Wow-Original Star Trek is pretty cool.

[Rackhir]

What about the one where Captain Kirk realized that the aliens on this planet had, somehow, recreated the history of an dystopic, post-nuclear war, american-like society, down to having a "sacred document" that was WORD FOR WORD the Declaration of Independence (which Kirk was able to QUOTE, without seeing the "sacred document").

Because that one really hurt my suspension of disbelief.

I'm not saying there weren't some bad episodes (the classic trek lament being "Please, not like Spock's Brain!"), but there was a certain sincerity to even the worst episodes. The characters were all human (or half human) and never pretended they weren't flawed.

 

[Express]

Yes the TOS is cool.

Has anyone seen the fan made episodes? Finishing the five year voyage.

http://www.newvoyages.com/

Evidently DC Fonatana has written an ep and Wlater Koenig has been in one. Download speed is sloooooow though.

 

[Prince Atom]

There's always the off chance that beautiful alien women in thigh boots will steal your brain. This can't be helped.

I like what I've seen of all the series. But then I'm not picky. The only times I MST3K things are when SCI FI has its usual 9 PM Saturday movies (Raptor Island, anyone?).

They did chew the scenery so much it's amazing they don't all have styrofoam poisoning, as the man said. But I think it was trying its best to be sincere.

I'm most embarrassed by the skirts and the overall attitudes towards women; having grown up in the 80s and 90s, I find the way Kirk treats most women to be vaguely condescending and sometimes insulting.

TWK
Certainly more interesting that Star Wars....

 

[Viking Bastard]

Ya, but why did a five year mission only last three seasons?

Says who?

Maybe it *was* five years. Only spread over three television seasons?

 

[Henry]

Yes, respect is certainly due that original series run. Even taking into account the subpar scenery, the 1950's and 60's attitudes, and the less-than-stellar acting of William Shatner, it pays to remember just how groundbreaking the series was for its time. It's the "Colt Cap and Ball Revolver" of Sci-Fi TV shows: By today's standards, it's subpar, but the advancement for its time was legendary. 30 years from now, We may be saying the same thing about Babylon 5, or non-virtual reality TV and movies.

 

[Padwar]

Thanks for the new sig!

 

[Particle_Man]

I remember cringing when watching the episode where the villain was a woman who took over Kirk's body because she wanted to be a starship captain but *of course* women were not allowed to be captains of starships.

But the show had energy. It also had the first inter-racial kiss. I guess it was ground-breaking, but still had some of the mud from that ground on it.

Personally, I like TNG better (the tv show, NOT the movies), but tastes differ.

 

[billd91]

I remember cringing when watching the episode where the villain was a woman who took over Kirk's body because she wanted to be a starship captain but *of course* women were not allowed to be captains of starships.

But the show had energy. It also had the first inter-racial kiss. I guess it was ground-breaking, but still had some of the mud from that ground on it.

You have to remember what they were up against. They wanted a female first mate (and had one in the pilot) but were forced to choose between having an alien on the bridge crew or more sexual equality.
I also recall that Nichele Nicholls was unhappy with her role but Martin Luther King, Jr. advised her to stay with the show because she was a good role model for African-Americans on prime time television.
The show carried a lot of weight with respect to hopes and aspirations, heavy science fiction themes, and all at a very turbulent time in American society.

So, yeah. It kicks ass.

 

[Bloodstone Press]

I also recall that Nichele Nicholls was unhappy with her role but Martin Luther King, Jr. advised her to stay with the show because she was a good role model for African-Americans on prime time television.

I've seen Whoopi Goldberg say that she saw Nichele Nicholls as a role model when she was growing up and considering a career in show busness.


Yeah, the original Star Trek is pretty cool... except for that one episode written by Harlen Elison (involving a time warp)...

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

I've seen Whoopi Goldberg say that she saw Nichele Nicholls as a role model when she was growing up and considering a career in show busness.

Well, that's one ill that sprung from ST, then. Stupid Whoopi Goldberg. Bah.

IMO, of course.

It's still a cool story, though


I don't like Ellison, either. Asimov's bio of him in the Nebula Award Winners anthology was hilarious, though