WARNING: This thread WILL contain unhidden spoilers for this entry. Because this re-watch is in a slightly-subjective chronological order and not in production order, please refrain from talking about the content of other episodes or movies in this thread. If you do, please put that content inside spoiler tags. Some people here may be watching Star Trek for the first time.

#84: Star Trek: The Animated Series, season 2, episode 3 “The Practical Joker”

Written by Chuck Menville, directed by Bill Reed

Stardate 3183.3 (early 2269)

  • The given Stardate puts this episode prior to The Enterprise Incident but also depicts Romulans using Klingon Battlecruiser designs long before it was first reported. Suggested revised Stardate: 5583.3.

“Say please.” - Enterprise computer

The Enterprise is conducting a geological survey of asteroids in the sector when they are ambushed by three Romulan Battlecruisers and forced to retreat. In an effort to lose the Romulans, Captain Kirk moves the ship into an unknown energy field near their location. The Romulans give up pursuit and the Enterprise emerges on the other side with little damage. But as times goes on, strange occurrences and convenient malfunctions start happening all over the ship. They reach a point where the lives of the people on board the ship are threatened just as the Romulans reappear to finish what they started.

Originally released: 21 September 1974

“The Practical Joker” on Memory Alpha (mirror)

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What did you think?

  • JohnnyEnzyme@piefed.socialEnglish
    2·
    1 day ago

    I don’t remember seeing this one, but I tend to think that episodes in which outside (or inner) forces were screwing with the Enterprise (both TOS and TGN) tended to be a fairly rich vein to mine from. Can’t really remember an outright bad one, and there were definitely some goodies.

    You know I just thought of this, but just as TOS got significant upgrades to its special effects, I wonder if something similar might be done with TAS, particularly since the animation tools are so much better now. Sort of like the below, but probably further upgraded.

    I’ve linked this one before, but figured I might as well just post now:
    https://piefed.social/post/2554065

    • AeronMelon@lemmy.worldOP
      2·
      1 day ago

      Season 2 brought some changes and a new director, but at the same time it was canceled after only six episodes. It probably would have continued improving as time went on.