Customer Reviews

Star trek - The Original Series, Vol. 2, Episodes 4 & 5: Mudd's Women/The Enemy Within

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Those who claim Shatner can't act should be shown "The Enemy Within," an episode that shows that, yes, Shatner can act. The premise is simple enough--Kirk is split into two halves, one that is the "good" side of humanity and the other the "evil" half of humanity. Over the course of the hour, Kirk learns he needs both halves not only to command but to be human. It's a powerful and moving episode and it certainly features Shatner at his finest as he brings both half of Kirk to life. This is one of the finest explorations of Kirk's character in the entire original series and this episode proves again and again why the original series is so loved and has endured for so long.

As for "Mudd's Women," this was one of the three scripts for the second pilot that Roddenberry wanted to do. Thankfully, he went with "Where No Man Has Gone Before," and the rest is history. Not that "Mudd's Women" is bad, mind you. It's a standard Trek story that features some nice moments with Kirk. It also deals with how far humans will go to find acceptance and love and certainly has some rather interesting, thought provoking themes. But, overall, it's not one of the stronger early entries the series had.

The first season of Star Trek is, for me, a pinnacle of television entertainment, and having these new episodes in this vibrant, remastered, digital format is a dream come true. Both "Mudd's Women" and "The Enemy Within" have a great sweaty, nocturnal look to their cinematography and terrific performances. It often seems to be a given to our 30-years-later perspective that the original Star Trek contains "bad acting." People forget the esteem in which this show and its cast were held when it originally aired--Leonard Nimoy was nominated for an Emmy Award for his role on the series and Shatner--yes, Shatner!--was a respected stage performer. I can't imagine anyone else attacking the role of Kirk's evil double with the kind of flamboyant theatricality that Shatner does. You couldn't get away with it today and the aesthetic has changed completely, but I miss this kind of scenery-chewing, and it's definitely one of the reasons why this show can be watched over and over again. Roger C. Carmel's deliciously hammy, hilarious performance in "Mudd's Women" is almost as good. Just remember, you're not watching NYPD Blue, you're watching Star Trek.

This is probably the BEST DVD I have seen to date. The picture is crystal clear. I was awestruck when I watched. I couldn't believe such an old tv show could be so sharp, clear and in focus. They did a really good job of remastering this series, and the DVD really does it justice!

The sound quality is a little off par, but that is expected for a series this old (I don't know how hard it is to clarify audio in a remaster...I don't imagine it is easy though).

All in all, you get alot for what you pay for. The series sells right now on VHS at $14.00 per episode in stores (Suncoast), so at Amazon's generous $13.99 for TWO episodes, it is a bargain (if not a steal!!!).

The discs themselves are low on extras, but they do include the trailers of each show on the disk, plus the two episodes on the "next volume". Nice touch. I would have liked to have seen interviews much like what they had on the sci-fi channel, but the price point doesn't support that. I am most pleased with this issue!

We all know 'em and love 'em, and if we don't by now we never will. Questions of acting quality are irrelevant to my mind. The group dynamic that is created between the characters of Kirk, Spock & McCoy, ably supported by the other regulars, elevate the show for beyong the ordinary. Its one of those rare situations where group chemistry develops and the whole becomes far greater than the sum of its parts. Some of the stories are pure 60's cheese, but some (many) still excite & intrigue today.

I'll be collecting the DVDs anyway. My main reason for contributing this review is to float the idea of Paramount 'back-engineering' the original series with modern special effects, a' la Star Wars. I was very impressed by what was done with the DS9 'Tribbles' episode where the DS9 crew travelled back to the time of Kirk & co.

What do other fans think ?

Great looking DVD's but They changed the music!!

The opening credits theme is NOT the first season version music but the version used on the second pilot "Where No Man Has Gone Before". They added Shatner's narration but the music is not the original version that was used during the first season. Each season they re-recorded the theme for that year. They are all different in the musical arrangements and instrumentals.

This is NOT the firat season version! I know it is a small point but I think it is really sh#@y that they would take the time to redo the music. It must be money related.

First of all, for some reason Paramount have replaced the opening titles score with a different version of the theme. It spoils the original feel of the series. If this is the same for the other OST DVDs then I will not be buying any more of them.

The picture quality is generally excellent, the only noticeable problems being the age of the original prints. Nevertheless the transfer is excellent and the sound is excellent.

What can I say about the episodes on the DVD? "Mudd's Women" is a very light, simplistic story which does little for the series. Its watchable but is not particularly good.

"The Enemy Within", on the other hand, is an excellent variation on the Jekyll and Hyde story as a transporter problem splits Kirk in two, unleashing a savage double on the ship. Until the problem of re-combining Kirk is solved a landing party is stranded on a planet as its extremely cold night closes in. A very good episode.

As with so many of the original series episodes, both episodes have fabulous social issues hidden behind their "star trek"/"science ficition" fronts.

The First episode, Mudd's Women, is very poignant in today's society considering what is beautiful. Woman have always tried to "marry" back in the 60's. This episode broke through that barrier "beautifully". (If you pardon the pun.)

The second episode, has wonderful first moments contained. Technology actually malfunctioning - whoda thunk? The various personifications we all hold within ourselves. The first "He's Dead, Jim" was spoken in this episode as well as the famous Vulcan Neck Pinch.

Two superb episodes have been perfected on this DVD.

Both classic episodes, a must have!

I was so glad to hear that Paramount is releasing another volume of the original Star Trek. I absolutely love the original series and can't wait until all 79 episodes are released on DVD. This format is extremely clear and excellent picture quality, that it is amazing that it dates back to the 1960's. One of my favorite episodes is gotta be episode #5 "The Enemy Within" and it is included in this volume. Can Spock be able to tell who is the real Captain Kirk? This is great and you must own it because I seem to watch it over and over again.

Star Trek: The Original Series Volume 2 presents two episodes aired in 1966:

"Mudd's Women:" In this segment we are introduced to the galaxy's most likeable adversary, Harry Mudd. Mudd brings aboard the Enterprise his "cargo" -- three beautiful women. There's a surprising drug angle to the story regarding the illegal Venus drug which supposedly enhances the beauty of Mudd's gals (uh, I don't think the need any help -- especially Ruth and Magda). It's interesting to note that this story was one of the three candidates for the (second) pilot; the two others being "The Omega Glory" and the accepted "Where No Man Has Gone Before." Good choice because otherwise Star Trek wouldn't exist. Anyway, the episode starts to drag a bit in the third act, but other than that it's a fun, enjoyable outing. GRADE: B

"The Enemy Within:" Kirk gets split into two separate versions of himself a la "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Watch out for the dark Kirk's bestial expression at the end of the teaser -- it's great! Note the top two items on the dark Kirk's 'things-to-do' list: 1.) Get some booze off of Dr. McCoy and 2.) Go after sexy Yeoman Janice Rand in her red miniskirt. It is revealed that Kirk's command abilities and decisiveness stem from his carnal side, not his spiritual side. Spock theorizes that the 'evil' side of the human psyche, properly controlled and disciplined, is vital to our strength. Thus with Kirk's negative side removed from him, the power of command starts to elude him. (Though McCoy rightly points out later that a human being's essential courage stems from his/her 'good' side). Bottom Line: A brilliant and captivating psychological exploration; fails to achieve "A+" status only because it starts to plod a bit in the second half. GRADE: A

'The Enemy Within', escapes when Kirk beams back to the Enterprise and two Kirks materialize, one after the other. One a good-Kirk, the other, an evil-Kirk.

Not to be confused with the episode where Janet Lester takes over Kirks mind by replacing it with her own (where was Shatners Emmy!), or the episode where Kirk is replaced by a mechanical Kirk as part of a plot where humans will be replaced by more perfect machines, or the episode where disembodies aliens, who have their minds stored in mechanical spheres, take over the minds of the crew as part of a mercy mission, or the episode where the crew transports to an alternate universe - where the federation is an 'empire' that rules by maintaining terror, and their counterparts from the evil universe, beam aboard the Enterprise (a fan favorite).

As The Enemy Within unfolds, the evil-Kirk becomes more aggressive, and the good-Kirk more indecisive. Each apparently needs the other. In the end they both go back thru the transporter and become one. Spock observing that ladies seem to like the evil-Kirk.