1x2 The Corbomite Maneuver

Rating: 7.5 

Episode starts off with Spock at the helm. Might also be the first appearance of lieutenant Uhura, or maybe just because I'm watching in production order. I've always been curious how many people were actually angered by a multiracial cast.

scary space objects oooh

There's some Jim/McCoy interaction early on. It's nice to see Kirk not beyond reproach. Might also be the first Scottie appearance. 

I don't think you could create the same level of suspense with such a simple device today. Most shows now would blow the cube up and move in because cgi lasers battles look pretty good nowadays. I wonder if this signifies a change in human thinking or just technology. 

"Aren't you the one that said a little suffering is good for the soul?"

  ... "I never said that."

I do like the I'm finding at least one good quote in each episode. I get the feeling when I get to TNG that'll get mostly replaced for monologues issues by Picard....though I have no basis for that other than feeling like it'd be a Patrick Stewart thing to do.

There's some kerfuffle over if Jim promoted a guy too quickly or not. I like the little additions of background the show puts in like that.

"What is this, GREEN LEAVES?!?!?"

Kirk's delivery of this line is hilarious to me. Like it would be so unmasculine for a ship captain 1000 years from now to eat a semi healthy diet.....washed down with booze.

tfw they assign you a female yeoman and you don't actually trust yourself despite what you tell the doctor

This show really makes me think a lot about how male/female interactions have changed with time. Or maybe, how they haven't.  Superficial changes mostly I suppose, men in power still take women however they can. 

THIS IS BAYLOCK, NOT A COMMON COLD VIRUS

Somebody in set and costume design must've had a blast trying to take old Halloween costumes and random bits of plastic scrap off the shelves and turning it into Star Trek. It is if nothing else, inspiring to amateur film makers on shoestring budgets

Essentially the entire episode is a think piece. What would you do if presented with an enemy so powerful you had no ability to fight or escape? If you're Kirk, you bluff.

I do like the little sideplot about the underprepared deckhand. When he's allowed back on the bridge seemingly right before annihilation it's a feel good moment.

Side note, the visuals in this show tend to feel psychedelic sometimes. The way the alien ship is constantly shifting color gradient is a good example. The lighting in general in this show really. It's pretty cool the effect they could get out of shimmering lights and overhead projectors.

Just another example of how creepy this show can be

What a weird ending to this episode. It is a happy one at least.