Star Trek: The Animated Series S1E16 – The Jihad

The Animated Series concludes its first season with The Jihad, an action-heavy and adventurous episode that feels like a mix of treasure hunt and morality play and is probably the most successful adaptation to the short animated format of the series so far. The title alone would likely raise eyebrows today, as the term “jihad” carries significantly more political and cultural weight now than it did in the 1970s. Much like The Slaver Weapon, the loaded language of the episode’s title risks overshadowing the fact that story is pitch-perfect for Saturday morning cartoon fun.

The episode begins when Kirk and Spock are summoned to a distant planet as part of a diverse team of specialists tasked with recovering a stolen sacred artifact, the “Soul of Skorr.” The artifact’s loss threatens to ignite a holy war among the Skorr, a proud avian race with a history of militarism that had only recently embraced peace. To prevent galaxy-wide chaos, the team must navigate treacherous landscapes, survive deadly traps, and work together despite their differences. The episode shares some passing similarities to Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s two-part story Gambit, with both narratives revolving around a diverse group of characters pursuing a powerful artifact to prevent interstellar conflict.

The strength of The Jihad lies in its adventurous spirit and its diverse cast of characters. The team includes Tchar, the Skorr warrior there at his government’s behest; Sord, a brutish but capable reptilian; an insectoid named “EM/3/GREEN” – a master lockpick; and Lara, a human expert tracker whose flirtatious interactions with Kirk inject a bit of snu snu-themed levity. The dynamic between these characters adds intrigue and tension, especially as the mission’s dangers reveal conflicting priorities and hidden motives.

Visually, the episode is one of The Animated Series’ more ambitious entries. The alien landscapes are vibrant and imaginative, featuring everything from volcanic terrains to shifting quicksand fields. The designs of the Skorr and other aliens in the ensemble showcase the freedom animation offered, though the action sequences sometimes feel stiff due to the limitations of 1970s animation techniques.

Thematically, The Jihad explores familiar Star Trek ideas of teamwork, cultural understanding, and the importance of preventing conflict. The Skorr’s backstory – a warrior race that chose peace but risks regression – is a compelling parallel to the challenges faced by many societies striving to move beyond their violent pasts. However, the episode’s pacing leaves little time to delve deeply into these ideas, focusing instead on action and adventure.

Ultimately, The Jihad is an engaging finale to The Animated Series’ first season, albeit one that is less nuanced than some of its predecessors. Its title, while not inherently controversial in context, may alarm modern audiences more familiar with its modern pejoratively inflammatory tabloid usage. Still, as a piece of 1970s sci-fi, it’s a lively, albeit flawed, reminder of Star Trek’s ongoing quest to balance excitement with deeper moral inquiry.