A New Respect....

[Spock's Barber]

Just like everyone else here I have my favorite TOS episodes that I love, and other episodes that leave me cringing in agony. Lately I’ve been forcing myself to watch those episodes that I rarely watch, such as A Piece of the Action, And The Children Shall Lead, et. al. I’ve begun to have a LITTLE more respect for the value of these episodes as I become more aware of the uniqueness of each story. As Bob Justman said, “We we’re attempting to do a show that had never been done before.” Your thoughts?

 

[Phaser Two]

My thoughts are - absolutely! That's one of the great values of the posters on this forum, which is such a fantastic marketplace of ideas. I was actually thinking of rewatching The Alternative Factor and The Enterprise Incident back-to-back in the next few days to see what I get from those eps, which I believe are my two least favorite,** with the usual caveat that I just can't stand the torture scenes in Plato, which is otherwise a darned good ep. Maybe I should add that one in and make it a tripleheader.

**On reread I don't think TEI would rank in my two least favorites. It is just so overrated (and often by folks who otherwise knock S3 in general ) that I always think of how bad so much of it is IMHO.

 

[Neopeius]

It will be difficult to watch Trek with absolutely fresh eyes when I start anew in 1966, but I'll try. But I've found that even with the worst episodes, there's *something* interesting, something that adds to the universe in it.

I watch a lot of '60s TV. Trek is going to feel like lightning in a bottle.

 

[JonnyQuest037]

"A Piece of the Action" is fun. I wouldn't want episodes like that every week, but once in a while, perfectly enjoyable.

I've also been venturing into some of my most rarely-watched episodes lately, Which for me, means mostly the third season. "Spectre of the Gun" was an enjoyable rewatch.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

After "And the Children Shall Lead", which is kind of in a class by itself, my other two least favorites are "The Savage Curtain" and "The Alternative Factor." I'd say "The Savage Curtain" is the one I could get the most out of re-visiting. But I'll never think it's a great one.

I love "Miri", "The Conscience of the King", and "Mudd's Women", and was stunned to learn that some in this community do not. I also enjoy the heck out of "Spock's Brain", but word went around in the '70s that we were supposed to hate that one, so no surprise there.

 

[Phaser Two]

"Spectre of the Gun" was an enjoyable rewatch.

Good! I actually think that one has a lot of dead time and some curious directorial choices as well as some unremarkable dialogue in spots so it's not a fave for me, BUT I do like it and it is fun. Shatner is at the height of his powers and the closing scenes are outstanding.

I'd say "The Savage Curtain" is the one I could get the most out of re-visiting. But I'll never think it's a great one.

Ah, man. TSC has some of the best dialogue in the whole series. It's just an outstanding teleplay. Scotty is not comic relief as he sometimes was by that point, McCoy is good, Shatner and Nimoy are terrific and of course Kahless, Surak, and Col. Green are Star Trek icons. And you know, Abe Lincoln sort of was even before the ep. Please rewatch this one.

I love "Miri", "The Conscience of the King", and "Mudd's Women", and was stunned to learn that some in this community do not. I also enjoy the heck out of "Spock's Brain", but word went around in the '70s that we were supposed to hate that one, so no surprise there.

I like Miri. It's dark and unsettling. Very, very S1.
I do not like Mudd's Women but it has been a while since I've seen it, so boom, there you go, that's my homework. I do recall a lot of interaction between Spock and Scotty and that's always a treat.
COK is a very good episode. I don't get any dislike for it either. Another fantastic Shatner performance.
You said it all about Spock's Brain. It's entertaining, it has some interesting concepts, the ensemble has a lot to do (that conference on the bridge is a series highlight), and I mean, I'm with you. I just don't get the hate.

 

[Spock's Barber]

I'd say "The Savage Curtain" is the one I could get the most out of re-visiting. But I'll never think it's a great one.

I like the theme of Savage Curtain....good versus evil, but I can sleep through parts of the episode. However, I do watch it semi-regularly.

 

[Spock's Barber]

I also enjoy the heck out of "Spock's Brain", but word went around in the '70s that we were supposed to hate that one, so no surprise there.

Even Bob Justman had negative feelings about Spock’s Brain, but I like it. It’s far from being a perfect TOS episode; however, the opening teaser, the horror of seeing Spock in sickbay, the search of the Sigma Draconis system, the underground civilization....it just keeps me glued to the couch.

 

[Spock's Barber]

You said it all about Spock's Brain. It's entertaining, it has some interesting concepts, the ensemble has a lot to do (that conference on the bridge is a series highlight), and I mean, I'm with you. I just don't get the hate.

I think fact that that this was the last TOS episode that Marc Daniels directed made it that much better. If a fly-by-night director had come in and put in a half effort, then Spock’s Brain could have been a real klunker.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

I think fact that that this was the last TOS episode that Marc Daniels directed made it that much better. If a fly-by-night director had come in and put in a half effort, then Spock’s Brain could have been a real klunker.

Good point. Also, "Spock's Brain" benefits hugely from having an original music score by Fred Steiner, who nailed it and gave the episode its own special feeling.

 

[Spock's Barber]

Good point. Also, "Spock's Brain" benefits hugely from having an original music score by Fred Steiner, who nailed it and gave the episode its own special feeling.

Yes, the music is fantastic. Even the comedic ending score adds to the episode.

 

[Spock's Barber]

Lately, I’ve been rewatching Alternative Factor and Operation Annihilate. Not two of my Top Ten, but it’s interesting to see the ‘different’ TOS episodes.

 

[Phaser Two]

Lately, I’ve been rewatching Alternative Factor and Operation Annihilate. Not two of my Top Ten, but it’s interesting to see the ‘different’ TOS episodes.

First off, great points by both you and Zap about SB. I did not recall that it was Marc Daniels' final episode - nice catch - but the score, oh yeah. I think I noticed that SB had cool and unexpected music as a kid before I knew anything about anything, including music.

O:A! is a good one. Very dark and creepy and one of those times when Star Trek veers into non-comedic (i.e., Catspaw mostly not included in what I'm trying to point out here) horror, along with LOZ, parts of ATCSL, and of course The Man Trap. The TRW location adds tremendously to the action, the script makes good sense, so much happens that it's hard to believe that it's only an hour, and Spock Can Overpower the Entire Crew and Only Kirk Can Even Cope With Him was not really yet a trope. It's done well. Terrific opening bridge sequence, too. Oh, and Kirk's family! And Nimoy's awesome acting job. The flinches of pain. Incredible.

 

[Spock's Barber]

O:A! is a good one. Very dark and creepy and one of those times when Star Trek veers into non-comedic....

...and the first and last time we get to see Kirk’s brother....

I always thought it would have been interesting if Kirk had found Aurelan dead, but his nephew and brother still alive.

The following scenes in sickbay where his brother would have died in Kirk’s arms would have been doubly shocking.

 

[Maurice]

[...]and of course Kahless, Surak, and Col. Green are Star Trek icons.

What? Icons? Kahless was ironically forgettable and Green was only just okay. Surak was fine. Later shows claiming them as iconic in-universe does not make them iconic as portrayed in this episode.

 

[johnnybear]

There are very few Trek episodes that I hate or even really dislike! With the exception of one episode, they all have something to offer, even if it is some form of strange aliens, historical facts, marvellous costumes and iconic cities! Even the dreaded Mudd's Women has interesting facts about Lithium miners on Ophiuchus and we even get to see what life there is like for them!!!
JB

 

[Talos IV]

I love "Miri", "The Conscience of the King", and "Mudd's Women", and was stunned to learn that some in this community do not.

I love those three episodes, too. There's lots to love in them, actually:

"Miri" --
Exterior filming (OK, it's the backlot, but it's still outdoors)
Yeoman Rand
Kim Darby and Michael J. Pollard, both memorable
A race-against-the-clock story (I love those)
Spock's "beakerful of death" line -- classic

"The Conscience of the King" --
Fantastic script loaded with excellent dialogue
Inspired direction by Gerd Oswald
Only time we see the observation deck and the ship's theater
Great performances by Arnold Moss and Barbara Anderson
Shatner's best subtle performance of the entire series (IMHO)
Fine music score by Joseph Mulledore

"Mudd's Women" --
Dreamy early-first-season photography
Karen Steele as Eve
Superb direction by Harvey Hart

Really, all 29 first-season episodes have plenty to commend in them. (Even "The Alternative Factor" has location filming and an intriguing premise.)

 

[Henoch]

Even "The Alternative Factor" has location filming and an intriguing premise.

There are so many complaints on how confusing TAF is, that I spend an exorbitant amount of thought on coming up with theories (though technobabble) on the intriguing premise and consequences of traveling between two incompatible universes as you mention. I know which Lazarus is which and when, plus I developed a theory on the how and when for all the body exchanges, and the end game both Lazari are pursuing with the new addition of the dilithium crystals. On the human aspect/insight of the episode, we see these men are the same person who have similar thoughts and motives, only one is insane and one is not. Wow. In spite of the poor writing, I greatly enjoy this "what the hell is going on" episode.

 

[Neopeius]

[QUOTE="
Really, all 29 first-season episodes have plenty to commend in them. (Even "The Alternative Factor" has location filming and an intriguing premise.)[/QUOTE]

And Lieutenant Charlene Masters!

 

[Henoch]

This just clued me for the answer on the "Name The Star Trek Character" thread...thanks.