TAS Recap

So we've come to the end of the Animated Series. How does it stack up to the rest of The Original Series? Let's find out with some good old fashioned nerdy analysis.

Somebody replaced Chekov with a sexy nurse...

Kevin's Thoughts

In the balance, and the numbers will bear me out on this point in a moment, but TAS was weaker than TOS. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot to like here, but on the balance, it falls short in a few places. Part of the problem in rating this series is how to fairly compare it to other material. Writing a good and engaging story remains the same largely, but being restricted to voice alone to express a complex emotion is a different challenge than choosing the appropriate facial expression. As for production values, it's largely as expensive to draw an interesting background as a boring one, so a lot more focus goes into the design choices without any allowance for "they did what they could with their budget."

The Animated Series, Season 1: The Jihad

The Animated Series, Season 1
"The Jihad"
Airdate: January 12, 1974
13 of 22 produced
16 of 22 aired

Synopsis

Captain Kirk and Spock are summoned to help retrieve The Soul of Skorr, a sacred religious artifact to the Skorr people. If they fail, the resulting outrage among the Skorr could spark a holy war that could consume the galaxy.

I can't believe I just had to type that sentence. I'm sorry. I really am.

Tremble, ye mortals, before the Fiery Party Ribbon of... ah, screw it.

The Animated Series, Season 1: Eye Of The Beholder

The Animated Series, Season 1
"Eye Of The Beholder"
January 5, 1974
15 of 22 Produced
15 of 22 Aired


Synopsis

In search of a missing science vessel's survey team, Kirk, Spock and McCoy beam down to the planet Lactra. To their surprise, they discover a previously unknown diverse ecosystem - too diverse to be natural. When they finally track down the six member science team, they find themselves in the clutches of an enigmatic species of giant slugs. They are placed in a carefully cultivated habitat with the survivors of the missing team and are shocked by their fate - exhibits in a zoo!

"Spock, this wasn't the sort of tentacle porn I had in mind..."

The Animated Series, Season 1: The Slaver Weapon

The Animated Series, Season 1
"The Slaver Weapon"
Airdate: December 15, 1973
11 of 22 produced
14 of 22 aired

Synopsis

Uhura, Spock, and Sulu are travelling by shuttle with a valuable artifact of a long dead civilization. They are to take this object, a Slaver stasis box to Starbase 36 for study. The box holds its contents in perfect stasis, even for a billion years. Its contents could provide vital clues to the ancient Slaver society, a civilization that ruled the galaxy a billion years ago. Previous stasis boxes yielded invaluable treasure. What secrets does this box hold? What dangers? And will the crew be able to keep it from falling into the wrong hands?

Has anyone ever told you that you have a certain glow about you, Lieutenant?

The Animated Series, Season 1: The Ambergris Element

The Animated Series, Season 1

"The Ambergris Element"

Airdate: December 1, 1973

12 of 22 produced

13 of 22 aired

Synopsis

The Enterprise is sent to survey Argo, a planet that underwent geological change from land to water, in order to save another colony which is heading into a similar geologic age. They find something unexpected, however - a sea full of monsters, and an underwater civilization of mer-men who rescue Kirk and Spock from drowning. The rescue has a catch, however - Kirk and Spock are given gills and are condemned to a life underwater, unless they can find some way to reverse and Argonian surgo-op!

Boots? Really?

The Animated Series, Season 1: The Time Trap

The Animated Series, Season 1
"The Time Trap"
Airdate: November 12, 1973
10 of 22 produced
12 of 22 aired

Synopsis

The Enterprise, along with the ship of her old nemesis Kor, becomes trapped in an empty void in space. There, they find members of several species who have also become trapped there. They tell the crews that there is no way home and out of necessity, they have all learned to work and live together in a community they have built, and that violence is strictly forbidden. Will the Enterprise find a way home? Will they be able to prevent violence from erupting with the Klingons if they don't?

Captain, we'd really love to replace the shrub on the end. So don't screw it up!

The Animated Series, Season 1: The Terratin Incident

The Animated Series, Season 1

"The Terratin Incident"

Airdate: November 17, 1973

14 of 22 produced

11 of 22 aired

Synopsis:
"Captain's log: Stardate 5577.3. We are approaching the remains of the burned out supernova, Arachna. Requested updated survey will begin with measurements of its radiation and volume expansion." The crew of the Enterprise is surprised when they receive an old-style signal from what turns out to be a lost Earth colony. Unfortunately, they also experience the same phenomenon of shrinking that the colony did! Kirk and crew battle to keep control of the ship despite their shrinking stature, as well as to save the colony from geological destruction.

First person who calls me "tiny" gets a Trek-Fu chop in the face!

The Animated Series, Season 1: Mudd's Passion

The Animated Series, Season 1
"Mudd's Passion"
Airdate: November 10, 1967
8 of 22 produced
10 of 22 aired

Synopsis

The Enterprise is off in search of an old "friend," one Harcourt Fenton Mudd. He is on the mining planet Motherlode peddling a new wonder drug. This one is alleged to make you irresistible to members of the opposite sex. The Enterprise succeeds into taking Harry into custody, but for how long? And what trouble will he cause the crew of the Enterprise this time?

Say, old chum, why don't you show me the "Vulcan Death Grip" later?

The Animated Series, Season 1: Once Upon A Planet

The Animated Series, Season 1

"Once Upon A Planet"

Airdate: November 3, 1973

16 of 22 produced

9 of 22 aired

Synopsis:
"Captain's log, stardate 5591.2. The crew of the Enterprise is ready for some well-deserved rest and recreation. Therefore, we have set course for the so-called "Shore Leave Planet" located in the Omicron Delta region. The uninhabited planet was constructed long ago by a highly-advanced alien race. Its sole purpose is to provide fun and amusement for space traveling passers by."

As our crew begins to enjoy itself on the Shore Leave Planet, they discover that things again seem not to be going according to plan. The computer controlling the planet's amusements seems to have lost control, and it has designs on the Enterprise in orbit. Surmounting various obstacles, Kirk and crew reach a kidnapped Uhura deep in the bowels of the planet's control machinery. They convince the computer to abandon its conquest and to appreciate its designated functions.

Dammit, Jim, I'm a Doctor, not a translator!

The Animated Series, Season 1: The Magicks of Megas-Tu

The Animated Series, Season 1
"The Magicks of Megas-Tu"
Airdate: October 27, 1973
9 of 22 produced
8 of 22 aired

Synopsis

Travelling through a dimensional portal at the center of the galaxy, the Enterprise find a universe where thoughts manifest themselves as if magic. They encounter a powerful race of beings who put humanity on trial for its past sins. Can Kirk convince them of how far humanity has come?

After only one week of wearing these orthopedic fur shorts, just look how ripped I've become! (Results not typical.)

The Animated Series, Season 1: The Infinite Vulcan

The Animated Series, Season 1

"The Infinite Vulcan"

Airdate: October 20, 1973

2 of 22 produced

7 of 22 aired

Synopsis

The Enterprise has been ordered by Starflleet to investigate a newly discovered planet on the periphery of the galaxy. On this world, they discover an ancient race of sentient plant life. Soon, however, they realize that this race is held in thrall to a... giant... who appears to be related in some way to a scientist from Earth's past. This... giant scientist... has designs on Spock, who he deems the most perfect specimen he has yet encountered. Creating a giant clone of Spock, named (wait for it)... Spock 2, the maniacal giant clone Keniclius 5 seeks to dominate all life in the galaxy. 

Notice the stitch work on my impeccably resized Starfleet uniform, Captain!

The Animated Series, Season 1: The Survivor

The Animated Series, Season 1
"The Survivor"
Airdate: October 13, 1973
5 of 22 produced
6 of 22 aired

Synopsis

While near the Romulan Neutral Zone, the Enterprise finds the ship of long long philanthropist Carter Winston, missing for five. Coincidentally, his fiancée is currently serving aboard the Enterprise. However, Carter almost immediately ends their relationship, to everyone's surprise. What happened to Carter in the five years he was missing? What secrets is he hiding?

Why, of course I'm Carter Winston. Can't you see I'm wearing my rich guy cravat?

The Animated Series, Season 1: More Tribbles, More Troubles

The Animated Series, Season 1

"More Tribbles, More Troubles"

Airdate: October 6, 1973

1 of 22 produced

5 of 22 aired

Synopsis

Escorting a shipment of quinto-triticale grain to Sherman's Planet, the Enterprise comes across a Klingon battle cruiser in hot pursuit of a small Federation craft. Much to the surprise and chagrin of the crew, they discover that an old friend, Cyrano Jones, has run afoul of an old enemy, Koloth, over an old menace: the tribble.

No, friend Kirk, this model cannot be used as a toupee!

The Animated Series, Season 1: The Lorelei Signal

The Animated Series, Season 1
"The Lorelei Signal"
Airdate: September 23, 1973
6 of 22 produced
4 of 22 produced

Synopsis

The Enterprise is exploring a region of space where ships seem to go missing once every 27.346 star years. It is almost time for the next disappearance. The Enterprise receives a signal that draws it to the Taurean system. There they find a race of beautiful and technologically advanced women. The men of the Enterprise seem to immediately fall under their thrall. Lieutenant Uhura and Nurse Chapel seem to be the only crew members not affected. With most of the crew incapacitated by the siren song of these women, it is up to Uhura to save the Enterprise and her crew. What is the source of these mysterious women's powers? Will Uhura be able to stop them?

With this much mini-skirted fem-power, can there be any doubt?

The Animated Series, Season 1: One Of Our Planets Is Missing

The Animated Series, Season 1

"One Of Our Planets Is Missing"

Airdate: September 22, 1973

7 of 22 produced

3 of 22 aired

Synopsis

"Captain's log, stardate 5371.3. A huge cosmic cloud has been reported moving into the outer fringe of our galaxy. Nothing like it has ever been seen before. Starfleet Command has sent the USS Enterprise to investigate, as we are the only vessel in the vicinity of the phenomenon. Our present position is in the Pallas 14 system, which contains Mantilles, the most remote inhabited planet in the entire Federation." Mantilles is put into mortal danger by a planet-eating cloud, which may or may not be intelligent. The Enterprise rushes in, and discovers that the cloud is indeed sentient, and appears to be a giant space-borne organism with a brain, a digestive system, and antibodies. Spock initiates a mind-meld with the being in order to ascertain its level of intelligence. At the last moment, he convinces the creature to return from whence it came and to spare inhabited planets from its hunger.

She who smelt it dealt it, Enterprise!

The Animated Series, Season 1: Yesteryear

The Animated Series, Season 1
"Yesteryear"
Airdate: September 15, 1973
3 of 22 produced
2 of 22 aired

Synopsis

After returning from another trip through the Guardian of Forever, Kirk and Spock find that no one on the Enterprise remembers Mr. Spock or who he is. In fact, another man, an Andorian, claims to be the first officer of the Enterprise. History records that a seven-year-old Spock died during a maturity test, and thus never served in Starfleet. Realizing they changed history in some way, Spock uses the Guardian again to go back to Vulcan and save his own life. Will he succeed or will he only further alter the timeline?

Spock rushes headlong into the plot hole...

The Animated Series, Season 1: Beyond The Farthest Star

The Animated Series, Season 1

"Beyond The Farthest Star"

Airdate: September 8, 1973

4 of 22 produced

1 of 22 aired

Synopsis

On a mission beyond the galaxy fringe to investigate mysterious radio emissions and chart new stars, the Enterprise encounters a mysterious derelict in orbit of a dead star. This pod ship, a piece of highly advanced technology apparently left by an ancient insectoid race, has been cold and silent for 300 million years. Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Scotty discover that the ancient crew deliberately destroyed their vessel to contain a malevolent intelligence on the star below. When the same intelligence commandeers the Enterprise, they face the same decision. Do they fight, or do they self-destruct, in order to prevent this intelligence from taking over every starship and computer network across the inhabited galaxy? In the end, Kirk and crew bluff the entity off the ship, leading it to believe that they will crash land into the star husk while instead, they use the slingshot effect to surmount its gravitational pull. With the creature safely off the ship, the Enterprise resumes its mission of charting the reaches of extra-galactic space.

But not before Kirk got his animated butt zapped by the entity!