10 Best Episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series

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Gene Roddenberry’s “Star Trek: The Original Series” aired for just three seasons from 1966 to 1969, but it sparked a long-lasting franchise and revolutionized science fiction. By combining optimism, diversity, and social commentary through space explorations, “TOS” paved the way for every subsequent “Star Trek” production. Enduring symbols like Captain Kirk’s gold uniform, Spock’s distinctive eyebrows, and the Vulcan salute have left an indelible mark on popular culture. Even its mid-century modern style continues to be relevant in the ongoing franchise.

While not all episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series are equally captivating, some stand out for their emphasis on action, philosophy, or bizarre elements. The exceptional ones excel in character growth, engaging storytelling, and moments that resonate deeply with viewers even decades after their initial broadcast. Here’s a list of the top 10 episodes from Star Trek: The Original Series.

10) “Space Seed”

Initially broadcast towards the end of Season 1, “Space Seed” debuts the character of Khan Noonien Singh, a ruthless despot genetically created in Earth’s past, who was discovered asleep and swiftly attempted to seize control of the Starship Enterprise. Ricardo Montalbán portrays Khan with an intense charisma and menace, while his interactions with Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and Lt. Marla McGivers (Madlyn Rhue) are compelling throughout the series.

In my viewpoint as a devoted movie enthusiast, this particular episode, penned by Gene L. Coon and Carey Wilber, and skillfully directed by Marc Daniels, has remarkably withstood the test of time. The timelessness of its themes keeps it relevant to this day. Khan, portrayed in this episode, is intelligent, persuasive, ruthless, and the epitome of a leader who convinces others to relinquish their freedom for perceived strength. Even if “Wrath of Khan” had never graced our screens, this episode would still hold its ground independently. The fact that it introduced Trek’s most memorable movie villain is merely the cherry on top.

9) “Mirror, Mirror”

As a dedicated fan of the silver screen, I found myself captivated by the Season 2 episode “Mirror, Mirror,” penned by Jerome Bixby and masterfully directed by Daniels. This thrilling adventure takes me on an unexpected journey, where Captain Kirk, Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), Scotty (James Doohan), and McCoy (DeForest Kelley) find themselves in a chilling parallel universe. In this realm, Starfleet has morphed into a ruthless empire, with my crewmates transformed into cold-hearted, power-hungry beings. Remarkably, Leonard Nimoy’s Spock sports a goatee in this alternate reality.

Beyond its delightfully intriguing premise, the narrative delves into how beliefs influence actions. Despite being set in an alternate reality, the characters are beautifully realistic thanks to strong acting performances. This installment introduced the idea of the Mirror Universe, a concept that would be revisited across various Star Trek series, but the original portrayal remains the most impactful… and the most enjoyable.

8) “The Corbomite Maneuver”

In one of the initial trials of Captain Kirk’s leadership during Season 1, an encounter with a colossal alien spacecraft presents a significant challenge for the Starship Enterprise. When faced with this threat, Kirk cleverly feigns possession of “corbomite,” a destructive substance, to deter the attacker. The episode, penned by Jerry Sohl, gradually escalates the suspense, mirroring real-time events, and emphasizing the characters’ raw emotions and the crucial decision-making sequences that came to define the series.

The key to its effectiveness lies in its reflection of Federation principles. Instead of resorting to physical force like others might, Kirk opts for reason and creativity to find solutions. This thoughtful, intellectually stimulating episode paved the way for the intellectual depth that Star Trek is known for.

7) “The Doomsday Machine”

Instead of the eighth episode, this Season 2 installment penned by science fiction writer Norman Spinrad is packed with action. A colossal, autonomous planet-devourer is wreaking havoc across the galaxy, and Captain Kirk is tasked with halting it. Simultaneously, he’s grappling with a predicament involving Commodore Decker (William Windom), another Starfleet officer, who has been devastated by loss.

This episode blends space battles with deep emotional storytelling, earning it high praise due to its powerful script and standout guest appearance by Windom. The heavy themes of pain, fixation, and self-sacrifice make it impactful. Interestingly, this is one of the few TOS episodes that seems suitable for a big-screen adaptation.

6) “Journey to Babel”

This episode from the middle of Season 2, titled “Journey to Babel,” was penned by D.C. Fontana. It unfolds as the Enterprise plays host to a delicate diplomatic mission. However, things take an unexpected turn, leading to acts of sabotage, murder, and political turmoil. This storyline also serves as the introduction for Spock’s parents, Sarek and Amanda, portrayed by Mark Lenard and Jane Wyatt. In this episode, Spock finds himself in a challenging situation where he must weigh his duty against the urgency to save his father’s life.

This episode stands out due to its exceptional ability to expand the show’s universe without compromising its rhythm. It offers a balanced blend of world-building, emotional depth, backstory, and action. The portrayed family dynamics still resonate strongly today, providing valuable insights into one of the Franchise’s most cherished characters, enriching our understanding of them.

5) “Amok Time”

In the opening of Season 2, there was another significant Spock-centric episode penned by renowned science fiction writer Theodore Sturgeon. The narrative commences with Spock displaying unusual behavior before expressing a desire to revisit Vulcan. There, he is compelled to confront a Vulcan mating ritual or face death. Captain Kirk is unwillingly embroiled in this predicament and finds himself battling his closest friend to the brink of mortality.

For the very first time, Star Trek delved deeply into Vulcan culture with conviction, presenting a narrative that was captivatingly dramatic, peculiar, yet surprisingly humorous and heart-wrenching. The battle music left an indelible mark, while the climactic moment when Spock discovers Kirk is still alive remains one of the most authentic moments in the show’s history.

4) “Balance of Terror”

In Season 1, “Balance of Terror” by Paul Schneider is reminiscent of an underwater adventure set in space. The Starship Enterprise is tasked with pursuing a covert Romulan vessel that has been probing the Neutral Zone. As Captain Kirk and the Romulan commander (Lenard) play a dangerous game of hide-and-seek, anxiety escalates, and prejudice simmers among the crew, as some harbor suspicion towards Spock due to his Romulan appearance.

This episode stands out for two key factors: firstly, it brilliantly demonstrates some of the series’ finest strategic planning, as Captain Kirk exhibits both his bold exploratory spirit and his role as a military commander under pressure, constantly juggling lives with each action. Secondly, its powerful social message about discrimination and prejudice remains strikingly relevant today. The dialogue is sharp, the storyline is gripping, and the Romulans are captivating antagonists. “Balance of Terror” often finds a place on the must-watch lists of Trekkies everywhere.

3) “The Menagerie, Parts I & II”

In a creative move, Roddenberry incorporated the unused pilot (“The Cage”) into this two-part Season 1 tale that he also penned. This mini-epic centers around Spock, who takes significant risks to escort his former captain, Christopher Pike (portrayed by Jeffrey Hunter in old footage and Sean Kenney as the disabled Pike), to Talos IV – a forbidden planet. There, the telepathic Talosians can provide Pike with a peaceful existence.

This episode is incredibly captivating due to Spock’s unwavering loyalty and the thoughtful examination of the border between duty and empathy. It even manages to secure a place among the top three episodes. Additionally, we are given an unusual peek into Starfleet’s legal system, coupled with powerful emotional resolutions that portray Spock as a strong upholder of principles. This episode showcases one of the daring narrative ventures in TOS, and it succeeds brilliantly in being one of the finest episodes in the series.

2) “The Devil in the Dark”

In this notable episode from Season 1, Miners meet a supposedly monstrous entity that causes their demise. Yet, Spock uncovers that this creature, named Horta, is in fact intelligent and is merely guarding its offspring. Through a mind-melding encounter with the beast, Spock unveils its intricate nature, consciousness, and suffering. This revelation significantly alters the crew’s perspective on the situation, presenting one of the most thought-provoking moral quandaries in the original Star Trek series.

Though the rubber-suit creature in this episode might seem outdated to today’s viewers, its message remains evergreen. This episode is about empathy, misconceptions, and how fear frequently leads to violence. “The Devil in the Dark” represents Roddenberry’s vision of a future that values compassion. The script by Coon and the acting by Nimoy (Spock) and Ken Lynch as Chief Engineer Vanderberg skillfully flip traditional monster story conventions, transforming it into a call for empathy, making it one of the most impactful and thought-provoking episodes in the series.

1) “The City on the Edge of Forever”

This Season 1 finale, penned initially by Harlan Ellison and later revised by the writing team, is frequently hailed as a masterpiece and arguably the greatest Star Trek episode ever produced, even surpassing those from the original series. Following a mishap involving time travel, Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock find themselves in 1930s New York City. In this era, Kirk develops feelings for Joan Collins’ character, Edith Keeler. Her survival could lead to a Nazi victory in World War II, creating an ethical quandary: to restore history, he must allow her to perish.

The emotional and ethical consequences are profoundly intense. This tale intertwines romance, time travel conundrums, and deep contemplation on self-sacrifice and the greater benefit. Shatner’s portrayal in this episode is exceptional, and its closing scenes remain chilling to this day. “The City on the Edge of Forever” isn’t just an outstanding Star Trek narrative; it might very well be one of the finest science fiction episodes ever broadcast on television.

The updated version of “Star Trek: The Original Series” can be streamed on Paramount+. Which, in your opinion, is the finest episode from this series? Share your thoughts with us below!

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2025-07-27 18:43