Why no THOLIAN instructions for Scotty?

[Mytran]

Since you've stated twice that TAS is not really your bag, I won't protract the discussion on it much more, except to add that since you suggested Magic Of Megas Tu as an alternative "first" episode of the overall series, I thought I'd give it a watch and see how it held up in that regard. a brief shot of the secondary Bridge exit (attributable to an animation error) and Uhura's red uniform (a colouring error) are the only anachronisms that really stand out. Lt Arex and Sulu's scope are present, but they both could been on board all along anyway.
It's a really weird tale and reminds me of a "Gold Key Comics" outing. But such high profile exploration would be good publicity to launch the 5YM programme and mirrors nicely the "edge of the galaxy" mission that Kirk had done once his stint of space law regulation and routine contact with Earth colonies was completed. Kirk is really magnanimous in his attempt to save Lucien too (who was basically a stranger) which leads on to how determinedly he acts to save Mudd's ship in the next episode. Kirk was just a really selfless guy, I guess

Hmm, that was actually quite a lengthy foray into TAS, sorry!

Pushing TMP into the late 2270s has potential problems with regard to the uniforms, since the USS Bozeman is from 2278 and the crew all wore monster maroons. An argument could be made that it was a crossover period, but that becomes less and less credible the more time goes on.

The date of 2270 seems to be a stake in the sand, but in fact we only have Icheb's slightly vague statement to go on:

Finally, in the year 2270, Kirk completed his historic five year mission and one of the greatest chapters in Starfleet history came to a close. A new chapter began when Kirk regained command of the Enterprise.

Strictly speaking, there's nothing to say that the famously titled "Five Year Mission" only lasted five years - it could easily have been extended, perhaps with some less deep-space focused, more diplomatic style missions. Speaking of which, lets have another look at those final few TAS missions:

• The Pirates of Orion (on their way to a science academy dedication ceremony)
• Bem (babysitting an ambassador)
• How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth (close enough to Earth to chase a recent intruder)
• The Counter-Clock Incident (transporting aged officers to their retirement home)

These are all missions that could have been done by a starship on routine patrol within established Federation borders, ie NOT deep-space exploration. A year or two later and it's no wonder that Kirk grew bored and decided to move onto other things. With his departure in 2270 the "famous five year mission" ended, even if it was a little on the late side. Kirk can still use the "five years out there, dealing with unknown just like {V'ger}" when trying to argue his position with Decker in TMP, which somehow ought to occur around 2278

 

[Henoch]

Since you've stated twice that TAS is not really your bag, I won't protract the discussion on it much more

Maybe TAS is not my bag because I haven't applied myself to it (yet). Since I started posting on Trek BBS, I have re-watched all the TAS episodes and started to take bits and pieces of it as "supplemental" canon.

Strictly speaking, there's nothing to say that the famously titled "Five Year Mission" only lasted five years - it could easily have been extended, perhaps with some less deep-space focused, more diplomatic style missions. Speaking of which, lets have another look at those final few TAS missions:

• The Pirates of Orion (on their way to a science academy dedication ceremony)
• Bem (babysitting an ambassador)
• How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth (close enough to Earth to chase a recent intruder)
• The Counter-Clock Incident (transporting aged officers to their retirement home)

These are all missions that could have been done by a starship on routine patrol within established Federation borders, ie NOT deep-space exploration. A year or two later and it's no wonder that Kirk grew bored and decided to move onto other things. With his departure in 2270 the "famous five year mission" ended, even if it was a little on the late side. Kirk can still use the "five years out there, dealing with unknown just like {V'ger}" when trying to argue his position with Decker in TMP, which somehow ought to occur around 2278

I like your thoughts on the milk-run missions for later time TAS episodes. Since the unexpected situation crops up time-to-time in space, maybe the decision to use a Starship with an experienced crew is supported even for easy missions like transportation and patrols. After all, the galaxy has proved to be a dangerous place.

 

[johnnybear]

Possible ways of ordering TOS episodes include:
1) by production date,
2) by broadcast date,
3) by stardate,
or
4) by seasons and by stardate within each season.

You forgot the BBC order, MAGolding!!! I wonder if there are other stations that played the show in their own particular order in the US as well?
JB

 

[MAGolding]

You forgot the BBC order, MAGolding!!! I wonder if there are other stations that played the show in their own particular order in the US as well?
JB

I didn't say that those were the only four possible episode orders. In fact I sort of have a vague feeling that I once thought of another logical order to watch TOS and then forgot it.

 

[johnnybear]

Damn! Try to remember and ease yourself into the logic of the situation MAG!
JB

 

[Mytran]

Alphabetical order?

 

[Maurice]

FCould the Starfleet HQ scenes reflect spring or early summer weather in San Francisco? Definitely not winter. Sure.

San Francisco weather is wildly unpredictable. That weather could be almost any time of the year. It only snows here once every 30–40 years or so and it rareky gets below freezing. (BTW, the matte paintings were done with "sunset" lighting but the color timing changed the tones so they don't look right.)

 

[MAGolding]

1) by production date,
2) by broadcast date,
3) by stardate,
4) by seasons and by stardate within each season.

Alphabetical order?

5) Alphabetical order.
6) Reverse alphabetical order.
7) From best to worst episodes according to a site that ranks them.
8) From worst to best episodes according to a site that ranks them.

That's I can think of at the moment. But I do have a sneaking suspicion that I once thought of yet another reasonable order.

 

[Henoch]

The last time I marathon-watched the entire TOS series, I did it by production date. Shows the progressive character development by the actors, and the continuity of the sets/props.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Stuff I like order.

 

[Neopeius]

I did Stardate order a few years ago and really liked the results. But, of course, for the Journey viewing, it'll have to be in air order. With reruns!