Amazon.com

"Arena" was based on a script by Trek producer Gene L. Coon, the other indispensable figure (besides Gene Roddenberry) in making Star Trek what it was. After writing what he believed was an original teleplay about a one-on-one battle between Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and the reptilian commander of an enemy vessel, Coon realized he had probably been subconsciously inspired by a similar short story written by Fredric Brown (who was promptly credited and paid). The concept of a human-and-alien duel to the death in primitive terrain, however, was slightly ubiquitous in the 1960s (see "Fun and Games," a masterpiece from the original Outer Limits TV show) and was revisited in the '80s via the Arnold Schwarzenegger feature Predator. But under Coon's guidance and direction by Joseph Pevney, "Arena" stands on its own as a particularly strong story of what battle does to one's humanity. Shatner is in great form for this one. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Gorn is a thorn in Kirk's side
Arena or We Morn for the Gorn....

This one is based on a classic SCI fi short story that pits man against monster. In this case it's Kirk against the Gorn. He uses gun powder and a makeshift cannon; which by the way I find hard to believe he'd be able to do this in the desert. If you can forget that it's still nail biter of an episode. We see Kirk against a foe he can't stop with his fists so he has to blow him off the map. We see a wispy alien from above who is experimenting with humans to see how they react under the stress of getting killed by a dinosaur creature called the Gorn. It stands up to the repeated viewing test but I'd have to say you have to suspend your belief in the logic department.

Komodo Dragon
This strong episode sees Kirk locked in a life and death struggle with the lizard-like Gorn. The episode commences with the kind of in-the-trenches warfare rarely seen on TV. The brutality of the killing brings out bloodlust in Kirk, who seems ready to exact revenge until control is taken out of his hands. A rather innovative take is then applied to the battle, one which forces Kirk to rely on his wits and keep a level head. It is one of the trademarks of Trek that Kirk eventually shows mercy. Here that mercy is rewarded; if only it were so simple in the real world.

Kirk confronts his own prejudice
When I was a kid, I loved this episode because it features Kirk fighting against a dinosaur-looking alien. As an adult, I can appreciate it even more. Unlike so many Star Trek epsiodes where Kirk is lecturing some other species about justice or equality, here Kirk is taught an important lesson about his own prejudice.

The episode begins with the Enterprise finding a Federation colony under savage attack by an unknown species. Countless men, women, and children -- all civilians -- have been slaughtered. Kirk is enraged and chases the attacking vessel across space. Spock tries to talk some sense into Kirk but he will have none of it. He pushes his vessel past safe limits in an attempt to catch the aliens. When when the two ships travel into space claimed by the Metrons -- an advanced, pacifistic species -- the situation changes considerably.

Realizing that both the Enterprise and the aliens are running on pure adreneline and not thinking things out, the Metrons decide to let the two sides satisfy their thirst for violence through a one-on-one battle between the captain of each starship. Kirk and the captain of the alien ship are transported to the surface of a barren world where they are to engage in hand-to-hand combat to the death. To Kirk's horror, he finds that his opponent is from a species of incredibly strong reptiles named the Gorn. Kirk quickly discovers that he is physically outmatched.

What makes this episode so fascinating is how Kirk changes during the course of the conflict. At the start, he is openly hateful of the Gorn, even going so far to as to admit that he has a natural revulsion towards reptiles. He considers them lower lifeforms. However, he is aware of his prejudice against them and forces himself to remember that his opponent is every much his equal intellectually. Late in the battle, he communicates with the Gorn captain through the universal translator device and discovers that the Gorn attacked the Federation colony because they believed it was an invasion. For the first time, Kirk is able to see the situation from the other side. The Gorn were acting in (perceived) self-defense.

By the time that the battle has finally reached the final confrontation between the two, Kirk has come to the conclusion that he is not qualified to judge the action of this species nor dispense justice. His surprising resolution of the conflict impresses the Metrons, who have been overseeing the battle.

The ambition of this episode -- airing in the 60s and with a limited budget -- is staggering in retrospect. Shooting a battle between Kirk and a reptile running around in the desert is impressive enough. But the fact that Kirk, the quintessential hero, is able to admit that he may have been wrong is something that is rare even in today's popular TV shows and movies. This episode was well before its time.

Captain Kirk fights Alligator man
This episode showed two sides of the story for once. The Enterprise and humans aren't always the good guys. It concerns no one, until the end that the Gorns were invaded and they were merely defending themselves. So nyah nyah nyah!

The Metrons make Captain Kirk fight a Gorn
There is a sense in which "Arena" proves how good Star Trek was, because, after all, this is Captain Kirk fighting a guy in a lizard suit. After an unknown ship attacks Cestus III, the Enterprise heads off in pursuit. But just as they are about to attack both ships find themselves frozen in space by the Metrons, a powerful species that refuses to allow violence on their turf. Instead they will let the two captains fight each other on a barren planet: the winner goes home while the loser's ship will be destroyed. Thus Kirk comes face to face with a Gorn in a battle of agility and intelligence versus physical strength and endurance. In addition to teaching countless school children the basic ingredients of gunpowder, "Arena" also allows Star Trek to make its case for humanity showing definite signs of maturity in the future, albeit far distant future. This is certainly a memorable Star Trek episode. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley), and FirstOfficer Spock (Leonard Nimoy) discover that Captain Merik (William Smithers),commander of the long-missing Starfleet vessel S.S. Beagle, has become"First Citizen of the Empire" in a re-creation of ancient Rome on an obscure,unnamed planet. Under orders from the Emperor, Merik forced his own crew to diein gladiator battles and lured other Starfleet personnel to the same fate. NowwithKirk, McCoy, and Spock in hand, the Emperor's barbaric (and televised allover the planet) amusements carry on another day.

While the script takes a swipe or two at the sometimes less-than-elevated tastesof global audiences, the episode's most interesting idea is the existence of along-suffering cult of sun worshippers, a parallel to the suppressed Christiangroups in Roman times. For Trekkers, however, this one is full of theessentials: a surreal premise, a hostile planet, lots of fighting, and Scotty(James Doohan) on the bridge. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (9)

ATOZ, in his youth
The Roman episode was the first in a slew of parallel earth episodes, and was one of the better ones. The episode features a lot of action and a number of exterior shots. There is also much violence, and some of it is fairly chilling. While there is some editiorializing on 1) our society's bloodlust this is in my opinion negated by the Pro-Christian bias (I don't have anything against Christianity-I just prefer religion to be dealt with more subjectively on Trek).

For better or worse, the show was becoming less introspective. An argument could be made that some of these episodes should have been reigned in a bit. But Star Trek was riding high at this point on a string of strong stories and fun episodes; few could have guessed that the quality would start to deteriorate in just a few episodes.

Tidbit: This episode and Elaan of Troyius were the two that took the longest to get from production to the TV screen. In Elaan of Troyius I always assumed the delay was due to the spacecraft special effects. What was the explanation here?

'Prophesy of the future?'
'Bread and Circuses',hmmm? When I saw this episode I thought the worshippers of the 'sun' were christians,but when I became older,I later interpreted the worshippers of the 'sun' as worshippers of Japan. the 'fish'(Peter the fisherman) has been the sign of christians and never the 'sun',but for Japan the standard of the 'sun'(Land of the rising sun) has been the national standard and flag of Japan. A lot of are architecture,religion,and ideals are rooted from ancient Rome. For instance like 'football'(resemble Gladitorial games),months of the year 'July' (Julius Caesar),'August' (Augustus Caesar),the United States 'Senate'(Roman Senate),and the architecture resembles that of ancient Rome. I would also like to state that Julius Caesar conquered the island of Britain,and later Britain conquered America which makes America also Roman,not to mention you have a 'Pontiff' in Rome like the ancient days. Is the Roman Empire really dead? Do the answers of the future come from Japan,the 'land of the rising sun'. Lots of people called Marcellus,Marcus,Antonius(Anthony),Augustus(Gus),and Octavia(female). Like a Richard Wagner opera,'Star Trek' opens up the imagination and intellect. Have fun,that's the idea.

Star Yecch!
I have not seen this movie in years. Nostalgia remembers the original Star Trek as great and wonderful. But back then I was just a dumb kid who knew nothing of drama. Frankly - this is your boring typical sci fi fare with [bad]acting, lousy direction, worse writing, cheesey movie lot sets, and terrible special effects. No wonder it only fulfilled 3 years of its "four year mission."

The Enterprise visits a planet with a modern Roman Empire
Following the wreckage of the SS Beagle, the Enterprise comes upon another one of those planets that is essentially Earth with a twist (remember Hodgkins' Law of Parallel Planet Development for future reference). In "Bread and Circuses" the twist is that the Roman Empire has never fallen. The Enterprise discovers some of the Beagle crew are still alive because they are being used as gladiators in the Roman's televised Circus. But the worst news is that Merrick, the Beagle's captain, has been helping Proconsul Cladius Marcus in violation of the Prime Directive. When the away team is captured, Marcus tries to get Kirk to help by making Spock and McCoy fight in the arena. But as Merrick tries to explain to Marcus, Kirk is a starship captain who will not give in to coercion. "Bread and Circuses" is an average Star Trek episode, although there is a nice scene between Spock and McCoy as they sit in their cell worrying about Kirk and Uhura's explanation of planet's religion of "sun" worshippers is a surprising twist for network television in the Sixties.

It's the last few lines...
TOS was a great series, granted. It gave us an optimistic prophesy of the future not always present in SciFi. This episode is engaging, if a bit far-fetched scientifically. What would the world be like if the Romans had never been conquered? Alternative history is always fun, but this would have been far more plausible if they had traveled to another dimension rather than another planet within our universe. However, it is sad to watch episode after episode of Trek and discover that one's people simply ceased to exist, or so it seems. Even Worf in TNG can be Jewish, but God forbid that Christians be present. The brief glimpses therefore are all the more dear, as one finds in this episode. It's worth it for the last few lines. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and Dr. McCoy(DeForest Kelley) accompany a Federation ambassador (Elinor Donahue ofFather Knows Best) aboard a shuttle bound for a rendezvous with theEnterprise. The ambassador, Commissioner Nancy Hedford, needs to betreated for possible contact with an alien disease, and she haughtily insiststhat her escorts get through this interruption in her work as quickly aspossible. But a vaporous, translucent life form called "the Companion" has otherideas, traveling across space in search of humans who can ease the loneliness ofa pilot (Glenn Corbett) marooned on a barren planet for more than a century.Kirk, however, offers the stranded man an alternative: a return tocivilization. Whether he wants it is another matter--he and theCompanion share an extraordinary intimacy of the mind and heart. A kind ofchamber drama largely set in a single locale, "Metamorphosis" was written by series producer Gene L. Coon and directed by frequent Trek helmsmanRalph Senensky. Guest stars Corbett and Donahue are a bit monotonous in their performances, a little under par for a guest shot on the series. ButCoon's story compensates with another fascinating application of one of his petthemes: empathy shared between different species. Kirk and Spock's knowinglooks, as they begin to understand the Companion's true feelings for hercaptive man, by themselves make this episode worth watching. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Four stars, largely for its originality
Metamorphosis, a romance involving a castaway and his non-corporeal companion, brought a new feel to Star Trek. The episode is unusual in the attention it devotes to the love story, the secondary role played by the regular cast members (none of the stars 'gets the girl', and we don't even see the Enterprise until the episode is half over), and the general bright and positive tone (thanks in large part to Steiner's musical score). There is no denying that this episode suffers for being so short on action; if the dialogue were a bit cheesier, and the overall tone colder and more pessimistic, it would belong entirely in season 3. But the tone is not cold, and the characters have both personalities and agendas. As a result the episode stands nicely on it's own as a unique, albeit slow, episode.

Not only is this episode thoughtful, but it explores emotions in a way rarely seen on TV. The viewer is challenged to consider among other things:
1)how extended loneliness would feel

2)The relationship between physical and platonic love
3)Possible drawbacks to immortality

Particularly interesting was Cochrane's initial emotional response to learning that another species--the companion--loved him. Subtle blends of denial, shame, and snesitivity which by its intensity belied his own feelings for the companion.

Unfortunately, the episode is ultimately diminished by one of the original Trek's true achilles heels: sexism, and a lack of strong female characters. Donahue's character is initially cold and shrewlike, presumably because she is so career oriented and doesn't have a man. By contrast, her emotional awakening as she approaches death is more plausible, since we can imagine anyone who has never (been) loved feeling that way. What is most egregious is the idea that her becoming a lover for Cochrane is somehow more important than her diplomatic work, since the assumption is that anyone could have done the work as well as her. Please.

Still, the episode has enough going for it, particularly in th eoriginality department, to be a solid '4'.

The Companion loves Zefram Cochrane and brings him a shuttle
Kirk, Spock and McCoy are on the shuttle Galileo, which is transporting Assistant Federation Commissioner Nancy Hedford back to the Enterprise. Hedford suffers from a rare and fatal disease, so when an energy cloud forces the shuttle to land on a strange planet, this is not good. But on the planet they discover Zefram Cochrane, the inventor of the warp drive, who has been living there for 150 years, kept there by the "Companion," which is what he calls the energy cloud. Obviously the Companion cares for Cochrane, which is why when he insisted he was going to die from loneliness it brought the shuttle. Actually, "Metamorphosis" turns out to be one of the better love Star Trek love stories, benefiting from the sort of happy ending that is denied any of the regular characters. There might be some sort ethical problems with hijacking Hedford's body, but, hey, she was dying anyhow, so this is a win-win situation! Do not try to reconcile this Zefram Cochrane with the one who pops up in the "First Contact" Star Trek movie, just enjoy this one. However, this is one of those episodes where you have to wonder why the Enterprise's three senior officers are out tooling around the galaxy in a shuttle. They must really trust Scotty with that ship.

good idea episode
I really like these episodes that are 'idea' center'd rather than action oriented. Star Trek has used the intelligent cloud concept many times over scince this episode but I appreciate it when they give us non-anthropomorphic aliens. I also enjoyed the peek into Trek history that having Zephram Cochran marooned on the planetoid gave us. What does it mean when they say he's from Alpha Century though? Did he move there after he discovered warp drive? He's not an anthropomorphic alien himself,or is he? I have always thought the ending was kind of creepy. TOS offers an embarassment of riches when it come's to sexism

Good episode of the classic Trek
I don't see why a lot of people didn't like the "Metamorphosis" episode of Star Trek because I thought it was pretty good. A man that is a well known explorer is stranded on a planet along with a cloud-like being that keeps him young and healthy by floating over him and 'talking' to him. Kirk and the crew must do something to get off the planet while they try to find out more about the classic explorer and this mysterious being.

If you like the original series of Star Trek, I recommend getting this episode. It'll keep you interested and it has some good effects. It's not one of the more action packed episodes, but that doesn't mean that it's not any good.

Good episode
Kirk, Spock, and Bones are on a cool looking planet where they find a human inhabitant and a strange form of electricity. The man goes on to tell them that he was brought to the planet about 150 years ago and that the form of electricity is his companion. The alien being makes him immortal and he can relax and meditate and the being will come over him and he can 'talk' to it. However, Kirk must find a way to get his shuttle working again so he can get himself and the others off the planet.

"Metamorphosis" is a good episode and I recommend any Star Trek fan to get it. I was surprised when I saw how it ended. It's not an action packed episode, but it is interesting. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

VERY FUNNY
ALTHOUGH I CANNOT REMEMBER THE DON RICKLES EPISODE WELL ENOUGH TO WRITE A FULL REVIEW,I DO REMEMBER THE JOHN WAYNE EPISODE SINCE I JUST SAW IT LAST YEAR.THIS IS A TRULY FUNNY ENTRY IN THE AMUSING AND ENJOYABLE SERIES (THOUGH NOT A CLASSIC OF THE 'I LOVE LUCY'VARIETY} AND IF THE COMEDIC SCRIPT WASNT ENOUGH,THERES STILL THE TIMELESS MEETING OF LUCY AND THE DUKE TO RECOMMEND THIS TAPE.SOMEHOW,THEIR PERSONALITIES SEEM TO COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER.GOOD FUN FOR FANS.

A great Lucy episode where the redhead knocks out John Wayne
This videotape offers on of my favorite episodes of "The Lucy Show" with "Lucy and John Wayne" (#120 November 21, 1966). Mary Jane is working at a movie studio and invites Lucy to lunch where she runs into John Wayne. Mary Jane then fixes it so Lucy can watch the Duke at work where she causes a barroom brawl that destroys the set and knocks Wayne out. This episode is even funnier than Wayne's classic appearance on "I Love Lucy" a decade earlier (which is also available on tape). Then we have "Lucy the Fight Manager" (#130 February 20, 1967), a below average episode that has Lucy managing a fighter played by Don Rickles who wants to retire and open a flower shop. Ball and Rickles just do not click together, which is even more obvious after seeing the perfect relationships Lucy enjoyed the Duke in the previous episode. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This, the final episode of the original Star Trek series, is a doozy. Dr. Janice Lester, scientist and ex-flame of Captain Kirk, uses alien technology to switch bodies with him. As Kirk fights to regain control of his body and the Enterprise, the ship's officers must choose between going along with the increasingly erratic behavior of "Kirk" or risking mutiny. Setting aside Trek's rather quaint view of feminism--Lester's ambitions are tied to a hatred of her own womanhood--the episode is a corker to watch. Tension builds well as the officers try to figure out how to ally themselves, and William Shatner clearly has a good time playing a woman in his own body, enjoying his manly physique and casually filing his nails as he discusses policy with Spock. Although this episode has often been ridiculed by hardcore Trekkers, it provides a fitting end to a great series. --Ali Davis ... Read more

Reviews (10)

This last episdode couldn't be much better
Without a doubt, William Shatner does one of his best acting jobs in "Turnabout Intruder." It's about a woman who is jealous of all the power that Captain Kirk has over the ship because she has always wanted that kind of power. She wants to be able to give people a command and for them to do it. She forces Kirk into a machine that doesn't exchange their personal appearance, but that changes their minds. So, the woman is herself in Kirk's body, and Kirk is himself in her body. Of course, she gains control of the ship and tells the rest of the crew what to do. The first thing she does is to get her doctor to replace Dr. McCoy so Captain Kirk won't be able to talk to Dr. McCoy about it. Eventually, Spock and the others notice that Captain Kirk might not be Captain Kirk when he starts giving strange orders and starts being real arrogant.

"Turnabout Intruder" is definitely one of the top 10 episodes of the orginal and best Star Trek. William Shatner gives an unforgettable performance acting like he's the woman, and so does the woman while she pretends to be the real captain. Star Trek's last episode couldn't have been much better. If you like Star Trek, this is one episode you can't miss.

Last is not the best
In this, the 79th, and concluding, episode of the Classic Star Trek series, Kirk is forced into transferring personalities with Janice Lester, a woman who has always dreamed of being a Starship Captain, but could not make the grade.

And it's easy to see why the grade was never made. Lester is very petty and cruel, and cannot handle the reins of power at all. It doesn't take long for the crew to realize that something is very wrong with their Captain and fight to take the ship back.

But the most awful part of this episode is the acting. Shatner is at his absolute "best" at over emoting in this one, even taking the time to adopt a foppish girlish walk and filing his nails. It's a miracle the almost erotic scenes of Kirk (while having Janice's personality) and Lester's boyfriend got by the NBC censors in 1968. The scene where Kirk is forced into the personality transfer machine is almost laughable, because Kirk should have been able to overpower Lester without any trouble. He's fought with Klingons hand-to-hand - and this woman succeeds where many far more powerful opponents fail? Hah!

A really good story of transferral of personality was almost totally ruined by the acting.

My score - 5 out of a possible 10 (the slightly higher grade due to the fact that it's still "Classic" trek).

Curtain call
Star Trek closed with one of its oddest offerings, in which an old flame switches bodies with Captain Kirk. In no other episode is there such a palpable sense of detachment from the material. This detachment is presumably attributable both to the episode's dubious content and the knowledge that the show would not be renewed. The basic premise is interesting enough and the effects during the transfer are cool, but the episode quickly runs into trouble. First off, the episode is very sexist even by the standards of the day. Lester's character is an amalgamation of stereotypes including:
1) the scorned lover, who made too much out of a fling, 2) the woman unable to 'face the reality' that she wasn't 'cut out' for command of a starship, and 3) the sadistic, murderous woman who will stop at nothing to preserve her deluded sense of reality. These stereotypes are obviously all very pernicious, and this is one case where Shatner's acting (which I too generally find solid) didn't help matters any. Odds are he was told to play the part this way, but it's still enough to make you cringe. Not to mention his scenes with the hapless Harry Landers; did he think about what he was signing on for beforehand? Smith on the other hand is decent enough, but it isn't enough to lift the episode through the tedious court room proceedings.

Tidbit: NBC didn't finally get around to airing this episode until June of 1969, more than 2 months after the penultimate 'All Our Yesterdays' had aired.

Lester lets her temper fester
The last episode of Star Trek. And what a sour note to go out on. It does not portray the ambitions of Janice Lester in a positive light. We know she doesn't have the temperament to be a captain. The writers seem to think a woman commander is out of the question. You might notice that there were no women Captains in the original series.

Well, in this one a jealous Lester switches bodies with Captain Kirk. When the crew notice he's acting strangely they attempt to remove him from command. While it was implausible at best; it was fun to see the revolt against Kirk. Something the actors might have wanted to do in real life. Because Shatner did not treat his fellow cast members well if they were not part of the Kirk, Spock, McCoy team.

Janet Lester takes over Jim Kirk's body and the Enterprise
The irony of the final episode of the original Star Trek series is that after all that for the first time someone other than William Shatner got to play Captain Kirk. On Camus II Kirk runs into Dr. Janice Lester, who is supposedly very sick. But when the two are alone together, Lester springs up and activates an alien machine, which places the essence of each person in the other person's body. It turns out Lester dreamed of being a starship captain but could not cut it and has been jealous of Starfleet's fair-haired boy ever since. Now Lester has the captain's chair, but from the first the crew is rather suspicious. Shatner has played Kirk possessed by alien intelligence before, not to mention with his personality split in half, and this time around he gets to play Kirk possessed by an angry woman. It is one of Shatner's finer moments as an actor on the series, but Sandra Smith's performance as Lester, and as Lester with Kirk's essence, is equally as solid. These performances are what elevates this episode above the gaping holes in the script. "Lester" proves she is unfit to command as she quickly jumps off the deep end as "her" behavior becomes more and more bizarre. I also like the fact that the crew is quick on the uptake when the captain starts acting a bit strange. In a lot of episodes like this it takes forever for them to catch on, but that is not the case here. I do not think "Turnabout Intruder" is a great episode and since the series was hoping, in vain, to be renewed for a fourth season, the fact it was last is an undue burden. I think it is clearly an above average episode. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

HILARIOUS!!!!! Great farce comedy episodes!
Mistaken identity. Misinterpretation. These episodes are packed with laughs that woudl make your coronet blow off!

In IRVING, a pelican falls in love with SIster Bertrille after she flies down and nurses his injuries back to healthy form. But, Irving finds Sister Bertrille and won't leave her alone. At the same time, the convent is being visited by a very important priest. So, how do you make a pelican fall OUT of love with a Flying Nun?

In HIBISCUS (my favorite of the two), Sister Bertrille is being transferred to Rome but the other sisters overhear part of a conversation and think that Sister Bertrille is dying. However, the Reverend Mother keeps demanding that she continue with her regular chores. The other sisters are outrage, thinking that Sister Bertrille will be dying yet is forced to work when she should be resting in her last days. The hijinks never stop in this episode!

This is the video to get! They are both hilarious episodes!

Sister Bertrille is at it again!
Sister Bertrille is bringing home the strays in these two episodes.

'The Fatal Hibiscus' is a touching episode that almost sees our heroine leaving the San Tanco convent. The children sing the rousing theme song in this delightful episode.

'With Love From Irving' has Sister Bertrille reluctantly bringing home a love-sick pelican from one of her flights. Its up to Bertrille, Sister Jacqueline and Sister Sixto to do some match-making for the bird! ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the courtroom drama "Court Martial," Captain Kirk (William Shatner) stands trial for negligence in the death of an Enterprise crewman. As the proceedings rumble on, Spock investigates some hidden truths about the dead man and the apparent computer malfunction that led to the tragedy. While "Court Martial" is a lesser episode from the Star Trek canon (the action is a bit mired in trial proceedings), it's still a lot of fun and features a supporting role from veteran Hollywood character actor Elisha Cook Jr. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (11)

An interesting look at Starfleet justice
Having already seen the need for a judicial system in previous episodes Trek fans get a real eyeful here. In "Mudd's Women" Kirk brings charges against Harry Mudd and assigns Spock to him as a sort of public defender; Spock faces his own court martial in the two-part "The Menagerie"; and in "Dagger Of The Mind" the Enterprise visits a penal colony. The court martial Spock faced was a makeshift effort that he actually manipulated himself, but in "Court Martial" Kirk faces a very real and compulsory hearing to determine his negligence in the death of a crewman, the Enterprise's records officer Lt. Commander Ben Finney.

During a vicious ion storm Lt. Finney is assigned to dispatch in a pod and take measurements, a normal procedure aboard the starship. He fails to exit the pod before Kirk is forced to jettison it, though the captain had given ample warning beforehand. Complicating things are the fact that Kirk was well acquainted with Finney having gone to the academy together; some years later Kirk placed his classmate on report for failure to perform a critical duty correctly. Finney grumbled frequently about the incident and also spoke aloud about holding a grudge against Kirk; and while Kirk is confident he did nothing to cause his classmate's death the computer seems to tell a different story, in fact it is making a liar out of the captain!

The events that lead to Kirk's court martial are well-plotted; having Finney cast as the former friend feeling betrayed puts a decent twist on the whole matter. Did Kirk absentmindedly jettison the pod before he should have? Did he subconsciously dislike Finney in return because he felt spurned by a former close friend and confidante? These questions become the prosecution's platform and the computer tapes made concurrently with the events during the ion storm seem to make this an open and shut case. Naturally the Trek creators have no intention of letting our steadfast and resolute captain of the Enterprise be that fallible so they wrote an excellent sequence to include in this episode.

After the condemning computer tapes are played at the court martial Spock, who has returned to the Enterprise, goes to the recreation room and engages the ship's computer in several games of chess. McCoy barges in, sees the Vulcan playing chess and calls him the most cold-blooded person he's ever met - to which Spock says "Why thank you doctor!" Of course Spock turns out to have ulterior motives for his unusual pastime while "the captain's neck is nearly in the noose", but this is one of the most classic McCoy - Spock confrontations from the original series run and a definite must see.

This episode gets a C- grade and is ranked 57th out of 80
When the U.S.S. Enterprise puts in at Starbase 11 for repairs caused in an ion storm, Kirk gives his report of the circumstances of Lt. Comm. Ben Finney death to Commodore Stone. All goes well until Spock arrives with the computer visual tape of the bridge during the crisis. Spock tries to warn Kirk about what is on the tape, but the Commodore takes it and plays it. While Kirk's statement claims that Finney went into the U.S.S. Enterprise's ion pod to take vital readings. When the storm made it necessary to jettison the pod, Kirk warned Finney, during a yellow alert, and finally, switched to red alert before jettisoning the ion pod, with Finney, apparently, inside. What the computer tapes shows is Kirk pressing the pod-release switch while still in a yellow alert status. The Commodore informs Kirk that he will have to stand trial for possible court marshal for the death of Lt. Commander Finney. Things are complicated even more when Finney's daughter, Jamie, blames Kirk for her father's death. When Kirk meets an old girlfriend, Lt. Areel Shaw, that evening she tells him that she's arranged for a lawyer to come and see him. Unfortunately, she's been assigned to prosecute his case and will try her best to bring him down. Dejected, Kirk goes to his rooms to find that Samuel T. Cogley has moved in, books and baggage. Kirk decides that he likes the quirky lawyer and they begin the plan the captain's defense. On the U.S.S. Enterprise, McCoy reprimands Spock for playing chess with the computer while Kirk is on trial for murder. Spock explains that he has won several games straight... a feat he should not have been able to accomplish unless the computer is malfunctioning. McCoy's interest is piqued and the two men discuss what this development could mean to the captain's defense. At the trial, just as the defense has rested, Spock appears with the information about the faulty computer. Cogley gives a stirring speech about the rights of men versus machines and the Commodore finally allows the jury to reconvene on board the U.S.S. Enterprise. Spock explains that having programmed the computer for chess himself just months before, the best he should have been able to do is stalemate. Therefore, the officer explains, someone tampered with the computer, adjusting its memory. When asked who had the knowledge for such an action, the Vulcan admits that it could only have been himself, Kirk or Records Officer Ben Finney. Cogley then suggests that Finney is still alive and hiding somewhere on the U.S.S. Enterprise. On the bridge, the ship's sensors have been boosted to pick up any sound on the ship. Everyone but the bridge personnel and transporter attendant are beamed to the surface and the demonstration begins. Switching on the sensors, everyone's heartbeat on the ship is audible. One by one McCoy, using a white-light masking device, eliminates the sound of everyone's heartbeat... except one... Finney's. Kirk goes after Finney and finds him hiding on the ship. Finney has harbored a grudge against Kirk since they were both Ensigns, when Kirk had logged a careless and potentially dangerous mistake of Finney's, which the man claims has kept him from promotion over the years. The two men fight, with Kirk finally winning. Finney had, however, damaged the ship's engines and the U.S.S. Enterprise is losing its orbit. Racing against time, Kirk manages to repair the damage and the U.S.S. Enterprise regains her previous position. Kirk is cleared of all charges and Samuel T. Cogley takes on a new client... Ben Finney.

Do court-room dramas ever work?
This courtroom whodunit, featuring Kirk in the hot seat, is a slightly below average episode. As in virtually every courtroom drama ever put to screen, the trial scenes are flat. But this whole episode, quite frankly, is dull. Shatner definitely gets up for his "I demand it!" line, but this episode never comes together, despite the strong performance by Elisha Cook Jr. as an eccentric lawyer. It doesn't help that the finale's bombshell, pulled somewhat out of left field, just isn't explosive. Themes explored here, including the importance of 1) presumption of innocence, and 2) recognizing the fallibility of machines, would be better explored in other episodes, although Cook does deliver one great speech about computers and culpability.

The first half of the episode is actually quite strong. The trouble starts when the action shifts back to the Enterprise. One has the feeling they might have been running far behind schedule in the shooting of this episode. For one thing, we are never given any explanation of the jettisoned pod, so the idea that Finney might not have been jettisoned is pulled from left field. Also silly is the 'elimination' (their words!) of the heartbeats (with a microphone, no less). And Kirk taking unnecessary risks by facing Finney alone is dumb, if dramatic. Not to mention Finney's character and acting, as well as the stunt doubles in the fight scene. Totally ridiculous. Also weak was the cheesy romance with and poor acting by the prosecuting attourney. Has anyone here heard of a conflict of interest? Certainly it is unclear (understandably!) for much of the episode whether she wants to win or loose.

"Kirk did you jettison the escape pod with Finney?"
That's the question they asked Kirk in this Trail episode. It was a classic because we later found out what happened to the guy in the pod which I am not going to give away. For even those who were not Star Trek fans it's a keeper that can be watched over again. It show's how this poor Finney character wasn't treated fairly throughout his career. It shows the darker side of Starfleet and everyone isn't a happy camper.

Really good plot, almost like a mystery
This is one of the best Star Trek Original Series episodes ever. Kirk is put on trial for an action that could have caused a big mistake on the Enterprise. I haven't seen this show in a long time, so I don't remember what the accident was. However, the admiral that puts Kirk on trial doesn't believe it was accidental, and they go aboard the ship for the answer. Then it gets really frightening, and it's too much to say. But I can say that you shouldn't miss this one, because like every reviewer says, it's one of the best. Enjoy!!! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Sister Bertrille is in hot water!
The irrepressible nun is at her best in these two landmark episodes!

'The Return Of Father Lundigan' has Sister Bertrille and Reverend Mother Placido under a strange hypnotic spell. Whenever they hear the word 'red' they act like the opposite person!

'Marcello's Idol' has one of the convent's orphans idolising Carlos and wishes he could be adopted by the island's biggest playboy! It's up to Sister Bertrille to save the day! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

You've gotta get this one!
This is one of the best I Love Lucy shows ever! In the first episode (Building a BBQ) Lucy and Ethel attempt to build a BBQ to get Ricky out of their hair...it turns into a halarious ending when Lucy loses her ring in the bbq. The second show Country Club Dance is just as funny as the first. I HIGHLY recommend that you buy this video!

Nearing the end of the fabulous run of "I Love Lucy"
This videotape offers the penultimate pair of episodes from the classic situation comedy "I Love Lucy." In "Building a Bar-B-Que" (Episode #177, April 8, 1957), Lucy wants Ricky to build a backyard brick barbeque, but he is on vacation and keeps putting it off. Finally, Lucy and Ethel pretend to start building it to inspire Ricky and Fred to take over. But then Lucy manages to lose her wedding ring and wackiness ensues. "Country Club Dance" (#178, April 22, 1957), features Barbara Eden in her sitcom debut as Diana, the sexy young houseguest of the Munsons. When Ricky, Fred and Ralph all try to impress the young lady, Lucy, Ethel and Betty get themselves all dolled up for a dance at the country club. Actually, this one is recycled from Episode #81, "The Charm School," and marks the only time "I Love Lucy" recycled a script from itself, although early on they often used scripts from Lucy's radio series, "My Favorite Husband." I am not sure why anyone felt the need to put out these final episodes from "I Love Lucy" when there are much better ones from earlier on in the series (i.e., pretty much anything before the show jumped the shark when it moved to Connecticut). This is one that you would pick up out of a sense of completeness for your collection. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The continued misadventures of America's favorite redhead
Another quartet of episodes from the fifth season of "The Lucy Show" are offered up on Volume 3 of this video series covering Lucille Ball's second hit television series. In "Lucy and Paul Winchell" (Episode #114 October 3, 1966), Mr. Mooney needs a star to entertain at the show put on by the bank employees. Lucy gets ventriloquist Paul Winchell to do the gig (good), but leaves his dummies in the cab (bad), which mean Lucy has to take the place of one of the dummies named Tessie (funny). "Lucy Goes to London" (#116 October 17, 1966) finds Lucy winning a free trip to London when she writes the winning limerick for a dog food campaign. That is the good news. The bad news is that Mr. Mooney is on the plane with her from L.A. to New York. This was the set up for the "Lucy in London" hour-long special shot on location. That is one they should put out on tape, just for the proto-music video of the song "Lucy in London" written by Phil Spector. "Lucy and the Monkey" (#122 December 5, 1966) has Lucy so overworked at the bank that Mary Jane predicts she is going to start hallucinating. So when a chimp gets left in Mr. Mooney's office, Lucy thinks that her boss has obviously been turned into a monkey. This episode, also known as "Mooney the Monkey" by those with a love for alliteration, is another one of those that sounds better than it plays. Since Lucy spends so much time getting out of work, you wonder how much she would have to work to actually be "overworked." There are better episodes of Lucy with monkeys, just not on this tape. "Lucy and the Rind A Ding Ding" (#115 October 10, 1966), recycles the bit where Lucy gets a ring stuck on her finger. This time it is the diamond ring Mr. Mooney bought for his wife Irma. What makes this episode funny, however, is when he gives Lucy a tranquilizer to relax her fingers and ends up having to deal with getting the ring off the finger of the sedated redhead. The first episode is the best one on this tape, while the rest are things we have seen Lucy do before and do better. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A collection of musical guest stars for The Lucy Show
Singer stars abound in this set of episodes from "The Lucy Show." Frankie Avalon guest stars as Tommy, the nephew of Mr. Cheever in "Lucy, the Starmaker" (Episode #136, October 2, 1967). Lucy is supposed to show Tommy the ropes at the bank but when she learns he is a singer she arranges for a producer to stop by the bank and discover the boy. Avalon gets to do a couple of numbers in this one. "Lucy and Robert Goulet" (#140 October 30, 1967), finds the singer playing a truck driver who looks like, well, Robert Goulet. When Mr. Mooney turns him down for a loan, Lucy enters the lad in a Robert Goulet look-alike contest that a movie studio happens to be putting on. Lucky for him, right? A below average episode that is more noteworthy because Lucie Arnaz, then 16-years-old, plays an adult friend of Lucy Carmichael's. "Lucy and Tennessee Ernie Ford" (#131 February 27, 1967), features a visit from the popular country star who had been on three first-rate episodes of "I Love Lucy" over a decade earlier. Ford plays country singer Homer Higgins, who has just become a star and is now the targeted by Lucy and Mr. Mooney as a new customer for the bank. If this sounds a lot like "The Beverly Hillbillies," you are not the only one who thinks so. This one ends with the bank throwing on a big barn dance to make their financial institution seem like home to Homer. This episode was also the last one of the show's fifth season. "Lucy Gets Caught in the Draft" (#119 November 14, 1966) is included in this collection because it features a cameo by Jim Nabors as Gomer Pyle, but actually this is a very funny episode that stands on its own without the musical number. Lucy receives a draft notice for "Lou C. Carmichael," but the Marines are going to put her through boot camp until official orders arrive to tell them otherwise. This episode is as funny as you think it should be and is the best one on this tape, which is the second best tape in the series, so there. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Quartet of Singing Stars guest star on "The Lucy Show"
Singer stars abound in these four episodes from "The Lucy Show." Frankie Avalon guest stars as Tommy, the nephew of Mr. Cheever in "Lucy, the Starmaker" (Episode #136, October 2, 1967). Lucy is supposed to show Tommy the ropes at the bank but when she learns he is a singer she arranges for a producer to stop by the bank and discover the boy. Avalon gets to do a couple of numbers in this one. "Lucy and Robert Goulet" (#140 October 30, 1967), finds the singer playing a truck driver who looks like, well, Robert Goulet. When Mr. Mooney turns him down for a loan, Lucy enters the lad in a Robert Goulet look-alike contest that a movie studio happens to be putting on. Lucky for him, right? A below average episode that is more noteworthy because Lucie Arnaz, then 16-years-old, plays an adult friend of Lucy Carmichael's. "Lucy and Tennessee Ernie Ford" (#131 February 27, 1967), features a visit from the popular country star who had been on three first-rate episodes of "I Love Lucy" over a decade earlier. Ford plays country singer Homer Higgins, who has just become a star and is now the targeted by Lucy and Mr. Mooney as a new customer for the bank. If this sounds a lot like "The Beverly Hillbillies," you are not the only one who thinks so. This one ends with the bank throwing on a big barn dance to make their financial institution seem like home to Homer. This episode was also the last one of the show's fifth season. "Lucy Gets Caught in the Draft" (#119 November 14, 1966) is included in this collection because it features a cameo by Jim Nabors as Gomer Pyle, but actually this is a very funny episode that stands on its own without the musical number. Lucy receives a draft notice for "Lou C. Carmichael," but the Marines are going to put her through boot camp until official orders arrive to tell them otherwise. This episode is as funny as you think it should be and is the best one on this tape, which is the second best volume in "The Lucy Show" collection. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The continued comic misadventures of Lucy and Mr. Mooney
This second volume of episodes from "The Lucy Show" finds the redhead getting into trouble at every opportunity. First up is "Lucy Gets Trapped" (Episode #134 September 18, 1967), where Lucy pretends to be ill so she can skip work at the bank and attend a huge sale at a department store. However when she gets there she is named the store's 10 Millionth Customer, which means her picture gets into the newspapers where Mr. Mooney ends up seeing it. In "Lucy the Baby Sitter" (#126 January 16, 1967), Lucy is looking for a job where she will be better appreciated after having yet another fight with Mr. Mooney over the quality of her work. At the employment agency they end up sending her to be a babysitter for a family of chimpanzees (The Marquis Chimps). What more do you need to know? "Lucy the Bean Queen" (#113 September 26, 1966), finds Lucy wanting to get new furniture for her apartment but Mr. Mooney will not lend her the money. When Lucy sees an ad that you will get double your money back if Bailey's Baked Beans are not the best baked beans you have ever tasted, she and Mary Jane go around L.A. buying up cases of beans and returning them for double their money. There is only one problem. These ARE the best baked beans Lucy has ever tasted. Still, you have to love any episode that puts Lucy on a forklift. Finally, in "Lucy Meets the Law" (#129 February 13, 1967), a redheaded female jewel thief manages to put the jewels she stole into Lucy's purse. This means Lucy ends up behind bars having to deal with hardened criminals. An interesting quartet of episodes from the fifth season of "The Lucy Show," and while none of them are classics per se, they are all first-rate examples of Lucy's work at this point in her career. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Lucy and Jack Benny, George Burns and Milton Berle!
Lucille Ball teams up with some of the great television comedians of the Fifties in four classic episodes of "The Lucy Show" from the Sixties. (1) "Lucy Gets Jack Benny's Bank Account" (Episode #138, October 16, 1967), starts with Mr. Mooney being pressured to bring new accounts to the bank. Lucy suggests they go after Jack Benny, even though the celebrated miser is known for not trusting banks. Lucy convinces Benny to give them a chance, which leads to the memorable demonstration of the bank's "foolproof vault." (2) "Little Old Lady" (#139, October 23, 1967) features Lucy trotting out her old woman bit. Lucy gets to be the date of the bank president, so she dresses up "appropriately" to go out with the 85-year-old man (played by Dennis Day, the youthful tenor of "The Jack Benny Show"), only to find out he is quite the wolf. (3) "Lucy and George Burns" (#111, September 12, 1966), finds Burns visiting Mr. Mooney at the bank to get his dividend statement. There he encounters Lucy and decides to make the wacky redhead the new girl in his act. Their opening night is a smash success and Lucy has to decide between a career in show business or staying at the bank. (4) "Lucy Meets the Berles," (#133, September 11, 1967), has Lucy receiving time off from the bank to be a temporary secretary for Milton Berle. While Mr. Mooney enjoys peace and quiet at the bank, Lucy overhears Berle discussing a love scene with Ruta Lee and assumes the two are having an affair. This one contains the priceless sight of Thousand Island dressing dripping down Berle's face. This episode is one of the few rare but choice times the King and Queen of Television Comedy appeared together. No other single tape collection of "Lucy Show" episodes is going to be able to top this one, which is probably why it is Volume 1.

So that's how it all began...
I just saw this for the first time a few months ago. It's not my favorite Lucy, but definitely is still the wonderful comedy that she is famous for. We'll give it 3 stars, just because it's Lucy! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

All "I Love Lucy" episodes celebrate 50th Anniversary.
In this decade, every episode of "I Love Lucy" will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary. Every episode is still funny as funny as when they first aired. The shows are good. The shows are wholesome. They are healing and warm and will make you feel good. But them on VHS or DVD today.

A must for any die-hard Lucy fan
"Lucy Tells the Truth"- I loved this episode. Lucy bets that she can tell the truth for 24-hour straight- sound easy? Not for Lucy. In this episode, watch her divulge her true haircolor, age, and weight- as well as what she REALLY thinks of Ethel, Ricky, Fred- and her other friends. Lucy, like always, gets into a mess and has to scheme her way out.

"The Kleptomaniac"- This is my favorite 'I Love Lucy' episode. Lucy has disobeyed Ricky once again- promising to help with the bazaar after Ricky has forbidden her to do so. When Ricky starts to notice something strange (money and other people's furniture hidden in the apartment), he thinks that Lucy has become a kleptomaniac. When he confronts her, Lucy realizes she must either act like a kleptomanic or admit that she has disobeyed. The rest of the epsode- Lucy (and Ethel) as crooks, is hilarious.

LUCY'S HILARIOUS MOMENTS OF TRUTH!
Among Lucy afficionados, this is a favourite episode; it works because it is a subject most anyone can relate: the habit of fibbing. After claiming she starred in a stage version of "Oklahoma" (Ricky: "You know you were never in "Oklahoma" Lucy: "I was too. I spent two weeks in Tulsa once!") Ricky and the Mertzes bet Lucy $100 she can't tell the truth for 24 hours. Not only does she tell the truth, but she tells everyone EXACTLY what she thinks of them! The bridge game at Carolyn Appleby's is classic: (Lucy:"And let ME keep score this time, Carolyn - YOU CHEAT! - YES,..CHEAT! - I would have said something if I hadn't been your bridge partner!!") Eventually Lucy gets knives "thrown" at her when she claims she speaks Italian. Notice in the scene where Ricky Ethel and Fred are discussing her audition - there's an echo chamber effect due to a faulty recording problem via the mikes (this is an extreme rarity in this painstakingly made series). "The Kleptomaniac" is also a very funny episode. Joseph Kearns of "Dennis the Menace" fame is the doctor Ricky brings home because he believes Lucy to be a thief. The second half comes off better than the first with Lucy and Ethel playing crooks -they're terrific- and when Lucy pretends to be hypnotized, she's great as usual.

HILARIOUSLY FUNNY!
"LUCY TELLS THE TRUTH IS ONE OF MY VERY FAVOURITE EPISODES OF "I LOVE LUCY". LUCY WAS ALWAYS FIBBING,AND THERE ARE ELEMENTS IN THIS EPISODE (HOWEVER EXAGERRATED)WHICH ARE SO TRUE TO LIFE. THE BRIDGE GAME AT CAROLINE APPLEBY'S APARTMENT IS PURE GOLD! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

comedy gold with the red-haired Queen!
Contains the following episodes....

LUCY AND BOB HOPE - A historic meeting of two masters of mirth! Lucy spots Bob Hope at a baseball game and dons a dubious disguise to convince him to appear at Ricky's club. Features Hope and Ball singing a special version of "Thanks for the Memory" at the gala opening of the Club Babalu!

LUCY AND SUPERMAN - Super comedy! Lucy tells everyone that Superman will be at Little Ricky's birhday party. When she learns that he won't appear, she decides to impersonate him herself, and gets into so much trouble that only the Man of Steel can come to the rescue! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

All "I Love Lucy" episodes celebrate 50th Anniversary.
In this decade, every episode of "I Love Lucy" will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary. Every episode is still funny as funny as when they first aired. The shows are good. The shows are wholesome. They are healing and warm and will make you feel good. Buy them on VHS or DVD today.

Lucy has a couple of major headaches in these two episodes
The common denominator for the two episodes on Volume 9 of the "I Love Lucy" collection is that they involve the zany redhead's head. In "The Mustache" (Episode #23, March 17, 1952), Lucy wants Ricky to get rid of his new mustache so she puts on a pair of false whiskers. Of course, the problem is that they will not come off. Then in "Lucy and the Loving Cup" (Episode #165, January 7, 1957), well, obviously Lucy is going to get a loving cup stuck on her head. But she manages to get lost in the New York subway system while doing it. These are not classic episodes, but you will notice that "average" Lucy is way better than 9/10s of what is out there in sitcom land today. ... Read more