"Mudd's Women" (Ep.4): Conman Harry Mudd brokers the marriage of three beautiful women to a mining colony to escape Kirk. "The Enemy Within" (Ep.5): A transporter malfunction splits Kirk into good and evil entities.
MUDD'S WOMEN
Good episode merely because it introduced a classic character... Mudd. Typical Con-man with a rouge-ish streak. He is what makes the episode worth watching. The story-line itself was meant to be a bit of a "pick-me-up" for women. So there are some definite themes about inner-beauty etc. However if you can look past the slow-moving plot and the funny looking 60s outfits (they were supposed to be REALLY sexy I guess... I just find them funny) you will enjoy this one.
ENEMY WITHIN
Yes this is the one where Kirk splits into two personalities. Kinda a "Dr. Jeckl/Mr. Hyde" thing going on. Worth watching to see all the continuity problems. Whoever did Shatner's make-up must have been a tad confused... his scratches on his cheek switch sides... lots. PLUS it is fun to see Shatner with black mascara on.
Also includes a funky looking dog-thing which is probably what makes the episode most memorable... Pity it only makes a cameo appearance.
Movie Reviews
Get this one for Shatner
Michael Hickerson | 05/01/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Ah Canna Change the Laws o'Physics !
Kevin Wilson | 01/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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 ?"
THEY CHANGED THE MUSIC!!
Kevin Wilson | 09/23/1999
(3 out of 5 stars)
"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."
They don't call it classic Trek for nothing
J. Bond | Los Angeles | 08/18/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
DVD shines in its clarity
J. Bond | 08/23/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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!"