Choosing favorite Star Trek episodes is like having to choose a favorite child from a family of beloved offspring. As with children, each one of the Star Trek stories is unique and interesting, and always completely entertaining.
Never has Star Trek the original series looked so good! The four episodes are presented in their re-mastered and enhanced format. Purists may insist on having the monochromatic planets orbited by a simplistic Enterprise, but for the rest of us the three dimensional worlds, and an Enterprise that looks as if it is functioning is a treat.
The resident scientist and I were majorly pleased with these improvements, as well as with those in the scene settings.
These do not detract at all from the story or the characters, but serve to create a stronger sense of place for the action. Colors are vibrant, the picture is clear and clean, and the sound amazing. If the whole series has been re-done as well as these four episodes suggest, it will be the original Star Trek as it should be seen.
First up is the story that is often declared the “BEST” of all the original Star Trek episodes. Personally, I don’t agree that it is the best, but it is a very good episode, and it is “The City on the Edge of Tomorrow.” Written by Harlan Ellison, this story has a wealth of action and emotion so incredibly played that it easily claims a spot on almost everyone’s top ten list.
From high adventure, camaraderie, discovery of a lost civilization (that raises more questions than it answers,) through the very familiar humor of friendship and despair of star-crossed love, audiences live the story with the characters.
The second episode chosen is a complete shift of gears, as “The Trouble With Tribbles” is full of silliness. Interestingly enough among the Trekkies I know, it is either beloved as great fun, or reviled as total stupidity. I lean towards the “great fun” side as Scotty’s devotion to the Enterprise above his respect for his Captain always makes me laugh. Tribbles were so universally appealing, I’ve met a dog, two cats, a hamster, a lop-eared rabbit and a guinea pig that were all lovingly named “Tribble.”
Third in the selection is an episode that introduced audiences to the Romulans. These war crazy cousins of the Vulcans caused some difficulty for Mr. Spock, as some of the crew suspected him of being a spy. In a time when we were trying to learn to not judge people by how they look, this was a particularly poignant episode. Mark Leonard (who would later play Spock’s crusty father Sarek) starred as the Romulan commander, and gave the character much integrity and dignity.
He had a line about how in another reality he and Captain Kirk could call themselves friends that always brings tears to my eyes.
The final episode on the disc is “Amok Time” and is one of the very best. Mr. Spock for many was the first outer space alien who was portrayed as a friend to humankind. Audiences were curious about him, about his home planet, and what made him different from humans and also the things that the two races shared.
In this episode we see the “soul” of Vulcan in its ritual laden practice to allow the cold proud species to return to the heat of animal existence to reproduce. In the sixties this was racy and rather exotic story-telling.
The idea that Vulcans had to kill and/or take a mate at their time of madness was fascinating to audiences, especially since the Vulcans were otherwise so emotionless and logical.
In this collection four have been selected as “the best” and while everyone may not agree with the choices, all fans will be happy to see the episodes treated in such a lovely fashion.
The Best of Star Trek: The Original Series is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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