# Which Original Star Trek Eps are 'must watch'? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 22, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-original-star-trek-eps-are-must-watch/659052 "2013-05-22T18:52:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![blindboyard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindboyard/32/2833_2.png) [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-original-star-trek-eps-are-must-watch/659052/261 "2015-05-30T14:34:24Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > When the show aired, there were quite a few people who said that Kirk should hand over command to Spock, who was clearly smarter. Galileo Seven showed why this would be a bad idea. I’m not aware of any evidence that Spock ever does get his own command (in our universe, that is) even after he has been promoted to Captain. Star Trek II: he’s in command of the Enterprise until relieved by Kirk. Only a training cruise for cadets, but. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-original-star-trek-eps-are-must-watch/659052/262 "2015-05-30T15:01:26Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > One of the absolute dumbest was the one where intruders were on the ship, but you couldn’t see them because they were too fast. That was also one of the episodes where Kirk absolutely, positively got laid. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-original-star-trek-eps-are-must-watch/659052/263 "2015-05-30T20:44:38Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > That was also one of the episodes where Kirk absolutely, positively got laid. And that premature problem…? … Not a problem… 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-original-star-trek-eps-are-must-watch/659052/264 "2015-05-30T22:25:44Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > One of the absolute dumbest was the one where intruders were on the ship, but you couldn’t see them because they were too fast. There was also an episode of _ **Wild, Wild West** _ where the villain was accelerated. I’ll go out on a limb and say that both episodes were written by Gene Coon (aka Lee Cronin). ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-original-star-trek-eps-are-must-watch/659052/265 "2015-05-30T22:36:55Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > That was also one of the episodes where Kirk absolutely, positively got laid. Also The Paradise Syndrome, and almost certainly Bread and Circuses…personally I always thought he schlepped “Elaan of Troyius”, but I seem to be in the minority there. and as all true Trekkies here know…Kirk never slept with any fucking green skinned women. As far as we know, he met only one and she was bonkers and the one who came onto him. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-original-star-trek-eps-are-must-watch/659052/266 "2015-05-30T22:43:12Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > It had one of the best closing jokes. “What a doctor it would have made. My son, the doctor. Kind of gets you right here.” > It’s obvious that Shatner is Jewish from that line. Spock: “Yes, very amusing Captain. So will you be writing letters to the families of all the dead security guards, or shall I?” ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-original-star-trek-eps-are-must-watch/659052/267 "2015-05-30T22:46:43Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > I always thought he schlepped “Elaan of Troyius”, but I seem to be in the minority there. Getting that plastic chastity belt off would have been a bitch! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-original-star-trek-eps-are-must-watch/659052/268 "2015-05-31T00:50:11Z")
> [@Frazzled](#): > > The OP said he wanted to know the ridiculous episodes too so I must disagree with those who say not to watch Spock’s Brain. Absolutely watch it, it’s the worst dreck you’ve ever seen. It also has one of McCoy’s best lines: “I should never have reconnected his mouth.” ---
**Author:** ![Greekfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@Greekfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greekfreak)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-original-star-trek-eps-are-must-watch/659052/269 "2015-06-02T16:44:15Z")
I have a soft spot for “Requiem For Methuselah”, “Bread and Circuses”, “Journey To Babel”, “Dagger Of The Mind”, “Errand of Mercy”, and “The Doomsday Machine”. Desilu seemed to have great array of television talent at that time, and the amazing character actors that got to play on the show really sold it for me. John Colicos, Morgan Woodward, Frank Gorshin, Mark Lenard, Logan Ramsey, Wlliam Windon, so many greats just chewing up the scenery at will. “Outside… or I’ll burn down both your friends…” 'Merricus, please leave us… the thoughts of one man to another cannot _possibly_ interest you." ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2015, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-original-star-trek-eps-are-must-watch/659052/270 "2015-06-03T22:37:21Z")
> [@CJJ](#): > > However, these same fans often forget about equally bad (but far less frequent) outings from earlier seasons–like the heavy-handed _The Apple_, the Halloween-silly _Catspaw_ or _The Alternative Factor_ (if anyone can explain this one, be my guest). I’m surprised that “The Alternative Factor” gets so little hate. Most of the so-called “worst episodes” have storylines that sort of hang together. “Spock’s Brain” — aliens steal Spock’s brain, so they have to get it back. Pretty straightforward! But “The Alternative Factor” makes no freaking sense at all. As every Trekkie knows, John Drew Barrymore was supposed to play Lazarus in that episode but didn’t show up, ostensibly because he was out on a bender. However, I sometimes wonder if he read the script and said, “Fuck this incoherent mess. I’m not doing it.” ---
**Author:** ![ssgenius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2015, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-original-star-trek-eps-are-must-watch/659052/271 "2015-06-03T23:08:12Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > I’m surprised that “The Alternative Factor” gets so little hate. Most of the so-called “worst episodes” have storylines that sort of hang together. “Spock’s Brain” — aliens steal Spock’s brain, so they have to get it back. Pretty straightforward! But “The Alternative Factor” makes no freaking sense at all. > > As every Trekkie knows, John Drew Barrymore was supposed to play Lazarus in that episode but didn’t show up, ostensibly because he was out on a bender. However, I sometimes wonder if he read the script and said, “Fuck this incoherent mess. I’m not doing it.” There is some attempt to explain this in the IMDB in their reviews. I can see the concept that the writers were going after but the execution made episode a parody of itself ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-original-star-trek-eps-are-must-watch/659052/272 "2015-06-04T03:15:56Z")
The Alternative Factor was disjointed. Spock’s Brain was silly enough to be made fun of. TAF was just… it was … It made me want to think bad things. I felt sorry for both Lazarus and Lazarus. Getting locked in that gateway for all eternity was a better fate than watching the ep, tho. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-original-star-trek-eps-are-must-watch/659052/273 "2015-06-04T19:26:47Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > Spock: “Yes, very amusing Captain. So will you be writing letters to the families of all the dead security guards, or shall I?” Don’t be silly. Red shirt condolence letters are pre-generated. Saves lots of time. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-original-star-trek-eps-are-must-watch/659052/274 "2015-06-04T19:30:42Z")
> [@ssgenius](#): > > There is some attempt to explain this in the IMDB in their reviews. > > I can see the concept that the writers were going after but the execution made episode a parody of itself It was also badly padded. They were a script page short, so they put in interminable sequences of the Lazaruses fighting in the tunnel. Spock’s Brain had the bimbos, at least. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2015, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-original-star-trek-eps-are-must-watch/659052/275 "2015-06-06T00:32:16Z")
And the Krell machine, er, the Teacher, yeah that’s it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-original-star-trek-eps-are-must-watch/659052.md?page=13)