Every so often, a beloved TV series delivers an episode so wonderfully misguided that it becomes a cult classic in its own right. Star Trek: The Next Generation gave us exactly that with Season 7's "Sub Rosa," a 46-minute detour into Gothic horror that has aged into a so-bad-it's-good gem. It's the kind of episode that makes you laugh, cringe, and secretly love every second of it.
A Ghostly Romance on Caldos IV
The plot is pure pulp: Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) beams down to a Scottish-themed colony to attend her grandmother's funeral. She inherits her grandmother's diaries, which reveal a steamy relationship with a mysterious younger man named Ronin (Duncan Regehr). Soon, Beverly is haunted by Ronin's ghost, who claims to have loved every woman in her family for generations. The only catch? She must light a special candle to keep him alive—and, of course, she does, leading to a whirlwind of supernatural seduction that pulls her away from her duties on the Enterprise.
Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) is not thrilled, but he reluctantly lets Beverly go. When he visits her to meet Ronin, the ghost attacks him, leaving Picard unconscious. Meanwhile, Data and Geordi discover that the colony's weather problems stem from Felisa's grave, where they find her body—possessed by Ronin. The truth emerges: Ronin is an anaphasic alien who survives by draining energy from the candle. Beverly finally destroys the candle with her phaser, vaporizing Ronin and saving the day.
Why It's So Bad It's Good
"Sub Rosa" is a checklist of everything that makes "so bad it's good" entertainment work. There's the Irish actor playing a Scottish groundskeeper with a hilariously over-the-top accent. There's the scene where Felisa's corpse rises from the dead, straight out of a B-movie. And there's Beverly telling Troi about her "Big O" and how she finds her grandmother's diaries erotic—a moment that prompts a perfectly timed shudder from Picard. The episode even tries to explain the ghost as an alien, but the pseudo-science only adds to the camp.
What elevates "Sub Rosa" above mere badness is its earnestness. Everyone involved plays it completely straight, from McFadden's committed performance to the moody, fog-filled sets. McFadden herself has come to embrace the episode's absurdity, saying, "When I saw the 'Sub Rosa' script, I was like, 'You are kidding me.' Patrick hated it. He was like 'This is absurd' and all. And when you read it, there are so many completely absurd things in it. And it's more like a little Gothic, I don't know horror or something, but yeah, now I embrace it because I think it is hilarious. I mean, I just, I've learned to love the green-eyed orgasm that Crusher has, you know? I mean, that doesn't happen every day, a green-eyed orgasm…"
A Spooky Gem Worth Revisiting
Despite its camp, "Sub Rosa" has genuinely eerie moments, especially before Ronin reveals himself. The old house, with its creaking floors and flickering candlelight, creates a haunting atmosphere that McFadden sells with conviction. It's a rare Star Trek episode that leans fully into horror, and for that, it deserves credit. The most chilling thought? Beverly's 100-year-old grandmother was getting some ghostly lovin' from a man who looked 34. That's enough to make anyone shudder.
If you're in the mood for a fun horror watch that doesn't take itself too seriously, "Sub Rosa" is a perfect pick. It's a reminder that even the most respected series can stumble into glorious nonsense—and that sometimes, that's exactly what we need. For more haunting horror series or horror hokum on streaming, check out our other picks. But for a truly unforgettable Trek experience, beam up "Sub Rosa" and enjoy the ride.
