RIP Redshirts: Watch This Compilation of TOS Redshirt Deaths

Star Trek fans, here’s a question: what comes to mind first when someone says “red shirt”?

D’uh.

Silly question, right?

Dead. You’re dead. Poor you. 

Those are probably some of the first things you think of.

No matter how many times you watch Star Trek: The Original Series — once or a hundred times — the fact that the Redshirts die cannot be contested.

And it is a fact.

If you are wearing a red shirt in the series, you are going to give up the ghost. Take the carriage ride. Pass the sandbar. Bite the dust.

In case — just in case — you are a new fan (welcome to the wonderful world of Star Trek!), Redshirts are what we call the people who, well, wear red Starfleet uniforms.  They “were worn by members of the operations division. The duties they normally performed were in security, engineering, or other Support Services (such as communications officers, administrators, and yeomen) aboard starships and starbases.”

They often die — either killed because of attacks or illness.

In short, they are expendable.

Now that we’re all on the same page, let’s enjoy a bit of Star Trek: The Original Series Redshirts. This video is a compilation of TOS Redshirt deaths. Simple as that.

Consider it an homage.

Now for a not-so-totally unrelated question: What is your favorite Star Trek series these days?

I have to say that Captain Pike and Spock have gotten me hooked on Strange New Worlds. You? Sound off in the comments.