Star Trek: The Original Series Anniversary, Top Ten Episodes

September 8th, 2006

So it was forty years ago that Star Trek: The Original Series appeared for the first time. Although Trek has since become defunct, cheesy, and not quite the awe-inspiring stuff it once was, it’s still pretty darned good television. I recently watched all three seasons of the original series in order and ranked them from one to five, in order to build a Top Ten list. So here’s my personal list, in no particular order:

1. The Gallileo Seven

This episode demonstrates how Spock’s logic isn’t suited to lead a band of irritable humans. I feel rather sorry for Spock throughout this episode. It has a great ending though, when Spock bets the farm on an atypical hunch and saves the day.

Crew on planet can’t contact the Enterprise (check)
Cute female crewmember (check)

2. Tomorrow is Yesterday

Funny episode where the Enterprise goes back in time and has to fix stuff.

Time travel (check)

3. The City on the Edge of Forever

Joan Collins!

Kirk romance (check)
Time travel (check)

4. Operation - Annihiliate!

Flying fried eggs infect Spock.

Medical malady (check)
Seemingly omnipotent aliens with a weakness (check)

5. Amok Time

Now this is classic Trek. Spock is out of his mind, the weird Vulcan customs force Kirk into an unwinnable situation. Torn shirts ensue, and McCoy saves the day with a brilliant bit of logical, yet realistic fakery. Even the final moments are classic.

Torn Kirk Uniform (check)

6. Mirror, Mirror

Perfect idea, well executed. To see the same actors play bastard versions of themselves is a treat. It’s also great how both Spocks realize the illogic behind having these fishes out of water.

Cute female crew member (check)

7. The Doomsday Machine

I love this episode. A seemingly unbeatable foe plus a whacked-out Starship commander and you have great Trek.

Seemingly omnipotent alien(s) with a weakness (check)

8. Wink of an Eye

The Enterprise encounters an alien race that moves at a higher speed and are therefore invisible to the crew. Great concept and it’s neat to see Spock figure out the puzzle and put things right.

Cute actress (check)
Kirk romance (check)
Enterprise taken over (check)
Medical malady (check)

9. Let That Be Your Last Battlefield

The epitome of Trek that addresses social issues, by way of two alien entities with slightly different facial features, and for that reaason they are mortal enemies. Great acting.

Enterprise taken over (check)

10. That Which Survives

Kirk, McCoy, and Sulu are trapped on an artificial planet while the Enterprise fights off a female alien invader. Two puzzles going on in parallel. Best part features Spock prodding Scotty in a Jeffries tube.

Cute actress (check)

Crew on planet can’t communicate with Enterprise (check)

And here are my earlier posts on each episode of Star Trek: The Original Series:

Season One

Season Two

Season Three