This isn’t necessarily foolish. The Enterprise might have needed to stay in a fixed place over the planet, while being close enough to use the transporters (too close for a geostationary orbit). In that case the ship isn’t in a free-falling orbit at all, and does indeed need to use thrust just to stay in place. Fortunately, it has an arbitrarily large amount of slower-than-light thrust available. Kirk just says “Standard orbit, Mr Sulu” because it’s more trouble than it’s worth to specify exactly what he wants, and the helm officer knows already.
The part about the asteroid though - yes indeed. :smack:
“[Now there’s a question. I’ve always wanted to hear Kirk say: “no, Sulu, I want the weirdest bizarre orbit you can imagine! I want us swinging through the treetops one minute and halfway to Eroticon VI the next! Show us your stuff, Sulu baby!”]”
I still maintain that the worst TOS was typically better than the alternative c. 1970s before cable TV, never mind Netflix or the internet. I dug up an old television listing from the NYT’s archive and I have to admit the evidence is mixed. Still here it goes.
The listing is from Saturday Oct 6, 1973 (the Watergate hearings went on during the week, which is why the listing was archived). Star Trek was on from 6-7PM on channel 11. Let’s assume they were playing Spock’s brain, which you haven’t seen before.
C’mon. You know you gotta see that, if only to tell your grandchildren. Anyway, here’s the competition.
Channel 2. Movie “Cooper Canyon” (1950) with Ray Milland and Hedy Lemar. It’s a western. You think The Empath was boring? Try this one. With commercial breaks. 5-6:30.
Channel 4. 1-7 PM. Baseball League Championship Double Header. Teams to be announced. Ok.
Chanel #7. 5-6:30 ABC’s Wide World of Sports. Southern 500 Stock Car Race, World Canoe and Kayak Championships from Switzerland;
6:30-7: The Reasoner Report (Harry Reasoner: News)
Channel 9: The Avengers. Ok, you got me there. The Avengers were often better than Star Trek.
