The MOST Disliked Episode of STAR TREK - Season 3...

[Farscape One]

This is a twist on a game that is played here, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I am very curious to see the results.

Here's the game. The basic idea is your standard elimination game. I'll provide a list of the episodes for each season and you need to eliminate your most favorite or the one you deem the 'best.' Please provide an EXPLANATION for why you are eliminating your choice and be sure to copy and paste the list with your choice removed. Finally, wait six hours and leave at least 2 eliminations by other posters before you eliminate another episode.

No tactical voting! You cannot remove an episode because you feel they would threaten your preferred episode's chance to win. Pretty simple. Enjoy!

Hall of Champions (or Failures?)
2011 - AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD
2018 - AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD

Season Three -

SPOCK'S BRAIN
THE ENTERPRISE INCIDENT
THE PARADISE SYNDROME
AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD
IS THERE IN TRUTH NO BEAUTY?
SPECTRE OF THE GUN
DAY OF THE DOVE
FOR THE WORLD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE
TOUCHED THE SKY
THE THOLIAN WEB
PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN
WINK OF AN EYE
THE EMPATH
ELAAN OF TROYIUS
WHOM GODS DESTROY
LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
THE MARK OF GIDEON
THAT WHICH SURVIVES
THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
REQUIEM FOR METHUSELAH
THE WAY TO EDEN
THE CLOUD MINDERS
THE SAVAGE CURTAIN
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
TURNABOUT INTRUDER

 

[Farscape One]

I will begin by saving "THE THOLIAN WEB". This has been a personal favorite since I first saw it. Spock in command always is a recipe for great scenes. Watching the crew starting to go cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs is a joy. The scene with Spock, McCoy, and Scotty with the cure was hilarious. Kirk's goodbye orders were great. Seeing the Tholians was great... we never saw enough of them in the franchise. They were a truly alien species. I can go and on, but you get the idea.

SPOCK'S BRAIN
THE ENTERPRISE INCIDENT
THE PARADISE SYNDROME
AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD
IS THERE IN TRUTH NO BEAUTY?
SPECTRE OF THE GUN
DAY OF THE DOVE
FOR THE WORLD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE
TOUCHED THE SKY
PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN
WINK OF AN EYE
THE EMPATH
ELAAN OF TROYIUS
WHOM GODS DESTROY
LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
THE MARK OF GIDEON
THAT WHICH SURVIVES
THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
REQUIEM FOR METHUSELAH
THE WAY TO EDEN
THE CLOUD MINDERS
THE SAVAGE CURTAIN
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
TURNABOUT INTRUDER

 

[Farscape One]

I have a question... should I do one for The Animated Series? I really think that should be part of this, as well as a 'Least Disliked' version of it.

 

[Spock's Barber]

THE ENTERPRISE INCIDENT
THE PARADISE SYNDROME
AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD
IS THERE IN TRUTH NO BEAUTY?
SPECTRE OF THE GUN
DAY OF THE DOVE
FOR THE WORLD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE
TOUCHED THE SKY
PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN
WINK OF AN EYE
THE EMPATH
ELAAN OF TROYIUS
WHOM GODS DESTROY
LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
THE MARK OF GIDEON
THAT WHICH SURVIVES
THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
REQUIEM FOR METHUSELAH
THE WAY TO EDEN
THE CLOUD MINDERS
THE SAVAGE CURTAIN
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
TURNABOUT INTRUDER

Here we go! I know some Trekkers dislike seeing Spock-o get a temporary lobotomy, but I like the episode. Even with the dubious ending, I have to send Spock's Brain to the recovery room.

 

[Maurice]

Only a fool fights in a burning house, so I save DAY OF THE DOVE.

THE ENTERPRISE INCIDENT
THE PARADISE SYNDROME
AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD
IS THERE IN TRUTH NO BEAUTY?
SPECTRE OF THE GUN
FOR THE WORLD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE TOUCHED THE SKY
PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN
WINK OF AN EYE
THE EMPATH
ELAAN OF TROYIUS
WHOM GODS DESTROY
LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
THE MARK OF GIDEON
THAT WHICH SURVIVES
THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
REQUIEM FOR METHUSELAH
THE WAY TO EDEN
THE CLOUD MINDERS
THE SAVAGE CURTAIN
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
TURNABOUT INTRUDER

 

[Spock's Barber]

^ Oh, no. The Tholian Web reappeared on the list. That Commander Loskene is a tricky alien.

 

[BlueStuff]

^ Removed The Tholian Web again.

With my turn, I'll save The Enterprise Incident. It's a thrill-ride and creatively structured to boot.

THE PARADISE SYNDROME
AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD
IS THERE IN TRUTH NO BEAUTY?
SPECTRE OF THE GUN
FOR THE WORLD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE TOUCHED THE SKY
PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN
WINK OF AN EYE
THE EMPATH
ELAAN OF TROYIUS
WHOM GODS DESTROY
LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
THE MARK OF GIDEON
THAT WHICH SURVIVES
THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
REQUIEM FOR METHUSELAH
THE WAY TO EDEN
THE CLOUD MINDERS
THE SAVAGE CURTAIN
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
TURNABOUT INTRUDER

 

[Phaser Two]

And before you know it . . . it's gone! (Wink of an Eye.) My S3 favorite. Great dialogue, good cast performances, the most realistic enemy takeover of the ship, and one of the best female guest stars in the series with Kathie Browne as the enigmatic Deela.

THE ENTERPRISE INCIDENT
THE PARADISE SYNDROME
AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD
IS THERE IN TRUTH NO BEAUTY?
SPECTRE OF THE GUN
DAY OF THE DOVE
FOR THE WORLD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE
TOUCHED THE SKY
PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN
THE EMPATH
ELAAN OF TROYIUS
WHOM GODS DESTROY
LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
THE MARK OF GIDEON
THAT WHICH SURVIVES
THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
REQUIEM FOR METHUSELAH
THE WAY TO EDEN
THE CLOUD MINDERS
THE SAVAGE CURTAIN
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
TURNABOUT INTRUDER

 

[BlueStuff]

I have a question... should I do one for The Animated Series? I really think that should be part of this, as well as a 'Least Disliked' version of it.

The only reason I didn't make that one is that I haven't seen TAS. If you want to do it, go right ahead.

 

[BlueStuff]

THE PARADISE SYNDROME
AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD
IS THERE IN TRUTH NO BEAUTY?
SPECTRE OF THE GUN
DAY OF THE DOVE
FOR THE WORLD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE TOUCHED THE SKY
PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN
THE EMPATH
ELAAN OF TROYIUS
WHOM GODS DESTROY
LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
THE MARK OF GIDEON
THAT WHICH SURVIVES
THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
REQUIEM FOR METHUSELAH
THE WAY TO EDEN
THE CLOUD MINDERS
THE SAVAGE CURTAIN
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
TURNABOUT INTRUDER

 

[Garth Rockett]

I have a question... should I do one for The Animated Series? I really think that should be part of this, as well as a 'Least Disliked' version of it.

I say yes. Love TAS.

I will save the surreal beauty of Spectre of the Gun. I love this off-kilter episode.

THE PARADISE SYNDROME
AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD
IS THERE IN TRUTH NO BEAUTY?
DAY OF THE DOVE
FOR THE WORLD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE TOUCHED THE SKY
PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN
THE EMPATH
ELAAN OF TROYIUS
WHOM GODS DESTROY
LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
THE MARK OF GIDEON
THAT WHICH SURVIVES
THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
REQUIEM FOR METHUSELAH
THE WAY TO EDEN
THE CLOUD MINDERS
THE SAVAGE CURTAIN
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
TURNABOUT INTRUDER

 

[GNDN18]

I have a question... should I do one for The Animated Series? I really think that should be part of this, as well as a 'Least Disliked' version of it.

Yes, please do. Kukulkan has decreed it.


The whole does not equal the sum of its parts, but some of the parts are real keepers. James Daly and Louise Sorrell work the hell out this material. Who could forget “Forget”?

“Requiem for Methuselah” is safe.

THE PARADISE SYNDROME
AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD
IS THERE IN TRUTH NO BEAUTY?
DAY OF THE DOVE
FOR THE WORLD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE TOUCHED THE SKY
PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN
THE EMPATH
ELAAN OF TROYIUS
WHOM GODS DESTROY
LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
THE MARK OF GIDEON
THAT WHICH SURVIVES
THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
THE WAY TO EDEN
THE CLOUD MINDERS
THE SAVAGE CURTAIN
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
TURNABOUT INTRUDER

 

[Sir Rhosis]

Was going to play, but then I noticed that DAY OF THE DOVE, which Maurice saved, is back on the list. Maybe others are as well. Suggest the OP go through and double-check to make sure we're all on the same page.

 

[Spock's Barber]

^ Dang that Kang. Sometimes you just can't get rid of him.

 

[BlueStuff]

Was going to play, but then I noticed that DAY OF THE DOVE, which Maurice saved, is back on the list. Maybe others are as well. Suggest the OP go through and double-check to make sure we're all on the same page.

If you notice mistakes that have cropped up, just point them out and fix them while posting the updated list, like so:

THE PARADISE SYNDROME
AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD
IS THERE IN TRUTH NO BEAUTY?
FOR THE WORLD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE TOUCHED THE SKY
PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN
THE EMPATH
ELAAN OF TROYIUS
WHOM GODS DESTROY
LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
THE MARK OF GIDEON
THAT WHICH SURVIVES
THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
THE WAY TO EDEN
THE CLOUD MINDERS
THE SAVAGE CURTAIN
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
TURNABOUT INTRUDER

 

[Farscape One]

As of 7:35 p.m., here is the updated, correct list...

THE PARADISE SYNDROME
AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD
IS THERE IN TRUTH NO BEAUTY?
FOR THE WORLD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE
TOUCHED THE SKY
PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN
THE EMPATH
ELAAN OF TROYIUS
WHOM GODS DESTROY
LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
THE MARK OF GIDEON
THAT WHICH SURVIVES
THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
THE WAY TO EDEN
THE CLOUD MINDERS
THE SAVAGE CURTAIN
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
TURNABOUT INTRUDER

 

[Spock's Barber]

So far I've been wrong in predicting which episodes from S1 and S2 would end up as the most disliked. S3 has so many episodes left that could qualify as the big stinker.

 

[Qonundrum]

I see a few more than half a dozen worth saving, but I chose ALL OUR YESTERDAYS to start out with as it's also got the fewest problems.

It's a lovely story when everything is considered. True, it remains unexplained how Spock DE-evolves yet McCoy does not. Maybe Vulcans have a thing going on with the space/time continuum. Maybe Q was having a field day. Who knows. It's the only nitpick in what's rather an engaging episode and definitely above-average for season 3, the last dozen episodes of season 3 that etiher totally reek or had potential that were squandered...

But AOY has a great plot structure and setup, melancholy ending, novel obstacles from getting back to present day, seeing a planet's past (which is 50/50 in terms of being parallel-Earth with the witch stuff and the other half with the Atavachron being used as a weapon to banish people - nice twist, actually), and some solid characterizations for the regulars and the guest cast. There's nothing to truly dislike, to be honest (IMHO).

Jean Lisette Aroeste did provide a couple of rather good stories (IMHO). AOY is the better of the two (IMHO).

Remaining episodes:
THE PARADISE SYNDROME
AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD
IS THERE IN TRUTH NO BEAUTY?
FOR THE WORLD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE TOUCHED THE SKY
PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN
THE EMPATH
ELAAN OF TROYIUS
WHOM GODS DESTROY
LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
THE MARK OF GIDEON
THAT WHICH SURVIVES
THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
THE WAY TO EDEN
THE CLOUD MINDERS
THE SAVAGE CURTAIN
TURNABOUT INTRUDER

 

[JonnyQuest037]

Ugh... Not much good left. I'll save "The Paradise Syndrome" just for Shatner's fake sideburns.

AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD
IS THERE IN TRUTH NO BEAUTY?
FOR THE WORLD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE
TOUCHED THE SKY
PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN
THE EMPATH
ELAAN OF TROYIUS
WHOM GODS DESTROY
LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
THE MARK OF GIDEON
THAT WHICH SURVIVES
THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
THE WAY TO EDEN
THE CLOUD MINDERS
THE SAVAGE CURTAIN
TURNABOUT INTRUDER

Edit: Accidentally left "All Our Yesterdays" on the list. Corrected.

 

[Qonundrum]

Ugh... Not much good left. I'll save "The Paradise Syndrome" just for Shatner's fake sideburns.

(if it's okay for me to opine)

TPS is another tale with a tragic ending. Arguably the most brutal for the entire series, since we see a woman Kirk loved being massacred, along with their unborn baby. For 1960s television, that's huge - and depressing as heck to watch. And doesn't feel like a cheesy cop-out because 1960s television has that reset button at the end so no events of previous adventures get brought up in later ones. That's no small task.

Shatner really nails it as the grief-stricken Kirk as well.

It's also a head of its time in terms of being in a technocentric society and having to take time to unwind in nature.

It brings up The Preservers - mysterious beings that save endangered, evolved cultures... allegedly a one-off to be forgotten by next week, they do get mentioned in later series and may have been involved with or related to the issues in TNG's "The Chase".

And Salish makes an effective antagonist to spar against Kirk.

It's not a perfect story, but I do feel it is somewhat... underrated.