All 755 live-action episodes ranked

[BoTWoT]

Dear Doctor is worse than where we are in the list.

Time for someone to explain to me how this perfectly mediocre episode that explores ethics and racial disparity is worse than where we are? Is it great? No, but I also don't think it holds a candle to what's been ranked so far. So, if you folks think it's bad, lay out your case, but I just don't see it here. Maybe while we're at it, someone can tell me why Author, Author is bottom of the barrel Trek, when it's just a worse retread of "Measure of a Man." Again, it's not a great episode, but like Dear Doctor, it explores some nasty topics that add to the human condition mission of Star Trek!

 

[fireproof78]

Time for someone to explain to me how this perfectly mediocre episode that explores ethics and racial disparity is worse than where we are? Is it great? No, but I also don't think it holds a candle to what's been ranked so far. So, if you folks think it's bad, lay out your case, but I just don't see it here. Maybe while we're at it, someone can tell me why Author, Author is bottom of the barrel Trek, when it's just a worse retread of "Measure of a Man." Again, it's not a great episode, but like Dear Doctor, it explores some nasty topics that add to the human condition mission of Star Trek!

Not sure what it adds to the human condition mission of Star Trek. It basically states unequivocally that evolution must occur this way effectively creating a crisis for our heroes to debate. It comes across as very artificial in its conflict to create the Prime Directive debate. I don't see it as much an exploration as more of a soap box episode that isn't as effective as it thinks it is.

 

[BoTWoT]

Not sure what it adds to the human condition mission of Star Trek. It basically states unequivocally that evolution must occur this way effectively creating a crisis for our heroes to debate. It comes across as very artificial in its conflict to create the Prime Directive debate. I don't see it as much an exploration as more of a soap box episode that isn't as effective as it thinks it is.

The pre-lude to the prime directive is well enough to make it better than where we are. The whole thing is a piece on the human condition! Whether you agree with how the crew handled the situation, there's a LOT of exploration of ethics and the human condition. Just my opinion though

 

[fireproof78]

The pre-lude to the prime directive is well enough to make it better than where we are. The whole thing is a piece on the human condition! Whether you agree with how the crew handled the situation, there's a LOT of exploration of ethics and the human condition. Just my opinion though

In my opinion that is not enough of a justification. "The Observer Effect" is a more interesting exploration of ethics than this one, largely because it doesn't force the issue. The tap dancing around the idea of the Prime Directive without saying it feels like the biggest wink towards the audience.

It's not that I disagree with the crew-it's that I disagree with the artificially weird conflict constructed to have Archer say "Directive." It sounds good...on paper.

 

[BoTWoT]

In my opinion that is not enough of a justification. "The Observer Effect" is a more interesting exploration of ethics than this one.

Yes, it is! That's not what we're debating though. We're debating it being stacked up against the episodes that have been released on this list. Nothing on the list explores the human condition or ethics(or really anything)at all! Which automatically makes this better. The common thread with all the best episodes of Trek(which I'm not saying Dear Doctor is) is the exploration of ethics and the human condition! Being the "first" prime directive episode, yes it's a muddled idea that will take decades to develop into a hard set of rules, so fumbling around with it seems right. Does it do all it's topics justice? No! But nothing on the list so far does ANY topic justice. You've got to get real specific and put it up against what we're working with. Not a MUCH better episode in the top 3rd of Trek episodes!

 

[fireproof78]

Yes, it is! That's not what we're debating though. We're debating it being stacked up against the episodes that have been released on this list. Nothing on the list explores the human condition or ethics(or really anything)at all! Which automatically makes this better. The common thread with all the best episodes of Trek(which I'm not saying Dear Doctor is) is the exploration of ethics and the human condition! Being the "first" prime directive episode, yes it's a muddled idea that will take decades to develop into a hard set of rules, so fumbling around with it seems right. Does it do all it's topics justice? No! But nothing on the list so far does ANY topic justice. You've got to get real specific and put it up against what we're working with. Not a MUCH better episode in the top 3rd of Trek episodes!

If it is muddled then no it doesn't rank. I'll take imaginative, like the Alternative Factor, over muddled mishandling. It's not enough to me. Hell, I'll even take the Royale in a way because it explores the nature of human experiencing an artificial world and it not being sufficient. Is it well done? Nope, but I can find more depth in there if I desired than in "Dear Doctor."

 

[eschaton]

Dear Doctor is one of those polarizing episodes that quite a lot of people think is one of the worst things ever penned in Trek, while others love it. Me, I think it's mediocre.

I personally found it refreshing how Phlox had an alternate sense of morality than what we're used to. The idea of "universal ethics" that would be felt across species is just ridiculous. Of course intelligent life which evolved elsewhere would have ideas of right and wrong which would not align with our own in all ways. Indeed, this was basically the whole point of the story - Phlox acts as the narrator, and openly says several times the conclusions the human crew jump to in a knee-jerk fashion are incorrect.

Where the episode fails, IMHO, is that - just like essentially all of Berman Trek - it doesn't understand how evolution works. You can't predict what will happen on evolutionary timescales, so there's no way for Phlox to claim the Menk are destined for greatness after the Valakians die out. Evolution has no end goal in mind, it's just about adaptation to the environment.

The other mistake was making Archer go along with it. It was fine for Phlox to refuse to help based upon his own understanding of ethics. But Archer should have held fast to human ethics. It should have presented Phlox's viewpoint as valid, but not as correct.

 

[BoTWoT]

Dear Doctor is one of those polarizing episodes that quite a lot of people think is one of the worst things ever penned in Trek, while others love it. Me, I think it's mediocre.

I personally found it refreshing how Phlox had an alternate sense of morality than what we're used to. The idea of "universal ethics" that would be felt across species is just ridiculous. Of course intelligent life which evolved elsewhere would have ideas of right and wrong which would not align with our own in all ways. Indeed, this was basically the whole point of the story - Phlox acts as the narrator, and openly says several times the conclusions the human crew jump to in a knee-jerk fashion are incorrect.

Where the episode fails, IMHO, is that - just like essentially all of Berman Trek - it doesn't understand how evolution works. You can't predict what will happen on evolutionary timescales, so there's no way for Phlox to claim the Menk are destined for greatness after the Valakians die out. Evolution has no end goal in mind, it's just about adaptation to the environment.

The other mistake was making Archer go along with it. It was fine for Phlox to refuse to help based upon his own understanding of ethics. But Archer should have held fast to human ethics. It should have presented Phlox's viewpoint as valid, but not as correct.

That's a great summation. It has some stuff that works, and some that doesn't! Either way, it tries harder than anything in the bottom hundred even.

 

[fireproof78]

Where the episode fails, IMHO, is that - just like essentially all of Berman Trek - it doesn't understand how evolution works. You can't predict what will happen on evolutionary timescales, so there's no way for Phlox to claim the Menk are destined for greatness after the Valakians die out. Evolution has no end goal in mind, it's just about adaptation to the environment.

The other mistake was making Archer go along with it. It was fine for Phlox to refuse to help based upon his own understanding of ethics. But Archer should have held fast to human ethics. It should have presented Phlox's viewpoint as valid, but not as correct.

Exactly so. The misunderstanding of evolution sinks this episode very fast in my opinion. I'm forgiving of bad science in Star Trek but this one takes a basic assumption and lays it out as fact, with Archer going "Yup, you got me there." It's one of the biggest sinkers in Berman Trek is that any conflict largely gets brushed under the rug, even if the two points of view are valid. That's more interesting, and ultimately why I can't rate it higher. It lays out an idea and then abandons it.

 

[BoTWoT]

Exactly so. The misunderstanding of evolution sinks this episode very fast in my opinion. I'm forgiving of bad science in Star Trek but this one takes a basic assumption and lays it out as fact, with Archer going "Yup, you got me there." It's one of the biggest sinkers in Berman Trek is that any conflict largely gets brushed under the rug, even if the two points of view are valid. That's more interesting, and ultimately why I can't rate it higher. It lays out an idea and then abandons it.

Just rewatched it. My thoughts. The pacing is slow. It has holes, but ultimately I even agree with the decision. Hoshi's at her most useful in season 1. Cool language exploration. Racial disparity between these two species, that clearly are headed down this sad biological path for a reason. No genocide is created. These people might help themselves if they stop treating the other race on this planet like second class citizens, and realize they're the answer to the cure. If they can't see past their own noses, they'll face the literal natural consequences of their ignorance. I'm starting to agree with you folks about certain reranks, but this is NOT one of them. I'm holding firm for the time being. Not the best of Trek, and not the worst of Trek.

 

[dupersuper]

Time for someone to explain to me how this perfectly mediocre episode that explores ethics and racial disparity is worse than where we are? Is it great? No, but I also don't think it holds a candle to what's been ranked so far. So, if you folks think it's bad, lay out your case, but I just don't see it here. Maybe while we're at it, someone can tell me why Author, Author is bottom of the barrel Trek, when it's just a worse retread of "Measure of a Man." Again, it's not a great episode, but like Dear Doctor, it explores some nasty topics that add to the human condition mission of Star Trek!

It has zero idea what evolution is, and turns Phlox into a genocidal monster as a result. Completely ruined the character for me.

 

[BoTWoT]

It has zero idea what evolution is, and turns Phlox into a genocidal monster as a result. Completely ruined the character for me.

How can you be responsible for something already ongoing?

 

[fireproof78]

Not the best of Trek, and not the worst of Trek.

Fair enough.

 

[BoTWoT]

Fair enough.

I think you'd HATE this guys list of Enterprise overall(and he was an Extra on ENT!)...https://www.trekranks.com/enterprise-ranks

 

[dupersuper]

How can you be responsible for something already ongoing?

What exactly was ongoing? Their set evolutionary path toward planned extinction? That's not a thing. The only thing ongoing was a disease, that the doctor had a cure for and withheld because the writers had an understanding of evolution that shouldn't have got them out of middle school.

 

[BoTWoT]

What exactly was ongoing? Their set evolutionary path toward planned extinction? That's not a thing. The only thing ongoing was a disease, that the doctor had a cure for and withheld because the writers had an understanding of evolution that shouldn't have got them out of middle school.

The disease was genetic though, getting worse with each generation, so in this context, yes evolution worked this way on this planet. I don't agree about their being a "universal evolution" model, but it does actually work in the setup context here.

 

[fireproof78]

I think you'd HATE this guys list of Enterprise overall(and he was an Extra on ENT!)...https://www.trekranks.com/enterprise-ranks

Just don't agree. But, I'm glad he finds so much joy in it.

 

[dupersuper]

The disease was genetic though, getting worse with each generation, so in this context, yes evolution worked this way on this planet. I don't agree about their being a "universal evolution" model, but it does actually work in the setup context here.

It in no way works. A genetic disorder passed down to offspring is not a reason to let a species die out. The idea that they did it so the Menk could become the dominant species on the planet doesn't even hold up to the "science" in the rest of the show. Phlox should've thrown himself out an airlock in shame as soon as he learned of the SIX co-evolved sentient sapient species of the Xindi.

 

[BoTWoT]

It in no way works. A genetic disorder passed down to offspring is not a reason to let a species die out. The idea that they did it so the Menk could become the dominant species on the planet doesn't even hold up to the "science" in the rest of the show. Phlox should've thrown himself out an airlock in shame as soon as he learned of the SIX co-evolved sentient sapient species of the Xindi.

How did they let them die out. We don't know that these people didn't find the cure themselves. And it's not a justification, but the evolution bit works here. You can not like the ending or the episode as a whole, but there's some great exploration of questions. I am done talking about this episode.

 

[dupersuper]

I am done talking about this episode.

I was going to answer your questions, but ok.