Created by Gene Roddenberry
Star Trek Season Two 1967 - 68'
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Star Trek is a science
fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry that aired from September
8, 1966 through September 2, 1969. Though the title of the original program was
simply Star Trek, it has acquired the retronym Star Trek: The Original
Series (sometimes shortened to ST:TOS or TOS), in order to
distinguish the series from the sequels which followed (all of which comprise
the Star Trek universe or franchise). Set in the 23rd century, Star Trek
follows the adventures of the starship Enterprise and its crew, led by Captain
James T. Kirk (William Shatner), his First Officer Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy),
and his Chief Medical Officer Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley). William Shatner's
voice-over introduction during each episode's opening credits stated the
starship's purpose: "Space... the Final Frontier. These are the voyages of
the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds,
to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone
before." When Star Trek debuted on NBC in 1966, it was not an immediate hit; ratings were low and advertising revenue was lackluster. Even prior to the end of the first season of Star Trek, there were already calls in the network for the cancellation of the series due to its low Nielsen ratings. Bay area Creature Feature host John Stanley in his memoir I Was a TV Horror Host relates how Desilu head Lucille Ball at that time "single-handedly kept Star Trek from being dumped from the NBC-TV lineup." During the show's second season, the threat of cancellation loomed. The show's devoted fanbase conducted an unprecedented letter-writing campaign, petitioning NBC to keep the show on the air. Its fans succeeded in gaining a third season; however, NBC subsequently moved the show to the Friday Night Death Slot at 10 PM. Roddenberry resigned as line producer of Star Trek before the start of the final season to protest the changed timeslot, and was replaced by Fred Freiberger. NBC then substantially reduced Star Trek's budget which brought about a marked decline in the quality of many third season episodes. |
Promo
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Theatrical Release: Season 2, Episode 1: Amok Time - Original Air Date: September 15th, 1967
DVD Comparison:
CBS Paramount - Region 1- NTSC vs. CBS Paramount (Remastered) - Region 1 - NTSC
(CBS Paramount - Region 1- NTSC LEFT vs. CBS Paramount (Remastered) - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT)
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| Distribution |
CBS Paramount Region 1 - NTSC |
CBS Paramount (Remastered) Region 1 - NTSC |
| Runtime | 50.26 X 24 - total 21 hours | 50.26 X 24 - total 21 hours |
| Video |
1.33:1
Original Aspect Ratio |
1.33:1
Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.3 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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| Bitrate: Original |
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| Bitrate: CBS Paramount (Remastered) |
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| Audio | English - Dolby Digital 5.1 (remix) | English - Dolby Digital 5.1 (remix), DUBs: Spanish or French mono |
| Subtitles | English, none | French, Spanish, , none |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: CBS Paramount Aspect Ratio: Edition Details:
• 6
retrospective featurettes Chapters 8 per episode |
Release Information: Studio: CBS Paramount (Remastered)
Aspect Ratio: Edition Details: • To
Boldly Go… Season Two (19 minutes) a |
| Comments |
I received a fair number of requests to
identify the differences between the original Paramount package of Star
Trek - The Original Season Two and the new remastered one.
Unfortunately, it is a far too daunting task to categorically state all that
exist. I've plucked away at it since I received my new set but I came to the
conclusion that I may never finish - so my stated my cop-out. This
comparison will help give a general idea.
Hopefully the below captures will give you an idea as to some of the differences. It is essentially the episode openings (and titles) and space and planet orbiting scenes although there has been a general enhancement from those originally offered as two episodes on single-layered DVD. Purists may consider it blasphemy while others judge them as excellent upgrades. I was intrigued simply as one who enjoyed the original series and any minor (or major) visual alternations became a highly amusing curiosity. The new transfers have less noise and are generally more vibrant - sometimes the colors appearing less realistic. Certainly the older issues were fairly dull in comparison. I wouldn't say detail is extravagantly improved (in some instances lessened) but the original had substantial hairs, dirt, speckles and other worn markers that are obviously removed in this new remastered package. Audio-wise the older release actually had a 5.1 remix but the remastered is quite a bit more satisfying being that much cleaner and crisper - plus an occasional new effect (if my memory serves correctly). Unfortunately where the older offered optional English subtitles - the newer has only options for French or Spanish. Extras easily go to the newer release with some of the featurettes duplicated from the 2004 package. I liked the short Nichelle Nichols bit as well as the D.C. Fontana one and Designing the Final Frontier segment. Inclusion of an animated episode (More Tribbles, More Trials) and a Deep Space Nine one is actually unnecessary and smacks of filler. Unfortunately we lose the text commentaries for “Amok Time” and “The Trouble With Tribbles” found on the first package which many fans enjoyed.
I was never a Tribbles fan but admit to really loving some of the episodes of the original Star Trek - Season Two including Amok Time, Mirror, Mirror, The Doomsday Machine, Wolf in the Fold, The Gamesters of Triskelion, Bread and Circuses, and Assignment: Earth. I also admit to a fairly high level of anticipation to watching them again in their 'remastered' state with the 'new and improved' visual effects. It was kind of like viewing them for the first time. bastardized? Maybe - but this reviewer enjoyed rehashing the adventures with Roddenberry's wonderfully positive concept of the future leading the premise of each episode. I actually hope these make it to Blu-ray one day - such is my geek-dom. Gary Tooze |
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Remastered set: Disc 1: Season 2,
Episode 1: Amok Time, Original Air Date: 15
September 1967
Disc 8: Season 2, Episode 24: The Ultimate Computer,
Original Air Date: 8 March 1968 |
Sample DVD Menus
(CBS Paramount - Region 1- NTSC LEFT vs. CBS Paramount (Remastered) - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT)
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ubtitle Sample (Remastered - RIGHT - has only French or Spanish sub options)
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Screen Captures
(CBS Paramount - Region 1- NTSC TOP vs. CBS Paramount (Remastered) - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
Who Mourns For Adonis?
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(CBS Paramount - Region 1- NTSC TOP vs. CBS Paramount (Remastered) - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
Amok Time
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(CBS Paramount - Region 1- NTSC TOP vs. CBS Paramount (Remastered) - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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(CBS Paramount - Region 1- NTSC TOP vs. CBS Paramount (Remastered) - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
The opening of 'Who Mourns For Adonis?'
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(CBS Paramount - Region 1- NTSC TOP vs. CBS Paramount (Remastered) - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
Mirror, Mirror
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(CBS Paramount - Region 1- NTSC TOP vs. CBS Paramount (Remastered) - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
The Deadly Years
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(CBS Paramount - Region 1- NTSC TOP vs. CBS Paramount (Remastered) - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
Wolf in the Fold
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(CBS Paramount - Region 1- NTSC TOP vs. CBS Paramount (Remastered) - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
Wolf in the Fold
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| DVD Box Cover |
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| Distribution |
CBS Paramount Region 1 - NTSC |
CBS Paramount (Remastered) Region 1 - NTSC |
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Gary Tooze 1775 Rowntree Court Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 4V3 CANADA |
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Many Thanks...
