Star Trek The Original Series Retrospective/Review - Star Trek Retrospective, Part 1
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- čas přidán 10. 07. 2024
- A while ago this channel started making Star Trek videos and a modest audience has been watching ever since. However, those old videos don't really hold up super well in my opinion so I've decided to make some new Star Trek Retrospectives. Part 1 covers the history and quality of Star Trek The Original Series, including in depth behind the scenes info. Enjoy :)
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00:00 Introduction
00:48 Origins
07:20 The Cage
11:37 Where No Man Has Gone Before
16:22 Season 1
19:44 The Squire of Gothos
21:34 Arena
23:53 A Taste of Armageddon
25:22 Nichelle Nichols
30:49 Fan Campaign
32:24 Season 2
33:23 Amok Time
34:52 The Doomsday Machine
36:07 The Ultimate Computer
39:33 Parallel Worlds
41:11 Season 3
43:51 Spock's Brain
45:37 Spectre of the Gun
47:13 Cancellation
48:11 Outro - Krátké a kreslené filmy
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7: 47 There's a 't' in the middle of 'noting' and if you don't pronounce it it sounds like'knowing', which causes confusion and / or misunderstanding and takes something away from all the hard work you've done. This is just one example.
Thank you for sharing I love star trek live long and prosper 🖖🏾
14:50 - Shatner is in fact subdued through much of Season 1.
@Rowan J Coleman Couldn't agree less wrt Turnabout Intruder, and I say that as a socialist who's left to far left on most economic and foreign policy positions. It takes a position with some interesting justification, based on societies such as Sweden with its longest contemporary history of women being able to sort into whatever positions and employment they choose with minimal imperatives in the way of survival given Sweden's marvelous social programs. It sees women choosing in majority numbers what has long been considered, even dismissively, to be "women's work." I saw the same in my years of commune living, where women in general in self-described ecofeminist communities avoided gritty, physical work, preferring to make cheese, cook, bake, knit, make quilts and clothing. If we assume women are sorting in accord with what they feel able to handle, shouldn't we trust them to know their abilities and limits?
In sum, I can live with the position the script's writers take for the sake of an intriguing tale well told, even if it might be wrongheaded in large. ---As for Plato's Stepchildren, I rated it a 3.5 of 4 when I rewatched it several years ago. It worked well for me, then. Can't recall exactly why so of course my opinion here is meaningless, but it was difficult to get a 3.5 from me. I think I gave Piece of the Action, for example, for all its amusements, a 2.5 leaning to 2.0.
*First, I am 70++ years old if you do the math, you'll note that I was just starting to be old enough enter the parts of the Academy that would be responsible for such horrrors.*
*The "Spock"s Brain" episode may in fact seem ridiculous, however, it was 1964. The transistor that would permit the construction of automation controllers was not even a decade old yet, and was still so slow, crude, and gigantic in physical size, that trying to use it for anything significant such as a central facility controller of things like ventilation, temperature control, and dozens of other similar things that would benefit greatly from fully independent automation was a topic of intense interest in both the academic and military communities. There were active programs trying to use Lizard brains as controllers, and I believe that the Air Force had or were about to initiate a program on primates.*
*As nuts as this may look and sound today, this type of "autonomous analog controller" was a real thing, and I have always hoped this episode helped to put a halt to these barbaric and obscenely unethical research programs.*
I was 6 when Star Trek premiered. My father was brilliant man, would inhale multiple books weekly, all on quantum physics and origins of the universe. He was so impressed with Star Trek that he fought with my mother to allow me to stay up late and watch the show. I don't think people appreciate how advanced Star Trek was at the time, and still is.
I love this comment. thanks for posting it. Gives credence to the whole advanced for the time and still is.
I appreciate your father's passion for quantum physics and Star Trek. My quantum technology startup team was tapped by the U.S. Department of Defense to develop Star Trek tech.
@duderino5 Astounding to imagine that a scientist would ever have to fight with his wife to allow his son stay up to watch the original Star Trek, rather than simply exercising the executive authority any parent can invoke on occasion. --Agreed, the contrast b/t Star Trek's designs and conceptions and those of television series of the time is startling. The round bridge, the configuration of Enterprise, the idea of a federation of planets founded on a military spine but leading with the exercise of exploration---those things alone made it a brilliant leap forward. Another thing that made it so different from other Star Trek series was Roddenberry's resort and appeal to the best living science fiction writers for scripts. TNG's lack of good writing and its aim at children rather than adults wrecked it, by comparison.
@@johnstrawb3521 Hello @John Strawb, don't be too hard on my mother; she was just following maternal instincts! Good points regarding the bridge design/set pieces contrasted to contemporary set designs of the time. To me, the two biggest leaps in concepts not found in TV (or movies) at the time were the mixed race/sex/species crew, and as you mentioned, the peaceful (backed with the Entreprises's ability to defend herself) mission to explore and connect with other species. Then you combine some of the subtle, yet powerful statements made by Spock (as the half human species working with but observing humans), or lines delivered by others, such as Kirk commenting (paraphrasing), "Man's last prejudice. What is unpleasant to look at is deemed evil". So much truth and wisdom packed into small lines of dialogue. On a personal level, my father's fascination with Star Trek showed me he was more than just a brilliant, logical person. He saw the beauty in the human instinct to explore, and the good (and bad) in humans. Behind his very logical mind was a dreamer. The original Star Trek will always hold a place in my heart and mind.
The original series only.
People on CZcams making better documentaries than Netflix these days. 10/10.
agreed.
@@LondraCalibro9 not this guy though
The comments be the best....
Word
Amen!
The Beauty of Uhura was no one ever doubted her. What she said, was pure
Uhura was something else... something special. She didn't need to say much but when she spoke, people shut up and listened to her.
You know she's a legit Icon when Dr. King recognized her as one of the most influential characters on television at the time.
It’s so interesting how the rejected pilot actually became canon and Christopher Pike became a rather big character in later Star Trek lore. I cannot think of any other media franchise where this has happened.
Star Trek is, if nothing else, very resourceful. You have to be to make it work with the pathetic budget they were given.
Not the same thing but Seinfeld made use of Kramer having a different name in the pilot
Say what anyone will about how Star Trek has evolved over the decades, but I still get a thrill when the music swells and that beautiful ship crosses the screen. The show's hopeful outlook is at the heart of why we're still talking about this universe.
Evolved? It has only made a lateral shift from one theatrical style of its own -to emulate another.
STD has evolved the series into Fast and Furious and family because its all about family.
1966: Let's make this concept the best it can be with wit, intelligence, and complex story
2019: Let's retrofit the past with modern lesbians, pimp threads, elf with a sword, dagger-tossing aliens, and Starfleet as slavers
@@RideAcrossTheRiver Space lesbians is always a good idea for science fiction. Right up there with green skin Orion slave girls.
@@brachiator1 What about Kodak prints from your Ensign days?
I am 64 And have always lived Ireland. But my imagination has traveled the universe all thanks to a child hood love of Star Trek.
Was hat part of Ireland? I lived for many years in Kilkenny and still have family there.
I'm nearly 64 , Irish and I taught around the world (just saying,not looking down on anyone; maybe you had a happier life than me in Ireland) [Belfast, God ....] But my imagination has still travelled the universe thanks to a childhood love of Star Trek, Dr Who, the Time tunnel and various other AngloAmerican imaginings. Yes the British strarved us; but at least not our imagination ... Hey, la Mission Civilisatrice des Anglais,don't ya know?
I am 71 years old. I remember those years vividly. My father was part of NASA and we were very involved in the space race to the moon...and when that happened, we switched gears in the schools. The main theme became the VIETNAM WAR by 1968. We fought the draft, etc. That was the Big Thing back then.
@@emsnewssupkis6453 My lottery # was 66. A number I'll never forget.
@@deirdre108 Wow! That is super creepy.
I remember watching The Doomsday Machine as a child. Commodore Decker's anguished "Don't you think I know that!" when they point of that there is no fourth planet was shattering.
Emmy worthy performance by the late Wm. Windom (nomination/consideration at the very least IMHO)
I thought Capt Matt decker would have brought up his father during the motion picture.
He was robbed an Emmy
There was. But not anymore.
That was one of my favorite episodes when I was a kid. I remember I had read and loved Moby Dick or an abridged version of it a few months before and even then I could tell that Decker’s obsession mirrored Ahab’s.
Fun Facts: I read that Jefferies who designed the Enterprise said, it took him 17 attempts to get the final design, hence; 1701. 17 tries to get 1 finished product.
Cool fact! I'm assuming the 'Jeffries Tube' was named after him?
@@Anduril1974 yes.
Did not know that
Actually it was Roddenberry's street address.
TV often hides how much work goes into the best series. Reading the behind the scenes tales was a revelation. The 3 volume These Are the Voyages, one volume per season, goes into extraordinary and fascinating detail for each show, including many of the memos b/t roddenberry and coon, coon and writers, and so on. Great reading.
"Whatchyou talkin' 'bout Dr. King?"
Wow , what a story and a burden for a young actress
Thank God for Lucy. One of the actors said that Lucy would show up on set from time to time. They'd look up and she'd be up in the rafters, looking down at them.
I've always loved Lucy; and only loved her even more when I first heard about how she virtually saved Star Trek.
Too bad Lucy never appeared on ST!! She would have been great as Harry Mudd's replica of his Wife, Stella!!
Yeah I wonder why she never appeared on any episodes... A lot of celebrities played on star trek and I think she would have been great especially on the episode "Mudd's women"...
I love Lucy 🖤
It's a little bit sad to me I guess, that Lucille Ball is arguably to thank for Trek even existing at all now, and it was because she went to bat for a character who is just dropped immediately, a woman in a visible position of authority. And it wouldn't be till DS9 really something close to that came to frution again. Like sure there was Uhura, and Troi, and Crusher, but I always got the impression they weren't 'quite' what Lucille had in mind.
Not a complaint or anything really, and it certainly wasn't as if Trek wasn't pushing major boundaries at the time in other areas. Just one of those slightly tragic little ironies to me, I suppose.
That story from Nichols always give me goosebumps. I can't imagine what it would be like to have a man like MLK Jr gush to you about your show, where you feel so unvalidated. To have his attitude shift so hard, to hear those words from him, must have been more than she could have ever hoped for, as far as that validation goes.
Screw the network. You are, you have been, you always will be, a legendary icon and role model. For all of us, regardless of race. You were an amazing human being, Nichelle Nichols. Rest in peace.
Thanks bro for recognizing what a beautiful soul this person was .... She will definitely be missed by people like me and you... We enjoyed seeing Nichell Nichols with her beautiful self walking around a star ship in the middle of space with her mini skirts.. those legs use to fill out those mini skirts she wore on the enterprise back in the 60s... We will always appreciate you and the barriers you broke to pave the way for so many young black girls today... You will be missed Ms Nichols but you won't be forgotten... rest peacefully!!!
Ah yes, Nichols, the mistress of Roddenberry, who had no problem with him cheating on his wife. I guess that's something she learned from MLK, who also constantly cheated on his wife, if he wasn't busy doing drugs. Nice people!
her story on how king reacted to her quitting. Was wonderful
I thought I was Uhuras greatest fan!😢I was compltetely head over heels in love with her.She was so beautiful,intelligent and sexy.❤
here it felt Chekov was the more.. (i want to say contra- vershul but i can't seem to spell it)
"The Corbomite Maneuver" is seriously underrated!
Go back and watch it again. I hope you relish it as much as I!
Totally agree. Some of the dialogue it weak though. "I vote we blast them. We have phaser weapons"
Ahh Tranya !
My favorite episode is "The City On The Edge Of Forever". The story of Kirk needing to stop Bones from saving Edith Keeler (who Kirk had fallen in love with) to ensure that there would someday be a Federation, is heart-breaking.
I saved the date she died in my phones calendar
McCoy: His Brain is gone!
Me: A career in Politics looms.
"
bran and brain, WHAT IS BRAIN?"
that`s good..i`ll remember that as long as i can
That's priceless.
I love that episode. McCoy is annoyed because Spock is telling how to do medicine later in this episode.
"But... Spock... need brain! For... smart-making!"
Yes, I'm paraphrasing a quote from Futurama... but why the hell not?
Well You officially got me into star trek, watched the first 20 Minutes of this video (like 2 days ago?) now I'm at episode 10 of the 1st season. This is a awesome show!!!
Now that's good news
I hope you did get up until at least Next Generation
@@guciowitomski3825 Nah I stopped after season 2 of TOS 😅🤣
@@115spt2 that's too bad
Nicole's story with Dr. King still breaks me up. Right now and I'm 63 years old. The first black people in our neighborhood moved right next door and their mom worked for my dad as his secretary. My parents were way ahead of the curve back then I consider it one of the greatest, if not the greatest lesson-
I always thought The City on The Edge of Forever was very good. McCoy was especially great; Joan Collins never looked better. The limitless possibilities of time travel had been opened up to them,but after Kirks loss at the end all that he could say was “ let’s get the hell out of here”.
me too. one of my all time favourite episodes of any star trek series
Dat Harlan Ellison funk!
@@shawn6669 Man, you didn't want to piss Harlan off as James Cameron found out to the sum of several hundred thousand dollars (?). I have an accountant but I must scream ...
It's a brilliant episode and very emotional. Possibly the best Star Trek episode.
I liked it as well. Although the Harlan Ellison was mad at the Star Trek for changing his storyline, I don't believe his original story would have gone over as well as this did, given the constraints of time and budget associate with the show.
A Taste of Armageddon has my favorite Kirk soliloquy in it, the "I've given you back the Horrors of War" speech.
I like that episide and the one where Kirk takes over the planet as a mafia boss.
"STOP IT?...I'M COUNTING ON IT!" said Captain Kirk
@@warrenpierce5542 "What kind of a monster are you?"
"I'm a barbarian. You said it yourself."
The recent augmented uses of _drones_ arguably has taken away the "horrors of war" somewhat.
@@bonghunezhou5051 yes it almost made killing clean and sanitized no one gets their hands bloodied no boots die on the ground but the enemy. War from the comfort of your office chair and headset. Were only a few steps from creating terminator robots then asking for our destruction.
As an eight-year-old boy in 1972, I remember our family getting our first colour TV from Rediffusion, a 26-inch piece of "furniture" by today's standards, but at the time it was cutting edge and we couldn't wait. After the guy set it up he went through "all" three channels and all the programs were in B/W, but at tea-time, Star-Trek was on. I'll never forget how blown away we all were seeing the episode where the Enterprise tracked a cloaked Romulan ship and finally destroying it. That episode has stuck in my mind all these years, as the colours were so vibrant and alive.
"Balance of Terror" -- one of the many great episodes!
I just remember my dad would always watch Star Trek in the evening when he came home from work and I would always sit with him. And that just became how we did things
Every time I see that interview with Nichelle Nichols, I tear up. I fortunately had the opportunity to meet her at a convention in Phoenix (my wife wanted to go and this was the highlight of it for me) where I was able to tell her how proud I was of her, not only for her acting, but for her work with NASA and just being a brave and proud woman of color.
Bloody brilliant. Well-written and researched, and warmly narrated. More, now.
Part 2 on November 8th 😁
Indeed it's very well done indeed!
" Plato's Step children" only thing worth watching is Spock's Fandango dance around Kirk's head. ( or Kirk doing his horse imitation.)
The Paradise Syndrome is actually the story of my life. I married my own Miramanee ( Actually, Wa-wash-k'neesh-n'sn) and went completely native. Been together 34 years and no sign of an asteroid in sight,
I actually think that episode could have been really good if the "aliens" had actually been aliens instead of native Americans.
Nichelle Nichols story about her conversation with Dr. King is so powerful.
That Nichelle Nichols and Martin Luther King story gets me right in the feels every time.
Honestly had me crying
@@JaelaOrdo same
Made even greater this time by the awesome Gary Coleman reference. The lady knows how to tell a story.
The problem is, it is almost certainly made up. Her story has changed and grown over the years. Originally she was just inspired by him.
@@Xanous This is the version of the story I've heard for at least 40 years. That's good enough for me.
This is certainly not the first Star Trek retrospective I've seen, but it's easily the best. After all these years, I'm still learning new things from shows like this.
No matter how many times I hear the Nichelle Nichols story with the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I tear up. I think Dr. King had a HUGE role in where the series went and where it is today. We are so lucky Miss Nichols continued to be Lt Uhura. But that is the most amazing story.
you tear up over a bullshit story that had no impact on Star Trek? ROFL!
@@shadowangel2235 racially motivated 🧐
@@crooker23 I don't know why people find it so hard to believe, really. At a time when someone like Nichelle Nichols having a role so visible, at a time when that was so contentious, and rare, why wouldn't MLK be aware of that? Why wouldn't he want to support that?
@@Blisterdude123 Because for ten years, when she told the story, she never mentioned MLK and always said it was Gene who convinced her to say it. Eventually, she started telling the MLK story, so it's possible they did meet, and we know MLK was a fan of Star Trek, but that story is either completely fabricated or highly exaggerated
I think William Windom deserved an Emmy for his performance as Admiral Decker.
Oh, and my understanding is that the music for The Doomsday Machine was all original, which gave it a cinematic feel. Truly epic!
Commodore Decker, but you are right.
I first watched Star Trek in syndication in the late 70’s and early 80’s. The motion pictures existed, but home video was relatively rare. So, you basically watched ST reruns in the order they were broadcast. For people who cut their teeth on TNG and DS9, it is easy to discount how consistently great ST was for most of its original run.
Yep. I was a rerun kiddo on the 80s. The original was so amazing that when the NG came out, it took me 2 seasons to feel comfortable with... Commander Riker :-)
This was an awesome retrospective. I enjoyed it immensely. One point you didn't touch on that I'd like to mention. I'm old enough to have watched Star Trek in it's original run (on our crappy CRT television, but color, tv!). At the same time as Star Trek was on the air, the space program had swung into full gear. Project Mercury was pretty much wrapped up by the premier, but Project Gemini was in full swing and soon Project Apollo was dominating the news casts. Just over a month after the last episode of Star Trek, Apollo 11 reached the moon. For a young man aged 6 to 10, this was an incredible experience. I was a space junkie, and Star Trek and real-life NASA space missions fed into each other and captivated me. Anyway, thanks again for the video and I'm looking forward to further chapters in the series.
all smoke and mirrors just as the tv show, though their budget was much more it seems. apparently youc can fool all the people all the time.
Too cool
I grew up watching the original and loved all things space.
I got woken up early just to catch any Apollo launch then watched every minute that it was being shown.
Nice to see another person like myself on here.
Stay safe.
From Canada 🇨🇦
My childhood was the same. While watching the real space program, Star Trek suddenly appeared. And I watched both in parallel thinking one was "now" and one was "the real future we could have". The fact that Gene Roddenberry thought there'd be a third world war eventually registered with me (and I loved the episode "Assignment Earth" in which Gary Seven helps prevent WW3 from happening in the late 1960s), but at the time I did not lose any sleep over it. I'll put aside my thoughts from current time about WW3 happening. LOL!
@@tedjones3955 There are more of us than you think! I was in first grade when the final season of TOS aired, & was swept up in it along with childhood friends who experienced the contemporaneous Apollo excitement. I've been a faithful fan of both ever since.
Here s to all of you, my first I remember was Apollo as he grew an grew the greek god
I was a kid when the original Star Trek aired, I actually saw most episodes on re-runs just after if was cancelled. This was my favorite tv show and still in in my top 5 of all time. Nothing like it had ever been seen on Tv before, it was magic.
When I was a kid, this was my favorite show. Now almost a senior citizen, this is still my favorite show.
"Spock's Brain" is one of my favourites, I loved it as a kid.
It actually scared me to death as a kid, the idea that a brain could be stolen gave me nightmares!
I hate that episode
When I was a kid we nicknamed The Squire of gothos the one with Liberace in it 😛
LOL
June 3rd, 1969, next week, " Roan and Martin's Laugh in". And people asking " WTF? Happened to Star Trek?."( We did at our house.)
Trelane was Q's predecessor 😊
He did look very much like the piano player.
Yes!
The fact that Vulcan lore and personality traits were basically established by Leonard Nimoy's acting chops and how he performed off of Shatner's portrayal of Kirk is like, the coolest factoid I've ever heard. Absolute legends
I can’t even begin to imagine how magical it must have been for Nichelle to have Dr King walk up to her and tell her to her face that he’s her biggest fan.
I got to meet Nichelle in 1976 at one of the 1st ST Conventions in Wash. DC!! She was so sweet and friendly! I got Walter Koenig's autograph and shook his hand. James Doohan was also there. He and Walter were so nice & friendly!!!
I really like "The Trouble with Tribbles". I watched the original series when it first came out. I'm still a big Star Trek fan! Thanks for the video.
"Brain and brain, what is brain!?" Love it.
I met Nichelle at a book signing in Little Rock. She was warm and dear and utterly charming -- everything you would ever want.
I love the simulated war episode! It really highlights how bizarre and silly how seemingly modern and civilised society can condone wars. It takes the normalisation of war to the extreme to highlight the absurdity of accepting such a scenario.
this was FASCINATING man. thanks for creating this 🙏🏽🚀🪐
I read some where that the Klingons were going to be a one time only alien.
Intriguing...
im going to watch up to ds9 cuz i don't want spoilers i've seen star trek in this order... voyager tng tos season 1 and right now ds9
@@tigerbread78 as en to o
Interesting commentary on Star Trek.
Always got a bang out of “The Changeling” (I am Nomad; I am perfect!). Despite a rather chilling premise, it was riddled with humour, especially when it was having its breakdown;“error...errrooorrr..faulty! Faulty!” At a point in the story where “we are all in grave danger”.
Or when it scans Uhura: "A mass of conflicting impulses."
Just finished Season 1 for the first time and I'm in love.
I'm oddly proud of what Star Trek is and to be a fan of it
Every episode was great. Never to be forgotten.
I've never seen the Nichelle Nichols story in its entirety like this; or, if it's not the whole portion the most I've ever seen. Thank you. It never stops being a heart-stopping, joyous moment. And thank you, Nichelle. And thank you, Dr. King.
The entire interview is up on youtube. I think it's over a half hour long.
@@Rocketsong
Nichelle's contribution, like so many of the lesser starparts, was so integral to the appeal of ST. Glad she stayed and always a great story behind it.
So good to see, especially at a time like this!
@JFQ Holy fuck, go touch grass or eat a rock or something
Nichelle Nichols staying on Star Trek led to Whoopi Goldberg being cast as Guinan. Whoopi wanted to be on Star Trek because she was a fan growing up. Why was she a fan? Because there was a black woman, doing a job on starship in a tv show. She could see herself in that.
The Immunity syndrome was my favorite 2nd season episode. Sometimes we got to watch Star Trek at my grandmas house and she had a color tv. That was a treat!
I tear up every time I hear Miss Nicolos explain her encounter with Dr. king
Every Star Trek fan owes Lucy Ball for being one of the main players responsible for putting Star Trek on TV, thus partly starting a franchise. a debt of gratitude. Also I bet a lot of the cast that is still alive today, probably never thought they would talk about Star Trek 55 years (as of this comment) later.
A Taste of Armageddon may be my favorite Star Trek episode of the whole dang franchise. I am so glad you highlighted it. When spock and crew bust in to save Kirk only to find not only does Kirk not need saving, but he's got the whole thing in lock, it's the most Kirkian thing I have ever seen.
I’m still convinced that the writers for “Q” and Delancey both got their cue’s (sorry) from the flintstones character called Gazoo.
Well, actually that makes great sense. While I've always hated Fred Flintstone, I really liked Gazoo.
Gazoo is just Mister Mxyzptlk
@@sladewilson9741 Say that backwards
Mr Gazoo was in Star Trek!
@@andrewblanchard2398 WHOOSH
As a teen back in the 70's my favorite episode from each season: season 1 - "Shore Leave" season 2 - "Assignment Earth" season 3 - "All Our Yesterdays".
Shore Leave is so cheesy, even by TOS standards
@@rgerber I guess i liked the music from that episode.
damn I've never heard the story about Nichelle before. Such a impactful moment that shows the signifigance of her character that can easily be over looked today. It really is crazy how this cheesy space show was truly exploring "uncharted space" with such inclusive characters.
Actually while the narrator notes that Spock was more emotional, he doesn’t know it was Barrett’s character that was supposed to be unemotional and logical - it’s referenced later when the aliens bring her in as an alternate selection for Pike.
@JFQ there was no slant on anything - I made a factual note. For the record, I have two Conservative FB pages, I was moderator of a major Conservative FB group, and my favorite CZcams Sci Fi commentators are Critical Drinker, Doomcock, and Nerdrotic. However my post had absolutely nothing to do with political or social idealogy. You have issues - this is a level of hysteria best left to the Left.
@@gregrupedski4987 Left, right... you are all but ants in the eyes of the Ancient Ones such as Cthulu. As if your petty human quarrels mean anything in the grand scheme of existence.
@@BioGoji-zm5ph ok!
@@gregrupedski4987 I was in agreement with your post until you threw it away with the last garbage sentence.
@@gregrupedski4987 That last line is not very Star Trek, and seems to undermine its own message. There's no reason to crap on the Left because of what that poster said.
The actual answer is that we don't know for sure the issue that NBC had with Number One. Heck, it's possible it was more than one thing.
It does seem odd that, if they objected to nepotism, they still allowed for the same actress to play a character on the show.
For myself, THE CAGE - or more precisely the redrafted version later incorporated into the series 2 parter THE MENAGERIE - is superior to almost anything else done in the whole franchise. I don't consider the ending "contrived". I think it was a logical twist for the ill-fated Talosians, and Pike's only possible escape from that trap. One of the best pieces of SF writing in the history of the tube. In tone and style, btw, it was much like an Outer Limits tos.
Agreed since it literally reused props from outer limits
@@jonathankirsch2121 The Megasoid and the creature from Fun and Games,
The uncut version of The Cage was right up there with the Doomsday Machine in overall quality. The Cage had a creepy vibe The Menagerie lacked. Both were great but the Cage should have been the pilot that sold the show. That honor went to Where no man has gone before which had its own creepy vibe. The most chilling words ever spoken in TOS was planets that were only days away at warp and years away at impulse. Also the ship not having enough power to blast out of the planets gravity if it could not restart the warp drive.
@@AUTISTICLYCAN For me, THE MENAGERIE is Trek unsurpassed.
Thank you sir I was just saying the same thing about the cage in a comment of my own. The cage was a masterpiece. And yes I can't help but to think that the twilight zone and outer limits had some bearing.
BEST line of the entire Star Trek canon: "I'm trying to thank you!! You pointed eared Hobgoblin!!!"🛸🌠
Bones…
Canon
Bones McCoy. Unforgettable.
Good review. One fact you forgot to mention when discussing 'Arena' is the fact the colony was established on a planet belonging to the Gorn empire, and the realisation by Kirk that the Federation is vulnerable to arrogance and making mistakes.
I always remember it so much because we had a black and white TV and then we changed to a colour TV and it was this show that made it special.
ready for part 2!
Coming next week :)
watch star trek every week
"Where no man has gone before" has always been one of my favorite episodes.
Here we are told that Lt Uhura's first name is Nyota. However, this is a misnomer. The character was never given a first name , neither in the original series or original films. It wasn't until the end 1982 that her first name was created by author William Rotsler and publicly stated in his Star Trek II Biographies novel. It's interesting to note that just prior to the publication of that book, FASA released the Star Trek Role Playing Game in which she is referred to as Samara Uhura. Fun fact - While appearing on the gameshow Super Password in January of 1987, Nichelle Nichols the "secret" that Uhur's first name was Nyota. This was the first time the name was spoken aloud to the world. Lastly, the name Nyota would not be officially recognized as canon until the 2009 film Star Trek, in which it is uttered for the first time on film by Spock.
Nichelle Nichols has probably told that story 500 times and I never get tired of it.
In my opinion, the greatest tribute to GR has been Star Trek Continues series. Vic Mignogna is as much or even more Capt Kirk than even Shatner. That was just wwwwaaayyy better than anything hollywood has come out with in the ST franchise in 20 years. It was an actual return and ressurection of the original feel and spirit of TOS. And you better be up on your ST trivia if you watch it. Thanx for putting this up Rowan Coleman
Oh wow, a mention of the Skylark series. No one ever talks about Skylark, but I loved it as a kid, I still have the books in my bookshelf. I had no idea Roddenberry was into Skylark too!
this film is like a joyful warm bath for every trekkie. regards from austria, live long and prosper, everybody !
Accurate for the most part--except the huge letter-writing campaign (with the fans picketing NBC) was organized by Roddenberry and Bjo Trimble during the SECOND season, with the result being that Star Trek was renewed for its Third year.
(There WAS a smaller letter-writing campaign during the first season--organized by none other than Harlan Ellison--before he and Roddenberry had their infamous falling-out.)
Also at 13:16 it's stated that DeForest Kelly was cast as Dr. McCoy for the second pilot. This is incorrect as he was not cast until the show was finally green-lighted by NBC. Paul Fix--perhaps best known at the time as Marshal Michah Torrance on "The Rifleman" was cast as Ship's Doctor Mark Piper for "Where No Man Has Gone Before".
'The Ultimate Computer' is a clear stand out in series 2. Great guest star in William Marshal and good writing and performances. The only issue is that Kirk again defeats a computer through the exact same logical argument as before. It's the best kind of 'bottle show'. Thank you so much for your excellent video.
24:45 Wrong, sir. The Prime Directive only applies to pre-warp civilizations. They were also told to “establish diplomatic relations at all costs.” It was established that the Eminians were advanced enough for space travel, but never went beyond their solar system. It’s no different than when the Vulcans came to Earth after they discovered they had warp capabilities.
Except it also implies to the internal affairs of other societies, like the Klingon civil war in TNG.
Spock’s brain and paradise are some of the best episodes.
Finally, someone in the comments with some taste and culture XD I really don't care if the episode is good or bad as long as I get to see the characters running around dealing with the nonsense.
'Patterns Of Force' didn't actually air in germany until some 10 years ago. Having only read the story, I felt it was actually quite good and a real shame it was banned for such a log time.
Classic Episode
*Star trek theme Intensifies*
I think your take on the Taloians being easily subdued is completely off the mark. In the story two things were highlighted about the Talosians that suggest in many ways they would be easily subdued if met with brute physical force. The reason they moved underground was the hostile environment but they state that they no longer had the physical gifts to rebuild what they once had. More importantly remember the Talosians could not read violent primitive emotions. The Talosians were mentally developed to an extreme but where physically very fragile. Also remember when the crew wanted to kill themselves using the phaser overload the Talosian leader was completely aghast that, humans were so adverse to captivity even when it was benevolent. To the Talosians suicide was also an abhorrent form of violence. Finally remember near very end of their time on the Talos 4 surface another group of Talosians came up in the broken elevator.
They exclaimed it took much time for them to fully decode and understand the captured Enterprise Starship logs. The Talosians were surprised at all the things about human nature that made us totally unsuitable for their purposes. Give all the factors I have listed it is no stretch of the imagination to suggest once in relativistic control of the situation they could easily be overpowered. Remember the Talosians weren't entirely evil they were desperate. Yes in one respect you are right the Talosians could have used illusion to destroy the Enterprise at any time and they did have weapons. However the culture built up by the story line was entirely consistent with the meek Talosian ending.
I think the Cage numbers among the best ever Star Trek episodes ever. As a black kid growing up in the 1960's Richard Daystrom was my HERO! A black computer engineer seen by me in the racist 1960's where black people were on TV only in demeaning rolls as dancers, criminals, comics and pimps. I became an automation \ computer management administrator making 6 figures a year all because of watching the Ultimate Computer. This episode defined what I wanted to be and what I could be if I put my mind to it. I always felt Dr. Daystrom was autistic too just like me!
@@kevinmcduffie7478 Wrong. It was earned, not given. You are disgusting.
I was 7 when my dad introduced me to star trek. Still love it and still watching it today
"The Cloud-Minders" is a Season 3 episode I really enjoyed - it's a critique of exploitative social structures and repression in the guise of civility, and also a wonderful metaphor for Plato's cave... and I've always enjoyed Star Trek most when it does reflect on philosophical questions and society :)
The Cage is one of the top ten ST episodes of all time. The ending was a lot stronger and smarter than you think. (SPOILERS)
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Pike didn't defeat the Talosians. Number One did. It's not true that she had little to do in that episode. Her decision at the climax is what convinced the Talosians to let them go.
It had taken the Talosians years to break down Vina, in part because they didn't have anything to offer her except illusions. They thought it wouldn't take as long to break Pike, because he would fall in love with Vina and want to protect her. Pike's refusal to play along put them on the back foot, so they improvised, by bringing down Number One and Ensign Colt as alternatives to Vina. The fact that the humans managed to escape barely made any difference. The Talosians intended to release them onto the surface anyway.
Pike was ready to agree to stay in exchange for the release of Number One and Colt. Meaning the Talosians would get their race of slaves. Number One said Hell no and set her phaser on overload. That was the critical decision. It made the Talosians reconsider using humans at all, and after a quick check of the Eneterprise's data banks they realized humans were way too violent and unruly to be of any use. The fact EVEN VINA was willing to go out with a bang was the real kicker... the Talosians had thought she was thoroughly broken, but she wasn't.
It's pretty awesome actually: In the very first episode of Star Trek it wasn't the captain's desperate heroics that defeated the Talosians, it was Number One's absolute devotion to duty, and Vina's demonstration that humans could NEVER be completely dominated.
Well put. In today's society someone would gripe about it being "too PC" to have a strong woman make that gutsy move. Always wished Number One had been included in the show somehow. (Not counting Majel Barret-Roddenberry's many contributions over the years)
@@RisefromyourGRAVE The part network execs would object to today is depicting martyrdom as heroic. The notion that willingly taking your own life, even to prevent an alien race from creating a race of human slaves would probably be considered problematic now.
Interesting Roddenberry fought in the Pacific War, against an Empire that encouraged its soldiers and civilians to commit suicide rather than surrender. He must have recognized the parallels.
For what it's worth I've been a fan of TOS since the seventies and I've never liked any other Star Trek series as much. But I think the notion that it was a particularly progressive program is nonsense peddled by David Gerrold and Roddenberry himself. For my money I Spy did more for racial equality and Gunsmoke (of all things) had stronger female characters. Just compare Joanne Linville's guest spots on Gunsmoke (where she was a ruthless cattle baron with no romantic subplot in the story) and Star Trek (where she was a Romulan captain who threw away her career for a man she just met).
A very accurate description of the end of the episode.
@@donsylvester2372 have to respectfully disagree with that. The complaints these days (those from sensible people anyway) centre more around women being promoted as the heroes at the expense of weak or even somewhat despicable male characters, rather than in tandem with them. That and the fact that a lot of depictions of female power are fairly unrealistic, like the various fight scenes we see of characters that have no special powers yet are out fighting opponents that are significantly larger and stronger - this doesn't really relate to the Cage of course. From memory, in the Cage, any decision made by number One is pretty realistic and in line with her command status and Pike is shown to be quite competent. The move that the original poster mentions at the end is also entirely realistic and feasible.
No 1 was ahead of her time (1966) which is why the character was axed.
The dialog in Squire of Gothos was perfect. Every character has such a distinct voice. I bet if you read the script with no dialog tags you would still easily be able to tell who spoke each line, even if you weren't familiar with the episode.
I like the All Our Yesterdays episode where as in Amok Time we see the passionate side of Spock that he otherwise keeps hidden. And I think that episode also has some really good acting by a number of characters.
I can't tell you how I know this, but I did research for a book, and I'm convinced that on a number of occasions, Gene told the guest star to "out-shat, Shat." Thus we get over-the-top performances from the likes of Windom, William Marshall, and Steve Inhat.
There're definitely people in the modern Trek community who could benefit from being reminded that not only was one of Roddenberry's main goals to show a progressive world through diversity - both before and during his Star Trek career - but also that this was one of the main draws which actually helped to get it commissioned in the first place. Its funny how for each generation, the boundaries which they push turn out to be as far as they need pushing, whereas the following generation always go too far...
"the boundaries which they push turn out to be as far as they need pushing, whereas the following generation always go too far..."
sounds conservative in the most literal sense to me
Your last sentence makes no sense. You counter your logic in the very same sentence. Lmao. Each generation goes only as far it's needs, then the next generation goes too far? Tf?
@@anthonymaslow798 Yes... that's a perfectly straightforward sentence. You have generations A, B, and C. From the perspective of generation B, they push against the boundaries of generation 'A', and believe that the following generation, 'C', goes too far. Where is the contradiction there? I think my meaning was perfectly clear.
It sort of makes sense that if the federation could work the idea of race and Creed's had to be all inclusive of all people's especially since not even everyone involved might not even be human or from the Earth
You can't keep solving the same problem. Change for the sake of change tempts fate. Without knowing where you have been how could you know where you are going.
Quite a subtext in this video about how much input police and military have in US entertainment.
Yeah the Pentagon's relationship with Hollywood has always been troubling.
"Top Gun," baby!
"They're on your tail and they're coming hard"
@FN-1701AgentGodzillaRangerPrime Ω So? I don't really see the problem with that. Those pieces of entertainment don't have to get governmental funding at all. If they want funding from that specific source then it makes sense to portray them positively.
I'm very glad that Nichelle Nichols stayed on the show. She was such an incredibly beautiful woman in her prime. She was a great singer as well.
Wow!.. This just reminded me that as a kid hearing that theme music as the Enterprise came up on the screen always made my hair stand on end!!.. Like I say, wow!!.. Just had it again, after all this time!!! (I'm 57 now).
This was an interesting and largely reverential retrospective. I agreed with many of your points (as opposed to your near hatchet job of Axanar, elsewhere). However, I have to put you right on one major flaw of your thesis. And if you think about it the paradox is evident even in your own commentary. How could a show that spawned so much fan mail; and letter-writing campaigns to save it; suffer from poor ratings? The truth of the matter is that IT NEVER DID. Recent research has proved this conclusively. NBC lied about the Nielsen Ratings because they didn't like Roddenberry and wanted to be rid of him: He could be very difficult and was quite public in attacking the networks - even whilst he was working for them! Marc Cushman spent years researching all of this. He spoke to just about everybody (still living) and managed to get hold of ALL of the Nielsen Ratings for Star Trek - The Original Series. You can see all of this in great detail if you read his books (which I have done): "These Are The Voyages" (Volumes 1-3) which cover each series in its entirety. NBC knew the truth of it but just suppressed it. Star Trek continued to do well - in syndication and of course went on to spawn The Animated Series - nearly a second version (Phase II) and eventually the movies. And even in its graveyard slots - teenagers who should have been out getting drunk, going to the movies, chasing members of the opposite sex, and going to pop concerts etc. - were actually often at home instead ... watching Star Trek (to the detriment of their social lives)!!!
Corporations ALWAYS lie when it comes to numbers. Just like today CBS does today with Nu-Trek. Telling everyone how popular it is while it's universally disliked by almost everyone and downright rejected. And for a good reason. Nothing has changed. The truth is the biggest enemy for networks and corporations. But at the end the truth will always come out.
As I can attest to, during my freshman year at UC Santa Barbara.
For me, the greatest revelation in the Cushman series was his debunking of the ratings myth. Star Trek was almost always in second place, despite being in poor timeslots in Seasons 2 and 3 *and* NBC doing next to nothing to promote the show. This was in stark contrast to CBS and ABC which more often than not, promoted its entries.
Has anyone besides Cushman seen these original ratings records?
@@ThreadBomb The Cushman book is the first time I saw this about the ratings records. Everything else I previously read said that Star Trek ratings were poor, but never went into the same detail that Cushman did.
If you're interested in Trek's production history, definately read the 'Fifty Year Mission' books. The nost thorough chronicle of any mexia Franchise I've ever come across, trust me!
20:30 - John de Lancie has in fact openly admitted he based his performance as 'Q" on William Campbell's Trelane. The similarities between the two are so great I was utterly surprised when no such compassion came out in the Encounter at Farpoint episode right from the get-go; or since either unless one counts the Peter David novel Q Squared.
I like Trelane and Q but like Trelane the most.
@@guymorris6596 William Campbell was a very skilled actor and gave quite a performance. A shame we didn't see more of him as Captain Koloth in the original series.
As for saucer separation, it was discussed in 2x05, The Apple of the original series, so we didn't have to wait for TNG to find out it was possible.
i remember the first startrek episode i ever saw.
my father told me to sit down and watch with him and it was that gooddamn TOS episode where the crew ages rapidly.
i was horrifed lol
Star Trek the original series (for me) is the best Star Trek of all time.
Good call on "Where no Man has gone before" and "Ultimate Computer" episodes as they are some of the top 5 best episodes.
My top 5:
The Doomsday Machine
The Ultimate Computer
The Trouble With Tribbles
The Menagerie
City on the Edge of Forever
My first episode was live when I was a kid. The "salt monster" episode. That episode gave me nightmares.
I absolutely love these retrospective videos. This is outstanding work. Star Trek is a big part of my life and its great to see such a wonderful analysis of the show.
I always felt the original Star Trek was more focused on philosophy and exploring abstract ideas. Honestly that is what I loved about the show and how ridiculous humor was often used to explore ideas like overpopulation with the tribbles or about the state of society by putting the Enterprise crew in ridiculous situations like 1920s gangster Chicago. Oh and let's not forget the episode where the voice of Piglet is Jack the Ripper and screaming "DIEEE!!"; that always cracks me up, but makes you think about the philosophical question of what is a soul.
I'm glad you mentioned The Enemy Below, as that influenced every single submarine film or TV episode that came after it, and even "submarine-like" stories such as Balance of Terror.
I loved Spock's Brain. I remember watching it in the early seventies, just me, my mum, dad and little borother. A great family moment. I thought the plot was really cool too. I remember Dr McCoy saying "A child could do it!" I was only 8 years old.
I thought the SNL skit with the NBC executives chasing down the enterprise in that Chrysler to end the series was hilarious. John Belushi as Captain Kirk was the best comedic satire was perfect.
I couldn’t be more excited to watch this! You’re very underrated, Rowan!
Thanks :) Sharing the video with other Trekkies would be greatly appreciated :)
Uhura is the voice of the U.S.S. Enterprise. It wouldn't be the same with out her.
I saw this series in first run; was 12 when STAR TREK debuted. Night time in our family living room almost made TV watching a special event after the grind of daytime routines. My favorite episode was, and will always be the fantasy-laden SHORE LEAVE. NO retrospectives ever mention it, yet it was "Shore Leave" that turned this yet unsure viewer (after absorbing several previous stories) into a full-blown Star Trek Fan.
Well done. I am a life long Star Trek and learned some things I didn’t know, e.g. that Majel Barrett was cut as ‘Number 1’ due to her romantic involvement with Roddenberry. I know that they eventually married and she went on to play Lwaxana Troi (TNG) and the voice of the computer across several series.
I am surprised you didn’t mention director of photography and lighting director, Gerry Finnerman. He played a key role in the distinctive look of Star Trek. The son of a DP, his shooting style, angles, close-ups, shadows, light across the eyes, on-set colors and gels, created a memorable and unique feel. Fortunately, Roddenberry decided to go along with Finnerman’s ideas.
How could you gloss over "City On The Edge Of Forever " in the first season which was the BEST episode of the entire series!
As was the case, written by a genuine science fiction writer, in this case, Harlan Ellison, who I would later meet.
@@scottslotterbeck3796
Shore Leave and Amok Time were written by Theodore Sturgeon, a real science fiction writer.
What Are Little Girls Made Of was written by Robert Bloch ... and others
Mirror, Mirror was written by Jerome Bixby who wrote the Man From Earth movie, and other episodes.
Doomsday Machine by Norman Spinrad.
The problem was that Ellison was so sensitive and such a prima donna. The censors were always manipulating Star Trek too, because it was very politically and socially progressive. The board of censors really had an iron grip over what ideas they were going to allow the American public to have, and I have to admit Roddenberry got a whole universe past them in the wonderful guise of science fiction.
@@justgivemethetruth Ellison read his short story "Hitler Painted Roses" at Sacramento City College decades ago. It was marvelous.
I spoke to him briefly afterwards, and he was very warm and friendly. Just don't cross him!
I honestly thought it was meh. Much bigger fan of charlie x and court martial. It was good though..
@@justgivemethetruth And they doubled down on having SF writers pen ST:TAS episodes including Larry Niven, who turned in an honest-to-God STAR TREK/Known Space crossover story ("The Slaver Weapon").
This is excellent stuff. Mrs Nicols story about MLK really touched me. The younger generations should recognise pioneers like Gene R
I think what is often overlooked is the enormous contributions of Herb Solow and Bob Justman. They point out in their book "Star Trek The Real Story" a number of myths about the series. These guys, along with Roddenberry, made the original series. Bob kept all the inter office memos. Herb Solow is the one who hired Roddenberry and worked closely with him to develop the series. A must read for Star Trek fans and historians.