The 5 most overrated episodes of TOS

[CorporalCaptain]

Turnabout Intruder did indeed reflect the television of its time, a point which I argued recently in the thread on stereotypes in Star Trek. I first saw the episode in the 1970's and I know its portrayal of women as second class citizens was typical of its time, from first-hand experience.

What makes the episode, and the sexism in it, preposterous is that it doesn't really square with the command structure shown in The Cage. What makes it embarrassing is that it undermines both the real world myth that Star Trek was forward-thinking (indeed, it seems to have regressed quite a bit from its pilot episode) and the in-universe myth that the Federation was an enlightened civilization. My criticisms of this episode have nothing to do with political correctness.

I see this episode as just one of those many in the third season that violated either the letter or the spirit of premises laid down in earlier seasons. Another example of this sin, but even more overt, is Spock/Droxine in The Cloud Minders.

 

[jk82]

What makes the episode, and the sexism in it, preposterous is that it doesn't really square with the command structure shown in The Cage. What makes it embarrassing is that it undermines both the real world myth that Star Trek was forward-thinking (indeed, it seems to have regressed quite a bit from its pilot episode) and the in-universe myth that the Federation was an enlightened civilization. My criticisms of this episode have nothing to do with political correctness.

I see this episode as just one of those many in the third season that violated either the letter or the spirit of premises laid down in earlier seasons. Another example of this sin, but even more overt, is Spock/Droxine in The Cloud Minders.

I understand the frustration you have toward this episode. Unfortunately, even if the creators of the show wanted to do it differently, for example recreating something they did in the cage, those executives at NBC would not have allowed it. Gene's wife was the first officer in the Cage, and her character was hated by those suits at NBC. I think perhaps Gene was so frustrated that he ended up creating a female who is mad about unfair treatments and actually lashes out on national TV. Well, just because she is delusional doesn't mean what she says is not true.


My problem with Season 3 is that Kirk is considerably weakened as commander and leader, Spock is given more to do, but more out of character things to do. He suddenly is romancing women, but there are hardly any previous indications that he would do such things... For example, the concept of City on the Edge of Forever is done once and well already, there is really no need to do another one with Spock.

One of the most embarrassing episodes has to be Plato's Stepchildren. That is painful to watch. Everyone is humiliated, not just the characters, but also the actors. I wish this episode had not been made. Mind control can be done in a more tasteful manner.

 

[Harvey]

I wouldn't believe everything Gene Roddenberry said publicly about the changes mandated by NBC after "The Cage." Actually, I wouldn't believe anything he ever said about it at this point, except the well-documented fact that NBC wanted the Spock character gone.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Yeah, I've read at least two contradictory reasons why "the suits" didn't like Number One, and I've no way to confirm any of them. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_One_(Star_Trek):

According to Gene Roddenberry and Stephen Whitfield, the prominence of a woman among the crew of a starship was one of the reasons that the original Star Trek pilot was rejected by NBC, who, in addition to calling the pilot "too cerebral", felt that the alien Spock and a female senior officer would be rejected by audiences, [2] although Roddenberry also related the tale of how women of the era had difficulty accepting her as well. However, in his book Inside Star Trek: The Real Story, producer Herbert Solow suggested that the network was fine with the character but was infuriated that the relatively unknown actress was cast simply because she was having an affair with Roddenberry.

 

[jk82]

According to Gene Roddenberry and Stephen Whitfield, the prominence of a woman among the crew of a starship was one of the reasons that the original Star Trek pilot was rejected by NBC, who, in addition to calling the pilot "too cerebral", felt that the alien Spock and a female senior officer would be rejected by audiences, [2] although Roddenberry also related the tale of how women of the era had difficulty accepting her as well. However, in his book Inside Star Trek: The Real Story, producer Herbert Solow suggested that the network was fine with the character but was infuriated that the relatively unknown actress was cast simply because she was having an affair with Roddenberry.

If the latter explanation is true, then it is more pathetic than I thought.

 

[scotpens]

1. Charlie X. No idea why this one is such a favorite. "Chah-lee's ah new dah-ling, our dah-ling, our dah-ling!" Tellingly, in the days before Paramount sent out pre-edited episodes, WPIX in NY would cut the entire musical interlude from this episode. I liked it a lot better back then.

I liked Uhura singing in "Charlie X" and "Conscience of the King," as well as the little snippets of banter and byplay among the crew in TOS's first season. Those bits helped us identify with the characters and made them human. Unfortunately, we saw little of that sort of thing after Season 1 (unless you count Spock jamming with the space hippies in "The Way to Eden").

Spectre of the Gun is another third season episode that everybody seems to like, but that in my opinion just stinks. Let's play cowboys.

As I've mentioned before, I consider "Spectre of the Gun" a triumph of style over substance.

. . . in his book Inside Star Trek: The Real Story, producer Herbert Solow suggested that the network was fine with the character but was infuriated that the relatively unknown actress was cast simply because she was having an affair with Roddenberry.

If the latter explanation is true, then it is more pathetic than I thought.

If you're running a television network and gambling on a new show, you don't let the producer cast an unknown actress in a major role just because she happens to be his girlfriend. Not pathetic, just common business sense.

 

[jk82]

If you're running a television network and gambling on a new show, you don't let the producer cast an unknown actress in a major role just because she happens to be his girlfriend. Not pathetic, just common business sense.

Sorry I didn't make myself clear. I was trying to say it is pathetic that Gene Roddenberry couldn't cast anybody else in the role of No. 1. He managed to cast both of his mistresses in the show anyway. Why couldn't they find someone who is beautiful and talented enough to replace Roddenberry's mistress? I would have loved to see Kirk in action accompanied by Spock, Bones and an intelligent, strong female (the formula works: see Dagger of the Mind, Return to Tomorrow etc.).

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Spectre of the Gun is another third season episode that everybody seems to like, but that in my opinion just stinks. Let's play cowboys.

As I've mentioned before, I consider "Spectre of the Gun" a triumph of style over substance.

A weighted evaluation, such as yours evidently is, seems rational enough to me and not worth quibbling over. It's just that the way I chalk things up, evidently either the substance just dug too deep a hole for the style to climb out of, or the idea that the buildings were incomplete just compounded the problem. Without more detailed knowledge of how the script evolved, I can't say more definitively. I will certainly agree that the deliberately faux town made the best of a less than ideal situation with respect to the show's budget.

That having been said, I wonder if I'd have liked the episode better if the Tombstone scenes had been played "straight", with a completely realistic appearance and costumes, and shot outdoors, which according to Memory Alpha would have happened had not budget restrictions forced the approach of surrealism. In particular, I wonder whether the gunfight at the O.K. Corral would have been more dramatic, since the fact that everything was fake would not have been telegraphed so blatantly ahead of time. To my mind, it could have made Spock's mind meld more of a significant element.

 

[Isis]

Shore Leave is well regarded, but it doesn't do a thing for me.

I agree though I'm a big fan of Sturgeon. He was right that the reveal happens too soon - the antenna in the bushes. I don't perceive it as being thought of as one of the great eps, though...

Agree with your last statement above, Plynch, but my impression over the years has been that "Shore Leave" (while not thought of as a "Mirror, Mirror" or a "Balance of Terror") is generally well regarded. Of course, there's no definitive authority on this point, but I found the following relevant web sites:

http://www.startrekreviews.com/1-P17ShoreLeave.html


http://www.kethinov.com/startrekepisodes.php?series=1&season=1


http://trekbbs.com/showthread.php?p=1685744 (note this is a trekbbs.com thread)


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0708446/reviews

 

[Windows_Me_Guy]

-Five most overrated episodes-

1. City on the Edge of Forever: I like it, I just don't think it's as good as everybody else says. It's not even in my top 10.

2. Balance of Terror: It reminds me of Empire Strikes Back and how too much time is spent watching the Millennium Falcon flying through space, through asteroids, and watching the expressions on Han, Leia's and Chewy's faces. It seems like most of the episode takes place on the bridge in front of the view screen. Not my cup of tea.

3. Spock's Brain: Often mistaken as the worst episode. In that sense, it is overrated, because there are maybe 2 or 3 episodes just as bad, maybe worse!

4. The Trouble with Tribbles: Too silly for my taste.

5. The Devil in the Dark: It's an okay episode, pretty middle of the pack for me. Not as great as I've heard people say it is.

 

[RAMA]

-Five most overrated episodes-



2. Balance of Terror: It reminds me of Empire Strikes Back and how too much time is spent watching the Millennium Falcon flying through space, through asteroids, and watching the expressions on Han, Leia's and Chewy's faces. It seems like most of the episode takes place on the bridge in front of the view screen. Not my cup of tea.

You mean Empire Strikes Back reminded you OF BoT??

Nothing could be further from reality..Empire showed you everything...Balance was a triumph of suspense and brinksmanship. I also don't recall any commentary on racism in Empire...

RAMA

 

[Saxman1]

Shore Leave is well regarded, but it doesn't do a thing for me.

Yeoman Barrows does things to me! Ten stars for her alone and McCoy actually, for once, kinda gets the girl and she's one of the hottest of TOS!

I do have to say the fight with Finnegan goes on WAY too long and as such is obviously padding. But overall, it's a fun romp and probably in my top 10 TOS eps.

Oh yeah, IMHO "City" is the greatest Star Trek ep ever. "Let's get the hell out of here" never fails to move me.

 

[scotpens]

. . . Balance of Terror: It reminds me of Empire Strikes Back and how too much time is spent watching the Millennium Falcon flying through space, through asteroids, and watching the expressions on Han, Leia's and Chewy's faces. It seems like most of the episode takes place on the bridge in front of the view screen. Not my cup of tea.

You mean Empire Strikes Back reminded you OF BoT??

Yes, it helps to remember which came first!

As "The Enemy Below In Space," I think "Balance of Terror" works fairly well, even with the contrivances like the Romulans peering into a periscope-like device to give the feel of a WW2 submarine. The ending is still one of the most emotionally powerful scenes in TOS.

KIRK: Standing by to beam your survivors aboard our ship. Prepare to abandon your vessel.

COMMANDER (on viewscreen): No. No, that is not our way. I regret that we meet in this way. You and I are of a kind. In a different reality, I could have called you friend.

KIRK: What purpose will it serve to die?

COMMANDER: We are creatures of duty, Captain. I have lived my life by it. Just one more duty to perform.

(Kaboom!)

 

[Maximara]

-Five most overrated episodes-
3. Spock's Brain: Often mistaken as the worst episode. In that sense, it is overrated, because there are maybe 2 or 3 episodes just as bad, maybe worse!

I think Spock's Brain gets attention because you can enjoy it in a Plan 9 sort of way. "And the Children Shall Lead" and "The Way to Eden" on the other hand are just beam it into the nearest bulkhead bad.

 

[Windows_Me_Guy]

No, what I meant is that they both (Balance of Terror & Empire ) simply bore me.

 

[Isis]

Shore Leave is well regarded, but it doesn't do a thing for me.

Yeoman Barrows does things to me! Ten stars for her alone and McCoy actually, for once, kinda gets the girl and she's one of the hottest of TOS!

I do have to say the fight with Finnegan goes on WAY too long and as such is obviously padding. But overall, it's a fun romp and probably in my top 10 TOS eps.

Oh yeah, IMHO "City" is the greatest Star Trek ep ever. "Let's get the hell out of here" never fails to move me.

Saxman, I have a definite sense that I'm in the minority and you're in the majority on this one.

IMO, the worst thing about the ep is McCoy. He goes around acting like a 10-year-old girl who just discovered Justin Bieber. (I'm not sure whether that's Kelley, how his character was written that episode, or some of both.) Also, I don't like the reset ending, which was mandatory for episodic television in those days. They could have at least gotten us to care about a one- or two-shot character, like a Kevin Riley, for example, and had that person sacrificing themself to save the "regulars." Finally, that amateurish looking white rabbit doesn't help things.

Just about the only aspect of the ep I like is Finnegan. I wasn't struck that the fight scene was too long, but when you like something, it tends to seem like it's going quickly. And I'm a straight female -- Yeoman Barrows does nothing for me.

Overall, I'd put Shore Leave in my Bottom 10, if not my Bottom 5. In any case, here's to free speech!

 

[scotpens]

. . .IMO, the worst thing about the ep is McCoy. He goes around acting like a 10-year-old girl who just discovered Justin Bieber.

You think that's bad? "The Lights of Zetar" had Scotty mooning like a lovesick teenager over Lt. Mira Romaine -- whose character is so two-dimensional we don't have a clue why Scotty would even be attracted to her. Does she have a good mind for technical stuff? Can she match Scotty in a drinking contest?

Also, I don't like the reset ending, which was mandatory for episodic television in those days. They could have at least gotten us to care about a one- or two-shot character, like a Kevin Riley, for example, and had that person sacrificing themself to save the "regulars."

Yes, the "Who-gets-to-almost-die-this-week" syndrome. Hell, it happened to Kirk three times!

Finally, that amateurish looking white rabbit doesn't help things.

Do you have any idea how much a professional rabbit costs?

Seriously, that was probably about as good a bunny costume as they could make in those days. Since it's supposed to be a fantasy character out of Alice in Wonderland, I don't mind that it looks like a midget in a rabbit suit.

What I found jarring was that the young actress who played Alice was obviously an American trying to sound British.

Just about the only aspect of the ep I like is Finnegan. I wasn't struck that the fight scene was too long, but when you like something, it tends to seem like it's going quickly.

It would have been fun if Finnegan could have appeared again in another episode, maybe in a dream or flashback sequence. He's a likeable jerk.

That pseudo-Irish accent needs work, though.

 

[Isis]

You think that's bad? "The Lights of Zetar" had Scotty mooning like a lovesick teenager over Lt. Mira Romaine -- whose character is so two-dimensional we don't have a clue why Scotty would even be attracted to her. Does she have a good mind for technical stuff? Can she match Scotty in a drinking contest?...

Scotpens, thanks for your interesting "critique of my critique," as it were. Re your comment about "The Lights of Zetar," I agree that Scotty's behavior there is of a similar ilk to McCoy's in "Shore Leave." The difference relevant to this thread, IMO, is that I have a sense that "Zetar" is not well regarded -- I think people see it for what it is. (scotpens, or anybody, please jump in here if you disagree). However, as I said in a previous post, I have a sense that "Shore Leave" is generally well regarded. That is why, when I first saw the subject line of this thread, "Zetar" never crossed my mind, but I thought immediately of "Shore Leave."

 

[Isis]

^ ^ ^ ^

P.S. I can't come up with four other episodes to talk about here -- I can hardly come up with one. I have a sense that "The Squire of Gothos" is generally well regarded, and when I first saw it (probably the first time it was shown in the New York area in syndication), I didn't like it. However, over the years, I've developed an appreciation for "Squire," so I don't consider it a full-fledged response for this thread. From the perspective of my opinions of the various TOS episodes, no other episode even comes close to "Shore Leave" as a response for this thread.

 

[RoJoHen]

I've still never seen all of TOS (shame on me), so I can't come up with 5 episodes. I will say, though, that "City on the Edge of Forever" is way overrated. Maybe this is because I had heard so many good things about it before I ever got around to seeing it, so I was expecting the most awesome episode of anything ever, and I was ultimately disappointed when it didn't turn out to be that. Not that it's bad; it's certainly a good episode. I just don't think it's anywhere near as good as people make it out to be.