Star Trek season 1 – To boldy go where no one has gone before
Like many people, I’m an enormous fan of Gene Roddenburry’s Star Trek series. And it all begins with Star Trek season 1, where the audience is introduced to the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise, and their five year mission.
1. The Man Trap
The series begins with Kirk and his crew at deadly risk from an alien creature that feeds on the salt in a human body and can take on any form. And it’s taken on the form of an old girlfriend of Dr. McCoy. Originally aired September 7, 1966
2. Charlie X
A powerful teenage boy wreaks havoc aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise. It’s frankly a tragic story — the young man has been given massive psychic abilities by benevolent aliens, to save his life, when he was a child. He’s lived in isolation, and has no idea how to deal with other people. Not to excuse what he does. Originally aired September 14, 1966.
3. Where No Man has Gone Before
The U.S.S. Enterprise breaks the barrier around the galaxy. Unexpectedly, one member of the crew — and Captain Kirk’s friend — Gary Mitchell, is gradually transformed into a God-like entity. And Kirk can’t see any solution other than exiling him to a distant planet, where can’t harm anyone. But then another crewman begins to transform …
4. The Naked Time
The Enterprise crew catch a virus that removes their inhibitions. Which becomes a massive problem, as the crewmen aren’t doing their jobs, and the ship’s in critical danger. “I’ll take you home again, Kathleen …”. A very good episode, that highlights some of the inner thoughts of the various crew members. Originally aired September 28, 1966
5. The Enemy Within
A transporter malfunction causes Captain Kirk to split into his “good” and “evil” selves. And a landing party will freeze to death if the crew is unable to find a way to merge the two Kirks back together, and make the transporters usable again. A very good character insight episode. Originally aired October 5, 1966
6. Mudd’s Women
The Enterprise picks up an intergalactic conman, Harry Mudd, and three incredibly beautiful women who harbor a dark secret. And once they visit a mining colony, producing a critical supply of Dilithium crystals, Harry shows his true nature. And, the women unexpectedly do as well. Originally aired October 12, 1966
7. What are Little Girls Made of
Nurse Christine Chapel is reunited with her old fiancee on Exo III. But the scientist has plans for Captain Kirk and the Federation. It’s a very interesting episode in several ways. Chapel actually joined Starfleet in hopes of finding her lost fiancee. Which she does here — sort of. And we get some insight into some of the other characters. And of course, Ted Cassidy as Rokk. Originally aired October 19, 1966
8. Miri
A strange group of children are discovered on an Earth-like planet. A planet where there are no adults. It turns out that there’s a virus on the planet, that kills adults. And Miri of the title is a young girl on the verge of adulthood, who develops a crush on Captain Kirk. Character insights to both Yeoman Rand and Dr. McCoy. Originally aired October 26, 1966
9. Dagger of the Mind
Captain Kirk, with psychiatrist Helen Noel (Marianna Hill), investigates an experimental facility for holding prisoners and finds a sinister scheme. This episode introduces Mr. Spock’s Vulcan mind meld ability. Guest star James Gregory absolutely shines in this episode. Originally aired November 2, 1966
10. The Corbomite Maneuver
Kirk bluffs his way past what appears to be a powerful alien. A truly good episode, where the Enterprise runs into an unknown alien. The ship is vastly outclassed, and the alien certainly appears to be hostile. But appearances can be deceiving …. Originally aired November 9, 1966
11. The Menagerie, Part 1
Spock hijacks the Enterprise to return an injured Captain Pike to Talos IV. Literally, a forbidden planet. And attempts to go there are a death penalty offense. So Spock faces a court martial, that could end with his death. His former commanding officer, Captain Pike, is part of the board. This is taking the first Star Trek pilot, and reworking it into two excellent episodes. Originally aired November 16, 1966
12. The Menagerie, Part 2
The story of Captain Pike, the previous captain of the USS Enterprise, and his adventures on Talos IV are unfolded. As is the reason that the planet is off limits to all. As is the reason that Mr. Spock arranged to bring the crippled Captain Pike back there. Originally aired November 23, 1966
13. The Conscience of the King
Captain Kirk is one of the last survivors who can identify a mass killer, who may lurk among a Shakespearean troupe aboard the Enterprise. One of the others is an additional crew member. The Captain tries to identify the mass murderer. And then the murder attempts begin …. Originally aired December 7, 1966
14. Balance of Terror
Balance of Terror begins with Captain Kirk performing a wedding ceremony among two of his officers on board the USS Enterprise. Then, after attacking an outpost, Romulans battle the Enterprise. And it’s a deadly game of cat and mouse as the Roman commander tries to get back to the safety of the neutral zone, while Kirk pursues. The ending of the episode is one of the most poignant moments in television. Originally aired December 14, 1966
15. Shore Leave
The Enterprise comes upon an idyllic planet. So, the Captain orders shore leave for the crew, that are well past their normal time. But, on shore leave, the crew’s thoughts come to life. Dr. McCoy meets Alice in Wonderland, the White Rabbit — and the deadly Black Knight. While Captain Kirk confronts an old nemesis from his days in Starfleet Academy. Originally aired December 28, 1966
16. The Galileo Seven
Spock commands a stranded away team when their shuttlecraft is stranded on a planet with hostile natives. His crew includes Mr. Scott, Doctor McCoy, and some red shirts. Meanwhile, Captain Kirk only has a limited time to search for them, to meet a critical deadline. Originally aired January 4, 1967
17. The Squire of Gothos
A powerful entity known as Trelane torments the crew of the Enterprise. He doesn’t mean to be nasty. He’s infatuated with old Earth culture and customs. And wrongly thinks that things haven’t changed in hundreds of years. He’s extremely powerful, and short tempered. The episode ends with a duel between him and Captain Kirk. Originally aired January 11, 1967
18. Arena
Captain Kirk is in a barehanded duel with the captain of a rival starship, a Gorn. A duel to the death. And the reptilian Gorn seems to have all of the natural advantages. And the fate of both ships hang in the balance. Originally aired January 18, 1967
19. Tomorrow is Yesterday
The Enterprise is thrown back to 20th century Earth. The question is: how can they get back to their own time? And, can they avoid changing the past, and thus changing their own history? Especially when they “intercept” an Air Force pilot! Originally aired January 25, 1967
20. Court Martial
Captain Kirk’s career is at stake when he faces trial for the loss of a crewman during an ion storm. His defense attorney is old-fashioned. But sharp witted. And the prosecuting attorney? One of Kirk’s old girlfriends. Originally aired February 1, 1967
21. The Return of the Archons
The Enterprise encounters a seemingly peaceful civilization. It’s run by a “benevolent” being named Landru… Who intends for them to join his people. But why is is Enterprise crew being mistaken for the Archons? Who is Landru? Why are the people walking around like blissed-out zombies? Originally aired February 8, 1967
22. Space Seed
Kirk meets Khan, a leader of Earth’s Eugenics War. Frozen in suspended animation, along with his followers, aboard the ship Botany Bay. A classic episode, with Ricardo Montalban as Khan. This led, decades later, to the excellent movie Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Originally aired February 15, 1967
23. A Taste of Armageddon
The Enterprise arrives at a planet to establish diplomatic relations. But they find themselves in the middle of a “peaceful” war. No buildings are destroyed, nor crops. They use computer simulations to determine who would have been killed in the attack. And those people report to disintegration chambers. And the Enterprise has been “hit”! Originally aired February 23, 1967
24. This Side of Paradise
The Enterprise visits a colony where indigenous flower spores provide the settlers with peaceful contentment. And it heals the infected people of disease and injuries. It even allows Mr. Spock to actually embrace his emotions. But the entire crew is eventually infected. Except Captain Kirk …. Originally aired March 1, 1967
25. The Devil in the Dark
An unknown monster threatens a mining operation. The unseen creature murders multiple miners. And what do the strange, grey orbs have to do with any of this? “No Kill I”. Doctor McCoy treats a very unusual patient. And Mr. Spock risks death to do a mimdmild with it. Originally aired March 8, 1967
26. Errand of Mercy
Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock battle Klingons to free Organia. The Klingons show themselves to be cruel, bloodthirsty, and merciless. And the Oregonians are complete pacifists. Which Kirk can’t understand. Since they stand by while their own people are slaughtered. But the Oregonians are more than meet the eye. Originally aired March 22, 1967
27. The Alternative Factor
Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock encounter a mysterious alien named Lazarus who claims to be hunting a ruthless maniacal creature. Originally aired March 29, 1967
28. The City on the Edge of Forever
The Enterprise goes to a strange planet, that has a functioning time machine. Doctor McCoy accidentally injects himself a volatile drug, goes wild, transports to the planet, and travels back through time. And changes history, so the Enterprise no longer exists! So Captain Kirk and Spock go back in time to save McCoy. With Joan Collins. One of the most famous Star Trek episodes, and justly so. Originally aired April 5, 1967
29. Operation Annihilate!
Kirk and the Enterprise must combat parasitic aliens.