Synopsis
Includes:
Star Trek: The Deadly Years (1967)
Star Trek: Catspaw (1967)
Star Trek: The Trouble with Tribbles (1967)
Star Trek: The Changeling (1967)
Star Trek: Journey to Babel (1967)
Star Trek: The Apple (1967)
Star Trek: Mirror, Mirror (1967)
Star Trek: Obsession (1967)
Star Trek: Wolf in the Fold (1967)
Star Trek: The Doomsday Machine (1967)
Star Trek: Amok Time (1967)
Star Trek: Who Mourns for Adonis? (1967)
Star Trek: Friday's Child (1967)
Star Trek: Metamorphosis (1967)
Star Trek: I, Mudd (1967)
Star Trek: Bread & Circuses (1968)
Star Trek: A Private Little War (1968)
Star Trek: The Gamesters of Triskelion (1968)
Star Trek: The Immunity Syndrome (1968)
Star Trek: A Piece of the Action (1968)
Star Trek: By Any Other Name (1968)
Star Trek: Return to Tomorrow (1968)
Star Trek: The Ultimate Computer (1968)
Star Trek: Patterns of Force (1968)
Star Trek: Assignment: Earth (1968)
Star Trek: The Omega Glory (1969)
Star Trek: The Deadly Years
The commanders of the Enterprise prematurely face the challenges of old age in this episode of the popular science-fiction series. While performing a routine survey of an unexplored planet, Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and several other ships officers are unknowingly exposed to an unusual and potentially deadly form of radiation. This radiation accelerates the aging process and rapidly leads to physical and mental deterioration. Witnessing the command crew's weakened capabilities, the high-ranking Commodore Stocker -- initially on board merely as a passenger -- declares Kirk an unfit captain and assumes command of the Enterprise. Kirk, Spock, and the others, finding themselves increasing powerless and feeble, must quickly discover a cure for the illness, or else face an early death. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: Catspaw
The mysterious death of an Enterprise crew member causes Captain Kirk to survey a threatening planet in this episode from the second season of the enduringly popular science fiction series. The crew member's death appears to be related to his recent visit to a nearby planet, and, accompanied by Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy, Kirk beams to the world's surface to investigate. There, the trio of Enterprise officers unexpectedly find a world inhabited by ancient, Earth-based symbols of evil, including a group of witches who proclaim the Enterprise's imminent doom. Further exploration proves these supernatural creatures are actually the creations of a pair of powerful aliens, who plan to keep the starship and its crew hostage, forcing Kirk and the others to seek a method of escape. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: The Trouble with Tribbles
While the Enterprise is stopped at a space station to provide security for a valuable shipment of grain, Lt. Uhura purchases a new pet from ethically questionable station trader Cyrano Jones: a "tribble," which is basically a lovable, cooing ball of fur. The animals have some unexpected drawbacks, however; they have a ravenous appetite, and whenever they eat, they multiply themselves. Soon enough, the crew of the Enterprise finds themselves up to their necks in the furry creatures. This comes at about the worst possible time for the Enterprise, since a Klingon vessel has also arrived at the station, and the enemy crews are soon getting into barroom brawls. The tribble problem doesn't help the Enterprise's diplomatic effort much either, especially since the creatures don't like Klingons very much, and emit a high-pitched squawk whenever one comes near. This episode of the original Star Trek television series is particularly beloved for its charming humor; the tribbles themselves are so popular amongst Trek fans that they have reappeared in episodes of the animated series and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: The Changeling
Captain Kirk must outwit Nomad, a strange robot formed from the accidental combination of an alien computer and a primitive Earth space probe, in this installment of the original Star Trek television series. Traveling in deep space, the starship encounters the device, which proceeds to force itself onto the vessel. The crew soon discovers that the mismatched combination of technology has resulted in garbled instructions, with Nomad now believing that its central mission is to find and destroy any evidence of "imperfection" -- including the human race. Thankfully, the machine's faulty memory has also caused it to mistake Captain Kirk for its creator. Kirk takes advantage of this error as a stalling tactic while seeking for a way to disable the device and save the lives of the Enterprise crew. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: Journey to Babel
The Enterprise plays host to a number of interplanetary diplomats in preparation for a major galactic meeting in Star Trek 44: Journey to Babel, an episode from the second season of the well-known science fiction series. Amongst the guests are Sarek, the ambassador to the planet Vulcan -- who also happens to be Spock's estranged father. Despite the best efforts of Spock's mother, Spock and Sarek's differences remain irreconcilable. The distance between them grows when several of the other delegates are killed by an unknown assailant, and Spock names Sarek as the most likely suspect. The true test of family loyalties comes, however, when Sarek falls severely ill, requiring a donation of Spock's blood. Almost immediately thereafter, Captain Kirk is wounded by the killer, leaving Spock in command of the Enterprise and forcing him to choose between his duty to his father and his duty to the Enterprise. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: The Apple
Capt. Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise discover a planet that seems like an absolute paradise, but proves to be something more sinister, in this episode of the original Star Trek television series. A primitive but happy civilization flourishes on the planet, free from worries about survival or work. However, the planet's inhabitants survive only because they are ruled and supported by a gigantic supercomputer known as Vaal, left over from the civilization's glory days. Having regressed to a pre-technological state, the civilization now worships the computer as a deity. Unfortunately, Vaal is far from a benign god, and, detecting the Enterprise in its orbit, begins to drain the starship's power for its own purposes. Kirk must grapple with the subsequent moral dilemma, as it becomes increasingly clear that he must destroy the computer in order to free his ship. Yet he is reluctant to do so, because this course of action could have potentially devastating effects on the planet's inhabitants, who are entirely dependent on Vaal and seem unable to function or survive without the computer's guidance. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: Mirror, Mirror
An unusual astronomical event wreaks havoc with the Enterprise's transporters, and as a result Captain Kirk, Lt. Uhura, Dr. McCoy and Scotty are thrust into an alternate universe. This episode of the original Star Trek series provides a funhouse mirror image of the usual world of the series, as the quartet of officers find themselves in a reality where the Enterprise is a warship for a ruthless, militaristic society that operates by force. Even their fellow crew members have changed, including Spock, who now not only schemes for command and expresses his power over the crew through force, but sports rather sinister-looking facial hair. Kirk and the others must attempt to fit in in this strange universe, without committing any evil deeds themselves, until they can find a way back to their home universe -- and discover what damage their darker selves may have done while there. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: Obsession
When Captain Kirk encounters an old nemesis, his personal need to enact revenge threatens not only his own life but the safety of the Enterprise in this episode of the landmark 1960s science-fiction series. When several Enterprise crew members exploring the surface of a planet are attacked by a deadly alien resembling a gaseous cloud, resulting in a number of deaths, Kirk recognizes the extraterrestrial as an enemy from his past. Tormented by the fact that he had failed to destroy the alien during their last encounter, when it had killed a number of his fellow crew members, Kirk becomes increasingly obsessed with the creature's destruction. Ignoring the advice of his fellow officers, a determined Kirk orders the Enterprise to pursue the cloud, hoping to force an ultimate confrontation in which he can finally emerge victorious. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: Wolf in the Fold
After suffering a minor head injury, the Enterprise's chief engineer, Scotty, is ordered by Dr. McCoy to take a brief leave -- as part of his recovery process, of course -- in this episode of the popular sci-fi television series. Reluctantly, Scotty puts aside his workaholic tendencies and joins the doctor and Captain Kirk in traveling to a planet that bears a strong resemblance to 19th-century London. At first quaint, the parallels to Earth culture become frightening when the society proves to have its own variation on Jack the Ripper, and Scotty is accused of the crimes. The other officers attempt to defend their friend against the charges, but mounting evidence refutes their arguments for innocence. Even worse, Scotty not only lacks an alibi, but has begun suffering from blackouts which leave him with no memory of his activities during the times of the murders. The script for Wolf in the Fold was written by Robert Bloch, best known for the novel that inspired Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: The Doomsday Machine
Star Trek 35: The Doomsday Machine centers on the conflict between the Enterprise and the titular machine, a gigantic alien vessel that consumes entire solar systems during its march across the galaxy. The trouble begins when the Enterprise encounters the starship Constellation, now a ruined hulk containing a single survivor: the nearly incoherent Commodore Matt Decker. Captain Kirk is investigating the destroyed starship when the source of this devastation becomes abundantly clear -- as the enormous alien ship returns -- trapping him aboard the helpless Constellation. Meanwhile, aboard the Enterprise, a newly energized Decker takes command of the Enterprise in an obsessive quest to destroy the alien ship at any cost. This episode from the enduringly popular television series' second season was penned by noted science fiction author Norman Spinrad. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: Amok Time
One of the most famous episodes of the original Star Trek series, "Amok Time" finds the normally logical, restrained Mr. Spock acting oddly and demonstrating an uncharacteristically short temper. His fellow officers soon discover that Spock is passing through pon farr, the Vulcan mating period; during this period, which reoccurs every seven years, Vulcans are compelled to mate or die. To save his first mate, Captain Kirk redirects the Enterprise to the planet Vulcan, so Spock can participate in the traditional mating ritual, which shall be overseen by the great Vulcan elder T'Pau and include an arranged marriage to his pre-selected mate, T'Pring. When they arrive, however, T'Pring has another suitor. Spock expects to face this suitor in a fight to the death, another part of the ritual; however, as part of her own secret scheme, T'Pring selects another champion: Kirk. Kirk soon finds himself facing a crazed Spock in deadly combat, with no apparent chance of escape. Penned by acclaimed science-fiction writer Theodore Sturgeon, this episode is remembered most for the rare glimpse inside the Vulcan culture, and the memorable final battle sequence. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: Who Mourns for Adonis?
Greek mythology collides with the future in Who Mourns for Adonis?, an episode from the second season of the popular science fiction series. Traveling through distant space, the Enterprise is trapped by a mysterious force field that appears in the shape of a gigantic human hand. Seeking an explanation for this phenomenon, Kirk leads an expedition to explore a nearby planet, and they encounter a powerful creature who claims to be the ancient god Apollo. After demonstrating his immense power, Apollo orders Kirk and the others to bow down in worship. Outmatched in terms of brute force, the captain and his crew must discover a way to outwit Apollo or else remain trapped forever. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: Friday's Child
Captain Kirk vies with a rival Klingon commander in a struggle for the allegiance of an unclaimed planet in this installment of the landmark science fiction series. The Enterprise arrives at the planet after receiving word of the Klingon's presence and finds Krag, a skillful Klingon commander, already deep in negotiations with the planet's civilization. Kirk beams down to the planet to present the Federation's side of the case. On the planet, however, he is shocked to witness the beginnings of a ritual killing and intervenes to save the intended victim, a pregnant woman named Eleen. But this intended act of kindness may turn out to be a crucial mistake: not only does it convince the planet's people that Kirk has no respect for their traditions, it is also a serious violation of Federation policy. The conflicted captain must now attempt to undo the damage and win over the planet while still protecting the woman's life. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: Metamorphosis
The crew of the Enterprise encounter an unexpected figure from their own history in this installment of the enduringly popular science-fiction television series. The meeting takes place when a shuttle transporting Federation official Nancy Hedford, along with Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy, is captured by an unknown force. This force leads them to a planet which seems to have only two inhabitants. The first is Zefram Cochrane, the legendary inventor of the warp drive, who had long been presumed dead of old age. The second is the Companion, an alien creature that has cared for Cochrane, keeping him from aging. Indeed, it was out of concern for Cochrane's growing loneliness that the being abducted the shuttle, in order to provide him with human companionship. Kirk and the others soon realize that the alien intends to trap them on the planet for eternity, and they desperately try to find a way to escape. The character of Zefram Cochrane later served a crucial role in the feature film Star Trek: First Contact. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: I, Mudd
An android hijacks the Enterprise as part of a plan for universal domination in this episode of the well-known science-fiction series. The android, who had been disguised as a crew member by the name of Norman, steers the starship back to his home world, a planet run by androids. Held captive by the humanoid robots, Captain Kirk and the others discover that the androids, priding themselves on their logic and superior intellect, intend to use the Enterprise as a transport on their way to taking control of the galaxy. Kirk, of course, must attempt to stop the invasion, and as a result joins together with an unexpected ally: the notorious con man Harry Mudd, who has also been accidentally trapped on the planet. Together, Kirk and Mudd discover that the android's greatest strength, their logic, may also be their Achilles' heel, and they unleash the full force of human irrationality upon their captors. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: Bread & Circuses
On a distant planet, the Enterprise encounters a civilization that resembles a more technologically advanced version of the Roman Empire in this installment of the 1960s science fiction series. Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy are investigating the planet, hoping to explain the disappearance of a lost starship, when they are captured. The three Enterprise officers are forced into a violent training program which will culminate in their service as gladiators in a public arena. Part Roman arena and part 20th-century football stadium, this arena features bloody battles broadcast on giant video screens. Kirk and the others must discover a way to escape their captivity, in the hope that they might be rescued by the Enterprise, before their battles -- particularly since their captors plan to force McCoy and Spock to battle to the death. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: A Private Little War
Captain Kirk must consider violating the Federation's prime directive -- non-interference in alien cultures -- in order to save a planet from destruction by civil war in this installment of the 1960s science fiction series. Visiting a familiar planet, the Enterprise discovers that the Klingons have instigated a violent conflict amongst the planet's two largest nations. By supplying arms to the stronger, more belligerent nation, the Klingons hope to unify and gain control of the whole planet. On the planet's surface, Kirk seeks out old friend Tyree, a member of the planet's more peaceful culture. Facing a complete rout, Tyree demands that the Federation even the battle by providing his culture with the arms to fight the superior Klingon weaponry. Kirk is torn between his belief in Federation non-interference policies and his loyalty to his friend and his peaceful civilization, and he must decide before the planet is devastated by total war. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: The Gamesters of Triskelion
A group of highly powerful aliens abduct Captain Kirk and several other members of the Enterprise crew for their own mysterious purposes in this episode from the second season of the popular science-fiction series. The aliens divert Kirk, Chekhov, and Uhura to their home planet of Triskelion. There they are forcibly enslaved and compelled to undergo a violent training process to prepare them for their new roles as gladiators, publicly battling to the death against each other for the aliens' enjoyment. Meanwhile, on the Enterprise, Mr. Spock traces the missing trio of crew members to Triskelion, and attempts to organize a rescue mission. However, the Enterprise's efforts may prove useless if Kirk and others are unable to find a way to escape from their captors. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: The Immunity Syndrome
A starship manned by a Vulcan crew is destroyed by an unidentified alien entity, a catastrophe which is psychically sensed by Mr. Spock. The Enterprise proceeds to investigate, and encounters a gigantic, one-celled being which proceeds to swallow the ship whole. The crew begins to suffer a series of negative side effects caused by the creature, and it appears the ship is headed towards destruction. Spock, Captain Kirk, and Dr. McCoy must race against time to discover a way to save the ship and defeat the creature before it reaches a nearby group of planets, a possibility which would lead to countless deaths. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: A Piece of the Action
Kirk, Spock, and McCoy encounter an alien civilization with an unusual similarity to the seedier side of 1920s Chicago in this episode of the original Star Trek television series. It seems that 200 years before, another starship had visited the planet and unintentionally left behind a book about the heyday of the Chicago mobs, which the planet's inhabitants, skilled mimics, subsequently adopted as a guide to structuring and modernizing their society. Already challenged by dealing with a world ruled by warring, violent gangs, the situation grows even more difficult for the three Enterprise officers when they are captured by one of the gang bosses. Even worse, their captors seem quite interested in examining and copying the Starfleet officers' equipment -- particularly their weaponry. As in the numerous time-travel episodes of the series, the episode combines the series' traditional adventure element with fish-out-of-water humor, as Kirk, Spock, and McCoy attempt to adapt their futuristic ways to the extremely different requirements of an ancient Earth environment. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: By Any Other Name
The crew of the Enterprise is transformed into inanimate objects when aliens from the Andromeda galaxy commandeer the ship for a 300-year voyage to their home planet. ~ Rovi
Star Trek: Return to Tomorrow
Investigating an ancient civilization, the crew of the Enterprise discovers the preserved brains of three of the civilization's final survivors. The alien beings propose a temporary exchange, wherein they would inhabit the human bodies long enough to construct robotic shells for their minds. After deliberation, Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and Dr. Ann Mulhall (Diana Muldaur) volunteer for the procedure. The change is successful, but proves to have unexpected side effects -- including an acceleration of bodily processes that means the task must be completed within a brief period of time. Complicating matters further is the fact that the being inhabiting Spock's body no longer wishes to cooperate with the original plan. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: The Ultimate Computer
The Enterprise is chosen to participate in the secret experimental testing of the M-5, a supercomputer that is designed to replace the human leaders of a starship, in this episode of the popular 1960s science fiction series. Kirk reluctantly agrees to temporary hand over his command for the duration of a test exercise, to allow the computer to prove itself amidst Starfleet military drills. A programming oversight, however, causes the M-5 to mistake the practice exercises for actual combat, leading to the destruction of a friendly vessel. Additionally, the Enterprise crew discovers that the computer will not return power to human hands or allow communication with other vessels who are unaware of the experiment. Captain Kirk and the others must discover a way to regain control of the ship or else face destruction as a rouge vessel at the hands of their own colleagues. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: Patterns of Force
The Enterprise must uncover the secret behind a previously peaceful, undeveloped planet's sudden turn to technically advanced violence in this episode of the well-known 1960s television series. The change becomes evident immediately upon the Enterprise's arrival, as they are greeted by a hostile nuclear missile, a weapon supposedly beyond the civilization's technological grasp. Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock travel to the planet's surface to unravel the mystery and find a society bearing horrifying similarities to 20th-century Nazi Germany, down to the identical uniforms. They ultimately discover that this societal change is somehow related to the disappearance of John Gill, the Federation official assigned to the planet. The pair must attempt to find and rescue Gill -- who has in fact been imprisoned by the planet's government -- while avoiding their own capture by the civilization's ruthless police force. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: Assignment: Earth
Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise travel back in time to 20th-century Earth on a special observation mission but soon discover that they are not the only time traveler in town in this second-season episode of the enduringly popular science-fiction series. While in orbit around Earth, the Enterprise unexpectedly comes across Gary Seven, an enigmatic man who recognizes the starship as being from the future. When Gary Seven escapes from the Enterprise and returns to the Earth's surface, Kirk and Mr. Spock decide to go undercover and follow. The two must ascertain the nature of the mysterious stranger's mission before he changes the past forever, while struggling to keep their own identities as visitors from the future secret. Series creator Gene Roddenberry co-wrote the original story behind this episode, which also features an early performance by a young Teri Garr. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
Star Trek: The Omega Glory
Captain Kirk must deal with a deadly disease and a rogue, power-hungry starship captain in this installment of the famous 1960s science fiction series written by series creator Gene Roddenberry. Kirk and his fellow officers become infected with a deadly virus while investigating the abandoned starship Exeter, whose crew was destroyed by the same illness. However, there seems to be hope when Captain Tracey the Exeter's commander is found alive on the planet below; it appears that prolonged exposure to the native atmosphere can cure the sickness. However, while on the planet's surface, Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy discover that Tracey has violated the Federation's prime directive, using his superior technology and knowledge to assume power within the ranks of the planet's government. The Enterprise officers question Tracey's actions, leading to a struggle for survival. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
