Episode of The Week : The Trouble With Tribbles
- Thread starter Botany Bay
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The best of the TOS "comedy" episodes, in my opinion.
^ Yes! Love it
I want one of those genetically-altered Tribbles (pink) as a pet. So cute and I wouldn't have the crazy reproduction issue.
I want one of those genetically-altered Tribbles (pink) as a pet. So cute and I wouldn't have the crazy reproduction issue.
Pretty epic and significant. My main complaint is that I think it plays better on paper. Eight, for what's on screen.
My favorite TOS episode; I gave it a 10.
I am a contrarian on this topic. I find Tribbles to be the worst of the worst. Suddenly, for no reason, the writing resembles a bad episode of Three's Company. In the midst of a crisis the cast is making bad jokes.
If you want the best humourous episode see A Piece of The Action. In that episode there is a reason for the humour. The crew is trying to blend in on a gangster planet based on their limited knowledge of the era.
If you want the best humourous episode see A Piece of The Action. In that episode there is a reason for the humour. The crew is trying to blend in on a gangster planet based on their limited knowledge of the era.
I liked Hogan's Heroes. 8
One of my favorites as well. I gave it a 9. Actually "A Piece of the Action," rivals this for me as a comedic episode.
Not that I dislike Charles Schallert and have enjoyed listening to interviews from him but as an extremely prolific TV actor, he seemed to be everywhere and he felt out of place in ST (at least for me).
I wish I had one of the original tribbles. I remember an interview with William Campbell where he stated he kept a few of them and gave out a few to folks who ended up selling them for quite a bit of money.
Not that I dislike Charles Schallert and have enjoyed listening to interviews from him but as an extremely prolific TV actor, he seemed to be everywhere and he felt out of place in ST (at least for me).
I wish I had one of the original tribbles. I remember an interview with William Campbell where he stated he kept a few of them and gave out a few to folks who ended up selling them for quite a bit of money.
I can't say why it appeals to younger viewers, 30 years and under, but I have a (half baked) idea why some (not all, but some) older fans (those either catching the original broadcast run or at least the initial round of syndication in the early 70s) seem to like it.
During the first half of the 1970s, there was skant material about the show. Outside of James Blish's adaptations of the episodes, about the only thing widely available were three "behind the scenes" type books, Stephen Whitfield's "Making of Star Trek" and David Gerrold's two Ballantine releases, "The Making of 'The Trouble with Tribbles'" and "The World of Star Trek". The first of the two, "MotTwT" was a very personal account of a college student turning professional writer. His accounts had a kind of "home spun" charm that allowed the reader to live vicariously through Gerrold's meandering journey becoming the author for one of Trek's most readily recalled episodes. In particular, it led many fans to believe they might have a chance. (We'll gloss over the fact the series was several years cancelled.)
But, it could have been another writer for a different episode. It might have been Normsan Spinrad discussing "The Doomsday Machine" or Theodore Sturgeon reflecting upon "Amok Time". Of course, those are stories usually held in high regard. But it could have been Sherri Lewis (of "Lambchop" fame) remembering the third season story she wrote. (Dang if I can remember which one it was, sorry.) If she had written a journal type book instead of Gerrold, we'd probably enjoy that episode a bit more and "...Tribbles" might not have quite as much status.
Then again, "...Tribbles" is the kind of story a more "casual" viewer can watch without having to know as much "back story", being something of a comedy. When the characters are serious, one need to invest more time and "focus" as to "why" they act a certain way. But you don't need to know why Kirk can't let a woman into his life in order to laugh at a ton of "space hamsters" being dumped on his head.
Also, for good or ill, sci-fi that depicts unusual creatures or "monsters" tends to be more readily remembered by ardent fans and casual viewers alike. Even if it was not meant to be a "monster of the week" type series, ask the average person on the street which episodes they remember and odds are they'll reply, "The one with the salt sucker, the one with the lizard man, the one with the flying rubber vomit critters, the one with the furballs..."
And now I fear I'm just rambling, losing my original point.
Sincerely,
Bill
During the first half of the 1970s, there was skant material about the show. Outside of James Blish's adaptations of the episodes, about the only thing widely available were three "behind the scenes" type books, Stephen Whitfield's "Making of Star Trek" and David Gerrold's two Ballantine releases, "The Making of 'The Trouble with Tribbles'" and "The World of Star Trek". The first of the two, "MotTwT" was a very personal account of a college student turning professional writer. His accounts had a kind of "home spun" charm that allowed the reader to live vicariously through Gerrold's meandering journey becoming the author for one of Trek's most readily recalled episodes. In particular, it led many fans to believe they might have a chance. (We'll gloss over the fact the series was several years cancelled.)
But, it could have been another writer for a different episode. It might have been Normsan Spinrad discussing "The Doomsday Machine" or Theodore Sturgeon reflecting upon "Amok Time". Of course, those are stories usually held in high regard. But it could have been Sherri Lewis (of "Lambchop" fame) remembering the third season story she wrote. (Dang if I can remember which one it was, sorry.) If she had written a journal type book instead of Gerrold, we'd probably enjoy that episode a bit more and "...Tribbles" might not have quite as much status.
Then again, "...Tribbles" is the kind of story a more "casual" viewer can watch without having to know as much "back story", being something of a comedy. When the characters are serious, one need to invest more time and "focus" as to "why" they act a certain way. But you don't need to know why Kirk can't let a woman into his life in order to laugh at a ton of "space hamsters" being dumped on his head.
Also, for good or ill, sci-fi that depicts unusual creatures or "monsters" tends to be more readily remembered by ardent fans and casual viewers alike. Even if it was not meant to be a "monster of the week" type series, ask the average person on the street which episodes they remember and odds are they'll reply, "The one with the salt sucker, the one with the lizard man, the one with the flying rubber vomit critters, the one with the furballs..."
And now I fear I'm just rambling, losing my original point.
Sincerely,
Bill
"The Lights of Zetar."
I hardly think so. "Tribbles" is a classic, while "Lights of Zetar" is a mediocre episode at best.
Just curious if the Tribbles is the only story that predominantly ran through 3 different series?
TOS - "The Trouble with Tribbles"
TAS - "More Trouble with Tribbles"
DS9 - "Trials and Tribble-ations"
I highlighted predominantly because there are references and/or homages in other series/episodes.
TOS - "The Trouble with Tribbles"
TAS - "More Trouble with Tribbles"
DS9 - "Trials and Tribble-ations"
I highlighted predominantly because there are references and/or homages in other series/episodes.
Well, there's also the whole "Romulans are a scheming and backstabbing lot of despicable enemies whose perverse and grandiose schemes collapse when the hero skipper intervenes" thing. It doesn't really evolve much beyond that in any Trek incarnation, but it's present in all of them. You can trust a Romulan to betray and be contemptuous, just as you can trust a tribble to multiply and be cute.
Timo Saloniemi
Timo Saloniemi
"Well, there's no accounting for taste."
-Captain Kirk in "The Trouble with Tribbles"
Neil
You couldn't have voiced my thoughts better regarding POA, although I don't actively dislike TWT, it's just overated. Better written that I, Mudd perhaps but the humour hit about the same level of making our heroes act uncharacteristically for the sake of comedy.
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