Uncover the Ultimate Star Trek: The Original Series Gem that No New Fan Should Miss!

Summary

Despite its dated elements, Star Trek: The Original Series is still worth watching for its captivating stories, compelling characters, and low-budget charm.

The enduring popularity and success of the show can be credited to the beloved characters of Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and their original adventures. Episodes like "Mirror, Mirror" and "The City on the Edge of Forever" are highly recommended as they demonstrate the exceptional storytelling and emotional impact that Star Trek excels in.

Despite certain aspects of the Star Trek franchise feeling outdated, one cannot overlook the significance of Star Trek: The Original Series as the foundation for this expansive universe. For those seeking a deeper understanding of the Star Trek mythos, TOS remains a must-watch. The captivating exploits of Captain James T. Kirk and his trusted companion Spock aboard the USS Enterprise cemented their legacy in television history and continue to provide enjoyment and excitement to this day.

While it is true that some elements of TOS may appear antiquated, the show's compelling narratives, fascinating characters, and its charmingly low-budget production compensate for any flaws. The enduring popularity of the Star Trek franchise, spanning almost six decades, is a testament to the enduring appeal of Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and their original adventures. While contemporary audiences may initially struggle to engage with Star Trek: The Original Series, we have curated a selection of 10 episodes that are guaranteed to captivate even the most skeptical newcomers and forge a connection to the Trek universe.

10 "Shore Leave" (Star Trek: TOS Season 1, Episode 15)

9 "Mirror, Mirror" (Star Trek: TOS Season 2, Episode 4)

"Shore Leave" is one of the early episodes of TOS that leans heavily towards comedy. The crew decides to take a break on what initially seems to be a picturesque planet. However, as the landing party starts facing bizarre incidents, they realize that the planet has the ability to materialize their thoughts. This episode, which is the fifteenth of the first season, doesn't demand much familiarity with the show's characters and serves as a delightful introduction to the more lighthearted aspects of the Star Trek universe. Moreover, it offers valuable insights into the personalities of Kirk, Spock, and Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley), along with some enjoyable character moments.

"Mirror, Mirror" is not only a highly enjoyable hour of television, but it also serves as a standalone episode that does not necessarily require prior knowledge of the characters. When a malfunction occurs in the Enterprise transporter, Captain Kirk and a select group from his crew find themselves in the Mirror Universe. This alternate version of the Enterprise is strikingly different from what they are accustomed to. Their primary objective becomes finding a way to return to their own universe, but in order to do so, they must assume the identities of their malevolent counterparts from the Mirror Universe. This particular episode, which is the fourth episode of the second season of TOS, provides valuable insights into the various characters and also introduces the intriguing concept of the Mirror Universe, a concept that would be explored further in multiple Star Trek series. Additionally, "Mirror Mirror" marks the debut of the iconic goatee-wearing Mirror Spock.

8 "The Corbomite Maneuver" (Star Trek: TOS Season 1, Episode 10)

7 "Balance of Terror" (Star Trek: TOS Season 1, Episode 14)

After unintentionally obliterating a boundary-marking beacon, the Enterprise finds itself pursued by an immense, spherical ship with its inhabitant, Balok (the first of 5 Star Trek characters portrayed by Clint Howard), threatening the imminent destruction of their vessel. To outsmart Balok, Captain Kirk concocts a daring plan, bluffing about the presence of a formidable substance called corbomite on board the Enterprise that would annihilate Balok's ship. Fortuitously, the ruse succeeds, leading Balok to unveil that he was merely testing the mettle of the Enterprise crew. "The Corbomite Maneuver" unfolds predominantly within the confines of the Enterprise, encapsulating numerous quintessential Trek components, ranging from an enigmatic and formidable extraterrestrial adversary to Kirk's masterful finesse in escaping precarious predicaments.

"Balance of Terror" is not only a significant part of Star Trek history, but it also stands as an exceptional television episode. The introduction of Mark Lenard as a Romulan Commander marks the first contact between the Federation and the Romulan Empire. The intense confrontation between the Romulan vessel and the Enterprise makes for a truly captivating hour of television, pushing Captain Kirk to make difficult choices. In season 1, episode 10 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, titled "A Quality of Mercy," Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) finds himself in the same position as Kirk, but with far less favorable outcomes.

6 "The Galileo Seven" (Star Trek: TOS Season 1, Episode 16)

Leonard Nimoy's portrayal of Spock has cemented his place as one of the most enduring and beloved characters in science fiction history. In the episode "The Galileo Seven," we gain valuable insight into Spock's unique Vulcan perspective. Leading an away mission aboard the Galileo shuttlecraft, Spock and his team face a significant setback when the shuttle crash-lands on an unfamiliar planet. Though Spock initially places his faith in logic to navigate the predicament and reunite with the Enterprise, the situation quickly deteriorates as a crew member falls victim to a deadly creature lurking on the planet. This harrowing experience forces Spock to confront the limitations of pure reasoning and acknowledge the integral role of emotions in effective leadership.

5 "Space Seed" (Star Trek: TOS Season 1, Episode 22)

Beyond its introduction of the infamous Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalbán), "Space Seed" stands out as a compelling installment of sci-fi television. While exploring space, Captain Kirk and the Enterprise stumble upon the drifting SS Botany Bay, housing numerous individuals who had been cryogenically frozen for almost two centuries. Kirk awakens Khan, uncovering his true identity as a genetically enhanced dictator who played a significant role in the Eugenics Wars. Khan, along with his cohorts, attempts to seize control of the Enterprise, but ultimately faces defeat at the hands of Kirk. It is essential to note that Khan's presence continues as the primary antagonist in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan."

4 "The City on the Edge of Forever" (Star Trek: TOS Season 1, Episode 28)

In an acclaimed Star Trek episode, Kirk and Spock are unexpectedly transported to 1930s New York City. Their mission becomes critical when Dr. McCoy leaps through a time portal called the Guardian of Forever, compelling Kirk and Spock to journey into the past in pursuit. As they navigate their way to find McCoy and restore the proper timeline, Kirk forms a deep connection and ultimately falls for Edith Keeler, the compassionate operator of a local soup kitchen (played by Joan Collins). Despite a tragic conclusion for Kirk, "The City on the Edge of Forever" stands as a self-contained, poignant tale that showcases Star Trek's mastery in portraying compelling human stories.

3 "The Doomsday Machine" (Star Trek: TOS Season 2, Episode 6)

Following the rescue of Commodore Matt Decker (William Windom), a distressed officer, from his vessel, the Enterprise embarks on a mission to halt a menacing doomsday machine that annihilated Decker's entire crew. "The Doomsday Machine" presents a quintessential Trek storyline that allows the majority of the core cast to actively participate. Additionally, it offers a glimpse into the world of Starfleet and its officers beyond the confines of the Enterprise, while thrusting the starship into a daunting confrontation with an almost invincible, unyielding machine. The gripping narrative and captivating characters of this episode, found in season 2, episode 6 of TOS, guarantee a highly entertaining experience and serve as an excellent introduction for newcomers to the realm of Star Trek.

2 "The Trouble With Tribbles" (Star Trek: TOS Season 2, Episode 15)

The Enterprise pays a visit to a deep space station in order to retrieve a shipment of grain. As part of their shore leave, some of the crew members decide to explore the station. During her time there, Lt. Nyota Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) encounters a trader and ends up acquiring a small and adorable creature known as a tribble. Without realizing the consequences, she brings it back on board the Enterprise. However, things quickly spiral out of control as the tribble multiplies rapidly, resulting in an influx of these fluffy creatures filling up the ship. "The Trouble With Tribbles" offers numerous moments that will have viewers bursting into laughter. Moreover, it presents familiar elements from the Star Trek series, including the appearance of Klingons and a classic Star Trek plot. This episode guarantees an incredibly enjoyable hour of television with a story that is easy to follow, making it highly likely to captivate new fans.

1 "A Piece of the Action" (Star Trek: TOS Season 2, Episode 17)

In a different Star Trek episode that delves into the comedic side, "A Piece of the Action" showcases Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock exploring a planet resembling 1920s Chicago, notorious for its gang activity. Season 2, episode 17 of TOS offers several uproarious moments, such as Kirk spontaneously creating an absurd card game and Spock fully embracing his inner gangster persona. The lively interactions between Kirk and Spock infuse the episode with a sense of amusement, and both William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy clearly revel in their roles. For newcomers to Star Trek, "A Piece of the Action" serves as an example of the franchise's ability to span various genres, while highlighting the remarkable characters from Star Trek: The Original Series.