We are taking a little break from the blog as we move locations, so here are some of our past reviews! Enjoy!
The ships crew gets high and Sulu challenges everyone with a sword. Originally Broadcast on Septemner 29, 1966 this is The Naked Time.
The Episode:
Captain’s Log Stardate 1704.2
Enterprise discovers that an entire Scientific Party on the planet PSI 2000 have met a grizzly fate for some unknown reason. After an away team member comes in contact with a strange red liquid, the Enterprise crew is infected by the same virus that killed the scientists , and begin to act erratically. Additionally, PSI 2000 is facing destruction as it has started to break apart. With the ship in danger, McCoy is pressed to find a cure before Enterprise is destroyed by either the planets destruction or the crew falling prey to the illness. Just when it is almost too late, McCoy administers the cure to everyone and Scotty is forced to create an antimatter implosion to restart the ships engines which tosses the ship three days into the past. Deciding not to repeat the events, Enterprise holds course and never visits PSI 2000.
Is this a ‘Good’ Episode:
I have always been fond of this episode. I dont know why it has always been a favorite of mine but there is something so very ‘Star Trek’ about it that I can’t quite explain. Maybe it’s because of the nostalgia tied to it between Sulu’s swashbuckling scenes coupled with the sequel in STNG, but The Naked Time remains one that has always stuck with me.
One thing I love about this episode is that it is the first one that really focuses on the ensemble nature of the cast. Almost every character, no matter how small, gets a moment in the sun showing that this series is more than just the Captain Kirk show and actually about the crew of the Enterprise as a whole. There are tremendous moments where characters discuss their mortality, talk about their purpose in space and even begin questioning their own feeling toward one another. To me, this episode is paced perfectly with a great story, extreme situations and a threat not from the outside but from within. Sure, there are some silly moments but I really think some of the best episodes tend to have some humor in them balancing out the serious moments.
There is only one thing that bothers the crap out of me. Technically, this episode never happened, but it did happen because there is a log of it happening that was referred to the STNG episode The Naked Now implying that, even though Enterprise went back in time they still experienced everything but if they never visit the scientific outpost on PSI 2000, none of it could have happened….so…ugh, why did they have to include time travel in the end.
Overall, The Naked Time is one of the best and one that I highly recommend watching if you have never seen Star Trek before. It’s solid through and through and features all of the classic crew with the exception of Chekov who would not appear until season two.
Gleanings and Cool Bits:
- This episode marks the first appearance of Majel Barrett as Nurse Chapel, a character she would continue on as through out the series.
- Nurse Chapel reveals her love for Spock and, Spock gives into his emotions due to the viral influence.
- This episode is also the first instance of Time Travel, as noted above, for the Star Trek franchise.
- Red Shirts Killed: 0:0
Thanks for reading the Retro TV Review, I look forward to discussing the rest of the series with you, one episode at a time every Monday, Wednesday and Friday! Next Review: Charlie X
For more reviews I have a weekly series called Key Movies Of My Life that comes out every Thursday and for more retro TV goodness check out the rest of the Retro TV Reviews here.
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Late To The Game 4/20/2022 (originally published 12/15/2021)
Special Thanks to Memory Alpha as they are one of the best sources for details on Star Trek information available. Although I have a pretty deep knowledge on the subject, they have proven invaluable as a regular resource.
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