Technology has a tendency to sanitize our experience of the world… and distance us. We celebrate machines taking the grunt of our back-breaking physical labor, or completing a hazardous task in place of a human, but when is it more prudent to have a closer relationship with one’s task? Even the art of war has … More The Cost of War, TOS: S1E23 “A Taste of Armageddon”
Throughout its five-year mission, the starship Enterprise endeavored to explore the galaxy, offering freedom and liberation from tyranny whenever necessary. The United Federation of Planets represents the unification of entire worlds, within themselves and with each other. Such a grand utopia was the Star Trek vision of the future. Against Captain Kirk, the twentieth century … More Predicting the Future, Rewriting the Past, TOS: S1E22 “Space Seed”
When the Enterprise arrives at the planet Beta III to investigate the disappearance of the USS Archon, only Lt. Sulu returned from the original landing party. If this wasn’t enough to concern the crew, Sulu was acting strangely, as if in a dreamy trance. Kirk, Spock, and the extras beam down to the planet for … More The Will to Break Free, TOS: S1E21 “The Return of the Archons”
The Enterprise breaks from its five year mission to indulge some tedious court proceedings. Well, a murder trial is still more reminiscent a courthouse show, even if it is in space. The space murderer in this case is Captain Kirk, who stands accused of jettisoning a research pod too early, thereby killing a lieutenant commander … More A Shadow of Doubt, TOS: S1E20 “Court Martial”
In an accidental blast to the past, Kirk and crew involve an Air Force pilot in their shenanigans. The Enterprise finds itself flying through 1960’s Earth after an encounter with a black star, and is mistaken for a UFO. The U.S. Air Force pilot tasked with investigating the mysterious ship is unwittingly taken aboard when … More Significant Difference, TOS: S1E19 “Tomorrow Is Yesterday”
Responding to a distress call from the human colony on Cestus III, the Enterprise and crew witness the aftermath of a massacre executed by one of the most iconic classic Star Trek aliens: the Gorn. Not so much infamous for its ruthlessness, but more so its ruthless cheesiness, the Gorn episode remains memorable none the … More Gorn in my Side, TOS: S1E18 “Arena”
On its way through interstellar space, the Enterprise encounters a mysterious and undetectable planet. Lt. Sulu and Captain Kirk soon disappear from the bridge, and it is up to Spock and the extras to conduct a search of the planet’s toxic surface. But instead of a deadly atmosphere, the officers find the planet to be … More A Boy and a Magnifying Glass, TOS: S1E17 “The Squire of Gothos”
Spock’s wit and logic are put to the test in this harrowing life and death struggle during his first away team command. The Enterprise is tasked with delivering precious medical supplies to the struggling planet Makus III, when they come upon a quasar phenomenon. The quasar offered an amazing scientific opportunity, and Kirk couldn’t pass … More Logical Dilemma, Emotional Choice, TOS: S1E16 “The Galileo Seven”
Captain Kirk takes the Enterprise crew to an ‘uninhabited’ planet for a well-earned rest, but the relaxation is cut short when strange characters inexplicably appear. Dr. McCoy sees a white rabbit with Alice from Wonderland chasing after it, Captain Kirk faces off with one of his old Starfleet Academy rivals, and Sulu gets to play … More A Planet down the Rabbit Hole, TOS: S1E15 “Shore Leave”
Seeking out new life and new civilizations is not always a walk in the park. In this Cold War-style episode, the Federation gets to see the mysterious Romulan race for the first time. The story opens with a wedding ceremony between two minor Enterprise crew members, a celebration of unity and mutual trust, but the … More Misguided and Prejudiced, TOS: S1E14 “Balance of Terror”
