Ranking all 80 Star Trek TOS Episodes (with TL/DR intro)
by slowcando | created - 20 Dec 2022 | updated - 01 Mar 2023 | PublicWhat better way to spend a couple of frustrating months being ill than watching all 80 eps of the original Star Trek? Well, there's probably loads of better ways but I did the Star Trek thing, seeing the vast majority of them for the very first time. Surprisingly, there's a good amount of really good episodes about...unsurprisingly, also a bunch of duffers.
If you've never watched any TOS and are curious: you have to enter it in a different mindset than when watching anything TNG onwards. There's the famously-limited production budgets (wobbly sets, dodgy costumes, recycled props etc), outdated attitudes towards women, lack of season-long story arcs or even appreciable character-development...and then there's the acting...
Think of TOS eps as theater performances, and you can better sink in to the whole thing. You accept the clumsy unrealistic fight scenes (replete with obvious stunt doubles), and knowingly allow yourself a smirk when Shatner dials the ham up to 11...
...because when the episode is a good one, you begin to appreciate the argument that TOS just might be the strongest Star Trek series of them all: it often asks timeless philosophical questions of our human potential, using - now-familiar - sci-fi concepts as a springboard, with strong intelligent dialogue (mostly). What's striking is it does this without getting bogged down in mawkish sentiment, without becoming too distracted by the kind of 'emotional character moments' modern efforts spam us with, and crucially without always presenting us with clear moral answers to the questions it presents. Often, we're left to think for ourselves what those answers might be.
Proper old-school science-fiction.
How to watch: personally I recommend the 2004(ish) DVD-Release where the effects are original. Sure, they are 'of their time', but they fit into the overall package, and are interesting from a tv-history-buff perspective. The later 'Remasters' (and current online streams) use horribly-dated computer graphics. Also wouldn't recommend marathoning: it's not designed for it. 1-2 eps per day was good for me, and in any order you like. There's no real benefit to production or air-date order, other than curiousity. I roughly followed user-ratings: highest first, combined with which synopsis sounded most interesting. It meant I ended my run with generally the weaker efforts, tho' I didn't always agree with the user-rating consensus.
Here a guide to how I score, anything with a 6+ is worth a watch in my book (49 out of 80 eps score this). 4 & 5 scores may have enough in them for completists to not feel let down, but anything scoring 3 or below is a SKIP (only 7 out of 80 eps score this).
10/10 - the very best...must-watch for all sci-fi fans, even non-Trekkers.
9/10 - excellent & essential for anyone who enjoys a bit of Trek.
8/10 - very good.
7/10 - good, tho' only recommended if already tuned into TOS.
6/10 - worth-watching, but weak bits are catching up to the good.
5/10 - average, middling...fine for completists.
4/10 - some good, overweighted by weaker elements.
3/10 - poor...decent bits getting scarce. SKIP.
2/10 - almost irredeemably bad, feels like a waste of time but a fun line or an idea with potential might surface briefly.
1/10 - worst of the worst (no TOS ep scored this, mind).
Spoiler-free mini-reviews below.
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1.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Conscience of the King
(1966)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
While Captain Kirk investigates whether an actor is actually a presumed dead mass murderer, a mysterious assailant is killing the people who could identify the fugitive.
Director: Gerd Oswald | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Arnold Moss, Barbara Anderson
Votes: 4,222
10/10 - Actually not very sci-fi, but a real powerful multi-layered story with a bravura performance from Barbara Anderson. I get spine-chills at that shakespearean final scene.
2.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Doomsday Machine
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The USS Enterprise encounters the wrecked USS Constellation and its distraught commodore who's determined to stop the giant planet-destroying robot ship that killed his crew.
Director: Marc Daniels | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, William Windom
Votes: 4,507
10/10 - EPIC mobydickian thriller, with real tension. Top work all round.
3.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The City on the Edge of Forever
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
When a temporarily insane Dr. McCoy accidentally changes history and destroys his time, Kirk and Spock follow him to prevent the disaster, but the price to do so is high.
Director: Joseph Pevney | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Joan Collins, DeForest Kelley
Votes: 6,583
10/10 - revered ep, and rightfully so...he knows, Doctor...he knows.
4.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Cage
(1966)
TV-PG | 63 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Capt. Pike is held prisoner and tested by aliens who have the power to project incredibly lifelike illusions.
Director: Robert Butler | Stars: Jeffrey Hunter, Susan Oliver, Leonard Nimoy, Majel Barrett
Votes: 7,174
9/10 - they cancelled it as they found it "too cerebral"...but that's exactly what makes it so good! Intelligent sci-fi, sometimes even quite dark. The ending is superior to the one ventured in The Menagerie.
5.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Immunity Syndrome
(1968)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The Enterprise encounters a gigantic energy draining space organism that threatens the galaxy.
Director: Joseph Pevney | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan
Votes: 3,299
9/10 - i'm a sucker for 'mysterious things in space' stories, and this one's mindblowing: the hard science fiction idea presented at the end would do Arthur C Clarke proud.
6.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Corbomite Maneuver
(1966)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
After the Enterprise is forced to destroy a dangerous marker buoy, a gigantic alien ship arrives to capture and condemn the crew as trespassers.
Director: Joseph Sargent | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Anthony D. Call, Clint Howard
Votes: 4,887
9/10 - another 'mystery thing in space', another classic. Has arguably TOS's greatest ever space scene when the alien vessel approaches (cue dramatic music!). What to make of that weird ending, tho'...
7.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Space Seed
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
While on patrol in deep space, Captain Kirk and his crew find and revive a genetically-engineered world conqueror and his compatriots from Earth's Twentieth Century.
Director: Marc Daniels | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Ricardo Montalban, Madlyn Rhue
Votes: 5,415
9/10 - I prefer this to Wrath of Khan: his charisma & raw potential power shines here.
8.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Lights of Zetar
(1969)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A mysterious, twinkling mass of sapient energy ravages an important archive and Scotty's new girlfriend may be linked to it.
Director: Herbert Kenwith | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Jan Shutan
Votes: 2,893
9/10 - Horror Trek! Those grunting garbled sounds the possessed make...yikes.
9.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Amok Time
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
In the throes of his Pon Farr mating period, Spock must return to Vulcan to meet his intended future wife, betrothed from childhood.
Director: Joseph Pevney | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Celia Lovsky
Votes: 4,753
9/10 - alongside Space Seed, this is required viewing before checking out the movies. Really cements the Kirk/Spock (and McCoy) dynamic.
10.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Where No Man Has Gone Before
(1966)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The flight recorder of the 200-year-old U.S.S. Valiant relays a tale of terror--a magnetic storm at the edge of the galaxy.
Director: James Goldstone | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Gary Lockwood, Sally Kellerman
Votes: 6,429
8/10 - the successful Pilot is almost as good as The Cage, with an exceptional Guest performance from 2001's Gary Lockwood.
11.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Tholian Web
(1968)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
With Capt. Kirk and the derelict USS Defiant apparently lost, the Enterprise grapples with an insanity causing plague and an attack by the Tholians.
Directors: Herb Wallerstein, Ralph Senensky | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan
Votes: 3,426
8/10 - proper sci-fi mystery-thriller, movie-template material.
12.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Trouble with Tribbles
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
To protect a space station with a vital grain shipment, Kirk must deal with Federation bureaucrats, a Klingon battle cruiser and a peddler who sells furry, purring, hungry little creatures as pets.
Director: Joseph Pevney | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, William Schallert
Votes: 4,935
8/10 - famous classic, and didn't disappoint: funny, lighthearted, cute and endearingly silly.
13.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
By Any Other Name
(1968)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Galactic alien scouts capture the Enterprise for a return voyage and a prelude to invasion. Kirk's one advantage - they're not used to their adopted human form.
Director: Marc Daniels | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Warren Stevens
Votes: 3,392
8/10 - hilarious later scenes! Tho' takes a while to get going.
14.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Enterprise Incident
(1968)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
An apparently insane Capt. Kirk has the Enterprise deliberately enter the Romulan Neutral Zone where the ship is immediately captured by the enemy.
Director: John Meredyth Lucas | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Joanne Linville
Votes: 3,904
8/10 - another one of the great Guest performances, and another ep which has movie-template potential.
15.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Balance of Terror
(1966)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The Enterprise must decide on its response when a Romulan ship makes a destructively hostile armed probe of Federation territory.
Director: Vincent McEveety | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Mark Lenard, Paul Comi
Votes: 5,703
8/10 - full of space-battle tension, with intriguing 'geo-politics' background.
16.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Assignment: Earth
(1968)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
While back in time observing Earth in 1968, the Enterprise crew encounters the mysterious Gary Seven who has his own agenda on the planet.
Director: Marc Daniels | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Robert Lansing
Votes: 3,704
8/10 - instead of Mudd, we should've had Gary Seven get two eps.
17.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Wink of an Eye
(1968)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A group of aliens who exist in a state of incredible acceleration invade the Enterprise and abduct Capt. Kirk.
Director: Jud Taylor | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Kathie Browne
Votes: 3,164
8/10 - fine deep sci-fi ideas, entertaining story. As ever, disregard the plot-holes for maximum enjoyment!
18.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Ultimate Computer
(1968)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Kirk and a sub-skeleton crew are ordered to test out an advanced artificially intelligent control system - the M-5 Multitronic system, which could potentially render them all redundant.
Director: John Meredyth Lucas | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, William Marshall
Votes: 3,482
8/10 - exciting stuff, with a message that still resonates today.
19.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Journey to Babel
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The Enterprise hosts a number of quarrelling diplomats, including Spock's father, but someone on board has murder in mind.
Director: Joseph Pevney | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Jane Wyatt
Votes: 4,032
8/10 - mythology-heavy, and enjoyable with it, coupled with a decent whodunnit.
20.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Who Mourns for Adonais?
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A powerful being claiming to be the Greek god Apollo appears and demands that the crew of the Enterprise disembark onto his planet to worship him.
Director: Marc Daniels | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Michael Forest
Votes: 4,032
8/10 - explores what gods might be, and what they might think. Fascinating, indeed.
21.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Menagerie: Part I
(1966)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Spock kidnaps the disabled Capt. Pike, hijacks the Enterprise, and then surrenders for court martial.
Directors: Marc Daniels, Robert Butler | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Jeffrey Hunter, Susan Oliver
Votes: 4,867
8/10 - a clever re-edit of The Cage, tho' the original ep is better. Menagerie is still very good, and deserves a watch after first checking out the original.
22.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Menagerie: Part II
(1966)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
At Spock's court martial, he explains himself with mysterious footage about when Capt. Pike was kidnapped by powerful illusion casting aliens.
Directors: Robert Butler, Marc Daniels | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Jeffrey Hunter, Susan Oliver
Votes: 4,663
8/10 - a clever re-edit of The Cage, tho' the original ep is better. Menagerie is still very good, and deserves a watch after first checking out the original.
23.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
All Our Yesterdays
(1969)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
When Kirk, Spock and McCoy investigate the disappearance of a doomed planet's population, they find themselves trapped in different periods of that world's past.
Director: Marvin J. Chomsky | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Mariette Hartley
Votes: 3,399
7/10 - creates two different worlds for us to explore. Both are quite thought-provoking, tho' a little under-developed.
24.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Metamorphosis
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
While returning to the Enterprise aboard the shuttlecraft, Kirk, Spock, McCoy and a seriously ill Federation diplomat find themselves kidnapped by an energized cloud.
Director: Ralph Senensky | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Glenn Corbett
Votes: 3,627
7/10 - an odd one, but I warmed to it and loved a later scene involving a character peering through some colourful textile-clothing.
25.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Operation -- Annihilate!
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The Enterprise crew attempts to stop a plague of amoeba-like creatures from possessing human hosts and spreading throughout the galaxy.
Director: Herschel Daugherty | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan
Votes: 3,690
7/10 - had potential as Horror Trek, didn't quite reach it but had a good go.
26.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Mirror, Mirror
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A transporter accident places Captain Kirk's landing party in an alternate universe, where the Enterprise is in the service of a barbarically brutal empire.
Director: Marc Daniels | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, BarBara Luna
Votes: 5,146
7/10 - entertaining, with interesting take on the "logical" aspect of Spock's character...and inspired a prog band (Spock's Beard). Maybe not as heavy or epic as its reputation, it's still a good solid ep.
27.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Court Martial
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Kirk draws a court martial in the negligent death of a crewman.
Director: Marc Daniels | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Percy Rodrigues, Elisha Cook Jr.
Votes: 3,984
7/10 - a welcome change of pace: intriguing courtroom drama, strong dialogue, solid resolution to the mystery tho' the action fell a little flat.
28.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Let That Be Your Last Battlefield
(1969)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The Enterprise encounters two duo-chromatic and mutually belligerent aliens who put the ship in the middle of their old conflict.
Director: Jud Taylor | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Frank Gorshin
Votes: 3,255
7/10 - wasn't expecting to like this, but it's less on-the-nose than i feared. Solid exchanges of dialogue, which still resonate today.
29.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Tomorrow Is Yesterday
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The Enterprise is thrown back in time to 1960s Earth.
Director: Michael O'Herlihy | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Roger Perry, DeForest Kelley
Votes: 4,308
7/10 - light but likeable time-travel tale. Seeing the Enterprise in the Earth sky is quite a sight.
30.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Way to Eden
(1969)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A group of idealistic hippies, led by an irrational leader, come aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise.
Director: David Alexander | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Skip Homeier
Votes: 3,415
7/10 - the hippy ideals were fresh then, and haven't aged either. I've been among that crowd, so was able to appreciate both sides here. Good entertainment too, despite the resolution being rushed.
31.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
A Private Little War
(1968)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Peaceful, primitive peoples get caught up in the struggle between superpowers, with Kirk unhappily trying to restore the balance of power disrupted by the Klingons.
Director: Marc Daniels | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Nancy Kovack
Votes: 3,281
7/10 - the plot is a bit all over the place, was unsure how to judge until Kirk's palpable mental & physical exhaustion at the end...and was impressed after all. Good effort.
32.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Arena
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
For bringing hostility into their solar system, a superior alien race brings Captain Kirk into mortal combat against the reptilian captain of an alien ship he was pursuing.
Director: Joseph Pevney | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, George Takei
Votes: 4,514
7/10 - [in]famous for that dated fight scene, yet watching the whole thing makes sense. There's solid tension & decent creativity.
33.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Alternative Factor
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Existence itself comes under threat from a man's power-struggle with his alternate self, with the Enterprise's strained dilithium crystals presenting his key to a final solution.
Director: Gerd Oswald | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Robert Brown, DeForest Kelley
Votes: 3,885
7/10 - had potential as a dark psychedelic mystery, didn't fully realise that however does give us an engaging tale. The stakes were a little over-blown, mind.
34.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Return to Tomorrow
(1968)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The Enterprise is guided to a distant, long-dead world where survivors of an extremely ancient race - existing only as disembodied energy - desiring the bodies of Kirk, Spock and astro-biologist Ann Mulhall so that they may live again.
Director: Ralph Senensky | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Diana Muldaur
Votes: 3,312
7/10 - satisfactory weighty effort, tho' the decision-making of Kirk & co is a little contrived.
35.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Miri
(1966)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The Enterprise discovers a planet exactly like Earth, but the only inhabitants are children who contract a fatal disease upon entering puberty.
Director: Vincent McEveety | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Kim Darby, Michael J. Pollard
Votes: 4,478
7/10 - a great Guest-performance (combined with well-written character) can elevate a story a couple of points, so it is here with the young Miri. The kids are alright.
36.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Wolf in the Fold
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Kirk and the Enterprise computer become detectives after Scotty is accused of murdering women on a pleasure planet.
Director: Joseph Pevney | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, John Fiedler
Votes: 3,363
7/10 - Scotty, like everyone else outside of the Kirk/Spock/McCoy-axis, was underused. Nevertheless, he got a bit more to do than the other regulars. This story is played well, gets nicely dark & mysterious. Tho' lacking that little extra to push it from good-to-great.
37.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
What Are Little Girls Made Of?
(1966)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Nurse Chapel is reunited with her fiancé; but his new obsession leads him to make an android duplicate of Captain Kirk.
Director: James Goldstone | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Michael Strong, Sherry Jackson
Votes: 4,646
6/10 - Nurse Chapel is a captivating character: exuding womanly warmth & vulnerability. She deserved a crack at a story, and this one is quite good, just drags a little in the middle.
38.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Paradise Syndrome
(1968)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Trapped on a planet whose inhabitants are descended from Northwestern Native Americans, Kirk loses his memory and is proclaimed a God while the crippled Enterprise races back to the planet before it is destroyed by an asteroid.
Director: Jud Taylor | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Sabrina Scharf
Votes: 3,288
6/10 - essential viewing if looking to fully explore Kirk's character. Fine ep, but has obvious plot-contrivances which lessen its impact.
39.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Empath
(1968)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Trapped in an alien laboratory, Kirk, Spock and McCoy meet an empath and are involved in a series of experiments.
Director: John Erman | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Kathryn Hays
Votes: 3,172
6/10 - as stagey as Trek ever got, it really feels like a theatre-production. Still manages to be quite trippy & dark, unfortunately the weird edits take you out at times.
40.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Galileo Seven
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The Galileo, under Spock's command, crash-lands on a hostile planet. As the Enterprise races against time to find the shuttlecraft, Spock's strictly logical leadership clashes with the fear and resentment of his crew.
Director: Robert Gist | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Don Marshall, DeForest Kelley
Votes: 4,244
6/10 - solid Spock-centric story, quite illuminating as we see the pros & cons of his command-style. The monster-of-the-week is a bit lame so the tension faltered somewhat.
41.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Errand of Mercy
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
With a war with Klingons raging, Kirk and Spock attempt to resist an occupation of a planet with incomprehensibly placid natives.
Director: John Newland | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, John Abbott, John Colicos
Votes: 4,055
6/10 - klingon-focussed eps have rarely appealed to me, even the modern ones. I just don't find them compelling. This one is worth a watch tho', for the unique take on mediating peace.
42.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Obsession
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Capt. Kirk obsessively hunts for a mysterious cloud creature he encountered in his youth.
Director: Ralph Senensky | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Stephen Brooks
Votes: 3,290
6/10 - Kirk's focus & drive (his "Obsession") is the reason to watch this, it elevates an otherwise middling effort.
43.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Dagger of the Mind
(1966)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Kirk and psychiatrist Helen Noel are trapped on a maximum security penal colony that experiments with mind control and Spock must use the Vulcan mind-meld to find a way to save them.
Director: Vincent McEveety | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, James Gregory, DeForest Kelley
Votes: 4,355
6/10 - annoying Guest-characters (plural!) but overall this is a good story worth a watch.
44.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Plato's Stepchildren
(1968)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
After Dr. McCoy helps the leader of a planet populated by people with powerful psionic abilities, they decide to force him to stay by torturing his comrades until he submits.
Director: David Alexander | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Michael Dunn
Votes: 3,288
6/10 - another one infamous for - when seen on its own - a ridiculously-silly & over-the-top scene (the 'horse-riding') but like with Arena this has to be watched fully to appreciate what's going on. It's actually quite disturbing. Worth a watch, sure.
45.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Spectre of the Gun
(1968)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
As punishment for ignoring their warning and trespassing on their planet, the Melkot condemn Capt. Kirk and his landing party to the losing side of a surreal recreation of the 1881 historic gunfight at the OK Corral.
Director: Vincent McEveety | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Ron Soble
Votes: 3,378
6/10 - strange, surreal effort. Despite the usual Western-clichés this has enough weirdness about it to enjoy a watch.
46.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Changeling
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A powerful artificially intelligent Earth probe, with a murderously twisted imperative, comes aboard the Enterprise and mistakes Capt. Kirk for its creator.
Director: Marc Daniels | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan
Votes: 3,669
6/10 - my favourite Trek-movie (the 1979 epic) was based on this story. The ep itself doesn't do a Space Seed but is still watchable enough. The bucket-prop that is Nomad does wear a bit thin. Uhura really shines outside her uniform...giggity.
47.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Devil in the Dark
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The Enterprise is sent to a mining colony that is being terrorized by a mysterious monster, only to find that the situation is not that simple.
Director: Joseph Pevney | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Ken Lynch
Votes: 4,302
6/10 - another prop (the 'devil' of the title) which has aged so poorly it's difficult to suspend disbelief. This could easily be a 70's Doctor Who production. The ep is saved by neat ideas about its nature.
48.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Man Trap
(1966)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Dr. McCoy discovers his old flame is not what she seems after crew members begin dying from a sudden lack of salt in their bodies.
Director: Marc Daniels | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Jeanne Bal, Alfred Ryder
Votes: 5,873
6/10 - the first aired episode: it's ok, worth a look as it has good mystery & solid monster-design.
49.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
I, Mudd
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Harry Mudd returns with a plot to take over the Enterprise by stranding the crew on a planet populated by androids under his command.
Director: Marc Daniels | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Roger C. Carmel
Votes: 3,743
6/10 - more entertaining than the first Mudd, tho' it does seem like filler.
50.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Requiem for Methuselah
(1969)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
On a planet, looking for an urgent medicinal cure, Kirk, Spock and McCoy come across a dignified recluse living privately but in splendor with his sheltered ward and a very protective robot servant.
Director: Murray Golden | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Daly
Votes: 3,247
5/10 - Bixby's template for the excellent Man From Earth film. This proto-effort isn't as intelligent or 'thought-experimental': 'Methuselah' doesn't seem as wise or learned as he should be. The Guest-performances are good enough, the story is ok. Not quite enough to fully recommend unless you're Bixby-curious.
51.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Naked Time
(1966)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The crew is infected with a mysterious disease that removes people's emotional inhibitions to a dangerous degree.
Director: Marc Daniels | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Stewart Moss, Majel Barrett
Votes: 5,194
5/10 - average party ep. May be bumped up to a 6 if enjoyed with a whiskey.
52.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Enemy Within
(1966)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A transporter malfunction splits Captain Kirk into two halves: one meek and indecisive, the other violent and ill tempered. The remaining crew members stranded on the planet cannot be beamed up to the ship until a problem is fixed.
Director: Leo Penn | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Grace Lee Whitney
Votes: 4,925
5/10 - the first 40 minutes aren't great: silly-fi rather than sci-fi...almost saved by the strong final scene of embrace.
53.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Gamesters of Triskelion
(1968)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Kirk, Uhura and Chekov are trapped on a planet where abducted aliens are enslaved and trained to perform as gladiators for the amusement of bored, faceless aliens.
Director: Gene Nelson | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Joseph Ruskin
Votes: 3,504
5/10 - quite entertaining if in the mood for light fluff-Trek. Perfectly inconsequential fluff.
54.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Deadly Years
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A landing party from the Enterprise is exposed to strange form of radiation which rapidly ages them.
Director: Joseph Pevney | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Charles Drake
Votes: 3,432
5/10 - some good bits, even flirting with harrowing. Doesn't quite work as a whole.
55.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Shore Leave
(1966)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The past months have left the crew exhausted and in desperate need of a break, but does this explain McCoy's encounter with a human-sized white rabbit or Kirk crossing paths with the prankster who plagued his days at Starfleet Academy?
Director: Robert Sparr | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Emily Banks, Oliver McGowan
Votes: 4,434
5/10 - some fun individual moments, but the story struggled to make an impression.
56.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
That Which Survives
(1969)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
After the Enterprise landing party beams down to investigate a geologically interesting planet, their ship is hurled across the galaxy. Kirk and company find a deserted outpost guarded by the deadly image of a beautiful woman.
Director: Herb Wallerstein | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Lee Meriwether
Votes: 2,946
5/10 - almost good, however some illogical-characterisation and off-pacing spoil it.
57.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Catspaw
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Very alien visitors to our galaxy attempt to connect with human consciousness but miss, winding up tapping into the regions of human nightmares instead.
Director: Joseph Pevney | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Antoinette Bower
Votes: 3,590
5/10 - a weak attempt at Horror-Trek, doesn't get out of Addams-Family gear. Almost saved by some fun dialogue from the Guest-characters.
58.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
A Taste of Armageddon
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Kirk and Spock must save their ship's crew when they are all declared killed in action in a bizarre computer simulated war where the actual deaths must nevertheless occur.
Director: Joseph Pevney | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, David Opatoshu, Gene Lyons
Votes: 4,196
5/10 - the concept could've lent to a heavy story, the execution however doesn't quite pull it off. Mildly entertaining still.
59.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Savage Curtain
(1969)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Kirk, Spock, Abraham Lincoln and Vulcan legend Surak are pitted in battle against notorious villains from history for the purpose of helping a conscious rock creature's understanding of a concept he does not understand, "good vs. evil".
Director: Herschel Daugherty | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Lee Bergere
Votes: 3,073
5/10 - a bit daft: the 'greatest Vulcan' is a meek disappointment, Lincoln is drawn well. The antagonists are two-dimensional.
60.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
A Piece of the Action
(1968)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The crew of the Enterprise struggles to cope with a planet of imitative people who have modeled their society on 1920s gangsters.
Director: James Komack | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Anthony Caruso
Votes: 3,823
5/10 - one for fans of retro Gangster-flicks, it's a fair homage. Otherwise not much to recommend it.
61.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Patterns of Force
(1968)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Looking for a missing Federation cultural observer, Kirk and Spock find themselves on a planet whose culture has been completely patterned after Nazi Germany.
Director: Vincent McEveety | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Richard Evans
Votes: 3,471
5/10 - Like Piece Of The Action, this average work is one for the Nazi-interested. Has an interesting twist, but not enough to entirely recommend it.
62.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
This Side of Paradise
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The Enterprise investigates a planet whose colonists should be dead, but are not.
Director: Ralph Senensky | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Jill Ireland, Frank Overton
Votes: 4,069
5/10 - a few good Spock & Kirk scenes. Otherwise it's a little boring.
63.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Whom Gods Destroy
(1969)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Kirk and Spock are taken prisoners by a former starship captain named Garth, who now resides at, and has taken over, a high security asylum for the criminally insane.
Director: Herb Wallerstein | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Steve Ihnat
Votes: 3,099
5/10 - a slightly weaker Dagger Of The Mind. Fun dance scene. Not really much else.
64.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Mark of Gideon
(1969)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Kirk beams down to the planet Gideon and appears to find himself trapped on a deserted Enterprise. Spock on the real Enterprise must use his diplomatic skills to deal with the uncooperative inhabitants of Gideon and find the Captain.
Director: Jud Taylor | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Sharon Acker
Votes: 3,015
4/10 - great beginning...full of enticing mystery, but where it went next was dull & even stupid.
65.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Omega Glory
(1968)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Responding to a distress signal, Kirk finds Captain Tracey of the U.S.S. Exeter violating the prime directive and interfering with a war between the Yangs and the Kohms to find the secret of their longevity.
Director: Vincent McEveety | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Morgan Woodward
Votes: 3,441
4/10 - another one that starts off well, yet doesn't go anywhere with it.
66.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Apple
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Primitive inhabitants of Gamma Trianguli VI worship a god who orders them to kill visitors from the Enterprise.
Director: Joseph Pevney | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Keith Andes
Votes: 3,451
4/10 - parodic costumes, daft Theme-Park-attraction antagonist. Not terrible, so it has that going for it.
67.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Elaan of Troyius
(1968)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
While transporting an arrogant, demanding princess for a political marriage, Captain Kirk must cope both with her biochemical ability to force him to love her, as well as sabotage on his ship.
Director: John Meredyth Lucas | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, France Nuyen
Votes: 3,169
4/10 - annoying Guest-character...irrelevant story. Some fun Kirk lines, tho'.
68.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Cloud Minders
(1969)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Kirk and Spock are caught up in a revolution on a planet where intellectuals and artists live on a utopian city in the sky while the rest of the population toils in mines on the barren surface below.
Director: Jud Taylor | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Jeff Corey
Votes: 3,033
4/10 - premise is a sci-fi staple, this Trek effort doesn't add anything interesting to it. Mildly diverting if you're on a completist bender.
69.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Day of the Dove
(1968)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Both humans and Klingons have been lured to a planet by a formless entity that feeds on hatred and has set about to fashion them into a permanent food supply for itself.
Director: Marvin J. Chomsky | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Michael Ansara
Votes: 3,371
4/10 - another weak Klingon-focussed ep, with an absurd premise which cheapens the Klingon-narrative within Trek canon. Some scenes are however moderately enjoyable.
70.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Squire of Gothos
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A being that controls matter and creates planets wants to play with the Enterprise crew.
Director: Don McDougall | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, William Campbell, DeForest Kelley
Votes: 4,158
4/10 - a lesser Q. Some fine dialogue is outweighed by a lifeless plot & tiresome antagonist.
71.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
For the World Is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky
(1968)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The Enterprise discovers an apparent asteroid that is on a collision course with a planet is actually an ancient populated generation ship.
Director: Anton Leader | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Katherine Woodville
Votes: 3,124
4/10 - totally forgettable...I remember it being not awful, at least.
72.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Charlie X
(1966)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Captain Kirk must learn the limits to the power of a 17-year-old boy with the psionic ability to create anything and destroy anyone.
Director: Lawrence Dobkin | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Robert Walker Jr., DeForest Kelley
Votes: 5,488
4/10 - poor stuff, elevated only by Uhura's beautiful singing.
73.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Mudd's Women
(1966)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The Enterprise picks up untrustworthy entrepreneur Harry Mudd accompanied by three beautiful women who immediately put a spell on all the male crew members.
Director: Harvey Hart | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Roger C. Carmel, Karen Steele
Votes: 4,810
4/10 - might've been better, but demeaning characterisation of the women makes this one a SKIP.
74.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Spock's Brain
(1968)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The crew of the Enterprise pursues a mysterious woman who has abducted Spock's brain.
Director: Marc Daniels | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Marj Dusay
Votes: 3,624
3/10 - what is brain? What it's not is this episode. This is literally brainless.
75.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Bread and Circuses
(1968)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The Enterprise crew investigates the disappearance of a ship's crew on a planet that is a modern version of the Roman Empire.
Director: Ralph Senensky | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, William Smithers
Votes: 3,279
3/10 - like For the World Is Hollow, this is not necessarily bad, just totally forgettable. Loses a point as the premise is unoriginal.
76.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
And the Children Shall Lead
(1968)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The Enterprise reaches a Federation colony where the adults have all killed themselves but the children play without care.
Director: Marvin J. Chomsky | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Craig Huxley
Votes: 3,409
3/10 - had interesting potential, there were early hints of exploring childhood trauma, but it faltered badly.
77.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The Return of the Archons
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Seeking the answer to a century-old mystery, Kirk and crew encounter a vacantly peaceful society under a 6000-year autocratic rule that kills all those it can't absorb.
Director: Joseph Pevney | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Harry Townes, Torin Thatcher
Votes: 3,870
3/10 - another watch-it-then-totally-forget-about-it effort.
78.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Friday's Child
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The Federation clashes with the Klingon Empire over mining rights to Capella IV. A sudden coup between its warrior-minded inhabitants forces Kirk's party to flee with the now dead leader's pregnant wife.
Director: Joseph Pevney | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Julie Newmar
Votes: 3,393
2/10 - a real stinker, saved from last place by a couple of fun lines between McCoy & the pregnant Shrew. He's a Doctor, not an Elevator!
79.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Is There in Truth No Beauty?
(1968)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Lovely telepath Miranda is aide to Ambassador Kollos, in a box to stop insanity when humans see Medusans. She rejects Larry, a designer of Enterprise, and senses murderous intent nearby.
Director: Ralph Senensky | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Diana Muldaur
Votes: 3,208
2/10 - pointless. Saved from a damning 1/10 by a couple of decent Spock moments.
80.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
Turnabout Intruder
(1969)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Captain Kirk's insane ex-lover Dr. Janice Lester forcibly switches bodies with him in order to take command of the Enterprise.
Director: Herb Wallerstein | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Sandra Smith
Votes: 3,002
2/10 - offically the worst TOS ep in my ranking...it really is quite terrible. Kirk acting like a lady possessed is fun for a couple minutes in an SNL-skit kind of way...but 45 minutes of it?
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