Due to the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, everyone is following self-quarantine and social distancing guidelines. We’re all are stuck in our homes waiting for the lockdown to end. However, if you are a Star Trek fan, you can enjoy watching their myriad of episodes and movies. For those unfamiliar with Star Trek, it is an American science fiction media franchise based on a tv show created by Gene Roddenberry back in 1966. That original Star Trek show aired for just three seasons on NBC and is now known as The Original Series. In the decades since, Star Trek has become a phenomenon. Due to Star Trek’s popularity it has generated a wide range of spin-offs, which includes games, figurines, comics, and more. Fans like to call themselves Trekkies or Trekkers.
What can Star Trek fans do during the pandemic?
Watch Old Episodes
While there are a number of watch lists for enhancing your lockdown experience, you can also add these episodes to help you find solidarity while trapped indoors:
- The Tholian Web (The Original Series)
If you have ever felt that your walls of your house are slowly closing in on you, then you clearly have something in common with this episode where an alien species known as the Tholians spin an energy cage that threatens to permanently trap the USS Enterprise if completed. It also showcases the mysterious case of a shifting parallel universe, which makes the episode even more thrilling.
- Disaster (The Next Generation)
If you are into disaster stories as the title indicates, this is one of the episodes that boosts up excitement and tension, especially when the Enterprise is hit by a mysterious outside force that leaves the crew split in a number of unfamiliar places and situations throughout the ship. Now, only their wit and intelligence can help them survive. They have to be resourceful to fix their situations and return the ship to normal.
- The Sound of Her Voice (Deep Space Nine)
In order to keep ourselves entertained and in touch with our friends and loved ones, there are various online services. This has kept us in contact with our acquaintances even if they are not physically present. However, for a stranded Starfleet officer, Captain Lisa Cusak, a time-delayed transmission to the USS Defiant proves soul-saving for both her and the Defiant crew in a touching hour that shows the power a friendly voice can have on our sense of well-being.
Watch season 1 of Star Trek: Picard on CBS All Access
If you are looking for new content to pass your quarantine time, CBS All Access allows you to watch the entire Star Trek franchise, including the first season of Star Trek: Picard, which was released earlier this year.
Star Trek: Picard takes place 20 years after the events of Star Trek: Nemesis, the last film to feature The Next Generation cast & crew. What better way to spend time in your house than to continue the story and lore of Jean-Luc Picard? Don’t worry, no spoilers here!
Write your own Star Trek Stories
Another way to kill your boredom during self-quarantine is to get engaged in fanfiction, which has existed for decades. Some of the most well-known authors are open to having fans write with their characters and settings. Today it’s even more common for average people to write within the existing universes of Star Trek or Star Wars, for examples. If you are a Star Trek fan and love to write, you can indulge your imagination with other Trekkies in a group like Independence Fleet.
Independence Fleet is an online Star Trek creative writing & role playing club that was founded back in July 2001. Over the years, many Star Trek fans have written their imaginative stories here and created mini-Star Trek universes for themselves and their friends.
Let your imagination run wild
Last but not least, why not spend some fun time thinking about which character you would like to be quarantined with. Since many of us are locked down at home, here are some Star Trek characters that can provide the best company at such a time:
- Jean-Luc Picard
In such a difficult situation, Picard can be particularly good company because he is calm even under pressure. So, you will not feel anxious with Picard as he will play soothing music on his flute and will also read one of his favorite sonnets on Twitter.
- Dr. Julian Bashir
Because of his playful attitude, Dr. Bashir can make for a great companion. He will always keep you entertained with his charm and wit. Also, an interesting part is that he has superpowers, so you will indeed have a great time with that.
- Kathryn Janeway
She is a resourceful and smart person—returning her crew from the other side of the galaxy. Even though she is not a good cook, she’ll certainly keep trying. And she’s a darn good Captain, too.
Or you know what? Why not plan an adventurous five-year trip into the galaxy on the Millennium Falcon or the Super Star Destroyer or an X-wing fighter? Oh wait, that’s Star Wars.
While being in a lockdown is not under your control, you can always let your inner geek out and make the most of the time available.
I have seen all of these episodes.
I have seen all of these episodes.