Need a good starter episode for a newbie

[Metryq]

Robert Comsol wrote:

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revealing that some ideas of Star Wars had been there first in TOS (even if the VFX, admittedly, didn't look that great).

And pretty much all of the ideas existed pre-STAR TREK, too. I would not be surprised if FORBIDDEN PLANET had strongly influenced Roddenberry.

"Balance of Terror" is the TOS version of THE ENEMY BELOW.

In an interview, Spinrad said "The Doomsday Machine" was MOBY DICK inspired, but I had always thought it was derived from Saberhagen's BERSERKER. And if you want super-weapons, the Disruptor from Edmond Hamilton's THE STAR KINGS (which is also very STAR WARS-like) can destroy "space itself."

TOS is a great show for any sci-fi fan, as many stories are based on popular novels and short stories. Many episodes were written by popular sci-fi writers. That STAR TREK succeeded so well outside the genre is a tribute to the synergy of all the threads that make it up.

[Robert Comsol]

Metryq wrote:

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And pretty much all of the ideas existed pre-STAR TREK, too. I would not be surprised if FORBIDDEN PLANET had strongly influenced Roddenberry.

Apparently it did. Considering that the two Star Trek pilots dealt with mind power stories (not very original after FORBIDDEN PLANET) I'm relieved they got their act together and presented a solid and original Star Trek story with "The Corbomite Maneuver" highlighting the adventureous but also dangerous business of going where no man had gone before.

Metryq wrote:

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"Balance of Terror" is the TOS version of THE ENEMY BELOW.

Yes. Now was it Curd Jürgens or Hardy Krüger playing the German submarine captain ?

Metryq wrote:

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In an interview, Spinrad said "The Doomsday Machine" was MOBY DICK inspired.

Indeed, Commodore Decker displayed quite an Ahab Complex.
Much better though than what we saw with Khan in ST II (too derivative, IMHO, I would have expected more ingenuity from the "superior intellect" ).

Bob

[Melakon]

I know the decision was made in August, but "Space Seed" is also a good choice. It was one of the earliest episodes released in VHS, to tie in with the video release of TWOK (there was even a trailer for the film).

[Metryq]

Robert Comsol wrote:

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Apparently it did.

Do you know of any documentation? I'm not doubting you—I made the suggestion myself. I was just wondering if any of the TREK books mention this definitively.

And while FORBIDDEN PLANET is Shakespeare's THE TEMPEST in space, SERENITY (the FIREFLY feature film) made several allusions to both:

• C-57D is the registration number of the United Planets cruiser. We see the name number on the crashed "Research & Rescue" ship on Miranda. A smaller craft (shuttle?) with the number is also found on Miranda.
• Miranda is the name of the "forbidden planet" in SERENITY, and also the name of Prospero's daughter in THE TEMPEST.
• The crew of Serenity confront an "id monster" in the form of the Reavers.

One of the most TREK-like aspects of FORBIDDEN PLANET is the scene where engineer Quinn is telling the captain how difficult it will be to replace a certain piece of damaged equipment. Adams cuts the engineer short, "All right, it's impossible. How long will it take?"

"Scotty, I need warp speed in three minutes, or we're all dead."

[MacLeod]

A good story can compensate for lacklustre effects, the reverse is not true however the best effects in the world can't compensate for a lacklustre story.