Extremely strong opening episode that really doesn't drag or slow in any places. Overall a great intro for the crew & their antics.
I should point out my rating metric is this: 0-1, bad, 2-5, slightly boring but still interesting, 6-7, very fun watch, 8-9 a top tier episode for me, 10, one of my favorites. I should also note, most of my rating are high/very high. I'm not extremely hard to please, especially when I love the premise & cast.
Lastly, if the background images should prove hard to read, please highlight the text. Eye strain is not a fun thing.
The premise is good and the execution is very well done; it drags, if ever so slightly. The effects on this episode in particular, however basic, still hold up and look nice even today.
Fun premise with a lot to work with, the idea of a random guy attaining God powers is certainly interesting. Watching Kirk try to reason his way with the infected two was a great turn from the first two episodes. I feel terrible for the actors who had to wear those contacts.
The Naked Time continues to be one of my favorite episodes in the series, especially spawning the common phrase in my life "No beach to walk on..."
I think it's one of the strongest contenders for Best of S1. That being said, I wish we got to see more of Sulu and his deep desire of being a stripper space pirate. George Takei played the enraged//crazed Mr. Sulu very well, giving me a lasting memory with how different it is to his usual demeanor.
I think The Naked Time does this concept better even if different, still a very memorable and enjoyable performance. The Shatner double... amazing.
"I WANT TO LIVE!"
Honestly was not a huge fan of this episode. Roger C Carmel's performance as Harcourt Fenton Mudd was great, but I felt it dragged a little. The concept of the "Venus drug" was not one I'd thought of personally; they did it well. Mudd did, however, win me over in his sequal episode.
One of lesser favorite episodes. The twist was quite obvious the minute one of the men was attacked. Ruk, portrayed by Ted Cassidy, was an amazing performance. The ending where Ruk has the realization was quite enjoyable, even if I wish he got more screen-time.
This episode is a shining example of all roles doing their jobs perfectly. The idea of a virus that attacks during puberty is thouroughly fascinating. Even if they were a little older than most kids. Between Bones' rapid anger while searching for a cure, Kirk trying to convince the kids that they want to help; it makes for a very memorable watch.
fun fact, the guy that played Jahn was 30-something when it was filmed.
Not bad, just a little drag-y. Also the fact Jim would willingly step into the lobotomy machine is so idiotic that I nearly fell out of my chair laughing. He really does have that Lewis & Clark spirit.
Several things. One, this episode was so shockingly different to the others at the time, I'm inclined to believe people didn't like this one at release. Two, they definitely should've, 'cause this one was a definite & welcome departure from the routine beaming down style. While it isn't one of my favorites, I laude it for it's originality. The gamble they came up with a memorable watch.
We even got to see baby Clint Howard. He played the role as best a literal toddler could. Speaking of Clint, he played a wonderfully insane killer in "Ice Cream Man". He's a talented actor; definitely enjoyable seeing how he looks pretty much the same now.
This is the first 10/10 perfect episode from the series for me. I think hands down the execution, the emotions, the tension is all presented in such an amazing way. Spock going out of his way to essentially "steal" his former captain was a shocking display considering Spock's normal logical thought. On top of the great episode, we also get to see Spock have emotion.
Part two of the twin episodes was even better. The way they worked the original Pilot in, giving Jeffrey Hunter his due was very inspired, especially for back then. Stories about disfigurement and disability strike me, more so when done right: which this definitely is. Spock going out of his way to make sure his former captain has a peaceful rest of his life was and is an enduring message to human love. As for Fleet Captain Christopher Pike, I think Jeffrey Hunter did an amazing job with what he was given, portraying that even someone who can't speak is most definitely still human. I also adore that even past when he was in the show, they still mention him throughout the series on occasion.
Back to back heaters with Pike and Kodos. I love theatrics, outside of Star Trek, which naturally made this instantly click with me. The idea that this random actor was a mass-murdering dictator is an amazing idea. The fact he hid it so well even from his own kin is something fascinating as well, whether he was truly regretful or just was hiding is it's own mystery.
"Well, look at that. An intergalactic Macbeth."
(paraphrased)
While I salute this episode for bringing Romulans, the episode drags in a not-so-good way.
Seeing everyone experience parts of their past coming to them in a physical sense is a great idea; Bones showing up with two women at the end was a hilarious twist.
TGS provides an interesting diversion from the usual crew antics, instead having spock command the small team to find a way of escaping the planetoid they've landed on. I was unsure, at first, of how this idea would come across; perhaps feeling rushed or under produced. This was squashed far before the episode ended.
Another series of two amazing episodes back to back. The Squire is one of my Uncle's favorites. I must say - however - that while the ranking is high, I would say between this and TGS, this is higher. The mirrors being used in a way to not only hide the camera crew, but also to show off the Squire's powers was an interesting design choice; one I have not seen before or since.
As unfortunate that it is that Shatner and Nimoy both attained tinnitus from this episode: it provided one of the best in the series, hands down. Regardless of the timelessness of the Gorn - as someone who'd never seen it - this episode remains one of my favorites. Very milquetoast, I know, to say that. Either way, while the episode definitely drags, I think this one does on purpose; if it doesn't, they did the show very well.
My Uncle (I'll be saying Ace, as such is his username) did not like this episode, at least as much as the others. I argue this is one of the better ones from the first season. While it isn't a Pike or Gorn, I love the concept of the crew going back to our time.
Another one of my favorites. Both Phoenix (My Mother) and Ace agree with each other that this episode was weak in comparison to the rest of the first season. I disagree: this episode is a shining example of what I like about the series. They use all sorts of high sci-fi tech, they use an interesting law system, they show off what it would really be like to Captain a Starfleet vessel. As an Ace Attorney//Drama fanatic, this episode was perfect for me.
Another absolute heater of an episode. The concept of the faux-god computer is one they do multiple times after, yet this one holds a special place for me. Not really much to say, other than the faux-god is called "Landru" which happens to have been a nickname for "Mother Love Bone" vocalist "Andrew Wood" commonly called "Landrew".
What is there to say about Khan that hasn't been regurgitated a million times over. Ricardo Montalbán does an amazing job of portraying an ultra-smart, ultra-violent leader. As of 3/11/2026, when I'm typing this, I have not seen the movies. I look forward to it.
Finally, the good luck streak ends - due to factors alternate to the actors. This episode simply did not click. The idea behind it was not one I found to be infinitely interesting; the episode definitely drags. I should mention, I keep personal bias out of wathcing things: I know going into something expecting disdain can make you not like it. This episode simply wasn't it for me. The matter of fact acting from David Opatoshu as Anan 7 was above stellar, the whole enemy cast were filling their roles wonderfully.
Adore this one. All actors were at their best, especially Leonard Nimoy, portraying a high-on-life Spock. For how much I enjoyed this one, I have surprisingly little to say about it. That being said, the scene of Kirk violently insulting Spock was a good twist, plot & comedic wise.
"Wanna see just how fast I can put you in a hospital?" ~Leonard "Bones" McCoy
I went into this episode disliking it. I admit. By the end however, I have changed my mind fully. I can admit when I'm wrong: this episode it great. I believe this is Ace's favorite episode from the first season, as it is one of mine. The idea of the Horta just trying to defend itself is a great concept. So many things in life might just be acting because it feels threatened; a valuable lesson can be learned there. Spock mind-melding with it, reading it's pain, Bones trying to help it.. Perfect.
"I'm a Doctor, not a bricklayer!" ~Leonard "Bones" McCoy
Amazing acting from the cast. For whatever reason, this one just didn't click with me. It's one of the few I've had to look up to refresh my memory on.
The only reason this episode is as high as "Errand of Mercy" is because of Lazarus' amazing transforming beard. As a Dark Souls fanatic, I love the concept of two (or more: Abyss Watchers) people fighting each other for eternity. This episode is one of, if not the only I'll say this for: the execution was not great.
Ah~ the wonderful mind of the equally wisdom riddled, psychotic mind of Harlan Ellison. Prior to watching Star Trek, Harlan had been one of my favorite writers (now my absolute favorite, disregarding Tolkien. Putting Tolkien next to anyone is unfair. He was the Freddie Mercury of writers.) of all time. This episode was partially the reason I began watching it, to see how he fared writing a screenplay. Of course, as in Harlan fashion, it goes above and beyond. Fun fact: this episode remains the highest rated on TOS, probably not the full franchise, but I could believe should you tell me so. Though upon research, there were some re-writes of the complete original script, it was still Harlan's idea, his motives, his characters to toy with. That being said: Edith Keeler - protrayed by Dame Joan Collins - was extremely believable, was thoroughly entertaining. She absolutely chewed each scene she was in, ruling the camera in a mostly Kirk dominated world. Though I don't fully understand how Kirk (even knowing his libido) could possibly fall in love with a woman from a literal different time period, its alright. I'll pass that for this one, solely because it was played so well. Watching them MacGuyver their way to their own time was very enjoyable; seeing DeForest Kelley get to play someone other than the brash Doctor role was a nice change of pace. While it was short-lived, the crazed McCoy was a welcome change to the normal cold, calculated, sterile performance of Bones. That final scene, McCoy knowing what was happening, what he was doing, & Kirk being unable to stop it was amazing. Hands down, all bets off, one of my absolute favorites.
Two of the best episodes this season (and of the series) back to back. This was the episode that gave me this idea in the first place. Nimoy's acting was superb, showing how Spock can be disrupted despite his over-average composure and Vulcan attitude. One thing that didn't make sense at the time of watching was how fast Kirk got over his loss, though in hindsight I suppose he could've had some shock, utilizing the importance of saving the rest to keep him afloat. I like to imagine afterwards there was some amount of grieving. At all. No dissing to Shatner, I'm sure that's how it was written, though I would've liked to have seen some emotion. That being said,the rest of the episode was as close to perfect as it could be. Between the creature's design, their method of attacking, all that: perfect. Surprisingly little to really comment about this one: it's more one that I just enjoy as a mini-film, as oppose to having major critiques. It just is, as it should be, enjoyable. The opening, flying into the sun, the ending, Spock nearly being blind: played perfectly.