The Most Disliked Episode of TOS, Season 3: 2021 Edition...

Discussion in 'Star Trek - The Original & Animated Series' started by Farscape One, Sep 14, 2021.

  1. Farscape One

    Farscape One Vice Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2017
    Location:
    Farscape One
    This is a twist on a game that is played here, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

    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, 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
    2019 - AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD
    2021 - THE ALTERNATIVE FACTOR


    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
     
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2021
  2. Farscape One

    Farscape One Vice Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2017
    Location:
    Farscape One
    My first save for this season is "THE ENTERPRISE INCIDENT".

    The plot was great, the pacing really good, and we got a great Romulan commander. I've always loved this one.



    SPOCK'S BRAIN
    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
     
    Commander Troi likes this.
  3. BK613

    BK613 Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2008
    I'll save Elaan of Troyius. Maybe not the most progressive of episodes with it's arranged marriage but it has arguably the best ship combat sequence in the whole of TOS.
    SPOCK'S BRAIN
    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

    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
     
  4. Indysolo

    Indysolo Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2001
    Location:
    Sunny California
    I've rescued The Empath. It has a unique atmosphere and a lovely score.

    SPOCK'S BRAIN
    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

    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
     
    IronWaffle and Commander Troi like this.
  5. BlueStuff

    BlueStuff Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2011
    Location:
    South Coast, UK - formerly 中国
    The Tholian Web is one of the best episodes of TOS, let alone season three.

    SPOCK'S BRAIN
    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
    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
     
    Commander Troi and Farscape One like this.
  6. Farscape One

    Farscape One Vice Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2017
    Location:
    Farscape One
    That was literally my next save. So I'll go with my next favorite of the season, "ALL OUR YESTERDAYS".

    Particularly good is the Spock/McCoy plot in the ice age. And how fun is it that a librarian is named a to z!


    SPOCK'S BRAIN
    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
    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
    TURNABOUT INTRUDER
     
  7. BK613

    BK613 Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2008
    The Cloud Minders is still a relevant theme of haves and have-nots

    SPOCK'S BRAIN
    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
    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 SAVAGE CURTAIN
    TURNABOUT INTRUDER
     
    Commander Troi likes this.
  8. Indysolo

    Indysolo Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2001
    Location:
    Sunny California
    I've rescued "Whom Gods Destroy." Beyond having Yvonne Craig, I enjoy the silly premise and the cool set design that shows the exterior planet set.

    SPOCK'S BRAIN
    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

    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 SAVAGE CURTAIN
    TURNABOUT INTRUDER
     
    Commander Troi and Phaser Two like this.
  9. Noname Given

    Noname Given Fleet Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    May 22, 2001
    Location:
    Noname Given
    I'm saving SPOCK'S BRAIN - It has the BEST dialogue in all of Star Trek

    And I quote: "Brain and Brain...WHAT IS BRAIN??!!..."
    :lol:

    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
    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 SAVAGE CURTAIN
    TURNABOUT INTRUDER[/QUOTE]
     
    Commander Troi and Indysolo like this.
  10. Methuselah Flint

    Methuselah Flint Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2012
    Location:
    UK
    I'm afraid I am saving And The Children Shall Lead. With the exception of Belli's lifeless performance, I happen to prefer this to season one's Miri. Shatner's OTT actually works in the context of the story.

    The opening is chilling, and we get that birds eye shot of our heroes surrounded by the bodies - great camera work there, similar to Obsession.

    What really draws me in, is that chilling shot of the children dancing around Kirk, as their parents' bodies lie without acknowledgment a few feet away.

    THE PARADISE SYNDROME
    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
    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 SAVAGE CURTAIN
    TURNABOUT INTRUDER
     
    Commander Troi and Phaser Two like this.
  11. BK613

    BK613 Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2008
    Kang is one of my favorite Klingons so today is The Day Of The Dove.

    THE PARADISE SYNDROME
    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
    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 SAVAGE CURTAIN
    TURNABOUT INTRUDER
     
  12. gottacook

    gottacook Captain Captain

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2005
    Location:
    Maryland
    It's time to save "Requiem for Methuselah," last of the four Jerome Bixby scripts and source of one of the great dialogue lines of the series: "I... am Brahms."

    (An inspired bit of creativity was the "undiscovered" piano piece by Brahms, sight-read by Mr. Spock. Question: Does Spock practice piano on the Enterprise? Does he even need to? If he does, is there a decent piano on the ship, perhaps a full-size grand? Where's it located?)

    THE PARADISE SYNDROME
    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
    LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
    THE MARK OF GIDEON
    THAT WHICH SURVIVES
    THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
    THE WAY TO EDEN
    THE SAVAGE CURTAIN
    TURNABOUT INTRUDER
     
    Last edited: Sep 15, 2021
    Phaser Two and Commander Troi like this.
  13. Farscape One

    Farscape One Vice Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2017
    Location:
    Farscape One
    Saving "THE PARADISE SYNDROME". The ending was very sad, and one of the darkest of TOS.


    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
    LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
    THE MARK OF GIDEON
    THAT WHICH SURVIVES
    THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
    THE WAY TO EDEN
    THE SAVAGE CURTAIN
    TURNABOUT INTRUDER
     
    Phaser Two and Indysolo like this.
  14. johnnybear

    johnnybear Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2014
    I'll save The Savage Curtain as it's the last of the arena style episodes, last of the Klingon appearances but also first sign of Kahless and Surak! Last Bart LaRue voicing too and sadly the very last Uhura credit in the series!
    IS THERE NO TRUTH IN 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
    LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
    THE MARK OF GIDEON
    THAT WHICH SURVIVES
    THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
    THE WAY TO EDEN
    TURNABOUT INTRUDER
    JB
     
    Phaser Two and Commander Troi like this.
  15. Indysolo

    Indysolo Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2001
    Location:
    Sunny California
    I'm saving "That Which Survives," another season 3 episode with a Batman actor. It also gives Sulu something to do and has nice continuity with the series. Chekov gets mentioned and "Devil in the Dark" is referenced.

    IS THERE NO TRUTH IN BEAUTY?
    SPECTRE OF THE GUN
    FOR THE WORLD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE TOUCHED THE SKY
    PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN
    WINK OF AN EYE
    LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
    THE MARK OF GIDEON

    THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
    THE WAY TO EDEN
    TURNABOUT INTRUDER

    P.S. This gives me a chance to update the list. Pretty sneaky @johnnybear putting "The Empath" back on it.
     
    Phaser Two and Commander Troi like this.
  16. BK613

    BK613 Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2008
    Diana Muldaur gives arguably her best performance in Trek during the episode so "Is There No Truth in Beauty?" is saved.

    SPECTRE OF THE GUN
    FOR THE WORLD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE TOUCHED THE SKY
    PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN
    WINK OF AN EYE
    LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
    THE MARK OF GIDEON
    THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
    THE WAY TO EDEN
    TURNABOUT INTRUDER
     
    Commander Troi likes this.
  17. Joanna McCoy-Kirk

    Joanna McCoy-Kirk Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2005
    Location:
    Alabama
    The Mark of Gideon, for its discussion of birth control. Also, Kirk and Odona were a cute couple IMHO.

    SPECTRE OF THE GUN
    FOR THE WORLD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE TOUCHED THE SKY
    PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN
    WINK OF AN EYE
    LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
    THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
    THE WAY TO EDEN
    TURNABOUT INTRUDER
     
    Phaser Two and Commander Troi like this.
  18. Sakonna

    Sakonna Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2015
    It's deeply flawed, but "Plato's Stepchildren" is also the one I am most interested by. It is such a fascinatingly bizarre episode. I return to it more than any other of the others still listed here.

    This episode is also a compelling historical document. I love looking back over the 55 years of Trek history and seeing the push-pull, the way their efforts to advance fundamentally progressive values were often simultaneously compromised with the regressive views of the times in which they were made. The famous Kirk/Uhura kiss (and a minute later he's whipping her!) certainly qualifies.

    SPECTRE OF THE GUN
    FOR THE WORLD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE TOUCHED THE SKY
    WINK OF AN EYE
    LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
    THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
    THE WAY TO EDEN
    TURNABOUT INTRUDER
     
    Last edited: Sep 15, 2021
    Commander Troi likes this.
  19. BK613

    BK613 Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2008
    FOR THE WORLD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE TOUCHED THE SKY is an overall decent episode. I like it for its generation ship, the quick romance, the adage about truth, and that Kirk finally met a computer he couldn't talk to death.

    SPECTRE OF THE GUN
    WINK OF AN EYE
    LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
    THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
    THE WAY TO EDEN
    TURNABOUT INTRUDER
     
    Commander Troi likes this.
  20. Indysolo

    Indysolo Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2001
    Location:
    Sunny California
    I'm saving "Wink of an Eye" for its cool premise and Kirk pulling up his boots.

    SPECTRE OF THE GUN

    LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD
    THE LIGHTS OF ZETAR
    THE WAY TO EDEN
    TURNABOUT INTRUDER
     
    Phaser Two and Commander Troi like this.