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Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)
FEATURE: MUST WATCH EPISODES
Episode:1x01
The Man Trap
Jack's Rating:
A salt creature that can disguise itself in any form stalks the Enterprise.
Features:
Stardate: 1513.1
Air Date: 09/08/66
Director: Marc Daniels
Jack's Review
Excellent way to start off the series. Setting the tone for future episodes in many ways, we see the death of the red-shirts for the first time as well as the mystery solving skills of the crew. The salt vampire is creepy and you actually end up feeling a little bit sorry for the murderous thing.
Episode:1x09
Dagger of the Mind
Jack's Rating:
A maniac who escapes from the Tantalus V penal colony uses a brainwashing device in an attempt to gain control of the Enterprise.
Features:
Stardate: 2715.1
Air Date: 11/03/66
Director: Vincent McEveety
Jack's Review
This is a classic! First appearance of the Vulcan mind meld! Just an awesome episode. Morgan Woodward plays a terrific part in this episode. And let's face it, that screenshot is pure gold!
Episode:1x10
The Corbomite Maneuver
Jack's Rating:
A powerful ship captures the Enterprise, but it is just a test to learn the Federation's intentions.
Features:
Stardate: 1512.2
Air Date: 11/10/66
Director: Joseph Sargent
Jack's Review
This episode contains what is perhaps one of the most iconic images in the sci-fi genre (see screenshot). Loads of suspense and intrigue make the final meeting with the alien that much more satisfying. Interesting fact: Balok is played by Clint Howard, younger brother of Ron Howard. Clint also shows up in DS9 "Past Tense Pt II", plays a Feregi in "Acquisition" on Enterprise, and most recently an Orion character on Discovery.
Episode:1x14
Balance of Terror
Jack's Rating:
A Romulan Bird of Prey attacks the Federation outposts near the Neutral Zone, starting a cat-and-mouse confrontation with the Enterprise.
Features:
The Romulans
Stardate: 1709.2
Air Date: 12/13/66
Director: Vincent McEveety
Jack's Review
Phenomenal...epic...awesome. We get our first glimpse of the newest and what would become the most deadly enemy of the Federation. Mark Lenard, mostly known for his role as Sarek, Spock's father, shows up as the Romulan commander. Did you know he also plays the lead Klingon in the beginning of Star Trek The Motion Picture? While this episode is often referred to as the "Run Silent, Run Deep" episode (the 1958 film starring Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster), it is actually closer to "The Enemy Below", starring Robert Mitchum and Curd Jürgens from 1957.
Episode:1x16
The Galileo Seven
Jack's Rating:
The shuttlecraft Galileo and its seven occupants crash-land on a hostile planet, and Spock must assume command to give them a chance at being rescued.
Features:
Stardate: 2821.5
Air Date: 01/05/67
Director: Robert Gist
Jack's Review
This one has to be among my all time favorite episodes. This really showcases the acting skills of Leonard Nimoy, Deforest Kelley, and James Doohan. I have always loved the stranded survivalist type of stories - ever since Island of the Blue Dolphins in Elementary school, I suppose.
Episode:1x17
The Squire of Gothos
Jack's Rating:
Four Enterprise crew members are kidnapped by Trelane, an arrogant, impetuous alien who turns out to be a child using the crew members as play things.
Features:
Stardate: 2124.5
Air Date: 01/12/67
Director: Don McDougall
Jack's Review
We get our first look at what could be the Q in this episode...and William Campbell's portrayal of the sinister Trelane who turns out to be a spoiled brat is brilliant! While Trelane is not referred to as a Q in the episode, when asked at a convention, Campbell said he was a Q. The novel "Q-Squared" confirms this theory.... And because the novels are no-longer considered canon, there is still much debate as to Trelane's origins among fans. Personally, I like to think he is.
Episode:1x18
Arena
Jack's Rating:
After chasing a Gorn ship into an uncharted sector of space, Kirk and the Gorn commander are transported to a desert planet, where they are forced to duel to the death.
Features:
Stardate: 3045.6
Air Date: 01/19/67
Director: Joseph Pevney
Jack's Review
Yet another classic episode - one that is perhaps the most recognizable Star Trek episode ever. If you get the chance, check out the episode of Hollywood Weapons where Terry Schappert tries to make the bamboo cannon. My take on that is "of course he can make gunpowder and a cannon out of a hunk of bamboo...he's the goddam captain!"
Episode:1x19
Tomorrow is Yesterday
Jack's Rating:
The Enterprise is thrown back in time to 20th Century Earth after a close encounter with a black star, and is reported as a UFO by an Air Force pilot.
Features:
Time Travel
Stardate: 3113.2
Air Date: 01/26/67
Director: Michael O'Herlihy
Jack's Review
Here we have the first true time travel episode in Star Trek history. The Slingshot effect would be reused in several episodes across the Trek universe. There is something fun about modern people coming face to face with the Enterprise crew and this story is loaded with excitement and comedy. Over the years this episode has cemented itself as one of my favorites. If memory serves this is the first appearance of the "Kirk-fu" move nicknamed "the Captain's log" where Kirk throws his whole body at a group of attackers. So fun!
Episode:1x20
Court Martial
Jack's Rating:
Kirk is charged with negligence in the death of an Enterprise crewman, but is later acquitted when Spock discovers that the crewman isn't really dead.
Features:
Stardate: 2947.3
Air Date: 02/02/67
Director: Marc Daniels
Jack's Review
I typically don't much like the courtroom drama episodes....I mean, this is Star Trek! I want to see warp speed and phasers and photon torpedoes and aliens....But as is true with each Star Trek series, there is always a really good court-based episode ["Measure of a Man; TNG], and this is the one for the original series.
Episode:1x21
The Return of the Archons
Jack's Rating:
The Enterprise crew beams down to a planet where the zombie-like inhabitants are controlled by a super computer known as Landru.
Features:
Stardate: 3156.2
Air Date: 02/09/67
Director: Joseph Pevney
Jack's Review
You are not of the body. You will be absorbed. It is the will of Landru. This is another classic episode. It is fun to see how the writers overcame special effect and budget constraints by using different existing props and sets. Here we also have our first reference of the Prime Directive. This is another episode that reuses the Mayberry set from Andy Griffith. On a personal note, I went to visit my Dad shortly after he watched this episode. He looked at me and said, "greetings, friend. Are you here for festival?" when I said no, he shouted, "you are not of the body!" at me. It was a riot.
Episode:1x22
Space Seed
Jack's Rating:
The Enterprise finds the S.S. Botany Bay, a 1990's sleeper ship carrying a group of genetically bred supermen led by Khan Noonian Singh.
Features:
Stardate: 3141.9
Air Date: 02/16/67
Director: Marc Daniels
Jack's Review
Up there with "Arena" as far as classic Trek episodes go, "Space Seed" is even more infamous in that it gives us the backstory for one of the greatest sci-fi movies of all time. I admit I had never seen this episode when I watched Wrath of Khan in theaters in 82. The terrific thing is you don't need to see it to enjoy that film. One fun bit of trivia. When Kirk smashes the glass on Khan's sleeping chamber, his phaser falls off his hip. You can see Deforest Kelley look at the phaser and then up in the direction of the camera as if questioning if they were going to call a cut for a retake.
Episode:1x24
This Side of Paradise
Jack's Rating:
All of the Enterprise crew, except Captain Kirk, are exposed to spores that induce a feeling of euphoria and a desire to remain on the planet.
Features:
Stardate: 3417.3
Air Date: 03/02/67
Director: Ralph Senensky
Jack's Review
This is one of the most fun classic episodes in all three seasons. I remember seeing this one as a kid and being enthralled by the flower shooting the spores and laughing at the diatribe Kirk uses on Spock at the end....mutinous, disloyal, computerized half-breed indeed.
Episode:1x25
The Devil in the Dark
Jack's Rating:
A mining colony on Janus VI is faced with death and destruction caused by a rock-like creature, the Horta, which turns out to be a mother trying to protect her eggs from the miners' equipment.
Features:
Stardate: 3196.1
Air Date: 03/09/67
Director: Joseph Pevney
Jack's Review
William Shatner rated this as his favorite...and I list it as mine as well. Even above "City on the Edge of Forever", "Arena", and "The Changeling". We have a touch of mystery, horror, action, and humor. Perfect Star Trek, my friends. Gene Roddenberry listed this as one of his ten favorite episodes in a TV Guide article in 1991, and legendary Sci-fi author Arthur C. Clarke recalled the only episode of Star Trek he could remember was this one!
Episode:1x28
The City on the Edge of Forever
Jack's Rating:
After an accidental overdose of the stimulant cordrazine, Dr. McCoy jumps through a time portal on a deserted planet and ends up on Earth in the 1930's.
Features:
Time Travel
Stardate: 3134
Air Date: 04/06/67
Director: Joseph Pevney
Jack's Review
Here we are, perhaps the finest science fiction television episode ever. Time travel in its finest as penned by the immortal and enigmatic Harlan Ellison....Perfect acting by Deforest Kelley, Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, and Joan Collins really makes this episode sparkle. What makes this episode so great? It's the message of friendship, risking everything, and doing what must be done against all odds. You can't help but be touched by the look on Kirk's face during the climax. The fact that this episode concludes with the only swear word in all three seasons is rather fitting based on what the crew had gone through.
Episode:1x29
Operation: Annihilate!
Jack's Rating:
While investigating the death of Kirk's brother and other colonists on Deneva, Spock is attacked by a flying creature that attaches itself to its victim's nervous system.
Features:
Stardate: 3287.2
Air Date: 04/13/67
Director: Herschel Daugherty
Jack's Review
This one terrified me when I was a kid. The fried egg-like creature just repulsed me so much! This is a fantastic episode. You can't help but care for Spock and feel bad for the mistake McCoy makes at the end. In the original script for the episode, the Enterprise was able to locate the parasite's home planet and destroy it with two "Planet Wrecker" missiles. While that might have been a cool ending, the one we ended up with is much better. There is also a deleted scene (in the Roddenberry Vault) that shows Kirk's nephew, Peter, sitting in the Captain's chair in a command uniform talking about his future with Kirk.
Episode:2x01
Amok Time
Jack's Rating:
Under the stress of his first "pon far," Spock returns to Vulcan to wed his childhood betrothed, only to find that she has chosen another and forces Spock into a ceremonial fight to the death with Kirk.
Features:
Stardate: 3372.7
Air Date: 09/15/67
Director: Joseph Pevney
Jack's Review
What a way to start off a new season! This is another of the most iconic classic Trek episodes. I remember seeing this one as a kid and loving the twist at the end....and Spock's reaction of course! Naturally you can't think of this episode without hearing this!
Episode:2x03
The Changeling
Jack's Rating:
The Enterprise encounters Nomad, a small mutated Earth probe that has been destroying planets in its path in an attempt to sterilize the "imperfect" life forms on them.
Features:
Stardate: 3451.9
Air Date: 09/29/67
Director: Marc Daniels
Jack's Review
Here it is....my second favorite episode of all time. This one has everything you need to be a classic. Powerful enemy, eminent danger for the ship, a mind meld, and Kirk at his absolute best! It also follows the red-shirt rule! My step-dad and I used to drive my Mom crazy walking around saying "I am Nomad. I am Perfect" for a week after seeing this episode on TV. Couple of neat trivia items here: This is the first time Scotty says the famous "giving them all we got" phrase. This episode is also one of four times Kirk is able to talk a computer to death. The other episodes are The Return of the Archons , I, Mudd, and The Ultimate Computer.
Episode:2x04
Mirror, Mirror
Jack's Rating:
While transporting during an ion storm, Kirk, McCoy, Scott, and Uhura are switched with evil counterparts in a parallel universe, and it is up to the parallel Spocks to get their respective crew members back.
Features:
Stardate: Unknown
Air Date: 10/06/67
Director: Marc Daniels
Jack's Review
And here we have the reason why Season 2 is the best season of the original series. Because of this episode, everyone knows that goatees mean you are evil! This is a truly exceptional episode...hands down. The overall peril Kirk and company face is nerve-wracking, and the acting is terrific. Let's face it, everyone has a person or two they would like to put in the agony booth, right? I would easily list this one in my top ten TOS episodes.
Episode:2x06
The Doomsday Machine
Jack's Rating:
A giant robot ship wandering through the galaxy destroying everything in its path cripples the starship Constellation and then turns on the Enterprise.
Features:
Stardate: 4202.9
Air Date: 10/20/67
Director: Marc Daniels
Jack's Review
This one really shines with the new HD effects! The over the top acting by William Windom is terrific. I usually dislike episodes where someone pushes Kirk and the crew around but this one makes sense. The overall peril of the planet eater is so palpable that it should make you nervous.
Episode:2x08
I, Mudd
Jack's Rating:
An android masquerading as an Enterprise crew member hijacks the ship and delivers it to Harry Mudd, who has developed a race of beautiful android women.
Features:
Stardate: 4513.3
Air Date: 11/03/67
Director: Marc Daniels
Jack's Review
A hysterical romp with Harry Mudd! Roger Carmel was amazing in that role and I really wish he had come back another time or two. As it is, this is the last live action appearance of Harry Mudd until Rainn Wilson's very different Mudd on Discovery. This one is a riot with a really fun ending. Did you know that Roger Carmel did voice work on the original Transformer's cartoon? You won't hear Cyclonus, Motormaster, or Bruticus the same ever again!
Episode:2x10
Journey to Babel
Jack's Rating:
The Enterprise is transporting delegates to a Federation conference, when Spock's father, Ambassador Sarek, becomes ill and requires a transfusion from Spock.
Features:
Stardate: 3842.3
Air Date: 11/17/67
Director: Joseph Pevney
Jack's Review
Ah, what a fun story! Here we have Spock's parents, Andorians, Tellarites, spy games, Kirk-fu, and play-doh food! A CLASSIC original episode.
Episode:2x15
The Trouble With Tribbles
Jack's Rating:
When the Enterprise stops at the K-7 space station to pick up a shipment of a new type of grain, trader Cyrano Jones introduces the Enterprise crew to tribbles, cute furry creatures that multiply so rapidly that they almost fill the Enterprise to its seam
Features:
The Klingons
Stardate: 4523.3
Air Date: 12/29/67
Director: Joseph Pevney
Jack's Review
Here we have one of the top 5 TOS episodes and easily one of the top Star Trek episodes ever made. It's funny as heck and probably one of the most accessible episodes of the original series - making it a great episode to show anyone you want to introduce to Trek.
Episode:2x16
The Gamesters of Triskelion
Jack's Rating:
While surveying an uncharted planet, Kirk, Uhura, and Chekov are transported to the planet's surface, where they are forced to be gladiators in combats staged for the pleasure of unseen aliens.
Features:
Stardate: 3211.7
Air Date: 01/05/68
Director: Gene Nelson
Jack's Review
I love this episode. It follows the A and B story formula and contains one of the silliest Kirk maneuvers witnessed in any episode - the kiss and punch! Ridiculous, silly, fun. I wouldn't change this episode for one-thousand quatloos!
Episode:2x17
A Piece of the Action
Jack's Rating:
The Enterprise crew investigates the progress made by a planet visited by a Federation ship over 100 years earlier, and find that a book on the Chicago mobs of 1930's Earth has served as the role model for the planet's development.
Features:
Stardate: 4598
Air Date: 01/12/68
Director: James Komack
Jack's Review
Man, this one has everything. Gangsters, comedy, Fizzbin, Kirk trying to drive a car, and Vic Tayback. If you enjoy the episodes where the crew encounters past Earth-style civilizations, this one should be on your list!
Episode:2x18
The Immunity Syndrome
Jack's Rating:
The Enterprise is sent to investigate a giant amoeba-like creature that has killed all life on Starbase 6 and the Vulcan-crewed starship Intrepid, and Spock penetrates the amoeba in a shuttlecraft.
Features:
Stardate: 4307.1
Air Date: 01/19/68
Director: Joseph Pevney
Jack's Review
Another that should be labeled a classic. The story is classic sci-fi and fits perfectly into the story-of-the-week formula of the classic Trek shows. A tidbit of trivia - this is the last episode of TOS to show the interior of a shuttlecraft, the last episode directed by Joseph Pevney, and the last time Kirk wears the green wrap-around tunic - although, filming order actually makes "Bread and Circuses" the last appearance of the green tunic on-screen.
Episode:3x02
The Enterprise Incident
Jack's Rating:
Kirk and Spock are captured by the Romulans while on a secret mission to steal a new Romulan cloaking device.
Features:
The Romulans
Stardate: 5027.3
Air Date: 12/20/68
Director: John Meredyth Lucas
Jack's Review
One of only two appearances by the Romulans in the original series, this is a terrific episode. Plenty of intrigue and action. I own a t-shirt that says Vulcan Death Grip on it that uses the screenshot too.
Episode:3x06
Spectre of the Gun
Jack's Rating:
Kirk and company are trapped in a bizarre re-creation of the ancient American West and forced to fight in the gunfight at OK Corral.
Features:
Stardate: 4385.3
Air Date: 09/20/68
Director: Vincent McEveety
Jack's Review
I am quite the fan of western films and have done quite a bit of research on Wyatt Earp. So, while this episode is not even remotely historically accurate, it is lots of fun. I remember watching this one as a kid and the climax always blew my mind.
Episode:3x09
The Tholian Web
Jack's Rating:
Kirk disappears and is presumed dead while Spock tries to keep the Enterprise from being the victim of a weblike alien weapon.
Features:
Stardate: 5693.2
Air Date: 11/15/68
Director: Herb Wallerstein
Jack's Review
Another classic episode. The basic premise of this episode is reused (slightly) in the TNG episode, "The Next Phase". Hard to say which one is better, but the classic Trek quality of this one makes it worth watching.
Episode:3x11
Wink of an Eye
Jack's Rating:
The Enterprise is commandeered by aliens who exist in a hyperaccelerated time frame.
Features:
Stardate: 5710.5
Air Date: 11/01/68
Director: Jud Taylor
Jack's Review
I always used to mix this episode up with "Wink of an Eye". Thankfully, reviewing the episodes as I have helped me to sort them out. This one is a classic Trek episode: enemy takes over ship, crew in peril, Kirk kicks butt. Some things never get old.
Episode:3x23
All Our Yesterdays
Jack's Rating:
Spock and McCoy are trapped in a planet's distant past, where Spock finds love with an exiled woman.
Features:
Time Travel
Stardate: 5943.7
Air Date: 03/14/69
Director: Marvin Chomsky
Jack's Review
Such a great penultimate episode. I would have thought, as well done as this one is, the studio would have kept the show going. I love the way the away team gets split up. Mr Atoz (yep, A to Z) is a terrific character and Mariette Hartley is amazing - although she will always be the short-lived wife of Dr. David Banner on The Incredible Hulk way back in 78. Heck, she even won an award for that role -and you can see how good she is in this early venture as well.