Breifing Room

[@eamonmcdermott4032]

The Original Star Trek. Nothing else comes close.

[@ortho-g9826]

I freaking loved this show from the time I was 6 years old until today 50+ years later. NOTHING COMES CLOSE. And this was a great episode!!

[@trhansen3244]

I think the attempt by Strange New Worlds to capitalize on this episode proved the original is still far and away the best.

[@jacoblipkestudios7621]

I agree, the other series are cool and all but nothing beats TOS. Especially in ship design, I hate the Enterprise D, it looks stupid.

[@amarcellus1714]

@@jacoblipkestudios7621 My dad was so happy when Enterprise D was destroyed

[@moepanetta9028]

You are totally right! The other shows like the next generation and deep space 9, don't even come close.

[@dggjag]

Awesome scene depicting intelligent officers debating a terrible choice. I even admire how Sulu waits for his Captain and then marches with him with a purpose as the crew hustles at Red Alert. Gives me goosebumps.

[@marquiswallace9957]

Fitting for Sulu following his mentor closely. Prepping for an eventual command of his own.

[@gregford2103]

Sulu is also to Kirk's left and a pace or two behind. I believe in the military that is where a subordinate officer is supposed to be, and it adds a nice little touch to the scene.

[@davidahlstrom7533]

Yes, when Gene Roddenberry was closely involved (or writing himself) Star Trek was intelligent, well-written and very detailed and accurate in its protocol. I liked Next Generation but I found the protocol and interaction between characters not very mature sometimes.

[@jaimhaas5170]

Well said.

[@jaimhaas5170]

@@davidahlstrom7533 not to mention the counselor role bordered on the ridiculous.

[@williammoore6361]

This moment shows a side of Kirk that people forget. He seems to be thought of as a cowboy and very brash and rushing in. I feel he is very measured and thoughtful here, somewhat reluctant but realizes in the end he saves more lives trying to stop this Romulan ship than let it get away and risk “interspace war” lol. Great example of leadership here.

[@normanred9212]

TOS and Crew are all amazing characters and TOS is EXTREMELY overlooked by modern audiences. I have been fortunate that my parents loved TOS back when it was new so I got to see its true potential. Kirk will always be my favorite captain, surpassing Picard any day. Where Picard wears Federation patriotism like a suit of armor, Kirk knew that many times you have to go off the book to get the job done. Sometimes opponents do not care about your own morals

[@robertmcpherson1617]

He does a similar thing in "The Corbomite Maneuver" when he does everything possible to avoid destroying the marker. Also this episode gives us yet another example of Kirk the tactician.

[@bryanfews5295]

Great points !

[@carldamacion3740]

According to Stephen e whitfield's book The Making of Star Trek, the characters of Spock and McCoy Were Meant to dramatize the two voices conflicting Within Kirk's head. The Brash combative side shown to the audience through McCoy's dialogue and the more measured opinion shown by what Spock says. In this case the combat opinion is shown in Mr. Stiles dialogue. Also the McCoy Kirk relationship is a direct lift between the Leslie Nielsen Captain character and his ship doctor in the movie Forbidden Planet.

[@danieldickson8591]

@@carldamacion3740 I've always considered Kirk's senior officers to be outward representations of aspects of Kirk himself, who from his interactions with them he finds the balance that leads to his decisions. Spock is his Head, his intellect, reason, the voice of objective necessity. McCoy is his Heart, his empathy and compassion, and his guiding conscience. Scott is his Hand, the capacity to take practical action to solve problems.

[@manilajohn0182]

At the three- minute mark, Kirk references the name of the comet and asks Spock for its composition, while at the same time handing Spock a book which appears to be titled "Table of Comets"- implying that Spock will need to access the book for the relevant information. Spock however, tactfully pushed the book to the table- making clear that he, as the Vulcan Science officer, already knew that information. Notice how Commander Scott realized this and smiled. These are the sort of nuances commonplace in good shows- and which are generally (but not universally) lacking nowadays.

[@Lights_Darks]

good catch. did not notice that.

[@Akm72]

Thanks for that, I saw Kirk trying to hand Spock the book but didn't see the title. Quite a funny exchange now you've explained it!

[@Videx19]

This is an episode within and episode.

[@KevinBalch-dt8ot]

One of the few episodes with books. One other was “Court Martial”.

[@huskerjpg]

I could never read past "Table." Thanks.

[@luiznogueira1579]

They don't write dialogue like that anymore... Great stuff!

[@jonbaker1697]

I know, that was great writing. Multiple lines for each bridge crew. 9/10 tng would have had a bridge crew each say one line in a high minded manner . 7/10 ---- Discovery: Michael would have internally monologued all this dialogue. Or in later seasons, when bridge crew were involved. The crew member would have said one pointless line. Instead of saying a line/ lines that explores the problem, and comes up with part of the solution [or possible solution] 4/10. Painful to listen to. --- Imagine the 10/10 sets, effects, makeup. With this tos dialogue :)

[@stephenmorrell276]

No they don't but it's the truth

[@billwipperman9492]

Stiles was blunt and arrogant about it, but he was spot on. I think he was shocked when Spock agreed with him, by the look on his face.

[@humphreygruntwhistle3946]

Scotty filled his pants.

[@CatsClaw44]

He was shocked because he was so racist that he couldn't understand that a Vulcan was his ally.

[@danieldickson8591]

Stiles suspected Spock of being a Romulan sympathizer at best, their agent at worst, since they were obviously the same species. Even accused Spock of deliberately withholding information. So agreement was the opposite of what Stiles expected from him. But it should be noted that Stiles addressing a superior officer in that manner was gross insubordination.

[@jaimhaas5170]

@@humphreygruntwhistle3946 no that was Biden.

[@Hibernicus1968]

I see people here oversimplifying: he was a racist asshole (so he was wrong), but that's not totally correct. He _was_ a racist asshole. He absolutely misjudged Spock. But he was also absolutely, 100% correct about the right way to respond to Romulan aggression: beat it back, or you'll be seen as weak, and that will guarantee war. This is why the original series remains to this day the best Trek: story quality, depth of character, and nuance. A character can be right and wrong at the same time, because life isn't black and white. Just because Stiles is blinkered by prejudice doesn't mean he's stupid or that his instincts are wrong; it just means his preconceptions can blind him to some things, and lead him into error. This is _very_ true of humanity, and it is why we distinguish between intelligence and wisdom. Stiles, in the end, learns how wrong he was in his prejudices, and becomes a better man by acknowledging them, and working to overcome them.

[@scottnokes]

The Next Generation had many good qualities, but TOS had scripts, acting, and nuances that make it the best. After all these years, most of TOS episodes hold up well, not because of special effects, which were generally terrible, but due to the strong emphasis on character interaction and development. Shatner, Nimoy and Kelley were individually very good actors, but together, they were fantastic. Originally aired on December 15, 1966 as the fourteenth episode of the first season, when I was just two years old, Balance of Terror is one of the very best episodes of the entire Star Trek universe.

[@robertmcpherson1617]

It certainly makes my top five. Interestingly, three of the five seamlessly demonstrate Kirk's strategic and tactical abilities.

[@pato2200]

Yes TOS was special

[@steveconkey7362]

Notice he asked for comments from his staff.....Good leader.

[@LordGreystoke]

Sit down, mister. Love it! Season 1 has the best episodes!

[@grouchosfoil7509]

What great writing! The dialogue is fantastic. We see so much in each of the characters. It is what creates the tension for the upcoming battle palpable. This is how good television could be. Sadly, we just don't get writing like this anymore.

[@philipmahar4786]

Scenes like this were what made Star Trek so good to watch. This stands up VERY well against today's television.

[@kennethduval6769]

The original Star Trek has always been my favorite ❤

[@aleisele1517]

Classic Star Trek. I never stop watching!

[@jaywilson4520]

Balance of Terror... my favorite episode.

[@henrychinaski3720]

No. 2 for me…can’t beat “Doomsday Machine.” 😊😊😊

[@robertpsotka3525]

Mine is The City on the Edge of Forever

[@melindahall5062]

The first time Mark Lenard appeared in Star Trek….he came back as Sarek and did a wonderful job. I was lucky at a Con back in the 80s and got to take him out to dinner. He was vey nice but said he was tired of talking Star Trek so we changed the subject and continued to enjoy our meal. I was so excited and nervous I could hardly drink my wine. This was Mark Lenard and I’m sitting next to him!!!

[@zam6877]

Wow! Remember watching this episode as a kid...that must of felt a bit unreal sitting with

[@dj2bklyn]

at that moment he wanted to be normal and not a star

[@stickassholio3163]

Spock’s remarks here comprise my all time favorite scene from the series😎 “It is to them Dr!”😃

[@klstay]

Best TOS episode; credit to the director for that is often overlooked, particularly the cinematography and pacing of his episodes.

[@mgwilliams1000]

There was some really good writing on this show. This could have been a discussion onboard an aircraft carrier in WWII talking about what action to take next, like at the battle of Midway.

[@davidahlstrom7533]

Yes, my older relatives (some navy and air force veterans) said this.

[@scottprather5645]

The show was way ahead of its time

[@jaimhaas5170]

Compared to Biden and crew this still is.

[@scottprather5645]

@@jaimhaas5170 So you're a little demented Donnie Cult member. You're judging Joe Biden and yet you're supporting a guy who can't string two sentences together.

[@robertpsotka3525]

If this show came out now it would be #1

[@jaimhaas5170]

@@robertpsotka3525 I wish but most people now don't know how to use their imaginations.

[@hankward1824]

Wow Kirk's walking out of the briefing room n down hallway way most dramatic ..he's entirely focused n ready to go to war

[@blockmasterscott]

I love the camera work in the corridor with the hustle and bustle of the crew. You never saw that in the later Star Trek series.

[@wcg19891]

The original Star Trek seemed to take much inspiration from the concept of WW2 US carrier or battleship in action. Something that was abandoned in later series.

[@Hibernicus1968]

@@wcg19891Probably not surprising, since quite a few people involved in the production of the original show were WWII veterans, and knew what combat was like. By contrast, I think it would have been _very_ hard to find any actor, writer, director, or behind-the-scenes studio people from TNG, DS9, VOY, or ENT, who had ever spent a single day in uniform (a real one that is), let alone combat.

[@wcg19891]

When TNG came on immediately the chairs on the bridge bothered me. I remember thinking is this a starship or a coffee bar?

[@blockmasterscott]

@@wcg19891 I remember thinking it looked like the Love Boat!

[@blockmasterscott]

@@Hibernicus1968 That's a very good point.

[@Jedward108]

I love the quiet hum in the background. So calming. That, and in those days they allowed some silent moments in the dialogue.

[@LJDRVR]

Perfect collaborative leadership.

[@Forge17]

The finale of Strange New Worlds really makes this episode even better to rewatch with added context

[@johnhernandez495]

The writing for this seen was off the chart BRILLIANT!!

[@wambaofivanhoe9307]

Fantastic dialogue and acting.

[@davidofoakland2363]

My favorite episode from the original series.

[@corsairman1956]

One of my favorite episodes!

[@mrider100]

It seemed that Lt. Styles showed signs of racism towards Mr. Spock even though the differences between Romulans and Vulcans were so apparent.

[@johnwhite4810]

One of my favorite scenes from ALL of TOS!

[@TangledUpInBlue631]

Balance of Terror. One of their best.

[@marksellers4875]

One of my favorite episodes.

[@killerjoe7596]

This should have been a movie starring either Kirk Douglas or Burt Lancaster.

[@jamezkpal2361]

And Jimmy Stewart as Spock: "Well now, no, I, I agree...attack."

[@killerjoe7596]

@@jamezkpal2361 Jimmy was more Dr McCoy. "Uh- uh uh... "Jim, I'm just a country doctor"...

[@bluedale6563]

2024 still loving it

[@CaesarDarias]

“Lab theorizes…” I was always intrigued by that reference. During the entire series we never saw that lab.

[@kevinleftridge8241]

See the difference in how Star Trek was filmed and written then! The plot was basic but the characters brought the plot to life! You can feel the urgency and the tension in that room! To the point that we were in the room with them!!!! Modern Star Trek after 2008 lost the urgency!

[@stephenmorrell276]

I would take Spocks advice above anything in else that is for sure

[@davsaltego]

Kirk shows here why he’s a great leader. He listens to opposing views, weighs those views and measures them against his own views and makes a decision. A horrible leader is the opposite: he knows all, what’s best, and considers other people only as tools to carry out his orders. Opposing opinions are not even offered, as those will be met with harsh punishment. He only accepts loyalists.

[@ChrisSmith-lo2kp]

by far the best TOS episode

[@SnowDaulphin]

A plot point here is that Spock did not appear to know Vulcans were related to Romulans but in the TNG episode they found artifacts or dated education tools on Romulus suggesting a common ground with Vulcan. I have not seen all the series and wondered if this was ever explained inasmuch the shoe polish look of the Klingons in the OS.

[@Doctor_Robert]

Canonically Speaking, this episode (set in 2266) was the first time the Federation and Vulcan realized the Romulans were an offshoot of the Vulcans. By the time Spock appeared in TNG (2368), just over a hundred years later, it was common knowledge. The Romulans definitely knew about the Vulcans and their Vulcan heritage, but Vulcans only really could speculate (one earlier offshoot that died off is mentioned in TNG and another episode of TNG shows a group of Vulcan-oids that are in the bronze age) and given they had never seen Romulans or captured any during the war, they could've looked like anybody until they confirmed this. Star Trek: Enterprise, much like with most things, "updated" the canon by tweaking the very-1960s notion that "we wouldn't have visual communication in 2160, but we would by 2260" by altering the thread to "the Romulans 'claimed' not to have visual communication and/or never bothered to hail us with visual." Also, the Romulans in that show are very active and take advantage of the fact they look just like Vulcans to spy on and do deep cover operations in Vulcan space. A couple footnotes: 1. A Vulcan offshoot is a group of Vulcans who escaped the planet Vulcan about 2000 years ago in part because of political/philosophical differences with Surak and the "logic-hippy" movement and also to escape their homeworld which was in the throes of nuclear winter (which was mostly the Romulans' fault; also why Vulcan looks in part like an irradiated Arizona and in part like Mordor). 2. I really don't like how TNG made the Romulans a little different from Vulcans by giving them eyebrow ridges. 2000 years is not nearly enough to evolve such features. 3. JJ Abrahm's idiotic Star Trek 2K9 completely glosses over the fact that that would've been the first time Federation personnel see and confirm Romulans are essentially Vulcans. Spock made a remark about it and nobody thinks twice. The least of that movie/continuity's problems.

[@I.M.A.Panther3619]

Notice the story was more important than any “special firkin effects.” My heart aches for the younger people of today. They are so spoiled by special effects.

[@davidahlstrom7533]

Agree. The story, dialogue, acting, and especially direction are what makes the show or film (some good interlude music helps and Star Trek had great, dramatic interlude and fight scene music).

[@Affiliates-Corners]

One of the very best episodes!

[@HailAnts]

That one line Scotty says, _”…their power is simple impulse”_ caused several decades worth of bickering amongst Trekkies everywhere! On the Enterprise, impulse power is sub-light speed only. Implying that the Romulan ship does not have warp drive. Which would be impossible given the distances that The Neutral Zone covers. The writers only meant to imply that the Romulan ship had a limited fuel supply, and that it was slower than the Enterprise. But not that it was sub-light only..

[@davidahlstrom7533]

Right, that is how the written story interpreted this, less fuel and slower, but not sunlight.

[@hawlikd]

The sound track is the best!

[@Allen-eq5uf]

One of the top episodes here.

[@madeleinebaier5347]

How Stiles managed to graduate from the academy with his kind of racism amazes me!

[@davidahlstrom7533]

Maybe it only came out under duress. That is true with a lot of people.

[@garyscott4847]

I think his racism was specific to

[@garyscott4847]

I think his racism was specific to Romulans due to his family history. He lost relatives in the Romulan War.

[@studinthemaking]

Why is Mcroy at a tactical war meeting?

[@mikeysuzefour]

*McCoy* - He's there to offer his candid assessment of casualties that may occur after battling the Romulans.

[@jsfbr]

Great episode.

[@mrdynamic8678]

Was Mr Styles the same actor who flew the F-104 star fighter

[@jaimhaas5170]

Close but I don't think so.

[@HENSLEYMB]

What is that book that Kirk and Spock were passing back and forth?

[@brucekaraus7330]

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

[@tanut_ufo]

Table of Comets: Galaxy Quadrant YX-12-114

[@DrownedInExile]

"Do you want a galactic war on your conscience?" "I don't want the deaths of these people on my conscience doctor."

[@mcarlkv53]

i agreee attack....he nailed that line!

[@danclark1348]

I wonder what that book Spock rejected on the table was about.

[@STho205]

A catalog of celestial objects for that sector. Spock had them and their gross stats all committed to memory.

[@ortho-g9826]

No books in the real future however.

[@general5104]

It probably contained everything that is understood completely about a woman. ALL BLANK PAGES !!! Just a hardbacked book with a title. NOTHING written on any of the pages, because nothing is completely understood about a woman !!! It was just s movie prop

[@blockmasterscott]

Notice how everyone’s shirts are faded? I read somewhere that as the episodes passed by, the actor’s uniforms were washed and became more faded as time went by and more episodes were filmed. I have no idea if that is true, but it does make sense. I also read that Nichole Nichels(spelling?) and Grace Whitney would make a contest of seeing how far they could hike their skirts up before one of the big shots said something. If that’s true, that’s hilarious! 😂

[@storeymark]

Anybody know which episode this is from? Can anyone post a link to the full episode? Brings back so many memories.

[@user-ty2uz4gb7v]

Have we ever seen Stiles before or after this episode?

[@derekcrymble9085]

Si-down mister .......

[@jaimhaas5170]

Absolute BOSS. You can't do this strut down the hallway with a bald head.

[@edinscot56789]

Spock was low-key admitting that Vulcans were once WORSE than Humans (and that Romulans still are).

[@kevingaughan8943]

It was my favorite episode. “Balance Of Terror” a cat and mouse game.

[@DerpRulesAll]

Best episode until 'The Best Of Both Worlds.' The suspense was so thick, you could cut it.

[@torridd]

I like how Sulu waited for the captain.

[@mrider100]

Referring to "The Enemy Below," Captain Morell was in a similar situation when going up against the U-Boat commander. Interesting parallel here.

[@FlyinZX10R]

Balance of terror.

[@eldorfthe_wise129]

I believe this one was inspired by the film "The Enemy Below."

[@timmcclelland5460]

Dude, BRIEFING. Gotta love spell check

[@whiteknightcat]

The spelling is correct. The meeting room was named in honor of Lt Daniel Breifing.

[@timmcclelland5460]

Wrong.

[@whiteknightcat]

@@timmcclelland5460Oh c'mon, just go with it. I was even going to make up some heroic story about Lt Breifing.

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

"Dad, you did have a logical reason for asking me not to join Star Fleet."

[@outdoormcbain2346]

Sit down Mister.

[@supercaptainbatdoggy]

"We know what they look like." Yes, your mom...🤣

[@dirdib69]

Stiles: Also, someone in here is a damned werewolf!

[@7Earthsky]

Gene Roddenberry was Star Trek.

[@anthonykoller4459]

Wasn’t this exactly happened on Strange New Worlds, where Captain Pike faced the same challenge and it led to war that lasted decades.

[@andreweff1284]

Pike was less aggressive than Kirk, and that hesitance to engage the ship to destroy it was what caused the war. Strange New Worlds did a great job highlighting the differences between the two captains. Pike was a great captain, but Kirk was the *best* captain to handle this situation and prevent the war.

[@Thekennel177]

This stuff was so well done it’s hard to believe it’s not real.

[@Rayoscope]

McCOY: Do you want a galactic war on your conscience? SPOCK: Fortunately Doctor, I’m not burdened with one. It does sound most inconvenient, however. Have you considered having it “removed”?

[@EdmundDantes-l1g]

Strongest material until the discovery of Adamantium

[@leroyhudson4311]

I think everything in TOS really happened in an erased human past.

[@normankarraker4818]

I don’t understand why Kirk picked up that book and gave it to Spock, only to have Spock place it back down.

[@saquist]

Even Vulcans had their savage COLONIZING periods?!...so vulcans took over other civilizations and then forgot about them in some world war nuclear scenarios?

[@jonathanokun2165]

I wish there were a Spock advising Biden on Ukraine.

[@normanred9212]

the nwo owns all these countries, he is just a husk saying what others program him to say, you have to look beyond him to find out who's pulling the strings

[@steveoh9285]

Sloppy Joe needs good advice on EVERYTHING!

[@DavisJ-ln6fw]

@@steveoh9285 Joe doesn't need advice on anything. It's not like he's Drumpf or something who couldn't wipe his ass without 5 people telling him how 😆

[@DavisJ-ln6fw]

Nah his current strategy is fine.

[@MrAceMcGee]

Reminds me of the Trek episode "A Private Little War"

[@jimbig3997]

Basically a submarine battle scripted for space. And BTW what is Spock's father doing commanding the Romulan vessel?

[@dlperk5035]

From "BALANCE OF TERROR..." DEFEAT THROUGH ATTRITION AND "SORCERY" STRATEGY

[@Videx19]

Spock logically suggesting war. Fascinating. Every argument here is cogent.

[@margaretlatocha1474]

Good stuff

[@raymondk6721]

Kirk best captain in ST

[@colinstoutt9909]

Love scotty ah 😂

[@barclaygoldsmith8709]

At it's best Star Trek TOS makes everything else seem like a silly cartoon

[@norfolknchance657]

Breifing? We're German now, are we? LOL

[@that_dave_show]

Balance Of Terror Season One Episode Fourteen

[@dadrocha7741]

"Amen to that."

[@seikibrian8641]

"Breifing room." * Briefing room.

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

Maybe these officers should have sorted this out at the war college.

[@waynecayford4231]

briefing BRIEFING

[@mrmasonry9792]

I know this is a rip of of the submarine movie but its the best trek ever

[@mikeysuzefour]

Please fix the "B" word to *Briefing*

[@watchgoose]

I hope you have learned to spell "briefing" since then.

[@WaqarAhmad-zz9hr]

GGGOOODDD...

[@omegacon4]

Pike would have made sure we were at war with the Romulans. He would have also made it look like they took the first shot and started it all!

[@STho205]

They did. They attacked the outposts without any provocation. Plenty of evidence for that. However none of that matters if you lose. If the entire sector is nuked and exterminated and United Earth sues for peace through surrender...then the Romulans write the history...just as the Japanese would have.

[@edrepard]

Bones the Peacenick !

[@Species5008]

What is a breifing room? Maybe the poster means briefing room? I don't know

[@markhancock6694]

You spelled "briefing" wrong in your title caption. Please fix it.

[@metallampman]

I like mr stiles very intense