Following romantic storylines on Star Trek can be an unforgiving interest. While the show hasn’t eliminated romantic relationships, human coupling was never the main event on this science fiction franchise. Unfortunately, that leaves romantic-minded Trekkers really dissatisfied when it comes to seeing some of their favorite characters finally admit to more than just platonic feelings. Sure, the Star Trek reboot movies feature a canon relationship between Spock and Uhura pretty prominently, but that's definitely the exception, rather than the rule when it comes to Trek stories.
Between the Original Series, the Next Generation, Voyager, Deep Space Nine, Enterprise, and now Discovery, every show has a pairing that left fans feeling devastated at its lack of fulfillment. Kirk and Spock, Janeway and Chakotay, Crusher and Picard – all of these couples are primes examples of pairings that had a lot of subtext and that fans were desperate to see take off, but never did.
That said, with such a huge cast of characters in the franchise as a whole, there are plenty of less obvious possible pairings that were just as starved for fulfillment as more of the mainstream unrealized couples. We’ve gathered a collection of fan art from these more unexpected pairings and were pretty surprised at how much we got behind some of the entries.
You probably don’t need another impossible couple to root for, but that won’t make this list any less fun to peruse. If you’re looking for some new daydream material, look no further – this list was designed to meet your needs.
Here are 20 Wild Fan Redesigns Of Unexpected Star Trek Couples.
DAX AND KIRA
As the only two women on the DS9’s senior staff (and the only two female series regulars on the show), Jadzia Dax and Kira Nerys eventually became total BFFs. They gossiped together, holosuited together and were, in general, #goals for space besties.
They also would’ve made a seriously great couple, and an imagined romance between the two wasn’t such a huge stretch given the fluidity of gender and orientation present in joined Trills.
While there wasn’t much subtext to go on in the actual show, Jadzia is clearly interested in hot-headed, but steadfast partners as evidenced her relationship with Worf. Kira fits this bill to a T, which is probably why this drawing by mintfrosting gave us all unexpected feelings.
JANEWAY AND PICARD
Captains Janeway and Archer really got the short end of the stick when it came to sharing scenes with their fellow Trek peers. Picard and Kirk got an entire movie to themselves, Sisko’s first (and one of his most defining) scenes is with Picard, but Archer’s never appeared alongside another Star Trek captain and the closest Janeway came was a Skype call with Picard in Star Trek: Nemesis.
Now that we’ve seen kevinwada’s depiction of them clearly on a date, we can’t stop thinking what a perfect couple they would’ve been.
They both maintain fierce loyalty to the ideals of the Federation, even when it threatens to cost them everything, they’ve both experienced the loneliness of command and they’ve both been Borged, which is surely an experience that unites people. Someone needs to make this canon already.
SPOCK AND KIRK
Spock and Kirk’s epic bond is a cornerstone of much of early Star Trek. Some of the most seminal moments in the franchise grew out of the men’s fierce devotion to one another, as in classic episodes like “Amok Time” and the final moments of Wrath of Khan.
As a matter of fact, this pairing is widely-regarded to be the first mainstream non-canon gay romance – and for good reason.
Despite the fact that there was no real indication of romantic onterest on either Kirk or Spock represented in the series or movies, the bonds of their friendship went deep enough to inspire legions of fans to create pieces like the above from mangamadness1.
TASHA AND TROI
One of the most frustrating missed opportunity’s on Star Trek: The Next Generation was the tragically short tenure of Security Chief Tasha Yar.
Actress Denise Crosby was frustrated at the lack of activity given to her character and the thought of being locked into that kind of work for several years didn’t appeal to her. She decided to leave the show and was terminated in “Skin of Evil”.
During her short time on the show, Yar and Troi don’t interact too, too much, but the potential for the two to have a dynamic relationship wasn’t lost on fans like moosoppart who created this flirty sketch of the two.
CHEKOV AND UHURA
This rendition of Chekov and Uhura by CaptBexx represents one of the sweet couples that was not to be. The piece was inspired by the Abrams movies, so the faces are those of the Zoe Saldana and the late Anton Yelchin. It makes us think what a nice balance these two characters could’ve struck together if they’d been put together instead of Uhura and Spock.
Chekov is inexperienced and green, but plenty capable, and Uhura is exactly the kind of woman who would instill confidence in her partner.
While ultimately we prefer her pairing with Spock, this cute drawing did have us daydreaming on what might have been. It would’ve meant we’d have seen more of Chekov, that’s for sure.
BURNHAM AND GEORGIOU
One of Michael Burnham’s primary developments during the first season of Star Trek: Discovery was her struggle to find her path once her mentors have been lost to her. The passing of Philippa Georgiou sends Burnham into a tailspin of guilt and despair. Because of that and the damage to her crew and ship, Burnham is resigned to her future as a lifelong military prisoner.
Some fans have imagined that Burnham’s regret was steeped in romantic feelings between the two women, as represented in spaceauxiliatrix’s creation here. While the canon relationship between the two is overtly mentor/mentee, there’s more than enough room to imagine something more – especially after meeting Mirror Georgiou.
PICARD AND Q
Picard’s antagonistic relationship with Q made for some of Star Trek: The Next Generation’s finest moments. From his sinister introduction in “Encounter at Farpoint” to his more evolved guidance in “All Good Things”, Q’s seasoned Picard’s journey with unexpected trouble, for sure, but also with unexpected opportunities to explore human existence.
For his part, Picard’s human optimism and steadfast resistance of Q’s abuse of power definitely rubbed off on the omnipotent being if his steadily gentler treatment of humanity is any indication.
They make each other better people, and that’s a cornerstone of any good romance.
That’s why we can’t help but love this piece by spanielf.
JANEWAY AND SEVEN
The addition of Seven of Nine to Star Trek: Voyager was a successful, but controversial one. Star Trek's first show led by a woman had decided to increase ratings by featuring a blonde who exclusively wore catsuits. Luckily, Jeri Ryan happens to be a phenomenal actress, and even if her character was a blatant attempt to nab key male demographics, the writing for Seven of Nine was more than up to snuff.
Her relationship with Janeway turned into one of the show’s anchoring storylines, which, of course, meant that fans have envisioned the two as more than platonic friends.
Regardless of how you feel about Janeway and Seven being romantic partners,it's more palatable than the Chakotay and Seven relationship we got in the finale. We certainly like this art by G672 better.
GEORDI AND DATA
Data and Geordi might seem pretty out of left field, but considering they’re the most most affection-starved characters on Star Trek: The Next Generation, they have a lot in common.
Geordi literally never got a (real) girl for all of his seven years on the show, and all Data got was a very questionable and kind of problematic hook-up with a “inebriated” Tasha Yar.
The two formed a lasting friendship despite Data’s inability to experience human emotions for much of his time on the show.
It doesn’t surprise us at all that this piece (also by moosoppart) exists. In a world where an android and an engineer couldn’t find love with anyone else, of course people would start seeing them together.
BEVERLY CRUSHER AND JADZIA DAX
While Star Trek: The Next Generation crossed over a handful of times with Deep Space Nine, regrettably none of those episodes featured the Enterprise D’s CMO and DS9’s Science Officer meeting in person. Artist gazomg clearly thinks they should have.
This picture of Beverly Crusher leaning to plant one on Jadzia Dax is surprisingly compelling.
Jadzia’s been inserted into a photo of Beverly Crusher from TNG’s first season. That episode (along with much of TNG’s first season) has been widely reviled, but it did give us one of the rare, truly romantically charged moments between Crusher and Picard. Under the influence of a virus that makes everyone on the crew act intoxicated, Crusher hits on the captain and eventually has to be shooed off the bridge.
MILES AND BASHIR
Much like Geordi and Data and Kirk and Spock before them, these two Star Trek best buds inspired much in the way of fan support after spending seven seasons in the holosuites together.
In “Extreme Measures” in season 7, the two finally admit that while they love their significant others to pieces, they perhaps like one another better.
The O’Brien/Bashir relationship is significant because it represented a marked turn in the way male friendship was treated on Star Trek. It’s also interesting that this is not the only non-canon pairing that fans like for Bashir – he’s also commonly paired with Garak, but this piece by perpetual-insomniac is too good to ignore.
SCOTTY AND UHURA
This pairing is mostly based less on any real interaction between Scotty and Uhura (Star Trek: V doesn’t count), and more on the fact that Uhura was by far the most significant female crewmember on The Original Series, so she’s pretty much paired with everyone. That said, the idea of Scotty and Uhura getting together is actually pretty palatable.
The two genuinely enjoy each other, and as much as we like Spock and Kirk, Scotty just seems like a way better boyfriend.
He’s smart, practical, knows how to have a good time, but also isn’t a massive ladies man. Of all the potential TOS pairings, this is the one we’d have liked to see the most. TechnoRanma’s cute Tribble exchange never ceases to make us smile.
SPOCK AND MCCOY
Spock and McCoy are usually overshadowed by the granddaddy of non-canon romances, Spock and Kirk. But the Spock/McCoy relationship is arguably as fertile ground as any to speculate on romance. The two were at each other’s throats constantly – well, that’s overstating things – McCoy was at Spock’s throat and Spock arched his eyebrow a lot.
The two certainly shared an antagonistic relationship that, to some fans, indicated underlying passion!
The couple might not have as hearty a following as Spock and Kirk, but it’s hearty enough that we’ve got plenty of fanart like this by cannorachan representing the two in a more romantic light.
KIRK AND JANEWAY
The correct hierarchy when ordering Janeway pairings is as follows – Janeway/Chakotay, Janeway/Picar,d and Janeway/Kirk. Janeway and Kirk falls into the “we didn’t know we wanted it” category, much like Janeway and Picard did. Now that we’ve seen yet another brilliant photo manip from Gazomg, we’re fully on board.
Janeway seems like one of the few women who wouldn’t get hypnotized by Kirk’s charm. As a no-nonsense scientist, she’s absolutely his type (Carol Marcus, anyone?). They may not be long-term relationship material – two alphas don’t always make a right – but we’re absolutely into the idea of them sharing an adventure or two together, if only in apocryphal works.
Plus, Janeway’s slaying in that gold velour, so we’d show up just for that.
KES AND TUVOK
While actress Jennifer Lien’s time on Star Trek: Voyager was cut short to make room for the addition of Jeri Ryan’s Seven of Nine, Kes remains a truly unique addition to the Star Trek universe.
As an Ocampa, she possessed a lifespan of only seven years, not mention uncharted telepathic ability. After she joined Voyager, she started working with Tuvok to develop said abilities and the two forged a lasting friendship.
Though Tuvok was married and remained committed to his wife despite their distance, that didn’t stop fans from speculating that there was more to Kex and Tuvok’s relationship than met the eye. Their mutual respect for and a natural curiosity about one another made it seem like they’d have been a great couple if they’d met under different circumstances.
This piece by Glee-chan sums up our feelings nicely.
Q AND JANEWAY
Q’s pursuit of Captain Kathryn Janeway was a delightfully unexpected renaissance for the character. He’d appeared on only one episode of DS9 after being something of a fixture on TNG, and for a while it looked like he might have been relegated to a strictly TNG existence. Luckily, he wound up finding new life on Voyager and his relationship with Janeway offered a more in-depth view of Q, his people and the Continuum itself than TNG ever allowed.
Despite the fact that Janeway fully rejected his advances at every turn, we still like the idea of them together because of what it brought out in one of our favorite characters.
This piece by Spocklady is based on “The Q and the Grey” and features a Janeway who clearly reconsidered Q’s proposal that they have a child together.
TOM AND HARRY
Tom Paris and Harry Kim shared one of the most dynamic relationships on the show. Their “opposites attract” vibe made an excellent jumping off point for narrative as evidenced by one of Voyager’s darkest and most effective episodes, “The Chute”. In it, Tom and Harry are trapped on a prison ship and on top of that they’ve each been implanted with a device that’s designed to slowly drive them insane.
At the end of the day, they manage to hold on until rescue arrives, and the importance of their friendship is impossible to ignore. On a show that was sorely lacking in LGBTQ representation, Tom and Harry were as close to gay romance as Voyager ever got.
It’s not surprising this piece by Technicalc is one of many representations of the friends as a couple.
KIRA AND DUKAT
Part of what made Gul Dukat such a terrific villain was his ability to trick those around him (and us) into believing that he’d abandoned his elitist, racist, and self-serving ways and stopped trying to justify the horrible crimes committed against the Bajorans in Cardassia’s name.
While Ziyal, his half-Bajoran, half-Cardassian daughter was alive, it seemed his redemption was a possibility. That’s the only time we’ve ever supporting him getting with one of his biggest enemies, Kira Nerys.
Chalk it up to fixer-upper syndrome, but there’s something endearing about a story in which Dukat is positively influenced by Nerys’ influence and they find some way to live happily ever after.
After learning of his affair with her mother, such fantasies are harder to indulge in, but we still like this more optimistic representation of them by datahorton.
GARAK AND BASHIR
Garak and Bashir are one of Trek's most most popular non-canon couples. Their relationship was one of the most entertaining and rewarding on Deep Space Nine, and Garak’s plain devotion to the doctor plus his dearth of female companionship outside of Ziyal only fanned the flames.
A cursory search of the internet will yield more Garak/Bashir fanart than you can shake a stick at, but we fell in love with this piece by ladyyatexel. It’s mostly because it doesn’t depict the characters in some sort of star-crossed position, but just as a happy couple dancing at a special occasion. Maybe it’s their wedding, who knows?
What we can say is that they’re clearly happy and in love and, to be honest, we buy that more than we buy Ezri and Julian’s undying love.
PICARD AND RIKER
These two would've been something spectacular to see. Imagine if “Parallels” had featured Worf visiting a universe in which more than just his love life was totally different. It would’ve been so, so entertaining to see an Enterprise D helmed by a pair of husbands. Granted, it would’ve been a much, much different show, but there’s a part of us that looks at this photo and desperately wants to see Picard and Riker play house.
The two kind of balance each other out, as we saw in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Where Picard is staid and consistent, Riker is carefree and little impulsive.
Much like a few of the other unexpected pairs on this list, they’re good for each other and thus, fun to imagine coupling up. Well-played, HillaryWhiteRabbit. Well-played.
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What's your favorite non-canon Star Trek pairing? Let us know in the comments!