Rating: 
Summary: THEY CHANGED THE MUSIC!!
Review: Paramount CHANGED the opening theme music for all the DVD's. It is too bad that Paramount did this but maybe with some feedback they might go and replace the original music. Listen to the Paramount CHANGED the opening theme music for all the DVD's. It is too bad that Paramount did this but maybe with some feedback they might go and replace the original music. Listen to the difference at vidiot.com/sttosDVD/sttheme1.html
Rating: 
Summary: "It's a mystery... and I don't like mysteries!"
Review: REVIEWED ITEM: Star Trek® Original Series DVD Volume 3: The Man Trap© / The Naked Time©THE MAN TRAP© PRELIMINARY BRIEFS: Basic Moral, Ethical, and/or Philosophical Subject Being Driven Into The Ground: Survival and Extinction; Allowing Nature To Take Its Course Notable Historical Milestone: Although not the pilot episode, The Man Trap© is the very first Star Trek™ episode to be broadcast over the TV airwaves (September 8, 1966) Notable Goof/Gaffe: Spock says that Vulcan has no moon in a bridge scene here. But during the kolinahr scene in Star Trek™ The Motion Picture©, there are several moonlike planetoids clearly visible in the Vulcan sky. Expendable Crewmember ('Red Shirt') Casualty List: 4 Dead (none of whom actually wore a red tunic) REVIEW & COMMENTARY: Although it's not the first episode in the way of Star Trek's continuity, it does feature the first 'red-shirt' death, and McCoy's first utterance of 'He's dead, Jim' to be broadcast on the boob tube. The Man Trap© is also notable for showing Star Trek™'s first shape-shifter, a salt-sucking creature that, with the help of telepathic powers, can mimic the appearance and personality of anyone, and blend in. Fortunately, Spock's Vulcan anatomy keeps him from becoming another course on the creature's meal ticket, marking the first use of the "Spock's Non-Human Anatomy Explaining How He Survived and Recovered From Traumas That Would've Killed Ordinary Humans" plot gimmick. One particular moment that I enjoyed for its silliness is the botany lab scene, featuring a fairly goofy-looking venus-flytrap type plant that has the uncanny resemblance to a hand and forearm covered in green cloth with pink petals on the fingers! Hey, you don't think...? Hmmm... THE NAKED TIME© PRELIMINARY BRIEFS: Basic Moral, Ethical, and/or Philosophical Subject Being Driven Into The Ground: The Hazards Of Losing One's Inhibitions Notable Historical Milestone: The first episode to be blatantly ripped off by Star Trek: The Next Generation™ (The Naked Now©) Notable Goof/Gaffe: Actually, the 'gaffe' status of this scene has been debated for some time-it's considered a slip-up to some Trekkies, intentional to others. Anyway, here's the deal: Scotty and another engineering officer are using hand phasers to cut through a bulkhead. But the thing is, the neither of the phasers emit a visible beam. Now here's the focus of the debate: Is the beam of a hand phaser set to 'cutting' mode actually invisible, or did the effects department forget to animate the beams into the frames during postproduction? Now I know what you're thinkin', and my answer is this: yes, this little quandary really is something that many hardcore UberTrekkies obsess over. Sad, is it not? Expendable Crewmember ('Red Shirt') Casualty List: 1 Dead REVIEW & COMMENTARY: A nearly undetectable 'booze-bug' that causes people to act like they're intoxicated starts to spread and affect the Enterprise crew. Mister Sulu goes shirtless-- and not just a bit over-the-top-- as he lives out his swashbuckling fantasy of being a member of the Three Musketeers™ (oh my!). Nurse Chapel professes her undying love to Spock, which leads to the half-Vulcan science officer losing control of his emotions and ending up a sobbing mess in the conference room. Captain Kirk is suddenly afraid he's losing his ship. Throw in Mr. Scott's now-famous "I cannot change the laws of physics!" line, a dire situation that the crew get themselves into then miraculously get themselves out of, and a classic bit of sniping between Spock and Dr. McCoy, and you have one of classic Trek's better outings. Oh yeah, let's not forget the discovery of a new method of time travel to top things off! Ya just gotta love the Advanced-Technology (heh) look of the helm's analog chronometer as the hours and minutes roll back during the going-backwards-in-time scene! 'Late
Rating: 
Summary: A hideous salt-sucker and a drunken party.
Review: Star Trek: The Original Series Volume 3 presents two episodes originally aired in 1966: "The Man Trap:" A shape-shifting creature that drains its victims of their natural salt content terrorizes the Enterprise crew. Even though this segment was the sixth Trek episode produced (if you count the first pilot, "The Cage") it was the public's first taste of Star Trek, debuting September 8, 1966. The creators obviously chose "The Man Trap" to lead off the series because it best exemplified Star Trek's "strange new worlds" concept. This is an excellent horror/mystery story, both haunting and tragic (inexplicably criticized by William Shatner in his book 'Star Trek Memories' as "a dreadful show, one of our worst ever" -- Huh? Did we see the same show?). A great first exposure for the masses, which nicely establishes the tone of the series; but it strangely got mediocre reviews -- the fools! GRADE: A "The Naked Time:" This is one of my personal faves. The Enterprise crew gets infected by a space virus that causes them to lose all inhibitions resulting in ship-wide pandemonium. This episode answers one of the most burning questions of the series: Why does Kirk go after EVERY female he meets in the galaxy -- including aliens and androids? Because he's not allowed to fraternize with any of the women on his ship! (If this is true then what was he doing with Helen Noel at the ship's Christmas party as revealed in "Dagger of the Mind" [episode #11]? Ms. Noel is so incredibly gorgeous that Kirk can be forgiven this one transgression). Bottom Line: A fan favorite because it's got everything a viewer might be in the mood for -- mystery, drama, comedy, romance, action and suspense. It also happens to be a great episode in which to get to know the characters, seeing as how they all get to 'let loose.' WATCH OUT for the powerful scene in which Chapel admits her love to the emotionally distant Spock. GRADE: A+
Rating:
Summary: A hideous salt-sucker and a drunken party.
Review: Star Trek: The Original Series Volume 3 presents two episodes originally aired in 1966: "The Man Trap:" A shape-shifting creature that drains its victims of their natural salt content terrorizes the Enterprise crew. Even though this segment was the sixth Trek episode produced (if you count the first pilot, "The Cage") it was the public's first taste of Star Trek, debuting September 8, 1966. The creators obviously chose "The Man Trap" to lead off the series because it best exemplified Star Trek's "strange new worlds" concept. This is an excellent horror/mystery story, both haunting and tragic (inexplicably criticized by William Shatner in his book 'Star Trek Memories' as "a dreadful show, one of our worst ever" -- Huh? Did we see the same show?). A great first exposure for the masses, which nicely establishes the tone of the series; but it strangely got mediocre reviews -- the fools! GRADE: A "The Naked Time:" This is one of my personal faves. The Enterprise crew gets infected by a space virus that causes them to lose all inhibitions resulting in ship-wide pandemonium. This episode answers one of the most burning questions of the series: Why does Kirk go after EVERY female he meets in the galaxy -- including aliens and androids? Because he's not allowed to fraternize with any of the women on his ship! (If this is true then what was he doing with Helen Noel at the ship's Christmas party as revealed in "Dagger of the Mind" [episode #11]? Ms. Noel is so incredibly gorgeous that Kirk can be forgiven this one transgression). Bottom Line: A fan favorite because it's got everything a viewer might be in the mood for -- mystery, drama, comedy, romance, action and suspense. It also happens to be a great episode in which to get to know the characters, seeing as how they all get to 'let loose.' WATCH OUT for the powerful scene in which Chapel admits her love to the emotionally distant Spock. GRADE: A+
Rating:
Summary: Star Trek gaining momentum
Review: The Man Trap-This episode, in which we meet a salt-craving creature with shape-changing abilities, was the first Trek episode to air. While decent enough, it certainly is not an exceptional episode. While it is conceivable that this was the only episode completed in time, more likely it was selected because it was not what NBC had called `too cerebral'. Other factors that NBC might have liked include the fact that it was largely planet-based and had an alien that `looked like an alien.' While this episode does touch on loneliness, the subjectivity of beauty, and all creatures' right to survival, it does no more than touch on these themes. As an action episode, it's no more than passable, and again everything from the delivery of the lines to the music is slow, slow, slow (compared to even one year later). The episode is, quite honestly, most memorable for 1) the well-designed vampire, and 2) the shock-value of humans being preyed upon. (2.5 stars) The Naked Time-This episode, in which a virus causes the crew to lose their inhibitions, was the best offering yet from the new show. The episode commences with an effective teaser, and the story unfolds at a good pace once aboard the Enterprise. The basic premise is a good one, since it enables the cast to both playfully embellish their roles and have some serious ruminations. The episode certainly has its share of action, and is one of the more creative `Enterprise in danger' shows. We are also introduced to adult themes such as tradeoffs between duty and responsibility on the one hand and joyous, unconstrained intoxication on the other. Some of the soul-searching monologues are a bit much though for characters who weren't exactly our friends yet (this was the 3rd show to air), and as others have noted Nimoy-who seems to really need to believe in the material-was not terribly effective here. The same can (as usual) be said of Takei, and the inclusion of a `drunken Irishman' character was also somewhat unfortunate. The boomerang premise is also kind of silly, but what the heck, enough hating; this is Star Trek, and it's a good episode. (4 stars)
Rating:
Summary: Star Trek gaining momentum
Review: The Man Trap-This episode, in which we meet a salt-craving creature with shape-changing abilities, was the first Trek episode to air. While decent enough, it certainly is not an exceptional episode. While it is conceivable that this was the only episode completed in time, more likely it was selected because it was not what NBC had called 'too cerebral'. Other factors that NBC might have liked include the fact that it was largely planet-based and had an alien that 'looked like an alien.' While this episode does touch on loneliness, the subjectivity of beauty, and all creatures' right to survival, it does no more than touch on these themes. As an action episode, it's no more than passable, and again everything from the delivery of the lines to the music is slow, slow, slow (compared to even one year later). The episode is, quite honestly, most memorable for 1) the well-designed vampire, and 2) the shock-value of humans being preyed upon. (2.5 stars) The Naked Time-This episode, in which a virus causes the crew to lose their inhibitions, was the best offering yet from the new show. The episode commences with an effective teaser, and the story unfolds at a good pace once aboard the Enterprise. The basic premise is a good one, since it enables the cast to both playfully embellish their roles and have some serious ruminations. The episode certainly has its share of action, and is one of the more creative 'Enterprise in danger' shows. We are also introduced to adult themes such as tradeoffs between duty and responsibility on the one hand and joyous, unconstrained intoxication on the other. Some of the soul-searching monologues are a bit much though for characters who weren't exactly our friends yet (this was the 3rd show to air), and as others have noted Nimoy-who seems to really need to believe in the material-was not terribly effective here. The same can (as usual) be said of Takei, and the inclusion of a 'drunken Irishman' character was also somewhat unfortunate. The boomerang premise is also kind of silly, but what the heck, enough hating; this is Star Trek, and it's a good episode. (4 stars)
Rating:
Summary: Two early Star Trek episodes that were really too early
Review: The one thing that the two episodes on Volume 3 of the Star Trek DVD series have in common is that they both should have come much later in the show's run. In "The Man Trap," we find out that once upon a time Leonard McCoy was romantically involved with Nancy Crater, who is working with her husband Robert on the distant planet M-113. When the Enterprise arrives to give the researchers their yearly physicals, crewmen start dying from complete salt deprivation. It turns out that Nancy has been dead for a year, and her place has been taken by a salt vampire. But this is "Episode 6," a point where we are still finding out about McCoy and his relationship to Kirk and Spock; i.e., too soon to really care about his past. Besides, Star Trek never really did all that well with traditional monsters. "The Man Trap" is a slightly below average Star Trek episode. Then, in "The Naked Time" an away team finds six scientists dead on planet Psi 2000. When one of the crew takes the glove of his isolation suit off, a small drop of red liquid moves onto his hand. When they return to the Enterprise the crewmembers start acting strangely; Sulu runs around with a fencer's foil, Riley takes over engineering and keeps singing "I'll Take You Home Kathleen," and even Spock becomes an emotional wreck. The strange liquid from the planet affects everyone like alcohol and bares their souls. This is absolutely a great idea, but for "Episode 7"? This is just way too early for Spock to have his meltdown. Ironically, STNG made the same mistake with "The Naked Now" being Episode THREE for crying out loud. Of course, in syndication these concerns are less important because we the second/third/nth time you want a Star Trek episode you can put it in the context of the entire series. Still, way back when, they were really getting a bit ahead of the game with this pair of episodes, although "The Naked Time" is an above average episode.
Rating:
Summary: Two early Star Trek episodes that were really too early
Review: The one thing that the two episodes on Volume 3 of the Star Trek DVD series have in common is that they both should have come much later in the show's run. In "The Man Trap," we find out that once upon a time Leonard McCoy was romantically involved with Nancy Crater, who is working with her husband Robert on the distant planet M-113. When the Enterprise arrives to give the researchers their yearly physicals, crewmen start dying from complete salt deprivation. It turns out that Nancy has been dead for a year, and her place has been taken by a salt vampire. But this is "Episode 6," a point where we are still finding out about McCoy and his relationship to Kirk and Spock; i.e., too soon to really care about his past. Besides, Star Trek never really did all that well with traditional monsters. "The Man Trap" is a slightly below average Star Trek episode. Then, in "The Naked Time" an away team finds six scientists dead on planet Psi 2000. When one of the crew takes the glove of his isolation suit off, a small drop of red liquid moves onto his hand. When they return to the Enterprise the crewmembers start acting strangely; Sulu runs around with a fencer's foil, Riley takes over engineering and keeps singing "I'll Take You Home Kathleen," and even Spock becomes an emotional wreck. The strange liquid from the planet affects everyone like alcohol and bares their souls. This is absolutely a great idea, but for "Episode 7"? This is just way too early for Spock to have his meltdown. Ironically, STNG made the same mistake with "The Naked Now" being Episode THREE for crying out loud. Of course, in syndication these concerns are less important because we the second/third/nth time you want a Star Trek episode you can put it in the context of the entire series. Still, way back when, they were really getting a bit ahead of the game with this pair of episodes, although "The Naked Time" is an above average episode.
Rating:
Summary: Two early Star Trek episodes that were really too early
Review: The one thing that the two episodes on Volume 3 of the Star Trek DVD series have in common is that they both should have come much later in the show's run. In "The Man Trap," we find out that once upon a time Leonard McCoy was romantically involved with Nancy Crater, who is working with her husband Robert on the distant planet M-113. When the Enterprise arrives to give the researchers their yearly physicals, crewmen start dying from complete salt deprivation. It turns out that Nancy has been dead for a year, and her place has been taken by a salt vampire. But this is "Episode 6," a point where we are still finding out about McCoy and his relationship to Kirk and Spock; i.e., too soon to really care about his past. Besides, Star Trek never really did all that well with traditional monsters. "The Man Trap" is a slightly below average Star Trek episode. Then, in "The Naked Time" an away team finds six scientists dead on planet Psi 2000. When one of the crew takes the glove of his isolation suit off, a small drop of red liquid moves onto his hand. When they return to the Enterprise the crewmembers start acting strangely; Sulu runs around with a fencer's foil, Riley takes over engineering and keeps singing "I'll Take You Home Kathleen," and even Spock becomes an emotional wreck. The strange liquid from the planet affects everyone like alcohol and bares their souls. This is absolutely a great idea, but for "Episode 7"? This is just way too early for Spock to have his meltdown. Ironically, STNG made the same mistake with "The Naked Now" being Episode THREE for crying out loud. Of course, in syndication these concerns are less important because we the second/third/nth time you want a Star Trek episode you can put it in the context of the entire series. Still, way back when, they were really getting a bit ahead of the game with this pair of episodes, although "The Naked Time" is an above average episode.
Rating:
Summary: Finding Their Way on the Final Frontier
Review: These two early episodes from the first season of Classic Trek find the cast of the Star Trek settling into their characters and becoming aquainted with Trek terminology. Although The Man Trap was the sixth installment filmed, it was the first to be broadcast, preceding even the pilot episode, Where No Man Has Gone Before. This was not a good strategy. The episode received mostly negative reviews, and even William Shatner has referred to this story as one of the worst in the series' history. There IS a sense of "unreality" which pervades the episode, of things not quite being "right." At this point, the actors have still not quite nailed down their characters: Shatner's impish humor has not yet found expression in Kirk; Spock is still shouting; McCoy is not yet bickering with Spock. There are a few nice touches here, however. When Professor Crater is stunned, his voice is slowed down to create an effect of grogginess. Also, Wah Chang's design for the Salt Vampire is truly frightening. (I remember, as a child, hiding behind the TV whenever the monster would appear. Apparently, I was safe there!) Still, this installment is far from the series' best. The Naked Time is just the opposite. The story's concept of revealing the characters' hidden desires and fears allows for the audience to know their motivations early on. Gene Roddenberry apparently thought highly of this concept, as it was reused--much less effectively--in The Next Generation episode The Naked Now. Aside from the excellent writing, this episode works thanks to the excellent performances from all involved--but in the last analysis the story belongs to Leonard Nimoy. His portrayal of Spock's two halves being at war with each other gave the writers excellent story-writing material throughout the series. The picture has been remarkably restored, with bold colors which do not degrade into fuzziness. The sound has been effectively, but tastefully, enhanced into multi-channels.
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