REQUIRED VIEWING:
GREAT TOS EPISODES
This is a section where I discuss certain Star Trek episodes and why I like them, within the realm of this website.  The criteria for discussion includes:

Kinds of technological gadgetry being used on the Enterprise
Nice use of science fiction
Good drama, but no melodrama
Classic "themes" of Star Trek:  Character development and focus
Action, especially space battle

I also have a separate page dealing with the Star Trek movies, and what to watch for in those.  Click here for that page.
What makes for good Star Trek?  The whole concept behind Star Trek, as conceived by Gene Roddenberry, is an optimistic view of the future.  Instead of showing a corny sci-fi TV show filled with goofy aliens, unbelievable stories and evil enemies (watch Lost in Space for these), GR created a show that dealt with how 20th century man faced future space exploration.  Star Trek was to focus on the characters.  As a contrast, Star Wars focuses on action, aliens and exotic worlds (not that there's anything wrong with that). 
As a result, Star Trek ended its three-year run with seventy-nine episodes, with a mixture of good and bad episodes.  I've seen on other Star Trek websites that "Spock's Brain" is agreed as being one of the worst episodes, and "City on the Edge of Forever" is one of the best.  Obviously, individual opinions are always debatable, but I agree:  "Spock's Brain" was really bad.  With Gene Roddenberry's and Gene Coon's strict guidelines on stories, scripts and production, I often wonder how the lousy episodes got made.  Of the seventy-nine episodes are a few that not only made the grade as good Star Trek, but also absolutely great science fiction.  Click on the links below to get my take on great episodes.

Note:  I will be adding to this list as I get a chance to see more episodes on Sci-Fi channel.  Although I have been watching TOS since I was little, I need to watch them more closely right now so I can discuss them on this website.
ALL TIME GREAT TOS EPISODES
The Man Trap
Gallileo 7
The Trouble with Tribbles
Balance of Terror
Space Seed
Errand of Mercy
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