Treking through all Star Trek

Discussion in 'General Trek Discussion' started by thew40, Sep 21, 2009.

  1. thew40

    thew40 Commander Red Shirt

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    Series: The Original Series – Season Three
    Episode: “Specter of the Gun”
    Trek Installment # 150
    Grade: F
    Viewing Date: February 15, 2010

    Not a good start . . .

    It really just doesn’t make sense. Why didn’t the aliens just up and kill them? Why the illusion of the OK Corral? Why the need to make them go through all these hoops? It just lacked common sense – and thus it collapses the entire episode.

    Three things that I actually liked about this one:

    - the discussion after Chekov was killed; surprisingly only in that this was the first time we’ve seen these characters mourn their fallen crewmates
    - the whole “mind over matter” solution
    - the storm at the end

    That’s all. The aliens were stupid, the premise was weak and flawed, and it all just sucked.
     
  2. thew40

    thew40 Commander Red Shirt

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    Series: The Original Series – Season Three
    Episode: “Elaan of Troyius”
    Trek Installment # 151
    Grade: C+
    Viewing Date: February 15, 2010

    Not the best episode, but light-years above the malaise of the past few. I found Elaan to be extremely annoying and just completely unlikeable – but it was nice to finally have a woman who was a real bitch and pretty manipulative. She was great in that way and I appreciated that above the norm of Trek women thus far. There are some notable exceptions, but she was by far the strongest character. Of course, even then, she needed to learn her lessons.

    Other than that, I did like the battle with the Klingons. Added some excitement to the episode. I also liked the ambassador. He was a very different character than what we’re used to. I do also wish we had seen the wedding itself – would have been cool to see an alien wedding between two different cultures.

    The Klingons themselves kept up their Cold War tactics of trying to claim resources and planets. I liked that. Overall, an average episode, but a good average episode.
     
  3. Chrisisall

    Chrisisall Commodore Commodore

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    Thew, I humbly suggest you stop wherever you are in season 3 & sell the set. I LOVED that ep, and if you did not, the rest of the season will probably suck much worse for you.:(
     
  4. Chrisisall

    Chrisisall Commodore Commodore

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    And this is one of my top five episodes. If you feel the scientific plausibility (or lack thereof) of an alternate Earth somehow finding its way into our Universe trumps the message of hidden truths that motivate us to the point of fanaticism or sheer cool character stuff, then the technobabble of TNG might be a better way to go- they explain (& overexplain:rommie:) everything.
     
  5. DevilEyes

    DevilEyes Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    I find it average and it's not even in my top 10 from season 3, so I suggest you don't sell it. ;)
     
  6. Chrisisall

    Chrisisall Commodore Commodore

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    Average??
    Maybe Enterprise Incident is better... or Tholian Web.
    What else?:shrug:
     
  7. plynch

    plynch Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    And "Spectre" is in my top 10, due to its coolness. Warp travel, a space navy, and artificial gravity blow the whole plausibility-of-Trek thing for me from the first episode. (Good thing I didn't know what I know now when I was six!) So I sit back and enjoy Spectre's "Our Town" minimalism, good weird-acting by the townsfolk/Earp gang and Petrushka-esque musical score.
     
  8. Chrisisall

    Chrisisall Commodore Commodore

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    I love that one as well.:techman:
    And... as long as you bring it up, my top 10 from season #3 (in order) are:
    Elaan Of Troyus
    Spectre Of The Gun
    Tholian Web
    Enterprise Incident
    Turnabout Intruder
    Paradise Syndrome
    Is There In Truth No Beauty?
    Day Of The Dove
    Plato's Stepchildren
    Lights Of Zetar
     
  9. thew40

    thew40 Commander Red Shirt

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    I think you misread my review. I actually liked it! I just found it to be an average episode. Nothing really stood out to me. It was entertaining, but not as inticing as so many others.


    I can handle alternate Earths . . . but the way they're mass produced in TOS just pushes the envelope. I can accept a lot, but even I have my limits. Ultimately, however, it wasn't the alternate Earth aspect that killed the episode -- it was that the episode didn't seem to know what it was about! A crazy captain? A fountain of youth? Nope! The Cold War!

    Sorry, but that episode just didn't do anything for me. I found it boring and pointless. Why run Kirk and co. through the wringer?
     
  10. Chrisisall

    Chrisisall Commodore Commodore

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    Sorry Thew, I'm seeing Trek as a continuum that started when I was six. Each LONG-awaited episode was a gem to be relished... well, not The Apple or Spock's Brain, of course...heh.:wtf:

    Your mileage will certainly vary. And it is to be expected.:techman:
     
  11. thew40

    thew40 Commander Red Shirt

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    Series: The Original Series – Season Three
    Episode: “The Paradise Syndrome”
    Trek Installment # 152
    Grade: C
    Viewing Date: February 15, 2010

    This episode is kinda epic. There are the Preservers, which would have been a very interesting concept to play around with if TOS had continuity. With the Preservers, you could potentially explain a lot. All my bitching about the “other Earths” could have been explained by introducing the Preservers – notably “The Omega Glory” and “Miri.” Instead, well, this is what we got . . .

    On the flipside, we have the story about Kirk losing his memory, marrying a Native American woman, who gets knocked up, and then dies. It’s a surprising story for Kirk, but in the long run, doesn’t add much to him. It would have been great to have this tragic tale as a part of him, but we know that next episode, he’s fine and beating up aliens and laying down with whoever he needs to. Actually, I do amend that – if anything, Miramanee is a genuine romance for Kirk. Her love for him washes away the biochemical romance of Elaan and is far more real than whenever Kirk needs to teach a woman how to love. Even though it was short-lived, his time with Miramanee is akin to Edith Keeler, Ruth, and Carol Marcus. It was something more than the norm and it gave Kirk that rare feeling of peace.

    As for the Enterprise herself in this episode, did they actually manage to get the warp drive back on-line at the end? Why didn’t they contact Starfleet from help? Or use the tractor beam on the asteroid? Or photon torpedoes? And “Kirk to Enterprise” is what opens the obelisk? Seriously?

    It’s not a bad episode, but there’s a lack of logic that’s almost grating at times.
     
  12. plynch

    plynch Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    fun and spect-acle
     
  13. thew40

    thew40 Commander Red Shirt

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    Series: The Original Series – Season Three
    Episode: “The Enterprise Incident”
    Trek Installment # 153
    Grade: B+
    Viewing Date: February 15, 2010

    This was a real classic here. A strong episode that broke out from the string of average episodes that I’ve been dealing with. It was nice to finally deal with some of the fall-out of the Romulan/Vulcan revelation and it puts Spock in a very interesting position. This lends to some really fantastic scenes and some smart dialogue between the Romulan Commander and Spock. The Romulan Commander breaks the mold in terms of Trek villains. Not bitchy or crazy or downright evil. A patriot, a seducer, but ultimately a strong female villain.

    In addition, we also have the set-up of the Romulan-Klingon alliance in that the Romulans are now using Klingon ships. It’s a little strange, but kinda cool. I’m assuming the Klingons got the cloaking device in response.

    Kirk has a strong subplot to go along with this. It’s nice to see some espionage involved and it made for a pretty great story overall. Even the conclusion with the Enterprise cloaking was good.

    Loved it.
     
  14. thew40

    thew40 Commander Red Shirt

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    Two-fer!



    Series: The Original Series – Season Three
    Episode: “And the Children Shall Lead”
    Trek Installment # 154
    Grade: D+
    Viewing Date: February 19, 2010

    Not a bad premise here – evil alien wins over children with plans to make them his generals. At least this fat-ass has motivation, which is more than some other villains. This one was kinda creepy, too, what with the kids being all cult-like and chatting and whatnot.

    But where it failed was in the logical aspects of the story and ultimately diminishing characters like Sulu or Uhura. After all they’ve been through, I’d expect them both to pick themselves up and power through the fear. Did Uhura really think she was dying? Did Sulu really think that the Enterprise was going to ram into a bunch giant space swords? Really? Also, why did Kirk and crew bury the science team on the planet instead of taking the time to contact their families and decide what to do with the bodies? And, wow, those tombstones were whipped up pretty fast! It must be the future!

    Best “WTF” moment? When Kirk beamed the two Redshirts into space! Whoops! I’d like to hear him tell their parents about that one! If Kirk had a twitter, it would say: “Just beamed two security guys into space, killing them instantly! FML!”


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    Series: The Original Series – Season Three
    Episode: “Spock’s Brain”
    Trek Installment # 155
    Grade: D-
    Viewing Date: February 19, 2010

    Best episode ever.

    Spock’s brain gets brain-napped by cavemen ladies who hang around an underground compound and put on a special hat that makes them smart. For no reason. Kirk and co. fight the cavemen and women, Bones puts Spock’s brain back, and all is well.

    I liked 1) the ion ship and 2) the scene where Kirk, Chekov, Uhura, and Sulu were talking about what planet to go to. It really showed that when Spock’s not hogging up the scene, these three can step up.

    I also liked everyone’s “WTF” face in the first half, like even they can’t believe the episode is based on Spock’s missing brain.
     
  15. thew40

    thew40 Commander Red Shirt

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    Series: The Original Series – Season Three
    Episode: “Is There In No Truth Beauty?
    Trek Installment # 156
    Grade: B
    Viewing Date: February 19, 2010

    I was actually pleasantly surprised by this one. Aside from pre-Pulaski Doctor Jones being a bitch and the rather sexiest dinner party, I really like this episode. Doctor Jones herself was a little nutty, but the big plot twist with her being blind was unexpected. Kolos’ in Spock’s body was pretty cool too. Larry’s insanity was a little over the top and the Enterprise’s zip through the galactic barrier was surprising.

    Actually what really won me over in this episode was the direction. The camera angles on the bridge and in the corridors were very different than the standard. I loved that. The use of the steady-cam helped create a sense of urgency.

    I thought Kirk and Bones rant about beauty was really stupid.

    All in all, a good episode. A little over the top at times, but different and compelling enough to really grab me.
     
  16. thew40

    thew40 Commander Red Shirt

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    Series: The Original Series – Season Three
    Episode: “The Empath”
    Trek Installment # 157
    Grade: D-
    Viewing Date: February 20, 2010

    This one was such a snooze-fest. I just about fell asleep twice. Soooo boring. “Gem” was super-lame. The Vions were kinda cool looking, but their intentions and attempts at playing god were really stupid and should have been looked down upon more.

    The only thing that really stuck out at me in this episode was Bones playing hero. I loved that.

    Honestly? I wish there was more to say, but, quite frankly, this episode sucked.
     
  17. thew40

    thew40 Commander Red Shirt

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    Here's a big fat one because I've been so lazy!

    Series: The Original Series – Season Three
    Episode: “The Tholian Web”
    Trek Installment # 158
    Grade: B
    Viewing Date: February 20, 2010

    After last episode’s debacle, I was very glad to have this one. An interesting sci-fi phenomena (a starship sinking into another universe) coupled with a biological effect (the crew going crazy) and injected with some great drama (Spock vs. Bones, plus Kirk’s death) makes for good television.

    I always felt like the Tholians were one of the most interesting Trek species and it bothered me that we never saw them again (well, we do, but you know what I mean). I think their web is a little over the top, but other than that, they’re a very cool and nicely alien species that deserved more than what they got.

    Compounding that, the drama of Kirk’s death is well-felt. Spock and McCoy’s antagonism was nicely played out. There are a number of scenes here that parallel earlier moments in their relationship – notably McCoy getting Spock to have a drink with him in “The Evil Within” and his questioning of Spock’s command in “The Galileo Seven.” In fact, I argue that Spock’s command style has at last evolved to its strongest now – his logical proceedings coupled with his more emotional outreaches, such as greeting Chekov and Uhura and taking the time to hold a wake for the captain.

    A fine, fine episode.

    I wonder what happened to the Defiant . . .

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    Series: Enterprise - Season Four
    Episode: “In a Mirror Darkly Part One” and “In a Mirror Darkly Part Two”
    Trek Installment # 159 & 160
    Grade: B
    Viewing Date: February 20, 2010

    I’m combining these because, mainly, it the closest “Enterprise” ever has to a movie and they work better together than separate. Revisiting “Enterprise” after two and a half seasons of TOS is a little strange. It’s even stranger to watch the mirror universe versions of the characters I’ve enjoyed.

    But don’t get me wrong – I love these characters and just how different they are. Archer’s over-acting is on high and he’s super-evil. T’Pol’s bitchy, but not snobby. Hoshi’s a manipulative ho. Reed is, well, still basically Reed. Trip’s an asshole. Phlox makes everyone his bitch. And hey, Soval’s a nice guy!

    I also liked that we had an actual explanation as to how the interspace rift was created and just what happened to the Defiant. These two episodes serve as a great homage to TOS without being a parody. I appreciated the detail put into the Defiant set. But at the same time, it did feel out of place when compared to NX-01 and the Avenger.

    And while it was great seeing the Gorn again, he also just comes off as odd when compared to “The Arena.” Same goes with the Tholian. Now, of course, we’re going by visuals here and I certainly didn’t expect the rad CGI version to be replaced with the mini-Godzilla (or vice versa [and yes, I know I said otherwise before, but I’ve changed my mind]). But, at the same time, I dunno, it just didn’t feel exactly Gorn to me.

    Maybe I’m over-thinking it, though. Like I said, the set looks fantastic and at times, more detailed than TOS. I appreciated seeing the captain and the Redshirt laying in the same position they were in just the previous episode (I’d imagine that would smell pretty bad). And the activation of the bridge was really neat.

    The plot itself is rather epic, with some nice twists and turns. It really gave us an impression as to what the beginnings of the Terran Empire’s space conquest was like – just “Enterprise” did the same with the Prime timeline. Nice little side stories add some fun and depth to the two-parter and made for a decent overall storyarc.

    I think the best way to sum it up is to basically state that while things came across as out of place at times, the episode itself was fun and nicely epic. The details and some of the smaller scenes were what made this episode. Soval’s chiding T’Pol about her “live long and prosper” and seeing where the Jefferies Tubes lead to and even learning the fate of Prime Archer and Hoshi – all of these gave the episode texture. And while yes, it was a little much and it feels awkward, it was fun.
     
  18. thew40

    thew40 Commander Red Shirt

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    Series: The Original Series – Season Three
    Episode: “For the World Is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky”
    Trek Installment # 161
    Grade: B-
    Viewing Date: February 26, 2010

    I really, really liked this episode. It was smart, had some interesting concepts and some overall neat characters. Kirk didn’t get a chance to get laid, Spock didn’t solve the problem – it was all Bones. Bones was awesome. This was his episode, his time to shine.

    I wish this episode would have had a follow-up. I loved the idea it presented with the generational ship and Bones’ storyline was extremely compelling. The goons looked dorky, but as a whole, this episode was great and one of the best of the season.
     
  19. thew40

    thew40 Commander Red Shirt

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    Series: The Original Series – Season Three
    Episode: “Day of the Dove”
    Trek Installment # 162
    Grade: B +
    Viewing Date: February 27, 2010

    Part of me sees this episode as part of the Organian’s prophecy about the Federation and the Klingons. When the alien was revealed, the Klingons and Federation pulled together and made fun of it, sending it whimpering back into space with its energy tail between its legs. As the final ‘true’ Klingon episode of TOS, it manages to tie things together neatly. After three seasons of arms building, to have two great warriors on either side forced to make peace when faced with a warmongering aliens, it seems to cap it off well. There’s promise in that slap on the back from Kang.

    Each character had a great role to play. Sulu, in particular, had some shining moments as he tried to fend off the Klingons. Crazy Chekov was very scary. Like his scene with Mara. Wow. Gross.

    The Klingons themselves were pretty great and were closer to the 22nd and 24th century counter-parts. Kang was pretty menacing and aggressive, not nearly as aristocratic as Kor and certainly not as patient as Koloth. I liked Mara’s comments about Starfleet – a glimpse at the Klingons propaganda was appreciated. Mara herself was pretty cool Klingon. I liked her a lot.

    Overall, a really good Klingon episode, probably one of the best of the bunch.
     
  20. thew40

    thew40 Commander Red Shirt

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    Here's two for good measure. I'm doing this, even though I've gotten lax in both posting and reviewing.

    Series: The Original Series – Season Three
    Episode: “Plato’s Stepchildren”
    Trek Installment # 163
    Grade: F-
    Viewing Date: February 27, 2010

    This was, without a doubt, the absolute worst TOS episode I have ever seen and second only behind “Precious Cargo” in overall bad Trek. While there have been some serious whoopers in the past, this one was just takes the cake. It’s exhaustingly brutal. The paper thin bondage scenes are disturbing and the rest is just all completely ridicules.

    In fact, the one and only good scene was that of Uhura and Kirk kissing. I actually liked what she had to say because it added depth to her character that hasn’t been seen since season one when she was hitting on Spock all the time.

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    Series: The Original Series – Season Three
    Episode: “Wink of an Eye”
    Trek Installment # 164
    Grade: D-
    Viewing Date: March 2, 2010

    This was the most pointless episode of Star Trek I’ve ever seen. I actually fell asleep mid-way through. Kirk fights off probably the weakest villain Trek has ever produced, runs around the ship super-fast, and then Spock shows up and does nothing but saves the ship super-fast.

    Ugh.

    Next please!