I'll be honest, i've always preferred Romulans over Klingons. This episode has an almost Mission: Impossible feel to it. Kirk and Spock must acquire the perfected Romulan Cloaking Device. Kirk acts unstable. Spock pretends to kill him. Spock engages the female Romulan Commander in an episode long game of cat and mouse flirtation. Kirk then pretends to be a Romulan, complete with pointed ears.
The female Romulan Commander would show up in several novels and comics over the years. I was especially happy to see the character return for the final two episodes of the fan series Star Trek Continues (who was actually played by the daughter of the original actress).
4. Arena
This was the very first episode of Star Trek i ever saw. I remember thinking the episode was alright and the guy with pointed ears was interesting. When the Gorn showed up they had my complete attention. I think that was the point i became a fan. This episode is, of course, infamous for Kirk fighting the Gorn and for his improvised weapon. Kirk's battle with the Gorn is one of those legendary Star Trek moments that has been referenced in various tv shows, and even commercials. Captain Sisko is a fan as well. When flung back in time to Kirk's era the one thing he wanted to ask him about was fighting the Gorn.
3. The Doomsday Machine
I feel this is an episode people think of if they consider TOS cheesy. I get it. The Constellation is actually just an AMT Enterprise model and it shows. And there is the Doomsday Machine itself. It looks like a Thanksgiving cornucopia. All i can tell you is when i first saw this episode i bought it. I bought the illusion they were selling. I also bought the performance of William Windom as a man devastated by the loss of his crew. A man bent on getting revenge even if it claims the Enterprise.
The Remastered version of this episode certainly made the space battle more dynamic, and the Doomsday Machine looks better. And yet, i prefer the original version. The Doomsday Machine, or at least other vessels of the same design have shown up in novels such as Peter David's Vendetta and in Star Trek Online.
2. Mirror, Mirror
This episode needs little introduction or commentary from me. It is the granddaddy of alternate universe tropes. You see it in everything from Hercules: The Legendary Journeys to Futurama. Even Hasselhoff had an evil twin with facial hair on Knight Rider. It is perhaps the most famous concept to come from the original series. Even non-fans know a lookalike with a van dyke must be evil.
The Mirror Universe continues to show up in comics, novels, video games and in episodes of DS9, Enterprise and Discovery. Of the many tie-ins one that stands out for me personally is The Mirror Universe Saga trade. This epic eight issue story was written before Star Trek IV and takes place immediately after the events of Star Trek III. I remember being a little kid, learning my library had comics and this was the first thing i found. I must have checked it out and read it a hundred times.
1. City on the Edge of Forever
This episode is usually number one or two on most top ten lists and for good reason. Like Mirror, Mirror i feel there is little i can add at this point which hasn't been said in fifty plus years. I will say that i really enjoyed the IDW comic adaption of Harlan Ellison's original screenplay. For years i only knew Harlan Ellison as a very angry man who was on the Sci-Fi Channel. I knew he had an axe to grind with Gene over how his script turned out. His script features many differences from the produced episode, one of which involves Yeoman Rand playing an active role. I've always been fascinated with unproductive scripts or ideas for films that never materialized.
Now, you may be thinking what about Space Seed? Amok Time? Trouble With Tribbles? Honestly, i was never crazy about Trouble with Tribbles. I feel it is very, very overrated. I know, i know. Its a fan favorite. I remember during the 25th anniversary marathon it was picked as the #1 best episode. I always thought City was better. And that was before i became a fan of the works of Ellison. And yes, there are episodes i've picked that may be surprising. All Our Yesterdays and Obsession. I like those episodes. These are just my personal picks. I know you have your own favorites. Everyone has different opinions. I like The Lights of Zetar. I think its a weird episode. It isn't exactly highly regarded by the fan community. But fan community or fan think means nothing to me. I like what i like.
So, if you agree or disagree with my list let me know. Give me your episode picks. As Derek, Tony and Mike will tell you... i can talk about Star Trek all day. Also, be sure to come back next week as i talk about what i feel are the worst TOS episodes.
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