The Trouble With Tribbles

[Sparkle Fabulosa]

So I just finished the episode, my first! I was lol'ing the entire time! A lot of great one liners and those Tribbles are so freaking cute I want one!

I then found this:

[yt]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DyMJAL4KPII[/yt]

 

[Dude111]

I like that episode!!

 

[CrazyMatt]

Sorry to disagree, but this is the most overrated episode of the series, IMHO... as I've stated before.

 

[Indysolo]

Sorry to disagree, but this is the most overrated episode of the series, IMHO... as I've stated before.

You're crazy, Matt! Oh...

Neil

 

[Mytran]

Must be a Matt thing, as I also feel that this episode has a reputation far in excess of its actual substance. It's not the worst episode, but it certainly isn't the best, and not even the best "comedy" episode. IMHO.

That musical video version is not bad though

 

[RandyS]

Sorry to disagree, but this is the most overrated episode of the series, IMHO... as I've stated before.

I disagree with you on this one, but I understand the sentiment. I feel the same way about "City on the Edge of Forever".

 

[Metryq]

I disagree with you on this one, but I understand the sentiment. I feel the same way about "City on the Edge of Forever".

"City" and "Tribbles" are both good, but wildly over-rated.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

I've always liked "Tribbles" a lot. Any change-of-pace episode that's done reasonably well will get a boost in it's ratings from most fans.

The inverse of that rule is probably why I rate "The Apple" on the low side. It's general situation is too similar to several other outings.

 

[Lance]

What I like about it isn't just the brilliant humor, but also the way the story is so tightly structured. Some Star Trek episodes have plot holes you can drive a pickup truck through, but "The Trouble With Tribbles" doesn't, because David Gerrold made a point of introducing all of its ideas earlier than their intended use (the old adage about how if you're gonna use a revolver to shoot somebody in Reel 5, then you've gotta make sure you show the lead character carrying it back in Reel 3). A good example of this is how the resolution of the plot is seeded much earlier in the episode, with the seemingly innocuous observation that Tribbles react badly to Klingons.

The end result is a story which is absolutely water-tight from start to finish.

 

[Poltargyst]

The OP didn't say it was the greatest episode ever, she said SHE enjoyed it. Nice to hear, I enjoy it too.

 

[feek61]

I lot of folks love this episode including the OP but I personally never cared for it. I believe this is Bob Justman's favorite episode if I'm remembering correctly so the folks who like it are in good company.

 

[Sparkle Fabulosa]

Is it the best episode? I have no idea! But I certainly enjoyed it more than the first Voyager episode I saw (season 3's Remember). I loved the dialogue. When Spock says he's immune to their effects and then he starts petting a Tribble. When Kirk finds out Scotty threw the first punch because the Klingon insulted the Enterprise, he was obviously hurt that Scotty didn't start punching when his name was part of the insult. That was hilarious!

It was really weird to see Klingons look like humans.

 

[CrazyMatt]

Is it the best episode? I have no idea! But I certainly enjoyed it more than the first Voyager episode I saw (season 3's Remember). I loved the dialogue. When Spock says he's immune to their effects and then he starts petting a Tribble. When Kirk finds out Scotty threw the first punch because the Klingon insulted the Enterprise, he was obviously hurt that Scotty didn't start punching when his name was part of the insult. That was hilarious!

Let me clarify... it's certainly not a bad episode. In fact, it does have it's moments, like the line-up scene you mentioned above. But it always seems to end up in the top ten list of great episodes and I simply disagree that it's that good.

Top 20? Maybe I can buy that. Top 30? Certainly. Top 10? No way (as far as I'm concerned... I can easily name 10 better episodes off the top of my head--from the second season, even).

Now, as far as Voyager is concerned, I can see why this episode looks great in comparison.....

 

[kirkfan]

So I just finished the episode, my first! I was lol'ing the entire time! A lot of great one liners and those Tribbles are so freaking cute I want one!

I then found this:

[yt]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DyMJAL4KPII[/yt]

Garcon! There's a hair in my food!

 

[Ssosmcin]

While not my favorite episode, I do consider this the series' best comedy mainly because everyone is in character. No dressing up and acting like 1920's gangsters or going waaaay over the top with silliness to short out androids. The humor works, the plot, as mentioned, is solid, and everyone gets something good to do. I can see why so many people like it and why it was reallllly popular in the 70's. It's fun and pretty hysterical.

 

[Redfern]

I think part of its appeal for some (not all, certainly, but some) fans was the fact its production was deeply chronicled in David Gerrold's "behind the scenes" book. It allowed that first generation of viewers to vicariously become part of the backstage production, at least from the writer's perspective.

Since 1973, a LOT of development anecdotes have been revealed, but in the early 70s, it was the only material besides Whitfield's "Making of Star Trek" that gave us any idea what it was like creating that series.

Sincerely,

Bill

 

[kirkfan]

I think it's the funniest TOS episode that doesn't fall into outright silliness.

 

[Captain Rob]

Okay. Show of hands.
Who here as a little kid in the early 70's had a stuffed tribble or two (or more) among their stuffed animal toys?
The cool thing was that the tribbles were the only Star Trek aliens that you could actually make and play with.

 

[Ithekro]

I'm trying to picture Kirk and Koloth's polite talks in TNG and later eras. You just don't see Klingons like that often.

 

[kirkfan]

I'm trying to picture Kirk and Koloth's polite talks in TNG and later eras. You just don't see Klingons like that often.

I think they overdid the klingon thing on TNG.