Star Trek - The Complete First Season (DVD, 2004, 8-Disc Set)

The first season of the original Star Trek series was its best. Included in this set are such classic episodes as "Space Seed", "Errand of Mercy", and the Hugo Award winner "City on the Edge of Forever". Here we see the development of the Kirk, Spock, and McCoy triumvirate, the introduction of memorable characters such as Mudd and Khan who will later return, and the first appearances of the Romulans and the Kingons, in what are the most important episodes from the original series to feature them.

Unfortunately, following the pilot, the first several episodes of the season are among the weakest Trek episodes produced. One has to sit through dross like "The Corbomite Maneuver", "The Enemy Within", and "Miri" before reaching such breakout episodes as "Balance of Terror" and "Dagger of the Mind". Luckily, "The Megagerie" (which also won a Hugo Award) starts a trend of episodes extending all the way to the end of the season that are unquestionably the best in the entire run of the original series. This run of episodes alone is worth the price for the entire season.

A final note: "The Cage", the original, unaired pilot episode for Star Trek which featured a different cast, is strangely not included in this season, but rather in the season three set (probably because season three features fewer episodes and is of lower quality). "The Cage" is a fantastic episode, and it is unfortunate that the viewer of the first season is not able to view it before "The Menagerie" (which follows up on the story) or "Where No Man Has Gone Before" (the aired second pilot which isn't quite as good but introduces Kirk). Nevertheless, season one is the best of the original Star Trek and the perfect choice for someone seeking an introduction to the series.

My husband and I enjoyed the third season set so much that we decided to order the first and second seasons. We are of an age that we remember seeing them on television the first time they were aired in the 60s, and it brings back a lot of memories. The Original Series cast characterizations are so finely drawn that they are indelibly etched in our psyche. The series has a real tongue-in-cheek humour that is vastly entertaining. It never took itself seriously, even though a few episodes had a "message" to them. We laugh at "The Shat's" scene-chewing acting style. We chortle at the outraged Bones' reply, "I'm a doctor, not a ...." or "He's dead, Jim". We giggle at Spock's ever logical observations. We quickly cite which Red Shirt crew member of the Enterprise landing party will soon bite the dust as an expendable resource to further the plot. We snigger at the low tech look of the control panels on the bridge. We deride the revealing, sex-object oriented costumes of the female cast members and Kirk's immediate attempts to seduce the females, whether they be green, blue, alien or Earthling. Every moment of every episode provides an opportunity for laughter and enjoyment, and we do enjoy every moment. The digitally remastered DVD set is very clear, and I even use my 3D glasses for the opening sequences of each episode as the Enterprise rockets through space. The sound quality is great, and the extra features add a lot to the experience as well. It is wonderful to watch the episodes without the distraction of commercials. I can heartily recommend all 3 seasons of this series for those who love good science fiction, especially vintage science fiction.

When the DVD boom hit the world market. Paramount decided to release them 2 episode per disc with no specials. Now with all the fans who are very mad because they wasted money for space increase. All three seasons of Trek in now out on DVD sets. What sucks about these sets is no offers of special features such as commercial trailers for the next Trek episodes. And the most important one of them all is the experimental version of the Pilot episode, "Where no Man has Gone Before". Or even the actual The Cage episode. If ever Paramount is trying to pull a "George Lucas" sales pitch on us with re-releases I stop with what I got. But meanwhile if you are a Trek fan and a must have it person, this is recommended but I would wait for another 5-10 years for a supreme deluxe edition.

The One That Started It All... on TV, and now it's on DVD!

So many episodes, so little time!

But of all the series, this one and Voyager were my favorites.

You can look back at these now, and realize that very little is dated, and viewing these episodes will help you understand the Star Trek Museum in Las Vegas when you go there!

This is a good start for someone attempting to collect the best of the Star Trek franchise items!
Michael

What can I say that hasn't been said about Season One. It is simply awesome. The writers really shine in this season; such as Harlan Ellison, Theodore Sturgeon, Gene Roddenberry & Jerome Bixby. Some of the outstanding episodes are: Charlie X,
Mudd's Women, The Naked Time, Dagger Of The Mind, Balance Of Terror, The Menagerie Pts. 1 & 2, The Galileo Seven, Space Seed, Tomorrow Is Yesterday, The Devil In The Dark, The City On The Edge Of Forever, to name a few. The specials are very cool as we learn even more about the making of Star Trek. This is a must have for any TOS fan. You will not be dissapointed.