STAR TREK
THE ORIGINAL SERIES
SEASON 1

"Scotty... Beam me up"

Capt. James T. Kirk

Space...The Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship, Enterprise. Its 5-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.

The Man Trap
The Enterprise arrives at planet M-113 for an annual colony re-supply and physical check-up of its residents and finds Professor Crater and his wife Nancy who is an old girlfriend of McCoy's. Crater immediately objects to the intrusion and tries to convince Kirk that an examination is not necessary and that they only need are salt tablets. Unknown to the landing party, each of them is seeing Nancy differently. McCoy sees her as the same youthful woman of his past while Kirk sees a handsome but older woman. Still, crewman Darnell sees Nancy as a blonde woman he met in the past and follows her into the nearby wilderness. Interrupted by the screams of Nancy, Kirk and McCoy race to the scene and find Darnell dead with Nancy standing nearby. Crater claims that the crewman died from the poison of the borgia plant found in his mouth, but Kirk is suspicious and orders everyone beamed up to the ship while he conducts an investigation.

Charlie X
The Enterprise makes a rendezvous with the S.S. Antares and picks up a 17 year old boy, Charlie Evans who is the only survivor of a colony expedition that crashed on the planet Thasus. Captain Ramart and his staff rave about the boy, but Kirk can't help but be puzzled when Ramart refuses luxury items and hurries back to the Antares. Charlie, without social skills of any measure, seems a bit strange and unrefined but states that he grew up alone with only the record tapes from the wreckage for company. Sometime later, Captain Ramart signals the Enterprise and tries to warn Kirk about something, but just then the Antares is destroyed.

Where No Man Has Gone Before
The Enterprise encounters a record-marker left behind by the S.S. Valiant years ago as it tried to go through an energy barrier at the rim of the galaxy. After reading the badly damaged tapes they learn that the captain of the Valiant became obsessed with information on human psionics just before he ordered the destruction of his vessel. Despite the mystery, the Enterprise continues on to the rim of the galaxy in its own effort to get through the barrier.

The Naked Time
The Enterprise arrives at planet Psi 2000 to pick up a Federation research party from a planet that is quickly disintegrating, but after beaming down to the research facility Spock and Lieutenant Tormolen find all the scientists have died from strange causes. One has been strangled, one sits frozen at his station, apparently without a care in the world, and another is discovered in the shower, fully clothed. After making recordings of the incident the two beam back to the Enterprise, but not before Tormolen is accidentally infected by a water-borne virus that is still alive in the research center.

The Enemy Within
The landing party is conducting a geological survey of planet Alpha 177 when Geology technician Fisher falls from an embankment and is beamed aboard the Enterprise to be treated for an injured hand. After a rough beam-in, Scotty notices magnetic ore covering Fisher when the technician materializes and tells him to have the uniform decontaminated. Kirk beams up next and is unknowingly split into two separate entities, one kind but weak and indecisive, the other vicious and cruel.

Mudd's Women
The Enterprise is pursuing an unidentified vessel, which is overloading its engines in an effort to avoid capture. It enters an asteroid field, and Kirk decides to extend the ship's deflector screen around the helpless cargo vessel until the crew can be beamed aboard. While doing so, three of the four lithium crystals which power the Enterprise burn out and force the ship to seek replacement crystals on Rigel XII. Meanwhile, Kirk convenes a hearing where the captain of the cargo ship, Harcort Fenton "Harry" Mudd, and his "cargo," three women on their way to marry settlers, are investigated for their actions.

What Are Little Girls Made Of?
Christine Chapel is a passenger aboard the Enterprise as it travels to Exo III in search of her fiancé, exobiologist Dr. Korby, whose last message was from this frozen planet where he had discovered an underground cavern. The landing party beams down to greet the doctor and almost immediately two crewmen die in the cavern. Irritated by Korby's disinterest in the deaths, Kirk tries to check in with the Enterprise but is instead relieved of his phaser and communicator and forced to listen to Korby's vision of an improved human civilization through the transfer of human souls into android bodies.

Miri
The Enterprise answers an old-style distress signal from an unknown planet and discovers a world that is virtually identical to Earth of the 1960's. Beaming down, the landing party finds a civilization populated only by children. After McCoy is attacked by a diseased humanoid, the landing party manages to corner and question a young female, Miri, and quickly learns that 300 years ago scientists attempted a life-prolongation project which instead created a virus that wiped out the adult population.

Dagger Of The Mind
While transferring cargo to the Tantalus Penal Colony, one of the inmates beams aboard the Enterprise and manages to make his way to the bridge before being disabled by a nerve pinch from Spock. By the time the Enterprise returns to Tantalus, McCoy has run a few tests on their stowaway and urges Kirk to begin an investigation of the penal colony despite the reputation of its director, Dr. Tristan Adams.

The Corbomite Maneuver
During a routine star-mapping assignment in an uncharted section of the galaxy, the Enterprise encounters a space buoy of unknown origin. At first the buoy blocks the ship's path, but when Kirk decides to maneuver around the buoy it charges the ship, forcing Kirk to destroy it with phasers. After consideration, Kirk decides to continue on in an effort to discover the intelligence behind the buoy. Soon the Enterprise is confronted by a gigantic alien vessel, the Fesarius, which promptly grabs the Enterprise with its tractor beam and scans its record banks. After a futile effort by Kirk to communicate with the alien ship, Balok, the commander of the Fesarius, decides that the Enterprise must be destroyed and gives the crew 10 minutes to prepare.

The Menagerie (Part 1 & 2)
The Enterprise arrives at Starbase 11, as ordered, but Kirk discovers that no such orders were issued. The ship's computers are checked despite the fact that Spock was the only person to actually see the transmission. While waiting, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy visit the former commander of the Enterprise, Fleet Captain Christopher Robin Pike, who has been paralysed and disfigured by delta rays during a starship accident. After Spock is allowed to remain alone with his former captain, he reveals sketchy details of a plan to take the Enterprise on a mission of his own design, knowing full well that his actions will be considered mutiny.

The Conscience Of The King
The Enterprise arrives at Planet Q, summoned by Dr. Thomas Leighton who claims to have developed a new synthetic food. When Kirk beams down he discovers that Leighton's real intention was to inform the captain that a travelling theatrical troupe's lead actor, Anton Karidian, is actually Kodos the Executioner.

Balance Of Terror
A wedding between two crewmembers is interrupted when an Earth outpost along the Romulan border is attacked by an unidentified vessel. Kirk orders battlestations and the Enterprise races towards the Romulan Neutral Zone, an area separating the two powers which was established by subspace radio over 100 years ago, just as another outpost is destroyed. Kirk continues to try and identify the attacker, but Lieutenant Stiles, whose ancestors fought in the Romulan War, believes there isn't much doubt as to their identity.

Shore Leave
When the Enterprise arrives at an uncharted planet with hopes of conducting shore leave, the initial scouting parties find no animal or insect life forms, but what they do find is a quiet and beautiful planet, which appears perfect for their needs. Shore leave is cancelled, however, when McCoy sees a likeness of Alice in Wonderland follow a large white rabbit through a hedge and no explanation can be found for the sudden appearance of life forms.

The Galileo Seven
The Enterprise is scheduled to rendezvous with a ship, which will deliver medical supplies to a plague-ridden Hansen's Planet but passes the quasar Murasake 312 and, under Starfleet orders, stops to investigate. Spock, McCoy, Scott, and four specialists board the shuttlecraft Galileo and head into Murasake 312 for observation. Unexpectedly, the Galileo is pulled off course and crashes on the planet Taurus II in the center of the Murasake phenomenon.

The Squire of Gothos
While on course towards Colony Beta VI to deliver supplies, the Enterprise encounters a lone planet in a region of space devoid of stars. Without the time to stop and investigate further, Kirk orders the planet logged for future exploration and to resume their original course. Suddenly, Kirk and Sulu are abducted from the bridge.

Arena
While in orbit above an isolated Federation outpost on Cestus III, Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and a few tactical officers beam down for a visit but soon discover that the outpost has recently been destroyed. Outnumbered, the landing party must fight off a mortar barrage from alien troops while looking for survivors.

Tomorrow Is Yesterday
After successfully pulling away from a black star, the Enterprise is caught in a time warp that sends it back to Earth during the middle of the 20th-century. While the ship attempts to recover from a low orbit, Omaha Air Base detects the Enterprise on its radar and sends an interceptor to investigate and force the ship down. In an effort to keep the plane away from the Enterprise Kirk holds it with a tractor beam, but the plane breaks up under the pressure, and Kirk is forced to beam the pilot, Captain John Christopher, aboard.

Court Martial
After suffering the effects of a severe ion storm, including the death of Records Officer Benjamin Finney, the Enterprise puts in for repairs at Starbase 11. Kirk gives Commodore Stone his sworn testimony regarding the incident, which unexplainably, does not agree with the log tapes of the Enterprise computer.

The Return Of The Archons
The Enterprise arrives at Beta III to investigate the disappearance of the U.S.S. Archon, which took place over 100 years ago. When Sulu's behaviour dramatically changes after returning from an initial survey of the planet's culture, Kirk beams down with another landing party to investigate. They are met by a calm and courteous group of citizenry who suddenly change into a wild and violent mob at the beginning of what is known as Red Hour.

Space Seed
In the area of space near Starbase 12, the Enterprise encounters what appears to be a derelict spacecraft of 20th-century Earth origin. After beaming on board, the landing party discovers human life forms and that the vessel is a "sleeper ship," designed to carry its occupants in suspended animation during interplanetary travel. While inspecting the vessel, now known as S.S. Botany Bay, one of the occupants is revived via computer control and is nursed back to health aboard the Enterprise. Curious but suspicious, he introduces himself as Khan and gives sketchy details about his starflight. After attending a social gathering and being grilled by Spock, Khan decides to take control of the Enterprise with the help of Lieutenant Marla McGivers, a historian aboard the ship who has had feelings for Khan ever since he was revived.

A Taste Of Armageddon
Kirk is ordered to open diplomatic relations with Eminiar VII at all costs, but the Enterprise is warned away from the planet as it approaches. On board is Ambassador Robert Fox who has been sent to head the dialogue and to extend an invitation to Eminiar VII and its sister planet, Vendikar, to join the Federation. Kirk and Spock beam down with a landing party, but they are immediately reminded of the warning to stay away from Eminiar. After investigating further, the landing party discovers that Eminiar VII has been at war with Vendikar for 500 years. The war, however, is fought with computers, which select targets, compute damage, and assign groups of people as casualties.

This Side Of Paradise
The Enterprise arrives at Omicron Ceti III, hoping to find surviving colonists who have been exposed to deadly berthold rays for three years. Surprisingly, the colonists are not only alive but in perfect health. While McCoy tries to unravel the mystery, Kirk attempts to convince the colonist's leader, Elias Sandoval, that an evacuation of the planet is imperative. None of the colonists, however, want to leave despite their lack of accomplishments and the deadly effects of the berthold rays.

The Devil In The Dark
The Enterprise is ordered to the mining colony on Janus VI to investigate the deaths of several miners caused by an unknown menace. Kirk, Spock, and a security team beam down to help in the search, but shortly after talking to Chief Engineer Vanderberg, another miner is killed and a reactor pump is stolen. Scotty jury-rigs a replacement but predicts an eventual reactor failure, which would cause a planet wide contamination. Now facing a race against time, Kirk and Spock join the search directly and with the aid of Spock's tricorder, manage to find a silicon based life form that can easily burrow through the planet's interior.

Errand Of Mercy
While negotiations quickly break down between the Federation and the Klingon Empire, the Enterprise is sent to Organia, a planet of primitive people strategically located between the two sides. Kirk and Spock beam down in an attempt to convince the peaceful Organians to accept Federation aid and protection against the Klingons. The Organians, however, show no interest in their offer and suggest that they go back to the Enterprise as soon as possible. Confused by their response, Kirk tries to explain the benefits of Federation aid while emphasizing the horrors of a Klingon occupation.

The Alternative Factor
While in orbit above a barren planet, a strange phenomenon causes the planet to "wink out" and attain zero gravity, a state of non-existence, the effects of which are felt throughout the galaxy. Starfleet evacuates the area around the center of the effect and orders the Enterprise to investigate, fearing that what they are experiencing may be a prelude to an invasion from an alternate universe. Kirk, Spock, and a security team beam down to the planet after discovering a life form on the previously uninhabited world. The being they discover is Lazarus, a chaotic almost deranged, man who claims that the effect is being caused by his archenemy that he is pursuing in a time travelling machine.

The City On The Edge Of Forever
While investigating a time disturbance above an uncharted planet, Sulu is rendered unconscious when his overloaded console bursts into flames. McCoy hurries to the bridge and administers a few drops of cordrazine, which immediately stabilizes the helmsman's heart flutter. Suddenly, the Enterprise lurches and McCoy is accidentally injected with a large quantity of the drug. In his cordrazine-induced frenzy, McCoy exits the bridge and manages to beam himself down to the planet below. After beaming down to find the doctor, Kirk and the landing party discover the object causing the time disturbances, the Guardian of Forever, which can show any point of time in galactic history. While watching Earth's history, McCoy leaps through the portal and as a result drastically changes history. The Enterprise suddenly vanishes, leaving the landing party stranded and speculating if even Earth itself still exists.

Operation - Annihilate!
An unexplainable epidemic of mass insanity has destroyed a line of civilizations through a portion of the Federation. The Deneva system, where Kirk's brother and his family live, appears to be the next likely victim. When the Enterprise arrives, Kirk and a landing party beam down only to encounter a hostile reception and to discover that Kirk's brother Peter is dead. Aboard the Enterprise, Peter's widow gives Kirk information about the alien creatures on Deneva, but she dies soon after leaving many unanswered questions. After beaming down to investigate further, Spock is attacked by a flying creature and is infected by the same madness as everyone else on Deneva. McCoy soon discovers that these flying, single-celled creatures are separate parts of a single entity and are the cause of the madness.

In the echelons of TV history, one show broke all boundaries when it came to success. It spawned four spin-off series, ten movies, numerous computer games, novels and other merchandise to define the word franchise. That show was Star Trek.

It is hard to believe that all this success sprung from a show that only ran for three years before American TV network NBC, in all their wisdom, cancelled it in 1969. Three years early after one failed pilot (The Cage) and the network asking for an unprecedented second attempt (Where No Man Has Gone Before), Star Trek hit the small screen in the US on September 8th 1966 and created a science fiction legacy that is unparalleled.

Series creator Gene Roddenberry vision of future would become something that the human race could aspire to, as his Federation of Planets promoted tolerance, racial diversity and peaceful exploration. In turbulent times of the 1960s this was a major issue but the crew of the Starship Enterprise showed a future where people of all ethnicities, whether they be white, black, Asian or alien, worked together for a common goal. This was groundbreaking television for the time and this vision of the future was backed up by some of the best science fiction writing of the time.

The producers of the first season of Star Trek took the unprecedented step of having famous Sci-Fi authors from the time to contribute to the series to produce one of the best first seasons of any series to hit television, either then or now. The number of classic episodes in one season is remarkable with some classed as some of the best science fiction ever to air on the medium. Chief among these are episodes such as "The Naked Time", "Balance of Power", "Tomorrow is Yesterday", "The Squire of Gothos", "Arena" and "The City on the Edge of Forever" are just a few examples of high standard of writing that became the trademark of the show. While some of the scenes and action reflected the time, the essence of the stories still ring true even today and this is what gives Star Trek its eternal appeal.

Along with the stories, the excellent ensemble cast made the show so memorable. William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk personified the action hero mentally of the time but there was much more to the character than just daring-do and saving damsels in distress. This was a strong character that also had flaws, which become all the more evident in "The Enemy Within" but had the unquestionable loyalty of his gallant crew. Leonard Nimoy brought the emotionless, half Vulcan - half Human Mr Spock to life and made him one of the most memoriable characters in TV history. He was the perfect foil for Kirk, he was the Captain's conscience, advisor and friend. Dr. "Bones" McCoy completed the leading trio as human element of the group. McCoy provided reason when action and logic were not enough. When you add Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Uhura, George Takei as Lt. Sulu and James Doohan as Lt. Cmdr. Montgomery "Scotty" Scott you have a cast those adventures you would follow from one corner of the quadrant to the other.

Star Trek is a piece of televisual history and the first season of the Original Series is one of the best to ever grace the small screen. Even nearly 40 years later, stories the episodes try to tell are still relevant and gripping, making this series not just good Science Fiction but great storytelling as well. If there were ever a definition for classic television, Star Trek would be it.