‘Star Trek’ Mistakes You Can’t Unsee

‘Star Trek’ is a beloved sci-fi franchise with a massive fanbase. From its groundbreaking TV shows to blockbuster movies, it has shaped the genre for decades. However, even a series as iconic as ‘Star Trek’ has its flaws. Mistakes in continuity, visual effects, and logic have slipped through, and once you spot them, they’re hard to ignore.

This list dives into 15 errors across the ‘Star Trek’ universe that stand out. Whether it’s a wardrobe slip or a plot hole, these mistakes pull you out of the story. Let’s explore the blunders that even die-hard Trekkies can’t unsee.

Missing New Zealand in ‘Star Trek: First Contact’ (1996)

In ‘Star Trek: First Contact’, Captain Picard shows Lily a view of Earth from space. The camera zooms in on Australia, but New Zealand is nowhere to be seen—just blue ocean. This is a glaring error, as New Zealand is a key part of Earth’s geography. The visual effects team likely used a faulty map image, creating a mistake that sticks out for anyone familiar with the region.

The absence of New Zealand can’t be explained by in-universe events like climate change, as the movie is set in 2063. New Zealand is referenced elsewhere in ‘Star Trek’, proving it still exists in the franchise’s future. Once you notice this missing island nation, it’s impossible to overlook in the scene.

Spock’s Height Change in ‘Star Trek’ (2009)

In ‘Star Trek’ (2009), young Spock faces bullies at school. A shot from behind shows him as tall as or taller than the other boys. But when the camera switches to a front view, Spock suddenly appears much shorter, positioned lower to make the bullies seem more intimidating. This inconsistent height is a clear continuity error.

The filmmakers likely adjusted Spock’s position for dramatic effect, but the shift is jarring. It’s not a camera angle trick—it’s a deliberate choice that doesn’t match the earlier shot. Once you see this height discrepancy, it breaks the scene’s immersion.

Kirk’s Tunic Swap in ‘Star Trek’ (1966)

In the original ‘Star Trek’ series, Captain Kirk experiences a wardrobe malfunction in the episode ‘Charlie X’. He enters a turbolift wearing one style of tunic, but when he arrives on the bridge, he’s in a completely different one. The switch happens in seconds, with no explanation.

This continuity error likely came from inconsistent costume use during filming. The show’s tight budget and fast production schedule often led to such oversights. Spotting Kirk’s sudden wardrobe change pulls you out of the story’s flow.

Evil Kirk’s Scratch Flip in ‘Star Trek’ (1966)

In the episode ‘The Enemy Within’ from ‘Star Trek’ (1966), a transporter accident splits Kirk into good and evil versions. The evil Kirk has scratches on his left cheek throughout the episode. However, in one bridge scene, the scratches inexplicably appear on his right cheek.

This mistake likely happened during editing, with a shot accidentally flipped. It’s a small but noticeable error that disrupts the episode’s continuity. Once you catch the flipped scratches, it’s hard to focus on anything else in the scene.

Chekov’s Accent Issue in ‘Star Trek’ (2009)

In ‘Star Trek’ (2009), the Enterprise’s computer rejects Chekov’s authorization code due to his Russian accent. He pronounces ‘V’ like a ‘W’, causing the issue. However, Chekov uses the NATO phonetic alphabet (‘Nine, Five, Victor, Victor, Two’), designed to avoid such pronunciation problems.

This factual error undermines the scene’s logic. The NATO alphabet ensures clarity regardless of accents, so the computer’s rejection makes no sense. Once you know this, the mistake feels like a lazy plot device.

Planet Rotation in ‘Star Trek’ (1966)

In multiple episodes of ‘Star Trek’ (1966), planets rotate visibly when the Enterprise orbits them. This is scientifically wrong—Earth’s rotation takes 24 hours and isn’t noticeable from space in real-time. A planet spinning fast enough to see would have days lasting minutes, making life impossible.

The show’s creators likely added this for visual flair, but it defies basic astronomy. Fans who understand planetary motion can’t help but cringe at these spinning planets. It’s a mistake that screams fiction over science.

Missing Crew in ‘Star Trek’ (1966)

The Enterprise in ‘Star Trek’ (1966) is said to have 430 crew members. Yet, episodes rarely show more than 15 or 20 people on screen. This makes the ship feel oddly empty, especially in scenes meant to show a bustling starship.

Budget constraints limited the number of extras hired, causing this discrepancy. The small crew presence clashes with the stated size of the Enterprise. Once you notice the sparse sets, the ship’s scale feels off.

Unauthorized Shuttle Launches in ‘Star Trek’ (1966)

In ‘Star Trek’ (1966) and later series like ‘The Next Generation’, shuttles often launch without authorization. The shuttle bays seem unattended, allowing anyone to take a shuttle and leave. This security lapse is mentioned multiple times but never addressed.

This plot hole makes Starfleet’s protocols look weak. A starship’s shuttle bay should have tight security, yet characters exploit this flaw repeatedly. Once you see this pattern, it undermines the Enterprise’s credibility.

Alice Android Shoes in ‘Star Trek’ (1966)

In the episode ‘I, Mudd’ from ‘Star Trek’ (1966), two Alice androids escort Kirk to Mudd’s throne room. They wear metallic, backless, kitten-heel shoes. In the next shot, one Alice suddenly has cream-colored, ankle-strap shoes, a clear costume mix-up.

This continuity error likely resulted from rushed production or a costume department oversight. The sudden shoe change is subtle but jarring once noticed. It pulls you out of the scene’s futuristic vibe.

Equipment Shadow in ‘Star Trek’ (1966)

In the episode ‘The Cage’ from ‘Star Trek’ (1966), Captain Pike gets up to accept a drink from the doctor. As he moves, an equipment shadow sweeps across the left side of the screen. It’s a clear sign of crew or gear in the shot.

Low-budget filming often led to such mistakes in the original series. The shadow breaks the illusion of being on a starship. Once you spot it, it’s a distracting reminder of the show’s production limits.

Pike’s Head Position in ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ (2013)

In ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’, after Khan attacks a meeting, Pike dies, and Spock performs a mind meld. During this, the stitching on the cushion under Pike’s head is above his ears. In the next shot, when Kirk checks Pike’s pulse, the stitching is below his ears, and his head angle shifts.

This continuity error comes from inconsistent prop placement or editing. The shifting cushion and head position are subtle but noticeable. Once seen, it disrupts the emotional weight of the scene.

Ferengi Marauder in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ (1989)

In the ‘Peak Performance’ episode of ‘The Next Generation’, a Ferengi marauder attacks during a war-game simulation. The Enterprise’s phasers are locked in simulation mode, unable to fire. However, Starfleet ships should have protocols to switch to real weapons quickly.

This plot hole makes the Enterprise seem unprepared for real threats. The oversight feels contrived to heighten drama. Once you notice this, the scene’s tension feels artificial.

Enterprise Warp Speed in ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan’ (1982)

In ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan’, the Enterprise hits Warp 14.1, a speed far beyond the established scale. In ‘Star Trek’, warp speeds max out at Warp 10, which is infinite velocity. Warp 14.1 breaks the franchise’s own rules.

This error likely came from writers ignoring the established warp scale for dramatic effect. It’s a glaring inconsistency for fans familiar with ‘Star Trek’ lore. Once you know the warp limit, this mistake stands out.

Spock’s Secret Brother in ‘Star Trek V: The Final Frontier’ (1989)

‘Star Trek V: The Final Frontier’ introduces Sybok, Spock’s previously unmentioned brother. This retcon feels forced, as Spock’s family history was explored in earlier series and films without any hint of Sybok. His sudden appearance raises questions about why he was never referenced.

The filmmakers likely added Sybok for a fresh story angle, but it disrupts continuity. Fans can’t unsee this jarring addition to Spock’s backstory. It feels like a cheap plot twist.

Khan Knowing Chekov in ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan’ (1982)

In ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan’, Khan recognizes Chekov, implying they met before. However, Chekov didn’t appear in the original series episode ‘Space Seed’, where Khan was introduced. This continuity error creates a timeline inconsistency.

The writers likely overlooked Chekov’s absence from the earlier episode. Fans familiar with the original series notice this mistake immediately. It’s a plot hole that breaks the story’s logic.

What’s the most shocking ‘Star Trek’ mistake you’ve noticed? Share your thoughts in the comments below!