Although I was rationing myself to about one episode (okay occasionally two) a day today I binged on the final four episodes.

I never owned any of the previous 2eps. per disc dvd volumes and so I cannpt comment on them. But having finished watching this 1st season box set I can say that I have never seen Star Trek like this before. Time can serve to dull and obscure memory even with something we believe ourselves to be very familiar with, but even seeing the original episodes digitally remastered on television several years did not prepare me for this. Watching these episodes again in this format is almost akin to seeing the series as new for the first time...with the exception that one knows the familiar stories beforehand.

As has been mentioned elsewhere by myself and others the picture quality seen here is wonderful. Only on very rare occasion did I notice a two seconds or so scene where the transfer mayn't have been on par with the rest, but it happened only perhaps two or three times over the 28 episodes...and only once that I can clearly remember specifically. The clarity of the picture brings forth detail that was essentially invisible to previous viewings of the episodes on television. It serves to show the production staff's impressive attention to detail even when little of it would even be seen in earlier broadcasts. Yes, the clarity does occasionally show the constraints of production budget they had to work with, but such instances are really rather rare or at least they were to my eye. In concert with the clarity of image I must also express my admiration for the show's use of rich and varied colour as well as wonderful use of light and shadow. Over the years previous airings of the show were offering us episodes that were ever fading over time, subsequently giving us and later viewers a skewed and less-than-favourable impression of the series' appearance and production standards. Watching the episodes on these transfers one no longer has the overriding impression of an overly sterile grey and austere ship interior.

The audio quality of the viewing experience is also impressive. I was hearing things I never imagined were actually there before, and in many instances it really served to add more depth to the overall atmosphere of the scenes and story.

All in all this is not only a rewarding experience for the longtime Star Trek fan, but it's also the best way to introduce a newcomer to the series.

For those truly familiar with the episodes there are (or may be) down notes. On one specific instance there is tampering with the original sound f/x in "Balance Of Terror" and another instance of tampering with a music track at the beginning of of "The Menagerie, Part II." And I defy anyone at Paramount to offer a valid justification for such nonsensical alterations. Also I am less than impressed with the extra features. Okuda's commentary got on my nerves and the accompanying booklet was essentially useless and immediately disposable (which I indeed did forthwith). The interviews were mildly interesting, but much more has been seen and said elsewhere regarding the original series and it is to Paramount's shame that such materiel was not included here.

I reserve my impression of the stories themselves until last because they are but only enhanced by the improved sound and picture quality. Albeit that it is strictly my opinion I don't see a bad episode in the lot of 1st season even though a couple may not be all they could have been. The writing itself is the true legacy of Star Trek in that overall it still stands as exceptional work even in comparison with today's best efforts. In my opinion 1st Season not only remains as the best of the three in Star Trek, but also stands as the best in all in any Trek that followed. And what remains even more impressive is that the show hit the ground running and remained engaging even as it was obviously an evolving work in progress as things were established on the run. Truly excellent.

Now it's a matter of enduring a month and a half wait before I can dive into the 2nd season box set. Arrgh! PAIN!

Long live Star Trek. :)

I am a newbie and I bought season one. I figured 100,000 Trekkies couldn't be wrong...I have only watched the first episode called the Mantrap...I enjoyed it very much.

Thankfully, I can see there's no need to dump my $600 investment in the individual episode disks and get this set, if the extras aren't all that good.

Enjoy the rest (Both of you)!

Yeah, what John P said.

^^ I'd always suspected that Paramount would go the boxed set route for ClassicTrek eventually, and that coupled with I could never justify the price of the 2-episodes-per-disc volumes enabled me to wait...and wait wait and wait and...well, finally here they are.

It was about $1,200.00 for TOS on Laser Disc. I did not wish to spend the cash for it then but now they may be a little less.

Does anybody know if the Laser discs are a better quality? I think the discs were CAV.

I don't know, but my guess would be that the lasers would not be as saturated or crisp owing to the new digital remaster for the DVDs.

Thankfully, I can see there's no need to dump my $600 investment in the individual episode disks and get this set, if the extras aren't all that good.

Enjoy the rest (Both of you)!


Since many episodes state "copyright 1978 paramount pictures" after the closing credits, can we deduce that these episodes are digitally remastered from the 1978 video release? This would explain a lot, including the incorrect opening/closing credits theme music on most episodes.

Too bad they didn't, or couldn't master off the original prints.

How sad, and cheap of them. :(

The reason for the 1978 copyright is this:

In 1968, when Gulf+Western bought Desilu and merged it with it's neighbor, Paramount, Desilu, effectively, ceased to exist.

In the mid '70's, a company called Thunderbird Films began marketing 16mm film copies of episodes from the first two seasons of Star Trek. Paramount, having gotten wind of this, immediately issued a cist & disease order to halt Thunderbird Films from selling any further copies of the series episodes. Thunderbird ignored the order and continued selling the prints.

Paramount was incensed.

A lawsuit was issued. Paramount charged that Thunderbird Films was engaged in an illegal effort by selling film copies of episodes that were protected under their copyright.

Paramount lost the case.

It was discovered during the court proceedings that the copyright was not transferred when the purchase of Desilu occurred. Someone was supposed to transfer the copyright from the first two seasons of Star Trek from Desilu to Paramount. That someone goofed. The copyright transfer never took place, and the first two seasons of Star Trek were copyrighted by an entity that no longer existed. Hence, they could be considered public domain and Thunderbird could continue to sell their copies of the episodes until proper ownership of the series could be reestablished.

In 1978, Paramount applied and was granted copyright ownership of the first two seasons and added the notice accordingly to the end of the episodes.

And there you go.

IIRC, the episodes were remastered before their airing on the SciFi Channel and it was that version that was then released to DVD in two-episode discs. This would also be the same version in the boxed set.

I plan on watching all of the episodes of season one...I am halfway through the boy with mental powers episode...What episodes are REALLY good? Any I should watch out for?

I'm too affectioantely jaded by four decades of watching to be able to tell you that ANY episode should be avoided (well, "And the Children Shall Lead" had NO redeeming qualities). Watch them all, appreciate them all, lose your head into the times. See what ya think. :)

(well, "And the Children Shall Lead" had NO redeeming qualities).
Now, just the other day I adapted Melvin Belli's lines for insulting other drivers while sitting in traffic. I can still drive my brother over the edge with "As you believe, so shall you do. So shall you do, so shall you do."

Wish I could remember all the chant from the Stuart parody I used to have in The Best of Trek -- the one that included the line "Call the lawyer; we will sue" and ended with "Friendly lawyer; litigate!"

There's little I like better than a good parody, and the best parodies are affectionate ones (it takes deep familiarity with the subject for really good parody, and one is generally only deeply familiar with things one loves).

I think that episode can make you deeply despise children! :roll:

Qapla'

SSB

Hire a lawyer to play a monster... brilliant!

There's a very obvious blooper in the Okuda text commentary on The Menagerie - Part I.

Who can tell me what it is? (Yes, I do already know!)

I can't tell, 'cause I can't see it.

I'm too affectioantely jaded by four decades of watching to be able to tell you that ANY episode should be avoided (well, "And the Children Shall Lead" had NO redeeming qualities). Watch them all, appreciate them all, lose your head into the times. See what ya think. :)
Spock's Brain?

Well, we never (AFAIK) got the 2 eps-per-disc down here. I'm gonna get the box set, even if it is NZ$170. My copied-off-TV videos are wearing thin... :)

There's a very obvious blooper in the Okuda text commentary on The Menagerie - Part I.

Who can tell me what it is? (Yes, I do already know!)


I watched this episode yesterday and noticed that a number of the comments were somewhat blooperous in nature. The comment that stood out the most was the one that said the Enterprise went to starbase 11 in this episode for repairs, but they meant "Courtmartial". They even tried to back up this error by explaining that repairs were too costly to show on screen, and pointed out that director Marc Daniels placed a blue jumpsuit guy on the bridge to suggest repairs in progress.

Well, at least it was a well thought out explanation.

I watched this episode yesterday and noticed that a number of the comments were somewhat blooperous in nature. The comment that stood out the most was the one that said the Enterprise went to starbase 11 in this episode for repairs, but they meant "Courtmartial". They even tried to back up this error by explaining that repairs were too costly to show on screen, and pointed out that director Marc Daniels placed a blue jumpsuit guy on the bridge to suggest repairs in progress.

Well, at least it was a well thought out explanation.
The ship had been in an ion storm and went to starbase 11 for repairs as the primary reason. Courtmartialing Kirk came about when it was decided that Kirk had killed a man.

What I think is silly is that this starbase, where starships go for help, could not prevent the ship from falling into the atmosphere and burning up. No other ships in the area? No orbital drydock?

HINT: The text blooper I'm referring to occurs during a scene on Starbase Eleven.

I noticed it immediately upon viewing the text commentary. It's very obvious, and disagrees with what is shown on the screen.

The ship had been in an ion storm and went to starbase 11 for repairs as the primary reason. Courtmartialing Kirk came about when it was decided that Kirk had killed a man.



Yes, but the amusing part was how the commentary kept comparing the the two visits the Enterprise made to starbase 11 (like how close the visits were and who was in command at the base at each visit). But the commentator blew it when he stated that they went to SB11 in "The Menagerie" for repairs, they went there because of Captain Pike's supposed "urgent request to divert there".

It might be interesting to speculate on why the starbase commander was replaced, of course depending on whether one prefers to order the episodes production, or air date-wise. If "The Menagerie" came first, was Mendez canned because he allowed himself to be duplicated by the Talosians ;) ?, or was Stone let go or did he quit because "he" lost the case against Kirk?

HINT: The text blooper I'm referring to occurs during a scene on Starbase Eleven.

I noticed it immediately upon viewing the text commentary. It's very obvious, and disagrees with what is shown on the screen.


Dag, I give up. I've looked at it twice today and still haven't noticed it. :confused:

Another hint: It's a scene that includes Kirk and Commodore Mendez.

:rolleyes:

I've no idea what the blooper is, on top of which I've zero interest in anything Okuda may have to say regarding TOS. As far as I'm concerned he's just another one of Berman's gang of whom I have little interest in anything they say or think particularly when it's in regards to Star Trek.

Rick Sternbach would be another matter. At least he had the balls to walk away when he saw how they were blithely going about messing things up.

Okay, here it is. (Sorry, John. Didn't mean to exclude your participation. ;) )

Commodore Mendez hands Kirk the copy of the Starfleet General Order that forbids contact of any kind with Talos IV. Kirk reads it. The home viewer can clearly see it.

The document is signed by a Starfleet official. The text commentary comes up and states that the signature is of one "Admiral Robert L. Comack", and that the stated admiral was the same one depicted in the second season as Admiral Komack, who's character was a nod to Director James Komack.

The only problem is that the document can be clearly seen to be signed by one Robert L. Comsul. The same official that Uhura states signed the communique at the end of the episode during the courtmartial scene regarding the Enterprise having received transmissions from Talos IV - "...signed Comsul, Starfleet Command".

Somebody wasn't paying attention to either the printed document as shown, or the intercom statement from Uhura toward the end of Part One that clearly says the same name that was on the printed document.

I've no idea what the blooper is, on top of which I've zero interest in anything Okuda may have to say regarding TOS.
"In fact, I'm so not interested that I felt the need to come tell everyone how not interested I am!" ;)
Rick Sternbach would be another matter. At least he had the balls to walk away when he saw how they were blithely going about messing things up.
Did I miss something? I thought I'd seen statements directly from Sternbach indicating that he was "let go" ... did some work on Nemesis, though, IIRC.

Qapla'

SSB

The impression I got from Rick over on TrekBBS is that he was working on Voyager when the other projects happened, and Bermen simpley didn't ask him to work on anything else after Voyager. Sometimes if you ask Rick something over there, he'll say "I don't know, I wasn't asked to work on that."

As for that Irish guy O'Kuda, I think he's really a good guy doing a really good job. Not his fault his boss is an ass.

Okuda once emailed me because he took exception to an opinion I had on the TBBS regarding the work done on ENT. I replied that that was too bad, but his exception did not alter my opinion one whit. From where I stand he's little more than a somewhat talented fanboy and yes man.

Okay, here it is. (Sorry, John. Didn't mean to exclude your participation. ;) )

Commodore Mendez hands Kirk the copy of the Starfleet General Order that forbids contact of any kind with Talos IV. Kirk reads it. The home viewer can clearly see it.

The document is signed by a Starfleet official. The text commentary comes up and states that the signature is of one "Admiral Robert L. Comack", and that the stated admiral was the same one depicted in the second season as Admiral Komack, who's character was a nod to Director James Komack.

The only problem is that the document can be clearly seen to be signed by one Robert L. Comsul. The same official that Uhura states signed the communique at the end of the episode during the courtmartial scene regarding the Enterprise having received transmissions from Talos IV - "...signed Comsul, Starfleet Command".

Somebody wasn't paying attention to either the printed document as shown, or the intercom statement from Uhura toward the end of Part One that clearly says the same name that was on the printed document.

I couldn't see the entire name clearly, but I accept your explanation as true. But since Mendez' existance on the Enterprise was an illusion, its reasonable to assume that the message from Comsul was also faked by the Talosians, since he had to know that Mendez was still at SB11. I don't know if there is a point to what I just said, because when you're dealing with illusion, its hard to know what is real and what isn't. :drunk:

Well...

The text commentary mistake wasn't an illusion. It was a mistake.

For instance, I'm not really here right now.

For instance, I'm not really here right now.


But are you sure?

Maybe Spock said it best in Star Trek V -- "Life is not a dream". :p

Yes, because logic is a pretty flower that smells baaad, and everything I say is a lie. Listen carefully: I am lying.

Okuda once emailed me because he took exception to an opinion I had on the TBBS regarding the work done on ENT. I replied that that was too bad, but his exception did not alter my opinion one whit. From where I stand he's little more than a somewhat talented fanboy and yes man.
That sounds pretty harsh, and if your reply to him (with the caveat that I have no idea of the tone of his message to you -- nor that of your opinion to which he was responding) was as curt as it is given above, that's borderline rude.

Why do you consider him a "yes man"?

And there's lots of information out there -- I'd be pretty surprised if he made no mistakes. But what I don't understand is why such mistakes seem to make some people angry. It's just an error -- yes, he's paid to do this, but he isn't a doctor and paid or not, he'll make mistakes. So what? I think his signal to noise ratio is pretty high.

Qapla'

SSB

I think a much worst blooper on Okuda's part was in the text commentary for WRATH OF KHAN, where he points out an RXM notation on some equipment and claims it was a reference to George Pal's ROCKETSHIP X-M. For anyone who knows anything about '50s Science Fiction, this is as bad as referring to Gene Roddenberry's LOST IN SPACE, or George Lucas's BATTLESTAR GALACTICA.

That sounds pretty harsh, and if your reply to him (with the caveat that I have no idea of the tone of his message to you -- nor that of your opinion to which he was responding) was as curt as it is given above, that's borderline rude.

Why do you consider him a "yes man"?

And there's lots of information out there -- I'd be pretty surprised if he made no mistakes. But what I don't understand is why such mistakes seem to make some people angry. It's just an error -- yes, he's paid to do this, but he isn't a doctor and paid or not, he'll make mistakes. So what? I think his signal to noise ratio is pretty high.

Qapla'

SSB

I was concise here for brevity's sake, but my actual reply to him was actually quite cordial and I went on to explain why I held my opinion. My point is that I gave my honest appraisal of the work done on contemporary Trek and ENT in particular and particularly in regards to post production and art production--it wasn't favourable and he felt I was unfair.

Over the years I've heard so much nonsense come out of the Berman camp including empty platitudes as well as unjustified criticisms regarding TOS that I no longer have any interest in what they have to say or think on the subject. VOY and ENT themselves are ample examples that they haven't a freaking clue as to what made TOS work on top of which the shows themselves are so mediocre it's shameful.

I never had any of the TOS episodes on DVD, so buying the box set was a must for me. Besides, I haven't seen most of these shows in about ten years, anyway. One thing I was amazed by was how many classic episodes were in the first season alone: "Space Seed", "Balance Of Terror", "The City On The Edge Of Forever", "The Devil In The Dark", even "Operation Annihilate!". I really loved the latter show as a kid, the flying pancakes scared me then. :)

Sean

I just want to mention that I greatly respect the work of Michael and Denise Okuda. My mentioning of the blooper in the text commentary was intended as a humorous observation, rather than a harsh criticism. I just thought it was funny that such an obvious mistake would be made in what is regarded as "official" historical data.

They're just all too human, I guess. :)