In the vast universe of Star Trek, ensigns often meet grim fates. These junior officers are the unsung heroes keeping starships and space stations operational. Tragically, their journeys frequently end in horrific ways, as highlighted by the recent episode of Strange New Worlds, where we witnessed Ensign Gamble’s shocking demise. Let’s take a closer look at other ensigns who have faced similarly grim destinies.
1. O’Herlihy
The original Star Trek show may have popularized the term “redshirt” for expendable characters, but it was mainly crewmen who faced the axe. Ensign O’Herlihy, however, became one of the first casualties against the Gorn after being vaporized by a disruptor weapon.
2. Sito Jaxa
Ensign Sito Jaxa became famous for her tragic death in the TNG episode “Lower Decks.” Tasked with a covert mission to assist a Cardassian defector, she was detected and ultimately killed while trying to escape back to Federation space.
3. Dern
During the episode “Genesis,” conn officer Ensign Dern was brutally attacked by a transformed crew member, resulting in his gruesome death amidst a viral outbreak. The horror was compounded by the fact that he was also infected.
4. Harry Kim (Duplicate)
Harry Kim’s death in Voyager was unique: he died, only to be replaced by a quantum duplicate due to a spatial anomaly. His original self was promptly sucked into space, creating a fascinating debate on identity and existence.
5. Hogan
Ensign Hogan faced a dreadful fate when he was marooned on a hostile planet, only to be devoured by a giant creature shortly thereafter. To add to the tragedy, his skeletal remains sparked a religious crisis among a nearby alien species.
6. Unnamed Subnucleonic Radiation Victim
This unnamed ensign aboard the Voyager was the sole casualty of an intense radiation bombardment. While others suffered headaches, he faced the far worse reality of having his entire face burned off.
7. Jetal
Jetal was shot during an away mission and suffered tremendously due to a lack of medical intervention, which ultimately led to her death while Harry Kim survived due to better medical care. The inequality in their fates highlights the grim reality of life in Starfleet.
8. Burrows
Ensign Burrows’ death arose from a bizarre spatial distortion that led to torso implosion. Being a Starfleet officer must often feel like a game of chance with life or death hanging in the balance.
9. Connor
During the Battle of the Binary Stars, Ensign Connor died onboard the Shenzhou when he became disoriented and unwittingly wandered into a perilous situation, emphasizing the chaos of space battles.
10. Cortez
Ensign Cortez met a tragic end by getting sucked out into a void created by a subspace rift while attempting repairs. This unnerving situation illustrates the perils that ensigns routinely face.
11. Niko and Angie
The tales of Niko and Angie, friends aboard the USS Quito, take a dark twist when Niko, a shape-shifter, tragically devours Angie. Their story serves as a shocking reminder of the unforeseen dangers lurking in space.
12. Alvarado
Alvarado’s death symbolizes existential horror. Held in a transporter buffer to save him during a Klingon attack, he was ultimately lost, never to be saved when the system rebooted, deleting his biological pattern. A tragic exploration of what it means to exist.
13. Middleton
Ensign Middleton, aboard the Voyager-A, faced a unique fate, being entirely erased from existence during a violent encounter. His story serves as a haunting meditation on impermanence and memory.
14. Gamble
Lastly, we return to Ensign Gamble, whose death was both grisly and tragic. Caught in a situation with a hostile entity, he met a gruesome end only to become a pawn for the malevolent spirit, showcasing the darker side of the universe.
Curious about which Star Trek character has been the most controversial? Exploring the vast universe of Star Trek not only offers thrilling adventures but human stories filled with hope, tragedy, and moral lessons. Continue your journey with us by diving deeper into our explorations of the Star Trek series and characters at Moyens I/O.