Star Trek The Original Series - The Complete Seasons 1-3

Rating:
Summary: This is the most that they could do with TOS on DVD.
Review: As a Paramount DVD producer told me at a recent Trek convention. They pretty much interviewed all of the cast members and production personal that they could locate and whose memories of making the show were still fresh and clear. They only wnated to interview the people who worked on the show, and not just cram together Tv and film historians alone whose views on the show and it's impact would be in the third person alone. The storyboard art and production photos are new and have never seen by Trek fans before. Regretfully there were some production personal that they had wanted to talk with but had since passed away or were in poor healh and could not be interviewed, The bonus features on these DVD's are pretty much everything that they could find and put into the features, TOS fans seem to be enjoying them, and so do I. Further Update; Paramount is planning to release the Star Trek animated series on DVD in 2005.

Rating:
Summary: Love Trek, despise the DVD packaging
Review: As others have indicated the series must get five stars, but this DVD distribution must cost it at least a star. The transfer quality stinks. The disks themselves are assembled in a flimsy plastic wallet with a flimsy plastic spine. The menus are the worst part. There is no play all button anywhere. There are long menu delays between you and your voyage. There are annoying switches regarding optional voice-over narration, not off the main menu, but stuck right in the middle of the episode selection dialogue, to get in your face every time you browse. What a shame.



Rating:
Summary: Give the Gift of "Star Trek", All 3 Original Series Seasons
Review: An epic sci-fi phenomenon began in 1966 when the first season of "Star Trek" began to broadcast on U.S. televisions. Created by the legendary writer Gene Roddenberry (1921-1991), the series was intended to run for five years detailing the missions of the mammoth starship known as the U.S.S. Enterprise, which was only one of several starships that were part of the United Federation of Planets' Starfleet. Unfortunately, the series was prematurely cancelled after only three complete seasons in spite of efforts of Gene Roddenberry, letter-writing campaigns conducted by fans to keep the show alive and 5 Emmy Award nominations. Ironically, it was only six weeks after the final third-season episode was broadcast (6/3/1969) that astronauts Neil Armstrong and 'Buzz' Aldrin became the first human beings to ever set foot on an extraterrestrial world, Earth's moon, on 7/20/1969. Then, instead of being forgotten after cancellation, in syndication, "Star Trek" began to rise in popularity in the early 1970's to such an extent that Paramount Pictures began toying with the idea of resurrecting the show. Instead, following the extremely successful 1977 sci-fi blockbuster film "Star Wars" (written and directed by George Lucas), Paramount Pictures did resurrect the show in the form of several big-screen films beginning in 1979. With a new generation being introduced to the fantastic universe created by Gene Roddenberry, more "Star Trek" television series were created. In total, there have been six "Star Trek" television series (5 live-action, 1 animated) and ten big-screen films; but all of them owe their thanks not only to Gene Roddenberry, but to the original "Star Trek" series cast and the many fans that kept the original show in syndication long after it was cancelled.

The main original "Star Trek" series characters of Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Lt. Commander/Commander Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Dr. Leonard H. 'Bones' McCoy (DeForest Kelley, 1920-1999), Lt. Cmdr. Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott (James Doohan), Lt. Hikaru Sulu (George Takei), Lt. Nyota Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), Ensign Pavel Chekov (Walter Keonig from 1967-1969), Yeoman Janice Rand (Grace Lee Whitney from 1966-1967) and Nurse Christine Chapel (Majel Barrett) have become an inseparable part of Americana. Together, they starred in 79 broadcasted episodes: 29 in the first season, 26 in the second season and 24 in the third & final season. The show's unaired pilot episode, "The Cage" (which starred a nearly completely different cast), was recycled during the show's first season as part of the two-part episode "The Menagerie". Guest stars that appeared on one or more episodes include (but are not limited to):
* Joan Collins (in the only Emmy Award-winning episode, the first season's "The City on the Edge of Forever").
* Roger C. Carmel (1932-1986, in first-season episode "Mudd's Women" and second-season episode "I, Mudd").
* Ricardo Montalban (as Khan Noonian Singh in first season episode "Space Seed", a role he reprised in the 1982 film "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn").
* Mark Leonard & Jane Wyatt (as Spock's parents, Sarek & Amanda, in second-season episode "Journey to Babel", roles they reprised in several big-screen "Star Trek" films).
* Diana Muldaur (in second-season episode "Return to Tomorrow" and a different character in third-season episode "Is There No Truth in Beauty").
* Teri Garr (in second-season episode "Assignment: Earth").

Originally, when Paramount Pictures first released the original series of "Star Trek" on DVD in the 1990's, they did so on 40 DVD's, with 2 episodes per DVD. The full retail cost to own all 40 DVD's was enormous. Then, starting this year, Paramount Pictures started to re-release the original series in three DVD boxed sets (one set for each season, about 8 DVD's per set) at only a fraction of the cost of the previously released 40-DVD set. Hence, being able to purchase all three season boxed sets together is still a huge bargain. Therefore, for being a fantastic TV series that started a phenomenon that continues through to this day and for a great price, I rate the complete "Star Trek: The Original Series" set of three box sets with a resounding 5 out of 5 stars. If you, or anyone you know, doesn't yet own any of the "Star Trek" boxed sets, this set of all three original series boxed sets would make a fantastic gift!

Rating:
Summary: PURE DISTILLED JOY!!!!!! ME SO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Even with five spinoffs,ten movies and nearly 38 years of history,The original Star Trek is the one that started it all and continue to inspire millions of fans.
The plot was simple, in the future a starship goes out on a five year mission to explore strange new worlds and seek out new life and civilizations.Led by the heroic Captain James T. Kirk (willian Shatner) along with his Vulcan first officer Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy).The other crew members include Dr.Leonard McCoy (the late DeForest Kelley),Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott(James Doohan), Helmsman Hikaru Sulu (George Takai),Communications officer Nyota Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), and Yoaman Janice Rand (Grace Lee whitney who would only last half the first season).
Despite the cheap looking special effects and set pieces,ST was a mixture of action,humor,drama and morality tales.A far cry from other science fiction shows airing at the time such as Lost In Space.Classic first season episodes includes The Naked Time,The Enemy Within, The Menagerie ,The Conscience of the King, Balance of Terror(the Romulan's debut), Space Seed(KHAN!!!), Arena,This Side of Paradise,The Devil in the Dark, and the greatest Trek episode of all time, The City on the Edge of Forever.
After barely getting renewed for a second season, ST came back the next year in full force.The biggest hero was not Captain Kirk himself,but Gene Coon.The executive producer who contributed some of the best episodes, as well as set the tone for the show which inspired future Trek's as well.
One of the prime factors for the second season's brilliance was the actors fleshing out their characters.The famous trio of Kirk-Spock -McCoy were finally established at the focal point of the show.The remaining supporting characters performed admirably , along with the introduction of Ensign Paval Chekov (Walter Keonig). Many classic episodes came from season two(Mirror,Mirror, Amok Time, Doomsday Machine, Deadly Years,Trouble With Tribbles, A Piece Of The Action, Journey to Babel).
As brilliant as season two was, it was not enough to get high numbers in the Neilsons.Thanks to a letter campaign by fans led by Bjo Trimble, ST was renewed for a third season. But with Coon's departure from the show after the second season, the third season suffered and even the fans couldn't save it.
The third season had two disadvantages when it returned. Along with Coon's departure from the series, Gene Roddenberry's involvement with the show decreased, frustrated with NBC lack of interest of the low rated show along with the new timeslot on Friday at 10:00 PM, a slot known to bury flagging shows by the networks.
Over the years, many blamed the new producer Fred Frieberg for the lacking quality of the show. Freiberg's only sin was coming aboard a sinking ship which was suffering budget cuts as well as weak stories and it's creator's lack of interest due to the networks total disregard of the show.
Even with the few brilliant episodes (Empath, Paradise Syndrome,Enterprise Incident, Tholian Web, Requium Of Methuselah,All Our Yesterdays), season three is notorious with two of the worst ever in the history of Trek (The Way To Eden<space hippies>, and Spock's Brain).
By the end of season three,ST was finally cancelled after 78 aired episodes in 1969.Even fans couldn't save it, as NBC buried the show.But thanks to syndication, ST became even more popular than when it originally aired and build upon a growing franchise (Conventions, Saturday Morning cartoons,toys, etc,).The ten years after the end of the series,Star Trek The Motion Picture premired.And that was just the beginning.

Five Favorite Episodes
1.This Side Of Paradise (first season)
2.The Doomsday Machine (second season)
3.The Conscience Of The King (first season)
4.The City On The Edge Of Forever (first season)
5.Piece Of The Action (fifth season)

Rating:
Summary: Can't Wait to Buy, but Not a Total "First"
Review: First, while the set is not cheap, I will surely buy it, both for its DVD quality, and its preserving the extraordinary magic of ensemble acting, storywriting, and flat out lasting entertainment. However, unlike the description, this set does not contain "the first commentary of any kind for a Star Trek TV show." Fans will remember that, about six years ago, the Sci-Fi Channel ran the entire series. Each episode included commentary by Shatner and Nimoy, along with truly incisive comments from the Star Trek crew, and guest stars who appeared in the episode then being shown. I have that entire series on VHS, and it is a keeper. Still, as I am a Trekker forever, this DVD set will be mine shortly. It will be lasting proof to all that the original series remains many "warps" ahead of all the others.

Rating:
Summary: Don't judge a DVD box set by it's cover.
Review: Hello Star Trek fans. You have to be. It's the only logical conclusion. Who else would spend this kind of money for these. Not the whimsical enthusiast. NO! You all love star Trek, And this time it's personal. DVD is a deserving step up from VHS. No more painful searches through hundreds of cassettes to find the episode you'd love to watch. The enhancements, The hurray after listening to the opening credits in 5.1 should thrill you for days. The question is not on whether to buy this or not, It's the age old question of whose the better captain. Research the painfull question for yourself, All over again for the others, on these DVD's. Then, Go get the (other) Star Trek. TNG. Watch Picard, He's so refined! So...different from Ben. Awww...I've enough in my heart for the both of them. But this came after long hours of debating. Lost slumber, watching in technocolor, and then in Paramount power! This achievement is part of the monoply that is SCI-FI for Americans. Including telcasts such as Twilight Zone, and the outer limits(the black and white ones). 3 seasons, too short a time. If only...-jeff

Rating:
Summary: OH, THE IRONY
Review: I couldn't give Star Trek any less than 4 stars simply because it's Star Trek, a show that I've been watching since I was a baby, and has had an immense influence on my life. The Original Series is an important show, and finally being able to get it in an all-in-one package for a (fairly) reasonable price has taken too long. There was no way I as a rabid Star Trek fan wasn't going to beg for this for Xmas. I'm glad I have it in my collection.

But if I could give a separate rating to the quality of the transfer, I'd give it 2 stars. How ironic that a show that deals with humans using technology to achieve and explore has been released by humans witholding technology to maximize profit. Despite a new, cleaned up digital mix of the audio, the video portion of the DVD's still contains the little scratches and video noise that my original videotapes possessed when I bought them in the 80's. There have been too many old movies and TV shows digitally remastered and beautified for me to believe that they couldn't clean these episodes up and give us better picture quality. It's a crime that Paramount continues to milk the original Trek dynasty like this.

It's quite obvious that there will be yet another re-release of the series down the road, but I can't see waiting any longer. The Harry Mudds have won again.

Rating:
Summary: Don't like the packaging..won't buy
Review: Why can't these be released in a regular boxed set? I would like to have these series of Star Trek but I won't buy these because they come in the funky off shaped boxes that don't fit in with the rest of my dvd collection. Am I crazy? Or just way too picky? Note to those who are selling these discs: If you put them into more conventional packaging (i.e. standard dvd sized rectangular boxed sets), you may get more sales. At least one more sale.