Live Long and Prosper
Forty years ago tonight, on September 8, 1966, Star Trek debuted on American television. To mark the occasion, the TV Land network aired a four-episode Star Trek "marathon" of "The Man Trap," "The City on the Edge of Forever," "The Trouble with Tribbles," and "Plato's Stepchildren." "The Man Trap" was the episode aired on September 8, 1966; so, it's inclusion was perfectly logical. "The City on the Edge of Forever" is widely considered the single best episode of Star Trek's 1966-1969 run. "The Trouble with Tribbles" is beyond doubt the single most fun episode of the original series. If you were putting together a four-episode tribute marathon, those three episodes are virtually required.

But "Plato's Stepchildren"? This is not one of Star Trek's most shining moments. (Though it is one of two TOS episodes to guest-star the beautiful barbara Babcock; so, on that score it's a winner. The other is "A Taste of Armageddon." Mea 3, I love you!) On the theme of godlike beings abusing their power, superior choices exist in both "The Squire of Gothos" and, keeping to the Hellenic motiff, "Who Mourns for Adonais?"; for better explorations of the theme of mind-control, look no further than "The Day of the Dove" or "The Gamesters of Triskelion." So, why "Plato's Stepchilden"? The Mountain and I reckon the issue was decided by The Kiss, the first interracial kiss on American television, acted by none other than William Shatner (Captain James T. Kirk) and Nichelle Nichols (Lieutenant Uhura). Jim Kirk's man-whoring knows no racial bounds! Hooray for progress!

"The Man Trap"
"The City on the Edge of Forever"
"The Trouble with Tribbles"
"Plato's Stepchildren"

Happy birthday, Star Trek! Thank you for everything, Mr. Roddenberry, and may you rest in peace. Live long and prosper, my friends.