Rating: 
Summary: Two VERY different episodes of Classic Trek
Review: "Operation Annihitate!" was the last episode of Star Trek's first season to be filmed. They ended their first season on a high note--the story is exceptionally well written and acted. In addition to his role as Captain Kirk, William Shatner has a brief cameo as Kirk's older brother, Sam's corpse (wearing a mustache and greyed hair). One of the many ways in which the original Trek succedeed where The Next Generation failed is that the characters, like real human beings, get angry with each other. When McCoy (temporarily) blinds Spock, Kirk looks like he's is ready to slug the Doctor. But, like real human being, the characters also forgive each other, and a few minutes later, Kirk tells McCoy "It wasn't your fault." "Catspaw" was the first episode of the second season to be filmed, but the seventh to be aired since it had a Halloween theme. Unfortunately, this episode was neither scary, nor otherwise compelling. One of the few ways that The Next Generation was superior to Classic Trek is TNG's Halloween episodes (i.e. Schisms) were truly disturbing. "Catspaw" is more amusing than frightening, and I wonder if the time slot they were in, 8:30-9:30 Friday evenings, compelled them to film a very tame script. As usual with these DVD's, the image and sound have been carefully restored the episodes look and sound great. Unfortunately, this sometimes points out faulty special effects, such as the strings holding the alien marrionettes in "Catspaw," perceptible in earlier transfers, they are now glaringly visible.
Rating:
Summary: Two VERY different episodes of Classic Trek
Review: "Operation Annihitate!" was the last episode of Star Trek's first season to be filmed. They ended their first season on a high note--the story is exceptionally well written and acted. In addition to his role as Captain Kirk, William Shatner has a brief cameo as Kirk's older brother, Sam's corpse (wearing a mustache and greyed hair). One of the many ways in which the original Trek succedeed where The Next Generation failed is that the characters, like real human beings, get angry with each other. When McCoy (temporarily) blinds Spock, Kirk looks like he's is ready to slug the Doctor. But, like real human being, the characters also forgive each other, and a few minutes later, Kirk tells McCoy "It wasn't your fault." "Catspaw" was the first episode of the second season to be filmed, but the seventh to be aired since it had a Halloween theme. Unfortunately, this episode was neither scary, nor otherwise compelling. One of the few ways that The Next Generation was superior to Classic Trek is TNG's Halloween episodes (i.e. Schisms) were truly disturbing. "Catspaw" is more amusing than frightening, and I wonder if the time slot they were in, 8:30-9:30 Friday evenings, compelled them to film a very tame script. As usual with these DVD's, the image and sound have been carefully restored the episodes look and sound great. Unfortunately, this sometimes points out faulty special effects, such as the strings holding the alien marrionettes in "Catspaw," perceptible in earlier transfers, they are now glaringly visible.
Rating:
Summary: Two VERY different episodes of Classic Trek
Review: "Operation Annihitate!" was the last episode of Star Trek's first season to be filmed. They ended their first season on a high note--the story is exceptionally well written and acted. In addition to his role as Captain Kirk, William Shatner has a brief cameo as Kirk's older brother, Sam's corpse (wearing a mustache and greyed hair). One of the many ways in which the original Trek succedeed where The Next Generation failed is that the characters, like real human beings, get angry with each other. When McCoy (temporarily) blinds Spock, Kirk looks like he's is ready to slug the Doctor. But, like real human being, the characters also forgive each other, and a few minutes later, Kirk tells McCoy "It wasn't your fault." "Catspaw" was the first episode of the second season to be filmed, but the seventh to be aired since it had a Halloween theme. Unfortunately, this episode was neither scary, nor otherwise compelling. One of the few ways that The Next Generation was superior to Classic Trek is TNG's Halloween episodes (i.e. Schisms) were truly disturbing. "Catspaw" is more amusing than frightening, and I wonder if the time slot they were in, 8:30-9:30 Friday evenings, compelled them to film a very tame script. As usual with these DVD's, the image and sound have been carefully restored the episodes look and sound great. Unfortunately, this sometimes points out faulty special effects, such as the strings holding the alien marrionettes in "Catspaw," perceptible in earlier transfers, they are now glaringly visible.
Rating:
Summary: Check out Chekov
Review: Catspaw...a Halloween treat for Trekkies in which the Enterprise is at the mercy of a witch. First episode with Chekov & his goofy wig! Opperation: Annihilate: An alien parasite has attacked a planet, making everyone insane. Phasers are useless. How can they be stopped? NOTE: Starring William Shatner as Sam Kirk!
Rating:
Summary: dvd order
Review: Great! No issues with seller, good transaction and rec'd within reasonable time.
Rating: 
Summary: Only two episodes per DVD?
Review: I have seen videos of Star Trek with 3 episodes per video plus new introductions by James Doohan(Scotty),George Takei(Sulu) or Walter Koenig(Checkov)discussing the series.Why have Paramount released DVDs with only two episodes?Maximum profit no doubt!I will stick to the videos($19.95)until Paramount eventually re-releases the DVDs with 3 episodes,which I'm sure that they will do as they did with the videos.
Rating: 
Summary: Kirk and Spock take on monster brain cells and a warlock
Review: In the last episode from the first season, "Operation--Annihilate!" the Enterprise arrives at the planet Deneva in time to see a spaceship fly into the sun after the pilot cries out that he is finally free. Things are equally strange on the planet, where a mob attacks the Away Team. Then Kirk learns that his brother Sam is dead and his sister-in-law and nephew have been infected by strange creatures that sort of look like killer blood cells with little tails. While trying to capture one of the creatures for testing, Spock is attacked; the creature tries to control the Vulcan through his nervous system, causing great pain. So it turns out the creatures are more like giant brain cells (with little tails). Meanwhile, McCoy tries to figure out why flying close to the sun freed the Denevan pilot from the creature's control. On the one hand this episode has several very emotional moment, when Kirk discovers his brother is dead and when McCoy realizes he did not need to blind Spock to free him from the creature. But on the other hand this "inner eyelid" bit is just too damn convenient, even for television/science fiction. You would think between the Science Officer and the Chief Medical Officer they would know enough about the scientific method and the correct way to perform scientific experiments in your own lab to avoid making such a horrible mistook. Then we skip ahead to the Second Season for "Catspaw," the Halloween episode of Star Trek, where the Enterprise discovers fog, witches and a haunted castle on Pryis VII. There they also find a wizard named Korob and his beautiful but definitely strange associate, Sylvia. The pair are visitors to Prysi VII themselves and want to learn about the technology of humans, apparently as a prelude to launching some sort of invasion. They demonstrate their powers when Sylvia holds a small pendant shaped like the Enterprise over a fire and the crew reports things getting suddenly very hot aboard the ship. This is one of the few times that Kirk relies on his good look and charm rather than his brain or his right hook to save the day. "Catspaw" does not amount to much as an episode, although we do get to see Kirk and Spock hung up in a dungeon and you have to chuckle at the Vulcan's characterization of the witches' curse as "very bad poetry." But the idea that "magic" is nothing but alien technology dressed up with smoke and mirrors, is a tad cliche, even for Star Trek.
Rating:
Summary: THE ULTIMATE KIRK'S EPISODE
Review: OPERATION - ANNIHILATE ! Original Airdate April, 13, 1967.Ep. 29. The final episode of the first season, Directed by Herschel Daugherty and Written by Steven Carabatsos. The Enterprise receives an Emergency call from the planet Deneva where Kirk's family (Brother and relatives) live but, it's too late, after his brother dies Kirk discovers amoeba-like creatures that infiltrate a victim's nervous system. Doc McCoy endeavors to find a cure to this critical disease to saves Kirk's nephew life and Mr. Spock as well, while Kirk faces the knowledge that he must destroy the entire planet if a cure can't be found. CATSPAW. Original Airdate: October, 27, 1967. Ep. 30. Directed by Joseph Pevney and Written by Robert Bloch and D.C. Fontana. Intended as a Halloween episode, Kirk, Spock and Scotty beam down to a strange planet, Pyris VII, overrun with zombies, witches and goblins.
Rating: 
Summary: Slightly below average shows bridge seasons 1 and 2
Review: Operation: Annihilate-The string of winning episodes finally came to an end in the final show of season one, which concerned pancake-like creatures that attack Spock's central nervous system. This was by no means trek at it's worst incidentally; just a step down from the prior six shows produced. The episode feels more like a second season episode in that it lacks the complex themes of its precursors; still it manages to work in a loss for Kirk and the effects that physical pain can have on the way we present ourselves. (As an aside, one thing that does connect this episode with season one is the slow pace at which the story develops.) This is one of those shows though that despite a disturbing premise doesn't have a lot to say in the end, and relies on a gimmick for the ultimate resolution of the conflict. Also dulling are the absence of significant guest performances and the un-engaging sets; both may well have been due to both empty coffers and fatigue at this point. Virtually everyone involved had certainly laid it out there in season one, both in terms of effort and sincere emotional investment; it wouldn't always be that way. (2.5 stars) Tidbit: Both of the dead Kirks would appear in other episodes: the elder 79 times as Captain Kirk, and the younger once as Tommy Starnes in And the Children Shall Lead. Catspaw, an episode which employs Halloween frights (witches, black cats, etc.), was the first episode produced in the second season. There is a light, jaunty quality to both the music and the performances not seen during season 1. It's almost as if everyone gave a collective sigh when the show was finally renewed, and thought they wouldn't be as heavily scrutinized the next year. Whether or not this was a good thing is certainly open to debate, but there is no denying that the second season shows feel more relaxed and lighter than the first. But back to Catspaw. This episode and the 3rd season opener (Spectre of the Gun) were the only episodes written with a specific airdate in mind. This was meant to be first and foremost a Halloween episode, and it does a decent job of providing some frights. (Spectre of the Gun aired within a day or two of the anniversary of the gunfight at the OK Corral.) But Catspaw is ultimately too reliant on a parade of gimmicks (that don't even frighten the landing party) to be engaging. Uninspired performances by Antoinette Bower and Theo Marcuse don't help any either. Other than the gimmicks, there just isn't much here; on the other hand, the gimmicks keep the show moving. (2.5 stars)
Rating:
Summary: Slightly below average shows bridge seasons 1 and 2
Review: Operation: Annihilate-The string of winning episodes finally came to an end in the final show of season one, which concerned pancake-like creatures that attack Spock's central nervous system. This was by no means trek at it's worst incidentally; just a step down from the prior six shows produced. The episode feels more like a second season episode in that it lacks the complex themes of its precursors; still it manages to work in a loss for Kirk and the effects that physical pain can have on the way we present ourselves. (As an aside, one thing that does connect this episode with season one is the slow pace at which the story develops.) This is one of those shows though that despite a disturbing premise doesn't have a lot to say in the end, and relies on a gimmick for the ultimate resolution of the conflict. Also dulling are the absence of significant guest performances and the un-engaging sets; both may well have been due to both empty coffers and fatigue at this point. Virtually everyone involved had certainly laid it out there in season one, both in terms of effort and sincere emotional investment; it wouldn't always be that way. (2.5 stars) Tidbit: Both of the dead Kirks would appear in other episodes: the elder 79 times as Captain Kirk, and the younger once as Tommy Starnes in And the Children Shall Lead. Catspaw, an episode which employs Halloween frights (witches, black cats, etc.), was the first episode produced in the second season. There is a light, jaunty quality to both the music and the performances not seen during season 1. It's almost as if everyone gave a collective sigh when the show was finally renewed, and thought they wouldn't be as heavily scrutinized the next year. Whether or not this was a good thing is certainly open to debate, but there is no denying that the second season shows feel more relaxed and lighter than the first. But back to Catspaw. This episode and the 3rd season opener (Spectre of the Gun) were the only episodes written with a specific airdate in mind. This was meant to be first and foremost a Halloween episode, and it does a decent job of providing some frights. (Spectre of the Gun aired within a day or two of the anniversary of the gunfight at the OK Corral.) But Catspaw is ultimately too reliant on a parade of gimmicks (that don't even frighten the landing party) to be engaging. Uninspired performances by Antoinette Bower and Theo Marcuse don't help any either. Other than the gimmicks, there just isn't much here; on the other hand, the gimmicks keep the show moving. (2.5 stars)
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