though those auditionees didn't do the role justice. ( I Am Spock , hardcover ed., p. 226; Star Trek Movie Memories , hardcover ed., p. 168) Nimoy recollected, " When they read the part, it just didn't seem to come to life. It didn't work. They just couldn't grasp the character somehow. " ( Star Trek Movie Memories , hardcover ed., p. 168)

One day, Leonard Nimoy discovered a tape of actor Edward James Olmos (who later found fame as William Adama in Battlestar Galactica ) and formed the belief that he would be the perfect choice to play Kruge. ( I Am Spock , hardcover ed., p. 226) Nimoy showed the tape of Olmos, who was meanwhile seeking work, to Harve Bennett. " So, Harve watched the tape, " continued Nimoy, " and his response was, 'Well, he's not bad, but he's small, a quarterback. I think what we need in this role is a defensive tackle.' I said 'Well, that may be, but let's bring him in, and find out.' " ( Star Trek Movie Memories , hardcover ed., p. 168)

Subsequently, Leonard Nimoy invited Edward James Olmos to meet him at Nimoy's house on a Sunday. Nimoy asked Harve Bennett to come, too, but Bennett declined, for reasons unknown to Nimoy. " He told me, 'You make the call, I'll be guided by your judgement,' " recalled Nimoy. " So I saw Eddie and […] I [still] felt he would do a terrific job. I felt that we could skirt the issue of his size. " This was because, for most of the film, Kruge would be sitting alone in his command chair on the bridge of the Klingon vessel, so the only time the production personnel would have to fake the actor's body size would be during Kruge's actual face-to-face confrontation with Kirk. Nimoy even reckoned that, by using creative camera work and elevating the actor on boxes, faking the actor's physical stature would be fairly easy. " Before the day was over, I had more or less committed to Eddie, " Nimoy related, " and as we said good-bye I told him, 'This is gonna be great.' " ( Star Trek Movie Memories , hardcover ed., p. 168)

However, as Leonard Nimoy found thereafter, Harve Bennett was insistent that Edward James Olmos didn't have the right build for the role. ( I Am Spock , hardcover ed., p. 226) Addressing Bennett's concerns that the character had to seem much larger than Kirk and extremely threatening, Nimoy admitted that he concurred and felt sure they could achieve that on screen, with Olmos in the role. Bennett and Nimoy proceeded to debate the issue without making any more substantial progress. Eventually, Bennett suggested they could have Olmos visit the studio and audition for the part there. Nimoy complained that he himself had already auditioned the actor and that Bennett had agreed to trust Nimoy's judgement of Olmos. Bennett responded that he was uncertain if he could persuade the studio executives based on only that. Nimoy was starting to feel awkward about the prospect of retesting Olmos for a part he had already been notified Nimoy wanted him to perform. Nonetheless, doing as Bennett proposed, Olmos was next interviewed by him at the studio. As Nimoy viewed it, the audition went so well that Bennett wouldn't be able to deny that Olmos would be ideal to play Kruge. Instead, Bennett asked Olmos to come back later and read for the part one last time, this time with a "management person" who Bennett didn't name. The mystery staff member turned out to be Gary Nardino , who had been given the production credit "executive producer" for Star Trek III . Even though Nimoy was shocked by the actor he'd suggested being asked to attend so many interviews, Nimoy, as a first-time director, didn't know what his limitations were and consequently was afraid of taking a stand, in case he lost the privilege to direct the film. ( Star Trek Movie Memories , hardcover ed., pp. 168-169)

With Gary Nardino now present, Edward James Olmos again auditioned. " By the time he'd finished and left the room, I knew he was dead, " Leonard Nimoy lamented. " Nardino said, 'I don't get it at all. To me, this is a character who should be 'to the manor born.' He's a sophisticated, Terence Stamp kind of guy.' I said, 'I don't think that at all. I think he's a bright, intense, gung-ho, threatening kind of bad guy.' But for all intents and purposes, it was now two against one, and Eddie was gone. " ( Star Trek Movie Memories , hardcover ed., p. 169)

The disagreement between Leonard Nimoy and Harve Bennett was ended when Christopher Lloyd expressed interest in playing Kruge. " Harve Bennett and I couldn't be dissuaded; when Lloyd indicated he wanted the role, we deemed ourselves lucky to get him, " Nimoy explained. ( I Am Spock , hardcover ed., p. 226) Lloyd came in to be interviewed for the job; he auditioned for Nimoy. ( audio commentary & "Captain's Log", Star Trek III: The Search for Spock  (Special Edition) DVD & Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ( BD ) special features) The director noted, " Chris came to my office, and he read a little bit of the part for me. " ( Starlog , issue 219, p. 48) Since Lloyd wasn't yet established as a major movie actor, it wasn't a forgone conclusion that he would win the part. There was even some worry at the studio that Lloyd would be seen as too funny an actor to portray Kruge, as he was used to appearing in a regular comedic role in series television and the studio wasn't sure if he could play a far different character. " There was some concern […] Could he be this commanding authority figure that Kruge had to be? " recalled Nimoy. ( Star Trek: The Magazine  Volume 3, Issue 8 , pp. 17-18) Despite Nimoy having admired Lloyd for years prior to the making of Star Trek III , the audition amazed Nimoy. " What he really did for me when he came in, " he said about Lloyd, " was show me how totally chameleon-like he is. When he came in and read this role, he was totally unlike anything I'd ever seen him do before, and I was just swept away by his ability to transform himself so completely and to give us this wonderful, powerful character, and I went to bat to hire him on the spot. " ( audio commentary , Star Trek III: The Search for Spock  (Special Edition) DVD & Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ( BD ) special features) Specifically, Nimoy – who had overcome typecasting issues himself, having become famous in the role of Spock – expressed to Harve Bennett that Lloyd was the right man for the job. " I went to Harve Bennett's office, " Nimoy recounted, " and I said, 'He's a chameleon. He can do it.' " Nimoy also gave assurances that, if Lloyd was cast in the role, it would work. ("Captain's Log", Star Trek III: The Search for Spock  (Special Edition) DVD & Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ( BD ) special features)

Regarding how his name came up for the role, Christopher Lloyd wasn't entirely sure. " I guess, well, maybe it's because Leonard Nimoy has a great deal of respect for actors, " Lloyd hypothesized. " He has a theatre background. He may have felt he needed people well grounded as actors to make the Klingons work. " When the part was offered to Lloyd, he was surprised. " I was honored. Really, I was tickled and delighted, " he reminisced. " What can I say? I felt like I was becoming part of a special club. " ( Starlog , issue 82, pp. 20-21) Lloyd was unsure what the film's production staffers had seen in his previous work that had convinced them he might be good at adopting the role of a Klingon. [2] However, he speculated that, by casting him in the role, "they just played a hunch, I guess." [3] As Robin Curtis observed, Lloyd, rather than having to learn all the nuances of details about his character, approached the role of Kruge simply by acting. ( Star Trek Monthly  issue 6 , p. 50) The part did, though, challenge him to learn Klingonese . Lloyd struggled to learn the language, but, with help from Leonard Nimoy and linguist Marc Okrand , he enthusiastically endeavored to make Kruge's uses of Klingonese as accurate as possible. ( Starlog , issue 82, p. 21; "Speaking Klingon", Star Trek III: The Search for Spock  (Special Edition) DVD & Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ( BD ) special features)

Filming the character [ ]

Christopher Lloyd being directed by Leonard Nimoy

As the director of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock , Leonard Nimoy tried to accentuate how menacing Kruge looked, such as by using tight angles on the bridge of his Bird-of-Prey. Although Nimoy tried to use that method for the ship's Klingon crew in general, he was especially mindful of it in relation to their commander. " And the fact that he was elevated above them in the way he was gave him a certain amount of ominous power, " Nimoy pointed out. ( Star Trek: The Magazine  Volume 3, Issue 8 , p. 16)

Christopher Lloyd thoroughly enjoyed playing Kruge. Describing the Klingon years after playing him, Lloyd said, " It was fun to play an evil character that has no remorse about anything he does […] I love doing that kind of thing, a far-out character. " [4] The actor elaborated, " I mean, he epitomizes somebody with absolutely no moral conscience. He even blows up his so-called girlfriend in another spaceship. They have a short conversation at the beginning, and he doesn't even apologize. She's amenable because… well, it's for whatever political reasons. But, yeah, he's just evil […] He's demonic . There's no conscience in place at any point, and he has no apologies for any of his actions. He just goes out and destroys and kills and creates havoc until he gets what he wants. And that was fun to play. I loved all the makeup and the clothes, the whole Klingon look. It was a joy. " [5] Reminiscing, Lloyd noted, " There were certain moments I remember when I shot them that I felt I'd captured the character well. " ("Captain's Log", Star Trek III: The Search for Spock  (Special Edition) DVD & Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ( BD ) special features)

Standing between Nimoy and Cinematographer Charles Correll , Christopher Lloyd wears his Klingon make-up and costume along with wire glasses

Kruge's make-up is applied to Christopher Lloyd

Although Christopher Lloyd and Chekov actor Walter Koenig had been schoolmates in their childhood, Koenig found that, during the making of Star Trek III , Lloyd's focus on playing Kruge took priority. " He was very much into his character, which was good, but he was not very approachable as a consequence, " Koenig noted. Deborah Arakelian , assistant to Harve Bennett, remembered, " Chris Lloyd […] would sit there in full makeup with his little wire glasses on, reading the trades […] It was pretty funny to look at. He had almost no interaction with anyone. Came in and did his job, such a professional. " Eddie Egan , who was working in the publicity department at Paramount Pictures when the film was being marketed, recollected, " I think he just felt very out of place. There were whole parts in the movie where he didn't interact with any of them until the end except with Robin Curtis and Merritt Butrick [who played Saavik and David Marcus respectively]. No one likes wearing that kind of makeup in that kind of heat for that many hours a day. It was a very quick job. He didn't work that long. " ( The Fifty-Year Mission: The First 25 Years ) Concerning the Klingon make-up, Maltz actor John Larroquette attested that Lloyd had a particularly difficult time dealing with it, Larroquette stating, " He sweated quite a bit. They had to keep poking his makeup with holes so they could squeeze the sweat out. " As far as Larroquette saw, though, Lloyd didn't take the making of the movie too seriously, and Larroquette later joked, " At some point in the film, I wanted Christopher Lloyd to turn to me and say, 'Bring me some chocolate, Maltz.' " ( Starlog , issue 138, p. 25)

Don Dow standing in for Christopher Lloyd

Upon considering how to film the scene in which Kruge is attacked by massive worms, the production crew were careful not to ruin Kruge's make-up. This prohibited them from doing multiple takes of the worms leaping on him, as the members of the film crew were anxious that shooting too many takes would eventually mess up the prosthetics Christopher Lloyd needed to wear for the role. Even so, during the actual filming, his elaborate Klingon costume kept snagging on fishing line that the team used to make the rubber worms appear to be moving. For a close-up insert shot of Kruge grabbing the worm that then attacks him, Industrial Light & Magic effects cameraman Don Dow stood in for Lloyd, and the shot was captured at ILM. ( Cinefex , No. 18, pp. 55 & 56)

Christopher Lloyd had a problem with performing the scene where Kruge, having just learned the Enterprise has arrived in proximity of the Genesis Planet, calls his Bird-of-Prey in order to be beamed back aboard. Lloyd's issue with the scene, namely using the prop of the Klingon commander's communicator , meant multiple takes of the scene had to be shot. Despite Leonard Nimoy giving Lloyd several reminders to speak into the prop when ordering that he be beamed up, Lloyd persistently didn't do so and instead kept stretching his arms out wide and shouting the command to the heavens. With a laugh, Robin Curtis later mused, " It was just so interesting that he didn't need to be anchored that way to his character […] He […] certainly didn't need a prop to get him up on a ship, you know; he could be beamed up without the communicator! " ("Captain's Log", Star Trek III: The Search for Spock  (Special Edition) DVD & Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ( BD ) special features)

Visualizing Kruge's demise [ ]

The armature for the Kruge stop-motion puppet, and the finished puppet itself

The Kruge puppet and its sculptor, David Sosalla

There was absolutely no way, of course, that the scene in which Kruge falls from a precipice on the Genesis Planet could be depicted by throwing an actor over the edge of a cliff into a sea of burning lava. ( Star Trek: The Magazine  Volume 3, Issue 8 , p. 111) Instead, a performer was filmed taking a short drop into an airbag. ( Cinefex , No. 18, pp. 63 & 64) According to Cinefex (No. 18, p. 63), this live-action performer was a stuntman. However, according to Star Trek: The Magazine  Volume 3, Issue 8 , p. 111, the performer was Christopher Lloyd himself, a claim which seems supported by a statement he made. [6]

At ILM, David Sosalla and Tom St. Armand were called upon to enact Kruge's final fate. In Sosalla's opinion, Kruge tumbling to his death made him seem "sort of like Wile E. Coyote ." ( Cinefex , No. 18, p. 64)

The shot was to be completed with an articulated stop-motion puppet visually substituting the performer, seamlessly, midway through the plunge. ( Cinefex , No. 18, pp. 63 & 64) However, the live-action footage complicated the puppet's requirements. " The problem was that the cut we were given of Kruge going over the cliff was so short that at the end of it he was still large in the frame, " explained David Sosalla. " We had to meticulously copy the images, picking up where Kruge is kicked off, and still have it hold up under scrutiny of being half-size on screen. That's pretty hard for a little puppet. " ( Cinefex , No. 18, p. 64)

The puppet was sculpted by David Sosalla and crafted by Sean Casey . Tom St. Armand designed a special armature for the puppet. ( Cinefex , No. 18, p. 64) To begin the sculpting process, a clay maquette of Kruge was sculpted. " Then we created all the molds using that clay maquette, and inside that we put the armature, which is like a skeleton; there were joints for the elbows, the knees, the hips, all the way through the body, and even the backbone, " Sosalla explained. " That was cast into foam rubber from that mold. Then we took it and dressed it. We painted it with flexible paint. " The highly detailed puppet was made to a quarter scale. ( Star Trek: The Magazine  Volume 3, Issue 8 , p. 111)

Once the puppet was finished, it was filmed with a technique that Sosalla called "stop-go motion," which combined traditional stop motion and a model mover that could add a motion blur to the footage of the puppet. The filming involved running the camera for a single frame, and then having the puppet's limbs be very subtly moved by an animator prior to shooting the next frame. The movements had to be exceptionally smooth, so the puppeteer needed to be able to access the puppet's joints. That was facilitated by the existence of adjusting screws on every joint. ( Star Trek: The Magazine  Volume 3, Issue 8 , p. 111) The movements were programmed by Denis Muren , with Tom St. Armand animating the puppet when it was filmed against bluescreen . ( Cinefex , No. 18, pp. 63 & 64) " After the model was cast, depending on who the animator was, " continued David Sosalla, " we'd cut little slits into the foam so they could go in and adjust the joints after casting was made. " The puppet was then matched up very precisely with the footage of the live-action performer and, at a suitable moment, was used to replace him. ( Star Trek: The Magazine  Volume 3, Issue 8 , p. 111) The transition was covered with an animated lightning flash, helping make the illusion look convincing. ( Cinefex , No. 18, p. 64)

Although the puppet only appears fleetingly in the movie, filming the puppet took about two days. ( Star Trek: The Magazine  Volume 3, Issue 8 , p. 111) David Sosalla was of the belief that that duration was worthwhile. " It wasn't a huge puppet, but it held up magnificently under close scrutiny, " he remarked. ( Cinefex , No. 18, p. 64) Christopher Lloyd was similarly proud of how Kruge's demise was ultimately depicted, the actor enthusing, " I thought it was a great ending for the character, very entertaining. And I couldn't tell where I ended and the puppet started. " [7]

Reception [ ]

Kruge and two of his officers in a promotional image from the marketing of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Christopher Lloyd was hopeful that his performance of Kruge would be popular. Shortly before Star Trek III: The Search for Spock was released, he admitted, " I like to think that whatever I did in the film fulfills the Trekkian hopes. Know what I mean? I'm thrilled thinking that somehow I've contributed to the whole Trekkian mystique. " ( Starlog , issue 82, p. 20) Lloyd himself had mixed feelings about his work in the film. With a discerning eye to his presentation of the character, Lloyd conceded, decades after playing Kruge, " There's always a couple of moments here and there where I feel I could've been sharper, I could have been more clear. But […] when I see the film […] over the years, I still feel, yeah, I did that, I got that. And there are some moments that I feel, if I had to do them again, I feel I could improve upon them, but that's with everything. " ("Captain's Log", Star Trek III: The Search for Spock  (Special Edition) DVD & Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ( BD ) special features)

Leonard Nimoy found that Christopher Lloyd was very helpful in making Kruge seem larger than life; in Nimoy's opinion, Lloyd played the role "brilliantly," defying the studio concerns that he wouldn't be capable of the assignment. ( audio commentary , Star Trek III: The Search for Spock  (Special Edition) DVD & Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ( BD ) special features; Star Trek: The Magazine  Volume 3, Issue 8 , p. 18) " I thought he brought a tremendous amount of theatricality to the character of the Klingon, " Nimoy opined. ( audio commentary , Star Trek III: The Search for Spock  (Special Edition) DVD & Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ( BD ) special features) He elaborated about Lloyd, " His portrayal of Kruge was a joy to watch; he literally smacked his lips as though savoring the role. It made me happier than ever to be working with Klingons! " ( I Am Spock , hardcover ed., p. 226) Nimoy clarified, " He was wonderful to work with and wonderful on film. He brought the power and the authority to it that it needed, the intensity that it needed, and did it very, very well. " ("Captain's Log", Star Trek III: The Search for Spock  (Special Edition) DVD & Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ( BD ) special features)

Other members of the Star Trek III shooting company have likewise been complimentary about Christopher Lloyd's portrayal of Kruge. For example, William Shatner believed that Lloyd strengthened the principal cast. " Hidden under gobs of makeup and one of those patented Klingon headpieces that always look sort of like big bronze omelets, Lloyd was almost entirely unrecognizable […] and he chewed the scenery with a tremendous amount of skill and enthusiasm (even going so far as to become fluent in the formal Klingonese language) […] He quickly grew more comfortable […] in his role, " observed Shatner and Chris Kreski. ( Star Trek Movie Memories , hardcover ed., pp. 173-174) In admiration of Lloyd's "visceral" portrayal of Kruge, Robin Curtis remarked that watching him work had been a great pleasure. ("Captain's Log", Star Trek III: The Search for Spock  (Special Edition) DVD & Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ( BD ) special features) Marc Okrand was happy with how Lloyd handled the Klingonese in Star Trek III , commenting, " He did an incredible job. " ("Speaking Klingon", Star Trek III: The Search for Spock  (Special Edition) DVD & Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ( BD ) special features) A more mixed opinion was voiced by Sarek actor Mark Lenard , who commented, " Christopher Lloyd was entertaining in Trek III , though I suspect playing a Klingon is more serious business than he made it. " ( Starlog , issue #138, p. 35)

Todd Bryant , who later played Klaa in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier , was a fan of Kruge even before being cast as Klaa. " I loved Christopher Lloyd's role as Kruge, " he remarked. ( Starlog , issue #149, p. 63) Ronald D. Moore and Michael Taylor , who worked on some of the Star Trek spin-off series, were approving of the characterization of Kruge but were uncertain as to why Lloyd, primarily known as a comedic actor, had been cast in the part. Taylor enthused, " Christopher Lloyd was actually a pretty damn good Klingon. " He also considered it "kind of cool" that, at one point, Kruge picks up and kills a massive, dangerous worm just so he can then report that nothing noteworthy has been happening. Additionally, Taylor thought highly of the way the character talks with Kirk, just after their brief space battle. " I do kind of like the way that he can turn the sabre rattling, you know, " Taylor commented, " and this whole political invective against him. And say, 'Hey, we're not the bad guys here. You're the guys creating ultimate weapons and stuff like that.' " Moore, for his part, liked when Kruge refuses Kirk's help and is then killed in retaliation, describing it as "the best part" of the climactic fight scene between them and referring to Kruge's fall as "cool." ( audio commentary , Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (Blu-ray) special features) On the other hand, Star Trek: Enterprise writing staffer David A. Goodman critiqued, " I thought Christopher Lloyd didn't feel like a Klingon to me. " ( The Fifty-Year Mission: The First 25 Years ) In 2009 , John Eaves characterized Kruge as "legendary" and suspected that Edward James Olmos wouldn't have been able to pull off the part, speculating, " Back then I don't think he would have had the grit to really make that role work. He was pretty skinny then too. Today he would be an awesome Kruge. " [8] [9]

Writing duo Kevin Dilmore and Dayton Ward called Kruge "little more than [a] moustache-twirling villain." ( Star Trek Magazine  issue 151 , p. 31) Writer Lance Parkin commented, " Kruge […] is someone with the super-villain management style that calls for the casual murder of his subordinates, but there's a little more than that to him and the movie does take time to make him at least a little sympathetic. " ( Star Trek Magazine  issue 149 , p. 18) Author and journalist Edward Gross contended, " Christopher Lloyd is surprisingly good as a Klingon, bringing serious tension and dark humor at key moments. " ( Trek Navigator: The Ultimate Guide to the Entire Trek Saga , p. 222)

When Star Trek III was released, Kruge's death proved to be extremely controversial with Star Trek 's fanbase, as regards Kirk's morality (or lack thereof) in killing Kruge. ( audio commentary , Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (Blu-ray) special features)

Kruge was the first Klingon to be addressed as "my Lord " (though in Star Trek Generations , the word used to address Kruge, " joHwI' ", translated as "my lord", is used to address the Duras sisters by their crew ). Later, Kol was addressed as "my Lord" in episodes of Star Trek: Discovery . He was the second Klingon to try and seize control of the Enterprise (the first was Kang in " Day of the Dove "). As noted in the text commentary for Star Trek III , Kruge was also the second Klingon to use hostages to coerce Kirk (that precedent was set by Kor threatening to exterminate scores of Organians in " Errand of Mercy "), and the second Klingon to fall for Kirk's bluffs (preceded by Kang doing so in "Day of the Dove"). Kruge was also the first character to ever be killed in a premeditated way by Kirk, which was why the incident was so controversial with fans. ( audio commentary , Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (Blu-ray) special features) In addition, Kruge was the first of numerous Klingons to each be established as having a pet, with others including Klingon guards on Rura Penthe in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (the owners of a group of jackal mastiffs ), Worf in Star Trek: The Next Generation (who kept a targ in his childhood), and Doctor Antaak in the Star Trek: Enterprise two-parter " Affliction " and " Divergence " (owner of a targ named Boshar ).

Marc Okrand, who invented Klingonese, noted that Kruge is "the main speaker of Klingon" in Star Trek III , the first Star Trek movie which Okrand worked on. Christopher Lloyd's delivery of the Klingon dialogue, therefore, set a standard as to how Klingonese would ideally be spoken. ("Speaking Klingon", Star Trek III: The Search for Spock  (Special Edition) DVD & Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ( BD ) special features) In Okrand's tlhIngan Hol language, Kruge's name is Qugh . ( The Klingon Dictionary 2nd ed., p. 58) In an audio commentary for Star Trek III , Michael Taylor joked that Kruge was multilingual, understanding not only English and Klingon but also French , as Kirk at one point says to him, " C'est la vie. "

Kruge also originated the term " honor " being associated with Klingon warriors , as he tells Valkris, right before destroying the Merchantman , that she "will be remembered with honor." This line was highly influential to Ronald D. Moore in writing further material for the Klingon species , in later years. ( audio commentary , Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (Blu-ray) special features) Despite its historical implications, Kruge's involvement with Valkris wasn't included in all edits of the movie, as the scene was commonly censored from TV versions of the film. ( Beyond the Final Frontier , p. 70)

Concerning a moment in the film when Kruge threatens Saavik with torture, Michael and Denise Okuda posited, in the text commentary for Star Trek III , " Kruge seems unaware that Vulcans discipline themselves to control pain. " Because sandwich boxes were used to decorate the base of Kruge's command chair, the commentary joked, " He had to step carefully to avoid crushing them! "

Only one shot of Kruge, issuing an order to one of his subordinates in Klingonese, was included in the theatrical trailer for Star Trek III . The scene in which Kruge falls to his demise was shown during a video montage at the end of the Star Trek 25th Anniversary Special , followed by the text "He Boldly Went Where No One Went Before."

In the book The Gospel According to Star Trek: The Original Crew (pp. 118 & 119), author Kevin C. Neece suggested that Kruge metaphorically represents Satan the Devil , with Spock representing Jesus Christ . Pondered Neece, " Kruge […] is an antichrist. He is arrogant, selfish, and greedy. Where Spock gave up his life to save others, Kruge will take life to further his own desires […] Unlike Spock's famously nonviolent maneuver , Kruge's neck pinch [exerted on the huge serpentine creature] is lethal. He sees Genesis (the power of creation) as something to be used for personal gain, to bring death and not life. The power of Genesis is supposed to be life from lifelessness, but Kruge sees it as 'the most powerful destructive force' ever known. Kruge wants to steal Genesis, kill anyone who gets in his way, and to destroy with the Genesis device, just as the thief comes in Jesus' words [as stated at John 10:10 ]. But Christ has come 'that they may have life and have it abundantly' [in other words, to allow other people to 'live long and prosper'] […] Kruge is so driven by his obsession that he doesn't consider the ineffectiveness of his actions. He is being completely irrational, fighting to the death with the person he wants to give him the knowledge he seeks. He is the anti-Spock. " Neece also postulated that Kruge being kicked into a lava pool on Genesis could be seen as analogous of how Revelation 20:10 declares that the ultimate victory over evil will involve the Devil being cast into a fiery pit.

Merchandise [ ]

The Ertl action figure of Kruge

Several licensed action figures bearing Kruge's likeness have been released. An Ertl figure of him – the packaging of which referred to the character merely as "Klingon Leader" – was released in 1984 , in a pack that also included his pet beast. That set was in Ertl's Star Trek III: The Search For Spock line, for which Kruge was illustrated as part of the card backing used for packaging all the action figures. In 1983, the prototypes for this range of figures included a very early, rough cast of Kruge, who was to have been packaged with a collie . [10] In 1995 , a Kruge action figure featured in Playmates Toys ' Classic Star Trek: The Movies series, though some of these Kruge figures were mistakenly packaged with the Martia card backing. In 1997 , Playmates included Kruge as a slightly-bigger-than-an-inch action figure in a set of three Star Trek: Strike Force figures, with a similarly sized Valkris and a much larger Klingon Bird-of-Prey. Two bobble-head dolls of Kruge have also been manufactured; one (made by Bif Bang Pow! and released in 2014 ) called him "Commander Kruge", whereas the other (by Funko ) referred to him as "Captain Kruge". Diamond Select Toys planned to release a Kruge action figure, too, but it was canceled, without explanation. [11]

Kruge has also appeared on numerous trading cards . His final fate was pictured on card 26 (called "The End of Kruge") of SkyBox International 's The Star Trek Cinema Collection in 1994 , and SkyBox also released a face card of Kruge, as card #3DS in the Star Trek - Cinema 2000 range, in the year 2000 . Kruge was also the subject of two different trading cards in Decipher 's Star Trek Customizable Card Game . One of these, numbered 84R, was part of a series called The Motion Pictures , a set released in 2002 . The other , released in 2006 and numbered 11P22, highlighted him as an "Instinctive Commander" and was part of a series named Genesis . Kruge actor Christopher Lloyd was specifically featured on an Autograph Card, numbered A14, in The Complete Star Trek Movies series, produced by Rittenhouse Archives in 2007 , and Kruge was the subject of Gold Parallel Base Card #78 in the company's Star Trek Aliens card series in 2014. "Kruge's Bird-of-Prey - B'rel -class card pack", for board game Star Trek: Attack Wing , included a card of Kruge himself as well.

Various other items of Kruge merchandise have been released, too. In 1984, Taco Bell produced a glass tumbler which featured Kruge. It displayed his face, referring to him as "Lord-Kruge", and his final moments, hanging from a precipice, with Kirk offering a hand to pull him up. The same glass also referred to him as "Klingon Battle Commander Kruge". Lastly, Kruge is also featured in the computer game Star Trek Timelines .

Apocrypha [ ]

A Klingon named Kruge appears in the novel Faces of Fire by Michael Jan Friedman , which takes place several years before the events of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock . It is unclear whether he is the same character as appears in the movie, but the two are strongly similar.

Star Trek III: Starship Combat Game reveals his full name to be "Kruge sutai-Vastal". In the Star Trek III Sourcebook Update , his name is misspelled "Kluge".

In Star Trek: Prey , it is revealed, that after his death, Kruge's family hired various mercenaries to battle on their behalf as Kruge was the only true warrior in his House, his family possessing great resources but none of them having any true skill at waging a military campaign. Although Kruge had chosen Korgh as his heir, Korgh's status was never made official before Kruge's death, forcing Korgh to spend the next century operating behind the scenes until he was ready to initiate a complex plan to take control of the Klingon Empire, which includes the apparent death of Emperor Kahless at the hands of the Unsung, the descendants of the discommendated soldiers who fought against the rest of Kruge's famiy while acting in his name. In the course of the miniseries, Korgh's goal is confirmed to be to sow discord among the Empire by presenting the Federation as incapable of dealing with their threat and then betraying the Unsung to his own chosen followers, thus increasing his own standing in the Empire. However, despite Korgh's efforts, his plans are thwarted when he underestimates the Federation and overestimates his influence over his 'allies', to the extent that Worf and Kahless are able to win the Unsung to their side. This culminates in Kahless joining the last surviving Unsung to help them regain their lost honor while Korgh is sentenced to Discommendation himself, his remaining direct family joining the High Council in rejecting him after Worf pleads for leniency on their behalf, leaving Korgh to be arrested by Admiral Riker once he is no longer subject to the authority of the Klingon Empire.

External links [ ]

• Kruge at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• 1 Bell Riots
• 2 Obi Ndefo
• 3 Past Tense, Part I (episode)

146 Star Trek-Inspired Dog Names

Live long and paw-sper with these bold, if occasionally illogical, pet names for male and female dogs spawned from the Star Trek franchise.

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Classic Star Trek Names For Male And Female Dogs

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• Spock (Leonard Nimoy's character)

• James T. Kirk (William Shatner's character)

• McCoy or "Bones" (DeForest Kelley's character)

• Uhura (Nichelle Nichols' character)

• Sulu (George Takei's character)

• Chekov (Walter Koenig's character)

• Scotty (James Doohan's character)

• Chapel (Majel Barrett's character)

• Roddenberry (As in Gene Roddenberry, the screenwriter and producer responsible for creating the original Star Trek television series)

Star Trek: The Next Generation Names For Male And Female Dogs

• Jean-Luc or Picard (Patrick Stewart's character)

• Riker (Jonathan Frakes' character)

• Forge (LeVar Burton's character)

• Tasha or Yar (Denise Crosby's character)

• Worf (Michael Dorn's character)

• Beverly (Gates McFadden's character)

• Troi (Marina Sirtis's character)

• Data (Brent Spiner's character)

• Crusher (Wil Wheaton's character)

• Q (John de Lancie's character)

• Ro (Michelle Forbes' character)

• Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg's character)

• Tomalak (Andreas Katsulas' character)

• Lursa (Barbara March's character)

• Miles (Colm Meaney's character)

• Gowron (Robert O'Reilly's character)

• Kurn (Tony Todd's character)

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Names For Male And Female Dogs

• Sisko (Avery Brooks' character)

• Odo (René Auberjonois' character)

• Ezri (Nicole de Boer's character)

• Jadzia or Dax (Terry Farrell's character)

• Quark (Armin Shimerman's character)

• Bashir (Alexander Siddig's character)

• Nerys (Nana Visitor's character)

• Dukat (Marc Alaimo's character)

• Weyoun (Jeffrey Combs' character)

• Nog (Aron Eisenberg's character)

• Rom (Max Grodénchik's character)

• Zek (Wallace Shawn's character)

Star Trek: Voyager Names For Male And Female Dogs

• Janeway (Kate Mulgrew's character)

• Chakotay (Robert Beltran's character)

• B'Elanna or Torres (Roxann Dawson's character)

• Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill's character)

• Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan's character)

•Kes ( Jennifer Lien's character)

• Neelix (Ethan Phillips's character)

• Tuvok (Tim Russ' character)

• Hogan (Simon Billig's character)

• Jal or Culluh (Anthony De Longis' character)

• Vorik (Alexander Enberg's character)

• Icheb (Manu Intiraymi's character)

• Mezoti (Marley S. McClean's character)

• Chell (Derek McGrath's character)

Star Trek: Enterprise Names For Male And Female Dogs

• Archer (Scott Bakula's character)

• T'Pol (Jolene Blalock's character)

• Phlox (John Billingsley's character)

• Reed (Dominic Keating's character)

• Mayweather (Anthony Montgomery's character)

• Sato (Linda Park's character)

• "Trip" (Connor Trinneer's character)

• Kemper (Nathan Anderson's character)

• Talas (Molly Brink's character)

• Silik (John Fleck's character)

• Soval (Gary Graham's character)

• Dolim (Scott MacDonald's character)

Star Trek: Discovery Names For Male And Female Dogs

• Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green's character)

• Saru (Doug Jones' character)

• Voq (Shazad Latif's character)

• Stamets (Anthony Rapp's character)

• Tilly (Mary Wiseman's character)

• Lorca (Jason Isaacs' character)

• Culber (Wilson Cruz's character)

• L'Rell (Mary Chieffo's character)

• Jet or Reno (Tig Notaro's character)

• Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh's character)

• Harcourt Fenton "Harry" Mudd (Rainn Wilson's character)

• T'Kuvma (Chris Obi's character)

Star Trek Movie Names For Male And Female Dogs

• Decker (Stephen Collins' character)

• Jedda (John Vargas' character)

• Saavik (Robin Curtis' character)

• Sarek (Mark Lenard's character)

• Cartwright (Brock Peters' character)

• Demora (Jacqueline Kim's character)

• Ru'afo (F. Murray Abraham's character)

• Dougherty (Anthony Zerbe's character)

• Valeris (Kim Cattrall 's character)

• Azetbur (Rosanna DeSoto's character)

• B-4 (Brent Spiner's character)

• Zefram (James Cromwell's character)

• Krall (Idris Elba's character)

• Jaylah (Sofia Boutella's character)

• Kalara (Lydia Wilson's character)

• Keenser (Deep Roy's character)

• Pike (Bruce Greenwood's character)

• Galla (Rachel Nichols' character)

Star Trek Movie Villain Names For Male And Female Dogs

• Khan (Ricardo Montalban's character)

• Nero (Eric Bana's character)

• V'Ger

• Shinzon (Tom Hardy's character)

• Sybok (Laurence Luckinbill's character)

• Chang (Christopher Plummer's character)

• Soran (Malcolm McDowell's character)

• Kruge (Christopher Lloyd's character)

Star Trek Species Names For Male And Female Dogs

• Vulcan (for logical doggos)

• Borg (for robo boofs)

• Romulan (for dogs with V-shaped stripes or coats)

• Keeping Up With The Cardassians (for celebrity-obsessed woofs)

• Klingon (for velcro pups who follow you everywhere)

• Ferengi (for dogs with big ears)

Star Trek Starship Names For Male And Female Dogs

• Enterprise

• Excalibur

• Prokofiev

Punny Star Trek Names For Male And Female Dogs

• Pavel Chekarf

• Lieutenant Woof

• Commander William Rover

• Fi'do

Do you need more inspiration for your new pet’s name?

Pets are like our children. We love them, care for them, and we get to dress them up in adorable outfits — if that's a thing we feel like doing! So it's extra important that we take time to find the perfect pet name that reflects their personality and potential. Because pinning a handle on your pet can be hard and emotionally wrenching (oh the indecision!), we've gathered nine pet-naming techniques to find the perfect fit , as well as assembled a handful of our most beloved lists of pet names!

• 117 Star Wars-Inspired Dog Names

• 101 Famous Dogs Names From Pop Culture

• 320 Nerdy Names For Dogs & Cats

• Top 80 Pet Names For Game Of Thrones Fans

• 68 Pet Names For Harry Potter Fans

Screen Rant

Picard's dog is a brand new addition to star trek canon.

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After 57 Years, Star Trek Settles the Truth About Trelane's Godlike Species

What happens to every star trek ship paramount plus canceled, star trek explains why it uses 'quadrants' despite the universe being infinite.

Star Trek: Picard has given us our first glimpse of one of the show's supporting characters - Picard's dog . Revealed in the new poster for the much anticipated CBS All Access series, the large pit bull stands by Picard's side as he looks over what appears to be his much-expanded family vineyard on Earth .

While Picard was never shown to be much of a dog person during Star Trek: The Next Generation , he did keep exotic fish in his ready room, so perhaps he's always been a pet owner and fans just never thought much about it. It's also not the first time a famous Star Trek captain has been accompanied by a furry friend - Star Trek: Enterprise's Jonathan Archer famously explored the galaxy with his pet Beagle, Porthos. Porthos even got a brief nod in the first J.J. Abrams Star Trek film, when Scotty suggests he may have lost Admiral Archer's prized Beagle in a transporter accident.

Related:  Star Trek Needs To Address Shinzon & Nemesis Sooner Rather Than Later

Other than the fact that he exists, perhaps the most delightful revelation about Picard's dog is the name on his Starfleet insignia-shaped collar - "No. 1."  That's a name with tremendous meaning for Star Trek fans, and actually has its origins in the very first Star Trek pilot filmed in 1964, the pre-Kirk "The Cage." Captain Christopher Pike (Jeffrey Hunter) referred to his female first officer (Majel Barrett) only as "Number One." That would still hold true in the current prequel series Star Trek: Discovery , with Anson Mount's Pike referring to Rebecca Romijn's bridge officer by the same nickname. However, the term didn't really penetrate the cultural lexicon until Star Trek: The Next Generation , where Captain Picard usually referred to his first officer, Commander William Riker, as "Number One"; we would later learn Picard always refers to his first officers that way. The fact that he's given that moniker to a dog is both amusing and also a bit sad, yet another indication that Picard's twilight years have been lonely and full of regret.

And while this may be the first time we've seen Picard with a canine companion, anyone who follows Patrick Stewart on social media knows the legendary actor is a dog enthusiast. Stewart and his wife often post about their experiences fostering abused pit bulls, which has resulted in an avalanche of unbearably cute pictures of one of the world's greatest thespians napping with a dog curled up next to him. Stewart has always been a vocal proponent of many social causes, and the public rehabilitation of the long-antagonized and misunderstood pit bull breed seems to be the one currently closest to his heart. It would in no way be surprising - in fact, it seems more likely than not - if Stewart himself suggested Picard have a pet Pit Bull. The fact that he's not only the A-list star of the series, but also a producer and a presence in the writing, means Stewart probably gets what he wants with this show.

There's still plenty not known about Star Trek: Picard . CBS is yet to spotlight any of the human supporting cast, including the likes of Alison Pill and Harry Treadaway . It's not even been revealed why exactly we're visiting this particular chapter in Picard's life, or what about the story could have been so compelling to convince Stewart to un-retire his most iconic character after two decades. More answers are likely coming at San Diego Comic-Con , where the cast and crew will be present for a panel.

At least fans know there are still pit bulls in the late 24th century, and that Jean-Luc Picard understands the comfort and companionship one can experience when they let a dog into their life. Let's just hope the new Number One in  Star Trek: Picard doesn't turn out to be Q or a Changeling or some horrible devolution of Will Riker (it wouldn't be the first time) - he can simply be the Captain's latest trusted right-hand man.

Next:  Predicting The Next Generation Crew’s Future In Star Trek: Picard

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• Star Trek: Picard

Star Trek's Famous Pets, Ranked

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• Worf's Targ was a Welcome Memory of Home
• Barclay Named His Cat Neelix in Honor of Voyager’s Talaxian Guide
• Porthos was Archer's Connection to Earth on Enterprise
• Kruge’s Qovlj Made the Klingon Captain More Intimidating
• Number One was a Reliable Companion for the Retired Picard
• Spot Brought an Android to Tears
• I-Chaya was One Courageous Sehlat

From dogs and cats to more exotic animals like snakes and tarantulas, pets play an important role in people's lives. Some people keep pets for companionship and consider them part of their family, while others have them in their lives as a form of protection, novelty or status symbol. Whatever the reason, keeping and caring for animals is a very human behavior that has existed since prehistoric times, when people first domesticated wolves as hunting companions. In the far-flung future of Star Trek , pets are still a part of people's lives, with some fantastic variations.

In the distant future of the various Star Trek series, pets not only continue to play a role in human civilization, the care and keeping of animals is not a uniquely human trait. From Vulcans to Klingons and beyond, many sentient species throughout the galaxy adopt animals as companions. As humans explore the final frontier and discover new life forms, they also find an affinity for more exotic extraterrestrial creatures to keep and care for. From the alien to the familiar, 10 of Star Trek 's best known pets stand out from all the rest.

10 Tribbles Are the Most Famous, and the Most Troublesome Pets

Tribbles were first introduced in Star Trek : The Original Series , Season 2, Episode 15, "The Trouble with Tribbles," skyrocketing the faceless little fur balls to fame. Seemingly amorphous balls of fluff with no visible mouths, tribbles are nevertheless capable of both eating and of making sounds. Most of the time, they emit a pleasant sort of coo, but in the presence of species they don't like -- particularly Klingons -- they produce a high-pitched shriek. Their only other defining features are also the reasons tribbles are the worst pets in Star Trek .

Unlike many other pets, there isn't much that tribbles can do, and what they can do isn't especially beneficial to anyone. Tribbles are very good eaters. They're so good at it that it seems at first that it's all they do, until they start to reproduce. Unusual in mammals, tribble reproduction is entirely asexual. When Dr. McCoy first examines the tribbles, he believes that they reproduce at will. Eventually, he realizes that their constant reproduction is the result of their constant eating. Despite their soft fur and pleasant sound, the tribbles' incessant eating and birthing makes them more of a nuisance than a proper companion species. Their transport through Federation space has been banned, even if they can detect Klingons in disguise.

9 Picard’s Fish Was There from the Start of The Next Generation

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In his ready room aboard the USS Enterprise-D, Captain Jean-Luc Picard keeps a fish tank with a single lionfish. Unofficially named Livingston by the Star Trek: The Next Generation production team, Picard's fish is the one pet aboard the Enterprise who was present for nearly the entire series. Livingston's tank might well have been the most indestructible environment on the ship, having survived multiple battles and even the destruction of the Enterprise-D in Star Trek: Generations . Yet, while Livingston was a source of fascination for some visitors to the captain's ready room, the Australian lionfish didn't seem to serve much of a purpose, except for one, and it was vital.

Commanding a starship for the United Federation of Planets is a job that's replete with difficult responsibilities. The stardate-to-stardate pressures can take an immense toll on a Starfleet captain. Therefore, a captain's ready room is not just an office but a sanctuary. Studies have shown that fish tanks can have a soothing effect on people in high-stress occupations, so a fish tank -- even a small, single-occupancy -- can be incredibly helpful for someone whose job requires that they make life-or-death decisions on a regular basis. While many Starfleet officers will reach for the synthehol , Picard is often seen taking a moment to watch Livingston in his tank, allowing him to center himself before resuming his duties. Livingston may not be the most active Star Trek pet, but he serves his purpose quite well.

8 Christina Was a Memorable Eight-Legged One-Shot Pet

Despite some traumatic combat experiences before his tour on the Enterprise, Transporter Chief Miles O'Brien is one of the biggest softies on Star Trek: The Next Generation . This turned out to be a good thing for the Lycosa tarantula that he found on the planet Titus IV. When he was younger, O'Brien was deathly afraid of spiders -- a fact he pointed out to Lt. Reginald Barclay when discussing overcoming fear. However, the kindly Miles couldn't just leave the sizable arachnid behind after he nearly stepped on her.

Though she only appeared in The Next Generation , Season 6, Episode 2, "Realm of Fear," Christina is not easily forgotten, especially after the huge spider generated a brand-new phobia in Lt. Barclay by crawling up his arm. No further mention was ever made of the tarantula after O'Brien transferred to Deep Space Nine . It's possible that his wife Keiko had him give her away. After all, they had a little girl to raise and keeping a deadly spider in their quarters might not have been a comfortable arrangement for a new mother. Knowing Miles, he would've found her a good home -- just not with Reginald Barclay.

7 Worf's Targ was a Welcome Memory of Home

When the Enterprise-D finds itself on the outer rim of the universe in Star Trek: The Next Generation , Season 1, Episode 6, "Where No One Has Gone Before," the crew's thoughts start to manifest. Billions of lightyears from his home planet of Qo'noS, Lt. Worf -- the only Klingon serving in Starfleet at the time -- sees his boyhood pet targ on the bridge. A shaggy creature that resembles a wild boar with dangerous spikes along its back, the targ is native to Qo'noS and comes in both domesticated and wild breeds. It's possibly the second-best known alien pet after tribbles, thanks to further appearances and references made across the various Star Trek series.

In Star Trek: Enterprise , Season 1, Episode 14, "Sleeping Dogs," humans have their first encounter with targs when Capt. Archer and his crew board a damaged derelict Klingon vessel. It's not the last time the NX-01 encounters the hairy porcine beasts, as the ship regularly encounters the Klingons throughout the series. Targs also get considerable mention on Deep Space Nine , particularly after Worf joins the series and befriends Klingon General Martok, who waxes poetic about his former pet targ from his bachelor days. Much like the Klingons themselves, targs can never be fully domesticated and will always have a wild side. While they likely aren't for everyone, targs are excellent companions for Klingon warriors at home on Qo'noS, or among the stars.

6 Barclay Named His Cat Neelix in Honor of Voyager’s Talaxian Guide

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Lt. Reginald Barclay, an engineer who was once posted on both the Enterprise-D and Enterprise-E, has always had an affinity for cats. An out-of-the-box thinker, Barclay is assigned to Project Pathfinder -- a special operation attempting to communicate with the lost starship Voyager in the Delta Quadrant -- in 2376 and relocates to Earth. While there, he adopts a silver Persian cat, whom he names Neelix after Voyager's guide in the Delta Quadrant.

Though Barclay had never met Neelix, he obviously admired the Talaxian -- or at least his name -- enough to bestow the moniker on his feline companion. When Voyager's holographic doctor learns that Barclay has named his cat after Neelix, he expresses his opinion that the Talaxian would be honored by Reg's choice. Barclay's cat hasn't been seen often, but since the original Neelix chooses to stay in the Delta Quadrant , at least his name lives on in Federation space.

5 Porthos was Archer's Connection to Earth on Enterprise

When Jonathan Archer took command of the experimental NX-01 starship Enterprise , he made sure to bring his favorite companion -- his beagle Porthos -- with him. Having only adopted Porthos the same year he received his commission, Archer couldn't leave the beagle behind. Porthos spent most of his time in the captain's ready room, but dogs -- like people -- need fresh air and exercise, and the beagle became the first dog to set foot on an alien world when Enterprise visited an uninhabited planet that would come to be known as Archer IV.

Having a deep affection for his little beagle, Archer scarcely leaves Porthos' side as the dog spends a night quarantined in sickbay after contracting an alien pathogen. While on a dangerous mission, Porthos proves himself useful as Enterprise travels through the Delphic Expanse in search of the Xindi weapon. Similar to how dogs sense earthquakes before the tremors become noticeable to humans, Porthos detects the expanse's spatial anomalies before the ship encounters them. Though he holds no rank or title, it's safe to say that Porthos is an unofficial member of Starfleet, in addition to being a very good boy.

4 Kruge’s Qovlj Made the Klingon Captain More Intimidating

In Star Trek III: The Search for Spock , perhaps the most striking thing about the bridge of Commander Kruge's bird of prey -- apart from how grungy it looks -- is the beast that sits beside his command chair. Originally listed in the movie's screenplay as a "Klingon monster dog," the Qovlj looks like a cross between an emaciated canine and a lizard. Unlike the Klingon targ, the Qovlj seems to be more than just a pet to Kruge.

Klingons are adversarial by nature. As such, maintaining discipline aboard a Klingon vessel can be difficult as a first officer's duty is to kill his commander should he show weakness. One way that Kruge apparently accomplishes this -- apart from vaporizing those who displease him -- is to keep his Qovlj with him on the bridge. It seems to work, too. When Kruge commands his helmsman to feed the beast, the Klingon warrior is visibly uneasy at the thought of approaching the monster dog.

3 Number One was a Reliable Companion for the Retired Picard

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When Sir Patrick Stewart agreed to do Star Trek: Picard , one of the conditions for his return was that the retired Starfleet officer have a pit bull by his side. A fervent advocate for the breed, Stewart felt it was important to portray the gentle nature of the maligned and abused canines. In his only appearances in the first two episodes of Picard , the former Enterprise captain's pit bull, Number One, does just that.

Never straying from Picard's side, Number One displays the loyalty and affection found -- but rarely ever portrayed -- in pit bulls. What's more, the reliable canine brings out the gentler side of the retired Starfleet admiral, who is having a hard time coping with his less adventurous life running his family's vineyard. With a name that serves as homage to his loyal first officer of 15 years, Cmdr. William Riker, Number One displays all the fidelity of -- and more affection than -- Picard's friend and former second-in-command, making the pit bull a worthy namesake and excellent companion.

2 Spot Brought an Android to Tears

In Lt. Cmdr. Data's enduring quest to become human, he adopts a cat while serving aboard the Enterprise-D. In typical feline fashion, Spot -- who spends most of her time in Data's quarters, since he won't let her roam the ship -- demands a great deal of the android's attention. Though Data can't experience emotions, he nonetheless develops a bond with Spot, who often returns his attention with affection. The android's relationship with his cat changes after Data makes a risky move in his endeavor to become more human.

Data's creator, Dr. Noonien Soong , developed an emotion chip to help his creation become more human, but never got to install it. In Star Trek: Generations , Data installs the emotion chip to further his development. After initially struggling with the overwhelming feelings the chip generated in his positronic net, Data finally believes he has learned to control his emotions. That changes when -- while searching through the debris of the Enterprise's wrecked saucer section -- Data is reunited with Spot. Data is so overwhelmed with joy, that he breaks down and cries for the first time in his artificially created life. Though Data couldn't experience the emotions involved until after installing the emotion chip, Spot taught the android how to love.

1 I-Chaya was One Courageous Sehlat

In Star Trek: The Original Series , Season 2, Episode 10, "Journey to Babel," Spock's mother tells Dr. McCoy about her son's pet sehlat, which she then likens to a teddy bear. Spock soon sets the record straight by describing the sehlat's 6-inch fangs. The sehlat is not mentioned again until Star Trek: The Animated Series , Season 1, Episode 2, "Yesteryear," when Spock has to travel to his past to save his younger self from dying in a Vulcan desert.

When Spock travels to his childhood on Vulcan, he not only sees his parents and younger self, he's also reunited with his sehlat, I-Chaya. Having previously belonged to Spock's father, Sarek, the sehlat is old and slow by the time the young Vulcan ill-advisedly attempts to meet the kahs-wan maturity test ahead of schedule, but I-Chaya follows the boy despite his protests. After I-Chaya saves young Spock from a venomous creature, the sehlat himself is poisoned and dies shortly thereafter. Because of his loyalty and bravery, I-Chaya is the greatest in a long line of Star Trek pets, having earned his place of honor.

The Star Trek universe encompasses multiple series, each offering a unique lens through which to experience the wonders and perils of space travel. Join Captain Kirk and his crew on the Original Series' voyages of discovery, encounter the utopian vision of the Federation in The Next Generation, or delve into the darker corners of galactic politics in Deep Space Nine. No matter your preference, there's a Star Trek adventure waiting to ignite your imagination.

Star Trek Dog Names

Star Trek is a cult phenomenon that has been around for decades and doesn’t show any signs of slowing. The show started in 1966 with Star Trek: The Original Series famously starring William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Spock. Since then, Star Trek has spawned a number of spin-off shows and movies, including the recent reboot by J.J. Abrams.

Some people are unabashed fans, attending conferences and affectionately calling themselves Trekkies. Others own memorabilia and can quote lines off the cuff. And for many, the series is near and dear to their heart.

No matter what your fan level, Star Trek is a great place to find a fun dog name.  To get started on your quest, here is a list of puppy names inspired by Star Trek.

May your dog live long and prosper!

Male Star Trek Dog Names

• Barclay – Engineer & comic relief
• Bashir – Julian Bashir, MD
• Bones – Leonard McCoy, chief medical officer
• Braxton – Starfleet officer from the 29th century.
• Checkov – Pavel Checkov ship navigator
• Elim – tailor & shopkeeper
• Flint – Nearly immortal human who was blessed with instant tissue regeneration
• Gowron – Klingon High Councilor
• Keevan – Vorta who betrayed his Jem’Hadar soldiers
• Khan – Villain in the Star Trek universe
• Kirk – James T. Kirk captain of the USS Enterprise
• Luther – Luther Sloan, operative of the rogue intelligence agency Section 31
• MacDuff – Commander Kieran MacDuff was a Saterran operative disquised as a human
• McCoy – Leonard McCoy, chief medical officer
• Montgomery – Scotty’s first name
• Nano – Male Lirin (alien-race) who served as a communications officer under Captain Christopher Pike
• Nero – Romulan mining vessel captain
• Odo – shape-shifting changeling
• Picard – Jean-Luc Picard, Captain in the Next Generation
• Pike – Kirk’s predecessor as captain of the Enterprise
• Q – Character & race of godlike beings
• Riva – famed mediator from the planet Ramatis III
• Sarek – Vulcan ambassador, father of Spok
• Saru – Kelpien first officer/captain of the Discovery
• Scotty – Crew Engineer – “Beam me up, Scotty”
• Shatner – William Shatner, actor who played Captain Kirk
• Sisko – Benjamin Sisko, starfleet officer
• Spock – Half-human, half-Vulcan science officer
• Sulu – Third officer & helmsman
• McCoy – Chief medical officer on the USS Enterprise
• Nemoy – Actor who played Spock
• Vulcan – Alien race Spock belonged to
• Klingon – Alien race & typical enemy

Female Star Trek Dog Names

• Agnes – Agnes Jurati former Starfleet doctor
• Colt – Yeoman JM Colt was a female human Starfleet officer under Captain Christopher Pike
• Elise – Elise Picard, Jean-Luc Picard’s wife which was an illusion
• Ishka – Mother of Quark and Rom
• Janeway – Captain of the USS Voyager
• Kai – religious leader of the Bajorans
• Linnis – Linnis Paris, half-human, half-ocampan daughter of Tom Paris and Kes
• Moogie – Ishka, mother of Quark and Rom, was called Moogie, a term of endearment for mothers and grandmothers
• Raffi – Picard’s former Starfleet first officer
• Silva – Silva La Forge. Mother of Geordi & Starfleet officer, captain of the USS Hera
• Sylvia – Ensign aboard Discovery
• Tasha – Tasha Yar, Security Chief in the Next Generation
• Uhura – Head of Communications aboard the Enterprise

Love these Star Trek dog names & want more “geeky” dog names? Try our other name lists or our online generator.

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• Dog Name Generator

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Jessi Larson

It’s Nimoy. Not Nemoy!! Leonard would be turning in his grave.

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Star Trek: The Next Generation Command Pet Collar

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Prepare your pet for interstellar adventures with the Star Trek: The Next Generation Command Pet Collar! Showcasing the distinguished Command insignia from TNG, this collar combines futuristic Starfleet style with everyday practicality.

Product Details:

• Durable 100% polyester webbing
• 92% polyester, 8% spandex collar inside
• Black 100% polyester sponge collar inside padding
• Adjustable collar length
• Collar width: 1" (2.54 cm)
• Black plastic main buckle, adjustable buckle, and strap holder
• Hand wash with mild detergent or machine wash on a gentle cycle in a mesh bag. Air dry.

Ordering Information

• Return Policy: We will gladly accept returns for any reason within 30 days of receipt of delivery.
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• Availability: Ships internationally to most countries around the world.
• Shipping Policy: For more information, see our Shipping Policy .

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Star Trek: The Original Series Command Pet Collar

Equip your pet for their next adventure with the Star Trek: The Original Series Command Pet Collar! Showcasing the iconic Command insignia, this collar brings a touch of classic Starfleet style to your furry friend's everyday look.

• Collar width: 1? (2.54 cm)

STTOS-101765-0001-ST-ENTRPS

Star Trek: The Next Generation Command Pet Leash

Embark on a galactic journey with your furry companion using the Star Trek: The Next Generation Command Pet Leash! Featuring the sleek and iconic Command insignia from TNG, this leash combines Starfleet's advanced style with practical functionality for your pet's daily walks.

• 92% polyester, 8% spandex handle inside
• Black 100% polyester sponge handle padding
• Metal snap hook and D-ring
• Leash length: 6 ft. (1.83 m)
• Leash width: 1" (2.54 cm)

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Star Trek: The Original Series Logo Pet Collar

Equip your pet with a touch of Starfleet heritage using the Star Trek: The Original Series Logo Pet Collar! Featuring the iconic Star Trek logo, this collar blends classic Starfleet design with practical functionality, making it the perfect accessory for any fan's furry companion.

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Star Trek Deltas Pet Collar

Give your furry friend a touch of Starfleet style with the Star Trek Deltas Pet Collar! Featuring the iconic Starfleet Delta symbol, this collar is perfect for any fan of the final frontier who wants to share their love for Star Trek with their pet. Designed for both comfort and durability, this collar ensures your pet looks stylish and stays secure during your adventures.

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Star Trek Deltas Pet Leash

Take your furry friend on a voyage through the galaxy with the Star Trek Deltas Pet Leash! Featuring the iconic Starfleet Delta symbol, this leash combines functionality with a touch of interstellar flair. Perfect for Star Trek fans who want to share their love for the final frontier with their pets, this leash is designed for durability and style.

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Star Trek: The Original Series Logo Pet Leash

Take your furry friend on a journey through the stars with the Star Trek: The Original Series Logo Pet Leash! Featuring the iconic Star Trek logo, this leash merges classic Starfleet style with practicality for your pet's everyday adventures.

• Leash width: 1? (2.54 cm)

STTOS-101766-0001-ST-LOGO

Star Trek: The Original Series Command Pet Leash

Embark on an interstellar journey with your pet using the Star Trek: The Original Series Command Pet Leash! Featuring the distinguished Command insignia, this leash combines Starfleet's iconic style with everyday functionality. Crafted from durable materials, it ensures reliable strength and comfort for both you and your furry companion.

STTOS-101766-0001-ST-ENTRPS

Star Trek: The Next Generation Personalized Treat Containment System Treat Jar

Treat containment system: engaged. Perfect for your furry friend, this Star Trek: The Next Generation  Treat Containment System holds those delicious treats that your pet adores while representing your favorite franchise in the galaxy.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

• Keep the yummiest pet treats in the universe close by with this official Star Trek treat jar!
• Custom ceramic treat jar big enough to hold your pets favorite snacks.
• Treat Jar comes with an air-tight ceramic lid to ensure long-time freshness.
• 10" tall with lid, 7.5" without the lid
• 8" diameter
• Hand wash only
• Return Policy: All personalized items are nonreturnable. We regret that we are unable to refund any personalized item.
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Star Trek: Picard No.1 Treat Jar

There is no doubt that your furry friend is the #1 best pet in the galaxy, so why not treat them for such a prestigious title? Featuring a bright gold delta, this roomy treat jar is the perfect way to represent your love for Star Trek: Picard and your furry friend.

ST-P-NO1-TJ

Star Trek: The Next Generation Medical Pet Bowl

If your furry friend is excelling in the medical division, then they need this Star Trek: The Next Generation Medical Pet Bowl stat! With a sleek, colorful design and the iconic delta front and center, this pet bowl is the perfect gift to give any Star Trek enthusiast and pet parent.

• Serve up the best meals in the galaxy for your pet from this Star Trek-inspired pet bowl!
• Built with solid ceramic construction, this pet bowl is ideal for big or small pets alike.
• Our ceramic bowl is both dishwasher and microwave safe!
• Product Dimensions: 3" tall and 7" wide

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Star Trek: The Next Generation Command Pet Bowl

If Commander Riker had a pet, we are pretty sure he would gift them this Star Trek: The Next Generation Command Pet Bowl. Your pet will feel like an official commander aboard the Enterprise each time they eat or drink from this vibrant pet bowl!

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Star Trek: The Next Generation Command Bandana

Is your pup the next Commander William Riker? Then they will love sporting this Star Trek: The Next Generation Command Bandana around the galaxy! With a design more vibrant than the Milky Way, this bandana is the perfect look for your pooch.

• Dress your pet in the most stylish accessories in the Milky Way with official Star Trek pet bandanas!
• Bandanna measures 0.5” x 20.5” x 27.5”.
• Made of 100% polyester, knit material.
• It's triangle cute is ideal for dogs up to 50lb
• We recommend hand washing this bandana and hang to dry.
• Made of polyester

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Star Trek: The Next Generation Medical Bandana

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Star Trek: The Original Series Science Pet Bowl

You don’t need to use the scientific method to prove that this Star Trek: The Original Series Science Pet Bowl is the perfect gift to give your pet. In between theoretical laboratory work and biological studies, your pet will love enjoying a delicious meal or refreshing drink from this vibrant pet bowl!

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Star Trek: The Original Series Command Pet Bowl

Leading the command team on an empty stomach? Highly illogical! Keep your furry friend full by pouring their favorite food or some refreshing water into this Star Trek: The Original Series Command Pet Bowl. With a bright yellow design, this pet bowl is sure to get recognition from fellow Star Trek fans that come to visit.

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Star Trek: The Original Series Operations Bandana

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Star Trek: The Next Generation Operations Bandana

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Star Trek: Picard You're My No.1 Pet Bandana

Is your dog the biggest fan of No.1? Then they will love wearing this Star Trek: Picard You're My No.1 Pet Bandana on their daily walk! Comfortable for everyday wear and absolutely adorable, this eye-catching bandana is sure to get your pup extra pets in the dog park.

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Star Trek: Picard Coat of Arms Personalized Bandana

This Star Trek: Picard Coat of Arms Personalized Pet Bandana is the perfect gift to give your furry friend on their birthday, Gotcha Day, or just because! Featuring your last name alongside the iconic Picard Coat of Arms, this pet bandana is the perfect style for your pet.

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Star Trek: Picard Family Furever Personalized Bandana

Loyal, sweet, and kind, a pet’s love is furever. Represent the special bond you and your best pal share with this Star Trek: Picard Family Furever Personalized Bandana! With a personalization option and the iconic Star Trek delta in the background, this bandana is the most stylish pet accessory in the galaxy.

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Star Trek: Picard Tonal Repeating Delta Pet Bed

Does your furry pal need a bed upgrade? Make it so by gifting them this Star Trek: Picard Tonal Repeating Delta 2 Pet Bed! Featuring three sizes and displaying an array of deltas, this pet bed is the perfect gift to give Star Trek pet parents.

• Comfortable and stylish, your pet will love snoozing on this Star Trek pet bed!
• Coral Fleece top w/ Poly Duck bottom (dark brown) zipper w/ insert
• Care Instructions:  Cover = Machine Wash Separately in Cold Water - Gentle Cycle - Mild Detergent - Do Not Bleach - Tumble Dry Low; Insert = Spot Clean / Dry Clean Only

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Star Trek: Picard Repeating Delta Pet Bed

Your pet will enjoy the best snooze in the galaxy when they snuggle into this Star Trek: Picard Repeating Delta Pet Bed! Featuring a pattern of iconic Star Trek deltas and available in multiple sizes, both you and your pet will love adding this pet bed to the house.

ST-P-DB-SDBC23

Star Trek: The Original Series Engineering Pet Bowl

If your pet can turn rocks into replicators, then they must be part of the Starfleet Corps of Engineers. Featuring the Engineering Delta on a bright red background, this Star Trek: The Original Series Engineering Pet Bowl is the perfect way to represent your pet’s talents.

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Star Trek: The Original Series Command Bandana

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Star Trek: The Next Generation Operations Pet Bowl

Working in the operations division is no easy task! Keep your pet hydrated, full, and focused in between their tasks aboard the Enterprise by filling this Star Trek: The Next Generation Operations Pet Bowl with delicious food and refreshing water.

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Published Apr 1, 2011

Porthos Had It Ruff On Enterprise

StarTrek.com, since our re-launch last summer, has had the pleasure of presenting interviews with some of Star Trek’s top dogs: Leonard Nimoy , Patrick Stewart , Kate Mulgrew , Scott Bakula , Nana Visitor , Rick Berman and on and on and on. But there was one interview that had eluded us, until now: Porthos , Captain Archer’s beloved beagle on Enterprise . It took some doing, but with the help of renowned dog whisperer Dr. Kay Nyne, we were finally able to land the following exclusive conversation with Porthos.

How did you win the role of Porthos?

Porthos: It was ruff. You knew I was going to say that, didn’t you.

Actually, yes.

Porthos: Sorry, couldn’t resist. The producers of Enterprise held casting sessions, first to find the right breed to play Archer’s pet and then, once they decided on a beagle, they had to find the right beagle to play Porthos.

Interesting, and…

Porthos: By the way, you know that Porthos isn’t actually my name, right? If you look at my SAG card…

You have a SAG card?

Porthos: You’re interrupting me. Again. (Growls) If you look at my SAG card it says Prada. That’s my real name. I played Porthos throughout most of the first season. They sometimes used another dog, Breezy, who was actually a girl dog, when they needed a more lively Porthos. I was kind of insulted. I probably shouldn’t say that. Biting the hand that fed me, right? And then in the seasons after that they used Breezy and another female, Windy. If you want to know a secret, they couldn’t use real dogs at certain times or for certain shots, so they also had a prop dog available. True story. I wonder who has that prop dog now.

How did you like working with Scott Bakula?

Porthos: Scott was great. He’d rub my tummy between takes. And you know those cheese snacks Archer was feeding Porthos all the time, that would get Porthos sick? Scott really fed me cheese and I really had intestinal problems, and by the time I’d get to the shots with John (Billingsley) , you didn’t want to be on set with us under the hot lights. The next time you talk to John, ask him about “Dear Doctor.” I was kind of a Method dog.

What are you proudest of when it comes to Enterprise?

Porthos: That’s easy. There were, besides the regulars on the show, only four characters that appeared in every season of Enterprise: Daniels, Soval , Shran … and Porthos. Obviously, I – we – did something right. I even got mentioned, or at least referred to, in Star Trek (2009) , which was pretty cool, too.

Aside from Enterprise, what else have you appeared in?

Porthos: I, Prada, played Lou, the main dog in Cats & Dogs. Tobey Maguire did my voice in that. I was also on a show called Dog Days. Windy was on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. I don’t know about Breezy.

Any other thoughts for our StarTrek.com readers before you go?

Porthos: Have a great weekend – and April Fools' Day!

(Admin note: While we didn’t actually interview Porthos, most of the facts in this story are accurate. There was a casting call for dogs, with Prada beating out a black and white Boston terrier. There was a prop dog. And the dogs that played Porthos were named Prada, Breezy and Windy. According to the folks at Performing Animal Troupe, the animal-actor provider tapped by the Enterprise production team during the show’s run, Breezy and Windy are alive, well and still performing. They were not sure of Prada’s current whereabouts.)

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• Dog Stories

130 Star Trek Dog Names

Published: Feb 13, 2019 by Mary Clark · This post may contain affiliate links

Find the best pet name by browsing our list of Star Trek dog names.

• Quark (Armin Shimerman's character)
• Mezoti (Marley S. McClean's character)
• Kalara (Lydia Wilson's character)
• Q (John de Lancie's character)
• Zefram (James Cromwell's character)
• Sulu (George Takei's character)
• Galla (Rachel Nichols' character)
• Jadzia or Dax (Terry Farrell's character)
• Keenser (Deep Roy's character)
• Demora (Jacqueline Kim's character)
• Jaylah (Sofia Boutella's character)
• Tilly (Mary Wiseman's character)
• Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green's character)
• Chang (Christopher Plummer's character)
• Lursa (Barbara March's character)
• Kurn (Tony Todd's character)
• Decker (Stephen Collins' character)
• Nero (Eric Bana's character)
• Dougherty (Anthony Zerbe's character)

• Krall (Idris Elba's character)
• Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg's character)
• Rom (Max Grodénchik's character)
• Saavik (Robin Curtis' character)
• Voq (Shazad Latif's character)
• Silik (John Fleck's character)
• Talas (Molly Brink's character)
• Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan's character)
• Saru (Doug Jones' character)
• Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh's character)
• Valeris (Kim Cattrall 's character)
• Odo (René Auberjonois' character)
• Sato (Linda Park's character)
• Azetbur (Rosanna DeSoto's character)
• Janeway (Kate Mulgrew's character)
• Phlox (John Billingsley's character)
• Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill's character)
• B-4 (Brent Spiner's character)

• B'Elanna or Torres (Roxann Dawson's character)
• Sarek (Mark Lenard's character)
• Mayweather (Anthony Montgomery's character)
• Stamets (Anthony Rapp's character)
• Riker (Jonathan Frakes' character)
• L'Rell (Mary Chieffo's character)
• Archer (Scott Bakula's character)
• Vorik (Alexander Enberg's character)
• Data (Brent Spiner's character)
• "Trip" (Connor Trinneer's character)
• Chell (Derek McGrath's character)
• McCoy or "Bones" (DeForest Kelley's character)
• Chekov (Walter Koenig's character)
• Jal or Culluh (Anthony De Longis' character)
• Jean-Luc or Picard (Patrick Stewart's character)
• Kruge (Christopher Lloyd's character)
• Miles (Colm Meaney's character)
• Nog (Aron Eisenberg's character)
• Ru'afo (F. Murray Abraham's character)
• Worf (Michael Dorn's character)
• Tomalak (Andreas Katsulas' character)
• Soran (Malcolm McDowell's character)
• Jedda (John Vargas' character)
• Crusher (Wil Wheaton's character)
• Scotty (James Doohan's character)
• Nerys (Nana Visitor's character)

• Sisko (Avery Brooks' character)
• Dukat (Marc Alaimo's character)
• Weyoun (Jeffrey Combs' character)
• Kes ( Jennifer Lien's character)
• Spock (Leonard Nimoy's character)
• Harcourt Fenton "Harry" Mudd (Rainn Wilson's character)
• Shinzon (Tom Hardy's character)
• Ezri (Nicole de Boer's character)
• Jet or Reno (Tig Notaro's character)
• Khan (Ricardo Montalban's character)
• Neelix (Ethan Phillips's character)
• Pike (Bruce Greenwood's character)

• Tuvok (Tim Russ' character)
• Soval (Gary Graham's character)
• Chakotay (Robert Beltran's character)
• Gowron (Robert O'Reilly's character)
• Sybok (Laurence Luckinbill's character)
• Zek (Wallace Shawn's character)
• Culber (Wilson Cruz's character)
• Uhura (Nichelle Nichols' character)
• Hogan (Simon Billig's character)
• T'Kuvma (Chris Obi's character)
• Dolim (Scott MacDonald's character)
• Troi (Marina Sirtis's character)

• T'Pol (Jolene Blalock's character)
• Icheb (Manu Intiraymi's character)
• Bashir (Alexander Siddig's character)
• Cartwright (Brock Peters' character)
• Ro (Michelle Forbes' character)
• James T. Kirk (William Shatner's character)
• Forge (LeVar Burton's character)
• Chapel (Majel Barrett's character)
• Lorca (Jason Isaacs' character)
• Tasha or Yar (Denise Crosby's character)
• Reed (Dominic Keating's character)
• Kemper (Nathan Anderson's character)
• Beverly (Gates McFadden's character)

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• Dog Names from Star Trek

Great Dog Names From Star Trek: May Your Puppy Live Long and Prosper

Dog Names From Star Trek  by Janice Jones   

Updated 04-13-2023

You don't need to be a Trekkie to love the names that have come from the long standing Star Trek Series that included both movies and iconic television series. 

Both movies and TV series have created a legacy that spans generations encouraging viewers to visualize a life  where no man has gone before.

Long Standing and Still Hugely Popular

When I named two of my first dogs, Geordi and Tasha, I had no idea people would still fall in love with dog names based on Star Trek.

What I found amazing was the number of television series, movies and animated shows that follow the Star Trek theme.  An entire industry has grown up around the Star Trek franchise.

Just in case you have forgotten some of the movies or TV series, I've added them here.

The Original Series 1966–1969 TV series Star Trek: The Animated Series 1973–1974 (TV series) Star Trek: The Motion Picture 1979 (Movie) Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan 1982 (Movie) Star Trek III: The Search for Spock 1984 (Movie) Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home 1986 (Movie) Star Trek V: The Final Frontier 1989 (Movie) Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country 1991 (Movie) Star Trek: The Next Generation 1987–1994 TV (Movie) Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 1993–1999 TV (Movie) Star Trek Generations 1994 (Movie) Star Trek: Voyager 1995–2001 (TV series) Star Trek: First Contact 1996 (Movie) Star Trek: Insurrection 1998 (Movie) Star Trek: Nemesis 2002 (Movie) Star Trek: Enterprise 2001–2005 (TV Series) Star Trek (2009) 2009 (Movie) Star Trek Into Darkness 2013 (Movie) Star Trek Beyond 2016 (Movie) Star Trek: Discovery 2017–present (TV series) Star Trek: Short Treks 2018–2020 (TV series) Star Trek: Picard 2020–present (TV series) Star Trek: Lower Decks 2020–present ((TV series) Star Trek: Prodigy 2021–present (TV series) Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 2022–present (TV series)

Finding the Best Dog Names From Star Trek

It's not hard to find names, but what makes the best name for your dog?

• Is it your favorite character?
• Is it one that rolls well over your tongue?
• Is it short and sweet?
• Does your dog remind you of a particular character?
• All of the above?

Female Dog Names From Star Trek Characters

Airiam - Lt. Commander and Science Officer of USS Discovery

Ayala - Helmsman, security and former Maquis on the USS Voyager

Alynna - Alynna Nechayev, the admiral of Starfleet

Ash - Ash Tyler the Chief Security in Star Trek (Discovery)

B'Elanna  - B'Elanna Torres a human and Klingon hybrid lieutenant and former Maquis

Beverly - Beverly Crusher, the Doctor onboard the Enterprise;  Either Bev, Beverly or Crusher might work

Chell - the Engineering Officer in Voyager

Deanna - Deanna Troi, the ship's counselor 

Degra - Xindi scientist in Enterprise

Evek - a Cardassian in Deep Space Nine

Gabrielle - Gabby for short,  Intelligence Operative and Astrophysicist

Guinan  -Whoopi Goldberg's character on The Next Generation

Hoshi (Japanese origin) - The Com Officer on the  

Janeway - Captain of the Voyager (Voyager)

Jadzia - Jadzia Dax, A Joined Trill and officer (Deep Space Nine) Either Jadzia or Dax would be a good name

Kasidy - Kasidy Yates is a freighter captain and friend to Captain Sisko  (Deep Space 9)

Keiko (Japanese origin)  wife of Miles O'Brien, botanist and school teacher (Deep Space Nine) 

Kes - Medic in the USS Star Trek Voyager

Keyla - Keyla Detmer, the Helmsman in Discovery

Kira - Kira Nerys, a Bajoran in DS9. Either Kira or Nerys would make a great dog name

Kimara - a Romulan Representative and  Senator in (Deep Space Nine)

Leeta - a Bajoran on Deep Space 9

Li - Li Nalas, the Bajoran Liaison Officer in DS9

Lwaxana - Betazoid and mother of Dianna Troi

Molly - Molly O'Brien, the daughter of  Miles and Keiko O'Brien on the Enterprise (already a popular dog name)

Mora - Mora Pol, a Bajoran scientist in Star Trek: Deep Space 9

Ro - Bajorian and helmsman on The Next Generation

Sela - Romulan officer in Star Trek: The Next Generation. 

Seska - a Cardassian in Voyager

Soji - Soji Asha, a Romulan Anthropologist in the Reclamation Site

Tal - Tal Celes, a Bajoran crewman on the USS Voyager.

Tasha - Natasha Yar, the chief of security before Worf

T'Pol - the first Vulcan Starfleet officer (Enterprise)

Uhura - Nyota Uhura is the Communications Officer in the original Star Trek Series

Male Dog Names From Star Trek characters

Alexander - the son of the Klingon, Worf and a member of the House of Mogh

Azan - a civilian passenger in the USS Voyager

Bashir - Doctor Julian Bashir, the chief medical officer on Deep Space Nine

Bareil - a Bajoran Religious Leader (Deep Space Nine)

Bones - nickname for Dr Leonard McCoy (Original Star Trek

Boothby - the civilian groundskeeper at Starfleet Academy (Star Trek, The Next Generation)

Boimler - Ensign on the USS Cerritos

Brunt - a Civilian resident on Ferengi

Bryce  - a Lieutenant in USS Discovery

Chakotay - First officer and former Maquis on the USS Voyager

Christopher - (Chris for short) Christopher Pike, the first captain of Enterprise

Data - the sentient A.I. and Chief Operations Office Star Trek, The Next Generation

Doctor - the sarcastic medical hologram

Dolim - the Xindi-Reptilian Commander of the Xindi Council

Dukat - Religious Cardassia Leader

Elim - Elim Garak, a Cardassian in Star Trek: Deep Space 9

Elnor - Romulin Starfleet Cadet on the

Ezri - Ezri Dax, a Trill Counselor in DS9

Evek - Cardassian Commanding Officer of CMS Vetar

Geordi LaForge - chief engineer in the Star Trek: Next Generation

Harry - Harry Kim, the ensign and friend of Paris (Enterprise)

Hikaru or Sulu (Japanese origin) - captain of the Excelsior and starred in the original Star Trek Series

Jake - son of Captain Sisko in Deep Space Nine

Jet - Jet Reno is the chief engineer of the USS Hiawatha (Discovery)

Jean-Luc - Jean Luc Picard (any of those names would make a great dog name - the commanding officer, a diplomat, and a scholar. (Next Generation)

Jonathan - Jonathan Archer (Jon or Archer both make great dog names)

Julian - Julian Bashir; Chief Medical Officer of Deep Space Nine. Bashir would also make a great dog name.

Khan - a human that controlled the earth during the "Eugenics Wars" shows up in a number of TV series and movies including the Wrath of Khan 

Kirk - James Kirk, the original Captain of the Enterprise

McCoy  - the doctor, in the original series

Miles - Miles O'Brien the chief engineer in the Next Generation and then Deep Space Nine

Mudd - human smuggler that shows up in various settings (TOS, TAS, DSC, ST)

Neelix - Talaxian and Chef on USS Voyager

Nog - Feringi cadet and ensign and nephew to Quark (Deep Space Nine)

Odo - Shape-shifter and chief of security on Deep Space 9

Pavel - Pavel Chekov one of the members of the original Enterprise crew. (Chekov also works as a dog name)

Phlox - a medical officer.

Q - a character from the Continuium that shows up in several Star Trek series (DS9, TNG, Voyager and Picard)

Quark - Ferengi and Bar Owner on Deep Space Nine

Reginald - Reginald Barclay, Reggie for Short, an Engineering Officer in the Enterprise

Riker - Number One officer of the Enterprise (Next Generation)

Rom  - the Ferengi, is Quark’s younger brother in Star Trek: Deep Space 9

Sarek - Spock's Father in various movies and TV series.

Scotty - engineer of the Enterprise. A great dog name but don't try to use it to register your Scottish Terrier with AKC .

Sisko - Benjamin Sisko, the commander of Deep Space Nine

Spock - The Vulcan and science officer of Enterprise. (The original Star Trek series and in many subsequent movies.

Soval - the Vulcan ambassador to Earth in Star Trek: Enterprise.

Spot - Data's pet cat in the Next Generation and some films

Travis - Travis Mayweather, navigator and helmsman on the Enterprise

Trip - nickname of Charles Tucker III, the right-hand man of Archer.

Tuvok  - Vulcan friend of Captain Janeway l

Wesley - Wes for short, Wesley Crusher

Worf - Klingon lieutenant on TNG and DS9

Zek - a Ferengi in Deep Space 9

Dog Names From Star Trek Vocabulary

Warp (warp speed - a great name for a fast dog)

Beam (beam me up); a dog that likes to be on your lap

Cloak (cloaking device) a dog that likes to hide

Phaser - a guard dog?

Tribble - a super cute furry dog

Logic - a highly intelligent dog

Commander, Ensign, Lieutenant, Major: top dogs

Dabo - Frengi game played at Quark's bar;  Dabo Girl for a female dog

Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta (Quadrants)

Dog Names From Star Trek Alien Species and Worlds

Romulan (Romulus)

Bajor (Bagoran)

Remus (Reman)

Benzite (Benzar)

Xindi (Xindus)

Risa (vacation destination) - a very playful puppy

Tellar (Tellarites)

Pollux IV (Pollux for short)

What Dog Names From Star Trek Did I Forget?

There is so much vocabulary, so many main characters and guest stars, and alien worlds associated with Star Trek that I am absolutely sure I have forgotten some.  Can you help?

If you are a Trekkie, please take a moment to contact me with your ideas and I will gladly add your suggestions as soon as possible.  Thanks for your help.

Pin for Future Reference

More Dog Names To Check Out

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Tough dog names are always perfect for that tough looking dog, but are equally great if you want to make a statement about your small breed dog. Search our extensive list.

Best White Dog Names for your new white puppy

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250+ Male Small Dog Names For Your Little Boy

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Disney Dog Names for Boys

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Unusual Dog Names for Your Unique Puppy

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Spanish Dog Names for Your Spanish Dog Breed

An extensive list of great Spanish dog names for your breeds from Spanish speaking nations.

The Ultimate Brown Dog Names Resource for your Chocolate Pooch

Browse our lengthy list of brown dog names, all excellent choices for a chocolate colored dog.

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Hundreds of Dog names from nature for those canines and people who love the great outdoors.

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Over 200 Old man Dog Names: What's Old is New Again

Here's a sizable list of old man dog names for that new puppy that has an old soul. Some popular 50 or 100 years ago, others go way back.

About Janice (author and voice behind this site)

Having lived with dogs and cats most of her life, Janice served as a veterinary technician for ten years in Maryland and twelve years as a Shih Tzu dog breeder in Ohio.

Her education includes undergraduate degrees in Psychology with a minor in biology, Early Childhood Education, and Nursing, and a master's in Mental Health Counseling.

She is a lifelong learner, a dog lover, and passionate about the welfare of animals. Her favorite breed for over 50 years has been the Shih Tzu, but she has also lived with Poodles, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Beagles, English Bulldogs, Carin Terriers, and a Cocker Spaniel.

When not writing, reading, and researching dog-related topics, she likes to spend time with her eight Shih Tzu dogs, husband, and family, as well as knitting and crocheting. She is also the voice behind Miracle Shih Tzu and Smart-Knit-Crocheting

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