“Did humans really talk like that?”: A Piece of the Action (TOS) vs. The Royale (TNG)

Away teams from two Enterprises encounter echoes of Earth’s past on far-off planets … and also cheat at craps (and fizzbin).

Trek vs. Trek returns on Sunday, Sept. 23

Listen up, pal: Trek vs. Trek is back from summer hiatus with a new post every Sunday, starting on Sept. 23 with the classic Original Series episode “A Piece of the Action” and The Next Generation’s “The Royale”. Until then, check the language banks, and find out what a “heater” is.

Have a long and prosperous summer

Trek vs. Trek is going on hiatus for the summer, and will return in the fall.

“I’m literally angry with rage!”: The Squire of Gothos (TOS) vs. Where No Fan Has Gone Before (Futurama)

The crew of the Enterprise meet Earth’s biggest fan, and the cast of the show meet Star Trek’s biggest fan.

“The dream dreams the dreamer”: Birthright, Part 1 (TNG) vs. Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy (VOY)

Data learns to dream, and the Doctor learns to daydream.

“A little ship that took a little trip”: The Terratin Incident (TAS) vs. One Little Ship (DS9)

Honey, I Shrunk the Crew of the Enterprise (and a Runabout)

“There’s coffee in that nebula”: The Corbomite Maneuver (TOS) vs. The Cloud (VOY)

Kirk and Janeway put their morals where their mouths are, risking ship and crew to show that the Federation’s values aren’t just words.

“We will not accept a no-win scenario”: In a Mirror, Darkly, Part 2 (ENT) vs. What’s Past is Prologue (DSC)

We wrap up our trip to the Mirror Universe with two episodes that are each classic Trek, but in very different ways.

“This feels like a reckoning”: Shattered Mirror (DS9) vs. Vaulting Ambition (DSC)

The Siskos and Burnham spend more creepy quality time with the Mirror versions of their lost loved ones, which turns into a sitcom for the Siskos, and a horror movie for Burnham.

“Every moment is a test”: Through the Looking Glass (DS9) vs. The Wolf Inside (DSC)

Sisko and Burnham impersonate their Mirror Universe selves, which leads Burnham to question her faith in herself and in humanity … and leads Sisko to look cool dual-wielding phasers.