But for this list, we're only going to be focusing on the Original Series. It's the only series I've seen all the way through, after all. I've seen a few episodes of The Next Generation and a couple from Voyager, and they've really got me hyped to see the rest, but so far the Original Series is the only one I've seen in its entirety. And I've only run through it once to date, at that – though I am currently going through it a second time.
But, as of one viewing at least, these are the episodes that stick in my head the most.
Also, because TV episodes are much shorter than movies, I figure it's only fair that this is another case where I shouldn't need to iron out the captions to a hundred words.
So here we go. This is my top ten favourite Star Trek: The Original Series episodes.
#10 = Court Martial
This was the first episode I ever saw, and it really set the standard for the rest of the series. :) It's about Captain Kirk being placed on trial for his apparent misconduct that led to the death of a crewman. It features an ingenious method in which the characters overcome the odds, and it's not so complex that it's impossible to follow and understand. And that, to me, is Star Trek in a nutshell.
#9 = The Mark of Gideon
While beaming down to the surface of the overpopulated planet Gideon, Kirk ends up in an alternate version of the Enterprise and finds himself completely alone. This episode's message about overpopulation is pretty obvious, but it's still relevant. And the Gideon citizens' plan to combat it, while questionable, is still pretty clever. Sometimes it's all about giving the antagonists a good reason for their actions.
#8 = The Enemy Within
While beaming up, the transporter accidentally splits Kirk into two beings: one good, weak and indecisive, and one evil, aggressive and domineering. The whole idea of this episode is that no one can make any logical decision without their more ruthless side. Really gets you thinking, doesn't it? :)
#7 = (appropriately enough!) The Galileo Seven
Spock and a scientific party are stranded on Taurus II and fighting for their lives, and their shuttlecraft hasn't enough fuel to regain orbit carrying all seven of them. The bulk of this episode is seeing Spock taking command and deciding logically who's expendable, much to the disdain of his companions. It's some pretty heavy shit!
#6 = Whom Gods Destroy
Kirk and Spock are imprisoned in a mental health facility that's been taken over by an insane former starship captain who believes he's destined to control the universe. The whole reason this makes my top ten is just because of the sheer threat factor of the villain. He just can't be reasoned with, and the fact that he can shape-shift certainly doesn't help either! He really is one of the toughest opponents ever on the show.
#5 = Wink of an Eye
This episode involves time-accelerated aliens who bring Kirk to their level and plan to freeze the rest of the crew. I'm not sure what to say about this one except that it's simply one of the show's most interesting ideas. And the way Kirk and the crew escape their predicament is as ingenious as ever.
#4 = The Tholian Web
Kirk is left stranded in another dimension, and a race against time is on to bring him back before the Enterprise is crippled by an energy-draining web being spun by Tholian ships. This episode is particularly fascinating in how the rest of the crew is left to manage in Kirk's absence. And it's conclusive proof that the characters are what makes the show so endearing, because you really do feel a sense of emptiness, as though Kirk really is dead.
#3 = Metamorphosis
Kirk and company's shuttlecraft crashes on a rocky planet, where they find another castaway and an alien entity that he calls the Companion, who's later revealed to be in love with him. This one really gets you thinking about what true love really is, and it's a surprisingly heart-warming episode – especially the poetic justice in the scene where one life ends and another begins. In fact, I was surprised to find myself actually getting a little teary-eyed at this episode!
#2 = The Trouble with Tribbles
Okay, okay! Everyone saw this one coming from a mile away! :) But how could this one not be up there? It's just so hilarious that something so small, adorable and apparently harmless could become such a nuisance and a danger to a diplomatic arrangement. And to top it all off, there are Klingons involved! What more could you ask for? :) This is probably the best-loved episode of all – and for good reason – so it's almost always guaranteed to be up there on anyone's top ten list. But this is my own list, so I need to reserve the top spot.
Here it is. #1… The Cage
Yes, that's right: the originally unseen pilot episode. :) It involves Captain Pike being held captive by a group of telepathic aliens. The aliens' flawless power of illusion, as well as their ability to read your thoughts, makes them virtually impossible to beat, so it's definitely the toughest battle in the show's history. It's also a really nice brain-teaser in that you never know what's real and what's just an illusion. It's hard to explain exactly, but it just seems like the smartest episode to me – it was the perfect way to kick-start the series – and that's what makes it my favourite episode of the bunch.
Runners-up: Balance of Terror, The City on the Edge of Forever, Operation: Annihilate!, Shore Leave, Space Seed and This Side of Paradise
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