Corbomite Maneuver: So primative, yet so cool!

[Ward Fowler]

To this day I still think this is the BEST Star Trek episode made (of any of the series); because it really just (imo) encapulates the essence of 'Star Trek' as well as the characters, and their interactions. We have a ship exploring OAST the known area of space for new worlds/civilizations; they encounter something new/unusual, work to figure it out, try to make peaceful first contact, but are thrown into a (as far as they know) VERY dangerous situation, that they can't solve with their high technology; so they have to use their intelligence and wits to get out of it - yet in ther end, they find it's a test, and that the other civilization IS interested in peaceful first contact/exchange (thus Bailey remains with the Fesarius); and it was all a test to be certain of the Humans true intentions (of honestly wanting peaceful first contact).

Again, excellent episode. I also have always loved the fact that Kirk comes up with the whole 'Combomite' gambit BECAUSE he was having a heated argument with McCoy in a stressful situation.

Just plain good.

My friend, you and I are of a kind. From the writing to the acting to the direction and cinematography, this episode had a level of quality that few others, if any, matched. It was a fantastic Trek episode and no doubt the one I have watched most over the years.

 

[Orcus]

Was theragrin (sp?) the same stuff?

Well, it was the same color. BTW, it's theragen. Sounds like a nutritional supplement.

Did Scotty ever find out if it mixed well with Scotch?

If it's orange juice it does. As long as it's JD. Vodka will do as well. Where's Chekov?

...with Scotch?! Nothing goes with scotch (except maybe water). Bourbon, yes - mix what you like with it - but never with scotch...

 

[scotpens]

Clint Howard is WAY creepier than puppet Blalok.

I wouldn't mind having a life-size Blalock puppet myself -- although I'd prefer the real thing.

 

[Captain Rob]

Clint Howard is WAY creepier than puppet Blalok.

I wouldn't mind having a life-size Blalock puppet myself -- although I'd prefer the real thing.

I'll go halfsees on the puppet if we can get her in that tight white away mission outfit she wore once. It really showed off her bum.

 

[Captain Rob]

Well, it was the same color. BTW, it's theragen. Sounds like a nutritional supplement.

Did Scotty ever find out if it mixed well with Scotch?

If it's orange juice it does. As long as it's JD. Vodka will do as well. Where's Chekov?

...with Scotch?! Nothing goes with scotch (except maybe water). Bourbon, yes - mix what you like with it - but never with scotch...

I have to admit that I never had drank scotch, but it's whiskey right? The only whiskey I ever drink is Jack Daniels and I've got to mix it with something; usually Coke or Dr. Pepper.

 

[Orcus]

If it's orange juice it does. As long as it's JD. Vodka will do as well. Where's Chekov?

...with Scotch?! Nothing goes with scotch (except maybe water). Bourbon, yes - mix what you like with it - but never with scotch...

I have to admit that I never had drank scotch, but it's whiskey right? The only whiskey I ever drink is Jack Daniels and I've got to mix it with something; usually Coke or Dr. Pepper.

JD's is okay; it's a Tenessee whisky - probably closer to the Bourbon whiskys. Scotch is way different and in a class of its own...

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

One of the ten best Trek episodes, ever.

 

[Captain Rob]

Clint Howard is WAY creepier than puppet Blalok.

I wouldn't mind having a life-size Blalock puppet myself -- although I'd prefer the real thing.

I'll go halfsees on the puppet if we can get her in that tight white away mission outfit she wore once. It really showed off her bum.

I really like this pic. From what I've seen of her non-Star Trek photoshoots, I think she's got some help going on under that uniform in the chest area.

 

[jwb]

I like the comment that this is sort of the "third Star trek pilot". With McCoy and Uhurua on board, it certainly feels more like the Star Trek we know and love than even the second pilot. I also think it's one of the best bottle shows any Star Trek series ever did. (Hey, that would be an interesting theme someday for a Star Trek marathon on tv - bottle shows!)

I wonder why NBC didn't air this as the first Star Trek episode and instead chose "The Man Trap"? "The Corbomite Manuever" is not only better, it's a great introduction to the series.

By the way, did anyone remember to pick up Mr. Bailey, or is he still with the First Federation wondering when Starfleet will remember he's been doing the exchange student thing?

 

[Noname Given]

I like the comment that this is sort of the "third Star trek pilot". With McCoy and Uhurua on board, it certainly feels more like the Star Trek we know and love than even the second pilot. I also think it's one of the best bottle shows any Star Trek series ever did. (Hey, that would be an interesting theme someday for a Star Trek marathon on tv - bottle shows!)

I wonder why NBC didn't air this as the first Star Trek episode and instead chose "The Man Trap"? "The Corbomite Manuever" is not only better, it's a great introduction to the series.

By the way, did anyone remember to pick up Mr. Bailey, or is he still with the First Federation wondering when Starfleet will remember he's been doing the exchange student thing?

It wasn't aired first because of all the post production work all the visual effects shots in it needed before it could be aired. During it's original run, in the first season they were often just able to meet the air date deadlines (often the final 'finished cut' of an episode would be delivered just a couple hours before broadcast time.

The Man Trap had two things going for it:

1) It was ready.
2) It came across more like a Roger Corman 'moster movie' (which NBC figured was popular with its projected target audience - thus garnering a larger premireauduence)

 

[Ssosmcin]

Right, and remember that Man Trap aired a week earlier than the actual start of the season. It was part of "Sneak-A-Peek at NBC Week" and they ran two other new shows ahead of time. Maybe if they had waited a week, the premiere would have been different.

 

[jwb]

I've also heard NBC felt "The Man Trap" more properly introduced the characters than the other episodes that had been made. Whatever the case, I still think "The Man Trap" was a lousy choice, though it is a good point that it the "Corbomite Maneuver" needed more visual effects to be complete - effects which, I might add, looked great.

-jwb-
jwbraun.com

 

[Captain Robert April]

"The Man Trap" was also the first episode in which anybody died, which, to tv execs of the time, meant "action."

 

[GSchnitzer]

"The Man Trap" was also the first episode in which anybody died, which, to tv execs of the time, meant "action."

Well, except for all the people who died in "Where No Man Has Gone Before."

 

[Captain Robert April]

I think they were still trying to avoid airing that one.

 

[plynch]

Re. Bailey's life -- he's still out there, growing, learning, expanding. Meets up with Decker/Ilya maybe.

aside: He was emotionally not ready to be a bridge officer, wasn't he? At least compared to what we were usually shown. Unless I'm wrong.

 

[Orcus]

I think they were still trying to avoid airing that one.

Shame, though. Even after all these years, Where No Man Has Gone Before still seems like the most obvious choice for a pilot (who cares about the older uniforms - I actually like 'em). It's also a surprisingly high-brow story and a sure ratings winner with all that action, superb acting from Gary Lockwood and, of course the end fight sequence...

Mind you, it was my introduction to "Star Trek" back in the 1970s so I'm bound to say that...

PS: I also used this episode to 're-introduce' the series to the missus. She quickly reassessed her opinion of "Star Trek" as a result, being pleasantly surprised at the quality of the episode. In fact, the only reason we went to see the movie at the cinema last year was because she insisted we went to see it...

 

[Captain Robert April]

Remember, lots of shows have never aired their pilots, because often times the changes are very significant. The pilot for "All In The Family" has a different Mike and Gloria, and the pilot for "The Dick Van Dyke Show" doesn't even have Dick Van Dyke, or any of the familiar characters; the network basically bought the concept about a television writer, his family, and coworkers, but nixed the idea of Carl Reiner being the lead. Not sure if they had to do a second pilot, or just get a new cast approved and get on with production, but there you are.

Keep in mind that television, as a mass market phenomenon, had only been around for less than twenty years when Star Trek came along, so there was still a bit of making-up-the-rules-as-we-go-along taking place.

 

[Chris_Johnston]

Maybe it's just me, but I kinda like the original version of that first appearance of the Fesarius more than the Remastered one...

You had the Enterprise all puny-lookin' off to the side, with a big portion of screen real estate left over for the approaching ship to fill... except it kept going past that!
That's what always took my breath away, "Just how big is it?"

 

[Warped9]

Maybe it's just me, but I kinda like the original version of that first appearance of the Fesarius more than the Remastered one...

You had the Enterprise all puny-lookin' off to the side, with a big portion of screen real estate left over for the approaching ship to fill... except it kept going past that!
That's what always took my breath away, "Just how big is it?"

Agreed. It may look cruder technically, but somehow it's more awe inspiring.