Rating: 
Summary: Only the best from TOS!
Review: Next to SPACE SEED and THE CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER, both episodes included on this DVD are by far two of the best ever. Both are extremely well written and directed, and feature great and memorable guest star appearances. The first episodes in 1966 were understandably and predictably introductory compared to the later episodes around 1967, 1968, and 1969. What made these two work so well is they revolve around a realistic story.WARNING - POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!! CHARLIE X: Robert Walker Jr. guest stars as Charles "Charlie" Evans, a boy with special powers who is welcomed aboard the Enterprise during a routine space flight from the vessel Anteres. Things become complicated when Charlie develops a crush on Yeoman Rand, and begins to display feelings of hostility towards any crewmembers who get in his way. After the Anteres vessel is destroyed, Kirk becomes suspicious of Charlie. The theme of parental responsibility. Charlie illustrates an example of a young boy, who is confused and frustrated. He tries to be nice to those he encounters, especially women who he has a flame for, yet has a hint of anger and danger about him just beneath the surface. As adolescents we all grew up this way, and naturally many of us who grew up watching this show can view as more than a classical entry. It serves as an episode to educate. There are many extreme moments when Charlie induces crewmembers to freeze, spout poetry, turn into lizards, have their faces erased, or simply disappear. There are also moments of heartbreak when Yeoman Rand disciplines Charlie for overacting his emotions. A truly classic episode. BALANCE OF TERROR: An important episode for three reasons. 1) The debut of the Romulans, and Mark Lenard (later played Sarek) guest starring as the Romulan Commander. 2) An episode focusing on the grim reality of war. 3) An episode also focusing on prejudicial behavior. The wedding ceremony of crewmembers Robert Tomlinson and Angela Martine is interrupted when Federation Outposts fall under attack. The Enterprise moves into investigate, but they find themselves intruding into the Romulan Neutral Zone. When Earth Outpost 4 is destroyed, it is evident Romulans are behind the attack. When transmissions are able to be made, the crew is astounded (us as viewers likewise) to discover Romulans resemble Vulcans, which causes Crewman Andrew Stiles to display feelings of distrust and bigotry to Spock. The Romulans perfect a cloaking device on their ship, which they must deactivate in order to attack. A deadly game of cat and mouse ensues. Under Paul Schneider's screenplay this episode is a true classic. It has moments of mystery as before crossing Romulan Space, they are believed to be a race bent on war and destruction. Yet no one has seen or knows anything about them. There is also the footnote of Crewman Stiles, who had a Father killed during a Romulan battle. No doubt he has a personal vendetta to settle. There are elements of who is the more tactical. The Romulans possessing weaponry much superior to Kirk and the Enterprise, and who is the more clever with sneak attacks and evasive maneuvers. I personally like the moments when the Enterprise is badly hit, and is forced to shut off power to avoid detection. When Spock is repair phaser thrusters, he accidentally triggers the reactivation button. Also when the Enterprise crew helplessly watches the destruction of Outpost 4, they see an illusion of a laser fired from the Romulan ship to destroy the outpost. Later when the Romulans fire the very same laser at the Enterprise, it cleverly echoes the Outpost 4 destruction - only this time it is no illusion. Lastly there is the theme of war fatalities. When a phaser coolant overheats, Stiles and Tomlinson are rendered unconscious leaving them wide open for the Romulans to fire for full destruction effect. Spock heroically enters the room and presses the firing button, and the Romulan ship is disabled. Kirk communicates with the Romulan Commander through a transmission asking him to beam aboard to safety. The Commander refuses and self destructs his ship. He unforgettably states "You and I are another kind. In a different reality, I could have called you friend." Every time I see it, I can't help but shed a tear. The Enterprise crew is victorious, unfortunately one crewman was killed: Tomlinson - the boy who was going to marry! BALANCE OF TERROR ends with a tearjerking scene when Kirk consoles a grieving Angela Martine. Truly unforgettable classic episodes - BUY THEM!
Rating:
Summary: DVD TREK!!!!!!!
Review: Not since I saw the Star Trek movies comming out on dvd have I been this excited. I already ow the first two volumes and plan on getting the other 38. A must for trek fans.
Rating: 
Summary: PARAMOUNT,PLEASE TAKE NOTE.
Review: Please note,Paramount,that there are Star trek videos of the original series(released in Britain,Australia etc)that have introductions by original cast members(James Doohan,George Takei etc).Why not put these on the DVD's as well?
Rating: 
Summary: The youth from hell and "The Enemy Below."
Review: Star Trek: The Original Series Volume 4 presents two episodes originally aired in 1966: "Charlie X:" A troubled adolescent with powerful telekinetic abilites comes aboard the Enterprise and horrifyingly subjects the crew to his undisciplined, torturous powers. Writers Gene Roddenberry and Dorthy Fontana serve up a mature and utterly captivating yarn of space horror that further explores the "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely" theme, which was well presented in the (second) pilot "Where No Man Has Gone Before" (episode #2). Highly memorable. GRADE A+ "Balance of Terror:" The Enterprise plays cat and mouse with a cloaked (i.e. invisible) Romulan ship in this space version of "The Enemy Below." This is Mark Lenard's first role for Star Trek as the Romulan commander. He is much better known as Spock's Vulcan father Sarek, who first appears in the second season episode "Journey to Babel" (episode #44). Interestingly, Lenard would also go on to play a klingon in "Star Trek: The Motion Picture." He thus holds the distinction for being the only actor to play a Romulan, a Vulcan and a Klingon on Star Trek. Bottom Line: Okay, but generally boring; ridiculously overrated by some. Grade: B- (I'm being generous)
Rating:
Summary: The youth from hell and "The Enemy Below."
Review: Star Trek: The Original Series Volume 4 presents two episodes originally aired in 1966: "Charlie X:" A troubled adolescent with powerful telekinetic abilites comes aboard the Enterprise and horrifyingly subjects the crew to his undisciplined, torturous powers. Writers Gene Roddenberry and Dorthy Fontana serve up a mature and utterly captivating yarn of space horror that further explores the "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely" theme, which was well presented in the (second) pilot "Where No Man Has Gone Before" (episode #2). Highly memorable. GRADE A+ "Balance of Terror:" The Enterprise plays cat and mouse with a cloaked (i.e. invisible) Romulan ship in this space version of "The Enemy Below." This is Mark Lenard's first role for Star Trek as the Romulan commander. He is much better known as Spock's Vulcan father Sarek, who first appears in the second season episode "Journey to Babel" (episode #44). Interestingly, Lenard would also go on to play a klingon in "Star Trek: The Motion Picture." He thus holds the distinction for being the only actor to play a Romulan, a Vulcan and a Klingon on Star Trek. Bottom Line: Okay, but generally boring; ridiculously overrated by some. Grade: B- (I'm being generous)
Rating:
Summary: Review for Charlie X.
Review: This is the one true villain that almost killed our beloved Captain Kirk. I've had this on VCR for years, and am thinking of purchasing it for our DVD. By it!
Rating:
Summary: Review for Charlie X.
Review: This is the one true villain that almost killed our beloved Captain Kirk. I've had this on VCR for years, and am thinking of purchasing it for our DVD. Bye it!
Rating:
Summary: Nice transfer of two pretty good earlyTreks
Review: Two good early episodes of classic Trek, though "Balance of Terror" is by far the better. The other episode is not bad, but I always hated when they used little kids as the terror of the week on "Star Trek". Having said that, "Charlie X" is not nearly so terrible as the unwatchable "And the Children Shall Lead" from the third season. Anyway, enough rambling on-- this DVD offers great picture and sound, and these episodes never looked better.
Rating:
Summary: Nice transfer of two pretty good earlyTreks
Review: Two good early episodes of classic Trek, though "Balance of Terror" is by far the better. The other episode is not bad, but I always hated when they used little kids as the terror of the week on "Star Trek". Having said that, "Charlie X" is not nearly so terrible as the unwatchable "And the Children Shall Lead" from the third season. Anyway, enough rambling on-- this DVD offers great picture and sound, and these episodes never looked better.
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST DVD'S IN THE CLASSIC STAR TREK COLLECTION!!!
Review: Volume 4 is one of the better pair of episodes that The Star Trek Original Series DVD collection has to offer. Both are classics and have been considered some of the series better Trek stories. The first one here is "CHARLIE X" which was one of the first Trek episodes I ever saw. It is a rather tragic tale about a bizarre young teenage boy with extra ordinary powers. Charlie (played by Robert Walker Jr.) was the only survivor in a ship crash when he was a little baby. Somehow he survived for 17 years until he was rescued by The Antaris another space ship. However when he is brought aboard the Enterprise, a misunderstood Charlie tries to fit in and if he is unsuccessful the crewmen feel the rath of his powers.
Pretty soon the crew feels fairly threatend by the teenager especialy Yeoman Janis Rand who Charlie has began to show a liking to. It is up to Capt. Kirk to stop Charlie from destroying the enitre Enterprise crew. It turns out the Charlie was raised by a group of bizarre aliens who gave him those powers however because he was not taught the human way of life, Charlie is considered extraordinarily dangerous and is not allowed to lead a normal huan life. Therefore the tragic thing is a misunderstood human boy must spend the rest of his life with a group of aliens who have no feelings or emotions. Somewhat of a sad end if you ask me. The second episode is "THE BALANCE OF TERROR" which remains a favourite among many fans of the show including me. Capt. Kirk is sent to investigate and help earth outposts that have been attack by a mysterious vessel. It turns out to be the Romulans ,whose star system is close by. As the Romulan ship begins to head for home, the Enterprise begins to pursue it. For if it reaches the neutral zone between the Federation and Romulan star empires it could lead to an intergalactic war. This episode is like a submarine movie almost which pits the strategic mind of Kirk against The Romulan Commander (Mark Lenard whom would later play Spock's dad!). Overall Volume 4 is perhaps one of the best DVD's is this series. It features two great episodes that have aged quite well. This is a must for all Trekkies or just plain fans of the how like me. Highly recommended!
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