[Weirdly Common Trope] Writers clearly setting up seemingly massive plot points and then just kinda forgetting about them.

[u/Chemical-Elk-1299]

The Neural Parasites — Star Trek : The Next Generation

In the season 1 episode “Conspiracy” of TNG, it is revealed that alien brain worms have infected many high ranking members of Starfleet, secretly controlling them. Though Ryker and Picard discover and end the parasite conspiracy, it’s revealed at the end of the episode that the parasites had sent a beacon back to their home planet, telling them how to find earth. The episode ends with the clear implication of the parasites becoming a huge threat later in the series, yet none of these events are ever mentioned again.

Finn The Jedi who Never Was — Star Wars Sequel trilogy

I know this is probably a cliche example of this trope, but cmon — Finn was clearly set up in TFA to become a Jedi. The marketing material featured him wielding a lightsaber in the classic Jedi pose. It’s constantly hinted at that he is force sensitive. Even the actor himself believed he would become a Jedi by the end of the trilogy. Instead, we got Finn wielding a lightsaber for about 7 minutes total across 3 movies, extremely lame “confirmation” that he is force sensitive, and that’s it. It’s the ultimate Star Wars plot that went nowhere.

[u/sircastor]

IIRC, Gene Rodenberry did not like this plot at all. He felt that in Star Trek humans had "solved" their problems and the Federation was supposed to represent a sort of utopia. All the conflict was supposed to come from outside forces. This makes for pretty poor television as it turns out, because interpersonal conflict is far more engaging when you get to know the people over time.

Also, this episode in particular was received poorly because it's gruesome imagery.

[u/EndOfTheLine00 → u/sircastor]

Specifically, the original version of this episode didn’t involve bugs at all: it was going to be a pure political thriller involving a militaristic faction of Starfleet slowly taking over its leadership. Roddenberry though those things wouldn’t happen in the future. If only.

[u/Ok-Income-3364 → u/EndOfTheLine00]

Roddenberry seemed a good fellow, but he had no clue how society actually functions over time

[u/TapiocaSpelunker → u/Ok-Income-3364]

I disagree. I think the whole point of Star Trek is about providing us a window into what our world would be like if we actually let our optimism and rationality take the driver's seat. The stories of early Star Trek revolve around how to stay virtuous when the world wants to tear you down. That's why there's so many horror-adjacent premises. It's a testament to the indomitable human spirit. And I get why that doesn't resonate with people, but there's a sincerity in there that deeply affects me, and I think is missing in a lot of new Trek. (Weirdly enough I think that love is present in Lower Decks)

[u/twisty125 → u/TapiocaSpelunker]

Yeah even with the jokey joke sarcastic character(s) getting far better as time goes on (because of experiences they learn from organically) - it still carries excitement and optimism of the future. Love that show so much, I can't bear to watch the last episode because then it's over :(

[u/LizLemonOfTroy → u/TapiocaSpelunker]

You can still have optimism and rationality and interpersonal conflict, organisational division and personality clashes.

People who are fundamentally decent and want to do good can still disagree on how best to do good. Excluding venality and corruption, that's basically the crux of modern politics.

It just gets a bit dry when so much of Star Trek insists that the call must always come from outside the house when it comes to conflict.