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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Star Trek "The Alternative Factor", Episode 27, March 30, 1967. As its 5.7/10 on IMDb indicates, this is the most maligned episode of the first two seasons by far. I'm not so harsh. I admire director Gerd Oswald's attempts to create something interesting with such an incomprehensible script.

A visual special effect shot, an overlap between a shot of the bridge and a layer of stars against an outer space field.

A visual special effect shot, an overlap between a shot of Kirk and a layer of stars against an outer space field.

A visual special effect shot, an overlap between a man standing on the ground and a layer of stars against an outer space field.

A negative image, of the man Lazarus trapped in the anti-universe void

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Star Trek "Errand of Mercy", Episode 26, March 23, 1967.

Three older men sitting side by side along one side of a long table.

Close-up of John Colicos as Commander Kor, Klingon

Commander Kor and Captain Kirk staring at each other.

Kirk and Spock standing side by side, talking to each other. They're wearing medieval outfits to blend in with the society they're in.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

"The Devil in the Dark", Episode 25, March 9, 1967.

the underground cave where much of the episode is based, the rock walls a blue/gray hue, the cave branches out with many passage ways.

A silhouette of a man walking through the cave

Smoking hot residue on the cave floor showing a blackened mark where a person used to be just seconds ago.

Kirk, McCoy and Spock standing in an office room setting, with an orb-like figure on the table demanding their attention.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

"This Side of Paradise" edges out "The Return of the Archons" and "A Taste of Armageddon" for me largely because of how much fun it squeezes out of its premise; Leonard Nimoy gives one of his standout performances from the original series.

Star Trek episode "This Side of Paradise" - Spock and Jill Ireland as Leila Kalomi are in a field.

Spock and Leila standing face to face, greenery behind them; their figures are obscured slightly by a single plant in the foreground.

Spock and Leila holding each other, smiling.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

"A Taste of Armageddon" is one of those Prime Directive establishing episodes. What I like best about it is its colours.

Kirk, Spock and a couple red shirted crewman talking to Mea 3 and her two guards in a hallway.

Kirk, Spock and their crew hiding behind wall pillars, Kirk leaning out forward to see if the coast is clear. The walls are lit with splashes of purples, greens and oranges.

A close-up of a wall that has a divide acting as an open door, the wall is green on one side of the entrance, and purple on the other side.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

The Monkees ep 6 is Davy Jones centric, as he has to impress his grandfather by pretending to more successful than he is. The imagined world within this show fascinates me; the working class struggle of this band that can't land gigs or pay the rent, frequently trying to pass as what they're not.

Davy Jones with a word balloon drawn next to him, thinking "That Lady was a Lady!"

Davy Jones in a suit, sitting down at a table, with his hand pushed into his face.

The lads are sitting outside on a bench. There's a humorous sight gag here of Mime Nesmith holding a pair of scissors, as he delicately trims the pom pom part of his hat. This goes unremarked in the scene.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

"Space Seed" is one of the most written about Star Trek episodes, in large part because it was given additional significance in hindsight through an impressive motion picture sequel decades later. I imagine it would still be regarded as an excellent standout episode even if it remained stand-alone.

Madlyn Rhue as Lt. Marla McGivers, in her quarters, which has an artwork on an easel, and cups full of paint brushes.

An interior within a spaceship, there are compartments within the walls, where crew members lay down horizontally, they are in cryosleep.

Kirk, McCoy, Scotty and Marla McGivers look at the cryo sleeping body of Khan.

Kirk talking to Khan Noonien Singh who is sitting up in a hospital bed.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

In a strange bit of episode arrangement, "The Return of the Archons" starts off a three-out-of-four-episode-run which are based around seemingly idyllic - though quirky - societies that have eradicated war but at the expense of humanity. Star Trek goes pagan folk horror in its costuming.

An exterior shot of an empty town, with the exception of a hooded figure carrying a staff in the center of frame.

Kirk dressed like someone who's about to burn women on account of them being witches, standing next to Spock dressed in all black including a hood to cover his ears.

The townsfolk raving mad during the time of the "Festival"

Kirk inside a room looking out his window to see all the people on the streets.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Doing another courtroom episode the same season as "The Menagerie" was a mistake. "Court Martial" is mostly fine, Elisha Cook Jr. is here, has an intriguing tension which falls apart at the twist and goofy finale. Perhaps most damaging to the drama is the ep never makes us consider Kirk is guilty.

Kirk and Bones side by side, purple walls behind them.

Kirk sitting down in a bar talking to Lt. Areel Shaw (Joan Marshall) in her casual attire

Kirk, Spock Sulu, Commodore Stone all sitting down in the conference room aboard the Enterprise. Elisha Cook Jr. as Samuel T. Cogley is standing and talking.

Kirk squeezing into a tight space, two metallic walls only about a foot apart.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

"Tomorrow Is Yesterday" is such a humble first foray into Star Trek time travel storytelling, essentially laying the groundwork for how these stories will function going forward. Strong acting from Shatner in this, as Kirk is conflicted in how to handle his unwanted guest.

Kirk is in his quarters, talking to his black computer box which records his audio logs.

Kirk and Sulu sneaking through a 20th century military building, standing outside a door that reads "Statistical Services Division"

Kirk and Sulu sneaking through a 20th century military building, flashlight in Kirk's hand.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

"The Squire of Gothos" is a variation on an already recurring theme. Its petulant all-powerful Trelane is more endearing than the angst-ridden "Charlie X" riff on Twilight Zone's "It's A Good Life". With artificial period detail on top, this anticipates the Q + Holodeck side of TNG.

Kirk and Sulu are stuck in place, arms jutted out awkwardly, with 18th century architecture behind them.

Kirk side by side with Trelane (William Campbell)

Uhura and Yeoman Teresa Ross (Venita Wolf), with a large red painting behind them.

Kirk and Trelene holding dueling pistols.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

"The Galileo Seven" is a noteworthy attempt at shaking up the formula by removing Kirk from the main proceedings and having Spock in charge of an away mission gone wrong. Sturdy, tense back-and-forth between Spock and McCoy in this episode.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

"Shore Leave" is fun, fluff, as lite as Star Trek gets. Visually, this is an abnormal episode that stands out because of all the natural lighting! Would you look at that, real sky, real trees, and sunlight!

A human dressed up as the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland

Kirk and Emily Banks as Yeoman Tonia Barrows walking outside, trees and sky behind them.

Kirk talking to a fantastical recreation of a women he once knew, played by Shirley Bonne

Spock standing on top of a rocky formation, blue skies behind him.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

"Balance of Terror" is the pinnacle of ship-centric Star Trek episodes. One element I find tedious about modern-day Trek is relying on regurgitating older Trek or broader science fiction for its stories - but the original series frequently looked to other genres of fiction for its inspiration.

Spock on the bridge looking down at a small screen. Uhura is behind him, at her console.

Kirk looking forward, at the large screen readout. Uhura is behind him, looking forward as well.

A screen diagram illustrating the Neutral Zone dividing line between Earth/Starfleet friendly space, and the Romulan Star Empire.

Mark Lenard as the Romulan Commander, with other Romulans around him

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

"The Conscience of the King" isn't one of the most engaging scripts of Star Trek's first season (its murder mystery never feels so mysterious), but this Gerd Oswald directed episode is one of the show's most stunning. This hour has some of the show's moodiest use of shadows and lighting.

A moodily lit shot of Arnold Moss as the episode's Shakespearean actor standing alone in a room looking at a book, reds and blues reflected on the walls behind him.

Barbara Anderson as Lenore Karidian, in a green dress, leaning against the wall in a hallway of the Enterprise, a window behind her with stars visible.

Kirk and Lt Riley standing in front of a flowing red drape.

Kirk on the stage, looking down at the Karidians, Arnold Moss's character dead on a floor, as a dozen or so crewmembers stand in the back of the room, looking onward.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Episode 5 is a Rocky & Bullwinkle homage with the Monkees getting caught up in a Russian spy plot and having to agree to capturing Boris and Natasha - played by Jacques Aubuchon and Arlene Martel (Arlene of Star Trek "Amok Time" fame).

Jacques Aubuchon and Arlene Martel playing Boris and Natasha-like Russian spies. They wear a few disguises throughout the episode.

Jacques Aubuchon and Arlene Martel trying to blend in as the hippie youth.

Jacques Aubuchon and Arlene Martel dressed elegantly, him in a suit, and her in a red dress.

Arlene Martel in a gray suit, white shirt and black tie underneath, standing in front of a microfilm projector

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

The Monkees episode 4 involves the band getting pushed into awkward situations by a criminal who's secretly trying to sabotage their career to benefit another band that he represents. "Last Train to Clarksville" has been played in 3 back to back episodes. The song is a hit record as these air.

the Monkees in their home monkeying around

Peter, Mike and Mickey are tied up and gagged by criminals, as is a large mannequin (instead of Davy)

the Monkees and two gangsters chasing each other on a balcony exterior outside of a multi story building

a shot on a western set of the band and the crooks through a wagon wheel

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Built into the original pilot is the aliens watching Pike navigate the simulation they created for him through their fantastical screens (their minds eye a camera), and "The Menagerie" adds an additional layer of observation with Kirk and the others watching all of these events 13 years later.

Spock is on trial, sitting by himself in the foreground. Kirk and the Commodore are seated together at another table in the shot's background.

Within the court room, every character is watching events from 13 years ago from inside the Enterprise, on a large screen.

A jagged looking TV screen is in the middle of the frame, displaying a close-up of Captain Pike. To the left and right are the cloaks and arms visible of the Talos IV aliens watching Pike.

Another shot from the court room of the characters watching the 13 years ago events, this time a younger Spock is visible on screen.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

"The Menagerie", a clever, inspired means of saving money by recycling some pilot footage that was shot a year and a half earlier and incorporating it into something far greater. The Part 1 scenes set on the starbase are especially lovely to look at.

Establishing exterior shot of a starbase, tall white buildings against a purple sky, green lawn and various people in Starfleet uniforms walking around.

A close-up of Captain Pike in his Dalek-like wheelchair. Pike has fleshy scars all alongside one half of his face.

Establishing nighttime exterior shot of the starbase, the tall buildings's windows all lit up, a planet with a ring around it looms large in the sky

Kirk sitting down, as his superior Commodore talks to him.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Monkees co-creator Bob Rafelson makes his directing debut on Episode 3, and it's a riot. While the first two episodes I would describe as cute, this one made me laugh frequently. Nesmith gets a job at a computerized toy factory that's investing in tech to replace human labor. What a concept.

A tilted birds eye view shot of Peter Tork walking into a mostly empty room, containing a "super intelligent" computer box that's run by AI.

A close-up of the AI computer that handles the hiring process for the toy factory.

Michael Nesmith in a black suit and red tie sits down on a chair next to the AI computer, chatting with it, and oversmarting it with a little bit of logic.

A shot inside the Monkees' house, the four of them sitting together. A view of the outside is behind them through a large window, showing a couple trees outside.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

"The Corbomite Maneuver" is the earliest episode I can remember seeing as a child, and it's one I'm always happy to revisit. From its thrilling standoff - some of the best scenes to ever occur on the ship's bridge - another scary encounter with Godly superiors, with an offbeat Twilight Zonezy twist

Sulu sitting at the helm, looking down. Spock is standing next to him.

Sulu looks over at Anthony Call as Lt. Bailey

Kirk standing with his arms crossed, as he looks ahead, at the [off-screen] monitor showing the alien threat. Scotty is behind Kirk, also looking forward.

The image of a large headed light green-skinned alien looking menacingly ahead

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Marianna Hill of Messiah of Evil, High Plains Drifter, and The Godfather Part II fame gets to verbally spar with Shatner in "Dagger of the Mind", in one of the series' more memorable roles for a woman guest star. I think she should've come back, she has a very different rapport with Kirk than Rand.

In a fantasy sequence that has a soft lens, Kirk and Dr Noel are embraced, with intense Mario Bava reds behind them

Kirk and Dr Noel peering into an open vent shaft

Dr Noel crawling through an airduct, the frame is lit entirely in a purple hue

Dr. Noel walking towards a locked up control panel, with purple-y cave walls behind her

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

"Dagger of the Mind" features the introduction of the Vulcan mind meld as well as a torture booth controlled by a man who's absolutely not a cult leader.

Dr. Helen Noel, and Kirk and standing aside James Gregory as Dr. Tristan Adams in his cult leader-y robe, listening to him talk about his big ideas, as he pours a drink into tiny glasses.

Kirk and Dr. Helen Noel listening to Dr. Tristan Adams, as they stand by the window looking into his "rehabilitation" booth.

Spock performing a mind meld on Morgan Woodward as Dr. Simon van Gelder

Kirk is in the torture booth losing his willpower, as he drops his phaser. Dr. Adams looks on in glee. Dr. Noel is concerned.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Star Trek's close-ups and blocking will always impress. From episode 9, "Dagger of the Mind".

A scene on the bridge. Spock is in the foreground, receiving information from his computer. He's talking to the others, we see behind him in the shot's background, Uhura to the left at her desk is communicating intel to Kirk and McCoy who are to the right of the frame, taking in what Spock and Uhura are saying.

A close-up of Marianna Hill as Dr. Helen Noel

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

A desolate town in a world where everyone is driven to insanity and fatal disease upon reaching adulthood, "Miri" was often banned from BBC reruns because of its upset subject matter. The race-to-cure-the-disease and stop the contagion story is well done.

Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Rand, and two others beaming down to the planet with its 20th century Earth-like buildings.

A shot of the away team walking through a dusty seemingly abandoned town. There are rusty old cars with many parts missing on the road.

Kirk, McCoy and Rand talking to a teenage girl named Miri

McCoy with a concerned look on his face, he has a blue/purple marking on his hand, which is the first signs of the disease he's become inflicted with

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Episodes 2 - the Monkees in a haunted castle! Rubber bats on strings! Cobwebed gothic architecture! Seances! This is an immensely charming 25-minutes of television.

the Monkees scared of a bat on a string flying across the room

the Monkees sitting down on a couch on the left, the inhabitants of the castle sitting on the chairs on the right. A butler is standing.

Three inhabitants of the castle standing behind a large raven statue.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

"What Are Little Girls Made Of?" gives Majel Barrett one of her biggest TOS roles as Christine Chapel. As I'm so used to her as Lwaxana Troi, it's a bit startling revisiting her here as a character with significantly less personality. / I dig the purple caves in this episode. I'd love to visit.

Kirk and Chapel standing side by side, on an alien world, rocky terrain behind them

Kirk and Chapel down in a cave with purple rocky walls

Kirk and Chapel walking through the cave

A silhouette of a man who has appeared in the cave from out of the shadows.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

I can't linger on "Mudd's Women" as I've never gotten any enjoyment out of it. Probably the only Season 1 episode I dislike. Obnoxious guest character, and Roddenberry's chauvinist sex comedy antics always make me want to crawl out of my skin. No more posts for this episode. This just ain't for me.

The three fashionably dressed women of Mudd's on the transport pods.

Scotty, Spock, and Bones looking at the women.

A shot from the scene where Mudd is being interrogated by Kirk.

Mudd (Roger C. Carmel) sitting down, with a monitor in front of him, showing green squiggly lines.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Written by the great Richard Matheson, "The Enemy Within" is a rock solid premise that basically every sci-fi/fantasy series going forward is obligated to reprise. William Shatner is electric in this, surprisingly effective as the softer Kirk, and riotous as the evil Kirk.

Close-up on Kirk, with a background that is mostly black, with a couple circular red lights.

Close-up on Kirk chugging a bottle of booze.

Kirk feeling his cheek which has just been scratched.

Close-up on a sweaty Kirk with three scratch marks vertical on his cheek.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Episode 1 Royal Flush, guest starring Katherine Walsh. Davy Jones plays the leading role in the premiere episode, his character trying to save a princess from getting murdered by her money-greedy uncle. "Money is the root of all evil." You can say that again, Monkees.

Davy Jones in a bathrobe at home. Behind him a framed wall art reads "Money is the root of all evil"

The other three are lounging around their open-floor living space.

Pete, Mike and Davy dressed in army attire.

Davy in a suit looking at the princess played by Katherine Walsh

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

The Monkees' debut single Last Train to Clarksville is released August 16 66. This was a lead-in to the debut of their TV series on NBC, which premiered September 12, just four days after Star Trek's premiere. Both brand-new programs aired on NBC, Monkees on Monday and Star Trek on Thursday.

Last Train to Clarksville single cover, showing the four band members each standing on a different level on a staircase.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

As a means of not having to perform on TV shows anymore, The Beatles film a bunch of pre-taped mimed performances in November 1965 to send out to TV stations, creating music videos. Day Tripper and We Can Work It Out are the first new singles to get this treatment. They air in the USA, Jan 66.

Black and white footage of Beatles on a barebones set, with instruments in hand.

George playing his guitar on the left and Ringo and his drum set on the right.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

There will evidently be no further advancements made in spray bottle technology between now and the 23rd century. The spray bottle has been perfected.

Ordinary spray bottles laying on a table in Star Trek.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

The fourth to air, "The Naked Time" is one of the more beloved episodes of the series' early run.

The opening of Star Trek's "The Naked Time". A shot of a room on an icy planet, frozen over, including a frozen corpse of a person sitting at a desk.

A close up of Spock on the frozen planet, wearing an orange protective suit.

A dead woman on the icy planet's ground, whose torso and legs are frozen over.

A hand on a white rocky surface; a red liquid moves towards and touches the hand.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

Filmed July 1965 as a pilot and left to sit out until next year's TV season while the show underwent further tinkering, "Where No Man Has Gone Before" is an engaging story that introduces the cosmic sci-fi threads that become series fixture, but visually, this is Star Trek in its larval stage.

Kirk and Spock sitting together, both wearing gold sweaters. A 3D chess board beside them.

Kirk and Spock looking ahead at someone on a live-feed monitor.

A shot of the bridge. It's much too bright, and bland looking. Star Trek's mood lighting is not established yet.

The episode's guests stars, Gary Lockwood and Sally Kellerman

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

While "Charlie X" is not one of the great episodes, it does feature one of my favourite scenes in all of Star Trek, a moment of leisure in which Spock and Uhura perform music. If you'll indulge me ...1/3

A close-up of Spock's hands playing his Vulcan lute.

A close-up of Spock's face as he plays his lute.

Uhura and Janice sitting at a table. Janice is playing solitaire. Uhura looks a little bored.

A shot revealing that Spock is playing his lute at the same table as Uhura and Janice. There are other crew men and women sitting around. We're in a leisure room.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Questionable acting decisions from its guest star aside, "Charlie X" is a fine, creepy episode, and like "The Man Trap" before it, evokes dread and the cosmic uncertainties of the unknown. Early Star Trek is just as much a horror series as it is science-fiction. I love its tone.

A close-up of Kirk with some moody lighting that makes the upper half of his face brighter, with a heavier shadow cast elsewhere.

Am ominous semi-transparent large green head floating on the bridge.

An extreme close-up on Kirk, looking concerned.

Charlie in a state of error, semi-transparent, as he in the process of being zapped out of material existence by his god-like superior.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

"Charlie X" is a riff on Twilight Zone's "It's A Good Life" but about a teenager instead of a young child, one only beginning to grow into his powers. Robert Walker's acting in this episode is very bad and his ridiculous I'm-doing-magic faces clash with the show's otherwise serious tone.

A shot of a red-shirt engineer at a console. Behind him is either a window or a display showing a starry outer space sky.

A close-up on Charlie making a face that's telling us he's using his psychic powers.

Another close-up on Charlie making a face that's telling us he's using his psychic powers.

A shot of the bridge, showing Charlie sitting in Kirk's captain's chair. Spock and McCoy are looking at Kirk. Kirk is looking at Charlie.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

From playing 3D chess with a Vulcan to sparring in the gladiator gym, James T. Kirk is the masculine ideal.

Kirk and Spock playing 3D chess, which has regular chess pieces spread out across multiple levels at different heights.

A glimpse through a meshed window showing two topless men engaged in an American Gladiator-style exhibition.

Kirk is topless and wearing red tights. Charlie is standing next to him.

Topless Kirk with his hands on his hips, being very masculine in front of Charlie.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

"Charlie X" has one of the more significant roles for Janice Rand (Grace Lee Whitney), and she's good here. This is not one of the stronger episodes of the early series, but it is one that makes me wish that Grace Lee Whitney's contract had been renewed for the duration of the three seasons.

Grace Lee Whitney as Janice Rand and Robert Walker as Charlie Evans standing side by side, looking at something off screen.

Janice and Charlie looking at each other, talking, with Janice holding one of Charlie's hands.

A shot of three playing cards on a table. They used to be regular playing cards, but Charlie has magically altered them into three cards with poses of Janice on them.

Janice in her quaters during off-hours. Her walls are pink, her casual attire is pink.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

I was thinking out loud in my alt text yesterday for the left image. The logistics of the image had me confused, so I looked back at that scene, and I clearly wasn't paying attention when I grabbed that first image. Earlier in the scene it clearly shows a three-sided tri-monitor display. Three Sulus

"Kirk and McCoy are sitting around the conference table. Sulu is talking to them remote via a black bordered monitor. The frame is unusually framed, because the monitor and Sulu's face are pointing toward the viewer, but Kirk and McCoy are sitting behind the monitor. Perhaps there is a dual screen on the opposite end of the monitor that they're looking at?"

Characters around a round table. There is a three-sided computer monitor on the middle of the table.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

If "The Man Trap" is derided for one aspect in particular, it's usually the presentation of the monster, Nancy's "true" form. It only has about 40 seconds of screen-time, at the episode's conclusion, but I think it's effectively eerie. A very Outer Limits monster-suit.

Kirk is leaning into a table, face down, heads covering his face. A monster with grey fur is leaning back against the wall behind Kirk.

A close-up on the monster's face, who has long gray hair and a sickly scaly green face.

Nancy in human-form lying dead on the floor, one arm outstretched.

Nancy in monster-form lying dead on the floor, one arm outstretched.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

"The Man Trap" is directed by Marc Daniels (who would direct a total of 15 episodes for Star Trek) with cinematography by Jerry Finnerman (who shot 60 episodes total, the majority of the first two seasons and some of the third).

A man in a blue Starfleet uniform is partially visible, off the far left of the frame, his phaser in hand. Ahead of him is a seemingly dead crewman on the desert ground of the alien planet. This is a very western image.

Kirk is in his captain's chair with a couple crewmen around, performing jobs. This shot shows off the moody dim lighting on the bridge.

Kirk appears frozen in place as Nancy Crater has her hands spread out across his face. Her outstretched arms cast a heavy shadow over Kirk's abdomen.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Jeanne Bal plays Nancy Crater, the first "monster" or "evil creature" of Star Trek, but who is portrayed with some empathy as a tragic figure, a facsimile of humanity whose status quo and shared agreement partnership with a man is interrupted by the interference of the Federation.

Jeanne Bal as Nancy Crater, standing in the corridor of her home, the rock wall structure of her home to the left, and a glimpse of the desert outside to the right.

McCoy and Nancy embracing in her home. Moody lighting inside this home.

McCoy looking forward at Professor Robert Crater, who stands solemnly with his head down.

McCoy and Nancy talking to each other, in McCoy's quarters aboard the Enterprise.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

In "The Man Trap", we get a peak into the living quarters of both Sulu and McCoy. Sulu likes plants.

Janice Rand walks into Sulu's quarters. There are space-plants everywhere.

Sulu sitting at his dining room table, eating. His walls are lavender.

McCoy asleep in his bed. A reddish hue shines on his walls. Above his head is a small book shelf, with two carved head figures as bookends.

MyCoy is sleeping, and Nancy Crater is standing above him. Her hand is touching his chin.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Star Trek does close-ups very effectively, the actors blocked with just enough eye grabbing colour and background detail behind them, and the show's main cast and guest star character actors have wonderfully expressive faces.

A close-up of William Shatner as Kirk, with a purple rock wall behind him.

A close-up of Alfred Ryder as Professor Robert Crater, with the brown-orange alien world desert behind him.

A close-up of Nichelle Nichols as Uhura, with the bridge of the Enterprise behind her, purple walls and computer controls which appear as black because they're in shadow, with the yellow and red dots sprinkled throughout the monitor displays.

A close-up of Leonard Nimoy as Spock, with a reddish hue rock formation behind him.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

The disquieting ambience of a sparsely populated world, in "The Man Trap", this is the first Star Trek alien world that TV viewers ever saw. None of the later Star Trek shows ever had art design for its alien worlds that rivals this.

Four images from Star Trek's "The Man Trap". There are no actors present in any of these establishing shots of a desert landscape with bizarre rock structures resting atop sand. The sky is orange.

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TV 1966 Project @tv1966.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

"The Man Trap" is not the first episode produced, but it was chosen as the first to air, September 8, 1966. Co-writer of Logan's Run and writer of stellar Twilight Zone episodes "A Game of Pool" and "Nothing in the Dark", this is a horror-tinged episode as one can expect from the man who penned it.

Title card that reads "Written by George Clayton Johnson"

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