The 5 BEST Episodes of Star Trek: TOS!

The five best episodes from the entire series of Star Trek: The Original Series!
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[@thepenskyfile]

Check out our Star Trek podcast at thepenskypodcast.com!

[@stocksd6]

"Vulcans never bluff." That line alone should have carried The Doonsday Machine to the top spot.

[@dougbrowne9890]

It worked well, because apparently Decker didn't know Spock was half human. Had he known, he might have called Spock's hand. Well, that is how I see it.

[@kevinbrennan-ji1so]

No. I don't suppose it did.

[@dealzright]

How William Windom did not get an Emmy, I will never understand.

[@rickmays797]

He was excellent for sure

[@morrisparrish76]

Try fickle assed voters!

[@dealzright]

Can't argue there.

[@3trilogy]

Definitely deserved it.

[@giantclam1822]

Dude gave it 110 %.

[@goodrich06]

Mirror Mirror is my favorite. I like how a beard makes Spock evil. 🖖

[@hodgeelmwood8677]

Doomsday Machine was one of my favorites. Also anything featuring Mark Lenard! I was privileged to see Mr Lenard and Walter Koenig perform a one-act play at a convention in 1979. Mark Lenard so totally became his character that I forgot who I was watching. RIP Mark Lenard.

[@TearYouApart360]

My favorite episodes of TOS is A Taste Of Armageddon. The concept of a computer generated war which has all the deaths of a normal war but with none of the destruction just fascinated me. On paper it seems more efficient and less costly but what happens when you are chosen to walk into a disintegration chamber for execution all because a computer said you were in certain area during said simulated attack.

[@maricay7917]

Yes! I always tell people about this one. I found it fascinating.

[@sureshmukhi2316]

This too was a good one.

[@MsEagle20]

"Sir, there is a multi-legged creature crawling on your shoulder."

[@kc4cvh]

It is the first appearance of cyberwarfare in science fiction.

[@shellsbells373]

I saw this episode as a kid and the story stuck in my mind for years. Great episode.

[@thomasreske4628]

‘The Immunity Syndrome’ is most definitely in my Top 5.

[@annademo]

City on the Edge of Forever is the standard by which all sci-fi should be measured. It was a perfect episode.

[@charlesheck6812]

it’s too bad Harlan Ellison’s original vision wasn’t brought to the screen though… He was super pissed about its changes.

[@eracer1111]

That's the episode I show to TOS first-timers. If they love it, we can remain friends. If they merely like it, we can remain acquaintences. If they think it's silly, they are forgotten. 😉

[@kennethmartin1300]

@@eracer1111Amen. I'm going to start doing that, would save so much time and trouble.

[@sandal_thong8631]

@@charlesheck6812 Tough break for him. The episode is far superior to his original concept, which I think involved drug trafficking and addiction on the Enterprise. And it won the 1968 Hugo Award.

[@stevenb5385]

absolutely correct - thanks for saying so!

[@jeffreya.broadhurst4692]

I really think that the very best Star Trek TOS episode is The Enterprise Incident … 3rd season episode with Joanne Linville playing the lady Romulan commander … who we just lost not too long ago at age 94! Also, I would add Journey To Babel as well! Both immensely exciting and poignant episodes! 🖖

[@eldergeek6077]

I believe the episode is "The Enterprise Incident" which would later inspire the podcast "Enterprise Incidents with Scott and Steve".

[@bgarri57]

"Mirror, Mirror" would be in my top five. "Corbomite Manuever" is also quintessential Star Trek. "This Side of Paradise" and "The Spectre of the Gun" are also favorites.

[@billanthony7896]

For a third season episode, "Spectre Of The Gun" manages to stand out. I think filming it as they did, with sets missing walls and such, added greatly to it's success. It gave it a surrealist feel.

[@user-cf7pe3qg1c]

Shore Leave, The Return of the Archons as well. Love those!

[@Chuck_Hooks]

@@user-cf7pe3qg1c Love Finnegan. Tremendous performance.

[@billanthony7896]

@Charles Ross I dont think it was a smoke bomb. It was some sort of knock out gas. When it failed to work, Spock figured out what was happening, and how to defeat their alien captors.

[@dondevice3342]

It still blows my mind that the episode the "corbomite manoeuvre” was the first episode filmed. Can you imagine that? Out of the starting gate, "corbomite manoeuvre”-- so well acted, so well directed and so iconic? First. Episode. flmed.

[@socksumi]

I think 'The Menagerie' belongs on this list. It even won awards.

[@sandal_thong8631]

That would be a better choice than _The Devil in the Dark._

[@claudiocorleone7856]

Absolutely!

[@margaretlatocha1474]

Oh yes the menagerie keeps me glued to the tv

[@Rick-mx5kh]

Completely agree. It's always been my favorite episode.

[@kevinemmers9424]

Mirror, Mirror and Amok Time are two of my personal favorites. Honorable mentions would be Journey to Babel, Whom Gods Destroy, Return of the Archons, and The Enterprise Incident.

[@jlamm2223443]

I like "Let that be your last battlefield". It completely captures what was going on at the time, and now. So great.

[@sandal_thong8631]

I don't think it really reflects the black-white conflict in America, or South Africa for instance. But it does seem to apply to the Israel-Palestinian conflict where both sides really hate each other, though they are Semitic peoples who are related to each other despite the passage of nearly two thousand years. I thought it in-your-face or over-the-top when I first saw it, so could understand if people put it on their worst list.

[@jlamm2223443]

@@sandal_thong8631 What I really love about it is the Klingon captain knows what he wants (peace) but is trapped by being loyal to his side and a sense of duty. How many Russians would love to oppose Putin but then would be seen as traitors.

[@sandal_thong8631]

@@jlamm2223443 There are no Klingons in "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield." It's the episode where Commissioner Bele is tracking down Lokai to bring him back to their planet. One is black on the right and white on the left, the other is the opposite. Kirk, Spock and Scotty threaten to destroy the Enterprise by self-destruct until Bele releases the ship from his control.

[@jlamm2223443]

@@sandal_thong8631 oh yes, another of my favorites I was thinking about. Yes, just look at Ireland and the massive standard of living increase since the peace between Protestants and Catholics. We get so hung up on the differences between us. A great episode.

[@jonearley]

I'm just dropping a line to say thank each of you for posting all these brilliant lists. When growing up in school, proudly wearing a Trek shirt would get you called a nerd or worse. My mother couldn't wash mine fast enough. I secretly knew all of you were watching these with me. It wasn't until my first convention in 76 that I knew I wasn't alone. Great episodes and a truly wonderful and highly inspirational fan base. Thank each of you for sharing.

[@thepenskyfile]

Thanks for watching!

[@loftus4453]

I too grew up up the show in the 70’s and felt pretty lonely in my love for the show. At least with my friends. My parents loved the show.

[@jimsannerud6254]

"He knows, Doctor. He knows." Chilling, and one of the best lines of the entire series. "In another reality, I could have called you friend." is another personal favorite.

[@user-sn9ig9vl5p]

The Horta looked like the pizza they served at school

[@sevenbark]

lol! I remember thinking it looked like a throw rug draped over my mom's canister vacuum cleaner - I mean, it even had a fringe around the edge!

[@seanbigay1042]

​@@sevenbarkFunny you should mention a throw rug ... because when the guy who designed the Horta showed it to Gene (L. Coon or Roddenberry, I forget) the thing accidentally fell on him like a throw rug, and he ended up wearing it as the creature!

[@Prilavolus]

My No. 1 episode is "Errand of Mercy," which is not without its flaws. I like the idea of an apparently "stagnant culture" turning out to be possibly the most advanced in the galaxy.

[@maureentuohy8672]

Prilavolus Oh YES!!! That is a marvelous episode.

[@teethompson7756]

This is also my #1 pick. I only wish they had a longer more reflective scene where the Federation/Kirk was forced to acknowledge how ridiculous, insulting, and colonizing their offer of help was. The very last episode "Turnabout Intruder" is the best in respect to crew loyalty. Even though it was framed as a mutiny, his officers were willing to risk everything for their captain. It wasn't the worst way to end the show. 😔

[@bgarri57]

Yes, that's one of my favorite episodes too, although the plot if flawed. There's no way Kirk AND Spock would leave the Enterprise during a war. They would instead send a couple of higher level crewmen to conduct diplomatic negotiations.

[@coleparker]

Two things about that episode, first, Why would such an advance species, Spocks compares us as amoebas to them, possibly care that humans and klingons are warring? That would be like two germs fighting for us. Also, why would such advance beings still be tied to their home planet? Would they not be like the Q species in the later Next Generation?

[@MsEagle20]

Mine too. The trick ending is phenomenal. I also like A taste of Armageddon, and Whom God's Destroy and The Squire of Gothos, just for fun!

[@AD-kv9kj]

I really love The Menagerie - it's a brilliant 2 part episode.

[@billanthony7896]

An interesting side note on that episode. The aliens were portrayed by female actors. An inexpensive "special effect" that paid dividends.

[@pnutbutrncrackers]

@@billanthony7896 Exactly. A truly, yet subtle, 'alien' effect was achieved. Brilliant.

[@pnutbutrncrackers]

With you all the way to Talos IV, Austin Dyer!

[@josebelindo1641]

I thought they were midgits

[@AirPiracy]

@@billanthony7896 though in the original pilot, the Talosians had male voices.

[@janestarr4403]

I based a college paper on the dwarf who was telepathically controled. The Enterprise landing party suffered the same fate until they developed the same power. I wrote a seven page essay on Nano the dwarf in Valpone by Ben Johnson which exceeded the script lines of the character. My paper was primarily based on the attitude of the dwarf in this episode. I not only got an A on my paper, the professor wrote the compliment, "You have educated me." That is high praise from a man who held a Doctorate in English to a high school dropout!

[@int53185]

I love "The Tholian WEB" for the interplay between Spock and Bones when Kirk is missing in innerspace.

[@PC4USE1]

My favorite episode is "The Doomsday Machine and 'City on the Edge of Tomorrow is a close second. Both were written by Sci Fi authors and could easily have been transposed to another crew and portray universal themes and weaknesses of humans.

[@ralphroshia9247]

What no Space Seed were talking about the episode that featured the only Villain to make it into the Movies Khan

[@jaimhaas5170]

Has to be in the top 5 for sure.

[@sandal_thong8631]

It doesn't hold up very well. If he'd never been in the movies, it wouldn't be considered a good episode.

[@eeeecccc]

I liked Where No Man has gone before. That phaser rifle was iconic, the story was great at getting into the minds of Kirk and Gary (ESP DNA was a unique angle), and that Delta Vega base drawing took the imagination to new places.

[@josebelindo1641]

it wasn't ESP DNA it was ESP IQ

[@kevinharkness2108]

Where no man has gone before is no1 for me for its dark tone and sense of slowly mounting dread. Kelsos esp strangulation, kirks gravestone and mitchells death haunted me as a kid when i first saw it in the 60s. It was lke a damn horror movie!

[@kevinharkness2108]

Oh! I forgot...Those glowing silver eyes.

[@michaelcurcio4025]

God bless Desilu studios,the great writers,and the greatest cast ever assembled before a TV camera.

[@supercaptainbatdoggy]

My personal favorite is Shore Leave. The idea of finding a world where your fondest wishes come true, on a whim.

[@sandal_thong8631]

That was a fun one, but they were writing it while filming it, so it's amazing it came together. I love how Kirk thinks Spock is massaging his back, but when he finds out it's the yeoman, he tells her to stop. She was supposed to be interested in Kirk, not McCoy, but they gave Kirk Ruth to spend time with instead.

[@failuretocommunicate]

If I remember correctly, the final version of "The City on the Edge of Forever" was quite a departure from Harlan Ellisons' original story.

[@michaelhall2709]

Yes. And there are several books, an excellent graphic novel published by IDW, and even an audiobook, where you can check out Ellison’s original version if you’re interested.

[@charlesheck6812]

I was the most rabid fan of this show back in the 70s and I watched the original run on television when it first aired. In my old age one of my top favorites is Metamorphosis. I love this episode- all three main crewmembers of the Enterprise are first rate here, as is Glenn Corbett’s performance. I love this episode!

[@pspicer777]

There was one with two guys, faces painted black and white on opposite sides. I remember that one most of all.

[@thepenskyfile]

Its goofy but I also love that one.

[@joorel65]

"Let that be your last battlefield" is the name of that one.

[@keithbrown8814]

It was about bigotry...

[@abc456f]

​@@keithbrown8814Can't see you see? Don't you have eyes? I'm black on the right side. Loki is black on the left side.

[@MrGchiasson]

I was 12 years old in 66'. We had a rocket & space club. Then Star Trek appeared and it was terrific. Instant Trekkies! We'd gather and munch JiffyPop popcorn and watch Kirk, Spock & McCoy save (fill in the blank) every week...right on schedule.

[@tag1462]

No trouble with tribbles? It's a classic Trek story Kirk actually has to do his job.

[@thepenskyfile]

No, I think it's a pretty middling episode. It's more iconic than good.

[@sugarnads]

The Pensky File youre wrong. Its wickedly funny

[@jaimhaas5170]

Agree old friend..has to be in the top 5.

[@jaimhaas5170]

@@sugarnads I concur. One of the best of the entire series.

[@josebelindo1641]

a fan wrote that David Gerrold

[@walterlyzohub8112]

On TOS we all have our favorites. But have our preferences changed over the years? The one thing that has not changed over the years about City on the Edge of Forever was the grief at the end. Still hits me even while watching this video.

[@dexterfurman9118]

The Menagerie. The only two part episode of TOS which incorporates the original pilot with Jeffrey Hunter. This my all time favorite.

[@aliensoup2420]

Aside from being arguably the best TOS episode, City on the Edge of Forever also holds the distinction of being the first tv show to speak what was then considered too profane for prime-time - the word "Hell" - spoken by Kirk at the end. Possibly not the very first, but early enough to have raised Spock"s eyebrows.

[@thepenskyfile]

Get the hell outta here!

[@quasimodo5405]

The 2nd Star Trek pilot "Where no man has gone before" was clearly the best of all the episodes. Both Nimoy and Shatner were flawless. Great plot,great script, and great acting.

[@michaelabernathy7013]

Amazing that after 5 years your video still garners comments. I enjoyed your vid and also the opinions of the audience. My favorite episodes as a kid were any that I got to watch on a buddy's color TV! I was 8 when TOS debuted and any discussion about this most iconic series is a wonderful walk down memory lane. My favorites have changed as I've aged. As a kid it was 'The Doomsday machine' but the last 40 years or so it's been 'The Menagerie'. And obviously, 'The Cage'. I'll always feel that the original Star Trek was just too far ahead of its time to be a huge success during its network run. Thank goodness for syndication and the devoted fans who made that possible.

[@WoodysAR]

it is hard to believe everything in 'City on the Edge of Forever' all happened in the length of a typical episode

[@CaliforniaBushman]

Trekkie since 1974 from NY here who's Dad took him to the Star Trek Trading Post in 1974 at age 8. Dead on! Except drop the Ultimate Computer for Mirror Mirror.

[@unsignedmusic]

The Corbonite Maneuver was actually seeking out new life. My favorite episode was going back in time to Earth and beaming up capt. Christopher.

[@Kibogu]

I feel like Journey to Babel should be in the top five. It was the first episode to really delve into Federation socio-political affairs, establish and display it's founding races, revealed critical elements of Spock's backstory, and was just generally good. Honorable mention to The Tholian Web just because Tholians are an awesome race.

[@hodgeelmwood8677]

Loved the Andorians in Journey to Babel. Especially the one played by Reggie Nalder. He spoke with an accent, which makes sense since Federation "English" (or whatever their language would be) was not his first language. More TV/movie aliens should have accents.

[@keithbrown8814]

Agreed ...alot going on in this episode!!

[@sandal_thong8631]

A much better episode than "Amok Time" that used some of the same music for the interaction between Mr. Spock and his mother, Amanda. It also has a space battle, which when I was younger considered those the most interesting _Star Trek_ episodes.

[@char1737]

The actor who was the Romulan returned as Spocks dad!

[@luminiferous1960]

I've watched Star Trek many times since it first aired in the 1960s when I was a kid. Here are my top 5 episodes: 1. Amok Time 2. The City on the Edge of Forever 3. Mirror, Mirror 4. Space Seed 5. Balance of Terror

[@elfpimp1]

Devil in the Dark is #1 in my mind insomuch that as a kid it taught me to not judge something until you fully understand it. That stuck with me my entire life.

[@AndrewChapman]

Wow, all these are favourites of mine too. There are many others I like too:- "The Corbomite Maneuver" "The Naked Time" "Arena" "Tomorrow is Yesterday" "Space Seed" "Errand of Mercy" "Mirror, Mirror" "The Trouble with Tribbles" (How could you not include this one?) "Journey to Babel" "A Piece of the Action" "Assignment: Earth" "Spectre of the Gun" "The Enterprise Incident" "The Tholian Web" "For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky "

[@thepenskyfile]

All good choices!

[@jeffturner6698]

Wow, now there's a list! 👍🏻🖖

[@starship1701]

My man gave a season's worth of episodes for his list xD

[@Diiimonds4Evr]

lol looks like it would have been easier if you told us the episodes you dont like lol

[@endtheliesnow5906]

For me, City on the Edge Forever, was the only Star Trek that was like a soap opera. Very unique.

[@mateshadow]

The top three are absolutely correct and in the proper order. Great List.

[@warp7.852]

Great episodes indeed! I remember the first time I saw 'The Doomsday Machine', I almost had a ❤️attack when Cpt. Kirk was stuck in that wreck rigged to explode, with the transporter out of order. And my top favourite is 'The Galileo 7'.👍

[@maxpeck1387]

You do realize that the " City on the edge of forever" was shot in Mayberry, the only thing missing was Sheriff Taylor and Deputy Fife.

[@hungrydragonvsfrightendhob7799]

So was "Miri". If you look closely it's the same streets Andy and Barney roamed. It was very strange to me when I recognized it.

[@maxpeck1387]

@@hungrydragonvsfrightendhob7799 I hate to say that MIRI was such a bad episode, I refuse to watch it. I have tried many times but end up changing the channel.

[@hungrydragonvsfrightendhob7799]

@@maxpeck1387 I understand that. It's not the best, I'll agree with you there. The only real good thing about it is the dynamic between Spock and McCoy toward the end. That's really one of the only reasons I watched it.

[@jeffturner6698]

@@maxpeck1387 What?? "Bonk bonk on the head, bonk bonk" 😄

[@markreeter6227]

Two often overlooked episodes involving character development are ‘The Galileo Seven’ (command) and ‘The Empath’ (sacrifice).

[@Paul_dw_Kersey]

The Empath is the absolute worst episode of them all, in my opinion.

[@odysseusrex5908]

@@Paul_dw_Kersey Agreed.

[@Rick-mx5kh]

@@Paul_dw_Kersey That would be "Spock's Brain"...rock bottom Trek...

[@Paul_dw_Kersey]

@@Rick-mx5kh. That one is just as bad 😂. They were obviously in bad need of good writers by that point.

[@jaybird8192]

Mirror, mirror should be on the top five! Not only a great episode, but showed the casts versatility of acting to each of their savage character's alter egos! Spock was never any cooler or menacing, than with the beard! Honorable mention: "Specter of the Gun!"

[@frederickvalverde825]

The most humorous episode imo was "A Piece of the Action"

[@jyesucevitz]

imagine the full length movie that could have been made from that story of The City on the Edge of Forever?

[@michellecalling]

Season 1, episode 19, Tomorrow Is Yesterday. I like the time travel aspect of it.

[@grahamrich3368]

Wonderful! Thank you for this!! 🚀

[@frankrawl8705]

Fantastic review man 👍I have liked subcribed and will definitely watch again! Keep up the good work 👍

[@thepenskyfile]

Thank you very much!

[@lennyernquist1246]

I read that the late great D.C. Fontana had to do a rewrite in her teleplay of The Ultimate Computer making it more understandable from the original story. I also love The Doomsday Machine a great episode.

[@jackp9122]

William Windoms acting-perfect-“ there was a 3rd planet, but not anymore!”

[@kendo4242]

If you can watch City on the Edge of Forever and still get wound up after watching it for the 20th time, I'd have to agree, yes...best episode. But Doomsday Machine solely for W. Windom's performance make it a close 2nd. Looks like we agree!

[@jackp9122]

Yes, two of the best, still on my derby, along with the Amok time, naked time, tomorrow is yesterday, and of course Menagerie 1and 2. That is, my DVR.

[@charleslindlar2884]

I agree

[@Rkenton48]

Agreed. Ms. Collins was so beautiful in that role.

[@fornoreason8822]

'Day of the Dove' is always overlooked.

[@thepenskyfile]

Honorable mention

[@CaminoAir]

Wes, I can't really argue with your summation of TOS, but it does make a difference if you grew up with it before the first 6 movies and TNG. My essential point is that I don't quite believe that TNG (as strong as that show could be and as consistent as it could be at times) could have spawned the franchise (if it was the original ST show) in the same way that TOS did. The budget cuts and production crew changes did heavily impact TOS (as much as the limitations of the format that you have pointed out). I also can't ague with your episode selections in this video.

[@thepenskyfile]

Yes, it's a nostalgia heavy series (as they all are, to some degree). I agree that TOS was a good template for going forward, and all the post-TOS series are a variant of the original.

[@billanthony7896]

Yeah, it's hard to imagine any such scenario. I mean, would Martin Landau have been as famous at playing Mr. Spock? He almost got the part. He would have brought something to the performance. But would he have been the phenomenon Nimoy became? And what if Jeffery Hunter had remained? Without Shatner, would Star Trek be Star Trek? There are so many intangibles that can never be known for sure. Everything fell into place just right. Maybe in some parallel world, it's a whole different story!

[@jackp9122]

I agree, saw the original ones when they came out, in b and w with analog shaky pic. But I was still impressed.

[@patrickginther8527]

@@billanthony7896 I always thought that Jeffery Hunter played Captain Pike more like Hamlet while William Shatner played Captain Kirk as more of a Henry V kind of guy.

[@GoGreen1977]

As someone who watched TOS during its original run as a preteen and loved the first few movies, I have NEVER been a big fan of TNG. I couldn't "bond" with most of the characters and many of the stories elicited nothing but eye rolls from me. I more or less stopped watching after the first half of the first season. I have, over the years, caught up with the entire series and I enjoyed the TNG movies to varying degrees. However, I never would have become a lifelong fan of Star Trek if TNG had been the first ST series I had ever seen. TOS rules!!

[@jeffbranch8072]

Having seen 'The Enemy Below', a great movie with Robert Mitchum and Curt Jurgens, helps me appreciate even more 'Balance of Terror' which is based on this movie.

[@s.l.nicholson4240]

I'm more of a Group A type selector. To pick one above the others is often difficult and this circumstance is no different. I would submit as many as 10 episodes in Group A. Having stated that I must however confess that as a young boy in the 60's it was The Doomsday Machine for which I remember most. There was something different about it that is difficult to articulate even today. Perhaps it was the high level of drama and superior acting. It was truly a great episode and unforgettable. It's no surprise to me that it is almost always in someone's top 10.

[@sandal_thong8631]

Probably a top-three episode.

[@jeffturner6698]

Great vid. I have different favs, of course, we all do. But you have great reasons and explanations behind yours, and I really enjoyed it. Wonderfully done. Make some more, maybe different caregories? Thanks 🖖

[@thepenskyfile]

Thank you very much!

[@jameskilcoyne1955]

Five great choices. I also like the one with Gary Seven and the delightful Terri Garr.

[@sureshmukhi2316]

Assignment Earth

[@sandal_thong8631]

I don't like Teri Garr because she usually plays a ditz, like the woman who got locked in the bathroom for 20 minutes during a party in the movie _Tootsie._ Not worthy of the nomination, but thank goodness she didn't win Oscar for best actress! But she also said she didn't like _Star Trek,_ sci-fi or its fans. Maybe she was abused on the set, like Grace Lee Whitney? Perhaps when Shatner passes, more will come out.

[@kevinbrennan-ji1so]

I concur with this list, though, for some reason, I have a soft spot for 'Who Mourns for Adonais?', which I found very haunting.

[@whiskeyvictor5703]

Superb list of top eps. However, my personal favorite is "The Squire of Gothos" with the memorable, flamboyant performance of William Campbell.

[@teebrinner5939]

It's a great episode indeed

[@jeffturner6698]

Yes, and I just realized something... he probably spawned "Q"?? Cool! Thanks for that lol 👍🏻🖖🏼

[@whiskeyvictor5703]

@Paul Kryder June Lockhart only had two daughters.

[@whiskeyvictor5703]

@Paul Kryder According to Memory Alpha website, the voice of Trelane's mother was that of Barbara Babcock, who appeared in the TOS ep "A Taste of Armageddon".

[@jeffturner6698]

I cant stop thinking about them now....THANKS ALOT!! 🤦🏻‍♂️😁 Catspaw Assignment Earth

[@joelcampbell7100]

Excellent selections

[@jstrahan2]

You forgot Spock's Brain. A classic.

[@jstrahan2]

You are spot on. 😊

[@markfurman4386]

Brain!? What is Brain??? Not know Brain! ! !

[@williamscoggin1509]

Yes, I forgotten about spots having his brain removed. As a small kid seeing it when it first came out it was pretty groundbreaking as far as making me think about something like that. And Dr McCoy facing the danger of receiving the information into his head of how to do the replacement surgery that almost killed him. And then before the surgery was complete he was forgetting what to do. Pretty handy stuff for a small kid to watch. I loved every second of it! 👍🏻

[@patkeeg1]

"the givers of pain and delight" Best stoner episode

[@markreed392]

That's not funny!

[@glennspringthorpe6227]

My favourite episode of the best Star Trek series ever created: The Menagerie parts 1 & 2.

[@josebelindo1641]

nice place you have here Captain Pike

[@GuitarLessonsBobbyCrispy]

What was that Star Trek episode where Kirk appears as a ghostly figure in an astronaut suit on and off, and they were trying to bring him back? That episode terrified me as a kid.

[@Mark16v15]

I think I have to agree with all of your picks. You might have mentioned some Honorable Mentions too. The Gorn one was pretty clever IMHO. And that one with everyone being drunk and the ship ending up flying back in time was pretty mesmerizing and exciting for a young grade schooler like I was when the episode first came out. Also, the ending of "Obsession" where I thought Kirk was going to die, but Spock's calmness while cross-circuiting to B saves the day, made that a very memorable one. I would put "Amok Time" as number 6 on your list. The battle music alone was captivating (I still like listening to it), and again, for a six year old, how in the world did Kirk make it out alive on that one? I mean we all saw he was dead. I was more shocked than Spock! Oh, and there was that one where you had that all-powerful deep-voiced monster man about to destroy the Enterprise, and it turned out to be Ron Howard's little kid brother who looked my age. And then there was "The Menagerie" where Roddenberry was, almost miraculously, able to make some more money off the failed pilot, including a "To Be Continued" that had me on the edge of my seat for a week, and almost crying at the end when it was revealed that Spock was willing to risk his own life for the love and compassion he had for his first captain, Pike. (I still get misty when I think about that last part of that episode.) Later on I realized there was a lot more to the plots than I realized at the time, but for a kid, it was like rocketing out into unknown space once a week. Maybe you should do a BEST 6 through 10 list for next time.

[@jamesalexander5623]

Does on one here know that Balance of Terror IS the Plot of the WW II Film "The Enemy Below"?

[@maureentuohy8672]

James Alexander Yes, yes I do! 😆😆😉🖖🏼

[@alanconway94]

Me too.

[@zaxxon4]

My favorite episode was S1.E26 Errand of Mercy. I loved the smugness of the Organians as Kirk though he was saving them, and Kor though he was enslaving them.

[@amusement420]

“Edith Keeler must die…” one of the best lines also. It helps that Joan Collins is stunning yet approachable. And they walk past Mayberry's Floyd's barbershop where city scenes were shot.

[@jeffrobinson4587]

Here’s my list: 1. City on the edge of forever 2. This side of paradise 3. All our yesterdays 4. Mirror, Mirror 5. The Corbomite Maneuver

[@thepenskyfile]

This is a good one.

[@DavidYosephSchreiber]

I agree with you about This Side of Paradise. It had the potential to be number one. City focussed on a truly wonderful woman. Paradise focussed on an ideal society. The problem was that the hippy commune LSD dropout model really wasn't a model for utopia. The intellectual society of the Cloud Minders with the LSD theme may have worked better.

[@thefurrybastard1964]

You forgot "Who Mourns For Adonis?" And in City on the Edge of Forever it is not disclosed if the Human Race is destroyed or if the Federation never comes about.

[@73challenger5031]

Maybe, on "City on the Edge of Forever," if Edith doesn't die, it creates the alternate universe in Mirror, Mirror."

[@thefurrybastard1964]

@@73challenger5031 There is a Nazi Universe in one of the Star Trek Roleplaying Games which came about because of Edith not dying. I think the Mirror Universe was supposed to have always been a dark and brutal version of the mainstream universe. I shudder to think how Mirror Kirk corrected Mirror McCoy's alteration of the time stream.

[@bgarri57]

One flaw in that 'best' episode--the Guardian should have mentioned that they were protected by wake in the space/time continuum....otherwise, why were they still existing while the Enterprise was never there?

[@thefurrybastard1964]

@@bgarri57I think it was suggested that the Gateway planet was protected from the effects of altering time.

[@3dbadboy1]

City on the Edge still gives me a bittersweet angst, even in a semi-documentary format.

[@JimA-pp2nu]

Corbomite Maneuver, City Edge of Forever, All Our Yesterdays, Balance Of Terror, Trouble with Tribbles, Naked Time, Mirror Mirror, and Amok Time

[@CaptGage]

Great list, but 5 is a bit short.

[@edg4441]

I agree with all 5 episodes. However, I would have a 3-way tie for # 5. The Devil in the Dark is tied with The Enterprise Incident (the only choice from Season 3) and The Gamesters of Triskelion. Monique Pettijohn as Shawna's little speech at the end after Kirk and the crew beam up to the Enterprise is truly classic. I have "something in my eye" every time I watch that episode. I would like to see "Mirror" Kirk fight in the arena.

[@edg4441]

I agree. "The Gamesters of Triskelion" is a very underrated episode. The tie at # 5 is definite. I'd also like to see "Mirror" Kirk fight in the arena, That is what makes the episode "The Way to Eden" terrible because The Enterprise has to chase the "One" group into Romulan space and no Romulan ships are guarding the border.

[@drobson8004]

Great commentary. Good job.

[@TorgerVedeler]

I agree with your top three. What scares the hell out of me is how prophetic the super weapon/supercomputer episodes are turning out to be.

[@CrystalWilliamsoncoach]

For me: Mirror, Mirror; The Trouble with Tribbles; Plato's Stepchildren; City on the Edge ... ; Devil in the Dark - not necessarily in that order.

[@ChrisMaxfieldActs]

I'd rather not have to choose only five top episodes, but your list is pretty damn good. I'd swap The Immunity Syndrome for The Ultimate Computer, and maybe This Side of Paradise for Devil In the Dark, but both of your choices there are excellent. Honorable mentions would be Mirror, Mirror, The Corbomite Maneuver (early but very clever, with good original effects), The Naked Time (because it's brilliantly eccentric, and it helped define Spock as a secretly tortured being, smothering his emotions rather than not having them, and showing the level to which Kirk LOVES his ship over anything), and The Menagerie 2-parter (for presenting The Cage story while cheaply and fairly seamlessly integrating it into a STAR TREK TOS format. I like the fun ones like The Trouble With Tribbles or the drama of an episode such as Tomorrow Is Yesterday, too, so it's hard to choose favorites, even while admitting there were quite a few mediocre or bad ones, too.

[@thepenskyfile]

Thanks Chris!

[@josebelindo1641]

yes the Immunity Syndrome the giant virus in space is pure science fiction unlike knock offs on planets full of Nazis and romans

[@007.M-D]

Totally agree excellent analysis 👏

[@tobi8676]

Fantastic comments! Very well thought-trough and therefore very thought-provoking.

[@garymcaleer6112]

To each his own. Being 62, I have my favorites too. And they extend to the last episode. I was always sad to see Jeffrey Hunter step away from the cast. He could have brought tremendous dialogue to the script. But this is a good post. As J.S. Bach set the standard for classical music over the next 150 years, so the Star Trek series of the 60's set the standard until today. Arthur C. Clark and others clearly plagiarized the wit and intelligence of Star Trek's script writers.

[@TheWaffleman54]

I respect your listing, and I do agree that most of the best episodes came from Season 1 (it also had the best version of the opening credits theme IMHO) and while I enjoy the episodes you picked my personal top 5 would be. #5. Errand of Mercy #4. Space Seed #3. Balance of Terror #2. Mirror Mirror #1. City On the Edge of Forever Each were varied but they explored the values of these particular subject in a mature and realistic way, and featured some of the best characters.

[@morrisparrish76]

Your 5 can’t go wrong! That’s about like picking the best jazz singer between Sarah-Ella-dinah & Billie!

[@blueeyedsoulman]

"The Corbomite Maneuver" Scared the crap out of me when I was a kid.

[@Falconlibrary]

1. The City on the Edge of Forever 2. Mirror, Mirror 3. A Taste of Armageddon 4. Amok Time 5. The Trouble with Tribbles

[@mikewalters8361]

Patterns of force gets honorable mention.

[@sandal_thong8631]

Pass on the space Nazis.

[@barbaramcgee8933]

I'm happy to see Devil in the Dark made your list, it's always been one of my faves and I don't think it gets the love it deserves. I can't disagree with any of your choices they're all great episodes. Miri is another of my faves and I might switch out Doomsday Machine for it if I was doing a list.

[@thepenskyfile]

I also like Miri. Honorable mentions would be Miri, This Side of Paradise, A Piece of the Action.

[@willf.5608]

The actor that played Dr. Daystrom in " The Ultimate Computer " did a great job with that role. There appears to be many people in our society today that fit his profile.

[@rohnkd4hct260]

very good list.

[@billmalec]

Balance of Terror is by far the best. Whatever the one with the kids... Tell em Jim, tell em Jim, bump bump on the head bump bump is the worst. Hell will be not-stop viewing of this episode. Miri. Just shoot me already.

[@bgarri57]

I agree. Miri would be in the bottom ten along with the first episode--that stupid salt sucking monster.

[@phdtobe]

IMO, Mirror Mirror and The Menagerie should have been on the list. Drop the Ultimate Computer for its cartoonish psychologically unhinged computer inventor character.

[@5argetech56]

Wrong, you are missing the deeper meaning of the episode "The Ultimate Computer". It has to do with "Racism" . Remember this was in 1968. Even though it was set in the future, the series dealt with problems of the time. Calling Dr. Daystrum, the "boy" wonder. Get it!

[@5argetech56]

trha2222 I do not think so I guess the writer didn't even realize it himself. And I will stick by what I said. Dr. Daystrom a black man being called a "boy genius". That phrase was an absolute dog whistle of the time. Nice try though. That episode was written by DC Fontana, a woman. Lawrence wolf is the author

[@MichaelSoldwisch]

I really liked the Daystrum character.

[@billanthony7896]

@@5argetech56 - Star Trek had supposedly evolved beyond racism, so I'm not sure your conclusion is valid. He was called the "boy" genius because he had done all his great work at a very young age. As the story made clear, he'd spent the rest of his life trying to achieve greatness again. The M-5 was his first major achievement since his youth as a young scientist. If he was played by an Italian, Indian, or Chinese Actor, would we even be discussing the term "boy?" I think not.

[@5argetech56]

Do you know who DC Fontana is. Plus remember the show was made during a time where there are a lot of social issues. One of them was racism.

[@TodaysDante]

Great selection and analysis. I love how we never find out the true origins of the doomsday device.

[@alanconway94]

Balance of Terror is my all time favourite; maybe because I really love a U-Boat movie but, more likely for this: "In this galaxy, there's a mathematical probability of three million earth-type planets...and in all the universe, three million million galaxies like this one. And in all of that, and perhaps more, only one of each of us."

[@peterredman5775]

Man, you're missing Mirror, Mirror. Great video though.

[@thepenskyfile]

Thanks Peter! Mirror, Mirror is a runner up. Likely spot 6 or 7 for myself.

[@marcychan168]

@@thepenskyfile I wish they would have made another "Mirror " episode - or expanded "City on the Edge of Forever" further - it was too bad it ended only after 3 seasons - they literally had potential to " reach the stars" Thanks for doing these - absolutely love them!!! God bless Cheers!

[@brucetrue]

I've always like Spock more than Kirk. As such, my top two would be Galileo 7, All Our Yesterdays. Beyond that maybe conscience of the King.

[@protorhinocerator142]

The City on the Edge of Forever makes me cry every time. Such an amazing episode. It's all drama, very little sci-fi.

[@tracylf5409]

Edith Keeler. Actress Joan Collins. Nothing changes her art.