^ The same thing happened to me when I first saw it! 
Revisiting Star Trek TOS/TAS...
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“The Return Of The Archons” ***
The Enterprise investigates the disappearance of a starship a hundred years earlier.
This story is a bit on the quiet side. It isn't poor, but I do find it a touch dull. All the performances are there, but nothing really lights up the screen. Kirk jousted mentality a bit with artificial intelligence in "What Are Little Girls Made Of?" but here is where he really sends one off the deep end for the first time when he confronts the "real" Landru.
The story really nails the idea that if you want a perfect society without conflicts then you pretty much have to lobotomize people on some major level to forestall any potentially conflicting impulses. I don't think there was really any major political agenda to this story, but it could be broadly interpreted as a dig against Communism, something done often enough back in the '50s and '60s.
This is also very much one of those parallel Earth stories akin to what we saw in "Miri" only here folks are walking around in what looks like late 19th or early 20th century costume. The setting does gel somewhat with the idea that if you want to curb people's impulses then you should guide them into a simpler existence. Or maybe I haven't a clue what I'm talking about.
It is amusing (without taking away from the story) that when computers and androids in TOS freeze up or go haywire they literally fry themselves or blow up. It's nothing like computers as we know them which when they freeze up just silently sit there and do nothing in total silence. The most animated thing we can expect is a flashing icon or the "spinning beachball of death."
The Enterprise investigates the disappearance of a starship a hundred years earlier.
This story is a bit on the quiet side. It isn't poor, but I do find it a touch dull. All the performances are there, but nothing really lights up the screen. Kirk jousted mentality a bit with artificial intelligence in "What Are Little Girls Made Of?" but here is where he really sends one off the deep end for the first time when he confronts the "real" Landru.
The story really nails the idea that if you want a perfect society without conflicts then you pretty much have to lobotomize people on some major level to forestall any potentially conflicting impulses. I don't think there was really any major political agenda to this story, but it could be broadly interpreted as a dig against Communism, something done often enough back in the '50s and '60s.
This is also very much one of those parallel Earth stories akin to what we saw in "Miri" only here folks are walking around in what looks like late 19th or early 20th century costume. The setting does gel somewhat with the idea that if you want to curb people's impulses then you should guide them into a simpler existence. Or maybe I haven't a clue what I'm talking about.
It is amusing (without taking away from the story) that when computers and androids in TOS freeze up or go haywire they literally fry themselves or blow up. It's nothing like computers as we know them which when they freeze up just silently sit there and do nothing in total silence. The most animated thing we can expect is a flashing icon or the "spinning beachball of death."
"Arena" *****
Kirk is pitted in personal contest with the alien who destroyed an Earth outpost.
Awesome.This is essentially a remake of The Outer Limits' episode "Fun And Games" yet in my opinion it's the superior of the two. It's also one of those episodes that non-Trek fans can laugh at because of the Gorn being portrayed by some guy in a rubber suit. But to do so really does the episode a disservice because in this one we get everything promised by Star Trek's essential premise: space adventure encountering new life along with moral ambiguity.
There are so many good moments in this that I really can't pick favourites. Among the best of Season 1 this is one of the jewels as science fiction television at its best right along with "Where No Man Has Gone Before," "The Corbomite Maneuver" and "Balance Of Terror." CBS can try to polish it with cgi f/x and they still won't make it any better.
I thought it was interesting seeing a Starfleet uniform with yet a different division colour, this one being somewhat grey although it was probably a reuse of Finnagan's costume from "Shore Leave." Although it's a rubber suit I really like the conceptual design of the Gorn, it being a reptile yet with something like compound eyes, something totally lost and ruined in ENT's cgi version. One could even rationalize the Gorn's slow movements as a creature out of its element in a cooler climate while Kirk could still be mobile without being overheated. As for the Metron I simply rationalize that it's appearance was likely an illusion that Kirk could relate to and not feel threatened by.
I've got some episodes to go before wrapping up this season, but so far I have to say that TOS delivered everything it promises in its premise. It is generally first-rate, straight up SF space adventure and usually well executed and can easily stand with anything that has come along since. It's first strength was good writing, but then that's built on and enhanced with generally solid cast performances, good direction, good cinematography and decent post production. And at this point there isn't yet a dog in the bunch---maybe three so far are just okay (and even those have their moments), but everything else has been good to excellent.
LOVE the episode...two minor issues....one with the review, one with the episode...
I minor comparison between the original and TOS-R will show the technical improvements, but the biggest change is the background of the colony, where a bent piece of metal was replaced with a real planet surface..the scene was also extended horizontally somewhat, and more damage was added. I think its more subtle than some changes they made during te course of the remastering but makes a huge effect when watching it.
http://trekmovie.com/2006/10/21/arena-screenshots-and-video/
Second one is the Metron...one of the most boring aliens ever created for ST!
Actually don't think the Gorn blink harmed or helped the episode that much...but if you want to get technical...there could be a reason in another biosphere for a reptile-like alien to form an eyelid...but it would make the Gorn MORE alien than what we might expect.
As for the Gorn...for the time, its a wonderfully underrated suit. There's a sensible musculature visible and it looks imposing.
RAMA
I always like to point out the story is available for FREE online:
http://www.manybooks.net/titles/brownfother08Arena.html
That’s why the pre-credit teaser for that episode was kept short -- just 1 minute and 20 seconds.The same thing happened to me when I first saw it!Whenever I see “Tomorrow Is Yesterday,” most particularly the beginning, I'm reminded of the first time I saw the episode back in the very early '70s. I saw nothing that looked like Star Trek and thought it had been preempted by something else. I was rather pissed...until I heard the familiar fanfare and saw the Enterprise flying overhead.
At the beginning of the remastered episode on YouTube, a title has been added that says “July 9, 1969” — one week before the liftoff of Apollo 11. Is this on the DVD of the remastered version, and if so, why?
That ruins it.
It is amusing (without taking away from the story) that when computers and androids in TOS freeze up or go haywire they literally fry themselves or blow up. It's nothing like computers as we know them which when they freeze up just silently sit there and do nothing in total silence. The most animated thing we can expect is a flashing icon or the "spinning beachball of death."
Whenever I see "Tomorrow Is Yesterday," most particularly the beginning, I'm reminded of the first time I saw the episode back in the very early '70s. I saw nothing that looked like Star Trek and thought it had been preempted by something else. I was rather pissed...until I heard the familiar fanfare and saw the Enterprise flying overhead.
It's a very effective "teaser"...one of the best in all of Star Trek.
That’s why the pre-credit teaser for that episode was kept short -- just 1 minute and 20 seconds.The same thing happened to me when I first saw it!Whenever I see “Tomorrow Is Yesterday,” most particularly the beginning, I'm reminded of the first time I saw the episode back in the very early '70s. I saw nothing that looked like Star Trek and thought it had been preempted by something else. I was rather pissed...until I heard the familiar fanfare and saw the Enterprise flying overhead.
At the beginning of the remastered episode on YouTube, a title has been added that says “July 9, 1969” — one week before the liftoff of Apollo 11. Is this on the DVD of the remastered version, and if so, why?
Not at the beginning of the rematered episode on Blu-ray.
Added by a fan, I would imagine.
Whenever I see "Tomorrow Is Yesterday," most particularly the beginning, I'm reminded of the first time I saw the episode back in the very early '70s. I saw nothing that looked like Star Trek and thought it had been preempted by something else. I was rather pissed...until I heard the familiar fanfare and saw the Enterprise flying overhead.
Yeah, the first time I saw this I was like: "Oh great, Star Trek's been pre-empted for a military news report or something." , and almost changed the channel.
"A Taste Of Armageddon" *****
The Enterprise is caught in the middle of an interplanetary war.
Awesome! A classic science fiction story told with style. And based on a quite surreal idea: war fought mathematically on computers and the casualties must report in to be put to death. It doesn't matter that the war computers look archaic because it's still a dynamite story. And a nice touch of irony too---Anan 7's sarcasm regarding the idea of Kirk destroying Eminiar with just a disrupter...and Kirk does pretty much that only with a hand phaser. And I love the banter between Kirk and Anan 7.
If you're seeing this for the first time it's a helluva treat. If you've seen it before then you can't help but smile at Anan 7's pompous attitude and statements and not having a clue who he's dealing with. I love it that Kirk was perfectly willing to leave these folks to themselves and their crazy ideas, but once they force him into the middle of it then all bets are off.
Kirk: "We don't fight wars by computer and heard casualties off to suicide stations. We make the real thing."
Awesome!
The Enterprise is caught in the middle of an interplanetary war.
Awesome!
A classic science fiction story told with style. And based on a quite surreal idea: war fought mathematically on computers and the casualties must report in to be put to death. It doesn't matter that the war computers look archaic because it's still a dynamite story. And a nice touch of irony too---Anan 7's sarcasm regarding the idea of Kirk destroying Eminiar with just a disrupter...and Kirk does pretty much that only with a hand phaser. And I love the banter between Kirk and Anan 7.If you're seeing this for the first time it's a helluva treat. If you've seen it before then you can't help but smile at Anan 7's pompous attitude and statements and not having a clue who he's dealing with. I love it that Kirk was perfectly willing to leave these folks to themselves and their crazy ideas, but once they force him into the middle of it then all bets are off.
Kirk: "We don't fight wars by computer and heard casualties off to suicide stations. We make the real thing."
Awesome!
"A Taste Of Armageddon" *****
The Enterprise is caught in the middle of an interplanetary war.
Awesome!
If you're seeing this for the first time it's a helluva treat. If you've seen it before then you can't help but smile at Anan 7's pompous attitude and statements and not having a clue who he's dealing with. I love it that Kirk was perfectly willing to leave these folks to themselves and their crazy ideas, but once they force him into the middle of it then all bets are off.
Kirk: "We don't fight wars by computer and heard casualties off to suicide stations. We make the real thing."
Awesome!
My favorite episode of Star Trek.
A Taste Of Armageddon is very awesome.
"Space Seed" *****
The Enterprise encounters a shipload of fugitives from the 20th century.
"Excellent. Excellent." First season Star Trek stays on a roll with yet another impressive piece of storytelling. I definately find this more satisfying then the movie that will be spun off it fifteen years later. It's a pure joy to watch Khan Noonien Singh and James T. Kirk square off. And I just love the after dinner rec croom scene---Excellent. This is good writing and solidly acted from all involved.
I also really like that beautiful early shot of the Enterprise pulling alongside the Botany Bay. Sweet!
Two little things I noted in "Space Seed" and "A Taste Of Armageddon" before it." In "Space Seed" when Joachim is about to slap Uhura for a second time it looks like Uhura is getting up ready to take him on. Cool. In "A Taste Of Armageddon" Yeoman Tamura looks like she's got spunk and like she means business when she stands guard over Mea 3. (-:
The Enterprise encounters a shipload of fugitives from the 20th century.
"Excellent. Excellent."
First season Star Trek stays on a roll with yet another impressive piece of storytelling. I definately find this more satisfying then the movie that will be spun off it fifteen years later. It's a pure joy to watch Khan Noonien Singh and James T. Kirk square off. And I just love the after dinner rec croom scene---Excellent. This is good writing and solidly acted from all involved.I also really like that beautiful early shot of the Enterprise pulling alongside the Botany Bay. Sweet!
Two little things I noted in "Space Seed" and "A Taste Of Armageddon" before it." In "Space Seed" when Joachim is about to slap Uhura for a second time it looks like Uhura is getting up ready to take him on. Cool. In "A Taste Of Armageddon" Yeoman Tamura looks like she's got spunk and like she means business when she stands guard over Mea 3. (-:
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I like "Space Seed," but it has one flaw: Marla McGivers. Her betrayal of Kirk is never believable. It happens because the plot needs it to happen to go forward. I like Uhura's moment of spunk in the episode, but it's far overshadowed by McGivers being a "weak-willed dumbass," to crib from another poster here.
^^ I can't disagree. Part of the problem is the almost inescapable compression of time in telling a story within a one hour format---you've got to move things along. It could have been more believable if Khan had had some time to actually work his effect on McGivers. Then it mightn't have been so hard to accept.
"This Side Of Paradise" ****
The Enterprise crew mutinies to join a group of colonists.
The main flaw with this story is that it's rather on the lowkey side. I was actually tempted to rate it a 3, but that seemed too harsh for what is technically a decently told story. And there are a number of good moments in it.
For a few seconds we get a beautiful shot of the empty bridge. And I really like on-location shooting because it adds more credibility to what is unfolding onscreen.
We're also left to speculate about Spock's and Leila Kalomi's previous relationship. If I hazarded a guess I'd say they worked together six years ago. It's evident Leila harboured strong feelings for Spock and I get the sense he, too, may have held some affection or fondness for her. But I also wonder how much of their expressed feelings were exaggerated by the spores' influence.
"This Side Of Paradise" ****
The Enterprise crew mutinies to join a group of colonists.
The main flaw with this story is that it's rather on the lowkey side. I was actually tempted to rate it a 3, but that seemed too harsh for what is technically a decently told story. And there are a number of good moments in it.
For a few seconds we get a beautiful shot of the empty bridge. And I really like on-location shooting because it adds more credibility to what is unfolding onscreen.
We're also left to speculate about Spock's and Leila Kalomi's previous relationship. If I hazarded a guess I'd say they worked together six years ago. It's evident Leila harboured strong feelings for Spock and I get the sense he, too, may have held some affection or fondness for her. But I also wonder how much of their expressed feelings were exaggerated by the spores' influence.
I often wonder what Star Trek might have been if it were more serialized. We could have, for example, been spared Spock's miraculous recovery from blindness or had McGivers appear in more episodes laying the groundwork for her betrayal. Of course, this would be impossible for television in the 1960s (it's actually pretty surprising the degree of references to previous episodes and the array of recurring secondary players for the time it was produced), but it's an interesting thought experiment.
[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0capZ5nDb0[/yt]
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