In this episode, Wes delays the Generations podcast by one week in order to discuss his final thoughts about TOS series and movies. He provides a breakdown of the much maligned third season, determines the best way to watch TOS, and responds to listener comments about the series. TOS is in the bag, so be sure to join us as we move on to the TNG movies!
We made it to the end of our TOS podcasts! TOS has had some ups and downs, and Wes details his thoughts about how he feels about the first Star Trek series in this podcast. Which season was the best? Which characters shine, and which fade away? Does TOS hold up? All this, and more!
“This is a man’s world… but it would be nothing without a woman or a girl.” Turnabout Intruder is the last episode of TOS, and thus the last TOS episode that this podcast will be covering! Clay joins me to discuss and episode that features body swapping and gender politics, with a healthy dose of people not doing the obvious thing. We also cover women as captains, pointless doctors, and where we stand on TOS!
When Kirk and crew are threatened with torture by their alien captors, a mute empath might be the key to their escape. But will the empath be able to lead them out of their darkened room? “The Empath” features yet another alien judgement, but this time it’s not humans who need to defend themselves! Modi stops by to discuss the many types of bad episodes, memorable torture, and saviors with limited capabilities!
The ancient Greeks: philosophers, artists, and… space aliens? When the Enterprise discovers a planet of immortal telepaths who have based their lifestyle on the teaching of Plato, Kirk must figure out a way to not kiss a woman! Modi stops by to discuss the infamous Plato’s Stepchildren, which is an episode known for a kiss but should be known for so much more. We discuss actors going whole hog, special effects limitations, and “little surprises”!
Skin that smokewagon! When Kirk and company are thrown into an alien version of the Wild West, they have to figure out how to survive a gunfight against some legendary gunslingers. Clay joins me to discuss the surreal Spectre of the Gun, an episode that features the (temporary) death of Chekov! We also discuss The Prisoner, writing without an outline, and needless drop kicks!
When an alien steals Spock’s brain, it’s up to Kirk, Bones, and RC Spock to get it back! Considered to be one of the worst TOS episodes, Spock’s Brain is a fascinating episode that doesn’t do anything well. But is it as bad as everyone says? Clay and Sean join me to discuss gender roles in alien societies, why certain concepts seem goofy, and melodramatic surgery!
The Garden of Eden is no place for an arms race! When Kirk returns to a planet that he visited long ago, he discovers that things are not how he remembers them. The Klingons have created an arms race by arming different tribes with flintlocks! Will this planet have its own Vietnam War? Or will the crazy monkey creatures kill everyone first? Modi stops by to discuss serpents in the garden, the only gang bang/attempted rape scene in Trek history (sorry, Tasha), and episodes that end abruptly!
Yeah, see, we got deez heaters, see? When the Enterprise stumbles across a planet that has modeled itself after 1920’s Chicago, Kirk must find a way to get a “piece of the action” before it’s too late! Armed with tommy guns and zoot suits, can Kirk, Spock and McCoy figure out a way to get a cut or will the gangsters make them sleep with the fishies? Mark joins me to discuss Gilligan’s Island, action as a currency, and TNG’s “The Royale”!
The Federation and the Klingon Empire might have an uneasy alliance, but that doesn’t mean they can simply share a vacation spot together! Into this tense conflict come the Tribbles, a species of furry, purring, lovable little hairballs that can only do two things: eat and reproduce. The Trouble with Tribbles is an iconic episode that is frequently listed as one of TOS’ best hours. So what do we think? Clay joins me to discuss Klingons as double agents, planets named after a guy named Sherman, and saying the same line twice!
Meet the Sareks! The Enterprise picks up a Vulcan ambassador for negotitations about some space business, and boy are we surprised to find out it’s Spock’s father, Sarek! Mark stops by to break down the first appearance of Sarek, a character who holds an important place in Trek lore. We discuss Vulcan logic, plot lines that are all over the place, and the weirdness of a human mother!
When the Enterprise encounters a planet destroying weapon of unknown origin, they face strife from within as a desperate commodore seizes control of the ship in order to seek vengeance on the weapon that killed his crew! Clay stops by to discuss Lovecraftian evil, the difference between a captain and a commodore, and cold as ice Spock one-liners!
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the most dangerous of them all? When a transporter accident sends Kirk, Scotty, Bones and Uhura to another dimension, they find that not all universes are created equal! The Mirror Universe is introduced in this episode, and it would go on to be a barbaric and iconic setting for TOS, DS9 and ENT. Modi stops by to discuss evil goatees, being a captain’s woman, and same Spock, different place!
When Spock under goes the ancient Vulcan ritual of pon farr, he is drawn back to Vulcan to complete his marriage… and hopefully get laid! Amy joins me to discuss the iconic “Amok Time”, which delivers a tremendous amount of information about the Vulcans and their culture. We also discuss helmets instead of ears, the friendship of Spock and Kirk, and why you can’t leave Nurse Chapl hanging!
A few days removed from the Alternative Factor, Clay and I return to discuss The City on the Edge of Forever, which is frequently cited as one of TOS’ best episodes. Kirk and Spock travel back in time, and Kirk is forced to make a decision that will determine the course of human history! What do we think about it all? Clay and I discuss weird first acts, using racism to justify crime, and the needs of one versus the needs of the many!
When the universe blinks out existence, Kirk and the Enterprise discover a man with a wild beard who’s claiming to be chased by a monster from another dimension. Then, we have a bunch of slow motion fight scenes filmed in negative, and wild beard man falls off a bunch of cliffs! The Alternative Factor is considered to be one of the worst episodes of TOS. Is it? Clay joins me to discuss beard inconsistency, the exact number of Lazaruses, and Jetsons spaceships!
Introducing… the Klingons! Errand of Mercy is most widely known as the first appearance of Klingons in Star Trek, but it also brings a slew of topics to the table: powerful god-like beings, the details of Kirk’s misions, and early Klingon characterization. Does the Klingon introduction go smoothly? Mark joins me to discuss all this and more!
When the Enterprise is called to a mining planet to stop a murderous monster, Kirk and Spock are forced to consider a different perspective! The Devil in the Dark is a pretty famous episode of TOS, but how does it hold up? Mark joins me to discuss fuchsia jumpsuits, acid burns on your hands, and the ethics of mind melding!
Spores! When the Enterprise discovers a planet filled with happy people contentedly gardening, it’s up to Kirk to completely destroy their way of life. Plus, some crazy plants shoot spores everywhere and make Spock feel emotion. Modi joins me for a discussion about the ethics of hedonism, Vulcan love interests, and squatting on mushrooms!
When the Enterprise discovers a planet that has been waging a simulated war for 500 years, Kirk must do his best to convince a stubborn people that they have no reason to fight any longer. A solid episode built around an interesting concept, A Taste of Armageddon uses the show’s sci-fi trappings extremely well. Wes is alone on this mission (guests will be returning soon!), so join him as he discusses simulated wars, generic middles, and sitting on people!
KAAAAAAHHHHNNN! Well… not yet. When the Enterprise encounters a sleeper ship of genetically engineered supermen from the 1990’s, Kirk meets the man who will eventually become his greatest adversary. In the meantime, we get to enjoy some tai chi and technical manuals! Clay stops by to discuss the origin of the Kahn character, and we touch on other topics that include: 23rd century women vs. The Game, the many outfits of genetically engineered supermen, and Scotty’s favorite dictators!
Kirk fought the Gorn, and time stood still! When the Enterprise is attacked at a destroyed colony, Kirk and an alien captain are transported to a desolate world and told to fight to the death. Will Kirk’s karate chops be enough to slay the incredibly slow lizard-man? Modi stops by to discuss Kirk’s grenade launcher, assuming all technology is a recording device, and piles of colorful dust!
When the Enterprise encounters a powerful Romulan ship, Kirk engages that ship’s commander in a battle of wits and explosions! Balance of Terror is a Trek take on submarine battle films, and has the important job of introducing the Romulans, Trek’s longest running antagonist. Clay joins me to discuss Romulan motivations, racism on board the Enterprise, and unfortunate deaths!
Kodos the Executioner was responsible for the deaths of 4,000 people: could he possibly be on board the Enterprise, posing as a Shakespearean actor? When Kirk discovers the possibility that his old nemesis Kodos might still be alive, he sets off on a confusing adventure to right the wrongs of the past! Clay joins me to discuss Shakespeare, recording the captain’s log, and throwing phasers down the garbage chute!
After beaming down to a desert planet, Dr McCoy runs into an old flame from his past. However, she looks like she hasn’t aged a day! Soon after, dead bodies start to pile up and salt becomes a vital commodity! The Man Trap is a mystery filled with romance, illusions, and salt tablets!
Modi stops by to discuss unfortunate reveals, beating up women, and the last buffalo!
With the first “real” episode of TOS, Kirk and crew (including Dr McCoy!) run into a mysterious floating square, blow it up, and then come face to face with a dummy and a young Clint Howard! The Corbomite Maneuver is an iconic episode of the show, and it contains many of the hallmarks that people would come to know and love.
Clay stops by to discuss eating leafy greens, technicolor uniforms, and the ages of Captains Kirk and Picard!
The second pilot for Star Trek features fisticuffs, god like beings, and William Shatner as James R.(?) Kirk! When a crew member becomes granted immense powers at the edge of the galaxy, Kirk has to decide if he can save the life of his friend, even if it means risking the Enterprise and all of humanity to destruction. Modi Operandus stops by to discuss playing grab ass during red alerts, how to kill a god, and shouty-pants Spock!
TOS shot multiple pilots, and the first one featured a somewhat depressed captain named Christopher Pike! With an entirely different crew (except for an unusually emotional Mr. Spock), The Cage was Roddenberry’s first attempt at Star Trek. We all know that the series ultimately went in a different direction, but was The Cage any good in the first place? Clay joins me to discuss seductive lounging, sad captains, and casual misogyny!
Having finished TNG, the podcast is moving backwards in time to The Original Series! We’ll be covering about ~20 episodes from the three seasons of TOS, and then moving into the TOS and TNG movies. This episode does some general podcast housekeeping, lists the episodes we’ll be covering, and provides some updates on the show!