Badgerbadgerson3
1478
61
38
Let me first say, I first started the series 4 years ago after TRYING to watch Babylon 5. I LOVED Deep Space 9, and The Next Generation was pretty damn good after the first season. Hell, even Voyager was good enough I'd rewatch it with someone. And the movies that came out before the 2000s were all good. But The Original Series? I made it through a couple episodes before I began looking up the synopsis for each one. Every couple episodes I'd force myself to watch an episode all the way through, and of course I watched the "Original Q" episode and the trouble with Feltans.....I mean Tribbles episode. But the acting, pacing, plot EXECUTION(The actual plot IDEAS weren't too bad), character building, and humor were all just irredeemable. I'm giving the effects and set design a pass for obvious reasons, they actually did decent there with the time and their budget. But otherwise, as much as I'm happy it happened, since it led to the good series, I cannot fathom why anyone likes it past rose colored glasses.
JamesTDG
Yeah, the start of trek definitely wasn't that pretty...
Sebastopol140
Yep.
Bystandr
Kirk is a product of his time. The 60s and 70s were wild.
evildadunit
blasphemy
wilagames
"after TRYING to watch Babylon 5."
Thanks for leading with this so I know I can just go ahead and disregard your whole opinion then.
Nah Im kidding. I think me and you have wildly different opinions about sci-fi but you're absolutely allowed to not like TOS even if you're a fan of DS9. Seriously tho, give Babylon 5 a fair shake. It never looks good but it's got really great writing and world building.
cytherians
Babylon 5 is epic. What it tackled was legendary. I think the only production to really take on something so gargantuan is the "Foundation" series. I can't stand the tragically primitive CGI in B5. I kind of wish they'd remaster it with new VFX. But... now, that CGI is kind of the nostalgic charm.
What's most impressive to me right now is how relevant B5 is to American politics in this moment.
Turboslacker
ballsoutflyer
I just lookat Khan and just think: "Okay there, Captain Ahab."
mageninja
UncleSlam123
The only time I enjoyed watching ToS was with friends during college and that was mostly because of all the shit talk that was happening. Like you I also loved TNG and DS9
v
Metallica93
We're about to start our marathon run. I'm expecting it to be the only time I watch the original series, but I expect it to be "Eh" to "Fine". Just not rewatch material, in all likelihood.
ltoast
it has a handful of decent episodes, most of the memorable stuff that endears people to the original cast are in the movies they made after. I prefer TNG era trek myself and its what I grew up with but it also has quite a few parts I'd rather skip over on a rewatch than suffer through.
TheobromineAddict
Honestly, I've been disappointed by a lot of movies that were "groundbreaking" back in the day, when first released, but are kinda schlocky now.
cytherians
I don't think having watched it as a kid is a requirement.
However, what's REALLY IMPORTANT is to watch it with the perspective of recognizing that this was the 1960's! Television programs of this type were unheard of. You did have the Twilight Zone and Outer Limits for some real meaty sci-fi content, but what Roddenberry aimed to do was so very new. Yes, there were MANY drawbacks. BUT, you always have to qualify it by context. For what it was? Star Trek was AMAZING for the 60's and 70's.
cytherians
Another thing... back then television was still in its infancy, for content like this. Look around that time period. What was good? Really... not very much. Relatively speaking, so much of what was made in the 60's and up to mid 70's SUCKED BALLS. Even Battlestar Galactica with its advanced SFX for the day was pretty bad, most of the time.
So, you have to watch Star Trek TOS with that kind of perspective. There's a lot to appreciate when you do that.
DickSoup
I could agree with you, but then I’d be wrong, too.
v
cytherians
Back then, serial development of characters and relationships was unheard of. Star Trek had very ambitious screenplays and very difficult budgets. Some of the cost cutting was painful. Costumes made out of placemats? WTH? But... creative, you've got to admit that. Shatner had great moments, but some very bad ones--overacting was so wince-worthy.
https://tos.trekcore.com/gallery/albums/screencaps/season3/302-elaan-of-troyius/elaan-of-troyius-br-042.jpg
anomnomnomaly
I remember watching repeats of it as a kid, it was my first introduction to Star Trek in the mid 80's. But I really enjoyed TNG from the later part of the 80's and DS9 is still my fave (TNG, Lower Decks and SNW tied for 2nd for different reasons)... I struggle to enjoy TOS as a result.
deanbrah
correct
largomatic
Nah homie, watch it while tripping and you’ll have a great time.
Shifuede
SubTrout
I wouldn't say unwatchable, but the gulf in quality between the good episodes and bad ones is VAST. It is very much a product of its time, and while it did a bunch of progressive things was still mired in the inherent sexism of its time to a huge degree. Also from just a nerd standpoint, waaaay too many episodes are "Enterprise crew flies into some stupid godlike alien goofus who fucks around with the crew".
The TOS movies are LEAGUES better though... aside from like, #5.
Johnsky
I find it was a product of its time. Back then they were still transitioning from Radio plays to Television. Most shows of the time were still done very close to Radio style writing, radio style delays (meant to let the listener catch up, but it results in campy awkward television. Turn the screen off and listen to the original star trek, and you'll notice you don't need to see it to follow the story
lastmanonearthbutidroppedmyglasses
CaptainCrohbar
I'll be the odd one out.
I grew up on TNG, and I liked TOS third season, for the most part. Maybe some of the second. Part of it is adjusting to the crap factor. Part of it is the writers and actors finding their characters. Like most trek, that took a few seasons.
I enjoyed some of the plots. Some of the goofy little quips at the end of the episodes genuinely made me laugh. Seeing TOS cast show up in TNG felt like seeing an old friend.
cytherians
I grew up on TOS. So it has a special nostalgic place for me. However... I have become more critical of its weaker episodes. Some of them are very painful to watch. But, what came as a nice surprise was the remastering that included previously cut scenes. Seeing something new from that old series is like finding an Easter Egg.
Season 3 was the worst. The series was slated for canceling. Freiberger didn't know what he was doing. But, there were some gems. 1st & 2nd were the best, IMHO.
HeLoudlySaidIgnoreMe
TOS is a product of its time and I have a lot of appreciation for it knowing that it was doing this socialist space opera analysis of the socio-political landscape at the time.
aflarge
I mean you have to watch it with the understanding that it was made in the 60's, but it still has a LOT of charm.
cytherians
Exactly. In 1960's, this kind of production like Star Trek was unheard of. And it was a struggle all the way. Budgets were generous relatively speaking, but still imposed a lot of restrictions on what could be done. SFX was painfully primitive. Yes, 2001 ASOD achieved so much that still holds up, but with an enormous budget and a movie production timetable.
iamgnat
Unfortunately this is true of most old shows/movies. MASH is another one I just can't stomach for all the fond memories I have of it. I won't even try Bewitched or I dream of Jeannie as I know I won't be able to stand it and it will ruin my memories.
You have to remember they were created in a different time that had different sensibilities, but the cringe is just hard to get past in many cases.
That's not to say there is no good in them. It's just hard to make it to those bits at times.
OnceBotheredTwiceShy
Targe0
I see, so they watch it flow the plot then.
haveanupvotegif
Excellent counterpoint
JustDriftingAboutTheInterWebs
littlecoatfatguy
cytherians
I like the way the woman on the left is holding onto her big toe. 😏😸😹
laserfrog
They are bad in the body count while trying to convince you that the captain gives a shit about his people, who then takes top 3 ppl down
eromitlab
Crew Resource Management didn't exist then and it shows
laserfrog
into danger, leaving the rest of the crew fucked if they did not deux ex machina the solution
happyrabbitzz
I rarely watched it as a kid (but could have); started watching in first year of college as it was broadcast around 4:20 weekday afternoons.
happyrabbitzz
I also mostly agree with your smallish rant.
DancesWithHippos
Two words: Nichelle Nichols.
somethingshocking
Six more words: George Takei, Leonard Nimoy, and James Doohan.
laserfrog
7