Rating: 
Summary: 2 fantastic episodes
Review: "Arena" is the 1st episode which shows us just exactly how powerful the Enterprise can be. Phasers, Photon Torpedoes & Warp 8. Kirk must fight a Gorn captain & win or he will die."The Alternative Factor" A man from an alternate universe invades our universe with the intent of destroying it. Contains one of the greatest angles of the Enterprise ever.
Rating:
Summary: Two Classic Episodes for a Classic Series
Review: "Arena" - Episode 19 - This episode features a duel between our Capt. Kirk and the Gorn. An interesting plot, surreal music, location and the Gorn character give this episode a wonderful campy feeling. Great episode to watch at pitch black night!! "Alternative Factor" - Episode 20 - An excellent episode that deals with the orignal crew being thrown into unfamilar territory. A man named Lazarus is thrown into an odd state of flux where him and his counterpart switch between a positive and negative universe. An insane Lazarus on one of the sides is bent on destroying both universes. They both eventually meet to fight in the gap between universes eternally. Great epsiode that explores a more complex concept of the universe than the crew usually deals with!!
Rating: 
Summary: One strong episode, and one very weak one
Review: Arena-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. (4 stars) The Alternative Factor-This episode, in which a loner travels between universes in a small ship, just never comes together. Despite the fact that nothing short of the universe is at stake, the episode feels trivial. While Robert Brown certainly has a tough assignment here as the two Laseruses (Laserii?), he seems torn between trying to make each of them `real' while still being sufficiently different that the viewer will not become confused. Unfortunately he does not succeed in either regard, and the seemingly haphazard storyline doesn't assist the viewer any either. The team also seems to struggle to fill up the episode's allotted hour, but the main problem is the story is presented in a way that doesn't make sense; everything feels arbitrary and desultory. The self-flagellation between universes, while memorable, is not particularly effective either. About the best thing about this episode is the end-the disturbing idea of someone spending eternity battling a madman. (2 stars)
Rating:
Summary: One strong episode, and one very weak one
Review: Arena-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. (4 stars) The Alternative Factor-This episode, in which a loner travels between universes in a small ship, just never comes together. Despite the fact that nothing short of the universe is at stake, the episode feels trivial. While Robert Brown certainly has a tough assignment here as the two Laseruses (Laserii?), he seems torn between trying to make each of them 'real' while still being sufficiently different that the viewer will not become confused. Unfortunately he does not succeed in either regard, and the seemingly haphazard storyline doesn't assist the viewer any either. The team also seems to struggle to fill up the episode's allotted hour, but the main problem is the story is presented in a way that doesn't make sense; everything feels arbitrary and desultory. The self-flagellation between universes, while memorable, is not particularly effective either. About the best thing about this episode is the end-the disturbing idea of someone spending eternity battling a madman. (2 stars)
Rating:
Summary: An Alternative Opinion
Review: Being an ORIGINAL trekkie (I care not for johnnie-come-lately Trekkors who have no clue what this series meant in '66), I have strong memories of watching Kirk and Spock every week. When the reruns began to be aired locally (some years after the rest of the country, apparently), I got to see stuff I did not remember. The Alternative Factor became my personal favorite because of the struggles: 1. Kirk and Spock not understanding the nature of the situation 2. Lazarus dealing with his opposite self's actions after they swap universes 3. Stopping anihilation successfully.
The state of budgets and special effects somewhat hurt the visual storytelling, but the rest of the show I find heroic in a very classical sense. I was always blown away by the magnitude of the sacrifice of the rational Lasarus, and Kirk's words at the end chill me even today. Maybe having a friend who looked like, and whose intellect was on the order of Spock's, gives me a different perspective toward this tale. I always felt like Kirk to his Spock, but without a ship to command (Boy, did we need one). Hey, If networks today would pay attention to what Gene and the guys were up to, we'd have shows like...like...like...Enterprise today. Hey, we do! Trek Lives! Long Live Treckkiedom!
This is story telling at it's peak, galactic in scope, human at it's heart, and gut wrenching in it's conclusion. They don't come better than this, even with bigger budgets. This is the stuff that inspires kids to be great achievers, and grown-ups to think about why we do what we do. Great stuff, if you pay attention.
Rating:
Summary: Arena is a must-buy episode for ST fans
Review: Buy this DVD for the episode "Arena." It is one of the more thought-provoking stories, and features some suspenseful scenes. Also, in the war scenes at the beginning, there are some pretty good stunts, including explosions that appear dangerously close to the actors! The video quality is very good, except for any special effects shots in space (this is true for every DVD in the series). The remixed 5.1 audio is interesting, and sounds like it's been "sweetened" somewhat.
Rating:
Summary: Arena -- The Best Star Trek Ever
Review: Having participated in the Trekkie craze that reached its Zenith in the early and mid nineteen eighties, I saw many excellent star Treks. "Arena" has them all beaten. No constest.
Captain Kirk comes upon an outpost which was brutally destroyed. While an excellent commander, he was also at times quite emotional and volatile, and was naturally out for revenge. He eventually winds up being transported by some extremely technologically advanced beings to a desolate planet, to compete in an Arena, with the Gorn (a miniature Godzilla) for his life. When Kirk eventually (and barely) overcomes the Gorn, he is about to destroy him (or her), but takes pity, and can't bring himself to do it. The Gorn disappears, the "show's sponsor," a Metrone, tells Kirk that because he demonstrated "the advanced trait of mercy," they seem to feel there is hope, and Kirk will not be destroyed.
The socio-political importance of Arena's message cannot be understated. We had just come within twelve hours of Armagheddon (Cuban Missile Crisis), and war had exploded in Vietnam. The message in Arena was that we don't have to kill, and that there is hope.
Rating:
Summary: Arena -- The Best Star Trek Ever
Review: Having participated in the Trekkie craze that reached its Zenith in the early and mid nineteen eighties, I saw many excellent star Treks. "Arena" has them all beaten. No constest.
Captain Kirk comes upon an outpost which was brutally destroyed. While an excellent commander, he was also at times quite emotional and volatile, and was naturally out for revenge. He eventually winds up being transported by some extremely technologically advanced beings to a desolate planet, to compete in an Arena, with the Gorn (a miniature Godzilla) for his life. When Kirk eventually (and barely) overcomes the Gorn, he is about to destroy him (or her), but takes pity, and can't bring himself to do it. The Gorn disappears, the "show's sponsor," a Metrone, tells Kirk that because he demonstrated "the advanced trait of mercy," they seem to feel there is hope, and Kirk will not be destroyed.
The socio-political importance of Arena's message cannot be understated. We had just come within twelve hours of Armagheddon (Cuban Missile Crisis), and war had exploded in Vietnam. The message in Arena was that we don't have to kill, and that there is hope.
Rating:
Summary: How the best is even better
Review: I grew up watching Star Trek when it originally aired from age 4-present. I was thrilled when the series came out on Laserdisc and have a complete set. I thought "This is incredible, the quality and clearity". Then along came DVD and one day I saw "Star Trek the original series vol.1". I cannot describe my joy. I have been at the stores on release dates to snatch the next DVD as it is being put on the shelf. They are outstanding, original Star Trek has always been the best of all Treks and now it is even better. The picture and sound is fantastic, I just love it! Vol.10 contains 2 very good episodes Arena and The Alternative Factor. Since most everyone supports Arena with great reviews and negatively about The Alternative Factor as being an uncomprehensible story, I choose to review Alternative Factor. I have always liked this episode and have understood it since my teens. It is a story that generates deep thought and wonder. Unlike the parrallel Mirror Universe, "Alternative" is a identical but oppossite universe, something that has been theorized for decades. How fascinating if true, an identical but opposite you and I. The coridor in between universes seperating them, the possibility of total anihlation. It's great, I find the episode very well done and as Spock would say "Quite Logical" Many people have complained about there only being 2 episodes per disc when DVD is capable of more, I can only say that Laserdisc also has 2 per disc and cost at the time was $30.00 ea. Look what we get for our money now! Thank you DVD, I just wish I didn't have to wait so long to get them all
Rating: 
Summary: Arena
Review: I remember as a little guy watching the Gorn on TV when it first aired.Kinda scaird me at the time but it is now one of my favs because the show surrounds Kirk and the Gorn being "Equal" but from other planets. This is the lesson I think Joseph Pevney tried to convey in that two "creatures" that are forced to fight do so unwillingly and in the end they become allies in so many ways. I think there is a lesson to be learned in this episode that people from different backrounds, if they work out their differences can and must co operate to "survive" this place we call Earth. Gene Roddenberry surely was a man of distinct foresight and I know that his spirit will Live Long and Prosper in the spirit world.
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