In the original series, some episodes are so good that they entirely changed the Star Trek mythology and Space Seed is certainly in that group. It’s a relatively simple story, but presented in a very tight way that elevates the characters and their ambitions. Written by Gene L. Coon, prolific writer and producer for the show, it extrapolates what might happen if a historical character and dictator was deposited through time onto the Enterprise, and how the crew might react to him. Being smart, devious and very strong Khan soon realises that if he can defrost the other super-soldiers on the Botany Bay then he’ll be able to take control of the Enterprise and rule the universe, quadrant, whatever. But he starts by entrancing the lovely Lt. McGivers, who soon falls for his direct approach and lethal charm. Soon he’s controlling life support to kill all those on the bridge, and throws Kirk into a decompression chamber in an attempt to get him to instruct the crew to follow his orders. Kirk stops Khan taking the Enterprise, and decides to maroon him and his crew on the then lush world of Ceti Alpha V. This turns out to be a really bad plan, as 15 years later Khan escapes that now desert world and comes looking for Kirk and more than a little revenge. Spock even says prophetically in this episode, “It would be interesting, Captain, to return to that world in a hundred years, and learn what crop had sprung from the seed you planted today.” The strengths of this episode stand out on reviewing, and it seems now an entirely obvious choice for great source material for the second and best original cast film outing in Wrath Of Khan. The only bizarre thing I noticed was that in that film Chekov is recognised by Khan, which is odd because he’s not a TOS season one character and as such they’re never seen to meet. That minor plot hole aside, Space Seed created some wonderful unfinished business that the original series never addressed, but Wrath Of Khan immortalised. The next review is another favourite of mine, the frighteningly logical A Taste Of Armageddon.
title: “Star Trek The Original Series Episode 22 Review” ShowToc: true date: “2025-07-07” author: “Tracy Knuth”
In the original series, some episodes are so good that they entirely changed the Star Trek mythology and Space Seed is certainly in that group. It’s a relatively simple story, but presented in a very tight way that elevates the characters and their ambitions. Written by Gene L. Coon, prolific writer and producer for the show, it extrapolates what might happen if a historical character and dictator was deposited through time onto the Enterprise, and how the crew might react to him. Being smart, devious and very strong Khan soon realises that if he can defrost the other super-soldiers on the Botany Bay then he’ll be able to take control of the Enterprise and rule the universe, quadrant, whatever. But he starts by entrancing the lovely Lt. McGivers, who soon falls for his direct approach and lethal charm. Soon he’s controlling life support to kill all those on the bridge, and throws Kirk into a decompression chamber in an attempt to get him to instruct the crew to follow his orders. Kirk stops Khan taking the Enterprise, and decides to maroon him and his crew on the then lush world of Ceti Alpha V. This turns out to be a really bad plan, as 15 years later Khan escapes that now desert world and comes looking for Kirk and more than a little revenge. Spock even says prophetically in this episode, “It would be interesting, Captain, to return to that world in a hundred years, and learn what crop had sprung from the seed you planted today.” The strengths of this episode stand out on reviewing, and it seems now an entirely obvious choice for great source material for the second and best original cast film outing in Wrath Of Khan. The only bizarre thing I noticed was that in that film Chekov is recognised by Khan, which is odd because he’s not a TOS season one character and as such they’re never seen to meet. That minor plot hole aside, Space Seed created some wonderful unfinished business that the original series never addressed, but Wrath Of Khan immortalised. The next review is another favourite of mine, the frighteningly logical A Taste Of Armageddon.
