The Essential Star Trek (Part 2)
posted by Tygrrius @ 7:32 AM
Back in April, I started listing what I consider the "must see" episodes of classic Star Trek. Since then, you have been anxiously waiting for the next installment. Finally, your wait is over. Here is part two of that four-part series.
As before, episodes are in production order--which I recommend for best understanding the evolution of the series and characters. Disc references are to the 2004 season sets.
#18 The Squire Of Gothos
Season 1, Disc 5
A fun adventure of the kind that only classic Trek can pull off, this episode features Trelane--a godlike being who amuses himself by toying with Kirk and his crew. Though "The Squire of Gothos" is a superior tale, it is reminiscent of "Charlie X" only ten episodes earlier. Trelane (William Campbell) is just a slightly older version of Charlie Evans, yet just as immature. Even the ending is remarkably similar.
The childish god theme often recurs on Star Trek. Trelane later inspired the character of Q (John de Lancie) on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Some fans theorize that Trelane is actually a member of the Q Continuum, while others theorize that the writers of early TNG episodes had few original ideas.
#19 Arena
Season 1, Disc 5
One of the most action-packed episodes of Star Trek, "Arena" has it all: ground combat, ship-to-ship combat, and, finally, man-to-man combat (or man-to-Gorn combat, as the case may be). This is one of many episodes that disprove one of the two great myths about James T. Kirk, in this case that he shoots first and asks questions later.
And I have to give the creators some credit for attempting a truly alien species with the reptilian Gorn. Sure, we all know it's just a guy in a rubber suit but I still find it far more effective than the nose-job-of-the-week that certain other shows with "Star Trek" in the title tend to feature as "aliens."
#24 Space Seed
Season 1, Disc 6
"Space Seed" begins a string of five top-notch episodes produced in a row, near the end of the first season. No big surprise that this episode, featuring Khan Noonian Singh (Ricardo Montalban), makes the list. Without it, we would not have the greatest Trek of them all, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. It's not just its movie sequel that makes "Space Seed" compelling, though. Montalban's performance in this episode is effective and chilling.
Unlike the movie, we even get to see a Kirk versus Khan face-off. Let's just say the winner isn't afraid to pick up the 23rd century equivalent of a club and beat his physically stronger opponent to the ground in order to save his ship. Plus, the ending sets up the movie so well that you'd almost think they planned it -- except for the fact that the movie was made 15 years later by an entirely different creative team.
Oh, and for you nitpickers out there, it is quite true that Chekov (Walter Koenig) does not appear in this episode though Khan recognizes him in Star Trek II. Though Koenig didn't join the series until the second season, there's absolutely no reason to think that Chekov could not have been aboard the Enterprise during this time.
They did not, after all, trot out each of the 430 people on board in every episode. Khan memorizes the ship's schematics and, evidently, the crew rosters. Even in this episode, he recognizes Lieutenant Marla McGivers (who sets the women's lib movement back about 300 years, by the way) without having previously met her. So, take that you nitpickers.
#25 This Side Of Paradise
Season 1, Disc 6
After being infected by strange spores on planet Omicron Ceti III, Spock experiences happiness and love for the first time. The spores eventually infect the entire crew of the Enterprise, who mutiny and beam down to live on the planet. Kirk is left alone on his ship, but soon becomes infected as well. This is a key episode for the character of Spock. I always hated this one as a kid ("the one where Spock climbs the tree"), but I've grown to appreciate it in my adult years.
#26 The Devil In The Dark
Season 1, Disc 7
Again, the "shoot first, ask questions later" reputation is refuted here as Kirk seeks out and protects new life. Though Kirk uses violence when necessary to defend his ship and crew (unless he thinks their sacrifice is for a greater good), he doesn't tend to go in with guns blazing. In "The Devil In The Dark," it is notable that Kirk seems to reach a kind of understanding and bond with the Horta, even before Spock comes along, and won't allow the angry miners to kill it.
#27 Errand Of Mercy
Season 1, Disc 7
"Errand of Mercy" is notable for the first appearance of the Klingons, though the Organians take all the fun out of their impending war with the Federation ("Effects sequence narrowly averted"). This includes a classic Kirk line, "I'm a soldier, not a diplomat," a bit of a take-off on McCoy's "I'm a doctor, not a ...." catchphrase. Jon Colicos guest stars as Kor, perhaps the best portrayal of a Klingon on the original television series.
#28 The City On The Edge Of Forever
Season 1, Disc 7
By law, I am required to mention this episode in my "Best of Star Trek" list. I generally hate going with the masses, but sometimes the masses are right. This is a terrific installment, and a key one for Kirk. In a career of great work as Kirk, this is one of William Shatner's finest performances.
Incidentally, Kirk's other undeserved reputation is that he goes after every green-skinned babe that happens along. This episode is a rare case where Kirk is shown falling in love, for "The City On The Edge Of Forever" is ultimately a Star Trek style romance. It's interesting that Kirk's true love interests are always quite intelligent, not space bimbos. The example here is Edith Keeler (Joan Collins). Another example is Dr. Carol Marcus (Bibi Besch) in Star Trek II.
#31 Metamorphosis
Season 2, Disc 3
It's another Star Trek romance as we meet warp-drive creator Zefram Cochrane of Alpha Centauri, thought to have been dead for 150 years. Cochrane (Glenn Corbett) has been marooned on a small planetoid and cared for by "The Companion," an energy life form.
When Cochrane mentions that he will die without human contact, the Companion crashes an Enterprise shuttlecraft with Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Commissioner Nancy Hedford aboard so that he won't be lonely. Though honored to meet the legend, Kirk isn't inclined to spend the rest of his life there.
The character of Cochrane later appeared in the TNG-era movie Star Trek: First Contact, portrayed by James Cromwell. Notably, the TNG version of Cochrane is from Earth in order to better suit that movie's storyline.
#34 Amok Time
Season 2, Disc 1
Under the effects of Pon farr, Spock will die if he does not return to Vulcan to consummate his marriage with T'Pring, a wife linked to him in childhood.
Starfleet denies Kirk's request to divert the Enterprise away from its original mission to Altair. Knowing what his captain might do, McCoy warns Kirk that disobeying orders will result in him losing command.
Kirk will have none of it. "I can't let Spock die, can I Bones? And he will, if we go to Altair. I owe him my life a dozen times over. Isn't that worth a career? He's my friend." And with that, his mind is made up. Shatner does a terrific job here, and throughout this episode. One of my favorite Kirk moments, showing that not even direct Starfleet orders can shake his intense loyalty.
"Amok Time," of course, is also a standout for Leonard Nimoy as Spock. We feel Spock's struggle as he attempts to hide the eruption of emotions from Pon farr. "Amok Time" is also notable for being the first time we see the planet Vulcan and the first time we see other Vulcans besides Spock. In airdate order, this was the second season premiere and kicked off things quite well.
As before, episodes are in production order--which I recommend for best understanding the evolution of the series and characters. Disc references are to the 2004 season sets.
#18 The Squire Of Gothos
Season 1, Disc 5
A fun adventure of the kind that only classic Trek can pull off, this episode features Trelane--a godlike being who amuses himself by toying with Kirk and his crew. Though "The Squire of Gothos" is a superior tale, it is reminiscent of "Charlie X" only ten episodes earlier. Trelane (William Campbell) is just a slightly older version of Charlie Evans, yet just as immature. Even the ending is remarkably similar.
The childish god theme often recurs on Star Trek. Trelane later inspired the character of Q (John de Lancie) on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Some fans theorize that Trelane is actually a member of the Q Continuum, while others theorize that the writers of early TNG episodes had few original ideas.
#19 Arena
Season 1, Disc 5
One of the most action-packed episodes of Star Trek, "Arena" has it all: ground combat, ship-to-ship combat, and, finally, man-to-man combat (or man-to-Gorn combat, as the case may be). This is one of many episodes that disprove one of the two great myths about James T. Kirk, in this case that he shoots first and asks questions later.
And I have to give the creators some credit for attempting a truly alien species with the reptilian Gorn. Sure, we all know it's just a guy in a rubber suit but I still find it far more effective than the nose-job-of-the-week that certain other shows with "Star Trek" in the title tend to feature as "aliens."
#24 Space Seed
Season 1, Disc 6
"Space Seed" begins a string of five top-notch episodes produced in a row, near the end of the first season. No big surprise that this episode, featuring Khan Noonian Singh (Ricardo Montalban), makes the list. Without it, we would not have the greatest Trek of them all, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. It's not just its movie sequel that makes "Space Seed" compelling, though. Montalban's performance in this episode is effective and chilling.
Unlike the movie, we even get to see a Kirk versus Khan face-off. Let's just say the winner isn't afraid to pick up the 23rd century equivalent of a club and beat his physically stronger opponent to the ground in order to save his ship. Plus, the ending sets up the movie so well that you'd almost think they planned it -- except for the fact that the movie was made 15 years later by an entirely different creative team.
Oh, and for you nitpickers out there, it is quite true that Chekov (Walter Koenig) does not appear in this episode though Khan recognizes him in Star Trek II. Though Koenig didn't join the series until the second season, there's absolutely no reason to think that Chekov could not have been aboard the Enterprise during this time.
They did not, after all, trot out each of the 430 people on board in every episode. Khan memorizes the ship's schematics and, evidently, the crew rosters. Even in this episode, he recognizes Lieutenant Marla McGivers (who sets the women's lib movement back about 300 years, by the way) without having previously met her. So, take that you nitpickers.
#25 This Side Of Paradise
Season 1, Disc 6
After being infected by strange spores on planet Omicron Ceti III, Spock experiences happiness and love for the first time. The spores eventually infect the entire crew of the Enterprise, who mutiny and beam down to live on the planet. Kirk is left alone on his ship, but soon becomes infected as well. This is a key episode for the character of Spock. I always hated this one as a kid ("the one where Spock climbs the tree"), but I've grown to appreciate it in my adult years.
#26 The Devil In The Dark
Season 1, Disc 7
Again, the "shoot first, ask questions later" reputation is refuted here as Kirk seeks out and protects new life. Though Kirk uses violence when necessary to defend his ship and crew (unless he thinks their sacrifice is for a greater good), he doesn't tend to go in with guns blazing. In "The Devil In The Dark," it is notable that Kirk seems to reach a kind of understanding and bond with the Horta, even before Spock comes along, and won't allow the angry miners to kill it.
#27 Errand Of Mercy
Season 1, Disc 7
"Errand of Mercy" is notable for the first appearance of the Klingons, though the Organians take all the fun out of their impending war with the Federation ("Effects sequence narrowly averted"). This includes a classic Kirk line, "I'm a soldier, not a diplomat," a bit of a take-off on McCoy's "I'm a doctor, not a ...." catchphrase. Jon Colicos guest stars as Kor, perhaps the best portrayal of a Klingon on the original television series.
#28 The City On The Edge Of ForeverSeason 1, Disc 7
By law, I am required to mention this episode in my "Best of Star Trek" list. I generally hate going with the masses, but sometimes the masses are right. This is a terrific installment, and a key one for Kirk. In a career of great work as Kirk, this is one of William Shatner's finest performances.
Incidentally, Kirk's other undeserved reputation is that he goes after every green-skinned babe that happens along. This episode is a rare case where Kirk is shown falling in love, for "The City On The Edge Of Forever" is ultimately a Star Trek style romance. It's interesting that Kirk's true love interests are always quite intelligent, not space bimbos. The example here is Edith Keeler (Joan Collins). Another example is Dr. Carol Marcus (Bibi Besch) in Star Trek II.
#31 Metamorphosis
Season 2, Disc 3
It's another Star Trek romance as we meet warp-drive creator Zefram Cochrane of Alpha Centauri, thought to have been dead for 150 years. Cochrane (Glenn Corbett) has been marooned on a small planetoid and cared for by "The Companion," an energy life form.
When Cochrane mentions that he will die without human contact, the Companion crashes an Enterprise shuttlecraft with Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Commissioner Nancy Hedford aboard so that he won't be lonely. Though honored to meet the legend, Kirk isn't inclined to spend the rest of his life there.
The character of Cochrane later appeared in the TNG-era movie Star Trek: First Contact, portrayed by James Cromwell. Notably, the TNG version of Cochrane is from Earth in order to better suit that movie's storyline.
#34 Amok Time
Season 2, Disc 1
Under the effects of Pon farr, Spock will die if he does not return to Vulcan to consummate his marriage with T'Pring, a wife linked to him in childhood.
Starfleet denies Kirk's request to divert the Enterprise away from its original mission to Altair. Knowing what his captain might do, McCoy warns Kirk that disobeying orders will result in him losing command.
Kirk will have none of it. "I can't let Spock die, can I Bones? And he will, if we go to Altair. I owe him my life a dozen times over. Isn't that worth a career? He's my friend." And with that, his mind is made up. Shatner does a terrific job here, and throughout this episode. One of my favorite Kirk moments, showing that not even direct Starfleet orders can shake his intense loyalty.
"Amok Time," of course, is also a standout for Leonard Nimoy as Spock. We feel Spock's struggle as he attempts to hide the eruption of emotions from Pon farr. "Amok Time" is also notable for being the first time we see the planet Vulcan and the first time we see other Vulcans besides Spock. In airdate order, this was the second season premiere and kicked off things quite well.
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