I prefer production order, although I am currently watching them in transmission order because that is how they are presented on the Blu Ray box sets.
In which episode order do you prefer to watch TOS?
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I believe the syndicaiton packages sent out to local networks had the episodes in production order. Every local network I've ever seen airing TOS does it in production.
That being said, I prefer production all the way. I hate that the DVDs are in airdate order.
Yeah, that's basically what I do too, but I've tried both production order and aired order, and I don't really have a preference for one over the other. One thing I really like is the lack of story arcs. TOS' standalone episodes pretty much lets you watch it in whatever order you want, making viewings much easier.
If I'm going to watch the series through - definitely production order as it feels natural and embryonic that way. I've extracted all the episodes uncompressed from the Blu-ray box sets and put them on the internal HDD of my media player - organised by season, and the correct production order. Instant access to any HD TOS epsiode at the touch of a button - pure bliss I tell ya!
I realized the other day that I tend to watch the first season in production order, then watch the second in air-date order, and the third I just pick and choose the episodes that I like most. It was years between the first time I watched the original series and when I finally got around to "The Cloud Minders" and "All Our Yesterdays."
If I were showing the show to a new viewer who was firmly committed to seeing it all, I'd go with production order, and I'd start with WNMHGB. After the series ended maybe I'd show them the Cage if they were interested in finding out about how the show evolved a little bit.
If I was going to show it to a more on-the-fence fan who was unsure if he or she would be into star trek, I'd probably go in a more personalized order. I'd try to show them episodes that I think would appeal more-so to them, personally, given what I know about them. When they seem to catch the Star Trek bug, then I'd start over in production order.
I've seen all the episodes, so I don't feel the need to sit through the shitty ones just to stick to some strict order. I jump around as I please.
It's also fun to try and think up imaginary two parters, with episodes that almost lead into other ones, or episodes with similar subject matter/themes.
For example, if you ignore a few lines at the end of The Naked Time, it segways quite nicely into Tomorrow is Yesterday. I like to think of it as a two parter in my crazy head.
If I was going to show it to a more on-the-fence fan who was unsure if he or she would be into star trek, I'd probably go in a more personalized order. I'd try to show them episodes that I think would appeal more-so to them, personally, given what I know about them. When they seem to catch the Star Trek bug, then I'd start over in production order.
I've seen all the episodes, so I don't feel the need to sit through the shitty ones just to stick to some strict order. I jump around as I please.
It's also fun to try and think up imaginary two parters, with episodes that almost lead into other ones, or episodes with similar subject matter/themes.
For example, if you ignore a few lines at the end of The Naked Time, it segways quite nicely into Tomorrow is Yesterday. I like to think of it as a two parter in my crazy head.
A two-parter I like (and one of the reasons I like stardate order) is Amok Time-This Side of Paradise. After what T’Pring does to Spock, there is a special poignancy to the spores giving him permission to love someone like Leila who is not a logical match for him in any way, but is beautiful and loves him.
Good idea, I'll have to try that out.
This discussion (imagined/improvised two parters) might merit it's own thread. But I'm too lazy to start it.
I watch whatever episode I feel like but if I were to watch it all the way through, then Production Order. NBC doesn't decide the order I watch.
Stardate Order would be too loony. Especially when the first season would overlap with the second season and the second would overlap with the third.
Stardate Order would be too loony. Especially when the first season would overlap with the second season and the second would overlap with the third.
I think that's the ideal way to watch the series. Leave "The Cage" as after-series special, because its complete form is more of a curio, and it is mostly covered in "The Menagerie."
And that's what happens, unfortunately, because it's easier. I will never understand why CBS put so much significance on the original airdates.
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