First Timer

[Mike Farley]

After you get past the first few episodes (where they were finding their way with the show), TOS is very much like THE SIMPSONS. It doesn't have continuity so much as consistency. The characters don't really change and evolve. There is little if any reference to past episodes. That was the style of most TV at the time.

So watch the first handful of episodes in production order to watch the show evolve into it's "final" form. Then...seriously...watch the rest of the show in any order. It doesn't matter. Get yourself an episode guide and pick out one that seems interesting. Even the worst episodes of TOS usually have something watchable about them. "Spock's Brain" which is commonly regarded as one of, if not THE worst episode is very watchable if you approach it as a comedy. I don't watch it often, but have a lot of fun whenever I do.

The exception is "The Alternative Factor". That episode is bad on every level.

 

[Kegek]

"Spock's Brain" is so bad it's good, and is nowhere near as bad as some of the genuinely incoherent poorness of the third season, such as, say, "The Way to Eden."

"The Alternative Factor" is a pretty cool episode as far as I'm concerned, but I'm not just in a minority, I'm in a minority of one as far as I'm aware.

 

[The Old Mixer]

I love "The Way to Eden"...much better silly fun than "Spock's Brain". To each his own...Herbert.

And the majority and I reach on "The Alternative Factor".

 

[J47]

Well, I ended up apparently ignoring much of everyone's advice and watching it in production order. I'm currently on "What are Little Girls Made Of?"

I had seen a lot of these episodes in reruns on Space over the years, but never really paid much attention to them beyond something to do for an hour. So far, there have been some real clunkers ("The Naked Time" was practically unwatchable in parts, and I can't understand why they would have any desire to bring back Mudd), but some are pretty apparent classics ("Balance of Terror" is the best episode so far, and I quite enjoyed "Charlie X").

Oh, and Jeffrey Hunter is SO pretty.

 

[Kegek]

Mudd is one of the best characters ever. 'Mudd's Women' has its weak points, but wait for 'I, Mudd'!

'I, Mudd' > 'The Trouble with Tribbles'

 

[Temis the Vorta]

"The Naked Time" was practically unwatchable in parts

What? The Naked Time is great - one of those iconic episodes like Amok Time and The Gamesters of Triskelion*. It helps if you're not the sort to cringe at overacting.

*I have a hunch you're not going to like Gamesters much...

 

[Sisu]

One hundred quatloos on her liking Gamesters!

 

[indranee]

to the OP: please come back as you watch and tell us more of what you think! I like your fresh perspective. it's interesting 'cos The Naked Time is considered one of TOS's best eps! so I want to know more of what you liked and didn't.

PS. the reason NT is considered thus is because you get a LOT of character insight into Kirk and Spock. and later, as you keep watching the series and also the movies, this episode will begin to make a whole lot of retro-sense.

 

[J47]

I guess I could do episode-by-episode since I don't seem to be going through them as fast (curse the real world!).

"What are Little Girls Made Of?" - I enjoyed the episode itself, but it was hard to get my head around how these perfect Androids could exist here but then Data was considered the peak of cybernetics in the next century.

"Dagger of the Mind" - I really liked this one (though the chick who played Noel was AWFUL).

"Miri" - boring. It wasn't bad per se, it just wasn't very entertaining.

"The Conscience of the King" - loved it. I'm really starting to like Riley, though the poor guy just can't get a break.

I think the hardest part about watching these episodes isn't so much the SFX or the crappy sets or the uniforms or the directing but rather the acting. The popular style seems so much...hammier than today's norm. Ignoring Shatner's overacting (which I only really noticed in one episode, I think it was "Miri"), the delivery is almost always not what I'd expect. Not that it's a bad or a good thing, it's just different.

 

[Kegek]

I'm afraid that's it for Riley. He's just in two episodes. And yes, the acting is generally more theatrical. Not that that's a bad thing. I prefer theatrical.

 

[indranee]

Hi J47, thanks for coming back with your comments. as I said before, verrrry refreshing! I've heard similar things from an ex who basically used to make fun of my Trek habit. when he did sit down the few times to watch with me, he used to come up with similar questions and comments. and no matter what, he made me think of how we (who've watched Trek for ages -- or at least since some of us can remember) tend to accept certain things about at least TOS without a peep... things that would make us not give a "normal" show another glance or chance. but these are also precisely the things that make us love it so. case in point, the theatrical acting. you'll also notice that in most of the later Treks, the best, most versatile, as well as oft-hired actors are ALL theatre and stage actors. Trek specializes in them. we love them. they make Trek what it is.

anyway, a couple of things: you've got a really valid and interesting point about those TOS androids and Data. I, Mudd is another such show. it makes you wonder just what Kirk must have put in his log afterward. hmm...

oh and also, Helen Noel is a BIG favorite with the guys around here. frankly, I'm rather surprised nobody's pounced on you for that one yet

come back again and let us know what else you think about some of the other eps as you go along...