Story arcs

Story arcs are story lines in Star Trek that are told over the course of multiple episodes. They are not simply two-parters or recurring characters and themes, but rather plots that are interwoven with other arcs and plot threads. An example of this is s introduction of the Dominion and the eventual Dominion War. Story arcs often take precedence over other plot elements and consume a series for several consecutive episodes, but in many cases (such as the Dominion War) they may take a back seat and re-enter the picture later on.
Prior to DS9, story arcs were a relatively minor part of the Star Trek universe. and both largely restored the status quo ante at the end of each episode, and even two-part episodes were somewhat rare. This changed due to the stationary nature of space station Deep Space 9, which did not simply move on to the next adventure each week; characters' actions had lasting consequences, and the events of one episode directly influenced the next. At the time, Ira Steven Behr had to fight with over making the show so serialized. 
 took the idea of the story arc in a different direction by setting itself aboard a starship as per the traditional Trek formula but stranding its crew in the distant Delta Quadrant. This both enhanced and reduced the prevalence of story arcs; while alien races such as the Kazon and Borg appeared in multiple episodes, the show was hampered by its very nature: the object was to leave familiar elements behind, which meant each plot thread had a limited life span.
, like DS9 before it, often relied on story arcs such as the Temporal Cold War and the Xindi arc that took up the entire third season. By the show's fourth season, Enterprise wrapped up these story arcs and instead refocused on the show's prequel concept with a series of "mini arcs." Most season four episodes are two- or three-part story lines, with few stand-alone episodes.
==Feature-length episodes==
These episodes are originally broadcast in two hours, as opposed to the standard one hour. After their original run, feature length episodes are re-cut as two part episodes (see below), but are usually released in their original broadcast format as a single episode. They include:
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 and aired on the same night in their premiere in the United States but were not edited into a single episode. A feature-length version was broadcast by the BBC on its first airing on , and formed part of the UK VHS release Star Trek: Voyager - Movies.
==Two-part episodes==
These episodes air separately, but tell the same story. It is typical for the first part to end with the line "To Be Continued...". They are frequently used to end and begin seasons. Two-part episodes include:
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Notably, DIS Season 3 was bookended by episodes titled and , though the two were not a single "episode" composed of consecutive episodes in the same series. That season also featured despite being an episode of TNG Season 5.
Similarly, also served as a sequel to but did not immediately follow that episode.
==Three-part episodes==
Three consecutive episodes that air separately, but tell the same story.
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==Multi-episode arcs==
Multi-episode arcs tell a continuing story and are spread out through several different episodes throughout one or multiple seasons.
===The Next Generation===
* Q and the Enterprise
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* DaiMon Bok
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* The Crystalline Entity
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* Alien neural parasites infiltrate Starfleet Command
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* Sela
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===Deep Space Nine===
* Bajor's entry into the Federation
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* Anti-alien sentiments on Bajor
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* Kira and Dukat
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* Quark and Grilka
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* Kira and Odo
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*Changeling infiltration
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*Klingon War
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* Eddington vs. Sisko
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* Dominion Invasion
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* O'Brien and Liam Bilby
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* Nog and AR-558
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* The Final Chapter
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===Voyager===
* Voyager vs. the Kazon
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* Q Civil War
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* The Hirogen
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* The Silver Blood
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* Barclay and the Pathfinder Project
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* Fair Haven
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===Enterprise===
*Temporal Cold War
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* Journey to Risa
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* Romulan Minefield
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*Archer's trial by the Klingons
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* Xindi War
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* Xenophobic Humans
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=== Discovery ===
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* The Red Angel
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* The Burn
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* The Dark Matter Anomaly
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=== Picard ===
* Synth mystery
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* Q's alternate timeline
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* Borg-Changeling attack
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=== Lower Decks ===
* Pakled conflict
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* Nova One attacks
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=== Films ===
* Spock's death and resurrection, and the consequences thereof
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== Subject arcs ==
=== Section 31 ===
22nd century episodes
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24th century episodes
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=== The mirror universe ===
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=== The alternate reality ===
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=== Q ===
Q-related episodes
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==Multi-series arcs==
Starting in...
=== The Original Series ===
*The Talosians
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*Mission to Rigel VII
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* Harry Mudd
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* Polywater intoxication
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* Shore Leave Planet
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* The Gorn
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* Khan Noonien Singh and Augments
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* Kor
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* The Guardian of Forever
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* Tribble troubles
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=== The Next Generation ===
* The Traveler and his interactions with Wesley Crusher
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* Lore
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* Professor 
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* Thadiun Okona
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* Borg and First Contact (the Borg's involvement with Earth's first contact in 2063 and the repercussions which followed)
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* Arridor and 
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* Vash and her relationship with Jean-Luc Picard and Q
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* Worf vs. Duras
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* Vulcan/Romulan Reunification
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* Thomas Riker
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* Nova Squadron and Nova Fleet
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* The Progenitors
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* Riker and the Pegasus
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=== Deep Space Nine ===
* The Maquis' struggle for self-determination
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* Genetic engineering restrictions in the Federation
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=== Short Treks ===
* Rise of the Kelpiens
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* The Conclave of Eight attacks Mars
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=== Films ===
* Sybok
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* The destruction of Romulus
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Category:Plot devices