Rating: 
Summary: Two more must-see episodes
Review: This Side of Paradise-Yet another excellent episode, this one concerns a planet where plant spores have caused an epidemic of joyful inebriation. Like many of the best early shows, the slow pacing here allows a sense of mystery to develop before the hook is revealed to us. This is one of the more convincing of the 'Enterprise in danger' episodes, but it is more than that. The plot device enables several crew members to flesh out their characters, most notably Leonard Nimoy. It is difficult not to feel angry at Kirk as he goads Spock with racial slurs, even as we understand why he says what he does. Certainly the conflict between the happiness provided by drugs and alcohol on the one hand vs. their 'unnatural' tendency to hinder personal development and achievement is as resonant today as it was in 1967. (4.5 stars)Devil In the Dark-Yet another in the string on winning episodes, this one concerns a conflict between miners and a silicon-based life form. This unusual episode has a strong element of suspense, since we are not only trying to figure out just what's happening, but also worried about what lurks in the dark tunnels. The episode is more than just suspenseful though. Themes explored include the rights of all creatures to survival, and the mammal bias inherent in our notions of both ugliness and maternal love. Star Trek must have been one of the first shows to devote so much thought to ecological/environmental questions, which like so many themes explored by Star Trek has only grown in importance. More research is of course devoted today than ever before to boundary conflicts, and more generally to finding ways to balance our human resource needs with the survival of other species. Tidbit: William Shatner's father died during the production of this episode. (4.5 stars)
Rating: 
Summary: Reaching an emotional core
Review: Two classic episdoes on this DVD, filled with some of the really tough questions. What is paradise? What is considered to be alive? There are just some of the questions which this DVD raises. In "This Side of Paradise", The Enterprise crew becomes infected with a mind altering "spore" which transforms them into an ideal state of mind. The parallel to me from the late 70's is clear: the spores are a metaphor for drugs. The statement being that spores (drugs) might put you in an ideal "place", but without need nor want, there is no reason to exist. In "The Devil in the Dark", a silicon-based lifeform attackes miners because her eggs were being destroyed. The classic "care for our earth" motto and "respect all forms of life" themes are definately being presented. That's the best part of Star Trek. It has its morals, it has its really tough questions. But it was disguised in a way that it was still "entertaining". Best of all, both of these episdoes make you think! The quality of both the sound and the picture are excellent, and of very high quality. Overall, a great buy!
Rating:
Summary: Alien Encounters
Review: Volume 13 of Paramount's complete Star Trek reissue contains two episodes long popular with fans. This Side of Paradise is known primarily as the episode where Spock falls in love. This sensitive story was written by D. C. Fontana, who wrote many of the series' best scripts. Spock had been mostly asexual since the beginning of the series, but when Leonard Nimoy began to receive large quantities of fan mail, the writers decided to come up with a romance for Spock. This episode allows Nimoy to stretch his acting muscles and prove he can do more than merely raise his eyebrow. Seeing Spock come under the influence of the alien spores ("I love you. I can love you.") and finally escape his self-imposed purgatory of logic is akin to watching a butterfly escape from its cocoon. The scene with Kirk alone on the abandoned bridge is a searing portrait of the loneliness of command, excellently acted by Shatner. William Shatner has referred to The Devil in The Dark as his favorite episode. It's easy to see why: the story, dealing with the crew encountering a new life form which makes the crew reconsider their actions, summarizes everything that Star Trek is about. The timelessness of the story makes it possible to overlook the rather dated Horta costume. This episode was also close to Shatner's heart for a very different reason: while filming the Horta mind-meld scene with Leonard Nimoy, he was notified that his father had passed away. Ever the professional, and knowing that he would not be able to catch a flight for several hours, Shatner refused to abandon that day's filming--although the scene remained unfinished until he returned from his father's funeral. Nimoy remained at his side for the remainder of the day, which cemented their relatively new friendship. Fortunately, there are no continuity problems resulting from the break in filming. In a reversal of the norm, Shatner underplays his performance during Spock's agonizing mild-meld with the Horta, allowing Nimoy to shine. The picture has never looked better, with great colors and flesh tones, particularly in the outdoor scenes. The sound has been remastered in multichannel stereo.
Rating:
Summary: Alien Encounters
Review: Volume 13 of Paramount's complete Star Trek reissue contains two episodes long popular with fans. This Side of Paradise is known primarily as the episode where Spock falls in love. This sensitive story was written by D. C. Fontana, who wrote many of the series' best scripts. Spock had been mostly asexual since the beginning of the series, but when Leonard Nimoy began to receive large quantities of fan mail, the writers decided to come up with a romance for Spock. This episode allows Nimoy to stretch his acting muscles and prove he can do more than merely raise his eyebrow. Seeing Spock come under the influence of the alien spores ("I love you. I can love you.") and finally escape his self-imposed purgatory of logic is akin to watching a butterfly escape from its cocoon. The scene with Kirk alone on the abandoned bridge is a searing portrait of the loneliness of command, excellently acted by Shatner. William Shatner has referred to The Devil in The Dark as his favorite episode. It's easy to see why: the story, dealing with the crew encountering a new life form which makes the crew reconsider their actions, summarizes everything that Star Trek is about. The timelessness of the story makes it possible to overlook the rather dated Horta costume. This episode was also close to Shatner's heart for a very different reason: while filming the Horta mind-meld scene with Leonard Nimoy, he was notified that his father had passed away. Ever the professional, and knowing that he would not be able to catch a flight for several hours, Shatner refused to abandon that day's filming--although the scene remained unfinished until he returned from his father's funeral. Nimoy remained at his side for the remainder of the day, which cemented their relatively new friendship. Fortunately, there are no continuity problems resulting from the break in filming. In a reversal of the norm, Shatner underplays his performance during Spock's agonizing mild-meld with the Horta, allowing Nimoy to shine. The picture has never looked better, with great colors and flesh tones, particularly in the outdoor scenes. The sound has been remastered in multichannel stereo.
Rating:
Summary: STAR TREK VOLUME 13 A "LUCKY" COLLECTION OF EPISODES!!!
Review: Volume 13 of The Star Trek TOS DVD series has two of the first seasons most interesting episodes. Although I agree that Spock should have been on the cover instead of Scotty for both episodes include classic moments with the Vulcan Science officer. This DVD finds Leonard Nimoy exploring Spock's character somewhat. The first episode here is THIS SIDE OF PARADISE. I have always found that this episode took a jab at the drug culture of the 1960's but I don't know if anyone agrees with me. The crew beam down to Omicron Ceti III expecting to find a bunch of dead colonists killed by a deadly radiation however instead they find a healthy happy colony. However it is later found out that a native exotic plant with drug like spores has effected the colony protecting them from the radiation but preventing them from making any progress in the colony. Soon the spores begin to affect the entire crew of the Enterprise and everybody abandons Kirk and the ship to live on the paradise including Spock. The episode is a standard Trek outing but it should be noted for Spock bagging the babe for once and of course showing emotions. The only thing that confuses me is why McCoy begins to speak in a ridiculous Southern accent when he is drugged? Silly if you ask me! The other episode here is THE DEVIL IN THE DARK which is one of Trek's finest episodes in the first season and of course Shatner's personal fave. Kirk, Spock and McCoy beam down to mining colony of Janus V after a report monster has been killing 50 miners! It turns out the Monster is actually a silicon based lifeform known as a Horta. The creature is the last of it's kind and highly intelligent. It has laid thousands of bizarre looking eggs and is protecting them from the miners who had invaded on it's nest. In a strange way this episode tackles the racial issues of the sixties. Still this episode is a classic partly because of Spock's mind meld with the Horta creature which is priceless acting. Sure the Horta may look cheesy but the episode itself is great! Overall Volume 13 is a must one classic and one standard but both memorable episodes from the original series. Take a close look at Spock in these episodes it really developes his character. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: STAR TREK VOLUME 13 A "LUCKY" COLLECTION OF EPISODES!!!
Review: Volume 13 of The Star Trek TOS DVD series has two of the first seasons most interesting episodes. Although I agree that Spock should have been on the cover instead of Scotty for both episodes include classic moments with the Vulcan Science officer. This DVD finds Leonard Nimoy exploring Spock's character somewhat. The first episode here is THIS SIDE OF PARADISE. I have always found that this episode took a jab at the drug culture of the 1960's but I don't know if anyone agrees with me. The crew beam down to Omicron Ceti III expecting to find a bunch of dead colonists killed by a deadly radiation however instead they find a healthy happy colony. However it is later found out that a native exotic plant with drug like spores has effected the colony protecting them from the radiation but preventing them from making any progress in the colony. Soon the spores begin to affect the entire crew of the Enterprise and everybody abandons Kirk and the ship to live on the paradise including Spock. The episode is a standard Trek outing but it should be noted for Spock bagging the babe for once and of course showing emotions. The only thing that confuses me is why McCoy begins to speak in a ridiculous Southern accent when he is drugged? Silly if you ask me! The other episode here is THE DEVIL IN THE DARK which is one of Trek's finest episodes in the first season and of course Shatner's personal fave. Kirk, Spock and McCoy beam down to mining colony of Janus V after a report monster has been killing 50 miners! It turns out the Monster is actually a silicon based lifeform known as a Horta. The creature is the last of it's kind and highly intelligent. It has laid thousands of bizarre looking eggs and is protecting them from the miners who had invaded on it's nest. In a strange way this episode tackles the racial issues of the sixties. Still this episode is a classic partly because of Spock's mind meld with the Horta creature which is priceless acting. Sure the Horta may look cheesy but the episode itself is great! Overall Volume 13 is a must one classic and one standard but both memorable episodes from the original series. Take a close look at Spock in these episodes it really developes his character. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: The emotional extremes of Mr. Spock
Review: When you watch the two episodes on Volume 13 of the Star Trek DVD series you will come to the conclusion that it should be Spock and not Scotty who is on the cover. "This Side of Paradise" is the episode where Spock is actually happy for a while. The Enterprise visits Omicron Ceti III, expecting to find all the colonists dead from Berthold radiation. Instead they find a happy, thriving colony. When Spock seeks an explanation from Leila Kalomi, an old friend, she shows the Vulcan a bunch of plants that suddenly spray him with spores, turning him into a happy camper, just like the other colonists. The next thing we know McCoy is beaming the plants up to the Enterprise until the entire crew, include Captain Kirk, have been infected. "This Side of Paradise" is one of the better "accidental" utopias episodes, mainly because seeing Spock smiling and laughing is so unforgettable. We do have to suffer through Kirk's flowery speech on the destiny of mankind (we are intended to march to the drum, not stroll to the flute), but Spock's final line is memorably touching. We see Spock at the other emotional extreme in "The Devil in the Dark." The Enterprise is investigating the death of dozens of miners in the colony on Janus VI. The killings began after the miners opened up new tunnels and discovered thousands of silicon spheres. Eventually Kirk and Spock stumble on the truth: the nodules are really eggs from a species of silicon life known as the Horta. In their ignorance, the miners have been destroying the eggs, thinking them worthless. One of the things I like about this episode is that the miners are actually bothered by this once they learn the truth, so maybe there is some hope for humanity. Spock's mind-meld with the mother Horta, where he weeps for the lost children, is one of Leonard Nimoy's finest moments on the show (think about it: the actor is talking to a fake rock) and even McCoy manages to work a minor medical miracle with a trowel and some thermal concrete. "The Devil in the Dark" is one of my favorite Star Trek episodes and a testament to the show's strengths because it is a very effective episode despite a pretty hokey looking "monster."
Rating:
Summary: The emotional extremes of Mr. Spock
Review: When you watch the two episodes on Volume 13 of the Star Trek DVD series you will come to the conclusion that it should be Spock and not Scotty who is on the cover. "This Side of Paradise" is the episode where Spock is actually happy for a while. The Enterprise visits Omicron Ceti III, expecting to find all the colonists dead from Berthold radiation. Instead they find a happy, thriving colony. When Spock seeks an explanation from Leila Kalomi, an old friend, she shows the Vulcan a bunch of plants that suddenly spray him with spores, turning him into a happy camper, just like the other colonists. The next thing we know McCoy is beaming the plants up to the Enterprise until the entire crew, include Captain Kirk, have been infected. "This Side of Paradise" is one of the better "accidental" utopias episodes, mainly because seeing Spock smiling and laughing is so unforgettable. We do have to suffer through Kirk's flowery speech on the destiny of mankind (we are intended to march to the drum, not stroll to the flute), but Spock's final line is memorably touching. We see Spock at the other emotional extreme in "The Devil in the Dark." The Enterprise is investigating the death of dozens of miners in the colony on Janus VI. The killings began after the miners opened up new tunnels and discovered thousands of silicon spheres. Eventually Kirk and Spock stumble on the truth: the nodules are really eggs from a species of silicon life known as the Horta. In their ignorance, the miners have been destroying the eggs, thinking them worthless. One of the things I like about this episode is that the miners are actually bothered by this once they learn the truth, so maybe there is some hope for humanity. Spock's mind-meld with the mother Horta, where he weeps for the lost children, is one of Leonard Nimoy's finest moments on the show (think about it: the actor is talking to a fake rock) and even McCoy manages to work a minor medical miracle with a trowel and some thermal concrete. "The Devil in the Dark" is one of my favorite Star Trek episodes and a testament to the show's strengths because it is a very effective episode despite a pretty hokey looking "monster."
Rating:
Summary: The emotional extremes of Mr. Spock
Review: When you watch the two episodes on Volume 13 of the Star Trek DVD series you will come to the conclusion that it should be Spock and not Scotty who is on the cover. "This Side of Paradise" is the episode where Spock is actually happy for a while. The Enterprise visits Omicron Ceti III, expecting to find all the colonists dead from Berthold radiation. Instead they find a happy, thriving colony. When Spock seeks an explanation from Leila Kalomi, an old friend, she shows the Vulcan a bunch of plants that suddenly spray him with spores, turning him into a happy camper, just like the other colonists. The next thing we know McCoy is beaming the plants up to the Enterprise until the entire crew, include Captain Kirk, have been infected. "This Side of Paradise" is one of the better "accidental" utopias episodes, mainly because seeing Spock smiling and laughing is so unforgettable. We do have to suffer through Kirk's flowery speech on the destiny of mankind (we are intended to march to the drum, not stroll to the flute), but Spock's final line is memorably touching. We see Spock at the other emotional extreme in "The Devil in the Dark." The Enterprise is investigating the death of dozens of miners in the colony on Janus VI. The killings began after the miners opened up new tunnels and discovered thousands of silicon spheres. Eventually Kirk and Spock stumble on the truth: the nodules are really eggs from a species of silicon life known as the Horta. In their ignorance, the miners have been destroying the eggs, thinking them worthless. One of the things I like about this episode is that the miners are actually bothered by this once they learn the truth, so maybe there is some hope for humanity. Spock's mind-meld with the mother Horta, where he weeps for the lost children, is one of Leonard Nimoy's finest moments on the show (think about it: the actor is talking to a fake rock) and even McCoy manages to work a minor medical miracle with a trowel and some thermal concrete. "The Devil in the Dark" is one of my favorite Star Trek episodes and a testament to the show's strengths because it is a very effective episode despite a pretty hokey looking "monster."
Rating:
Summary: Two of the best episodes of the original Star Trek
Review: Without a doubt, if you get any of the volumes of the original Star Trek series instead of getting separate episodes, there's not a much better choice than this one. It includes two of the best episodes of the original series that Star Trek ever put out. You have one ("This Side Of Paradise") where Kirk and the crew venture to a planet only to find people that live in peace and paradise, and they must do something to keep from falling into the land's spell and becoming completely peaceful themselves. In the other one ("Devil In The Dark") you'll witness the Enterprise crew in one of their most exciting adventures in which they travel to an underground mine and seek out a monster that can burrow through solid rock. Both of these episodes are Star Trek classics, and if you're a fan of the original series, I strongly recommend getting Volume 13 of Star Trek - The Original Series.
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