Kid's Guide: TOS Episodes 1-5

Welcome to the first of many posts detailing recommendations for when and if Star Trek episodes are appropriate for kids. I have 5 year-old and 2 year-old sons, and I am very keen on introducing them to Star Trek. I also want to do it before other lesser forms of popular entertainment make inroads that are too deep. With that said, I don't think a sequential watch-through is called for at this point. For one thing, it's too much screen time. But for another, which episodes are appropriate? Which ones are entertaining enough to hold the attention of a youngster?

So I'm going to rate these episodes on a few axes and then spit-ball an age that I think is appropriate for each. The axes will be: Violence and Scariness, Sexual Content, Big Ideas, and Entertainment Value.

So, here goes!

TOS Season 1 Episode 1: The Man Trap

 HI KIDS!!! Want to watch some Star Trek?!?!

TOS Season One Recap

Season One of TOS is in the books at Treknobabble. How did it fare?

Going boldly where many a nerd has gone before... but in blog form.

Kevin's Thoughts

The review for "Operation Annihilate!" has just posted, and with it, we have come to the end of the first season of The Original Series. As I type this, we are hip-deep in reviewing the second season, and before I get into a substantive review of the first season, I just want to say how much fun the blog has been so far. It's led to some fasicnating conversations. And, assuming they are who they purport to be, Mike Okuda and James Doohan's son Chris Doohan follow us on Twitter. I think that's genius.

The Original Series, Season 1: Operation -- Annihilate!

The Original Series, Season 1
"Operation -- Annihilate!"
Airdate: April 13, 1967
30 of 80 produced
29 of 80 released
Click here to watch on CBS.com

Introduction

The Enterprise crew travel to Deneva, a Federation colony and home to Captain Kirk's brother Sam and his family. When they arrive, they find most of the colonists dead, the few remaining alive are violently mad. The cause is quickly discovered, a plague of giant neural parasites that cause mass insanity and seem impervious to all attempts to stop them. Can Captain Kirk protect his ship from this latest threat?

Future playgrounds look confusing and dangerous! Look out, Jimmy!

This episode is a sad let down from the previous City on the Edge of Forever. Hokey effects and pacing issues drag this episode down to a 2 from both of us for a total of 4. The best part of this episode is the interesting typographic choices in the title. A whimper of an ending to an otherwise bang-filled first season. Our next post will be recapping some thoughts on the first season of Star Trek, but for now, enjoy the episode and the podcast.

The Original Series, Season 1: The City on the Edge of Forever

The Original Series, Season 1
"The City on the Edge of Forever"
Airdate: April 6, 1967
29 of 80 produced
28 of 80 aired
Click here to watch on CBS.com
Introduction


After being accidentally injected with a powerful psychotropic medicine, Dr. McCoy beams down to a mysterious planet that is home to a powerful being that allows him to travel back in time. Kirk and Spock beam down to stop him, but find that history has been in some way altered. They follow McCoy back to Earth during the 1930s. There they must find McCoy and undo what damage he has done. Complicating matters is a beautiful and enlightened social worker that Kirk immediately falls for. Will Kirk be able to reset history and what will it cost him to do so?

Hey, Guardian, can we get color on this thing?

This is hands down, one of the best hours of Star Trek, maybe even one of the best hours of television ever. A strong science fiction story is bolstered by top notch writing and heart-wrenching performances by main and guest cast alike. This got an emphatic 5 from both of us for a well deserved total of 10. Enjoy the podcast and the episode.

The Original Series, Season 1: The Alternative Factor

The Original Series, Season One
The Alternative Factor
Airdate: March 30, 1967
21 of 80 produced
27 of 80 aired
Click here to watch on CBS.com

Introduction

The Enterprise encounters a strange effect while exploring an abandoned planet - space seems to "wink out" for a moment. They are shocked to learn that this effect is not localized, it seems to have occurred everywhere. Will the mysterious stranger they encounter on the surface help them solve the puzzle, or will he endanger everything, everywhere, for all time?

Lazarus' goatee threatens the fabric of spacetime...

The Original Series, Season 1: Errand of Mercy

The Original Series, Season One
"Errand of Mercy"
Airdate: March 27, 1967
28 of 80 produced
26 of 80 released
Click here to watch on CBS.com

Introduction

The Enterprise races to Organia, the focal point of a seemingly inevitable war with the Federation's hostile, expansionist neighbor, the Klingon Empire. Their mission is to prevent the Klingons from taking over the planet and using it as a beachhead into Federation territory. The Organians themselves, however, seemed oddly unconcerned by the threat, even when the Empire arrives and begins to slaughter them. Can the Enterprise repel the invasion? And why are the Organians seemingly uninterested in their own survival?

The Organians respond quite favorably to the Klingons' promise of free Muumuus for all... 

The Original Series, Season 1: The Devil In The Dark

The Original Series, Season One
"The Devil In The Dark"
Airdate: March 9, 1967
27 of 80 produced
25 of 80 aired
Click here to watch on CBS.com

Introduction

The Enterprise is sent to a vital mining planet which supplies the needs of many colony worlds. People and equipment are being destroyed by some mysterious force below. Can our intrepid crew discover what is causing the destruction, and stop it?

No Kill I!

The Original Series, Season 1: This Side of Paradise

The Original Series, Season One

"This Side of Paradise"

Airdate March 2, 1967

26 of 80 produced

24 of 80 aired
Click here to watch on CBS.com

Introduction

The Enterprise is sent to recover the remains of what it believes to be a failed colony on a planet subject to an invariably fatal form of radiation. Instead, they find the colonists alive and well. They seem perfectly happy, too happy in fact. As the mysteries compound, it becomes clear that not all is as it seems on this colony, and the secret of the colony's impossible survival may threaten the Enterprise.

Spock whips out Kiri-Kin-Tha's First Law of Metaphysics in a ploy to get laid...

The Original Series, Season 1: A Taste of Armageddon

The Original Series, Season One
"A Taste of Armageddon"
Airdate: February 23, 1967
24 of 80 produced
23 of 80 aired
Click here to watch on CBS.com

Introduction

The Enterprise is tasked with establishing diplomatic relations with a curiously recalcitrant world. Why are the inhabitants of Eminiar VII so isolationist? And when the Enterprise discovers their horrifying secret, will they be able to escape?

"PC Load Letter?" WTF does that mean?

The Original Series, Season 1: Space Seed

The Original Series, Season 1
"The Space Seed"
Airdate: February 16, 1967
25 of 80 produced
22 of 80 aired
Click here to watch at CBS.com
Introduction

The Enterprise encounters a derelict space ship, launched from Earth in the 1990s.  Aboard they discover a group of people in suspended animation, among them Khan Singh, a violent and powerful tyrant from Earth's past. Now aboard the Enterprise, will Khan try to reestablish his empire?  Will Captain Kirk be able to stop him if he does?

Matt and I both gave this a 4, for a total of 8. This was a really good story with some really good acting. One guest character who suffers from some terrible writing and some terrible sexual politics is all that holds this one back from a 5.  But still, this one is great to watch, and its clear why this story line got brought back for one of the movies. Enjoy the podcast everyone.

The Original Series, Season 1: The Return of the Archons

The Original Series, Season One
"The Return of the Archons"
Airdate: February 9, 1967
23 of 80 produced
21 of 80 aired
Click here to watch on CBS.com

Introduction

The Enterprise discovers a world where the people are euphoric zombies controlled by an unseen leader, Landru. Disobedience to this leader is met with swift consequences. Several Enterprise crewmen have been taken and apparently brainwashed. Can Kirk free his people and this planet from the mysterious Landru?

Are you of the body? Click "Read More" to find out!

The Original Series, Season 1: Court Martial

The Original Series, Season One
"Court Martial"
Airdate: February 20, 1967
15 of 80 produced
20 of 80 released
Click here to watch on CBS.com

Introduction

Captain Kirk is put on trial on the charge of negligently giving the order that cause the death of one of his crew. His version of events is at odds with the computer record. Complicating matters is the fact the crewman had a past with Captain Kirk. Captain Kirk reported him years ago for a serious lapse that derailed his career, causing deep resentment for his former friend. Is Kirk or the computer correct? Have the stresses of command caused a momentary lapse in judgment? Does Kirk reciprocate his former friend's resentment and did it play a role in his decisions?

Now, I'm no fancy big city space lawyer...

The Original Series, Season 1: Tomorrow Is Yesterday

The Original Series, Season One
"Tomorrow Is Yesterday"
Airdate: January 26, 1967
22 of 80 produced
19 of 80 aired
Click here to watch on CBS.com

Introduction

The Enterprise is sent careening through time by a chance astronomical phenomenon. When the crew comes to, they find themselves in a precarious orbit around Earth of the 1960s. How will they avoid detection by the powers of the day, inadvertently changing the past, and how indeed will they return to their own time?

Look out for that solar flare!

The Original Series, Season 1: Arena

The Original Series, Season One
"Arena"
Airdate: January 19, 1967
20 of 80 produced
18 of 80 aired
Click here to watch on CBS.com

Introduction

The Enterprise arrives at Cestus III to find the Federation colony there destroyed.  The attackers soon reveal themselves, a new and powerful potential enemy, the reptile-like Gorn.  The Enterprise pursues the fleeing attackers, knowing if they escape, the attack on Cestus will be only the beginning.  However, other, even more powerful forces are at work, and they have their own plans for the crew of the Enterpise.  Kirk eventually finds himself alone and unarmed on a planet, facing off against the captain of the Gorn ship in a fight to the death, with the fate of both their crews in the balance.  Will Kirk and the Enterprise survive this latest danger?

"Graahr! Hissss....."

Matt and I both gave this a 3 for a total of 6.  There are good elements and ideas here, but in the end, everything came out as the good side of average.  It was a good hour of television.  There were explosions, and who doesn't love that?  This is a popular fan episode, and it certainly has enough to justify that position, but while it may be better than average television, it is average Trek.  Enjoy the podcast, everyone.

The Original Series, Season 1: The Squire of Gothos

The Original Series, Season One
"The Squire of Gothos"
Airdate: January 12, 1967
19 of 80 produced
17 of 80 aired
Click here to watch on CBS.com

Introduction

On their way to deliver supplies to a colony, the Enterprise is accosted by a powerful being with desires for entertainment. Will Kirk be able to outwit his captor and free the Enterprise?

Tally Ho!

The Original Series, Season 1: The Galileo Seven

The Original Series, Season One
"The Galileo Seven"
Airdate: January 5, 1967
14 of 80 produced
16 of 80 aired
Click here to watch on CBS.com

Introduction

While exploring a the Murasaki quasar, Spock, McCoy, Scotty and four other crewmen become stranded when their shuttle crashes. Spock is forced not only to deal with the hazards of the hostile world they are on, but the resistance of his own crew to his logical command style. Making matters worse is the fact that the Enterprise must leave the area soon to deliver medicine that will save thousands of lives. Will the Enterprise find them before the hostile aliens outside the shuttle or personal hostilities inside the shuttle destroy them?

The locals were not impressed by the park job over there...

The Original Series, Season 1: Shore Leave

The Original Series, Season One
"Shore Leave"
Airdate: December 29, 1966
18 of 80 produced
15 of 80 aired
Click here to watch on CBS.com

Introduction

The Enterprise finds a planet that seems ideal for a much needed shore leave for the tired crew. But as strange things start happening, the crew must ask: is it everything it's cracked up to be?

Short answer: No. Long Answer: Noooooooooooo.......