First Time Watching ALL of Star Trek - Episode 37: I, Mudd (TOS S2E8)

[@nikahtine]

I think today this content was specifically made for Alex.

[@Vulcanerd]

Lies! *All* content is made for Alex (and Josh, of course)! 🤣

[@jovetj]

But Alex didn't do a very Kirk-like rip his shirt off...

[@stephenward7856]

I always think it's a shame Mudd wasn't brought back for Tribbles, where another actor played essentially the same character to much lesser effect.

[@williamblakehall5566]

For years a strange non-existent name has haunted me -- Cyrano Mudd.

[@indetigersscifireview4360]

Roger wasn't available for Tribbles as I understand it, but come on Stanley Adams did a fine job. He's not portraying Harry Mudd but another trader. And it's interesting to think that all Federation traders are a bit rogue. Kinda like Han Solo that scruffy nerf herder.

[@johnkeenan1829]

Favorite moment from this is at the beginning; when Spock and McCoy are discussing the new crew member. McCoy says he's missed two appointments for a physical and Spock says "He's probably just frightened by your bells and feathers" Spock just called McCoy a witch doctor.

[@WereMike]

Harcourt Fenton Mudd is one of those all-time great scoundrel characters.

[@jovetj]

@@martinboyle9163 I must be a stick in the Mudd because I don't care for the character. But I did laugh.

[@MichaelJohnson-vi6eh]

this is what is called a ROMP. watching actors just play with each other and having a great time.

[@majkus]

There is also a Harry Mudd episode ("Mudd's Passion") in the animated series some years later, with Roger C. Carmel (pronounced car-MELL, like the California city) reprising his voice role.

[@racookster]

And the character designer drew him well. Unfortunately, Filmation didn't *animate* him (or anyone else) well. Filmation's cartoons were basically illustrated radio: static drawings with moving lips.

[@Drawkcabi]

@@racookster The cartoon may not have had the best animation, but it had the writers from the original series, the actors back as voices, and guest actors like Roger C. Carmel returning to reprise roles in more than a few sequel episodes. Animation aside, the good/bad episodes ratio is also, in my opinion, on the same level as the Original Series. I think if nothing else, all that should make the case that the animated series should not be overlooked as Target Audience continues their trek through Trek...

[@HoneyPie18319]

@@Drawkcabi I wish they had used the soundtrack from TOS. Never too late I suppose…

[@papalaz4444244]

@@HoneyPie18319 Nitty Gritty Dirt Kitty 1 1 subscriber

[@peterkoester7358]

@@Drawkcabi few realize how much the Animated Series would influence future iterations of Trek. The city featured in the background on Vulcan in the remastered Amok Time was based on Spock's home city as seen in the Animated Series episode Yesteryear. Other elements would make their way into episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation (holodecks for example) and Enterprise.

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

This skipped over one of my favorite ST jokes, where Harry Mudd insults Spock and Spock is confused by the insult. Spock: _"I fail to understand why I should induce my mother to purchase falsified patents"._

[@christopherleodaniels7203]

Also back in 1967, Roger C. Carmel was a series regular on the hilarious Desilu sitcom, The Mothers In Law. If you really want to see Roger at his best, with that booming voice and all his physicality, it’s on that show, which was filmed in front of a live studio audience.

[@anthonyleecollins9319]

Yes, with Kaye Ballard and Eve Arden!

[@melenatorr]

@@anthonyleecollins9319 A favorite show of the family. I adored listening to Roger C. Carmel.

[@jakerazmataz852]

Interesting connection to Desilu. Lucy was brilliant.

[@christopherleodaniels7203]

@@jakerazmataz852 …Funny you say that. The Mothers In Law was actually produced by Desi Arnaz. Lucy bought him out during the divorce and owned the studio. But, she respected his talent as a producer.

[@jakerazmataz852]

@@martinboyle9163 That was my point.😉

[@snafu313]

A couple of points.... 1. Roger C. Carmel was one of those comedic character actors back in the 60's and early 70's that you saw everywhere but usually in a supporting role and he was brilliant when given the chance. 2. Thank you for actually laughing at this! There are way too many reactors and commentators out there with no sense of humor that think this episode just demonstrates how awful and terrible sexists we all were then and how we've all "progressed". You guys get the humor and see the episode for what it is and for that, I thank you.

[@anthonyleecollins9319]

"Labels do not make arguments." Indeed. I may start quoting that, along with the one about having and wanting.

[@actioncom2748]

13:15 - That's me dealing with my insurance company. Smoke included.

[@peterkoester7358]

I, Mudd was always my favorite episode of the Original Series. There were plans, had Star Trek continued for a 4th season, to bring Harry Mudd back as a regular antagonist. There was even a script written for the 1st Season of Star Trek: The Next Generation where Picard's crew would have found Harry Mudd in cryo-sleep, but unfortunately Roger C. Carmel passed away before the episode could be produced. Your reactions to Firefly is what brought me to your channel, but as a Star Trek fan from back when I was growing up in the 70's (vivid memories of watching the Animated Series on NBC on Saturday Mornings in 1973-74) I have quickly gotten invested in your TOS reactions and look forward to continuing on through the rest of the Original Series, the films, and beyond! Keep up the good work!

[@jcortese3300]

There's a story about how they cast the robot roles -- turns out that twin women who also happen to be beautiful and can act are not exactly all over the place. The two main twins were out walking a dog together at some point in the LA area when suddenly Gene Coon (I think it was) slammed his brakes and burst out of a car that had been driving past and ran up to them going, "CAN YOU ACT? HAVE YOU EVER ACTED?!" And the same happened to every pretty pair of twins in the area -- but it sure worked on screen! Nowdays, they'd just CGI them in.

[@dongilleo9743]

Magician often use twins in their acts. When the Magician's assistant disappears, then reappears someplace else, twins are used. I had no idea about this until I saw Penn from Penn & Teller on The Apprentice and he mentioned that magicians can always find twins. Apparently there are actually acting services that specialize in providing twins, although I doubt they existed back when the original Star Trek was made.

[@RLucas3000]

@@visamanWow, I didn’t know that!

[@RicheeRich101]

I can’t tell you how much fun that it was to watch the uncut reaction video. It was like I was seeing the episode for the first time and laughing enjoying myself totally. I’m so glad you both liked it so much. Gene Rodenberry liked it hell of a lot less. Do you know the old story about the parents who go away for the weekend and the kids take over and have all their friends over for a wild party and trash the house and the parents come home and hit the roof? Well… That’s pretty much what happened here. I’ll tell you the whole story after “the trouble with Tribbles airs. Spoilers, you know. Sufficient to say that Gene Roddenberry had very little if any sense of humor where Star Trek stories were concerned.

[@Vulcanerd]

I think I heard this too. I think Roddenberry and Coon butter heads at him injecting a bit more humor and levity into the series than Roddenberry preferred?

[@johnmackendrick5173]

Yeah. This is pretty much the episode that sealed the Coon/Roddenberry fallout.

[@RLucas3000]

@@Vulcanerd it was like Roddenberry gave birth to this amazing child, and then tried to home school it and sent it to conversion camp. I firmly believe if there had been no Gene Coon or DC Fontana, Star Trek would never have become what it did. Coon ran the show the second half of season one trough the second half of season two, and think my entire top ten comes from this period.

[@MJE-riffs]

It's insane that Roger Carmel was IN HIS THIRTIES when he played Harry Mudd.

[@anthonybernacchi2732]

Indeed, the script of "Mudd's Women" stated that Mudd was 47, whereas Carmel was 33 when he filmed that episode.

[@OpenMawProductions]

Mudd got one last hurrah in the 25th Anniversary/Judgement Rites adventure game. Which was also the last time we had the entire cast together in voice form.

[@johnm.2633]

This is a good place to mention that Gene Roddenberry brought the "Western in space" and "the future is utopian" to Star Trek, which is of course hugely important. But if you read any of the histories of Star Trek when you're done you'll see that a lot - probably most - of the cool things that make Star Trek work as well it does come from another Gene: Gene Coon. Among them the show's sense of humour and the McCoy-Spock bickering.

[@stephenward7856]

I agree, I think Coon brought much more life and colour to the series. Witness the dull, lifeless characterisations of Roddenberry's ST: The Motion Picture.

[@jjs2351]

Great reaction, guys. I’m enjoying your channel. It takes me back over 50 years when I would say to a friend “you’ve got to watch this Star Trek episode with me” because it would be fun watching it over again and seeing my friend’s reaction. That’s the attraction of reaction videos - seeing what other people will say about your favorite shows. Both of you are entertaining - honest opinions and very funny comments. Whether I agree with your opinions or not (and I usually DO agree) you are giving me a fresh perspective on a series I have watched and re-watched a dozen times.

[@visionaryventures12]

The actor has played some memorable roles. He played a company accountant in an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show. He did several character voices for Transformers G1 cartoon. He was set to play Harry Mudd in an episode of Star Trek: TNG, but he died.

[@blacbraun]

He was also an insurance adjuster in All in the Family.

[@gregoryclemen1870]

he was also on the" MUNSTERS", for one episode( he was making sexual advances towards "LILLY" and she would not hold still for it)

[@webstersempire]

Tubi has Roger C. Carmel's "The Mothers In Law" TV series. He basically plays Harry Mudd, so consider it canon👌

[@davidsandy5917]

Kirk has this habit of talking computers into destroying themselves.

[@darrelllane796]

Roger C. Carmel played a similar role in a 1967 two-part second season episode of Batman which also featured Green Hornet and Kato. Carmel's character was Colonel Gumm.

[@josephsearles1111]

In the second season George Takei ,who plays Sulu, was given time off from Star Trek to work on the filming of The Green Berets. This gave more screen time on Star Trek for Walter Koenig's Chokov.

[@iKvetch558]

I was so looking forward to seeing your reaction to this one. Even if I might not always like it when you guys don't love my favorite episodes the way I do...like Doomsday Machine...it is really great how you find the good in some of the episodes that have not gotten as much appreciation from the fandom over the years. I don't think I've ever seen anyone enjoy this episode as much as you guys did...and it kind of makes me like it more than I used to. Harry Mudd has never been a favorite character of mine, but you guys have gotten me to appreciate him a bit more, so thank you for that. 💯💯

[@Lespaul13100]

One of my favorite episodes! The cast must have had a blast making it! Harry Mudd is definitely one of my favorite Star Trek characters!

[@anthonybernacchi2732]

As Alex correctly guessed, this episode has the longest cold open in TOS. (“Miri” has the shortest, only 70 seconds long.) Mudd’s return in this episode is the only instance in TOS’ three-year run of a repeat appearance by a non-regular character who is not a member of the Enterprise crew. The TOS writers planned or proposed several other such appearances, but all of them fell through for one reason or another. Mudd himself was slated to appear in a third TOS episode, but Roger C. Carmel was unavailable. He did, however, later reprise the role in a TAS episode. Also, NBC wanted a Harry Mudd spinoff, but Gene Roddenberry was too busy to develop it. This was the first of a handful of unrealized ideas for spinoffs to arise during the last couple of years of TOS’ existence. Ensign Jordan, the officer in Auxiliary Control whom Norman renders unconscious, was played by Michael Zaslow, who also played Crewman Darnell, the first person the salt vampire kills in “The Man Trap” (and thus the first character to die in the Star Trek franchise considered in release order). In later years Zaslow became a major star in American daytime soap operas. When he eventually developed ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), a depressing scandal ensued when the soap opera "Guiding Light" placed him on leave and then recast his role due to his condition affecting his performance, without telling the replacement actor the full circumstances. Zaslow subsequently reprised a role he had previously played on another soap opera, "One Life to Live", with his illness written into the script, but passed away shortly thereafter. The command uniform shirts on TOS were the same color as Kirk’s wraparound tunic but appeared yellow on film and under the studio lights. The scene just after the landing party beams down is a rare occasion when we can see that Chekov’s shirt is green, not yellow. Because Chekov is a new character this season, he helpfully doesn’t know Mudd, allowing Kirk to explain who he is for the benefit of viewers who didn’t see “Mudd’s Women”. At a later point in the franchise, the exact point in TOS at which Chekov arrived on the Enterprise will become a weighty and hotly contested continuity issue. For now, we can take note that he apparently arrived sometime between “Mudd’s Women” and Season 2. The hand gesture Chekov makes when he refers to “a real girl” is so filthy that it’s astonishing it made it past the NBC censors. Also, this won’t be the last time Chekov mentions Leningrad, a city that shouldn’t exist by that name in Star Trek’s time. Kirk’s rage when Mudd tells him that the entire crew has beamed down from the Enterprise follows up on the plot point from “This Side of Paradise” (not quite consistently maintained in that episode) that the ship cannot beam anyone back up if no one is aboard. In this episode we must assume that Kirk gets the cooperation of the androids on the Enterprise to beam the crew back up after Norman is disabled, although this is never discussed. It’s embarrassingly obvious that, presumably for budget reasons, no Enterprise crewmembers other than the regulars are shown on the planet, even though we’re assured they’re all there. For that matter, even Sulu never appears on the planet despite being prominently featured in the Enterprise scenes at the beginning. Uhura is, in my opinion, severely underused in this episode in comparison to the other crewmembers on the planet. The subplot she does get, however, is consistent with the revelation in a Season 3 episode that old age is her greatest fear. And, of course, she didn't need to be tempted with immortality -- she has it anyway. All our hopes, Nichelle.

[@linphillips8331]

I just interpreted Chekov's gesture to be the "okay" symbol.

[@zoppie]

I don't consider _Star Trek_ to be taking place in our timeline. We avoided WW3 and the Eugenics Wars, to name just two differences. So Chekov could be referring to an amusement park that happens to be called Leningrad.

[@anthonybernacchi2732]

Something I missed on my rewatch: due to Uhura's discussion with the female androids about immortality, this is the second TOS episode to pass the Bechdel Test. (The first was "The Changeling.")

[@lukefallon8276]

Good reaction. If there's one thing Star Trek can do is comedy. Every one of the series has at least one comedy. Star Trek 4 is a whole comedy of its own! In a way I envy you guys. You have so much to look forward to.

[@youngbloodk]

Harry Mudd is also in the 1970s, Star Trek TAS (The Animated Series) episode Mudd's Passion. The animated series was very good and used most of the original cast and original writers.

[@auckalukaum]

He came back in an episode of the Animated Series, and I think was supposed to be back again at some point, but the actor, Roger Carmel, died. The role was recast in two episodes of Discovery.

[@bradchoi9679]

When this episode first aired in the '60's, EVERY husband that was watching with the family laughed hard on the inside when Harry told Stella to shut up, and she does! OMFG.... what kind of alternate reality is that??!! BWAHAHAHAHA!

[@GF_Baltar]

It's a shame that we never got a "Wrath of Mudd" movie - truly a missed opportunity. Btw, casting director Joe D’Agosta said he had a hell of a time finding twins for this episode, beyond the twin sisters who portrayed the Alice androids. SAG was of no help at all, but one day while he was driving down Hollywood Boulevard he happened to see a pair of attractive twins. According to D'Agosta, "I pulled my car over and said, 'Excuse me, do you want to be on TV?' It sounded like a line, made all the worse because I didn’t even have a business card to give them" (this is all from the holy bible of TOS lore, 'These are the Voyages' by Marc Cushman). The girls were cast in two of the non-speaking roles, since neither had any acting experience. Walter Koenig said that on the first day of filming, "Joe's discoveries" wore _very_ revealing attire. While in the cafeteria, "the best boy, two grips, and a gaffer, simultaneously choked on their hard-boiled eggs when the girls bent over to get a better look at the salad bar. Neither was wearing underwear." As George Takei would say, "Ohhh myyyy"

[@suk6323]

You've forgotten - Star Trek: The Mudd Picture Star Trek 3: The Search for Mudd Star Trek 4: The Mudd Home Star Trek 5: The Final Mudd Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered Mudd

[@GF_Baltar]

@@suk6323 Lmao. I also forgot the TV series spinoff - "Mudd: The Next Generation".

[@bettyleeist]

The Harry Mudd character was voiced in the animated serie’s;Star Trek,the animated series in 1973,when it was on NBC t.v.back then.

[@jefftappan3091]

George Takei was off filming " The Green Berets".

[@onespark100]

Mudd comes back in the Animated Series in 1973. Same actor, too!

[@ThatsMrPencilneck2U]

Some time into ST TNG, they were going to have an episode with Harry Mudd. Unfortunately, Roger Carmel passed away, before the completed they could film.

[@WarrenFahyAuthor]

"You will eat the bugs... And you will be happy. And controlled." -Android #1

[@jonbolton3376]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. This is also one of my favourites of the season.

[@bmw128racer]

Fun episode. Always rewatchable. 👍

[@ice-iu3vv]

ive probably seen the series 40 times but i never enjoyed this episode more than seeing you guys reaction to it.

[@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis.]

Another great reaction, thank you. Mudd does come back to Star Trek in 'Star Trek, The Animated Series' which was made in the early '70s.

[@toddpence1970]

Just had a thought about this episode's title. I've always assumed that the "I" in "I, Mudd", was supposed to be the personal pronun "I" (as in I, CLAUDIUS.) However, since Mudd refers to himself as "Mudd the First" in the episode, maybe the "I" in the title is meant to be the Roman number one? I met Roger Carmel about six months before his death.

[@TheCosmicGenius]

So, after the original Star Trek went off the air, it was brought back a few years later as a cartoon. And, there was an episode of that animated series that featured Harry Mudd. Actually, there were a number of sequel episodes on the animated Trek. Hopefully you'll watch it after you finish the live-action series. The films were made after the animated show. And, there were plans to bring Harry Mudd back onto the Next Generation, but the actor died, unfortunately, before that episode could get made.

[@CaesiusX]

It may have been noted already, but the actor returns in _STAR TREK: The Animated Series_ to voice Harry in _"Mudd's Passion."_ Many, like myself, consider the animated series to be a canonical continuation of the 5 year mission. And they get some notable sci-fi writers to contribute to the show. _Walter Koenig_ (Chekov), though not in the animated series, did write for it.

[@rymerster]

I wasn't sure if you should watch The Animated Series after TOS, but now I think at least you could put up a vote and watch the top 5 or 6 episodes, if not all of them. There are a few that I think now are essential in terms of character building, and the fact that most of the cast reprise their roles is a treat. Most TAS episodes are only 22 minutes or so long.

[@Dmarcoot]

I can still recall seeing this for the first time as a kid and being shocked uhura would betray them!

[@ninjabluefyre3815]

This is my very favorite episode of this series.

[@mark-s]

One of my favourites this season better than his first appearance love they used most the main cast in this episode too

[@sarahfullerton6894]

Never have watched S.T. Discovery, but it sounds like a "woke" loser. If only the Star Trek name hadn't been put on it. Why change a beloved, fun character into a psychopath? I guess, because they lack any decent sense of humor. Too, too bad

[@garywillig5143]

I can't wait for you to get to episode 15 of this season. If you liked this episode that'll be a real treat.

[@gallendugall8913]

And the nu-Trek is such Trek bizarro world they brought back Harry Mudd and made him a serious grim dark threat.

[@LeutnantJoker]

nu Trek is garbage anyway

[@anthonybernacchi2732]

In fairness, he is a decade younger then. People change over time (something some of the people complaining about Galadriel's characterization in the forthcoming "Rings of Power" series don't seem to understand).

[@Dmarcoot]

Nu drek

[@heroecolapso2831]

Hes not Mad hes Mudd!

[@danjsilve]

Harry Mudd returns in the animated series “Mudd’s Passion” and one Star Trek Novel. “Mudd in your eye”

[@zoppie]

The novelizations of the two Mudd episodes were the last to be released in Bantam's Blish/Lawrence adaptation series. They appear in a paperback called "Mudd's Angels." Lawrence added an original Mudd story to it at the end entitled "The Business As Usual During Altercations." She prefaced it with a note saying that it was necessary to ignore the animated episode featuring Mudd because of rights issues. Okay. But ignoring is one thing, totally contradicting is another. She also didn't get the character of Mudd right at all, that's blatantly obvious. The animated Mudd episode was novelized by Alan Dean Foster in the third volume of Ballantine/Del Rey's _Star Trek Log_ series. It goes into detail about how Mudd escaped the android planet, which there just wasn't any time for within the actual episode.

[@Vulcanerd]

I loved Alex’s reaction at Uhura’s heel turn 😄

[@momokomiyafuji396]

Josh at 7:48 - Roddenberry said “Find me all the twins Get me all the twins there are.” Reportedly that is EXACTLY what happened. 😅

[@wcemichael]

Harry Mudd was so popular they gave him a 3rd appearance in the cartoon series of TOS

[@jaygould2816]

Roger C Carmel voiced Harry Mudd again in the animated series and was slated to appear live again in the 3rd season (but didn’t) and maybe again in the planned 4th season. A truly memorable character whose every mustache twitch spoke volumes.

[@aaroneilers8805]

Harry Mudd also makes appearances in Star Trek: Discovery and in Short Treks, played by Rainn Wilson.

[@pauld6967]

I was looking forward to seeing and hearing what you two thought about this one. So much so, I decided to watch during my lunch break. More goodness ahead. Some not so good but mostly quality stuff remaining in season two.

[@MrDeadstu]

Watching you cracking-up to Star Trek is endearing.

[@TheLibrarianOG1]

I was waiting for you to watch this one. One of my absolute favorites, and always great to see Harry Mudd. And don't worry, you will see Mudd again, several times, years from now in one of these other Star Trek shows in the franchise if you just keep going.

[@stephenward7856]

Sorry, IMHO if it's not Roger C. Carmel, it's not Mudd.

[@LeutnantJoker]

@@stephenward7856 Nor are those shows Star Trek in anything but name.

[@TheLibrarianOG1]

@@stephenward7856 yeah, for me too but I've always had a soft spot for Rainn Wilson and for me, he did well enough and his appearances in that show are about some of the only stories I can stomach from that show

[@snr9365]

I have a real soft spot for the pure comedy episodes of Star Trek. They are so fun, and many of the actors have a real gift for comedy. I think Shatner particularly shines in these -- his exasperation is hilarious.

[@linphillips8331]

"Because we don't like you. Wooobooopboopboop!"

[@sarahfullerton6894]

I love his "boop-boop-boop-boop" and hand motions, after he says for the twin female androids to leave. They ask why, and Kirk says, "Because we don't LIKE you!", and then the "boop-boop-boop-boop!! Hahahaha! I also love when, after Uhura seems to have sabotaged the plan, because "she wants an android body", Kirk gently picks her up, smiles, and says, "UHURA!...beautiful!", for a job well done, and Uhura smiles back, and chuckles a bit. I love when Spock says he loves one android, but hates her exact duplicate, to their deep confusion. And also when Bones is giving Harry Mudd the "fuse, lighter, etc." to the "plastic explosives" by simply slapping his hand!!

[@themoviedealers]

Roger C. Carmel was in a million things but the most prominent was probably the sitcom The Mother's In Law.

[@empirejeff]

Harry Mudd everyone's favorite criminal.

[@firekrys]

this one of my favorites, mainly because of how fun it was.

[@Panzer4F2]

I never really appreciated this episode, but the cast doing their improv was actually quite revealing. Probably just like them horsing around on their coffee breaks. One more episode to go before we get into Vulcan ambassadors and Federation political intrigue.

[@sergioaccioly5219]

Unfrtunatelly, this was the last time we saw Mudd in the series. And the only yime a character from another episode returned. The 60's, right? And George Takei was out, filming the Green Berets. According to lore, to make this episode the casting director scoured Los Angeles for every pair of identical twins that would work in it, often approaching them in the street.

[@toddludwitzke6471]

Sorry, I m not programmed to respond in that area

[@tomyoung9049]

the fun episodes are a nice change with this series. Not every show has to be a heavy social commentary.

[@UnclePengy]

Kirk's speech (which you didn't capture) was hilarious. "What is a man, but that lofty spirit, that sense of... ENTERPRISE" (nudges Mudd in the ribs). Mudd was a fan favorite (he would return in the animated series). These days he'd probably get his own spin-off show. (They ruined him in Disco, turning him from a lovable rogue to a psychopath.)

[@richardb6260]

In a time when NBC wouldn't allow Barbara Eden to show her navel on "I Dream of Jeannie", they didn't have a problem with Norman's obvious package. Mudd does return...in the animated series and he's voiced by Roger C Carmel. I think you probably should watch the animated series after this. It has the voices of most of the actors of the live-action series and is written by some of the same writers as well as award winning Sci Fi writers like Larry Niven. BTW, Tom Hardy plays the villain in one of the Star Trek movies.

[@Aeroldoth3]

I'd hardly say he had an obvious package.... it's just a barely visible bulge, and fully clothed at that. If anything, the guy at 13:55 was better, though still not much.

[@Serai3]

There was an intention to make Mudd a recurring "villain" figure, but it was scrapped when the series started losing steam and Roddenberry left. Too bad, as he was an excellent foil for Kirk.

[@indetigersscifireview4360]

This is such a fun ride. Apparently William Shatner loves doing comedy. And Roger Carmel is just damn funny. At the end of the episode when he stutters Fi fi five hundred has me wanting to watch this episode again right now!

[@Sopmylo]

TV Guide at the time ran a story highlighting the use of twins and split screen.

[@vincentsweargen8436]

Funny how you commented about them being in an improv class. Most of the cast had a stage acting background. Improv study would've part of their early training.

[@aqrxv]

Some of the credit for the humor of this episode apparently goes to an uncredited rewrite by David Gerrold (although his best episode, under his own name, will appear later in the season),.

[@greenmonsterprod]

True. Reportedly, he came up with the basic idea of casting twins as the robots, combined with split screen effects,.

[@Thorkildzen]

As a 4 year old watching this show I remember being captivated by Uhurus thigh. Still am.

[@blacbraun]

I think I finally understand the title of this episode. It's a take on I, Claudius. He was emperor but not by his choice. The Praetorian Guard choose him and they wouldn't let him leave either.

[@tranya327]

Let's give a shout-out to the actress who created very memorable moments with only a couple of minutes on screen: Kay Elliot, who portrayed Stella. We should also acknowledge the impact of the music that accompanies Stella's rants. The episode IS great fun and silly, and you MUST take it that way. ...What happens if you don't? Then you'd be forced to acknowledge that Kirk and Spock left an unarmed prisoner (Mudd) on an isolated world, to be tortured indefinitely. (Kirk's verbal explanation to the contrary, we're clearly led to believe that the Stella androids will be yelling at and berating Mudd 24/7, with no way of being shut off or calmed, and him having no way to escape ((even though he DOES escape, to show up again in, 'Mudd's Passion.')) so... to avoid thinking of Kirk and Spock as the sort of people who would set up that situation - even for a loser like Mudd, don't take it past 'fun and silly.') A separate question that you didn't touch on: When Chekov learns that the androids "are programmed to function as human females" ...and that Harry Mudd programmed them... Hmmmmm. So, do Chekov (and maybe other crewmen) use the androids as sexbots? Why or why not? :)

[@eekinelsa]

if all the robots were immobilized, and no human was left on the ship, how the hell did they get back to the ship?

[@artboymoy]

Goofy Fun TIme is right for this episode! Not a fave but one I liked as a kid when it came up on afternoon viewing. Oh you guys should look up the original FX for the robots inside in the cold open. That would be good for a laugh for you.

[@peterschairer488]

Spock's line about logic is my favorite.

[@reverts3031]

In the mid-70s, Gene Roddenberry created a TV pilot about an android. The movie that he made was called, "The Questor Tapes." It was a pretty good (but dated) movie and unfortunately it's very hard to find. The guy playing "Norman #1" reminded me a lot of the lead character, Questor. Robert Foxworth played the titled role in that movie. These characters would all lead up to TNG's Data several years later.

[@Chou-seh-fu]

Pretty sure Harry Mudd returned on the pages of the DC Star Trek comic book in the 80s. He probably showed up also in one of licensed Star Trek paperback novels in the 70s & 80s.

[@Vulcanerd]

Josh with a prescient prediction about Mudd!

[@Warped9]

Roddenberry’s take is the ship is heading “out there” so it’s very unlikely they would encounter characters more than once. Harry Mudd would be the only character to apear more than once, but still only twice.

[@markfilla9305]

This has always been one of my favorite episodes! Some have mentioned Mudd makes another appearance in the animated Trek series from the 70s. However he was also brought back for the more recent Star Trek Discovery series. I'm sure there are many here who would rather that series didn't even exist, but I thought the Mudd episodes on Discovery where actually pretty good. I won't say who was brought in to play Mudd, but he's a well-known actor, and I thought he was perfect in the role.

[@jathygamer8746]

Scotty getting up for the "Explosive!" reminds me of Monty Python 📺 💓 🍿

[@theworldofron2712]

You guys need to review the classic tv show The Twilight Zone

[@alexvokoun9272]

This episode was so so so fun.

[@jimbearone]

If you check out the Animated Series there is another appearance by Harry Mudd.

[@arrow1414]

You can see Harry Mudd at least one more time in the TOS format if you react to "Star Trek: The Animated Series" from 1973. It was a Saturday morning cartoon ostensibly for kids, but it was more substantive than that, because many of the writers and producers who worked on the animated series worked on the live action show in addition to all of the main and most of the secondary actors for the characters came back and did the voices. I highly recommend that you react to it before you react to "Star Trek: The Motion Picture".

[@po5283]

Roger was great as Mudd, but I also have to compliment Rainn Wilson for his portrayal, in his 2 Discovery episodes; and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see him return somewhere along the way in, Strange New Worlds. Back to Roger, he was a familiar face growing up in the 80's, having been a prolific character actor who was on every show it seemed, but this and his one off on the Hogan's Heroes episode The Prisoner's, Prisoner, are the shows I'll always remember him from.

[@gavinminton457]

3rd time Kirk talks a computer to death.

[@Esl1999]

We already know this will be in Alex’s top 5 season 2 episodes.

[@williamjones6031]

Nothing wrong with a little fun 🤣

[@TheSlysterII]

Love your videos guys, will there be a Wig watch timeline for Chekov?

[@mujobosanac3877]

In Star Trek Discovery they have Harry Mud as well.

[@dcsignal5241]

Sometimes you watch an episode you had no regard for previously and absolutely love it on rewatch. This one falls into that category for me.

[@williamblakehall5566]

The classic paradox "I am lying" dates back to the philosopher Eubulides of the 4th Century BC, so here we get to see Kirk use a simple 2700-year-old Earth trick to overpower some sophisticated alien robots. Mudd does pop up again in the episode Mudd's Passion of the animated series -- which I actually recommend. Coming up, we get to meet the first official version of Zefram Cochrane, the father of warp drive -- although I prefer the considerably different version of him from the movie Star Trek: First Contact. Thank you, TA. Steady as she goes, warp factor two.

[@owenmadden7577]

You guys should watch The Silencers & Skulldugery. Roger C Carmel is in both.

[@brianalambert1192]

The fact that they just decided to act out a cartoon in order to blow the androids' brains is priceless to me. I'll never get over how the characters must have had to brainstorm that entire scene. "Ok, how do we just drive them nuts?" "We could have Spock throw Mudd a bomb?" "Ah, that's not crazy enough." "What if he then plays golf with the bomb?" "BRILLIANT!" And you know Spock would just be sitting in the back holding his tongue