A scary Star Trek: The Next Generation episode featuring Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) proves that Star Trek could benefit from more horror or thriller narratives. Since the 1960s, Star Trek has been a staple in sci-fi and is often even credited as pioneering many popular tropes of the genre. While Star Trek's science has matured and modernized over the decades, the core concept of its sci-fi roots has stayed fairly unchanged. However, one Star Trek: The Next Generation episode pushed the boundaries of the genre and incorporated horror and psychological thriller aspects into its chilling narrative.
Star Trek: The Next Generation often dedicated entire episodes to a single character's development, and one such instance for First Officer Commander Will Riker was in TNG season 6, episode 21, "Frame of Mind," which features aspects of the horror and thriller genres. Often considered one of Star Trek: The Next Generation's best episodes, "Frame of Mind" is one of the franchise's darkest stories. With themes like kidnapping, psychological abuse, physical torture, and emotional manipulation, Commander Riker encounters some of Star Trek's worst – and best – horror aspects that should make a return to the franchise.
Star Trek Should Follow This TNG Riker Episode's Horror Example
Commander Riker's chilling experience in "Frame of Mind" was an exciting change for Star Trek
Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Frame of Mind" is widely held as one of Commander Will Riker's best episodes, and it's obvious why. Jonathan Frakes is at his very best, showcasing his impressive and diverse acting ability by portraying Riker as not only unsure of his sanity, but also as questioning his surroundings at all times. Through the physical and emotional trials the episode puts him through, Commander Riker's mental stability is tested. Although it isn't Star Trek's only horror-themed episode, "Frame of Mind" taps into a less direct form of thriller that suits the franchise.
Star Trek's darkest episodes usually feature narratives responding to real-life struggles, like the consequences of inequality and the real cost of war. What "Frame of Mind" does is highlight how Star Trek can incorporate darker themes and even corporeal horror into a sci-fi setting without losing the suspension of belief. Commander Riker not only suffers mental injuries, but he's also physically tortured by the inhabitants of Tilonus IV. His well-being is a major cause of concern throughout the episode, adding to a sense of edge-of-the-seat suspense that makes the episode even more appealing.
Why Star Trek Needs More Horror
Sci-fi and horror could go hand-in-hand to bring a thrilling new aspect to Star Trek
In recent years, Star Trek added a few more horror-like narratives to its growing list of episodes. The resurgence of the Gorn in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has provided some full-on horror Star Trek episodes. However, the Gorn lack a nuanced approach to horror – they're monsters, but they don't provide much psychological thrill. This thriller aspect is what could give Star Trek a real edge in the increasingly competitive streaming market. Mixing sci-fi and horror could also modernize many of Star Trek's more dated stories to hook younger fans, just like the Gorn in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Star Trek: The Next Generation's foray into horror provided a sneak peek into scary elements that would appear in future Star Trek projects, but the franchise hasn't included real, unhampered horror. While the occasional thrill and jump scare aren't entirely uncommon in modern Star Trek, the aspect of real mental, and even body, horror has yet to be explored. The underlying vein of suspense, the psychological torture, and the well-written plot twists at every turn make the episode "Frame of Mind" a perfect example of how Star Trek can – and should – include horror to invite a younger audience to the franchise.
