Star Trek: The Original Series is often met with a mix of appreciation and critique, especially regarding certain episodes that have earned a fair share of disdain. However, it’s vital to note that not all of these episodes deserve the vitriol they receive. Set in Gene Roddenberry’s imaginative vision of the future, the series follows Captain James T. Kirk (played by William Shatner) and the crew of the USS Enterprise as they navigate the cosmos. Despite its visual effects appearing dated by today’s standards, TOS retains a strong appeal due to its captivating characters and meaningful narratives that resonate even in modern times. Yet, some episodes might have been better left unproduced.
When Star Trek hit its mark, it produced captivating, thought-provoking stories that have stood the test of time. Conversely, when it faltered, it often leaned into outdated stereotypes and narrative tropes that haven’t aged well. Thankfully, charismatic figures like Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley) helped salvage even the least favorable tales in TOS, making the viewing experience somewhat enjoyable. However, some episodes, including the infamous season 3 premiere, “Spock’s Brain,”frequently come under fire as the worst of the franchise. Remarkably, “Spock’s Brain”manages to withstand the scrutiny better than some other installments.
“Spock’s Brain”Isn’t As Bad As You Remember
I’m Not Saying It’s A Good Episode, But It’s Not Star Trek’s Worst
The narrative of “Spock’s Brain”commences with an alien female stealing Spock’s brain after incapacitating the crew aboard the Enterprise. Captain Kirk embarks on a quest to retrieve Spock’s brain, leading to the discovery of an underground society of primitive women that require the brain to function as their new “Controller.”With the assistance of a machine dubbed the “Teacher,”Dr. McCoy expertly executes a highly complex surgery to restore Spock’s brain. Ultimately, Kirk informs the women that they must unite with their male counterparts on the surface and learn to fend for themselves without the reliance on the Controller.
Interestingly, the term “brain”is repeated almost 40 times in this episode, creating some laughable moments, including the now-iconic line: “Brain and brain! What is brain?”
While the logic in “Spock’s Brain”is questionable and the plot defies reason, it’s important to recognize that Star Trek often necessitates a suspension of disbelief. If you’re willing to put your critical thinking on hold for an hour, you might just find that “Spock’s Brain”offers a surprisingly entertaining viewing experience. Though the storyline is absurd and the characters’ seriousness feels misplaced, the episode is peppered with humorous instances, showcasing the main characters actively engaging in the narrative. Spock, in particular, remains notably unfazed throughout, humorously communicating with Kirk via a communicator, despite having no vocal cords.
Several Star Trek: The Original Series Episodes Are Worse Than “Spock’s Brain”
These Episodes Don’t Even Fall Into The So-Bad-It’s-Good Category
While “Spock’s Brain”may seem laughable, it lacks the outright offensiveness of certain other Star Trek: The Original Series episodes, which fail to stand the test of time. For instance, TOS’s first season features “The Alternative Factor,”a storyline that arguably defies logic even more than “Spock’s Brain”and has little merit to redeem it. The second season introduces “The Omega Glory,”showcasing a civilization that has funneled its evolution to mirror Earth’s own flag and Constitution in a rather bizarre twist.
Whereas “The Alternative Factor”can simply be categorized as poorly executed, “The Omega Glory”crosses a line with its overtly racist portrayals of the inhabitants of this planet. In season three, “Plato’s Stepchildren”is remembered not only for an interracial kiss between Kirk and Uhura but also as a cringe-worthy episode where the characters are forced to perform unnatural acts under duress. Finally, the series finale, “Turnabout Intruder,”is guilty of utilizing sexist themes that were considered outdated even in the 1960s, making its representation even more puzzling in the context of the show’s futuristic setting.
Other Star Trek Series Have Episodes Worse Than “Spock’s Brain”
There Are Hits & There Are Misses, & Then There Is Whatever These Episodes Are
Given the extensive episode count across the seasons, it’s not unexpected that both Star Trek: The Original Series and its successors delivered a few subpar episodes. “Code of Honor”from The Next Generation is often cited as one of the worst, and many reviews validate its notorious reputation, paralleling “Angel One”with its reliance on outdated stereotypes that starkly contrast the 24th-century setting. While TNG considerably improved after its first season, it still fell prey to poorly executed episodes such as “Shades of Grey,”an unwieldy clip show created to save production costs.
Similarly, “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine“has its own missteps, most notably “Profit and Lace,”which features sexist humor that manages to miss the mark entirely. Not to be overlooked, “Star Trek: Voyager“also featured the infamous episode “Threshold,”which is frequently panned for lacking redeeming qualities. Completing the roster of disappointing installments is Star Trek: Enterprise‘s series finale, “These Are the Voyages…,”which detracts from the series as a whole by focusing on characters from TNG and unceremoniously ending the arc of a beloved character.
Despite these misfires, it’s important to recognize that Star Trek remains a beloved franchise that delivers quality storytelling the majority of the time, and even “Spock’s Brain”holds its own unique charm.
Notable mentions include TNG’s “Code of Honor,””Shades of Grey,”and Enterprise’s “These Are the Voyages…”.