Are you guys really in the same room at the same time? LOL

Scotty is a terrific asset to the crew, but you got to be careful if you go drinking with him. Inebriation. Bar fights. Murder. Rarely turns out well. Also, never insult his ship.

Great job, Guys. One thing I learned as a kid, watching the original series after school in reruns, five days a week, was that Star Trek is ridiculously rewatchable - like Twilight Zone or The Honeymooners. Since there were only 79 episodes, they’d repeat almost every four months. As the third season would end, I’d find myself looking forward to seeing The Man Trap or Charlie X again, and I’d find different things in it. Also, as an adult, I’d find different entry points of appreciation, after not seeing them for years. When you’re a kid, Miri and Arena are a hoot. I’m saying all that to say, as you watch more, don’t be too surprised if some of your clunkers become guilty pleasures or even pleasures. One of you already alluded to what all Trek fans know - bad Trek is still some damned good television.

Interesting your reaction to Balance of Terror. I'll tell you why it's in my Top 5 of any of the three seasons. Not your cup of tea, I understand, but here it is. 1. Kirk as military commander. This episode is where Kirk's strengths as commander really are shown. Military tactics and strategy - this is why Kirk is captain and commanding a five year mission. 2. Kirk as CEO - he listens and considers carefully the information brought to him by his department heads - Spock, Bones, Scotty, Sulu, Stiles, Uhura - that strategy meeting in the briefing room where they must decide to go to war or not is pure gold. The tripartite relationship between Kirk, Spock and Bones is really brought out strongly - Spock, logically we must attack, Bones, is war the answer, do you want to take that risk? Kirk doesn't just say we were attacked, let's go get them boys! He pauses, he thinks, he listens, and then his decision is considered and the possible consequences considered. 3. Keep your bigotry to yourself, there's no place for it on the bridge. His tapping of the console to get Stiles' attention and his lecture about how as Starfleet personnel, going out to experience new life, new cultures, etc., must rise above old human habits establishes one of the basic beats of Roddenberry's hopes for the future. Prejudices are there, they should not be reacted to blindly. Acknowledge them, consider them, and then rise above them. For these things mainly, plus it's a kick ass demonstration of the capabilities of a starship, it is one of my favorites.

Thank you for recognizing Shatner’s acting. A lot of people say he can only do broad acting. People who think this need to watch his work on TOS.

Over the years, I found that even the "bad" Star Trek episodes (across all the shows and movies) have something, a scene, a moment, whatever, that you can enjoy. There are bad episodes I love, and "best" ones that I found meh. There's something for everybody.

The best way I would describe your ST commentary is to say you guys get it. Hopefully that doesn't sound condescending, but the fact is not many people these days do, especially when it comes to the younger demographics. I've seen some younger people try and tackle TOS, including TNG fans, and it seems like most of the time they miss the target, so your channel has been a surprising breath of fresh air.

Babylon 5 was a pioneer in the season long story arc. Once you get started, you pretty much have to watch them in order.

You guys are gonna LOVE season 2...it is loaded with amazing episodes from front to back! Very few low lights among the highlights, in my opinion...the production team and writers really hit their stride in Season 2. I think you two are really gonna have a hard time picking your top 5 episodes after next season. 💯✌ I gotta say that I was a little sad to see that Devil in the Dark did not really get any love...but I get it, there are a lot of episodes to choose from.

Thing about Space Seed, forget about the movie, is that is established the Eugenics war - quite a concept for the time, genetically modified super humans, who almost take over Earth! Pretty significant canon to establish. In defense of the McGuiver character and how she responds to Kahn - you're one, supposed to feel uncomfortable, so start with that. Two, she is overwhelmed by him, never has she met such a man, so dominant alpha, so capable, so attractive, so intelligent, so raw and charismatic - Kahn is a force of nature, and she's smitten. Kahn, is frankly, the ultimate bad boy, and powerful, because he's brilliantly capable. Anyone out there ever have a thing for the bad boy or the bad girl? Yeh, it's like, a thing. How many of us have fallen for someone who isn't the best example of what's good for us? But, we don't get to choose who we love, only choose to act on it or not. Sometimes, we are overwhelmed and end up over our heads from following our hearts and desires. People who say they can't watch or otherwise don't like Space Seed because of McGuiver, are forgetting it's art, a tv show, a story, not a public service message on how to behave. It's designed to make us think while it entertains. And, Star Trek doesn't need to apologize for it. Look at Uhura, black woman, who in one episode takes command for a bit. Know how progressive that was in 1966? Clearly, by introducing us to McGuivers, Star Trek has never been afraid to say, "We've got this (Uhura), and we've got this (McGuivers), one we respect and revere, the other, we may pity her, but how much so really, when she ends up with Kahn, where, she chooses to be with him. Kahn and McGuiver going forward, it's fair to assume, would be solid, with him loving her and treating her very well - and she, again, where she wants to be over anything in her entire life.

FYI: Nichelle Nicoles, who played Lt. Uhuru, was going to quit the show after the 1st season but Dr. Martin Luther King talked her out of it. He told her that Black viewers had never seen a Black woman in a position of authority on TV and that she was inspiring Black people everywhere, and he hoped she would not quit. Of course, she stayed on and became a beloved ST character and person in general.

Just an personal feeling, the two things that queued up Khan for a reappearance were the question of returning to see what happened to the seed they’d planted, and the amazing Ricardo Montalban guest appearance. That’s really what stands out for me in that episode. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that performance is just a warm up for probably the greatest performance in trek history.

Kirk had exceptional advisors, in Spock and McCoy, who would give him the cold, rational perspective, on the one side, and the compassionate perspective on the other. Spock and McCoy go at each other often, but they respect one another immensely. What makes Kirk a great Captain is that he trusts his advisors, listens to them, and makes the hard decisions by weighing their input. Kirk was conceived very much as a JFK kind of leader, and if you look at a situation like the Cuban Missile Crisis, you can absolutely see that inspiration.

One of the great strengths of the original Star Trek, including the animated series that follows after season three, is that many of the writers were actual science fiction authors like Richard Matheson, Jerome Bixby, Theodore Sturgeon, Harlan Ellison and Larry Niven just to name a few. It's been great watching you guys watch this first season and I'm very much looking forward to you delving into year two.

I’ll definitely tune into your Firefly coverage.

I really look forward to the reaction for The Doomsday Machine. I consider it a "perfect" episode for characters, plot, and very rarely, almost ideal music cues that move the whole story forward.

Not liking "Balance of Terror" is, indeed, a hot take, lol. ;) ( It definitely was a good nod on racism/presumptions, vis-a-vis Vulcans and Romulans standing in (contextually) for how may Americans still perceived many Asians during post-WWII; it was also a nod to old-style "submarine" episodes/movies concerning "sub-to-sub" battles; and also a nice insight into seeing the "enemy" as a "person" vs a faceless monster in the shadows.)

For the longest time, TV guide had the City on the Edge of Forever in their top 50 all time best moments of television.

You're going to like Firefly.

Oh! I'm excited about you doing Firefly. That one will blow your mind, based on what you've said so far. I think it will be outside your expectations.

You guys have become one of the channels I most look forward to seeing new videos uploaded. Great job! In my opinion Star Trek season go like this: Season 1 is the steady climb to being great (with maybe a couple dips here and there) Season 2 the show plateaus at one great episode after another with only a few stumbles Season 3 is the decline, but even so, there are gems of episodes in there as good as the best episodes of any season, they are just fewer and farther in between. Even so, most of the notoriously bad episodes are "so bad they're good" episodes so they are still fun to watch if you accept them as pure camp. Taking that into account, then there are really very few genuinely bad episodes that are a tedious slog to get through. What I'm saying is no matter what you hear, season 3 is still a season to really look forward to. 😁 Babylon 5 is an *amazing* show and I highly recommend it! But you have to commit fully to it. It was ahead of its time in how it told its story, progressing it episode by episode with each season being a chapter of the book which was the entire series. Each season even had their own titles... It's just that B5 is a victim of the era it was made in. If it was made today for a streaming site, and was only 10 - 12 episodes per season, it would be fantastic! But it was made at a time when a full season was always around 20 - 25 episodes. So there is a lot of filler, and sometimes important bits are put into mostly filler episodes so you need to watch it all. All that with an exposition heavy pilot that basically throws this new universe at you...you have no idea what's going on...and then Season 1 is the most episodic of all the seasons, it's a tough start...but totally worth it if you stay committed! I have an easier recommendation for you: Have you seen or even heard of the 80's mini-series *V* ? It is so good! At the time the sfx were the best being made for television, but of course now they don't look impressive at all, unless you count make up. But it's the story that is what is so great. I'd say with what's going on in the U.S. today it's even more relevant than it was back then! There are two mini-series: V: The Original V: The Final Battle Altogether it's about the same lengthwise as watching 10 episodes of Star Trek. There is a series proper too, but it's not that good and ends on a cliff hanger. Plus, the end of the mini-series gives you all of the closure you need. Highly, highly, highly recommend!!! Best Regards!

Funny TV commercial a few years back featured Shatner and the Gorn fighting in his living room...Kirk picked up a pillow and threw it like the big rock and then stated how exhausted they both were from the 20 second fight. So they sat on the couch to watch TV together

Can hardly wait till you get to TNG and DS9. Those two both start slow for the first two seasons but by the end have some of the most powerful episodes. Babylon 5 is worth watching. It wasn't until the early 90s that enough people had cable tv to make season long story arcs possible and B5 was one of the first to do so.

I am so very glad you both have discovered Star Trek. Welcome home.

One of the things that makes Spock's line "Sir, you have a multi-legged creature crawling on your shoulder" even funnier is the fact that there actually IS a multi-legged creature (of sorts) "crawling" on the man's shoulder: Spock's fingers!

You mention that that _"This Side of Paradise"_ does not do a good job of setting up why Kirk is able to break the spell of the spores with his *"I* __ *Can't* __ *Leave!"* moment. You're not wrong, but this event gets to an observation you made earlier in the video. This series rewards those viewers who stick with the show and watch all the episodes. That's why there are so many comments of "Of course he can't leave!" from people who have seen the entire series. That one incident might be perplexing by itself, but put it together with other events in other episodes and you get a picture of the character of Kirk. And I know the final line in this episode is a killer (and it was for me too!), but I'm a little surprised you didn't comment on the confrontation and fight between Kirk and Spock after Kirk gets Spock to beam back up to the ship. That's a fun scene just because it's so startling and *out* -of-character for Kirk, and yet it makes sense once we see the result.

Spock's "multi-legged creature" is a tip-of-the-hat to the common trope of the time: telling someone that "there's a centipede on your shoulder" as a distraction move.

Both of you have thoughtful takes on Star Trek. I would like to emphasize that Star Trek was not campy in its day. The special effects, sets, make up, etc., were the best of their kind for a TV show. The Gorn, for example, was played straight and not for laughs. It is just looking back from after the development of make up, special effects, etc. that audiences look at Star Trek and consider it campy or cartoonish.

In "Arena" the Gorn didn't blink until the remastered version came out.

Absolutely agree that the streaming services are too expensive! When I grew up, all TV was free. Then there was cable, but you got specialized channels and no commercials. There was also the first a la carte channel, in HBO. You got newer movies without commercials, but you had to pay extra for it. Then, the commercials came back to basic cable. Then, all those specialized channels stopped being so specialized. We lost videos on M-TV. Walking Dead is on American Movie Classics, and pawn shop reality TV is on the History channel. Now, even the "networks" are paid channels. Subscribing to even a handful costs more than basic cable. And this 50-year-old TV show that once aired for free now requires a monthly subscription for reruns.

Over the years, Shatner has gotten "dissed" for over-the-top acting, and "Enemy Within" showcases what they're talking about... however, it's hard to see how a more subtle performance could've worked here. I agree that Shatner effectively creates three distinct Kirks--Good Kirk, Evil Kirk, and Normal Kirk, who has both sides integrated. I find the over-the-top Evil Kirk of the beginning a little hard to watch (even if it's necessary), but the ending is wonderful. To me, the best part of the episode is the ending, with the two Kirks, beaten, weakened, each needing the other -- reluctantly -- with Evil Kirk painfully crying out, "I want to live!" and Good Kirk saying, "You will... [Otherwise] how can half a man live??" Very poignant. And again, this episode illustrates the real point of Taoism.... that the two sides of light/dark must be integrated... that nine Star Wars movies never really got, even after 18 hours.

Babylon Five is a good series and for its time, did a great job of presenting story arcs across entire seasons instead of episodic shows. However, it is an investment and some of the show's most impactful moments take seasons to set up and deliver. Also, as much as I enjoy the ship designs and lore of the show, I wish there was enough interest/money to upgrade the special effects just like they did when they remastered ST:TOS. They were on the cutting edge of computer graphics at the time and it shows.

You guys make me feel so old. I’ve lived with Star Trek since I was a kid in 1966. I was a teen when Star Wars came out I liked it but it never affected me like trek did

I am delighted that you are so honest with your reactions. Even where I sharply disagree with you, I always learn something from what you have to say. I am also struck by how much my perception of each episode is colored by the fact that I have seen it a dozen times. It’s almost impossible for me to get into “beginners mind“ and remember what it was like to see it fresh. That is something else you provide.

5. City on the edge of forever 4. The enemy within 3. Space Seed 2. Balance of Terror 1. Where no man has gone before

It's refreshing to see two younger people keep their minds open and watch this older show, and admire it for what it is, weaknesses and all. I have always been able to do that and have always been confused and a little irritated when others can't.

As for Kirk resisting the power of the seeds, it may relate to tropes that older audiences recognized which have fallen away from modern audiences. The dedication of the captain might be one of those old tropes that we all knew, so we clued into it on fainter evidence than what the modern audience required. This part of the story is also interesting in that you'd think Spock would have been the most resistant to the seeds because his mental discipline is so close to his core nature. His susceptibility hints that his character IS on some level trying to experience emotion. Because of that, Spock is more conflicted than the captain, who does resist because of the challenge to HIS core nature, which is dedication to his ship and crew. Probably it would have helped if there was earlier dialogue to show Kirk's level of dedication. It seems like it was a "given" premise that you just had to already know. BTW, I imagine you guys are going to watch the rest of the episodes in release order, which is fine. But I wonder how your impressions might change if you saw episodes out of order, which was common for audiences watching TV without recording devices.

My top 5 in order from 1 to 5: City on the Edge of Forever, Menagerie, Taste of Armageddon, What Are Little Girls Made Of, Shore Leave. The fact they knocked these episodes out one per week is kind of amazing.

Was great fun seeing you guys experience this the first time. The things you appreciated or laughed at mostly reminded me of things I felt too. My biggest surprises regarding your reaction were (1) the dislike of Balance of Terror, which I think I'm in the majority of thinking it's one of the best of the series, and (2) the dislike of Galileo Seven, which I thought was a great Spock episode. But hey that's cool - you can dislike things! lol. I just thought it was surprising. On Space Seed, I think it's mainly Ricardo Montalbán's performance, and that awesome chess-like dialogue at the dinner table that makes that one great.

My favorite line from the series, although think it's early season 3, but not a favorite episode "brain brain, what is brain"

One thing to recall about pre-VCR age TV was an episode aired one time and then maybe once again as a re-run months later. You literally had no chance to ever see it again unless it maybe went into syndication. For some old shows, decades passed before some episodes of some shows were available to be seen again. Other than daily soap operas (where some people published weekly summaries for people missed episodes), almost everything was episodic except for the occasional two-parter. Unless people could jump into a series partway through or even part way into a second or third season, an audience would have been shut out from a show after missing the first few episodes. I grew up on episodic TV. I do enjoy the complexity of a longer extended show such as Babylon 5 or much of the current crop of various streaming shows. But I do like episodic shows in the same way I enjoy reading short stories some times.

OK, since nobody asked, Here's my top 5 for season one. 1.Balance of Terror 2.COTEOF 3.Arena 4.The Enemy Within 5.The Naked Time None of these is my #1 for the series. THAT masterpiece is in S2. - the FUN season.

Loved this video of you two chatting about pros and cons of various Series 1 Trek videos, I am so looking forward to your take on Series 2....warp factor fun ahead gentlemen!

If there's one thing that triggers Kirk, it is people questioning his authority. "This Side of Paradise" brings it to the fore. But keep an eye out for the rest of the series and you'll see he does get nasty if you challenge him.

Having grown up with this show in reruns and seeing your initial reactions is actually refreshing in that you appear to recognize some of the classic sci-fi themes that Roddenberry was attempted to skillfully emote in these episodes...BTW...The actress playing Spock's love interest was Jill Ireland (with her backlight blonde hair) she went on to have a modest film career most notably being the wife of tough guy Charles Bronson.

My top 5 are 1. Charlie x 2. Cotheof 3. This side of paradise 4. Naked time 5. The menagerie but season two is my absolute favourite can't wait for these episodes

Trivia on the actor that plays Scotty. When there a close up of his hands operating the transporter, those aren't his hands. He has a missing finger shot off during WW2.

It has been a pleasure watching the series through new eyes and to know that you are enjoying it. I hope you'll enjoy the next 2 seasons and I will certainly be along for the ride.

I forgot about the Star Trek drinking game. Drink for a door noise, and drink when you have a red, blue, and yellow uniform in the same scene.

Everyone has their own opinion. Who am I to say no, this should have been your favorite episode? My favorite episode has facial hair, that's all I'm saying! You guys are great, keep it coming!

Coherence! I loved that movie (Under the Skin was good, too, but Coherence was amazing). I'm really looking forward to the Firefly reactions.

Nichelle Nicholls didn't consider the costume unusual. That's just how women dressed on the street. Uhura is actually one of the most reliable junior officers. She gets to fill in on the bridge in other positions several times and also everyone loves her. Why not? Right? The story is that Whoppi Goldberg saw uhura on star trek and screamed to her mother, "look mama, there's a black woman on TV and she isn't a maid!"

I am just happy you watched it and that you gave your hobest opinions. :)

1) Babylon 5 is a must-watch, despite Season 1 kind of being a little hard to get through at times. BUT even season 1 really pays off as the story moves along. 2) And can't wait for Season 2 of Star Trek: TOS. The how really "hit its stride" in season 2 and nearly 1/2 the episodes of the 2nd season are considered "classic Star Trek" episodes or moments. I'm talking the top-tier of the show's entire legacy type of "classic Star Trek".

Really well done, Gents. I had so much fun watching your reactions to one of my all time favorite shows, I asked you not to nitpick too much so I won't do it to you. Looking forward to season 2, some really good episodes that I can't wait for you to see.🖖

I enjoyed this laid back format

I am with you on City on the Edge of Forever. Great story, Joan Collins is amazing, Shatner, Nimoy and Kelly all killed it, probably because they were acting against Joan Collins! For some reason, this almost doesn't feel like a Star Trek episode. As much as I like it, it is not an episode I tend to go back to when rewatching.

Awesome show, guys! ♡ Edit: In "This Side Of Paradise," the written version of the episode explains why Kirk had snapped out of it more fully. Upon rewatching it, I realize the episode only shows Kirk getting his things, looking at a medal and snapping its box shut angrily. In the written version, he is looking at the medal from some age-old competition from his Academy days, where he basically got the equivalent of a participation medal. His internal dialoge said, "I should have... won. I should have won!!!" Knowing how his competitive spirit had once been dashed, the frustration from being cheated out of a victory had angered him. And now that the jealous anger had resurfaced, it made him realize that the flower-power that had sway over him had robbed him of the drive to do better, and robbed him of the reluctance to accept failure -- a fundamental part of his core humanity. This immediately revealed to Kirk the innate problem of perfect contentment; the lack of drive to challenge oneself -- to do better -- a quality, when lacking, effectively makes his crew nothing more than a herd of opium-laden, braying sheep. This is why he chose Spock to help him -- if he could summon the inner supressed anger within Spock, (and survive Spock's subsequent rage) he would have an indispensable ally to help him break the rest of the crew free from the pollen's spell. That was his own expression of the love of his ship that was spoken about in the comments -- it was more of his love of what made his crew human and less than actual affection or nostalgia of a few megatons of floating metal in space. When we later see other examples of Kirk expressing love for his ship, he is speaking if its crew, not the actual husk of steel. Scotty, on the other hand... I completely agree that Kirk's turning point should have been expressed more clearly in the teleplay; it was abrupt and confusing to watch. But what more can you expect from a series who has to show analog dials moving backwards to display a reversal of the time-space continuum? Added edit: I can't wait until you cover "Firefly," as I haven't seen the episodes and only the movie. All my sci-fi friendly friends say I've missed out. I will make it a point to keep up with you and enjoy watching your take on the show as well! Best to you both! :)

Good re-cap. I wouldn't give you grief for not liking episodes that I do like. I think you give your reactions to these shows very reasonably. Shame on those that were too harsh on you in their comments about it. I think what happens is - all of us long time fans that have basically grown up watching these shows develop a love for certain episodes in a different way. As I've grown up, some things just resonate differently as I got older and that also affects how I might feel about an episode today versus back in the early 70s when I was just getting old enough to pay real attention. Themes are noticed later that I might not have noticed before even though I'd seen it several dozen times prior. Most of the "community best episodes" list does come from years of watching and analyzing these shows to the gnat's ass. Something that no one should expect someone coming in to these shows cold should know about. Some were always instant favorites, while some may have taken some time. I agree with you that if a point was to be made on how something is progressed in an episode, then it should have been more clear. Kirk's turn in "Paradise" was probably done just to keep the story moving and no other reason. In the writer's room, it was probably simply decided that Kirk's shear will was enough to break the spore's spell. The idea of the "love of his ship" breaking the spell is more of fan rationalization. Again, coming from years of watching these shows and bringing that baggage back to episodes that didn't originally have it. I know everyone is saying "season 2 is great", and it is mostly strong, They do get a groove going, but there are still a few weak spots. You'll figure that out as you go, just as in the first season. I have no doubt that you may pick a few different top and bottom episodes from the "general fan consensus". You've talked about it - that in the 60's, TV was mostly just episodic with little to carry on as the seasons progressed. And that's true. Sure, characters do develop to a degree, actors do extend that in their acting of those characters. Even on Star Trek, Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelly would let the directors know "my character wouldn't say that" or "...wouldn't say something like that". But, the mentality of the producers was "this episode will probably only be seen one more time - in re-runs". Even then, not every episode was repeated during the re-run season. Today, every show can assume to be eventually scrutinized to death. But at the time of Star Trek, you were lucky to get two airings. Syndication was really only for shows that had 5 or more seasons, and not every show would go into syndication. So no one was thinking of that while making Star Trek. By the time it did end, syndication was possible for a show with 3 seasons, so that's how Roddenberry was able to get the show syndicated. Now, some things do come up again during the second season that do call back to events in the first. Not many, but lets see if you spot them - of course now that I've said it... I had some comments for what my favorite and not-so-much-favorite episodes are, but it got too long. For me, that you like the show at all is enough. One more thing to add. I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this (if so, forgive me), but Roddenberry all along meant for this show to be like mini-morality plays. Not every episode does this, but a lot of them do. So that alters the idea of "solving every problem on their wits" resolutions. That's why sometimes a resolution is provided to the crew. Sometimes it's only about the lesson.

Ooh, Babylon 5 is a terrific show. It'll feel especially different after watching Star Trek, as the creator turned a lot of accepted sci fi conventions on their head with that show.

I read a great analysis that compared the Kirk-Spock-McCoy trio to the Id, Ego, and Super Ego and it made so much sense. Logic and intellect on one side, emotion and impulsiveness on the other, and the central force reining them in together to work harmoniously. While I admired Kirk for his heroic dynamic and success with the ladies, Spock was my hero to the point that my mother once said she would wish to never hear the word "logical" again! Been a fan since September 1966.

Really enjoy your Season 1 recap.

If you guys ever do watch The Cage, the best place to do it would be years down the line - right before Discovery S2E8 "If Memory Serves". It'd be playing the long game for sure, but it'd be one hell of a tie-in!

The first season of TOS has some real gems. It really is hard to pick a favorite. Well done!

I don't know if it was mentioned by someone else, but Michelle Nichols was planning on leaving the series at one point. Apparently, Martin Luther King met her and told her how much he appreciated what she was doing.He convinced her to stay with the show and she never left it.

For an hour long video of two people talking, this flew by. This is basically what Trek fans do for hours. My personal season 1 top five are: 1) City on the Edge of Forever 2) A Taste of Armageddon 3) Tomorrow is Yesterday 4) Shore Leave 5) Menagerie Honorable mention: Where No Man has Gone Before What are Little Girls Made Of Balance of Terror 😝 Great news about Firefly. Though I've seen plenty of reactions, it's as much about the people reacting to the show as it is about the show itself. Just know that the Firefly movie, Serenity, is really the final episode of the series. I do hope you seriously consider Babylon 5 (hardly anyone reacts to that and those that I've seen don't do a great job. It may be one of those problematic shows that gets hit for copyright constantly). Once it finds it's groove, it can't be beat. Seasons 3 and 4 are terrific. I'm tempted to say you could skip season 5. Due to extenuating circumstances, that season plays like an afterthought. You should consider the original The Outer Limits. I believe it's just two seasons and there's a lot crossover with Trek writers and actors.

I can’t imagine not being familiar with Star Trek TOS. I watched the early reruns in the seventies as a kid. It’s part of who I am at this point.

When you finish season 3, I HIGHLY recommend watching "Star Trek Continues", which picks up right where season 3 left off and gives an awesome series finale that Star Trek really deserved. They made 11 episodes.

Really enjoyed the wrap-up show. You are approaching one of my favorites of all time "Mirror, Mirror", but until then, the next episode, "Amok Time" starts the season strong.

For This Side of Paradise, the actress who played Spock's love interest was Jill Ireland; who was largely known for later starring in several films with husband Charles Bronson. Sadly she died of cancer in 1990. And since several people mentioned Babylon 5 and Harlan Ellison(who wrote Classic Trek's City on the Edge of Forever), he had a famous longtime feud with the ideocracy which was Hollywood but would set it aside to help friend J Michael Straczynski bring B5 to television as show consultant. Once, when JMS was still a struggling script writer, he'd complained to Harlan that his story outlines weren't selling; to which Harlan answered: That's become you're writing crap! If you stop writing crap they'll sell. I'm an old guy raised on Trek but I love Babylon 5 equally well. Good job with this, fellas. 👍👍

My favorite is in Season Two! I can hardly wait for you guys to see it!

Great wrap up to the first season. As you have noticed they found their footing and clarified the characters and format during this season, and cemented McCoy as the third lead. There are some real gems in S2 written by some of the best and famous sci-fi novelists of the era. If you guys haven't seen them two other vintage TV shows that I think might make interesting reactions are The Twilight Zone (1959-1964) and Doctor Who (new era, 2005 - present)

Excited by Firefly watch.... Babylon 5 is long and involved, but well worth it... until season 5. :b

Episode "obsession" has a big character moment for Kirk. You'll learn his back story. And, "Journey to Babel" is a character moment for Spock episode.

After 53 years I still can not find myself a favourite episode. Out of the 29 episodes, I would happily watch 24 of them again, and I have done, several times. Am looking forward to your reactions to season 2. Bring it on. and welcome Mr Chekov.

I loved the deep dive of this episode and I understand fans who get a little hurt when their favorites or what they consider best is not you guys' favorites, but that's just how shows go, you know? We all have our preferences and I get that, while there may be some 'fundamentals' that make for good storytelling, we all have our perspectives on what is good and bad so I'm alright and try not to get too huffy when Balance of Terror or some other episode is not on your lists lol. As always, thank you guys for this, a ton of fun.

My top five: Balance of Terror, Where No Man Has Gone Before, City on the Edge of Forever, The Naked Time, The Menegarie.

Space 1999 is a two season show that would swing from serious to rubber monsters.

I watched mostly for your Trek season 1 recap. When I think of sword wielding George Takei, I think of Naked Time and his turn in season 1 of Heroes. I have only one request. After you guys finish the 3 seasons of the original series, PLEASE watch Galaxy Quest.

I'm shocked that Space Seed didn't make either of those guys lists

I would suggest that you guys try watching your way through the American Film Institute's list of the 100 greatest films of all time. Lots of old stuff that you might not have seen. Also, a couple of other old series that fed into Star Trek - the Twilight Zone; Have Gun - Will Travel; the Lieutenant; & The Man from UNCLE. Oh, & Star Trek's sister series (filmed right across the hall), Mission: Impossible. And of course, the immediate follow-up to the Original Series of Star Trek is the Animated Series, which was aired 4 years after the original went off the air, & brings back the original writers & cast. Then the films follow.

Independent local stations had Star Trek marathons in the 80s. The Sci Fi channel used to also..

I think in "This Side of Paradise" you guys missed something important on why Kirk snapped free of the plant pollen. When Kirk was packing his suitcase to go to the planet, he first packs up his Starfleet uniforms, then he goes over to his desk and opens the door and takes out his sports medal and looks at it for a while and starts to remember his past accomplishments, probably thinking about how he pushed himself to his limits and eventually became Captain of a starship. He then snaps the case shut. Next we see him in the transporter, still thinking of the medal and he starts to realize that if he goes to the planet, he will become docile, never to accomplish anything again. I think it is there that the thought starts to make him angry, so he starts saying "No, i can't go. I CAN'T GO!" and then he snaps out of it. So really, it is Kirk being angry with not being able to be who he is that breaks the spell.

The City on the Edge of Forever was actually nominated for an Emmy

Good job guys. If you want to see another retro show from the same time period that will definitely blow your minds, watch The Prisoner starring Patrick McGoohan playing a British secret agent who resigns from his government job and is instantly kidnapped and taken prisoner to a place called the Village. Only 17 mind bending episodes that will keep you talking about it forever.

They did very well making this show weekly while never having enough time...

My top five first season episodes are: 5) The Squire Of Gothos, 4) The Conscience Of The King, 3) Shore Leave, 2) Charlie X, and 1) The Naked Time. I think most of the other first season episodes deserve honorable mentions with the exceptions of The Alternative Factor, Where No Man Has Gone Before, and The Galileo Seven.

The hilarious part about this video is that Alex claims that he’s now in Josh’s basement, together, but bc the camera shots keep switching back and forth, never showing them in the same shot together, I’m still convinced that they are not in a room together 🤣 (I’m making this comment at the beginning of the video so it’s possible that there’s a two shot later)

Mike from Redlettermedia with applaud you for going with an old-fashioned paper list.

"Space Seed." My number one of season one. By the way, great stuff coming in season 2 and I can't to see you guys react to "The Next Generation." As well as the second Star Trek film "The Chest of Khan".................... it will scents when you get there.

Looking forward to Season 2!

Started watching it weekly around 9 yrs old in 1974. It was too much for my parents. it was shown at 10 am on sunday. Star Trek won over going to church!

I love Star Trek. Yes there is some 60's cheese to it, but it was a great show. It touched on serious issues. It asks questions. Unlike a lot of tv today it didn't tell you how to think, it assumed you were smart enough to get it.

My own top five: 1. "Where No Man Has Gone Before" 2. "The Menagerie" 3. "The Squire of Gothos" 4. "Charlie X" 5. "The City on the Edge of Forever"

Personally, I would hold off on Babylon 5 until you're finished all the Star Treks. It might be too similar a show to watch at the same time as Trek. (although it's more of a long story broken up into 5 seasons, rather than episode of the week like Trek. Babylon 5 is most like Deep Space Nine in its format). That being said Babylon 5 is EXCELLENT and you should definitely watch it at some point. And I'll rewatch it along with you whenever that is :-)

Star Trek is on every night on the H&I channel. I watch it using a rabbit ears antenna. No cable. You can watch lots of old programs that way.

Mantrap is a favorite of mine. When I was a kid, I got really scared when Kirk was screaming while getting the salt sucked out.

Kirk, Spock and McCoy are a defined character trio with their strengths and flaws. But they also represent the conflicts that exists in the mind of one person. McCoy the compassion and conscience and a bit of the irrational. Spock the pragmatic and logical side unbiased by emotional concerns. And Kirk the leader the core between both processing both and making decisions based on the impact of both.

This was a really fun watch. I really don't get comments that aren't informational but an argument about why you should or shouldn't like a particular episode. They should get their own channel. Or you could toggle the little-known "narcissism" filter to "on." Season two is great. Your list will definitely change.

If you're looking for fun Sci-Fi to watch, don't miss out on "Farscape"! Australian muppets in space (and so much more)