10 Star Trek Episodes That Deserved To Become Classics (But Didn't)
3. The Empath
The third season of The Original Series is often maligned for the perceived drop in quality. There are many reasons behind this, ranging from showrunners who weren't well-versed on the material, to networks who were just waiting for the life support to switch off. Frankly, that there were any great episodes in the third season is an achievement, and even then, some are forgotten.
The Empath is, on the surface, a money-saving experiment that could be easily performed on stage. In practice, it is a powerful McCoy vehicle, while also depicting the strength of friendship, empathy, and the brutality of casual torture.
We have discussed on the channel that the episode was banned for some time due to its adult themes, but this too is a story that deserves a reappraisal. It is a stark, yet oddly heartwarming, outing for the main trio of The Original Series. It is not easy watching, though the performances, especially those of Deforest Kelley and Kathryn Hays, are outstanding. It makes you think, and if all else fails, one can play a game of 'spot the reused prop' as the episode goes on.