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Summary: Star Trek the Original Series Vol 14 (1967)
Review: On the way to Starbase 10, the U.S.S. Enterprise stops todeliver supplies to the colonists of Gamma Hydra IV. A landing party,consisting of Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Lt. Galway and Chekov beam to the planet's surface. They find that accelerated aging has taken place, killing most of the colonists. Chekov is terrified when he discovers the first body. The only survivors, an elderly couple who claim to be in their twenties, die shortly after meeting the U.S.S. Enterprise crew. When the landing party returns to the U.S.S. Enterprise, the aging acceleration begins to affect the entire crew... except Chekov, who remains unaffected. While Kirk wants to remain in orbit around Gamma Hydra IV until a cure can be affected, one of his passengers, Commodore Stocker, wants to proceed to Starbase 10 where he feels the best medical aid can be found. Each person on the U.S.S. Enterprise begins to show the effects of old age and soon Kirk is unable to command, as are Scotty and Spock. Command falls to Commodore Stocker, who, while an efficient desk officer, has no deep space training. Thinking he will save time, Stocker plots a course through the Romulan/Federation neutral zone on his way to Starbase 10. The Romulans are waiting and begin an attack. Stocker, panicked and inexperienced, has no idea what to do. So why not add this DVD to your Star Trek Collection?
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Summary: This review targets Episode 28,
Review: Read the book first (ISBN: 1565049640). This is not a serialization of the program; it is the original written script. You will be surprised at the transformation from a Harlan Ellison novel to a Star Trek episode (28). To fit the mold of the series McCoy replaced a drug dealer. The first thing Harlan asked was that if this was, that if clothes were stolen that they did not look like they ware miraculously a perfect fit. And Spock stops Kirk from saving Edith. Kirk would have given up the future for love. Now watch this episode, and yes the changes were necessary and this is one of the best.
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Summary: It Just Doesn't Get Any Better Than This
Review: STAR TREK was always at its peak when exploring either the complex sociology between the cultures of different worlds OR the intimate lives and their defining moments of the crew of the USS Enterprise 1701. In Volume 14, you get one lucky DVD that covers both. In Episode 27 (ERRAND OF MERCY), you get a layered sociology story of not one, not two, but three different cultures: (1) the Federation, a democracy; (2) the Klingons, a dictatorship; and (3) the Organians, a culture entirely devoted to non-violence. When these three cultures meet, they clash in ways rarely explored in the realm of science fiction yet alone television drama. While the episode features a handful of laughable moments (everything in Klingon and Federation property turns 350 degrees, at the Organians control, when the two empires are about to go to war), the writing gives the viewer something to seriously think about when it comes to cultures interfacing. Whose rules ultimately win out? What social morales should be dominant? Why must there be a single victor? One truly inspired episode. In Episode 28 (CITY OF THE EDGE OF FOREVER), the viewer is treated to what is, arguably, the finest hour of Trek ever produced: Edith Keeler (played almost whimsically by Joan Collins) must die while Kirk, Spock, and McCoy -- all of whom have traveled back in time to determine what single event changed the course of history -- watch on helplessly. For a trio that has dedicated themselves to peace at all costs, it's one shocking finale. The DVD transfer is superb, as usual with these Paramount reissues. The Dolby 5.1 is excellent, and, despite a few grainy scenes, all looks beautiful in the world of Star Trek.
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Summary: My Favorite "Original" Episode But....
Review: The City On The Edge Of Forever is the best series episode despite the rewrites that nearly ruined it. Real Drama in Science Fiction....what a concept! Very few atttempts at TV Science Fiction have come close to this one episode. But I digress....where does Paramount get off packaging this series in 40 separate sets? There are now two other ST series available in a much more convenient package (season sets). If ST:TOS would be packaged this way I'd grab the first two seasons in a heartbeat....the third season should be burned! Just My Opinion.... Live Long And Prosper!
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Summary: My Favorite "Original" Episode But....
Review: The City On The Edge Of Forever is the best series episode despite the rewrites that nearly ruined it. Real Drama in Science Fiction....what a concept! Very few atttempts at TV Science Fiction have come close to this one episode. But I digress....where does Paramount get off packaging this series in 40 separate sets? There are now two other ST series available in a much more convenient package (season sets). If ST:TOS would be packaged this way I'd grab the first two seasons in a heartbeat....the third season should be burned! Just My Opinion.... Live Long And Prosper!
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Summary: A fine tribute to John Colicos
Review: The late John Colicos of "Battlestar Galactica" fame shines as the Klingon commander Kor in "Errand of Mercy," an episode which has an ambiguous title. Whose "errand" is it anyway - the Federation's? As it turns out, the mercy is shown by the Organians who act to prevent an interstellar war, establishing one of the political cornerstones of the Star Trek future history. Given the significance of the so-called "Organian Peace Treaty" which is referred to in many later episodes, I always felt this episode was too subdued; we don't see the two starfleets in space and the Klingon occupation forces on Organia are small in number. Still, Colicos' scenes with Shatner are well acted and establish the aggressive nature of both captains, a theme which comes up again and again. DVD lets us see the fog around the Organian castle as well as the writing on the Klingon occupation notices - they're printed in English! SF writer Harlan Ellison is known to have hated the TV adaptation of his story "The City on the Edge of Forever" and we can see why. Although it is undeniably one of Star Trek's more emotionally powerful episodes (Bill Shatner's last line still sends chills up and down my spine), as a science fiction story it does not hold up to repeated viewings. But this is a strong pairing on DVD; if only there were more interactive options and liner notes. By the way, somebody goofed on the package design - there's a photo from a different episode ("Metamorphoses") for "City on the Edge of Forever."
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Summary: A fine tribute to John Colicos
Review: The late John Colicos of "Battlestar Galactica" fame shines as the Klingon commander Kor in "Errand of Mercy," an episode which has an ambiguous title. Whose "errand" is it anyway - the Federation's? As it turns out, the mercy is shown by the Organians who act to prevent an interstellar war, establishing one of the political cornerstones of the Star Trek future history. Given the significance of the so-called "Organian Peace Treaty" which is referred to in many later episodes, I always felt this episode was too subdued; we don't see the two starfleets in space and the Klingon occupation forces on Organia are small in number. Still, Colicos' scenes with Shatner are well acted and establish the aggressive nature of both captains, a theme which comes up again and again. DVD lets us see the fog around the Organian castle as well as the writing on the Klingon occupation notices - they're printed in English! SF writer Harlan Ellison is known to have hated the TV adaptation of his story "The City on the Edge of Forever" and we can see why. Although it is undeniably one of Star Trek's more emotionally powerful episodes (Bill Shatner's last line still sends chills up and down my spine), as a science fiction story it does not hold up to repeated viewings. But this is a strong pairing on DVD; if only there were more interactive options and liner notes. By the way, somebody goofed on the package design - there's a photo from a different episode ("Metamorphoses") for "City on the Edge of Forever."
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Summary: Why this was the Best Star Trek Episode
Review: The original Star Trek was far superior to the followups for many reasons and City on the Edge of Forever, the pinnacle of that series. Harlan Ellison's legendary feud over script revision with Gene Roddenberry is well known, and supposedly the original script is even better than the one used. Nevertheless I've not seen any other TV script that approaches the profundity of this. Kirk and Spock track Bones through a time/space portal to 1930 and meet Edith Keeler, a person who changed history after being saved by Bones. Kirk falls in love with her, but has to decide between love and the Allied WWII victory. This whole episode is thought provoking, the characters are believable, the fact that this was done in 1967 shines through in its creativity and emotional intensity. Such a contrast to the ridiculous follow-up series and films. All episodes of the original are worth seeing, but this is the best.
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Summary: Two Unforgettable Episodes of Classic Trek
Review: This DVD installment of Star Trek features two episodes which are a must for every fan. Those with friends unfamiliar with Classic Trek would do well to show them these two episodes. Their friends will be instantly hooked. Errand of Mercy was Star Trek's first story dealing with the Klingons. The late John Colicos, best known as Baltar from Battlestar Galactica, was given a virtually free reign to create the look of his character. He saw Kor as a futuristic Ghenghis Khan, and that template prevailed until the redesigned Klingons appeared in the first Star Trek movie. Under Colicos' masterly performance, the Klingons are shown to be barbaric, militaristic, brutal, but not ENTIRELY evil. Kor recognizes the value of valor, and laments that duty requires him to kill Captain Kirk: "Always it is the brave ones who die. The soldiers." He is also perceptive enough to recognize that Klingons and Federation members are more alike than Kirk would care to admit. This is further demonstrated by the surprise ending, which hints at the events of Star Trek VI The Undiscovered Country. The plot development at the end, involving the true nature of the Organians is an effective and original twist. The City on the Edge of Forever is considered by many to be Star Trek's finest episode. The screenplay, based on a story by Harlan Ellison, is craftily writted and paced. It is also Star Trek's best time travel story. Starting as a chase through time for a deranged McCoy, the victim of an accidental drug overdose, the story takes an abrupt turn toward lighter fare when Kirk and Spock arrive in 1930 New York City. After Kirk meets Edith Keeler (Joan Collins) and recognizes a kindred soul, the story seems headed for a romantic conclusion. Kirk at last seems to have found true and pure love. Then, what the audience least expects it, Spock lowers the boom: Edith Keeler must die, or history will be altered and humanity will be subjected to another Dark Ages. The superb writing--most of the dialogue was by Gene Coon, one of Star Trek's unsung heroes--is backed up by top flight performances by Shatner, Nimoy, Collins, and the late DeForest Kelley. Is it a stretch to say that 50 years from now, Collins will be remembered for this role, rather than for Dynasty? The lighting for the 1930 portion of the story looks unusually subdued for a Star Trek episode, but perhaps the filmmakers were trying for a Depression-era look. Paramount has done a very good job with sound and picture transfer. Images are sharper, colors more vibrant, and flesh tomes more realistic than before. There are two small mistakes on the box cover: Despite the disclaimer, the original music for City on the Edge of Forever (based on the pop tune "Good Night, Sweetheart") has been restored for the DVD. The VHS version featured much less effective music. Also, one photo on the back cover is from the second season episode, "Metamorphosis." I envy those who are seeing these episodes for the first time.
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Summary: Best Star Trek Romance Ever
Review: This was about the most romantic Star Trek episode ever. James T. Kirk was best as a romantic lead. And if you ever want to see Joan Collins as she was before her various other stints in television, this episode, "The City on the Edge of Forever", is it. She was stunning, without the attitude that stardom brought her in later years.
The theme was temporal distortion with backdrop of pre-second world war America. As with many time themed Star Trek episodes, this one would not disappoint you with only 55 mniutes of content.
Brilliant work!
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