Star Trek: The Original Serieshit the ground running, delivering some of its most iconic episodes during its first season. Following the adventures ofCaptain James T. Kirk (William Shatner)and the USS Enterprise,Star Trek: The Original Seriespremiered in 1966 with “The Man Trap.“Star Trekquickly established itself as a compelling sci-fi saga with incredibly likable characters. Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) would become one of television’s most beloved trios.
Star Trek: The Original Seriescontains an impressive 29 episodesin season 1, significantly more than most modern television series. So whileTOSonly ran for three seasons, it delivered 79 total episodes, some of which hold up better than others. In its first season,Star Trek: The Original Serieslaid the groundwork for everything that came after, establishing a fictional universe that remains relevant and popular today.Some ofStar Trek’sbest moments come from season one,from the introduction of the Klingons and the Romulans to one ofKirk’s greatest romances.
10"A Taste Of Armageddon”
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1, Episode 23
The USS Enterprise visits the planet Eminiar VII and discovers a society that is fighting a computer-simulated war with a neighboring planet. When theStarship Enterprise is “destroyed"in a simulated attack,the planet’s leaders expect Captain Kirk and his crew to turn themselves over for execution.Ultimately, Kirk destroys the computers that simulate the war, forcing the two sides to either fight a real war or negotiate for peace.
“A Taste Of Armageddon” is an underrated episode about the futility of war that may be even more relevant today than it was in the 1960s.
“A Taste Of Armageddon” is an underrated episode about the futility of war that may be even more relevant today than it was in the 1960s.The people of Eminiar VII and Vendikar have so sanitized the idea of warthat they accept mass death as a normal part of their lives, without questioning how they ended up there in the first place. It’s a fascinating story that illustrates how relevantStar Trek: The Original Seriescan still be.
9"The Menagerie”
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1, Episodes 10 & 11
Star Trek: The Original Series’only two-part episode reuses footage fromStar Trek’s original unaired pilot, “The Cage,” to introduce audiences toCaptain Christopher Pike (Jeffrey Hunter).Spock as risks his life and career to help his former captain,after Pike suffered a terrible accident that left him paralyzed and barely able to communicate. Spock plans to bring Pike to Talos IV, where the powerful Talosians can create realistic illusions for Pike to live out the rest of his life.
Anson Mount’s Captain Pike learned of his tragic fate inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 2, and he struggles with the knowledge throughoutStar Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Not only does “The Menagerie” offer insight into Spock and his history, but it also establishes several plotlines that remain relevant in modernStar Trek.I cannot help but admire Spock’s loyalty to Pikeand his determination to give his former captain a chance at a better life, even at great risk to himself. It’s a solid story that cleverly reuses footage that might otherwise have been lost, and remains an important moment inStar Trekhistory.
8"Errand Of Mercy”
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1, Episode 26
“Errand of Mercy” is known forintroducing the Klingons, and it’s a solid episode in its own right. When Captain Kirk and Spock attempt to persuade the Organians to resist Klingon occupation, the Organians refuse to get involved.A contingent of Klingons soon arrive, led by Commander Kor (John Colicos),and take over Organia with no resistance. The Organians eventually reveal themselves to be powerful non-corporeal beings, and they single-handedly put an end to the Federation/Klingon war.
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John Colicos is appropriately commanding as Kor, and his performance helps lay the groundwork for future appearances of the Klingons.Kor proves to be a formidable opponent for Kirk,and theKlingon’s mind scanner is a terrifying weapon. “Errand of Mercy” has a compelling mystery revolving around the Organians, and the subsequent Treaty of Organia marks an important moment in Federation/Klingon history.
7"Space Seed"
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1, Episode 22
When the Starship Enterprise finds the SS Botany Bay drifting in space, they discover a group of cryogenically frozen augmented humans from Earth’s history. Among these Augments is Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalbán), who was once a tyrant responsible for conquering nearly one-quarter of Earth’s population.In “Space Seed,” Khan takes over the Enterprise,with help from historian Lt. Marla McGivers (Madlyn Rhue), andKirk later maroons Khan and his peopleon the planet Ceti Alpha V.
An all-new scripted audio series entitledStar Trek: Khanis set to premiere later in 2025, and will explore Khan’s life on Ceti Alpha V.Lostalum Naveen Andrews provides the voice for Khan andFor All Mankind’sWrenn Schmidt voices Lt. McGivers.
Khan was one of the most cunning villains Kirk faced onStar Trek: The Original Series,andRicardo Montalbán makes him impossible to forget.Although “Space Seed” sets up one of the bestStar Trekmovies inStar Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,the episode also stands on its own as a compelling hour of television. Lt. McGivers may develop an attraction to Khan a bit too quickly, but she comes around in the end, and everything else about the episode works.
6"The Devil In The Dark"
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1, Episode 25
When the Enterprise visits a mining facility to investigate a series of deaths, they encounter a silicon-based lifeform living in the caves. Eventually, Spock initiates a mind meld with the creature and learns that it is called the Horta.The Horta has simply been protecting its eggs,which the miners have unknowingly been destroying. Dr. McCoy treats the Horta’s wounds, and Kirk explains the situation to the miners.
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“The Devil in the Dark” is a quintessential episode ofStar Trekand a celebration of diversity and life in all of its forms. Despite the losses suffered on both sides,the miners and the Horta agree to live alongside one another in the end,a message that remains just as relevant and necessary as ever. Spock’s mind meld with the Horta is beautifully played by Leonard Nimoy, and the episode is a great exploration ofKirk and Spock’s friendship.
5"Arena"
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1, Episode 18
In one ofStar Trek’smost iconic storylines, Captain Kirk goes one-on-one against a Gorn captain after the powerful Metrons strand the two adversaries on a barren planet.Kirk proves his cleverness,using materials he finds on the planet to construct a cannon, as he knows he has no hope of overpowering the Gorn otherwise. Kirk ultimately manages to defeat the Gorn, but refuses to kill him, impressing the observing Metrons.
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Captain Kirk’s fight with the Gornremains one of his most memorable moments, and “Arena” has many of the elements that makeStar Trekgreat.The episode feels like classic science fiction at its best,as Kirk uses his ingenuity to stay alive on a strange alien landscape. Ultimately, it’s Kirk’s decision to be merciful that saves him and his ship, which perfectly exemplifiesStar Trek’sphilosophy.
4"The Corbomite Maneuver"
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1, Episode 10
When the Enterprise destroys a strange cube device floating in space,Captain Kirk must bluff his way out of a potentially dangerous situation.After the Enterprise destroys the cube, a large ship approaches them commanded by a frightening-looking alien named Balok, who claims to be a representative ofthe First Federation. Balok announces his plans to destroy the Enterprise, but Kirk says that the Enterprise is carrying a substance called corbomite that would destroy both ships.
“The Corbomite Maneuver” was the first regular episode ofTOSfilmed after the two pilots, but aired as the tenth episode, due to the more complex special effects.
In the end, Kirk’s bluff works and the real Balok (Clint Howard) reveals himself as a small child-like alien who was only testing the Enterprise and its crew.“The Corbomite Maneuver” remains an incredibly compelling episode of televisionand illustrates that Kirk can be clever in addition to being a good strategist and capable fighter. The episode keeps things interesting until the very end, and concludes with a hopeful note that feels perfect forStar Trek.
3"The Galileo Seven"
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1, Episode 16
“The Galileo Seven” shifts the focus to Spock, following the Vulcan Science Officer as he leads an ill-fated away mission. When their shuttlecraft is pulled off course,Spock is forced to make an emergency landing on a rocky planet.The giant ape-like creatures who live on the planet soon attack the landing party, killing one of the officers. Spock faces one complication after another, including an insubordinate officer, and he struggles with the idea that logic cannot solve every problem.
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Spock andChief Engineer Scotty (James Doohan)eventually repair the shuttle, and Spock trusts his instincts, dumping the shuttle fuel and igniting it like a signal flare. As a fan of Spock,“The Galileo Seven” remains one of my favoriteStar Trekepisodes,and it marks an important step on Spock’s journey to learn that"logic is the beginning of wisdom, not the end."
2"Balance Of Terror"
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1, Episode
In one of the most tense episodes ofStar Trek, Captain Kirk and the Enterprise get caught in a cat-and-mouse game with a Romulan Bird-of-Prey. TheRomulan Commander (Mark Lenard)proves to be a match for Kirk when it comes to strategy, and the battle keeps everyone involved on their toes.Kirk emerges as the victor in the end,but his ship loses a crew member and the Federation only just avoids another war with the Romulans.
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Like Kor in “Errand of Mercy,” Mark Lenard delivers an incredibly compelling performance as the Romulan Commander, setting up the Romulans as clever villains.The Romulans' Vulcan-like appearance makes for a fun reveal,and Kirk’s defense of Spock in the face of prejudice is a great moment for his character. “Balance of Terror” remains as memorable and compelling as ever, and was even revisited inStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 1’s finale.
1"The City On The Edge Of Forever"
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1, Episode 28
No list of greatStar Trekepisodes is complete without"The City on the Edge of Forever,“and with good reason.Harlan Ellison’sstory follows Kirk and Spock, as they travel back in time to retrieve Dr. McCoyand correct the changes he inadvertently caused in the timeline. Kirk falls in love with a soup kitchen operator named Edith Keeler (Joan Collins), only to learn that she has to die to restore the proper future.
“The City on the Edge of Forever” remains one of Star Trek’s most beautifully tragic stories, and a pitch perfect episode of Star Trek: The Original Series.
Kirk and Edith’s relationship is one of the Enterprise captain’s most authentic and heartbreaking romances, and the episode does a wonderful job of telling a believable love story in a short amount of time. Even nearly 60 years later, “The City on the Edge of Forever” remains one ofStar Trek’smost beautifully tragic stories, and a pitch-perfect episode ofStar Trek: The Original Series.
