Week 9

Seven episodes down this week. So far season 3 is unimpressive. If the season continues on this way, then there is no wonder why there was no season 4. This week had some disappointments, and only one stand out episode, "Is There In Truth No Beauty?" "The Paraside Syndrome" was notable for one of the worst Shatner scenes ever, in which he elates at his impending marriage to Pocahotness.
Scenes like this gave Shatner his bad rap. I blame the director for letting it by. Can you say "take 2!"

55. Spock's Brain •••
    
56. The Enterprise Incident ••
    
57. The Paradise Syndrome •••
    
58. And the Children Shall Lead ••
    
59. Is There In Truth No Beauty? ••••
    
60. Spectre of the Gun •••
    
61. Day of the Dove •••
    

Count 61 of 726

New Movie Trailer

A new trailer for Star Trek is up! Pure awesome. The only reservation I have so far is Bones. He better raise that goddamn eyebrow sometime during the movie, or I will be greatly disappointed!

And I love the desperation in Eric Bana's voice when he shouts "Fire everything!" Can't wait.

Week 8

8 down this week and TOS: Season 2 is done! I'm getting sad that TOS is going by so fast. But also, I'm looking forward to TAS (The Animated Series) and the movies. Everything was good this week. I'm seeing a pattern of alternate history type episodes, where planets are exactly like Earth apart from one or two major changes. While they are entertaining, they should have spread them out a bit more.

"The Ultimate Computer" was a really good episode that explored computers and automation's role. It was also particularly good to see Kirk almost lose it when he realizes the computer may well replace him and he may lose his ship. Also, "By Any Other Name" was notable in that the Enterprise was taken over by a pair of runway models gone bad.
We are Runway Model. Resistance is Futile.

47. The Immunity Syndrome •••
    
48. A Private Little War •••
    
49. Return to Tomorrow •••
    
50. Patterns of Force ••••
    
51. By Any Other Name ••••
    
52. The Omega Glory ••••
    
53. The Ultimate Computer •••••
    
54. Bread and Circuses •••
    

Count 54 of 726

Week 7

Four episodes down this week. First is Wolf in the Fold, a pretty good episode where Scotty is accused of murder on a pleasure planet. Supernatural activity abounds, including a seance. A little out of the ordinary for Star Trek, but fun none the less.

Then comes the Tribbles. This is by far one of the most well known and memorable episodes. But I hated it. It had a lot of cheap, juvenile humor that is usually reserved for other types of shows, like The Brady Bunch or Andy Griffith. It was also memorable, for me, in that they recycled an actor from season one's The Squire of Gothos (William Campbell). He has a very distinct face, voice, and mannerism that made it immediately obvious he was the same guy. But in addition to that, he was memorable for being the worst Klingon ever. He was not tough, cold, crass or violent. He was rather gay, spoke eloquently and jovially in a rather melodious voice, and was a pussy to Kirk. How did he even survive a Klingon childhood?
Worst. Klingon. Ever.
The Gamesters of Triskelion was ok but unmemorable. And A Piece of the Action was a good "holodeck" type of episode with a lot of humor about the landing party trying to fit in with the locals. Also to note, Kirk did not know how to drive a manual transmission car, despite the new movie trailer clearly showing him driving a manual classic Corvette off a cliff, and knowing how to handle the clutch. Who on the new movie failed to do their research! I've read that each series has a team of people who are essentially Star Trek historians and science fact checkers, but they totally missed that Kirk can't drive! I'm kidding of course, I don't really care, but I find it funny anyhow.

43. Wolf in the Fold ••••
    
44. The Trouble Tith Tribbles •
    
45. The Gamesters of Triskelion •••
    
46. A Piece of the Action ••••
    

Count 46 of 726

Week 6

7 down this week. Catspaw had some real crappy effects and cheap sets, but was not a bad story. Journey to Babel stood out this week. It was a real nice political intrigue episode with politics and assassination. It also introduced Spock's parents. Friday's Child was notable for the absolutely stunning Julie Newmar guest starring as a warrior's wife. The Deadly Years, in which the away team artificially age rapidly, was fun to watch and compare to how the actors really aged, which was not nearly as well, lol.

And finally, Obsession was a good story in that it dove into Kirk's past a bit. Which raised questions for me about the upcoming movie. Kirk didn't live his entire childhood on Earth. He lived on Tarsus IV at age 13 for an unspecified period of time. He then went through Starfleet Academy (starting in 2250) and served on at least two other Star Ships before being awarded the Enterprise in 2264 at age 31. I'm not sure how long Starfleet Academy trains officers, but that's almost 14 years of service before he even set foot on the Enterprise. So now my curiosity about the new movie is at an all time high! Can't wait to see it. I'm also very glad I am watching all the original episodes before the new movie.

36. Catspaw •••
    
37. I, Mudd •••
    
38. Metamorphosis •••
    
39. Journey to Babel •••••
    
40. Friday's Child ••••
    
41. The Deadly Years ••••
    
42. Obsession ••••
    

Count 42 of 726

Week 5

Only 3 episodes this week! I've been getting to bed later than usual. I end up either falling asleep mid show or foregoing it altogether. This week I will get back on track.

33. Mirror, Mirror ••••
    
34. The Apple •••
    
35. The Doomsday Machine ••••
    

Count 35 of 726

It's Alive!

My arcade stick project is finally complete! It's a wireless Xbox 360 controller, poplar frame, battery compartment built into the side, Sanwa stick, Seimitsu buttons, Street Fighter graphic from UdonCrew under a plexiglas cover. Total Cost: ~$250. Works awesome on Super Street Fighter 2 HD Remix. Looking forward to playing some Street Fighter IV on it next week! More pics here.