Star Trek The Original Series: What happened to Charlie aboard USS Enterprise in Star Trek: The Original Series? Details explored

There have been several characters in Star Trek: The Original Series who despite their limited screen time have gone on to become a memorable part of the storyline. One such character is Charlie, from Season 1, Episode 2 titled Charlie X.

Charlie, a 17-year-old boy, boards the USS Enterprise to be transported to the Alpha V colony. Though initially, he seems like a normal teenager who is eager to please everyone, with time he starts to display powers that result in chaos. Charlie, played by Robert Walker, is an unhinged boy, brought up by computers on the planet Thasus after his ship crashed on the deserted planet. His lack of empathy and emotional instability make him a threat on board the spacecraft.

In Charlie X, the audience witnesses Captain Kirk’s (played by William Shatner) internal struggle of wanting to help a teenager through his emotional turbulence but at the same time assess the situation for the greater good by keeping Charlie away from humankind.

Let's take a closer look at who Charlie X is and what happened to him aboard the USS Enterprise in Star Trek: The Original Series.

Who is Charlie?

Charlie Evans is a 17-year-old teenage boy, who is the lone survivor of a transport ship that crashed on the planet Thasus. Thasians are a species with powerful psychokinetic powers, who no longer have a physical form. From the age of three, Charlie grew up by himself and learned to speak with the help of the wrecked ship’s computerized logs.

In Charlie X, the USS Enterprise is contacted by Antares, a cargo vessel. Captain Ramart of Antares requests Captain Kirk to transport the ‘unusual passenger’ Charlie to his closest relative on the Alpha V colony since it would be on the path of their current journey. Captain Kirk finds it odd that though the Antares crew speak highly of Charlie, they are relieved to see him leave. Nonetheless, he welcomes Charlie on board.

What happened to Charlie on board the USS Enterprise in Star Trek: The Original Series?

On the USS Enterprise, Charlie is desperate to be liked by everyone. After his examination by Dr. Leonard McCoy (played by DeForest Kelley), he asks,

"I’m trying to make people like me. I want them to like me."

To which, Dr. McCoy responds,

"Most 17-years do."

But after some time Charlie starts displaying unwarranted rage and hostility whenever things do not go his way. His lack of social skills becomes more obvious. Dr. McCoy suggests that Charlie needs a father figure and Captain Kirk can help him through his understanding of life.

Charlie's unstable personality comes to the surface

Charlie is smitten by Yeoman Janice Rand (played by Grace Lee Whitney). In the recreation room, Communications Officer Uhura (played by Nichelle Nichols) starts singing impromptu songs. Instead of paying attention to Charlie, Rand enjoys Uhura’s music. This makes Charlie angry and he uses his powers to make Uhura temporarily lose her voice and mess up Mr. Spock’s (played by Leonard Nimoy) musical instrument.

Meanwhile, they receive a distress signal from Antares, but before they can get the full message, the ship explodes.

During a martial arts class with Captain Kirk, Charlie makes one of the training partners disappear as he laughs at him. An agitated Captain Kirk makes the security take Charlie back to his quarters, despite his protests.

Captain Kirk explains to Charlie,

"There are a million things in this universe you can have and a million things you can't have. It's no fun facing that, but that's the way things are."

Charlie has the powers of telepathy and matter mutation. He gets increasingly erratic, making the crew vary from him. He breaks out of his holding and spreads chaos by using his power to freeze or change people’s appearance. When Rand does not encourage his advances, he makes her disappear.

Charlie is sent back to Thasus

Seeing as Charlie cannot regulate his emotions and has powers beyond the ability to control, Captain Kirk decides to keep him away from the civilized world. They are no longer heading to the colony. Charlie who learns of Captain Kirk’s plan takes hold of the ship himself. No matter what the crew tries, it is impossible to control Charlie.

A Thasian ship approaches the Enterprise and restores the crew and the ship to what it was before. They informed that Charlie had escaped from their planet on the cargo ship. The Thasian commander says that they had given Charlie some of their powers to ensure he survives in their world, but it would be difficult for him to live with his own kind. Though Charlie wants to stay back and begs to not be sent away, he is transported away.

After Charlie leaves, Captain Kirk and his crew feel disheartened as they are aware that the young boy does not deserve to be abandoned but they had no choice as the alternate would have been catastrophic.

Star Trek The Original Series was on air from 1966 to 1969. Created by Gene Roddenberry, the show went on to become a global phenomenon.

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