WTF moments in TOS & TAS....

[Henoch]

Same with the swords and injuries. The creature made everyone think they were really fighting and being injured with swords, but it was all in their minds - which would explain the miraculous and quick healing McCoy was "seeing".

Maybe, but the episode goes to extreme in making us think that the creature has the power to transform matter/energy into other matter. I believe the bulkheads where closed and transformed into some unknown material that couldn't be cut/melted. I also believe that the entity caused the dilithium crystals to really deteriorate. I also believe that the wounds were real and the entity suspended people from dying and accelerated their healing. Nothing fake here except some memories and hate emotions.

 

[Noname Given]

Maybe, but the episode goes to extreme in making us think that the creature has the power to transform matter/energy into other matter. I believe the bulkheads where closed and transformed into some unknown material that couldn't be cut/melted. I also believe that the entity caused the dilithium crystals to really deteriorate. I also believe that the wounds were real and the entity suspended people from dying and accelerated their healing. Nothing fake here except some memories and hate emotions.

Again, it's ALL Fantasy, but doing all you describe would logically take a LOT of energy from the entity, so yeah, either emotional emanations give A TON of energy to said entity or it has a really vicious 'feed cycle' it needs to maintain.

 

[gweeps]

Trying to remember which episode it was where a bunch of red shirts are beamed unwittingly into space.

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

You're better off not remembering And the Children Shall Lead.

 

[shapeshifter]

Can we still talk about WTF moments from TOS?

I'd say:

1. Not thinking of using the shuttlecraft to rescue Sulu and the landing party in "Enemy Within" always confused me, even as a little kid watching the series.

2. Having the transponders they used in "Patterns of Force" available and not standard for landing parties seems crazy, especially considering the number of times they beam down and get captured for whatever reason

3. I definitely thought it was WTF that Kirk just randomly decides, for the first time ever, to have a code based on a chess scenario between himself and Scotty to add an extra layer of security during "Whom Gods Destroy"

4. I always laugh at Spock running back to "return fire" with the giant spear the natives throw at them during the final minutes of "Galileo Seven" while he yells at the others to get in the ship and take off. Also in G7, why do they leave poor Mr. Gaetano behind to "stand guard?"

5. I have to be honest, pretty much the entire premise of "Mudd's Women" escapes me. Are we saying that a completely benign placebo still allowed Eve to transform into something she really wasn't?

6. In "Day of the Dove," what conditions would have existed that would allow the creature to trap over 400 crewpersons below the primary decks of the Enterprise? Were they having an all-hands meeting in the shuttlebay?

^Those are from, The Star Trek Haters Questions to Ask Fans Handbook

An aunt of mine had that book.

 

[gweeps]

You're better off not remembering And the Children Shall Lead.

I loved that episode! Creepy as hell. (Then again it's been, like, 30 years since I've seen it.)

 

[Noname Given]

Trying to remember which episode it was where a bunch of red shirts are beamed unwittingly into space.

it was TOS S3 "And The Children Shall Lead"; which (even as a TOS fan first and foremost), IMO is probably the worst episode of the entire franchise for a variety of reasons, (and the red shirts being unwittingly beamed out into space is not one of them. - hey they're red shirts after all.)

 

[gweeps]

I'll have to rewatch it then b/c I remember being weirded out by the concept of some alien creature controlling children after causing their parents to commit suicide/be murdered.

 

[Warped9]

There is a genuine horror story buried in ATCSL, but it’s covered in…dirt.

 

[Noname Given]

There is a genuine horror story buried in ATCSL, but it’s covered in…dirt.

"Dirt" is a MUCH kinder word than the word I would choose.

 

[Kor]

I'd like to know how a lawyer with no background in acting whatsoever ended up being cast as the villain in that episode.

Kor

 

[Noname Given]

I'd like to know how a lawyer with no background in acting whatsoever ended up being cast as the villain in that episode.

Kor

Helter Skelter is how.

 

[dupersuper]

Suzie performed as K'Ehleyr.
https://www.reddit.com/r/startrek/comments/1yme2w/suzie_plakson_appears_as_kehleyr/

G-g-g-g-ghost!!

 

[The Old Mixer]

Helter Skelter is how.

Mih erih, mih erih, elor eht rof tcefrep si nivleM.

 

[Noname Given]

Mih erih, mih erih, elor eht rof tcefrep si nivleM.

.Daed Si kriK

 

[Vger23]

I never had as much of a problem with “…And the Children Shall Lead” as most people.

I’d put “Mudd’s Women,” “Alternative Factor,” “Plato’s Stepchildren,” and “Turnabout Intruder” below AtCSL.

 

[Therin of Andor]

I never had as much of a problem with “…And the Children Shall Lead” as most people.

Same here. I had read the Blish adaptation so was glad to finally see it in the early 80s. Aspects are also referenced in 1980's "Star Trek Maps".

I agree that "The Alternative Factor" is hard going, especially repeated viewings. And "Plato’s Stepchildren" was the elusive one I finally caught in repeat. My Dad actually sat through it and then asking, during the horsie scene, "What is it you like about this show?"

I'd like to know how a lawyer with no background in acting whatsoever ended up being cast as the villain in that episode.

His dramatic orations in court were quite famous. Stunt casting.

Check out the casting of a professor of Anthropology at UCLA, with a PhD from the University of Texas, who ended up playing Dr Bashir's mother in DS9.
https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Fadwa_El_Guindi

 

[Henoch]

I agree that "The Alternative Factor" is hard going, especially repeated viewings.

Not unless you make it a drinking game and take a drink every time Lazarus swaps places (or if you think he swapped places...).

 

[Commishsleer]

I'd like to know how a lawyer with no background in acting whatsoever ended up being cast as the villain in that episode.

Kor

The episode had so much potential as a horror story episode like the Midwich Cuckoos or something with those creepy children. Instead we get badly acting guest stars and highly annoying children who you couldn't help but dislike.

 

[Vger23]

Not unless you make it a drinking game and take a drink every time Lazarus swaps places (or if you think he swapped places...).

Every time he falls off a cliff and screams.