Does ANYONE like Alternative Factor?

[Chess Piece Face]

God, it's so repetitive and nothing is happening. It is definitely my least favorite ep of all TOS. I like the Space Hippies and the Melvin Belli Ghost Kids better than this shit.

 

[Warped9]

I'm just curious...there just has to be someone who genuinely likes this episode...that someone is not me of course.... but I like plenty of "bad" ep's and readily admit it....so don't be shy...be proud and shout from the mount..."I like the Alternative Factor".....!!

Actually I like this episode. It isn't stellar but it isn't horrible either. I like the story at the heart of it, but I feel it had some awkward writing and awkward acting. With a little rewriting I think it could have been much better.

As it is it's just average.

 

[Michael]

Nope. Nobody likes it.

How can you say that when just two posts before yours I confirmed the opposite?

Very easily. You see, I clearly didn't read through carefully enough. Oh, well. So it goes.

You are forgiven. ()

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I liked it quite a bit, actually.

 

[Haggis and tatties]

Not a great episode but, but not a total loss either, its good for playing spot the futuristic sparkly bandage game..

 

[Bad Atom]

Objectively, it's a trainwreck of an episode - disjointed, confusing and repetitive. But it's got a weird, creepy vibe to it and it makes me laugh in spots, so I really don't mind it at all. (I like "And the Children Shall Lead" for the same reason.)

"KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL!"

 

[EmmanuelZorg]

Weak episode but does have it's moments.

 

[T'Bonz]

I always liked it.

Except that half the time I can't figure out which Lazarus is which.

 

[Gepard]

I'd be interested to hear the defenses of this episode ...

Here's a post were Kegek talks about the reasons why he likes the episode. There also seem to be other people in that thread that feel the same way (like M'Sharak). (Oh, and I wouldn't recommend resurrecting that year-old thread.)

Well shit, there goes my respect for M'Sharak.

 

[Basil]

I don't mind it -- it reminds me of Star Trek V in that there are likable character moments and interesting dialogue exchanges, but it is marred by some equally vapid plot ideas. It's early enough in the series that Kirk hasn't morphed into self-caricature, and it is one of the few episodes where an alien civilization is not represented by a premier or high council but by some 23rd century version of a lineman for the county.

 

[Mallory]

Speak for yourself. Not only did I love it. I thought it was better than "City on the Edge of Forever".

You heard me.

I'll have some of whatever you're drinking.

This episode is in my Bottom 5 for the series. The only way I'll watch it is if my other choices are The Way to Eden or And the Children Shall Lead.

 

[Ovation]

I've always found it ridiculous and absurd, but I still enjoy watching it. I find it amusing in a variety of ways that make up for its obvious flaws. Plus it has Lt. Masters. How can it be all bad?

 

[Eddie Roth]

Objectively, it's a trainwreck of an episode - disjointed, confusing and repetitive. But it's got a weird, creepy vibe to it and it makes me laugh in spots, so I really don't mind it at all. (I like "And the Children Shall Lead" for the same reason.)

"KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL!"

That would be my take on it as well. I love the idea of an antimatter universe, but in execution the whole thing was too confusing. I suppose the sane Lazarus was the one from the other universe, yet I could never figure out just what world he supposedly destroyed, as alleged by the other Lazarus. Things like that took me out of the story.

 

[Doug Otte]

Yes, I've also responded in several of the numerous previous posts here about the episode.

It's always been one of my favorites. No caveats; no excuses. I just rewatched it on the BD set, and still love it. Is it perfect? No. Does it have faults? Yes.

Doug

 

[Steven Of Nine]

No.

 

[Michael]

No.

No, what? No, there isn't anyone who likes The Alternative Factor?

 

[M'Sharak]

I'd be interested to hear the defenses of this episode ...

Here's a post were Kegek talks about the reasons why he likes the episode. There also seem to be other people in that thread that feel the same way (like M'Sharak). (Oh, and I wouldn't recommend resurrecting that year-old thread.)

Well shit, there goes my respect for M'Sharak.

I saw that, Cheetah Boy.

 

[Michael]

^ I don't know, I just thought you were young and needed the money, no?

 

[Ssosmcin]

God, it's so repetitive and nothing is happening. It is definitely my least favorite ep of all TOS. I like the Space Hippies and the Melvin Belli Ghost Kids better than this shit.

Wow, you know, in 79 episodes, I can't think of ONE that is so godawful, so hideous or painful that I can call it shit. I can watch every episode and get something entertaining out of it. Even the less awesome episodes.

 

[ToddPence]

I don't think AF will ever make my list of top ten episodes, but I don't despise it either the way some Trek fans seem to do. Sure, it has it's flaws, but so do a lot of original Trek episodes. The most serious flaw to me is that there is supposed to be a "good" Lazarus and an "evil" Lazarus, but there is no way to tell the difference between the two until the very end of the episode, because both of them behave like lunatics up until then.

The one redeeming element to me in this one is that it has kind of a cool, outer-limits style vibe. And the sacrifice of the "good" Lazarus is one of the most noble acts in all Trekdom.