The least disliked episode 2023: TOS Season 3

[Vger23]

I will eliminate Whom Gods Destroy, which I would have cut earlier than some of the others that have already been phasered. It’s a good episode, has some good world building and some good Kirk-Spock stuff, as well as some chewy performances…but it’s not as good as the final 3.

Day of the Dove
The Tholian Web
All Our Yesterdays

 

[Seven of Five]

Tough choice. I'll save The Tholian Web because just like the other two a little more.

Day of the Dove
All Our Yesterdays

 

[Farscape One]

Very tough choice.

Taking out "DAY OF THE DOVE".

"ALL OUR YESTERDAYS" wins because of the Spock/McCoy story.

 

[Phaser Two]

Oh, that is really refreshing! Seems as though Web usually wins (deservedly). All Our Yesterdays is a timeless, poignant, deeply moving episode. I choke up every time at the end. Thanks for the game to everyone.

 

[Qonundrum]

Very tough choice.

Taking out "DAY OF THE DOVE".

"ALL OUR YESTERDAYS" wins because of the Spock/McCoy story.

It's a very tough choice. "Dove" is a solid story in itso wn ways, but "Yesterdays" is a less conventional and more sci-fi story -- and is a refreshingly innovative one at that. It's a gem.

The plot also sets up the supernova as the countdown timer trope, but the most palpable sense of threat comes when the crew go into the previous time periods and are having to get back. Even the "But I haven't processed you yet!" is neatly done. The processing alludes to changing physical structure to prevent return, but I'd reckon it also tampers with the mind to prevent altering the history of the species and planet. Even more important, that wouldn't matter - the witchcraft subplot neatly takes care of that, noting who Kirk finds in that time period as well. This makes for some thoughtful allegories in other directions as well. Anyone who doesn't feel like they "fit in" and -- but I digress and it's a bit easy to fathom anyhow.

It's one of TOS's finest episodes, not just "oh but season 3", and season 3's reputation is not always deserved. Considering what went on behind the scenes, it could easily have been far worse.

 

[Seven of Five]

Oh I know I feel like a bastard playing this game with season three.

Gene Coon, one of the finest, purest driving forces of the first two seasons had left. Gene Roddenberry had become inspired to take up the showrunner mantle after hearing that TOS was going to get a better time slot, only to be given the Friday at 10 death slot.

Roddenberry hired John Meredyth Lucas as showrunner, and the show seemed to lose its spark. Behind the scenes, dissatisfaction between Shatner and Nimoy seemed to hit breaking point, and Lucas didn't handle it very well IIRC.

The awesome D.C. Fontana left the writing staff, though she did go on and write some episodes freelance at least.

Oh, and the budget was cut. Again.

 

[Vger23]

Oh I know I feel like a bastard playing this game with season three.

Gene Coon, one of the finest, purest driving forces of the first two seasons had left. Gene Roddenberry had become inspired to take up the showrunner mantle after hearing that TOS was going to get a better time slot, only to be given the Friday at 10 death slot.

Roddenberry hired John Meredyth Lucas as showrunner, and the show seemed to lose its spark. Behind the scenes, dissatisfaction between Shatner and Nimoy seemed to hit breaking point, and Lucas didn't handle it very well IIRC.

The awesome D.C. Fontana left the writing staff, though she did go on and write some episodes freelance at least.

Oh, and the budget was cut. Again.

And yet, even with all that turmoil, the third season of TOS still had some resounding achievements and, even though it is the weakest of the original 3...is still a strong season when compared across the rest of the franchise. It's amazing what they were able to pull off.

 

[Farscape One]

I agree that season 3 is overall better than its reputation, but it is still the weakest of TOS. But it is certainly better than most of the current live action seasons.