Episodes that made the least impact

[herofhyrule]

I was thinking about how there are nearly 900 episodes of Star Trek. And while there are references to older episodes galore, especially in the reference-machine that is Lower Deck, I realised that, realistically speaking, a lot of them made no impact on the franchise whatsoever.
By that I mean, so far there are no references to the episode in other episodes at all and nothing important happened in it that made a lasting impact. The truly forgettable episodes. This includes films as well. After all, I don't think Insurrection really made any impact.
I also imagine that a lot of episodes haven't been explicitly referenced, yet still contained important character development that can't be skipped. Essentially, which episodes could be completely erased from history without affecting anything else whatsoever?

 

[at Quark's]

I wouldn't know. I've (probably) forgotten those

Realistically speaking, I think _many_ 'adventure of the week' episodes that don't really add anything 'significant' to the universe (and of course you can still have a long debate about what's significant or not- for example is the factoid that the first ship Janeway served on was named the Al-Batani relevant or not?) - could be deleted without consequences for the rest of the show. That's not necessarily the same perhaps as an episode being utterly 'forgettable'.

 

[Forbin]

Yeah, I can't remember them either.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

I'll give this a stab: Honor Among Thieves.

I remember when it first aired, the episode was rather well liked, perhaps because of the acting and because it was a feature for Colm Meaney. Now, it seems largely forgotten, in some cases disliked. I think that outside the linear model of broadcasting, with each episode space at least one week apart, the change of scenery was welcome. However, season 6 had about nine episodes that explored the meaning of villainy and heroism and whether an individual can purely embody either one. Streaming one episode after another, Honor Among Thieves may seem too quiet, too nuanced, and too separate. Even with the story of collaboration between Orions and Vorta, the scope of the story seems small.

 

[tomalak301]

I'll give this a stab: Honor Among Thieves.

I remember when it first aired, the episode was rather well liked, perhaps because of the acting and because it was a feature for Colm Meaney. Now, it seems largely forgotten, in some cases disliked. I think that outside the linear model of broadcasting, with each episode space at least one week apart, the change of scenery was welcome. However, season 6 had about nine episodes that explored the meaning of villainy and heroism and whether an individual can purely embody either one. Streaming one episode after another, Honor Among Thieves may seem too quiet, too nuanced, and too separate. Even with the story of collaboration between Orions and Vorta, the scope of the story seems small.

DS9's Prodigal Daughter referenced this episode though, and they had mentioned the Orion Syndicate a few times. I think we even saw Bilby's Cat again in the seventh season. Just because an episode may be quiet, doesn't mean it didn't have some impact. I actually find HAT to be one of the more underrated episodes of DS9's run.

My first thought reading this question was a lot of the kids episodes in TNG, namely The Bonding and Imaginary Friend. We never hear about Jeremy Aster again, and the whole imaginary friend thing just seemed so inconsequential in the scheme of things. I almost said New Ground as well as I find that episode incredibly boring, but it did have a bit of an impact because it shows what a bad parent Worf is.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

DS9's Prodigal Daughter referenced this episode though, and they had mentioned the Orion Syndicate a few times. I think we even saw Bilby's Cat again in the seventh season. Just because an episode may be quiet, doesn't mean it didn't have some impact. I actually find HAT to be one of the more underrated episodes of DS9's run.

Quiet, though, isn't why I chose the episode. The episode should have advanced the themes of the season, but it has largely been forgotten--which is my reason --, greatly overshadowed by Waltz. Magnificent Ferengi, inquisition, Pale Moonlight, etc., all of which are noted for examining hero and villain paradigms. Contributing to Prodigal Daughter's story doesn't change it.

 

[F. King Daniel]

Prodigy. If it does end up buried as a tax break, it won't ever be referenced and season 2 will never even air. It'll be buried.

 

[Oddish]

They would have to be essentially mediocre episodes that didn't offend, didn't strike an emotional cord, and didn't generate any major laughs.

For TNG
Too Short a Season
The Dauphin
Manhunt
The Price
Tin Man
Brothers
Imaginary Friend
Aquiel
Liasons
Eye of the Beholder
Bloodlines

 

[fireproof78]

Prodigy. If it does end up buried as a tax break, it won't ever be referenced and season 2 will never even air. It'll be buried.

Would all the people talking about it cease to exist?

 

[Farscape One]

"TIME AND AGAIN", season 1 of VOYAGER. Not only was it mediocre, but none of the events ever really occured because it was literally erased at the end of the same episode. So no reference can be made to it.

(Though it is the first mention of the Delaney sisters, but they were mentioned at various times throughout the show and we got to see them once in season 5. I still wouldn't call this episode important enough to keep, based on the criteria of the thread.)

 

[herofhyrule]

Prodigy. If it does end up buried as a tax break, it won't ever be referenced and season 2 will never even air. It'll be buried.

I mean, they're releasing the second half of Season 1 on DVD/Blu-ray. It's not like it's just going to disappear forever. And I don't think tax cuts prevent references being made. It's not like having Dal appear in another series is making profit off of Prodigy, at least not for tax purposes. Season 2, maybe, but Season 1's safe.

 

[F. King Daniel]

I mean, they're releasing the second half of Season 1 on DVD/Blu-ray. It's not like it's just going to disappear forever. And I don't think tax cuts prevent references being made. It's not like having Dal appear in another series is making profit off of Prodigy, at least not for tax purposes. Season 2, maybe, but Season 1's safe.

Remember Harry Kim wasn't permitted in Picard's third season because the character was considered part of Prodigy (presumably for the second season). The original Prodigy characters will be part of a property which will be officially deemed non grata, where Paramount can no longer profit off of them.

So whatever the impact on the fanbase, Prodigy's impact on the franchise as a whole will be reduced to zero. Even if it was supposedly scans of the Living Construct that inspired the Borg in Picard S3 (according to tweets by the Prodigy showrunner)

 

[at Quark's]

"TIME AND AGAIN", season 1 of VOYAGER. Not only was it mediocre, but none of the events ever really occured because it was literally erased at the end of the same episode. So no reference can be made to it.

I was thinking about the same episode, but then, the same can be said about Year of Hell. Never actually happened, so cannot be referred to, really. Still, that's a far from forgettable episode.

The same was true for Yesterday's Enterprise, at least till Commander Sela turned up. Also a great episode.

 

[herofhyrule]

Remember Harry Kim wasn't permitted in Picard's third season because the character was considered part of Prodigy (presumably for the second season). The original Prodigy characters will be part of a property which will be officially deemed non grata, where Paramount can no longer profit off of them.

That's just do with only wanting to have one Harry Kim appearance instead of two. I mean, is Nemesis' box office total added to Voyager's profit because it had Janeway in it? What about Prodigy itself? Or Picard, because of Seven? There are no rights issues to worry about. If they can't find a new home, and it's permanently removed from streaming, it's just the show itself that can't be shown. The characters are fine.

 

[somebuddyX]

A lot of Enterprise Season 1 for me.
Insurrection, if the movies count.
Not to shit on them, I know they have their fans. I just find them very middle of the road and not as adventurous as they could be.

 

[herofhyrule]

A lot of Enterprise Season 1 for me.
Insurrection, if the movies count.
Not to shit on them, I know they have their fans. I just find them very middle of the road and not as adventurous as they could be.

I think Insurrection is the most unnecessary film. It adds nothing important to the franchise and is never mentioned again, apart from a brief reference to the Son'a in DS9. You could never watch it and you'd be no worse off.

 

[F. King Daniel]

That's just do with only wanting to have one Harry Kim appearance instead of two. I mean, is Nemesis' box office total added to Voyager's profit because it had Janeway in it? What about Prodigy itself? Or Picard, because of Seven? There are no rights issues to worry about. If they can't find a new home, and it's permanently removed from streaming, it's just the show itself that can't be shown. The characters are fine.

Ever watched any DC shows? The higher ups dictate which characters can and cannot appear in whatever media. Characters get cut from TV shows because they have movie plans for them or want them in their own series. Batman never shows up in costume on TV because he's exclusive to movies, only Bruce Wayne is allowed on TV.

If Paramount do a tax write off regarding Prodigy, they won't be allowed to profit from it in any way again. Dal showing up in another series would be huge and draw attention. And controversy creates cash. So they'd never do it.

 

[herofhyrule]

Ever watched any DC shows? The higher ups dictate which characters can and cannot appear in whatever media. Characters get cut from TV shows because they have movie plans for them or want them in their own series. Batman never shows up in costume on TV because he's exclusive to movies, only Bruce Wayne is allowed on TV.

If Paramount do a tax write off regarding Prodigy, they won't be allowed to profit from it in any way again. Dal showing up in another series would be huge and draw attention. And controversy creates cash. So they'd never do it.

Would it, though? Maybe among some Star Trek fans but I don't think it would cause a massive controversy. And so what if it creates cash? If Prodigy isn't streaming anywhere and the DVDs/Blu-rays can only be bought second-hand, then it would be literally impossible for Paramount to directly profit off of Prodigy, even if Dal appears somewhere else. So I don't see the issue.

 

[F. King Daniel]

Would it, though? Maybe among some Star Trek fans but I don't think it would cause a massive controversy. And so what if it creates cash? If Prodigy isn't streaming anywhere and the DVDs/Blu-rays can only be bought second-hand, then it would be literally impossible for Paramount to directly profit off of Prodigy, even if Dal appears somewhere else. So I don't see the issue.

When it's a legal requirement to never made profit off of a property again, they won't risk it. You're basically saying it doesn't make money anyway, which is why they're (potentially) burying it so they don't lose any more money by paying residuals etc. But Star Trek is a business, intended to make money. And putting a character in a show that's been written off with a promise not to make money with ever again? That's a legal disaster waiting to happen.

 

[Tosk]

Streaming one episode after another, Honor Among Thieves may seem too quiet, too nuanced, and too separate. Even with the story of collaboration between Orions and Vorta, the scope of the story seems small.

It's exactly the kind of Trek episode that I lament we will never (or extremely rarely) get again.