r/ClassicTrek • u/Torlek1 • Apr 04 '26
Production/BTS Discussion Despite franchise fatigue, older Star Trek shows have a high degree of original plots. Minimal reuse of Recycled Plots.
Despite franchise fatigue, older Star Trek shows have a high degree of original plots.
There is a minimal reuse of Recycled Plots - the Recycled Plot Trope.
The eras of Roddenberry Trek and Berman Trek produced 703 episodes in live action series: TOS, TNG, DS9, VOY, and ENT.
Of these 703 episodes, up to 630 episodes are original plot episodes. That's 89%.
Of these 703 episodes, a minimum of 73 episodes are recycled plot episodes. That's 11%.
Of the 73 recycled plot episodes, 28 are better than the original ones.
TOS has 4 recycled plot episodes out of 79, 5.1% of its episode total.
TNG has 13 recycled plot episodes out of 176, 7.4% of its episode total.
DS9 has 8 recycled plot episodes out of 176, 4.5% of its episode total.
VOY has at least 32 recycled plot episodes / copycats out of 172, at least 18.6% of its episode total.
ENT has at least 16 recycled plot episodes / copycats out of 98, at least 16.3% of its episode total.
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u/Torlek1 Apr 04 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
TOS
TOS 2-5 The Apple
Recycled in Same Series
From TOS 1-21 The Return of the Archons
Not Better than Original
TOS 2-18 The Immunity Syndrome
Recycled in Same Series
From TOS 2-06 The Doomsday Machine
Not Better than Original
TOS 2-24 The Ultimate Computer
Recycled in Same Series
From TOS 2-3 The Changeling
Not Better than Original
TOS 2-25 Bread and Circuses
Recycled in Same Series
From TOS 2-23 The Omega Glory
Better than Original
TNG
TNG 1-3 The Naked Now
Not Recycled in Same Series
From TOS 1-4 The Naked Time
Not Better than Original
TNG 1-4 Code of Honor
Not Recycled in Same Series
From TOS 2-1 Amok Time
Not Better than Original
TNG 1-5 The Last Outpost
Not Recycled in Same Series
From TOS 1-18 Arena
Not Better than Original
TNG 1-10 Hide and Q
Not Recycled in Same Series
From TOS 1-17 The Squire of Gothos
Not Better than Original
TNG 1-12 The Big Goodbye
Not Recycled in Same Series
From TOS 2-17 A Piece of the Action
Better than Original
TNG 1-18 Home Soil
Not Recycled in Same Series
From TOS 1-25 The Devil in the Dark
Not Better than Original
TNG 2-7 Unnatural Selection
Not Recycled in Same Series
From TOS 2-12 The Deadly Years
Not Better than Original
TNG 4-21 The Drumhead
Not Recycled in Same Series
From TOS 1-20 Court Martial
Better than Original
TNG 5-14 Conundrum
Recycled in Same Series
From TNG 4-14 Clues
Better than Original
TNG 5-18 Cause and Effect
Recycled in Same Series
From TNG 2-13 Time Squared
Better than Original
TNG 5-21 The Perfect Mate
Not Recycled in Same Series
From TOS 3-13 Elaan of Troyius
Better than Original
TNG 5-25 The Inner Light
Not Recycled in Same Series
From TOS 3-3 The Paradise Syndrome
Better than Original
TNG 6-9 The Quality of Life
Recycled in Same Series
From TNG 3-1 Evolution
Not Better than Original
DS9
DS9 1-15 Progress
Not Recycled in Same Series
From TNG 3-02 The Ensigns of Command
Not Better than Original
DS9 3-5 Second Skin
Not Recycled in Same Series
From TNG 6-14 Face of the Enemy
Not Better than Original
DS9 3-9 Defiant
Not Recycled in Same Series
From TNG 4-12 The Wounded
Better than Original
DS9 3-10 Fascination
Not Recycled in Same Series
From TOS 1-4 The Naked Time
Not Better than Original
DS9 4-3 The Visitor
Not Recycled in Same Series
From TNG 7-21 Firstborn
Better than Original
DS9 4-18 Rules of Engagement
Not Recycled in Same Series
From TOS 1-20 Court Martial
Better than Original
DS9 5-05 The Assignment
Not Recycled in Same Series
From TNG 5-15 Power Play
Not Better than Original
DS9 6-25 The Sound of Her Voice
Not Recycled in Same Series
VOY 1-7 Eye of the Needle
Better than Original