Star Trek: Top 10 Original Series Episodes
3. Where No Man Has Gone Before
The second pilot made by Gene Roddenberry actually put Star Trek on the air and ranks as one of the best episodes of the original series. And because it was produced as a pilot, great care and attention were taken with the development of the script and the characters.
Sally Kellerman and Gary Lockwood guest-starred in this story about two crew members who develop psychic powers when the Enterprise passes through the great barrier at the edge of the galaxy. Lockwoods powers become god-like, and it falls to Captain Kirk to take him out, any way he can. It was the final, climactic fight scene on a lone planet between Lockwood and Kirk that sold the series. What makes this episode important is that it established Spocks character as a Vulcan: he eschews emotions and relies wholly on logic. His close friendship with Kirk is fleshed out over a game of chess. And it becomes obvious that, while Kirk relies heavily on Spocks wise (and logical) counsel, Kirk is frustrated with Spocks inability to see the emotional or human side to a crisis, an aspect of Kirks character that will develop with the addition of Dr. Leonard Bones McCoy during the series regular run. Regular viewers of the show will note the changes made in the characters and cast, crew uniforms and Enterprise sets between the shooting of this second pilot and the production of the regular run. Its also interesting to note that the captains name in this one episode appears on a tombstone as James R. Kirk. Memorable line: "Will you try for one moment to feel? At least act like you've got a heart." Kirk, to Spock