A One-Year, Fifty-Post Special List!

It’s April 16th. Somehow, by some miracle, this blog has lasted for a whole year! Not only that, but it’s also managed to make it to fifty posts! I’m very grateful to be able to write about these things that I love in light of God’s truth, and share my thoughts with other people. It has been a great privilege and a great blessing. If you’ve been reading this blog from the beginning, or if this is the first post of mine you’ve ever read, I’m grateful for you!

Since it’s sort of a special occasion, I thought I’d write a special sort of post. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a while, and I might do some more of them later on. However, never fear, your regularly scheduled sci-fi history posts will resume after this week. For now, thanks for reading, and supporting me in this crazy blogging venture, and I hope you enjoy this Star Trek “starter kit”.

If you are a geek, you probably want to share the objects of your geeky affections with your friends. However, asking your friends to watch 1960s television, or read 1930s literature with you may attract strange stairs. Suppose for a minute, though, that someone finally caves in to your constant nagging, or perhaps you meet a fellow geek who wants to understand the thing you enjoy better. How do you introduce them to your favorite TV series, book subgenre, or set of movies? That’s what this list is for.

As you’ve all figured out by now, I am a huge fan of Star Trek: The Original Series. Oftentimes, I reference the show, then have to explain myself.  Occasionally, someone will offer to watch it with me, in order to attempt to understand my particular brand of weird. If they follow through with this decision, I have to decide which episode/episodes to show them. So, finally, I compiled a list of what I believe to be the ten most “user-friendly” episodes of Star Trek, that give people a good feel for what the series is. All in good fun, of course.

So, whether you are new to the series yourself, are trying to educate a reboot fan, or just want to do a mini-marathon with your nerdy friends for the fiftieth anniversary next year, I hope you enjoy this list.

1. “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield” (S03-E15)-

I wanted my first episode on this list to include the entire main crew that continues to appear throughout the movies and reboot stuff. So yes, I was doing a lot of nitpicking concerning the helm for this spot on the list. “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield” has everyone: Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scotty, Uhura, Chekov, and Sulu. Aside from characters, this episode also gives a good feel for the bold, no-nonsense way The Original Series addresses the issues of its day. The endless struggle between the two different groups of aliens on Cheron makes a poignant statement about race relations. Plus, Captain Kirk gives some great speeches, and almost self-destructs the entire Enterprise.

2. “Devil in the Dark” (S01-E25)-

The Original Series introduces so many iconic creatures that it was hard to decide which ones to put on this list, much less which ones to put first. Finally, I decided upon the scary but sympathetic, silicon-based Horta. The antagonist that ends up having sympathetic qualities is a recurring  plot device in Star Trek, and the Horta is a good example of it. Plus, Spock performs a harrowing mind-meld, Bones says some iconic lines, and lots of redshirts die.

3. “The Trouble With Tribbles” (S02-E15)-

Perhaps the most iconic Star Trek episode. Everyone loves tribbles, (except for Klingons). Delta airlines even has tribbles in their safety procedures video. Look it up! Aside from the lovable but prolific furballs, this episode is also notable as one of the few Original Series episodes featuring the Klingons. Plus, all the characters are over the top! Bones and Spock banter, Kirk yells at bureaucrats, Scotty punches the Klingons that insult his ship, Chekov says that everything was inwented in Russia. It’s just fun.

4. “Amok Time” (S02-E01)-

The first episode of the second season introduces a lot of the things people regularly associate with Star Trek- the Vulcan salute, the fight music, Chekov. Plus, it has the entire cast, develops the Vulcan race, and features Kirk and Spock fighting!

5. “City on the Edge of Forever” (S01-E28)-

I’ll freely admit that “City on the Edge” is the best episode of the original series. It presents a fascinating time-travel conundrum, and the characters react in a very realistic, human way. It is a great episode of science fiction television, and provides good character development for the characters. So, why didn’t I put it first? Because, I think the real heart of Star Trek- even when the stories aren’t as good as “City on the Edge”- is the characters. When you get to know the characters first, you’ll enjoy them even more in the very best episode, and you’ll still like them even in “The Way to Eden”- if you can make it through all the singing.

6. “Space Seed” (S01-E22)-

Because you want them to understand Wrath of Khan, right? This episode is a great story of the corrupting influence of power, betrayal, loyalty, genetic engineering and suspended animation starring a well-acted and intriguing villain on its own. But when you pair it with the Wrath of Khan, all sorts of themes, ideas, excitement, crying, screaming, and a little bit of confusion, (who was where what season, huh?) ensue.

7. “The Naked Time” (S01-E04)-

Once you get to know a set of characters, it’s fun to watch them act all out of sorts. Like Spock crying, everyone wants to see Spock crying, (it’s sad, though. I feel for the guy). I’m impressed that the writers were able to so develop the characters in the first three episodes, that the differences in this episode were notable. Also, they invent time warp. Plus, Sulu fences everyone he sees, Kirk dotes on the ship, Kevin Riley, and a lot more clothes than the title implies.

8. “Balance of Terror” (S01-E14)-

This is one of those great, thought-provoking episodes of Star Trek that makes you wonder things like: “are the people I hate really all that different from me?” It introduces the alien race, the Romulans, and their tumultuous relationship with the Federation- a conflict that continues to be an important plot point even into the reboot movies.

9. “Mirror, Mirror” (S02-E04)-

This is the quintessential alternate universe episode of science fiction television. You have probably heard or seen jokes about or references to Spock’s beard even if you haven’t seen this episode. It is an interesting look into the twisted “could-be” Star Trek universe, and brings the characters face to face with the darker side of their natures. Also, Uhura slaps Sulu in the face, Spock calls people illogical, Chekov screams (it happens a lot in the series and the movies, so get used to it), and everyone smiles creepily.

10. “By Any Other Name” (S02-E22)-

This is one of those episodes where you get to see all the characters in their element. Well, except for the ones who get turned into salt cubes. They are in their elements too, just those elements happen to be sodium chloride… Anyway, Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Scotty have to work together to stop some aliens from the Andromeda galaxy from taking over our galaxy. It’s good, old fashioned Star Trek fun. Also, they almost self-destruct the Enterprise, Kirk gets the girl and gets in a fight, and the only female redshirt to die in the entire series meets her demise.

Thanks for reading. I hope you had fun reading through this list, because I most certainly had fun writing it. Thanks for your support and encouragement over this past year. If you have any thoughts on great Star Trek episodes, or any ideas of things you want to see on the blog moving forward, let me know in the comments!

Keep on glowing in the dark,

Elora

Top 5 Tuesday- Sci-fi Trios

    Some of the best characters come in sets of three…

    Now, I suppose I’ve already spoiled the top entry of this list in my sci-fi duos post. However, you don’t know what else I’ve got on here. For example, you don’t know that I’m including another trio from TOS, do you? (Well, now you do). Also, you didn’t know that this list directly ties in to my post for next Wednesday until I just told you.

    Alright, I’d best let you experience the rest of the list for yourselves:

5. Chekov, Sulu, and Uhura (Star Trek):

    These three are probably only on the list because they are my favorite. From the little we get to see of these Enterprise sidekicks in the show, and the little bit more we get to see of them in the movies, we can tell they are not only co-workers, but close friends. Though they may not be very influential on many of the storylines, the diversity they brought to the crew was part of what made Star Trek so influential.

4.  The Eleventh Doctor, Amy, and Rory (Doctor Who):

    The Doctor had the experience (and the time machine), Amy had the adventurous spirit, and Rory had the level-headedness. The three of them were always best together. And, though bizarre, their family relationship was endearing. Yes, I cried watching “The Angels Take Manhattan”. And so did you.

3. Joel, Crow, and Tom Servo (MST3k):

    I need to write about this show on the blog more. It’s pretty great. I picked Joel over Mike for this list, because I love the dynamic between Joel and the robots. And what’s a trio about if  not character dynamics? Joel is the calm, relaxed father-figure, and Crow and Tom Servo are his bickering kids. Knowing their personalities makes it all the more fun to watch them tear apart awful movies.

2. Luke, Han, and Leia (Star Wars):

    The three human protagonists of the original Star Wars trilogy are some of the most iconic fictional characters of the past century. Han is the selfish scoundrel who changes his ways; Luke is the noble hero who grows in power and knowledge, and Leia is the “damsel in distress” who is far more competent than either of them could have expected.

1. Kirk, Spock, and McCoy (Star Trek):

    This isn’t a Star Trek blog. I promise. Star Trek is just so full of good sci-fi things that I have to bring it up a lot. Also, I love it. At least I warned you this was coming. You see, together, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy make up the main character of Star Trek. How do they do this? Why is this trio of characters such an interesting study in the nature of humanity? For that, you’ll have to read next week’s post. A cliff-hanger? A cliff-hanger?! Oh NO!!

This may be one of my more controversial lists among sci-fi fans. What do you think? Do these characters make the cut for  you? Explain yourself civilly in the comments. Also, tune in next Wednesday to hear the conclusion of this post!

Keep on glowing in the dark,

Elora

Top 5 Tuesday- Iconic Things That Didn't Happen Until the Second Season

They say good things come to those who wait... And it definitely applies to those who follow a show into its second season...

5. Beaker was created for The Muppet Show

  

 

What would the Muppet Labs sketches have been like without the hapless, meeping, undefinable orange thing, Beaker? Well, they would have been a lot like season one Muppet Labs sketches, where Dr. Bunsen Honeydew had to test his exploding neckties and earmuffs on himself. (Beaker is my favorite Muppet, and when I realized he was also a second-season stroke-of-genius, I was inspired to write this list.)

4. David Tennant became the tenth Doctor on Doctor Who

He wasn’t the first Doctor of the series, or even of the relaunch, (technically, the series two he came in on was actually season 28). However, David Tennant’s iteration of everyone’s favorite Time-Lord is definitely a fan-favourite. Doctor Who picked up many new audience members during the tenth Doctor’s run. Which is good.

3. The theme music for The Twilight Zone

Because you know you whistle it whenever something even vaguely eerie or bizarre happens. The first season theme is a lot harder to whistle if you ask me, and it’s just not as memorable. (But it is still good. Go listen to it on YouTube or something).

2. Chekov!

(I’ll admit, if this was a list of my favorite things that happened in the second season, Chekov would be number one. He’s one of my favorite fictional characters ever.) For the second season of their popular space show, Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry and company decided they needed a character on the bridge of the Enterprise who would appeal to a young adult audience. Noting the popularity of The Monkees, they decided to style their new navigator after Davy Jones. The character was almost British, but for some reason or other (exactly what this reason was is debated), Roddenberry came to the conclusion that the character needed to be a Russian, since the U.S.S.R. sent the first human into space. So, Chekov joined the crew of the Enterprise, and his zealous patriotism, proclivity toward switching the letter v with the letter w, and his youth and excitement have been a staple of the legendary group ever since. Oh, and they did decide to keep the Davy Jones hairstyle, but since Walter Koenig’s hair wasn’t long enough when he first came on the show, he wore a really terrible wig.

1. The Vulcan salute

People know the Vulcan salute. People who have no idea who Chekov or Sulu are know the Vulcan salute. People who think Star Trek is Star Wars know the Vulcan salute. People who don’t know what a Vulcan is know the Vulcan salute. And it wasn’t used until the second season of Star Trek. It’s use on the show originated with Leonard Nimoy.He based it off of a blessing he saw the priests do in synagogue as a young boy when he wasn’t supposed to be watching. The salute was first used in season 2, episode 1- "Amok Time".

So, what do you think? Do you have any other examples? More pieces to these stories? Did I include too many Star Trek examples? I'd love to hear from you! 

Keep on glowing in the dark,

Elora