posted
I may have a chance to begin my wife's education on Trek. She's lived "around" it for five years now but hasn't taken the time to really become familiar with it yet. She feels that with all the Trek out there it's just overwhelming.
But we may have time this anniversary to begin her education.
What 10 Trek TOS episodes would you consider to be essential to the series? Not necessarily the 10 best or your favorite 10, but the 10 that are most important in establishing what Trek is, the 10 that have the most impact on the characters and the franchise as a whole.
Registered: Feb 2004
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quote: Not necessarily the 10 best or your favorite 10, but the 10 that are most important in establishing what Trek is, the 10 that have the most impact on the characters and the franchise as a whole.
Isn't that kinda synonymous?
I know this is a given, but number 1 should obviously be "City on the Edge of Forever."
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted
The Cage Amok TIme Space Seed Plato's Stepchildren
THe last one especially. It showed the first interracial kiss on American Television.
-------------------- "Kosh, I'd like to introduce you to our Resident schmuck and his side kick Kick Me."-Ritten
"Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity". -George Carlin
Registered: Jul 2007
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Daniel Butler
I'm a Singapore where is my boat
Member # 1689
posted
Let's see...the first ones that come to mind for me are "Where No One Has Gone Before," "Balance of Terror," and "The Menagerie" (both parts). Whatever you do, don't let her see "The Naked Time" and "Spock's Brain." (Maybe Naked Time after she's gotten to like ST....but never, ever let her see Brain.)
I also pretty much agree with Sean and HerbShrump.
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
You mean Dukhat. The menagerie might be good in place of The Cage. If you want to intro her to trek, it is probably not good to do it with an episode that requires too much thinking. Probably the only time I will agree with Network execs...
-------------------- "Kosh, I'd like to introduce you to our Resident schmuck and his side kick Kick Me."-Ritten
"Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity". -George Carlin
Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Plato's Stepchildren? Okay, it had the first interracial kiss, but how much impact would that have on anyone now? The scene with Spock being ridden like a horse would stick in the memory more. I wouldn't let anyone see it if I wanted them to take Trek seriously.
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But in the context of history, it was one of the episodes that made trek groundbreaking. ANd despite some of their cheesy acting and situations, the majority of the episodes have something to teach. Unlike today where Enterprise was pretty much all action, boobs, and repeating old storylines. I think Trek became less teaching and more action in the latter seasons of voyager.
-------------------- "Kosh, I'd like to introduce you to our Resident schmuck and his side kick Kick Me."-Ritten
"Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity". -George Carlin
Registered: Jul 2007
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Daniel Butler
I'm a Singapore where is my boat
Member # 1689
posted
I am losing it, as I said on the other thread. Tooootally losing it. Sorry Dukhat and HerbShrump.
I agree with Sean on the basis of history. You'd just have to explain to the wifey that it was in fact the first interracial kiss, and how Trek in the TOS and TNG eras were full of social commentary.
For example, that episode whose name escapes me with the half-black, half-white people. It's a little TOO obvious considering the colors chosen, but a great message nonetheless.
Registered: Jul 2005
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Arena - should be better than it is, as it sags in the middle, but a very good example of what Trek is about. If you don't like Arena, perhaps "The Corbormite Maneuver" instead, which also suffers from mid episode sag.
"Assignment: Earth" - one of the better lighter episodes. It's not very Trek, as it's mainly about Gary Seven, but on balance, it's still good. Again, an alternitive to this one might be "A Piece of the Action".
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned "The Doomsday Machine", "Court Marshal" (one of the best of TOS I think), "Devil in the Dark", or even "Operation: Anihilate", although that one might be better after a few easier episodes.
The trouble is that most of the time "what is Star Trek" is summed up by the cliched episodes that don't stand up too well today. I would reckon you'd be better off throwing in some of the less good episodes ("Bread and Circuses", "The Enemy Within" - that sort of thing).
It's like Carl Sagan said about putting Bach on the Voyager Golden Record. If you only show her the very best, why would she want to watch any more? Some of the best episodes for showing what I think G R wanted to say are the mediocre ones.
That said, I agree fully with Dan. Never let her know of "Spocks Brain".
-------------------- I have plenty of experience in biology. I bought a Tamagotchi in 1998... And... it's still alive.
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Why not "The Naked Time". It was written to showcase the characters, and was apparently a favorite of the cast (or, at least, George Takei). The best scene it gives is the Spock and Kirk scene, which for the first time shows Spock as having deep emotions.
(The whole premise is a bit of a lame trick of course, that was used again on TNG. But it does give some typical Star Trek scenes).
posted
Or come to think about it season 3. Tell her it all ended after Assignment: Earth.
She'll thank you in years to come.
-------------------- I have plenty of experience in biology. I bought a Tamagotchi in 1998... And... it's still alive.
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
My plan at some point, maybe this trip, is to do a Space Seed/Wrath of Khan double feature.
My thoughts were (in no particular order):
1. Where No Man Has Gone Before - Successful Pilot 2. Space Seed - Impact on the movies 3. Amok Time - Spock's marriage 4. Journey to Babel - Spock's parents 5. City on the Edge of Forever - Spock no-brainer
Some good suggestions you all have there.
Registered: Feb 2004
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Shik
Starship database: completed; History of Starfleet: done; website: probably never
Member # 343
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Obsession. Errand Of Mercy. Journey To Babel. Ultimate Computer, but not because of starship warfare.
-------------------- "The French have a saying: 'mise en place'—keep everything in its fucking place!"
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