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Cite the WORST episodes and WHY

posted 4 years ago by Wuchak (8110)
60 replies | jump to latest

- “Requiem for Methuselah” (#76): Despite the intriguing premise of an immortal Earth man who was many significant figures throughout history, “Requiem” does not work. Bad writing and editing birth a story that doesn’t flow or make sense, resulting in the ultimate sin in entertainment — it’s boring. When Kirk fell in love with Edith Keeler in “The City on the Edge of Forever” it was completely believable. We actually felt Kirk’s anger and pain at the end. Here Kirk is totally out of character. Not for a second do we believe that he has fallen so mesmerizingly in love with Rayna.

- “The Alternative Factor” (#20): The story isn’t interesting, doesn’t make sense, and isn’t told very well. Plus much of the footage is repetitive with too many scenes of Lazarus falling off cliffs, getting facial wounds, fighting in the “corridor” and wandering around the Enterprise unsupervised. Its major highlight is the Vasquez Rocks sequences, but location shooting can’t make up for a poorly written/edited story. At the very end Spock informs Kirk that the Universe is safe. Kirk responds, “For you and me, but what of Lazarus? What of Lazarus?” After viewing this episode, Who Cares?!

- “Whom Gods Destroy” (#71): This one's atrociously boring, redundant and lacking depth; in other words, unadulterated Star Trek fluff — definitive proof that even our great Star Trek characters can’t pull off what is essentially a lousy story. It’s worth watching only for the lovely Yvonne Craig and Steve Ihnat’s exuberant performance.

- “The Empath” (#63): A big budget-saver as most of the episode was filmed on an empty darkened soundstage. The only thing that makes it worth watching is the ever-entertaining Kirk/Spock/McCoy troika, each of which reveals his willingness to sacrifice himself for the other two. Most people love or hate this episode, with the scales strongly tipped to the latter. The theme is worthy and it has a nice cerebral, mature vibe, much as Roddenberry originally envisioned for Star Trek as witnessed in the original pilot "The Cage" (speaking of which, the aliens in "The Empath" are just second-rate Talosians). I can appreciate this, but the dated, non-Trekian music doesn’t do it justice, not to mention the stripped-bare sets. We are left with the hands-down winner for Series Best Yawn Fest.

- “The Mark of Gideon” (#72): This one's so bad, so completely wrong, that it possesses its own charm — the utter absurdities of the story somehow make it fascinating to watch. It thus wins it for Series Golden Turkey (yes, even above “Spock’s Brain,” which at least entertains). Thankfully, the initial mystery is intriguing and the beautiful Odona doesn’t hurt. Beyond these factors it’s a bit of a bore. (If you're fuzzy on the "absurdities," let me know and I'll post 'em).

[–] thingmakersback (1183) 4 years ago

I agree mostly... I feel even sadder about the failure of “Requiem for Methuselah”.
The George Duning score for "The Empath" never struck me as non-Trekian, but I've been hearing it since the early '70s, so it's all Trek to me.
I would add "And the Children Shall Lead" for pure risibility. The "angel" is a being much more appropriate to Lost in Space and the psionic threat (as a child pumps his fist) gets really annoying with Uhura paralyzed by fear of decrepitude and Sulu looking down a... tunnel of swords...? Nice to have a story that ends with children crying, though.

There's a hint of some good ideas in "The Way to Eden", it's a rare look at possible dissident views in the Federation and might have been a winner if it contained McCoy's daughter, as I recall it was intended to. But mostly it is embarrassing. So I'm tempted to add it too.

[–] Wuchak (8110) 4 years ago

Interesting how the four episodes you note are all from the 3rd Season, easily the worst season due to the budget cuts and the new producer after Roddenberry basically flew the coop.

In evaluating episodes I mostly go by how compelling the story is and, while I understand the typical criticisms of "And the Children Shall Lead" and "The Way to Eden," I at least found them to have compelling storytelling with some notable moments.

In the former, the way the kids take control of the Enterprise is particularly captivating. Still, I’m glad this one and “Miri” are the only episodes that prominently feature kids.

As for "Way to Eden," One of the main criticisms is that it’s severely dated due to the inclusion of 60's styled space hippies. But is it not reasonable to assume that the same hippie spirit of the 60s would naturally reappear amongst youth cultures in future centuries? As the song goes ♪ Everything old is new ♪

[–] Owlwise (1490) 4 years ago

Agree with you on "The Way to Eden" -- it had the seed of an interesting idea, i.e., how some might have second thoughts & questions about the technological triumphs of the future, possibly at the expense of basic humanity & Nature. That "hippie spirit" is older than the 1960s, after all, going back to the English Romantic poets, among others. And as you say, there's no reason it wouldn't or couldn't come around again in the future. If they hadn't insisted on using caricatures of 1960s hippies, and had instead created something analogous but different, more organically growing from that same future, it would have worked. And I say this as someone who was a young teen during hippies days & still cherish the best of what it had to offer.

[–] kenburke (2280) 4 years ago

I wasn't that crazy about “Requiem for Methuselah” (androids do NOT turn human because they love someone) or "The Paradise Syndrome" (Captain Kirk's pregnant wife getting killed reeked of a sell out).

[–] Wuchak (8110) 4 years ago

As far as "The Paradise Syndrome" goes, I enjoyed the location shooting and original story; it's entertaining to see Kirk “gone injun.”

I suppose the ending with Miramanee & Kirk’s unborn child dying is the way it had to be, as producers didn't want Miramanee on the Enterprising as Kirk's wife, along with their forthcoming baby. This, of course, would've hindered the Captain's romantic entanglements in future episodes. In any case, it’s hard to determine which ending is more tragic, this one or “The City on the Edge of Forever.”

[–] strntz (10816) 4 years ago

Pretty much agree. Rayna is an interesting character though. In the 60s, I don't know if anyone had done such a "perfect" sentient android. But I agree, would anyone fall so completely in love within a few days?

The Alternative Factor is torture to watch, as is the Empath. I actually like The Mark of Gideon.

[–] Wuchak (8110) 4 years ago

But I agree, would anyone fall so completely in love within a few days?

Worse, I think it was more like hours!

When they finally get the ryetalyn to cure a deadly outbreak, you would think Kirk, Spock & McCoy would get it back to the Enterprise ASAP so no more lives are lost. Instead, McCoy sets it on a table and all three blow valuable time to satisfy their curiosity regarding Rayna’s nature!

Here are my issues with "Mark of Gideon": Apparently the Gideons created an exact duplicate of the Enterprise and schemed to get Kirk & Odona aboard so Kirk would infect Odona with a deadly disease that would subsequently spread across Gideon and solve their overpopulation problem. This bizarre scheme raises a slew of questions: (1) How could the Gideons possibly construct “an exact duplicate of the Enterprise" so perfect that it completely fools Kirk, the man who’s basically married to the ship? He notes that he's familiar with “every sound that this ship might make.” How were the Gideons able to duplicate the very sounds of the vessel well enough to fool Kirk? The Gideon is a non-Federation planet, so how could they acquire exact specifications for a Starfleet vessel? (2) Why did the Gideons go through the monumental trouble of building an exact duplicate of the Enterprise in the first place? Why not just have Kirk beamed down to an empty building? He could just as infect Odona there. (3) If Gideon is so incredibly overpopulated that people “would kill in order to find a place alone,” where would they find the space to build a vessel as massive as the Enterprise? Keep it's said that there is “no mountain that is not filled with people.” (4) Apparently, Hodin’s plan was that Kirk would fall so hopelessly in love with Odona that he would freely stay on Gideon. I realize Odona’s beautiful and all, but beautiful women aren’t that rare in the Star Trek universe (particularly on the Enterprise) and Kirk certainly never had a problem attracting them.

[–] strntz (10816) 4 years ago

Crap... I was thinking of The Cloud Minders... I confused Odona with Vanna - both easy on the eyes..

But I'll swap either episode for Spock's Brain. I mean, why bring Spock on the landing party? His brain was removed in the Enterprise sickbay. If they found the person who did the surgery, simply return the surgeon to the ship. What if the place they found the "surgeon" had no facilities?

And what's with the mechanical clicking noises when Spock moves?

The best part though is the quote: "brain and brain! what is brain!!?" My buddies and I use that when encountering some truly dimwitted person..

[–] Wuchak (8110) 4 years ago

I sometimes use "Brain and brain! What is Brain?!" too, but of course only with fellow Trekkers.

Yeah, "The Cloud Minders" is one of the strongest 3rd Season outings and even ranks well with the whole series. It has a lot of drive and is highlighted by the super-sharp Vanna (she’ll bring out the Troglyte in any man). One can’t help but get caught up in the debate over the divided society.

Charlene Polite (Vanna) was from Youngstown, Ohio, and unfortunately died there in 1999 due to breast cancer at the premature age of 55.

[–] Redsfan001 (6004) 4 years ago

'Requiem' is now in my top ten.

I have to say I didn't appreciate it when I first viewed it in my teens. I found it a rather dull espisode.

As I have aged, I am beginning to love the espisode more and more.

I love the writers choice of what story is focused on... that as we age,we mature, we grow wiser and are less tolerant of fools. The logical conclusion if you are a immortal is this ...soon you out age everyone, you have aquired so much wisdom and knowledge over the centuries that EVERYONE is a fool, or at least well below your intellectual level. So what happens? You beome a misanthrope, see only darker sides of human nature, see humanity making the same mistakes over and over...so you decide to buy and live on a remote planet far from humans.

The writer considered this as the story flow, rather then his 'super power' aspect. A rather interesting choice.

The ending was also most excellent. Spock, instead of being offended at McCoy's choice but true words, chooses to help Kirk.

Really a fine episode.

[–] Wuchak (8110) 4 years ago

That is an insightful commentary on Flint's condition in "Requiem for Methuselah." It makes me want to give it a fresh viewing. Still, for me, it doesn't make up for the episode's flaws noted in my post. The creators didn't take the time to work out the kinks and flesh out the story's potential; or maybe they didn't have the time and rushed it.

The set-up of the story -- a man living on a remote planet with an all-purpose robot and a lovely ‘daughter’ immediately brings to mind "Forbidden Planet," the classic 1956 film that is the most obvious inspiration for Star Trek (what an understatement). However, I much prefer Anne Francis in "Forbidden Planet" to Louise Sorel (Rayna).

[–] Redsfan001 (6004) 4 years ago

If you do choose to rewatch it, there is a remarkable (technological) scene where they show a rectangular 42" flat screen TV sitting on a table!

The shape/size is pretty much a exact match for what is being sold today, the espisode shot over 50 years ago.

I am a big sci-fi fan, of all the old shows and movies I have seen that have depicted future gadgets and gizmos, the 42" flat screen TV (ok.. it is easy to predict) takes the cake for being the most prescient.

[–] Owlwise (1490) 4 years ago

I too like this episode … not only on its own merits, but also because writer Jerome Bixby took his basic idea & expanded upon it decades later into the low-budget but richer, even more fascinating film The Man From Earth.

[–] Redsfan001 (6004) 4 years ago

Thanks for the info/connection...I will put that movie on my list.

[–] trevorh321 (5495) 4 years ago

Well said. That's a 3rd season episode I have grown to appreciate more, too.

[–] Zinger (2163) 4 years ago

The one where Shatner is a horse.

[–] strntz (10816) 4 years ago

The episode wasn't bad (actually, pretty good story), but that part and Spock's "singing" were tough to watch, and more so with repeated viewings. I would have preferred them being conventionally tortured by telepathy than watching The Shat channel a Palomino...

[–] mikethemartian (6066) 3 years ago

The whole point was to humiliate them.

[–] strntz (10816) 3 years ago

The only ones humiliated we're the writers and actors.

[–] trevorh321 (5495) 3 years ago

I enjoyed that episode and those moments of 'humiliation'. I rewatched the entire original series a few months back and I was kinda shocked at how few episodes I didn't like. Especially the third season. The only episodes I gave a thumbs down to were Spock's Brain, And the Children Shall Lead, The Lights of Zetar, The Mark of Gideon and The Way to Eden.

[–] AlfredTheGreat (471) 4 years ago

I agree with And The Children Shall Lead plus the Lost in Space feel to it. Melvin Belli was no more than competent as the antagonist and maybe Roddenberry should have placed him in another episode. Further, it strained that it was obvious that Hollywood had maybe a couple dozen child actors to choose from. Maybe they should have screen tested Barry Williams (Greg Brady) as he was working on the Paramount lot at the time.

[–] TylerAArse (2654) 4 years ago

Actually this series has more bad episodes than good ones. It's amazing it lasted 3 seasons.
But still, it's the only ST series I will watch over, and over, and over...………...

[–] prayformojo (101) 4 years ago

I can't believe "Catspaw" is not anywhere in this thread. A very lame attempt make a "Halloween" episode of Star Trek, the two mixing like oil and water. That was the only episode I've seen so far that I've had to turn off, just couldn't stand it.

[–] Wuchak (8110) 4 years ago

Have you seen “Requiem for Methuselah” or “The Alternative Factor”? They're considerably worse.

While "Catspaw" isn't good and contains too much filler, I consider it "almost good" due to several entertaining aspects that make it memorable and worthwhile, like Spock's amusing scientific analysis of the apparition of witches eerily reciting a rhyming curse: “Very bad poetry, Captain.” Meanwhile Chekov makes his debut while winning it for Best Monkees Wig. Then there's Gerald Fried's great score, appropriately utilized in future installments.