startrekrcks
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What is your favourite episodes and why
What is your favourite episodes and why
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Alright then...
Where No Man Has Gone Before
I've always loved pilot episodes and this one just pips The Cage at the post, mainly as this one has the cast/crew as we know them. I guess it's the storyline that gets me and the performances (apart from Spock's shouting) are very strong - even the missus thought Gary Lockwood was particularly good as Mitchell turning into a god.
On the technical side: the design and feel of this episode is very fifties pulp sci-fi and echoes Forbidden Planet somewhat (one of my favourite sci-fi films). I particularly love the Delta Vega mining station backdrop (very fifties!) and a superb painting (see also the Rigel Seven matt painting for another classic example of cine-fantasy backdrop art).
Everything else in this installment has a very raw and unrefined edge to it - which I love - and alludes to improvements along the way. I also have a closet liking for the earlier "Cage" uniforms and feel that their use here provides a nice homage to the earlier pilot, linking both episodes in design "feel" and era...
It's a shame that this episode eventually aired as episode 3 as I feel that this one sets the pace beautifully. I still regard this episode as the first Kirk-led TOS episode and it helps to view this as something alluding to a series of adventures pre-five year mission.
Where No Man Has Gone Before
I've always loved pilot episodes and this one just pips The Cage at the post, mainly as this one has the cast/crew as we know them. I guess it's the storyline that gets me and the performances (apart from Spock's shouting) are very strong - even the missus thought Gary Lockwood was particularly good as Mitchell turning into a god.
On the technical side: the design and feel of this episode is very fifties pulp sci-fi and echoes Forbidden Planet somewhat (one of my favourite sci-fi films). I particularly love the Delta Vega mining station backdrop (very fifties!) and a superb painting (see also the Rigel Seven matt painting for another classic example of cine-fantasy backdrop art).
Everything else in this installment has a very raw and unrefined edge to it - which I love - and alludes to improvements along the way. I also have a closet liking for the earlier "Cage" uniforms and feel that their use here provides a nice homage to the earlier pilot, linking both episodes in design "feel" and era...
It's a shame that this episode eventually aired as episode 3 as I feel that this one sets the pace beautifully. I still regard this episode as the first Kirk-led TOS episode and it helps to view this as something alluding to a series of adventures pre-five year mission.
"The Corbomite Maneuver" It's the perfect distillation of what Star Trek is all about. And with it being the first regular production episode, it almost serves as Star Trek's third pilot, where everything is pretty much in place.
What are your favourite episodes and why
No. 1 favorite:
Balance of Terror: One of the few episodes in which an adversary of Kirk's was written (and portrayed by the great Mark Lenard) as a multidimensional character. And even tho' it was derived from "The Enemy Below," it worked beautifully as a sci fi story. I also liked the scene where Kirk doubts himself in a confession to McCoy. And the poignant exchange between the Romulan Commander and Kirk ("You and I are of a kind. In a different reality I could have called you friend.") was just wonderful.
Journey to Babel: A very interesting look into the Spock's relationships with his parents. Lenard did another superb job creating a complex and memorable Sarek.
The Menagerie (I&II): I really liked seeing Spock play the "bad guy." Kidnapping his former captain, hijacking Enterprise, colluding with the enemy... A cool mystery with a satisfying conclusion.
Devil in the Dark: So neat to see a truly alien alien.
City on the Edge of Forever: So rare to see Kirk succeed by losing.
The Trouble with Tribbles and A Piece of the Action: Good for laughs.
The Enterprise Incident: Espionage and the Vulcan Death Grip.
All Our Yesterdays: Poor Spock and Zarabeth (but their story a wonderful novel in "Yesterday's Son.").
Balance of Terror: One of the few episodes in which an adversary of Kirk's was written (and portrayed by the great Mark Lenard) as a multidimensional character. And even tho' it was derived from "The Enemy Below," it worked beautifully as a sci fi story. I also liked the scene where Kirk doubts himself in a confession to McCoy. And the poignant exchange between the Romulan Commander and Kirk ("You and I are of a kind. In a different reality I could have called you friend.") was just wonderful.
Journey to Babel: A very interesting look into the Spock's relationships with his parents. Lenard did another superb job creating a complex and memorable Sarek.
The Menagerie (I&II): I really liked seeing Spock play the "bad guy." Kidnapping his former captain, hijacking Enterprise, colluding with the enemy... A cool mystery with a satisfying conclusion.
Devil in the Dark: So neat to see a truly alien alien.
City on the Edge of Forever: So rare to see Kirk succeed by losing.
The Trouble with Tribbles and A Piece of the Action: Good for laughs.
The Enterprise Incident: Espionage and the Vulcan Death Grip.
All Our Yesterdays: Poor Spock and Zarabeth (but their story a wonderful novel in "Yesterday's Son.").
Amok Time-- because I love me some angry, sex-starved Spock.
Plato's Stepchildren-- because everyone else hates it so I have adopted it out of sympathy. ...Okay, so it's really because I think Shatner's impression of a horse is the funniest thing I've ever seen.
...Don't look at me like that!
Plato's Stepchildren-- because everyone else hates it so I have adopted it out of sympathy. ...Okay, so it's really because I think Shatner's impression of a horse is the funniest thing I've ever seen.
...Don't look at me like that!
Without a doubt, my overall favorite is definitely WNMHGB. No question about it.
Well, either that or Balance of Terror. Or possibly The Corbomite Maneuver. Or Errand of Mercy. Yup, definitely one of those.
Of course, Gamsters is cheesy but a lot of fun. Oh, and The Doomsday Machine was fantastic! And I love The Menagerie.
It's definitely one of the above episodes. No question about it.
Ack! I forgot about City, Babel, Devil, Amok, Mirror and Tribbles!!
At any rate, it's definitely from Season One... or possibly Season Two.
Yup, no question about it.
Tan Ru, great avatar. Nadir was the original Nero.
Well, either that or Balance of Terror. Or possibly The Corbomite Maneuver. Or Errand of Mercy. Yup, definitely one of those.
Of course, Gamsters is cheesy but a lot of fun. Oh, and The Doomsday Machine was fantastic! And I love The Menagerie.
It's definitely one of the above episodes. No question about it.
Ack! I forgot about City, Babel, Devil, Amok, Mirror and Tribbles!!
At any rate, it's definitely from Season One... or possibly Season Two.
Yup, no question about it.
Tan Ru, great avatar. Nadir was the original Nero.
I'll do a top 5:
Devil in the Dark
I think this is essential Star Trek. It's about tolerance, and coming to an understanding with each other even to become friends. Yeah the Horta was a bit ugly, but I actually thought the thing has grown a little cute with each viewing.
Piece of the Action
It's fun, and it get's the Kirk and Spock out of uniform. That's always a good thing.
The Enterprise Incident
Probably Season 3's best episode
Mirror Mirror
Can't go wrong with Spock in a beard
Journey to Babel
Fleshes out the federation a lot more. Always a good thing on Star Trek.
Devil in the Dark
I think this is essential Star Trek. It's about tolerance, and coming to an understanding with each other even to become friends. Yeah the Horta was a bit ugly, but I actually thought the thing has grown a little cute with each viewing.
Piece of the Action
It's fun, and it get's the Kirk and Spock out of uniform. That's always a good thing.
The Enterprise Incident
Probably Season 3's best episode
Mirror Mirror
Can't go wrong with Spock in a beard
Journey to Babel
Fleshes out the federation a lot more. Always a good thing on Star Trek.
#1 Doomsday Machine
#2 City On The Edge Of Forever
#3 Amok Time
'Nuff said.
#2 City On The Edge Of Forever
#3 Amok Time
'Nuff said.
It is very hard to pick and order these, however:
#1 The Cage - the story of the depressed Captain Pike is extremely well observed. That plus the characters Number One, Yeoman Colt and the different take on Spock make this my favourite (I think...)
#2 Where No Man Has Gone Before - very close second - the dramatic "Kirk has to kill his best friend to save the ship" story is great and the character interplay really brings it out.
#3 The Doomsday Machine - also dramatic story - William Windom is very entertaining and there's lots of Constitution Class starship action.
#1 The Cage - the story of the depressed Captain Pike is extremely well observed. That plus the characters Number One, Yeoman Colt and the different take on Spock make this my favourite (I think...)
#2 Where No Man Has Gone Before - very close second - the dramatic "Kirk has to kill his best friend to save the ship" story is great and the character interplay really brings it out.
#3 The Doomsday Machine - also dramatic story - William Windom is very entertaining and there's lots of Constitution Class starship action.
Space Seed has to be up there. That episode is like a blueprint for how to do good Star Trek. And when Khan threatens him we get to see just how much of a badass Bones can be.
Amok Time Spock finally acknowledges publicly his friendship with Kirk and Spock by inviting them to the wedding ceremony. Lots of Vulcan rituals that help set Spock apart as a stranger in a strange land. Nice focus on the Kirk/Spock/McCoy triumvirate.
Journey to Babel Insightful look into Spock's dysfunctional family and underscored how Spock is literally an alien whether on Earth or Vulcan. Another nice episode looking at how the Kirk/Spock/McCoy triad works.
Where No Man Has Gone Before A great start to the Kirk/Spock friendship. Great setup from the start with the chess game illustrating how the logic/emotion dynamic exists between Kirk and Spock. Spock is blindsided by Kirk's emotional maneuver that wins Kirk the chess game. Spock's logical outlook on the Mitchell dilemma helps Kirk make the right choices to save his ship.
Journey to Babel Insightful look into Spock's dysfunctional family and underscored how Spock is literally an alien whether on Earth or Vulcan. Another nice episode looking at how the Kirk/Spock/McCoy triad works.
Where No Man Has Gone Before A great start to the Kirk/Spock friendship. Great setup from the start with the chess game illustrating how the logic/emotion dynamic exists between Kirk and Spock. Spock is blindsided by Kirk's emotional maneuver that wins Kirk the chess game. Spock's logical outlook on the Mitchell dilemma helps Kirk make the right choices to save his ship.
I agree with Tan Ru & JiNX-01... 
Balance of Terror
with a brilliant performance given by Mark Lenard,
is my favorite episode from the original Star Trek!
Balance of Terror
with a brilliant performance given by Mark Lenard,
is my favorite episode from the original Star Trek!
LOL Maybe I should've put "What is [sic] your favourite episodes and why..."
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