Most Underrated Episode?

[Marsden]

The central scene where Spock & McCoy talk to Kirk in his quarters, could be regarded as part 2 of a trilogy of such scenes:

• Part 1, almost the exact same scene in Conscience of the King. Spock confronts Kirk on what he's doing with Karidian on board, Kirk tells him to butt out, McCoy interjects that Spock is doing his job. Great scene.
• This episode has part 2, Spock & McCoy come to Kirk's quarters to press him about deviating from their assignment. Kirk gives the regulation response, Spock acknowledges it and further quotes the manual, and suddenly they are having a reasonable, professional conversation about the situation. Very different, more mature vibe from the first one.
• Part 3 is in the unlikeliest place of all: Turnabout Intruder. Spock & McCoy have questions about Kirk's behavior, and Kirk goes hysterically batshit crazy. He's an imposter.

That "trilogy" gives Turnabout a little extra depth. Nice.

Good summation! That is consistant over all 3 seasons, too.

One thing about "This Side of Paradise" that hurts it, because it's really good in almost every way otherwise, is that they discover a safe way to cure all diseases and No One ever uses it or mentions it again, even and especially when it's the main driving force behind the plot from everything from "The Omega Glory" right up to "Insurrection"

That was one of my biggest complaints with "Plato's Stepchildren" because of the telekenisis for everyone, but I've been assured that only works on that planet, too bad the episode didn't mention that. However, I don't see an easy one liner for the Spores like for Kironide.

I think that planet would be the ultimate health resort. Just imagine "For The World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky" (another underated). Bones is sick, let's beam him down to Omicron Ceti III for a nice 3 month vacation, beam him back up, insult him a little and slap him a few times, and he's all better. There's already buildings on the planet, it's begging to be a resort.

 

[VST]

"The Conscience of the King" for me - that was a great Kirk story, with real gravitas & brevity. Deserves a lot more love.

 

[suarezguy]

I think "A Private Little War," IMO good characterizations, plot progressions and themes, I think Roddenberry was quite conflicted about the real-life inspirations and the ambivalence flowed into the episode and really worked.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

I think "A Private Little War," IMO good characterizations, plot progressions and themes, I think Roddenberry was quite conflicted about the real-life inspirations and the ambivalence flowed into the episode and really worked.

I concur that is indeed underrated for exactly that reason. Don Ingalls (aka, Jud Crucis) deserves story credit, of course.