Best Humorous Moments from Our Show
Title: The Funniest Episodes Across Star Trek's Timeline
Published: April 1, 2025
From its inception, humor has played a significant role in the appeal of Star Trek series. Even in episodes of The Original Series with grim premises, such as "Mirror, Mirror," it is never long before laughter echoes through the Enterprise, making it clear that jokes are an essential part of Starfleet's mission. To celebrate this lighthearted side of the franchise, we have compiled 15 of the funniest Trek episodes from across the universe.
"Shore Leave" (Star Trek: The Original Series – S02E25)
As the opening scene unfolds in this episode, Dr. McCoy encounters Alice and the Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, marking the beginning of a bizarre and hilarious adventure. While the premise may resemble Westworld, the chaotic outcome is all its own, particularly Kirk's old academy rival, Finnegan, who steals the show.
"The Trouble with Tribbles" (Star Trek: The Original Series – S02E15)
Widely regarded as one of the most famous episodes in Trek history, "The Trouble with Tribbles" remains a standout for its humor and witty dialogue. Tribbles—fluffy, round critters—take over the Enterprise, but it is the characters themselves that provide the most laughter, with Kirk delivering a scorching one-liner to Barris that still stands as one of the best in the classic series.
"A Piece of the Action" (Star Trek: The Original Series – S03E15)
Many longtime fans remember this episode as their first exposure to vintage mobsters, with their distinctive slang and style. The mob-controlled planet could have led to a dark story, but instead, "A Piece of the Action" is a brilliant blend of over-the-top comedy and high-concept sci-fi, featuring Spock's transformation into "Spocko."
"The Practical Joker" (Star Trek: The Animated Series – S01E13)
The Rec Room on The Animated Series may have been a forerunner to the holodeck, foreshadowing future holodeck-gone-wrong stories on The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager. The identity of "The Practical Joker" is not what you expect, and the episode is a must-watch before delving into Lower Decks, complete with the now-infamous line, "Kirk is a Jerk."
"Data's Day" (Star Trek: The Next Generation – S02E14)
Fans who have never seen "Data's Day" are in for a treat. The entire episode unfolds like a sitcom, with Data's bumbling forming the basis for much of the humor. The episode is heartwarming, smart, and boasts actual stakes, making it a fondly remembered TNG classic.
"Qpid" (Star Trek: The Next Generation – S04E20)
Fans of Monty Python would find "Qpid" reminiscent of a Python sketch in space. The episode is a humorous sequel to "Captain's Holiday," returning rogue archeologist Vash. The crew's costumes as characters from Robin Hood and Worf's memorable line, "Sir, I must protest; I am not a merry man!" make "Qpid" a crowd-pleaser.
"Rascals" (Star Trek: The Next Generation – S06E07)
Picard, Ro, Guinan, and Keiko are transformed into 12-year-olds in this episode. While the fish-out-of-water scenario is not unique to sci-fi, the script, with its heartwarming themes and strong performances, is one that will have viewers smiling from start to finish.
"Trials and Tribble-ations" (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – S05E06)
This epic sequel to the most famous funny episode in Trek history sees the DS9 crew travel back in time to 2268. The episode is a testament to the franchise's clever writing, blending humor, scientific consistency, and background details seamlessly.
"One Little Ship" (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – S05E10)
In this gem of an episode, a shrunken runabout, containing Dax, O'Brien, and Bashir, becomes the only hope for the crew of the Defiant. With its small-stakes premise and the inventive scenarios it spawns, "One Little Ship" is a shining example of creative science fiction comedy.
"Take Me Out to the Holosuite" (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – S02E19)
Baseball enthusiasts and non-fans alike can enjoy the crew's challenge against an all-Vulcan team on the holosuite. While the episode's humor lies in the competition itself, its charming portrayal of the DS9 characters makes it a fan favorite.
"Bride of Chaotica!" (Star Trek: Voyager – S01E25)
When aliens mistake a holodeck program for reality, the crew of Voyager must engage in a tongue-in-cheek adventure reminiscent of black-and-white serials from the 1950s. The episode's meta-fictional references and the campiness inherent in the observed holodeck program make it an enduring favorite.
"Carbon Creek" (Star Trek: Enterprise – S01E18)
This Enterprise episode features a trio of crash-landed Vulcans struggling to blend in with a 1950s American town. Told as a family story by T'Pol, the episode offers a unique perspective and is elevated by its meta-fictional jokes, like the reference to I Love Lucy.
"The Escape Artist" (Star Trek: Short Treks – S01E05)
Written by the creator of Star Trek: Lower Decks, this episode sees Harry Mudd use his scheming con-artist skills to escape difficult situations. The collaboration between Rainn Wilson and Mike McMahan is a delight, resulting in one of the funniest Trek episodes ever.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
It would be remiss not to mention The Voyage Home, a Leonard Nimoy-directed Trek film with a serious ecological message. From Spock mind-melding with a humpback whale to the rescue of Chekov from a hospital, this film remains the funniest Trek ever, with memorable scenes that have inspired cultures and careers alike.
Star Trek: Lower Decks
A spin-off of the original "Lower Decks" episode, the animated series shares the same humor but expands on the premise, providing a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the lower-ranking crew members aboard the Enterprise. Fans eager to explore more of Trek's comedic side should not miss this delightful spin-off.
- The episode "Shore Leave" from Star Trek: The Original Series showcases humor in an unusual way, introducing characters from Alice in Wonderland with Kirk's old academy rival, Finnegan, stealing the show.
- "The Trouble with Tribbles," another famous episode from Star Trek: The Original Series, is well-known for its humor and witty dialogue, featuring a chaotic takeover of the Enterprise by fluffy creatures, along with Kirk's memorable one-liner.
- "A Piece of the Action," another standout from Star Trek: The Original Series, blends over-the-top comedy with high-concept sci-fi, featuring Spock's transformation into "Spocko" on a mob-controlled planet.
- In the animated series, Star Trek: The Animated Series, the episode "The Practical Joker" in the Rec Room foreshadows future holodeck-gone-wrong stories, and the identity of the practical joker offers an unexpected twist.
