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Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 10, Episodes 19 & 20: Arena/ The Alternative Factor
 
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Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 10, Episodes 19 & 20: Arena/ The Alternative Factor (1966)

Series: Star Trek Format: DVD
4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
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Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 10, Episodes 19 & 20: Arena/ The Alternative Factor + Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 9, Episodes 17 & 18: Shore Leave/ The Squire of Gothos + Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 7, Episodes 14 & 15: The Galileo Seven/ Court-Martial
Total List Price: $59.97
Price For All Three: $49.97

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Editorial Reviews

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Volume 10 of Paramount's DVD series of original Star Trek episodes includes "Arena," based on a script by Trek producer Gene L. Coon, the other indispensable figure (besides Gene Roddenberry) in making Star Trek what it was. After writing what he believed was an original teleplay about a one-on-one battle between Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and the reptilian commander of an enemy vessel, Coon realized he had probably been subconsciously inspired by a similar short story written by Fredric Brown (who was promptly credited and paid). The concept of a human-and-alien duel to the death in primitive terrain, however, was slightly ubiquitous in the 1960s (see "Fun and Games," a masterpiece from the original The Outer Limits TV show), and was revisited in the '80s via the Arnold Schwarzenegger feature, Predator. But under Coon's guidance and direction by Joseph Pevney, "Arena" stands on its own as a particularly strong story of what battle does to one's humanity. Shatner is in great form for this one.

Also in this volume is a minor episode, "The Alternative Factor," in which Kirk encounters two versions of a fellow named Lazarus (Robert Brown), one from our own dimension and the other from an antimatter cosmos. The latter Lazarus intends to create an opening between worlds, potentially causing an intergalactic Armageddon. Though directed by Gerd Oswald, an interesting feature filmmaker from Hollywood, "The Alternative Factor" has to work a little too hard to make its point. Still, it isn't boring, and the theme certainly fits that long-standing Star Trek obsession with dualities. --Tom Keogh

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Customer Reviews

21 Reviews
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4.3 out of 5 stars (21 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars How the best is even better, April 1, 2000
By "classic_sci-fi" (Roanoke, Virginia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 10, Episodes 19 & 20: Arena/ The Alternative Factor (DVD)
I grew up watching Star Trek when it originally aired from age 4-present. I was thrilled when the series came out on Laserdisc and have a complete set. I thought "This is incredible, the quality and clearity". Then along came DVD and one day I saw "Star Trek the original series vol.1". I cannot describe my joy. I have been at the stores on release dates to snatch the next DVD as it is being put on the shelf. They are outstanding, original Star Trek has always been the best of all Treks and now it is even better. The picture and sound is fantastic, I just love it!

Vol.10 contains 2 very good episodes Arena and The Alternative Factor. Since most everyone supports Arena with great reviews and negatively about The Alternative Factor as being an uncomprehensible story, I choose to review Alternative Factor. I have always liked this episode and have understood it since my teens. It is a story that generates deep thought and wonder. Unlike the parrallel Mirror Universe, "Alternative" is a identical but oppossite universe, something that has been theorized for decades. How fascinating if true, an identical but opposite you and I. The coridor in between universes seperating them, the possibility of total anihlation. It's great, I find the episode very well done and as Spock would say "Quite Logical" Many people have complained about there only being 2 episodes per disc when DVD is capable of more, I can only say that Laserdisc also has 2 per disc and cost at the time was $30.00 ea. Look what we get for our money now! Thank you DVD, I just wish I didn't have to wait so long to get them all

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An Alternative Opinion, October 24, 2003
By BRB "I am the Batman" (Midwest City, OK USA) - See all my reviews
Being an ORIGINAL trekkie (I care not for johnnie-come-lately Trekkors who have no clue what this series meant in '66), I have strong memories of watching Kirk and Spock every week. When the reruns began to be aired locally (some years after the rest of the country, apparently), I got to see stuff I did not remember. The Alternative Factor became my personal favorite because of the struggles: 1. Kirk and Spock not understanding the nature of the situation 2. Lazarus dealing with his opposite self's actions after they swap universes 3. Stopping anihilation successfully.
The state of budgets and special effects somewhat hurt the visual storytelling, but the rest of the show I find heroic in a very classical sense. I was always blown away by the magnitude of the sacrifice of the rational Lasarus, and Kirk's words at the end chill me even today. Maybe having a friend who looked like, and whose intellect was on the order of Spock's, gives me a different perspective toward this tale. I always felt like Kirk to his Spock, but without a ship to command (Boy, did we need one). Hey, If networks today would pay attention to what Gene and the guys were up to, we'd have shows like...like...like...Enterprise today. Hey, we do! Trek Lives! Long Live Treckkiedom!
This is story telling at it's peak, galactic in scope, human at it's heart, and gut wrenching in it's conclusion. They don't come better than this, even with bigger budgets. This is the stuff that inspires kids to be great achievers, and grown-ups to think about why we do what we do. Great stuff, if you pay attention.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars KIRK BATTLES THE GORN IN ARENA!!!, July 9, 2002
Volume 10 of the Star Trek DVD series contains two episodes that may or may not be considered classics depending on your point of view but none the less both ARENA and THE ALTERNATIVE FACTOR are quite memorable.

ARENA is easily considered a classic. In the classic tale Kirk and the crew are in an intergalactic battle with a enemy Gorn ship. The Gorn ship attacks the Enterprise after it invaded their territory. Soon however a "superior" peaceful race captures the two ships and takes Kirk and The Gorn Cpt. to a nearby habitable planet to do beattle. The winner can continue on his mission the loser will be destroyed along with his ship in the interests of peace. The episode sontains two hilarious moments the Gorn (who looks really fake) and the ridiculous superior being whom appears in the end. He asks "Does My Appearance Shock You Captain?" Well it sure shocked me. Later on he says there is hope for the human race and that they can be like the superior race. I don't know but if thats the superior race then I would prefer to stay the way we are! Anyways the episode is a classic. Easily one of the best Trek episodes of the first season.

The second episode here is THE ALTERNATIVE FACTOR where Kirk meets a crazed mad man named Lazerus who is bent on destroying his double in a parallel universe. I have always found this episode a headache to watch (similar to the Dagger In The Mind episode). Sure the episode has a deep complex interesting plot but it was not translated well into an episode as it would have belong better in a book. That is why THE ALTERNATIVE FACTOR is reviewed so negatively. The episode is quite trippy and complex but I understood it although many viewers don't.

Overall Volume 10 is worth a look particularily for the classic ARENA but you may like THE ALTERNATIVE FACTOR depending on your taste. It wasn't my favourite but the plot was quite good. This collection is definetly worth it though.
Highly recommended.

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