Bottled-up episodes

[RobertScorpio]

Bottleshows, or in this case, episodes of Trek (any series) that take place entirely on the ship. No planet scenes, or scenes on other ships. The episode takes place on the ship and the ship only. (I will count episodes like Doomsday Machine that just redress the set to look like another ship)...

Which was the best Bottleshow? And which was the worst??

Rob

 

[T'Girl]

I'm a big fan of Data's Day, there is the Romulan bridge in two scenes, but none of our heroes go there.

 

[Greg Cox]

"Journey to Babel."

 

[sbk1234]

I like both of those. I am also very fond of Disaster from TNG.

 

[RobertScorpio]

Great pics all...

Im going with OFFSPRING, but the others are all good picks too!!!

Rob

 

[SpyOne]

There is one other element to a hollywood "bottle show" that rules out the TOS episodes mentioned thus far: a bottle show is filmed entirely on existing sets and has no guest cast.
It is a method for saving money.

When applied to Trek, however, the term is used quite loosely: I recall seeing a producer describe Turnabout Intruder as a "bottle show".

I'm leaning towards Data's Day, although someone might remind me of an episode I liked better.

 

[JiNX-01]

Bottleshows, or in this case, episodes of Trek (any series) that take place entirely on the ship. No planet scenes, or scenes on other ships. The episode takes place on the ship and the ship only. (I will count episodes like Doomsday Machine that just redress the set to look like another ship)...

Which was the best Bottleshow? And which was the worst??

Rob

Here are some I enjoyed. Are you planning a poll?

ENT: Good
Singularity
Similitude
Silent Enemy
Minefield

TNG: Worst
This Ain't The Valentine

 

[DevilEyes]

There is one other element to a hollywood "bottle show" that rules out the TOS episodes mentioned thus far: a bottle show is filmed entirely on existing sets and has no guest cast.
It is a method for saving money.

When applied to Trek, however, the term is used quite loosely: I recall seeing a producer describe Turnabout Intruder as a "bottle show".

I'm leaning towards Data's Day, although someone might remind me of an episode I liked better.

Wikipedia lists Balance of Terror, Journey to Babel, The Tholian Web and Duet as "bottle episodes", even though all of them except for The Tholian Web had notable guest stars. It defines them as episodes that cost the least amount of production money. If those are indeed bottle episodes, then they'd definitely be on my list. But I don't think I'd be able to make a list until someone makes a list of bottle episodes first, or explains exactly which ones fit that definition and which don't.

 

[Shatnertage]

In another thread I was waxing poetic about "Clues." I don't know if the view screen material was recycled or not, but there's no guest stars and as far as I can tell no new sets. It effectively uses the familiar surroundings to be quite creepy.

I like "Disaster" and "Data's Day," too.

Can't think of any that jump out at me as horrible, but maybe I'm not thinking hard enough.

 

[RobertScorpio]

I would say any show that is filmed on existing sets, maybe one primary guest star (but not a super star) would qualify. I think BALANCE OF TERROR should be considered a bottleshow, and definately Duet, Tholian Web....all great episodes I might add..

And no...no poll for this one...

Rob

 

[Navaros]

ITPM, is the best, no question. It is also the best episode of Trek ever, inclusive of both bottleshow and not.

As for the worst: any of the 'space disease/alien artifact of the week that makes the crew go crazy' episodes. They are all at the bottom of the barrel and equally worthy to be called the worst. 'Fascination' is probably the most unwatchable of them all.

 

[RobertScorpio]

^^^ I hadn't thought of ITPM. It would be at the top of my list too...

Rob

 

[RandyS]

I'm going to say all of them from every series. I've always liked the episodes which center entirely in the various crews natural habitat the best. I've never cared much for planet episodes.

The one exception is, ironically, my most favorite TOS episode "Mirror Mirror". I still consider this a bottle show since it takes place pretty much entirely on the Enterprise, except for the first scene on the Halkan planet. But, that gets out of the way fast, thankfully.

 

[plynch]

I heard a producer describe them as when a couple of characters are trapped together, get on each others' nerves, grow as people, get rescued.

 

[Lor'Vela]

Shuttlepod One would be my favourite. No fancy special FX in the episode, no guest stars or extras on set, and a minimal amount of screentime (1-2 scenes) for the main cast except for Trip and Reed who get on each other's nerves in a cramped shuttlepod.

 

[Mr Cool Dude]

The Drumhead. Not only a great bottle show, but one of the best shows in Star Trek.

 

[RobertScorpio]

Agreed (shhhhhhh..keep this quiet...but SHE was right)

Rob

 

[D Man]

ENT's "Observer Effect" was a pretty solid bottle show, but it did feature Travis as a guest star.

 

[Stone_Cold_Sisko]

Three of favorite hours of Star Trek were 'bottle shows':

Duet (DS9)
In the Pale Moonlight (DS9)
In the Cards (DS9)

 

[caisson2delta]

I would have to go with "Offspring" as my first choice. A few others come to mind, but the episode titles elude me at the moment.