Star Trek Sr Vol 3

"The Man Trap:" A shape-shifting creature that drains its victims of their natural salt content terrorizes the Enterprise crew. Even though this segment was the sixth Trek episode produced (if you count the first pilot, "The Cage") it was the public's first taste of Star Trek, debuting September 8, 1966. The creators obviously chose "The Man Trap" to lead off the series because it best exemplified Star Trek's "strange new worlds" concept. This is an excellent horror/mystery story, both haunting and tragic (inexplicably criticized by William Shatner in his book 'Star Trek Memories' as "a dreadful show, one of our worst ever" -- Huh? Did we see the same show?). A great first exposure for the masses, which nicely establishes the tone of the series; but it strangely got mediocre reviews -- the fools! GRADE: A

"The Naked Time:" This is one of my personal faves. The Enterprise crew gets infected by a space virus that causes them to lose all inhibitions resulting in ship-wide pandemonium. This episode answers one of the most burning questions of the series: Why does Kirk go after EVERY female he meets in the galaxy -- including aliens and androids? Because he's not allowed to fraternize with any of the women on his ship! (If this is true then what was he doing with Helen Noel at the ship's Christmas party as revealed in "Dagger of the Mind" [episode #11]? Ms. Noel is so incredibly gorgeous that Kirk can be forgiven this one transgression). Bottom Line: A fan favorite because it's got everything a viewer might be in the mood for -- mystery, drama, comedy, romance, action and suspense. It also happens to be a great episode in which to get to know the characters, seeing as how they all get to 'let loose.' WATCH OUT for the powerful scene in which Chapel admits her love to the emotionally distant Spock. GRADE: A+

Bringing hidden issues to the surface - confronting what we wish to forget, Star Trek goes boldly where no one has gone before with this innovative series.

In "The Man Trap", lost love of Dr. McCoy's Nancy Carter is isolated on Planet M113. There, during an away mission, crew members mysteriously are killed by being desalinated. Confrontation of emotion vs. fact - this episode yields a heart wrenching and character defining moment for our dear Dr. McCoy.

In "The Naked Time", the crew becomes exposed to a virus which allows them to act emotionally without thought. The virus is passed on through bodily fluids (in this scenario, perspiration) The forefront of sexually transmitted infections is hidden but very much so an issue in this episode.

Overall, two wonderful episodes backed by high quality of sound and picture. This DVD is a must have for the TOS collection.