STAR TREK
THE ORIGINAL SERIES
SEASON 1
Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelly, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, James Doohan, Majel Barrett and Grace Lee Whitney
Out to buy on DVD 30/08/04
CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
"Scotty... Beam me up"
Capt. James T. Kirk
Space...The Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship, Enterprise. Its 5-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.
The Man Trap
The Enterprise arrives at planet M-113 for an annual colony re-supply and
physical check-up of its residents and finds Professor Crater and his wife
Nancy who is an old girlfriend of McCoy's. Crater immediately objects to
the intrusion and tries to convince Kirk that an examination is not necessary
and that they only need are salt tablets. Unknown to the landing party,
each of them is seeing Nancy differently. McCoy sees her as the same youthful
woman of his past while Kirk sees a handsome but older woman. Still, crewman
Darnell sees Nancy as a blonde woman he met in the past and follows her
into the nearby wilderness. Interrupted by the screams of Nancy, Kirk and
McCoy race to the scene and find Darnell dead with Nancy standing nearby.
Crater claims that the crewman died from the poison of the borgia plant
found in his mouth, but Kirk is suspicious and orders everyone beamed up
to the ship while he conducts an investigation.
Charlie
X
The Enterprise makes a rendezvous with the S.S. Antares and picks up a 17
year old boy, Charlie Evans who is the only survivor of a colony expedition
that crashed on the planet Thasus. Captain Ramart and his staff rave about
the boy, but Kirk can't help but be puzzled when Ramart refuses luxury items
and hurries back to the Antares. Charlie, without social skills of any measure,
seems a bit strange and unrefined but states that he grew up alone with
only the record tapes from the wreckage for company. Sometime later, Captain
Ramart signals the Enterprise and tries to warn Kirk about something, but
just then the Antares is destroyed.
Where No Man
Has Gone Before
The Enterprise encounters a record-marker left behind by the S.S. Valiant
years ago as it tried to go through an energy barrier at the rim of the
galaxy. After reading the badly damaged tapes they learn that the captain
of the Valiant became obsessed with information on human psionics just before
he ordered the destruction of his vessel. Despite the mystery, the Enterprise
continues on to the rim of the galaxy in its own effort to get through the
barrier.
The Naked Time
The Enterprise arrives at planet Psi 2000 to pick up a Federation research
party from a planet that is quickly disintegrating, but after beaming down
to the research facility Spock and Lieutenant Tormolen find all the scientists
have died from strange causes. One has been strangled, one sits frozen at
his station, apparently without a care in the world, and another is discovered
in the shower, fully clothed. After making recordings of the incident the
two beam back to the Enterprise, but not before Tormolen is accidentally
infected by a water-borne virus that is still alive in the research center.
The Enemy Within
The landing party is conducting a geological survey of planet Alpha 177
when Geology technician Fisher falls from an embankment and is beamed aboard
the Enterprise to be treated for an injured hand. After a rough beam-in,
Scotty notices magnetic ore covering Fisher when the technician materializes
and tells him to have the uniform decontaminated. Kirk beams up next and
is unknowingly split into two separate entities, one kind but weak and indecisive,
the other vicious and cruel.
Mudd's Women
The Enterprise is pursuing an unidentified vessel, which is overloading
its engines in an effort to avoid capture. It enters an asteroid field,
and Kirk decides to extend the ship's deflector screen around the helpless
cargo vessel until the crew can be beamed aboard. While doing so, three
of the four lithium crystals which power the Enterprise burn out and force
the ship to seek replacement crystals on Rigel XII. Meanwhile, Kirk convenes
a hearing where the captain of the cargo ship, Harcort Fenton "Harry" Mudd,
and his "cargo," three women on their way to marry settlers, are investigated
for their actions.
What Are Little
Girls Made Of?
Christine Chapel is a passenger aboard the Enterprise as it travels to Exo
III in search of her fiancé, exobiologist Dr. Korby, whose last message
was from this frozen planet where he had discovered an underground cavern.
The landing party beams down to greet the doctor and almost immediately
two crewmen die in the cavern. Irritated by Korby's disinterest in the deaths,
Kirk tries to check in with the Enterprise but is instead relieved of his
phaser and communicator and forced to listen to Korby's vision of an improved
human civilization through the transfer of human souls into android bodies.
Miri
The Enterprise answers an old-style distress signal from an unknown planet
and discovers a world that is virtually identical to Earth of the 1960's.
Beaming down, the landing party finds a civilization populated only by children.
After McCoy is attacked by a diseased humanoid, the landing party manages
to corner and question a young female, Miri, and quickly learns that 300
years ago scientists attempted a life-prolongation project which instead
created a virus that wiped out the adult population.
Dagger Of The
Mind
While transferring cargo to the Tantalus Penal Colony, one of the inmates
beams aboard the Enterprise and manages to make his way to the bridge before
being disabled by a nerve pinch from Spock. By the time the Enterprise returns
to Tantalus, McCoy has run a few tests on their stowaway and urges Kirk
to begin an investigation of the penal colony despite the reputation of
its director, Dr. Tristan Adams.
The Corbomite
Maneuver
During a routine star-mapping assignment in an uncharted section of the
galaxy, the Enterprise encounters a space buoy of unknown origin. At first
the buoy blocks the ship's path, but when Kirk decides to maneuver around
the buoy it charges the ship, forcing Kirk to destroy it with phasers. After
consideration, Kirk decides to continue on in an effort to discover the
intelligence behind the buoy. Soon the Enterprise is confronted by a gigantic
alien vessel, the Fesarius, which promptly grabs the Enterprise with its
tractor beam and scans its record banks. After a futile effort by Kirk to
communicate with the alien ship, Balok, the commander of the Fesarius, decides
that the Enterprise must be destroyed and gives the crew 10 minutes to prepare.
The Menagerie
(Part 1 & 2)
The Enterprise arrives at Starbase 11, as ordered, but Kirk discovers that
no such orders were issued. The ship's computers are checked despite the
fact that Spock was the only person to actually see the transmission. While
waiting, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy visit the former commander of the Enterprise,
Fleet Captain Christopher Robin Pike, who has been paralysed and disfigured
by delta rays during a starship accident. After Spock is allowed to remain
alone with his former captain, he reveals sketchy details of a plan to take
the Enterprise on a mission of his own design, knowing full well that his
actions will be considered mutiny.
The Conscience
Of The King
The Enterprise arrives at Planet Q, summoned by Dr. Thomas Leighton who
claims to have developed a new synthetic food. When Kirk beams down he discovers
that Leighton's real intention was to inform the captain that a travelling
theatrical troupe's lead actor, Anton Karidian, is actually Kodos the Executioner.
Balance Of Terror
A wedding between two crewmembers is interrupted when an Earth outpost along
the Romulan border is attacked by an unidentified vessel. Kirk orders battlestations
and the Enterprise races towards the Romulan Neutral Zone, an area separating
the two powers which was established by subspace radio over 100 years ago,
just as another outpost is destroyed. Kirk continues to try and identify
the attacker, but Lieutenant Stiles, whose ancestors fought in the Romulan
War, believes there isn't much doubt as to their identity.
Shore Leave
When the Enterprise arrives at an uncharted planet with hopes of conducting
shore leave, the initial scouting parties find no animal or insect life
forms, but what they do find is a quiet and beautiful planet, which appears
perfect for their needs. Shore leave is cancelled, however, when McCoy sees
a likeness of Alice in Wonderland follow a large white rabbit through a
hedge and no explanation can be found for the sudden appearance of life
forms.
The Galileo Seven
The Enterprise is scheduled to rendezvous with a ship, which will deliver
medical supplies to a plague-ridden Hansen's Planet but passes the quasar
Murasake 312 and, under Starfleet orders, stops to investigate. Spock, McCoy,
Scott, and four specialists board the shuttlecraft Galileo and head into
Murasake 312 for observation. Unexpectedly, the Galileo is pulled off course
and crashes on the planet Taurus II in the center of the Murasake phenomenon.
The Squire of
Gothos
While on course towards Colony Beta VI to deliver supplies, the Enterprise
encounters a lone planet in a region of space devoid of stars. Without the
time to stop and investigate further, Kirk orders the planet logged for
future exploration and to resume their original course. Suddenly, Kirk and
Sulu are abducted from the bridge.
Arena
While in orbit above an isolated Federation outpost on Cestus III, Kirk,
Spock, McCoy, and a few tactical officers beam down for a visit but soon
discover that the outpost has recently been destroyed. Outnumbered, the
landing party must fight off a mortar barrage from alien troops while looking
for survivors.
Tomorrow Is Yesterday
After successfully pulling away from a black star, the Enterprise is caught
in a time warp that sends it back to Earth during the middle of the 20th-century.
While the ship attempts to recover from a low orbit, Omaha Air Base detects
the Enterprise on its radar and sends an interceptor to investigate and
force the ship down. In an effort to keep the plane away from the Enterprise
Kirk holds it with a tractor beam, but the plane breaks up under the pressure,
and Kirk is forced to beam the pilot, Captain John Christopher, aboard.
Court Martial
After suffering the effects of a severe ion storm, including the death of
Records Officer Benjamin Finney, the Enterprise puts in for repairs at Starbase
11. Kirk gives Commodore Stone his sworn testimony regarding the incident,
which unexplainably, does not agree with the log tapes of the Enterprise
computer.
The Return Of
The Archons
The Enterprise arrives at Beta III to investigate the disappearance of the
U.S.S. Archon, which took place over 100 years ago. When Sulu's behaviour
dramatically changes after returning from an initial survey of the planet's
culture, Kirk beams down with another landing party to investigate. They
are met by a calm and courteous group of citizenry who suddenly change into
a wild and violent mob at the beginning of what is known as Red Hour.
Space Seed
In the area of space near Starbase 12, the Enterprise encounters what appears
to be a derelict spacecraft of 20th-century Earth origin. After beaming
on board, the landing party discovers human life forms and that the vessel
is a "sleeper ship," designed to carry its occupants in suspended animation
during interplanetary travel. While inspecting the vessel, now known as
S.S. Botany Bay, one of the occupants is revived via computer control and
is nursed back to health aboard the Enterprise. Curious but suspicious,
he introduces himself as Khan and gives sketchy details about his starflight.
After attending a social gathering and being grilled by Spock, Khan decides
to take control of the Enterprise with the help of Lieutenant Marla McGivers,
a historian aboard the ship who has had feelings for Khan ever since he
was revived.
A Taste Of Armageddon
Kirk is ordered to open diplomatic relations with Eminiar VII at all costs,
but the Enterprise is warned away from the planet as it approaches. On board
is Ambassador Robert Fox who has been sent to head the dialogue and to extend
an invitation to Eminiar VII and its sister planet, Vendikar, to join the
Federation. Kirk and Spock beam down with a landing party, but they are
immediately reminded of the warning to stay away from Eminiar. After investigating
further, the landing party discovers that Eminiar VII has been at war with
Vendikar for 500 years. The war, however, is fought with computers, which
select targets, compute damage, and assign groups of people as casualties.
This Side Of
Paradise
The Enterprise arrives at Omicron Ceti III, hoping to find surviving colonists
who have been exposed to deadly berthold rays for three years. Surprisingly,
the colonists are not only alive but in perfect health. While McCoy tries
to unravel the mystery, Kirk attempts to convince the colonist's leader,
Elias Sandoval, that an evacuation of the planet is imperative. None of
the colonists, however, want to leave despite their lack of accomplishments
and the deadly effects of the berthold rays.
The Devil In
The Dark
The Enterprise is ordered to the mining colony on Janus VI to investigate
the deaths of several miners caused by an unknown menace. Kirk, Spock, and
a security team beam down to help in the search, but shortly after talking
to Chief Engineer Vanderberg, another miner is killed and a reactor pump
is stolen. Scotty jury-rigs a replacement but predicts an eventual reactor
failure, which would cause a planet wide contamination. Now facing a race
against time, Kirk and Spock join the search directly and with the aid of
Spock's tricorder, manage to find a silicon based life form that can easily
burrow through the planet's interior.
Errand Of Mercy
While negotiations quickly break down between the Federation and the Klingon
Empire, the Enterprise is sent to Organia, a planet of primitive people
strategically located between the two sides. Kirk and Spock beam down in
an attempt to convince the peaceful Organians to accept Federation aid and
protection against the Klingons. The Organians, however, show no interest
in their offer and suggest that they go back to the Enterprise as soon as
possible. Confused by their response, Kirk tries to explain the benefits
of Federation aid while emphasizing the horrors of a Klingon occupation.
The Alternative
Factor
While in orbit above a barren planet, a strange phenomenon causes the planet
to "wink out" and attain zero gravity, a state of non-existence, the effects
of which are felt throughout the galaxy. Starfleet evacuates the area around
the center of the effect and orders the Enterprise to investigate, fearing
that what they are experiencing may be a prelude to an invasion from an
alternate universe. Kirk, Spock, and a security team beam down to the planet
after discovering a life form on the previously uninhabited world. The being
they discover is Lazarus, a chaotic almost deranged, man who claims that
the effect is being caused by his archenemy that he is pursuing in a time
travelling machine.
The City On The
Edge Of Forever
While investigating a time disturbance above an uncharted planet, Sulu is
rendered unconscious when his overloaded console bursts into flames. McCoy
hurries to the bridge and administers a few drops of cordrazine, which immediately
stabilizes the helmsman's heart flutter. Suddenly, the Enterprise lurches
and McCoy is accidentally injected with a large quantity of the drug. In
his cordrazine-induced frenzy, McCoy exits the bridge and manages to beam
himself down to the planet below. After beaming down to find the doctor,
Kirk and the landing party discover the object causing the time disturbances,
the Guardian of Forever, which can show any point of time in galactic history.
While watching Earth's history, McCoy leaps through the portal and as a
result drastically changes history. The Enterprise suddenly vanishes, leaving
the landing party stranded and speculating if even Earth itself still exists.
Operation - Annihilate!
An unexplainable epidemic of mass insanity has destroyed a line of civilizations
through a portion of the Federation. The Deneva system, where Kirk's brother
and his family live, appears to be the next likely victim. When the Enterprise
arrives, Kirk and a landing party beam down only to encounter a hostile
reception and to discover that Kirk's brother Peter is dead. Aboard the
Enterprise, Peter's widow gives Kirk information about the alien creatures
on Deneva, but she dies soon after leaving many unanswered questions. After
beaming down to investigate further, Spock is attacked by a flying creature
and is infected by the same madness as everyone else on Deneva. McCoy soon
discovers that these flying, single-celled creatures are separate parts
of a single entity and are the cause of the madness.
In the echelons of TV history, one show broke all boundaries when it came to success. It spawned four spin-off series, ten movies, numerous computer games, novels and other merchandise to define the word franchise. That show was Star Trek.
It is hard to believe that all this success sprung from a show that only ran for three years before American TV network NBC, in all their wisdom, cancelled it in 1969. Three years early after one failed pilot (The Cage) and the network asking for an unprecedented second attempt (Where No Man Has Gone Before), Star Trek hit the small screen in the US on September 8th 1966 and created a science fiction legacy that is unparalleled.
Series creator Gene Roddenberry vision of future would become something that the human race could aspire to, as his Federation of Planets promoted tolerance, racial diversity and peaceful exploration. In turbulent times of the 1960s this was a major issue but the crew of the Starship Enterprise showed a future where people of all ethnicities, whether they be white, black, Asian or alien, worked together for a common goal. This was groundbreaking television for the time and this vision of the future was backed up by some of the best science fiction writing of the time.
The producers of the first season of Star Trek took the unprecedented step of having famous Sci-Fi authors from the time to contribute to the series to produce one of the best first seasons of any series to hit television, either then or now. The number of classic episodes in one season is remarkable with some classed as some of the best science fiction ever to air on the medium. Chief among these are episodes such as "The Naked Time", "Balance of Power", "Tomorrow is Yesterday", "The Squire of Gothos", "Arena" and "The City on the Edge of Forever" are just a few examples of high standard of writing that became the trademark of the show. While some of the scenes and action reflected the time, the essence of the stories still ring true even today and this is what gives Star Trek its eternal appeal.
Along with the stories, the excellent ensemble cast made the show so memorable. William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk personified the action hero mentally of the time but there was much more to the character than just daring-do and saving damsels in distress. This was a strong character that also had flaws, which become all the more evident in "The Enemy Within" but had the unquestionable loyalty of his gallant crew. Leonard Nimoy brought the emotionless, half Vulcan - half Human Mr Spock to life and made him one of the most memoriable characters in TV history. He was the perfect foil for Kirk, he was the Captain's conscience, advisor and friend. Dr. "Bones" McCoy completed the leading trio as human element of the group. McCoy provided reason when action and logic were not enough. When you add Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Uhura, George Takei as Lt. Sulu and James Doohan as Lt. Cmdr. Montgomery "Scotty" Scott you have a cast those adventures you would follow from one corner of the quadrant to the other.
Star Trek is a piece of televisual history and the first season of the Original Series is one of the best to ever grace the small screen. Even nearly 40 years later, stories the episodes try to tell are still relevant and gripping, making this series not just good Science Fiction but great storytelling as well. If there were ever a definition for classic television, Star Trek would be it.
PICTURE & SOUND
Presented in full frame 4:3 with a Dolby Digital 5.1 sound track, the transfer is very good, especially when you take into account that the show is almost forty years old. There are some slightly grainy scenes, mainly during the special effects shots, but not enough to derail your enjoyment. Aside from that, the picture quality is very sharp, enhancing the exuberant colours of the era. The sound is also very good, with clear dialogue and a real chance for the trademark music to fill the speakers.
BONUS FEATURES
View an episode with text commentary by Michael Okuda and Denise Okuda
The writers of the Star Trek Encyclopaedia and many other technical manuals
relating to the show, Michael and Dennis Okuda provide informative data
on all aspects of the Original series. They explain such things as star
dates, how the special effects were achieved, timelines, the history of
the series and much more. They also reveal the secrets behind the characters,
the plots and give an insight into how Gene Roddenberry and his team produced
the series in the 1960s. You can view text commentaries for the episodes
"Where No Man Has Gone Before", "The Menagerie Part 1 & 2" and "The Conscience
Of The King".
Preview Trailers
For each of the episodes of season one, you can watch the NBC preview
for the show, which were transmitted during the show's initial run.
The Birth of a Timeless Legacy (24.00)
Series creator Gene Roddenberry (recorded in 1988), producer Robert Justman,
associate producer John D. F. Black, secretary Mary Black, writer D. C.
Fontana and stars William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, George Takei, Nichelle
Nichols and James Doohan talk about how Star Trek came to the small screen
in the 1960s. Here they explain that the show had two pilot episodes "The
Cage" and "Where No Man Has Gone Before" and the differences between each
of the shows. The cast talk about the evolution of their characters with
discussions about Kirk replacing Capt. Pike and the problems the makeup
department had with Spock's ears. Roddenberry reveals the influences behind
the show and also who each character was based upon.
Life Beyond Trek: William Shatner (10.13 mins)
Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner talks about his great love outside
of acting, horses. The featurette takes you to Shatner's stables has the
star talks passionately about his twenty year obsession with horses and
their training for shows and competitions.
To Boldly Go… Season One (18.45 mins)
Producer Robert Justman, associate producer John D. F. Black and stars
William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, George Takei, Ricardo Montalban and William
Campbell talk about the first season of the classic show. Despite ever
decreasing budgets and continual TV network pressure the cast reflect
on the triumphs of the show in particular the episodes "The Naked Time",
"The Menagerie", "Devil in the Dark", "Space Seed", "The Squire of Gothos"
and "The City on the Edge of Forever".
Reflections on Spock (11.58 mins)
Actor Leonard Nimoy talks about the character that has defined his career
and how he identifies with the half human, half Vulcan science officer.
He also discusses his two autobiographies "I am not Spock" and "I am Spock"
and the fans reaction to both of them. He then talks about directing Star
Trek III: The Search for Spock and how his book and the media nearly cost
him the chance of helming the film.
Kiss & Tell: Romance in the 23rd Century (8.19 mins)
Writer D. C. Fontana and stars William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle
Nichols, George Takei and Walter Koenig talk about the loves of Kirk,
Spock, Uhura, Sulu and Chekov. Takei talks about Sulu's lack of love interest
during the show and his surprise at having a daughter in Star Trek: Generations
and Nichelle Nichols reveals a possible romance between Uhura and Scotty.
Trekker Connections (3.41 mins)
A fun quiz that challenges you to connect two stars from the series in
five or less moves. For example can you connect Ricardo Montalban to Frasier
star Kelsey Grammer?
Sci-Fi Visionaries (16.25 mins)
Series creator Gene Roddenberry (recorded in 1988), producer Robert Justman,
associate producer John D. F. Black, secretary Mary Black, writer D. C.
Fontana and star William Shatner talk about the strongest aspect of the
Original Series, the writing. They reveal that in an unprecedented move
the producers of the series hired prominent science fiction writer of
the time and asked them to come up with ideas for the series. "Balance
of Terror", "The Naked Time" and "The City on the Edge of Tomorrow" are
discussed.
Photo Log
A collection of promotional images from the first season.
Star Trek Deep Space Nine DVD Trailer (4.49 mins)
An extended preview of the third Star Trek series as it hits DVD. With
interviews of executive producer Rick Berman and stars Avery Brooks, Nana
Visitor, Michael Dorn, Terry Farrell and Andrew J. Robinson.
Star Trek: The Next Generation DVD Trailer (1.10 mins)
A short trailer advertising the DVD release of the first Star Trek spin-off
series
Star Trek: Voyager DVD Trailer (2.20 mins)
A preview of the DVD release of third spin-off series as the crew of the
Starship Voyager try to get home.
Easter Eggs: Red Shirt Logs (8.09 mins)
Hidden mini-featurettes featuring interviews with George Takei, Producer
Robert Justman and associate producer John D. F. Black that reveal little
insights into Star Trek.
OVERALL
A legendary TV series gets the DVD treatment it deserves. Paramount have done an exceptional job of bringing Star Trek to the format with some exception extras. The featurettes are first rate with interviews with surviving cast and crew members and even from those who are now dearly departed. The text commentaries are very informative but it would have been nice for the cast to do the odd audio commentary here and there. This aside, the DVD boxset is an exceptional package and a must for all Trekkers. Beam down to your usual supplier and buy it now.
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