Best and Worse Star Trek Episodes, Original Series - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

McMurphy · 27th November 2004, 10:09 PM

For such a short lived stint, the original Star Trek series sure had great high points and horrible pitfalls. What do people feel were the best and the worst episodes in the original Star Trek series?

For the best, I must go the popular route and vote for the "Trouble with Tribbles" (episode 44, season 2). It was nice to see a change from landing on planets mirroring Earth's past, Kirk seducing female aliens in short skirts, and the crew engaging in wrestling matches with cheap rubber costumes. This episode's conflict was, instead, a humorous annoyance. Note: Ever notice that Klingons looked exactly like a human back then? It was the whole premise of the episode and the final payoff for dealing with the Tribbles.

For the worst, the dishonor must go to "The Way to Eden" (episode 75, season 3). The crew encounters a band of space hippies determined to reach the planet Eden. The braindead ponderings of the misfits and their absurdly moronic guitar plucking made me eager for their untimely deaths at the end of the episode when they finally got what they asked for.

The Master™ · 27th November 2004, 11:51 PM

Best: trouble with tribbles, assignment: earth, mirror, mirror and city on the edge of forever

worst: where no man has gone before, bread and circuses and spectre of the gun

there are a number of other note-worthy and dire episodes, but they are the best and worst in my opinion... if you were only wanting one of each, sorry, couldn't decide...

I, Brian · 28th November 2004, 09:31 PM

I don't remember the title, but the one where the flowers use their "happy pollen" on the crew, the enterprise is depopulated, and even Spock becomes a laughing hippy - until Kirk forces him into a fight to break the effect.

Had some darn good discussions about that one.

McMurphy · 29th November 2004, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I, Brian

I don't remember the title, but the one where the flowers use their "happy pollen" on the crew, the enterprise is depopulated, and even Spock becomes a laughing hippy - until Kirk forces him into a fight to break the effect.

Had some darn good discussions about that one.

*LOL* I watched that episode just the other day on the Sci-Fi channel!

I looked it up and the episode you are talking about is "This Side of Paradise" (#24, season 1). I chuckled over the fact that, in this one, Spock gets to do some womanizing, leaving Kirk uptight.

You just can't beat the following quote found in this episode:

"Alright you mutinous, disloyal, computerized halfbreed, we'll see about you deserting my ship." -Kirk to Spock.

Quest · 19th December 2004, 11:20 PM

The best, as far as what I liked, was "Assignment Earth". The spinoff that never happened.

The worst had to be "Spock's Brain". Excuse the pun, what a lamebrained plot.

Circus Cranium · 20th December 2004, 01:56 PM

'Spock's Brain', all time worst episode.

I, Brian · 20th December 2004, 04:22 PM

Spock's Brain?

Is that were McCoy had to reimplant it? "Even a child could do it!"

Absolute classic!!

If that's in the first season, I may get to see it again soon.

Quest · 21st December 2004, 03:47 AM

Unless I'm mistaken, it was in the last season. One knew Trek was not long for the TV world when that episode aired.

Ometiklan · 11th September 2005, 11:46 PM

Best: Devil in the Dark.

Worst: And the Children Shall Lead.... that one hurts still today.

athena28 · 10th September 2006, 09:15 PM

Worst -- Easy -- "Spock's Brain"

Best -- "City on the Edge of Forever"

Dave · 11th September 2006, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quest

Unless I'm mistaken, it was in the last season. One knew Trek was not long for the TV world when that episode aired.

'Spock's Brain', 'The Way to Eden', 'The Paradise Syndrome', 'The Spectre of the Gun' - they are all in the third season when the show's budget had been cut and it had been moved to a TV time slot that guaranteed poor ratings.

I don't disagree with 'Trouble with Tribbles' or 'City on the Edge of Forever' for the best, but I would add 'Amok Time'.

steve12553 · 11th September 2006, 01:20 AM

Another vote for Spock's Brain. My favorite was Balance of Terror.

carrie221 · 11th September 2006, 07:11 AM

Best: The Cage and The Menagerie

Worst: Court Martial, Amok Time

Winters_Sorrow · 11th September 2006, 10:46 AM

Have to add another thumbs down for Spock's Brain.
My favourite episode is "A Piece of the Action".
Daft but strangely compelling.

Dave · 11th September 2006, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carrie221

Worst: Amok Time

Can I ask why? I like 'Amok Time' because it introduced the Vulcans and their culture.

I grant you that the fight scene, Kirk's ripped shirts and the twist at the end is a little lame, but that is mainly because it has been copied so many times since in other TV shows - Futurama being the best attempt, and Star Trek: Enterprise being the worst attempt.

27th November 2004, 10:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
McMurphy Apostate Against the Eloi Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,150	Best and Worse Star Trek Episodes, Original Series For such a short lived stint, the original Star Trek series sure had great high points and horrible pitfalls. What do people feel were the best and the worst episodes in the original Star Trek series? For the best, I must go the popular route and vote for the "Trouble with Tribbles" (episode 44, season 2). It was nice to see a change from landing on planets mirroring Earth's past, Kirk seducing female aliens in short skirts, and the crew engaging in wrestling matches with cheap rubber costumes. This episode's conflict was, instead, a humorous annoyance. Note: Ever notice that Klingons looked exactly like a human back then? It was the whole premise of the episode and the final payoff for dealing with the Tribbles. For the worst, the dishonor must go to "The Way to Eden" (episode 75, season 3). The crew encounters a band of space hippies determined to reach the planet Eden. The braindead ponderings of the misfits and their absurdly moronic guitar plucking made me eager for their untimely deaths at the end of the episode when they finally got what they asked for.

27th November 2004, 11:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
The Master™ Right hand of Vengence!!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,753	Re: Best and Worse Star Trek Episodes, Original Series Best: trouble with tribbles, assignment: earth, *mirror, mirror* and city on the edge of forever worst: where no man has gone before, bread and circuses and spectre of the gun there are a number of other note-worthy and dire episodes, but they are the best and worst in my opinion... if you were only wanting one of each, sorry, couldn't decide...

28th November 2004, 09:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
I, Brian Admin and Tea-boy Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: UK: SCOTLAND: Posts: 5,364	Re: Best and Worse Star Trek Episodes, Original Series I don't remember the title, but the one where the flowers use their "happy pollen" on the crew, the enterprise is depopulated, and even Spock becomes a laughing hippy - until Kirk forces him into a fight to break the effect. Had some darn good discussions about that one.

19th December 2004, 11:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Quest Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Delaware Posts: 38	Re: Best and Worse Star Trek Episodes, Original Series The best, as far as what I liked, was "Assignment Earth". The spinoff that never happened. The worst had to be "Spock's Brain". Excuse the pun, what a lamebrained plot.

20th December 2004, 01:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
Circus Cranium Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 467	Re: Best and Worse Star Trek Episodes, Original Series 'Spock's Brain', all time worst episode. __________________ http://www.hoaxthenovel.com

20th December 2004, 04:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
I, Brian Admin and Tea-boy Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: UK: SCOTLAND: Posts: 5,364	Re: Best and Worse Star Trek Episodes, Original Series Spock's Brain? Is that were McCoy had to reimplant it? "Even a child could do it!" Absolute classic!! If that's in the first season, I may get to see it again soon.

21st December 2004, 03:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
Quest Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Delaware Posts: 38	Re: Best and Worse Star Trek Episodes, Original Series Unless I'm mistaken, it was in the last season. One knew Trek was not long for the TV world when that episode aired.

11th September 2005, 11:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ometiklan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 4	Re: Best and Worse Star Trek Episodes, Original Series Best: Devil in the Dark. Worst: And the Children Shall Lead.... that one hurts still today.

10th September 2006, 09:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
athena28 Sports Goddess Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New York Posts: 42	Re: Best and Worse Star Trek Episodes, Original Series Worst -- Easy -- "Spock's Brain" Best -- "City on the Edge of Forever"

11th September 2006, 01:20 AM	#12 (permalink)
steve12553 The Enigma of Steel Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mississippi Posts: 838	Re: Best and Worse Star Trek Episodes, Original Series Another vote for Spock's Brain. My favorite was Balance of Terror.

11th September 2006, 07:11 AM	#13 (permalink)
carrie221 Darkness is my friend :) Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 711	Re: Best and Worse Star Trek Episodes, Original Series Best: The Cage and The Menagerie Worst: Court Martial, Amok Time

11th September 2006, 10:46 AM	#14 (permalink)
Winters_Sorrow Unreg. Mutant Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tyne and Wear Posts: 2,689	Re: Best and Worse Star Trek Episodes, Original Series Have to add another thumbs down for Spock's Brain. My favourite episode is "A Piece of the Action". Daft but strangely compelling.