# You've got a 5 episode opportunity to introduce someone to Star Trek TOS **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 19, 2009, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983 "2009-05-19T17:20:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/21 "2009-05-19T19:48:45Z")
Balance of Terror, while more or less a subhunt style battle of wits, also introduces the notion that Romulans are an offshoot of Vulcans. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/22 "2009-05-19T20:57:37Z")
The Naked Time - since this is the best introduction to the depth of a lot of the characters, showing them when kind of drunk. Balance of Terror: Exciting, even on the 20th viewing, and shows that Kirk isn’t the hero just because he is good at fistfighting and snogging aliens. Based on the movie **The Enemy Below** with Robert Mitchum as the captain (which was based on a novel.) The movie is great also. Trouble with Tribbles: funny and clever. City on the Edge of Forever: time travel, but mostly it is great because Ellison sets up a real emotional dilemma. While I love Doomsday Machine, I’ll add one no one else has mentioned: Errand of Mercy. I like that because it shows Kirk’s weakness with a beautiful bit of irony. I won’t spoil it; this comes near the end and you can’t miss it, or Spock’s reaction. Anyone criticizing ST because it shows Kirk as the perfect unflawed hero should watch this. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/23 "2009-05-19T21:01:28Z")
Balance of Terror City on the Edge of Forever Where No Man Has Gone Before The Trouble with Tribbles Amok Time ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2009, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/24 "2009-05-20T01:17:19Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > **bienville** , I figured that by this time, Spock and his logic have become cultural icons that don’t need to be set up within the context of the series anymore. 😃 Oh, absolutely. Didn’t want to give the impression that I was raising anything more than a minor quibble. Certainly even if I hadn’t previously seen TMP I would have know “Logical Vulcan” through cultural osmosis alone. Still, I think it’s often the elements that non-fans know through cultural osmosis that call for address- since cultural osmosis gives only a two dimensional cartoonish representation. I really don’t know what distinction would be made between an emotionless Vulcan and an emotionless robot. I’m sure after watching some Trek and experiencing Nimoy’s portrayal firsthand I’ll “get it” a little better. So, although I had no _difficulty_ with _Amok Time_, I still think I n00b should be pointed elsewhere first. Happily, I will grant, that viewing _Amok_ blessed me with a far greater appreciation for the Futurama episode _Why Must I Be a Crustacean in Love_. Won’t get a chance to watch another episode until later this evening. Don’t know whether or not my articulation of the minor quibble with the _Amok Time_ suggestion might lead anyone to amend their list according to my belated detail of the kind of suggestions I’m looking for. Good news is I don’t think I’ll have any problem sitting through five episodes at the least. My first viewing of a full TOS episode was a fun and enjoyable experience- didn’t feel like homework at all! ETA: When was the whole Human Mother thing first addressed??? Seems like the story of _Amok Time_ would have required addressing it if it had previously been established. Had that bit of history not been written into the character yet? ---
**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 20, 2009, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/25 "2009-05-20T02:11:06Z")
Go to the next episode on my list. **Journey To Babel** will answer all of your questions. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2009, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/26 "2009-05-20T02:46:17Z")
> [@spifflog](#): > > **City on the Edge of Forever** - Kirk Spock, Bones and Alexis Carrington. Maybe the best You of course mean Joan Collins. Alexis Carrington was another character that she played. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2009, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/27 "2009-05-20T03:04:00Z")
> [@ghardester](#): > > You of course mean Joan Collins. Alexis Carrington was another character that she played. Humor. It is a difficult concept. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2009, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/28 "2009-05-20T04:35:51Z")
> [@spifflog](#): > > “Brain and brain ! What is brain?” ARRRRRRRRR. > > It was sad, even as a kid to know that they had just given up. Well, it’s not that they gave up. Gene L. Coon had written the script (under a pseudonym, Lee Cronin, I think) because he wanted to make the point that Gene Roddenberry couldn’t recognize a bad sci-fi script if it bit him in the ass. Unfortunately for Star Trek fans, he couldn’t. ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/29 "2009-05-22T01:27:56Z")
O.K., in the OP I did ask that the suggestions of episodes be listed in suggested viewing order, but I’ve wimped out and decided to go with the suggested episodes but to order them chronologically- boring, I know. Watched _The Naked Time_ and _Balance of Terror_. Even if every Trek fan in the Universe would place _Amok Time_ in their “Best Episode” list, I think _The Naked Time_ and _Balance of Terror_ are better placed in the “Best Introduction” list. I don’t anticipate becoming a superfan, but I’ve enjoyed these three episodes very much. Still a little confused about Spock’s human heritage. It is mentioned in _The Naked Time_, so it was obviously established very early on. I’m surprised that it was treated as irrelevant- not even mentioned- in _Amok Time_. Also, it needs be mentioned: 1966 Nichelle Nichols had an _amazing_ body! Yowsahhh!!! I never knew. Wow. Just amazing. Growl! ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/30 "2009-05-22T01:41:13Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#): > > All the classic episodes are, in fact, all [available](http://www.cbs.com/classics/star_trek/). Ooooh. I… I had no idea. I love you. ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/31 "2009-05-22T01:58:11Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > Ooooh. I… I had no idea. I love you. No love for the OP bringing it up to begin with??? I’m chopped liver? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/32 "2009-05-22T02:11:50Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > O.K. > Just finished Amok Time. . . I don’t think it’s the best suggestion for a Star Trek introductory viewing. The score is really something else though, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/33 "2009-05-22T02:39:17Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > No love for the OP bringing it up to begin with??? > I’m chopped liver? Oops! Sorry. Yes, of course, I love you too. ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/34 "2009-05-22T08:55:46Z")
How about **Devil in the Dark**. She’s not just another pretty face. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/35 "2009-05-22T11:33:12Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > Watched _The Naked Time_ and _Balance of Terror_. > > Even if every Trek fan in the Universe would place _Amok Time_ in their “Best Episode” list, I think _The Naked Time_ and _Balance of Terror_ are better placed in the “Best Introduction” list. Slightly O/T, but after recommending _Balance of Terror_ in my own list, I rewatched it. Definitely one of the best. The idea of a nuclear war with an interstellar enemy we’ve never seen, and never do see for a hundred years after the war, is wonderfully creepy and haunting. Too bad about that artificial gravity causing plaster chunks to fall on the Romulan centurion. That’s the kind of thing you have to overlook to enjoy TOS. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/36 "2009-05-22T12:42:41Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > Also, it needs be mentioned: 1966 Nichelle Nichols had an _amazing_ body! Yowsahhh!!! I never knew. Wow. Just amazing. Growl! Wait until you see **Mirror, Mirror**. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/37 "2009-05-22T15:46:22Z")
Just five? Yikes. Eeep. Um… OK, then: _Amok Time_ - Interesting stuff on Vulcan society. Spock under stress. A very good look at the Kirk/Spock/McCoy dynamic. _Journey to Babel_ - Nifty diplomatic intrigue and spycraft. Spock’s parents and lots of angsty family drama. Kirk has to fool Spock and only barely succeeds. _City on the Edge of Forever_ - A very well-done time-travel story, with an agonizing dilemma faced by Kirk. Some of McCoy’s best scenes, both as an OD’ing maniac and as a soft-spoken country doctor. _Mirror, Mirror_ - A deliciously evil parallel universe and a canny, calculating, bearded Spock. Who could ask for anything more? _The Trouble with Tribbles_ - Very funny episode, and clearly the cast is having a blast. Some of Scotty’s best scenes of the whole series: “Well, I figured we were big enough to take a few insults, weren’t we, sir?” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/38 "2009-05-22T16:02:15Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > Also, it needs be mentioned: 1966 Nichelle Nichols had an _amazing_ body! Yowsahhh!!! I never knew. Wow. Just amazing. Growl! Watch _Mirror, Mirror_. In the alternative evil universe the uniforms are skimpier. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/39 "2009-05-22T16:08:18Z")
Heh. If the OP want to look at more amazing bodies in amazing costumes, I humbly suggest the following fine episodes: **Mirror, Mirror** - Nichelle Nichols, nuff sed **Who Mourns for Adonais?** - how does that dress stay on? **The Cloud Minders** - Spock is interested in her mind, really **What Are Little Girls Made Of?** - a robot - a GIRL robot **The Menagerie** - Orion slave girl, nuff sed ---
**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 22, 2009, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983/40 "2009-05-22T16:19:45Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#): > > **Who Mourns for Adonais?** - how does that dress stay on? According to the actress (Leslie Parrish), sheer willpower and the weight of the cape. Everybody one set was scared to death it would somehow fail in action, but she felt quite comfortable in it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-a-5-episode-opportunity-to-introduce-someone-to-star-trek-tos/496983.md?page=3)