Star Trek (TV Series) The Man Trap (1966) User Reviews

Dr. McCoy's old Girlfriend is a Salt-Sucking Monster

[Bogmeister · 7/10 · 17 June 2006]

The very first episode of the original Trek series to air, though this was the 6th one filmed. The execs wanted to start things with a 'monster-of-the-week' mentality, but though the creature in this one is responsible for a number of crew deaths, it's more to be pitied than reviled by the end of the episode. It possesses startling chameleon powers, coupled with hypnotism & telepathic ability, enabling it to fool all the cast members during the story as it imitates several of them. Unfortunately, it craves salt, which it needs to survive, and human bodies fill the need very well. This is an example of sheer incompatibility between two races, which an angry Captain Kirk instinctively realizes in the 3rd act - he knows it's either his crew or the creature - there can be no half measures. We learn how intensely Kirk feels when he loses a crewman - check out the first killing here - and he has to go thru it a few more times in this episode.

The Enterprise is on a routine check-up of 2 archaeologists on a planet with the ruins of an extinct civilization - but not all the inhabitants are extinct, as it turns out; there's one left. The storyline contains mystery and a chilling revelation. But, much of this episode emphasizes the routine: we never find out anything more about the dead civilization - it's probably one of many the Federation finds and explores; ship's and crew's routines are viewed during the creature's stalking, notably Yeoman Rand and Sulu; there's a casual banter between Kirk & McCoy which we all came to appreciate and look forward to in the next 3 years. Overall, this episode shows that future life, while with obvious differences in technology, will be largely the same for us humans. If there's a theme in this episode, it has to do with the inevitable extinction of a species, such as the American Buffalo, as if it's a rule of the universe. We can express sorrow for such a loss as part of the human equation, but, in the end, there's nothing we can do about it.

However, the reason this episode probably gained some loyal followers of the Trek franchise right of the bat was probably not the monster. No, it must have been that easy interplay among the crew, especially the central trio - yes, including Spock, who right away starts insisting in this episode how he's immune to emotion but obviously enjoys a friendship with Kirk (Uhura even spells this out). And the human equation is delineated in McCoy's story in this one: he's reunited with his old girlfriend, so he's charmingly nervous as all hell, but in quick order, finds out she's been dead and her imitator must be killed, even though she's the last of her kind. Not only is this a personal tragedy for him, but he's also responsible for sealing the coffin on an entire species. The anguished look on his face towards the end is what makes this a memorable entry in the Trek mythos.

Space: the final frontier...

[MaxBorg89 · 8/10 · 18 March 2009]

Predating the same mistake they made with Seinfeld's second season (specifically, the last four episodes) by 25 years, NBC aired the first episodes of Star Trek out of order (the approved pilot, Where No Man Has Gone Before, was broadcast as Episode 3). Not that it's a major problem: for one thing, the original Trek is famous for not having any significant narrative continuity between episodes (something that changed with the spin-offs); secondly, The Man Trap is just as good an example of what really makes Star Trek a riot to watch - the interaction between the characters.

Starting, like any other episode, with the "Captain's log, star date whatever" narration by Captain James Kirk (William Shatner), The Man Trap takes place on a deserted planet where a scientist (Alfred Ryder) and his wife (Jeanne Bal) are studying the remains of an ancient society. The starship USS Enterprise is orbiting around the planet so that Kirk can give the two new food supplies and the ship's physician, Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (DeForest Kelley), can check on their medical condition. This proves to be a bit awkward, since he and the woman were romantically involved once. Greater problems lie ahead, though, as Enterprise crew members are found dead. The cause is salt deprivation, and the strange marks on their necks suggest someone or something is doing this deliberately. Now it's up to Kirk, McCoy and Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), the Enterprise's half-human, half-Vulcanian scientist, to find out what's going on and how to stop it.

As is the case with most Star Trek episodes, the plot is quite simple: new planet, weird event, people in danger, Kirk and his pals saving the day. It's essentially the blueprint for the monster-of-the-week stories of The X-Files, not to mention the reason NBC agreed to give the show a chance (the original pilot, The Cage, was rejected because it was considered "too cerebral"). The apparent simplicity is used as a tool to conceal deeper issues in later installments, but here it's exactly what it looks like: a very basic script that allows any viewer to access the classic Star Trek universe without worrying about any complicated, underlying "mythology" (an element that has been mandatory in successful genre shows made after 1990). In that sense, the first Trek series is the science-fiction equivalent of Seinfeld: watch a random episode, and you'll enjoy it just as much as if you were viewing them in the correct order (the feature films changed that a little, but it's another story).

But if the stories are that simple, why bother? The answer is equally basic, but not less relevant for that: the leading trio of Kirk, Spock and McCoy (even though they weren't acknowledged in that way until the start of Season 2: up to that point, only Shatner and Nimoy are credited in the title sequence; everyone else is listed in the closing credits). The elementary combination of a curious, optimistic leader, a less cheerful doctor and a purely rational, (mostly) emotionless half-alien is the kind of narrative decision that, if played well, can make the fortune of any good story. Granted, this episode doesn't contain many of the typical elements (especially the more alien traits of Spock's personality), but the seeds of all the great things to come (the chess games, the arguments, the incessant exchanges of dry wit between Bones and Spock) are clearly visible here.

In short, this may not be the proper first episode of the series, but given the standalone nature of the original Trek scripts, it works pretty well as an introduction to Gene Roddenberry's seminal TV universe, a place "where no man had gone before". It's the beginning of a small-screen legend, therefore a must-see.

the dangers of a high-sodium diet

[grizzledgeezer · 8/10 · 26 March 2015]

The central idea of this story was anticipated by an episode in A E van Vogt's "The Voyage of the Space Beagle" (itself an anticipation of "Star Trek"). A creature that resembles a mountain lion with tentacles sucks the "id" (potassium) from its victims' bodies. (There's no explanation of where other essential nutrients come from.)

I understand why some fans don't much care for this episode. Though not intended as such, it resembles the "monster of the week" sort of story ABC insisted on for "The Outer Limits". As for the creature's failure to ask Kirk for a metric ton or two of salt -- Ryder urgently requested salt, but Kirk failed to provide it.

I like it for a number of reasons, principally that it's cool and low-key (in contrast to the noisier theatrics of almost every episode that followed). The photography is grand, making effective use of pools of light against darker backgrounds. (This would soon disappear.) There's almost no music, with sound effects creating an eerie atmosphere. From a strictly "aesthetic" perspective, "The Man Trap" is arguably the best of all the Classic episodes.

Memorable first episode has lots of surprises

[mlraymond · 6/10 · 23 May 2009]

I hadn't seen this episode probably since it first aired, but picked it up recently, and was amazed by some of the bits of business going on with the crew of the Enterprise. A much calmer Sulu is tending to plants, crewmen are flirting with Uhuru, and Uhuru seems like she's more than a bit interested in Mr. Spock.

Spock's nonplussed reaction to Uhuru's flirtatious banter is priceless. Spock was essentially a serious character, but there is an unmistakable undertone of comedy to the role. Spock in his first appearance here seems genuinely baffled by humans, and not as dry and sardonic as he became later.

The monster becomes almost sympathetic when it speaks in disguise as Dr. McCoy. A really well written script makes this early episode hold up well.

Not your typical monster episode.

[Blueghost · 29 December 2012]

On the surface of it this is a typical Vamp episode with a sci-fi twist. One might recall "King Lear" and the machinations of the King's daughters. That might partially explain the motivation of the antagonist, but there's more here. There's a basic functionality at work; predator and prey relationships, only this time they're encoded with a kind of intellectual gloss where the subject in question can camouflage themselves amongst the prey.

And that's another theme that's explored here. A man denied of companionship, starved for it, whose occupation doesn't lend himself to mixing with throngs of female suitors, finds that his companion is a subject of interest. What will he do when presented its talents, even though there's a deadly price to be paid? How bendable is a man when it comes to his more basic yearnings.

Another theme explores possible motivations of the creature, though even those are given a healthy amount of light, and we see the creature for all of its worth, when all is said and done.

The distant world of M-113 has ruins of a civilization that once way, but is no more. Dr. Crater is essentially marooned for the sake of his work, and whether it's the heat, his work, or lack of a moral compass, we're given some insight to, but it does not explain the entirety of his decision, and Captain James T. Kirk exposes the truth.

Do you destroy the living vestige of a lost empire? Do you kill off something that is an artifact of days long gone, but could destroy you? What would your decision be?

Again, on the surface it is a silly superficial monster episode. But if you listen to the dialogue carefully, there are some ideas there that should give you pause to think.

Enjoy.

Excellent Start To The Series

[craphead_is_a_compliment · 9/10 · 23 January 2014]

First of all I was born in the eighties and saw the Star Trek movies first but then a few years ago I bought the original series box set as I wanted to see the original series and see how it compared to the movies. The first episode shown, and the 6th made is The Man Trap. I love this episode very much and really recommend it. The way it begins is a great mystery when Kirk, McCoy and Darnell all see Nancy in a different form and you're like, what the hell is going on? It captures the attention immediately and the story gradually opens up and starts revealing itself and we quickly learn there is no Nancy and it's really a shape shifting creature. The dialogue is very good and the characters of Kirk, McCoy and Spock are quickly established and Alfred Ryder is excellent as Professor Crater, who is very eager for Kirk and friends to leave his planet at once, the reason not entirely obvious at first but we later learn it's because he doesn't want Kirk to find out the truth about the creature, which he nearly killed but now wants to keep around. I really enjoyed this episode and although it is a bit slow in places, I can't really fault it. Glen's rating - 9/10

"She looks exactly as I knew her twelve years ago".

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 21 September 2010]

I would never have considered this to be the premiere episode of Star Trek, but now that I'm about to watch the entire series in order, I'll probably run into other surprises as well. Interestingly, Dr. McCoy is the central character here for the most part, except when he's being dressed down by Captain Kirk for dropping the ball a few times. It was also unusual to see Uhura attempting to flirt with Spock, and I was never that much of a fan back in the day to remember if that part of her personality carried forward into other episodes. Getting reacquainted with the characters and their idiosyncrasies should be a blast this time around.

One of the cool things I like about Star Trek is the way the writers introduced concepts and names for things that made them seem like they were around forever. Like the Borgia plant in this story, it's name presumably derived from that of Lucrezia Borgia, the illegitimate daughter of a sixteenth century Pope. She was rumored to have used a hollow ring to dispense poison to claim her victims. Combined with the shape shifting ability displayed by Nancy Crater (Jeanne Bal), the series' first monster was suitably gruesome enough to entice future viewers to come back for more.

One thing's true though, the early Star Treks took no prize for special effects when you get right down to it. The character metamorphosis was done as far back as Lon Chaney's Wolfman in 1941 and just as well. One thing I don't recall any movie or TV show coming to grips with is how the shape shifter also managed to change his clothes. I guess you're not supposed to think about that.

So for a first effort (although I understand this story was actually the sixth one filmed), this was a reasonably good start to have the fans coming back for more. Back then there were no Trekkies yet, so I guess at least the germ of a good idea made it's way out of this premiere episode. Funny, but for some reason after watching this show, I had to go get a bowl of potato chips.

One of the best episodes ever written

[newsound · 9/10 · 22 November 2007]

I'm not a writer and probably wouldn't know the difference between a great or not-so-great story, but as one of the many baby boomers who has seen every episode of Star Trek - The Original Series, I feel "The Man Trap" is one of the best written. There were so many little sub- scenes that were out of character with most of the episodes that followed. For example, when Yeoman Rand brings lunch to Mr. Sulu, or when Capt. Kirk is eating a snack while on the bridge conducting a search, or when Uhuru is trying to make small-talk with Mr. Spock while he's at the helm. This was all great for character development, but I really missed this type of "not part of the plot" interplay in the episodes that followed. Also, the message of the right to survive vs. extinction was nicely done. I've made it a point to check-out some of George Clayton Johnson's other work . . . his Twilight Zone episodes in particular.

Bones thinking with his glands

[snoozejonc · 7/10 · 28 September 2020]

Enterprise visits a planet to make a routine health check on an archeologist.

It is a compelling story about the crew encountering a life-form on the verge of extinction. They are put in a difficult position of having to defend themselves but in the same breath face the prospect of possibly doing something that equates to genocide. This is handled in a plausible way and with some acknowledgement and reflection placed upon the actions taken.

One of its major strengths is that it properly establishes characters in the way an early episode should. A lot of focus is placed on Kirk's command decisions and we learn about him in these moments. Interestingly, he is portrayed slightly more aggressive in nature than usual, particularly towards Bones, who for the majority of the episode, as Kirk bluntly states, thinks with his glands. The banter between the two is enjoyable from start to finish. Spock has some character defining moments in his interaction with U'Hura and also in a more confrontational scene involving Kirk and Bones towards the end.

This is quite a unique episode in several ways. It focuses on some small character moments that never get the same attention later on in the show. Refreshingly, there is none of the dramatic music that made later episodes louder and feel more dated. Also, Kirk's narration is spoken in past tense, which doesn't make a great deal of difference but does unnecessarily explain the situation a bit too much at the beginning.

When the high drama comes during the episode's conclusion, that's when I feel the age of it. We have over-the-top physical acting, the splendour of a dodgy creature costume and I felt an overall sense of unintentional humour. However, this for me is part of the charm of the original series. It was television made during the 1960s and you have to take the positives out of these moments.

Great start to a Legendary show

[nicofreezer · 9/10 · 10 April 2021]

First Time Watcher here , late to the party, 55 years Late 😂 A Great episode of TV no doubt, even if Its not as good as " The cage" the Pilot of what star trek could have been. But I Guess I will have to forget Captain Pike for Captain Kirk.

8.75/10.

A decent, fun way to start the series.

[Hey_Sweden · 7/10 · 3 January 2021]

In this initial outing for most of the familiar Enterprise crew, Kirk, Spock, and others descend to a barren, arid planet on which only a scientist (guest star Alfred Ryder) and his wife (Jeanne Bal), a former flame of Bones, reside. Soon the crew discover that an alien presence is amongst them, one that craves salt and can change appearance at will. After it masquerades as a crewman, it ends up on board the starship and gets too much time to move about as it pleases.

After the original planned pilot 'The Cage' failed to be accepted by the powers-that-be (it was deemed to be "too cerebral"), this episode went on in its place. The actual approved pilot, 'Where No Man Has Gone Before', ended up being aired third after this and 'Charlie X'. Written by George Clayton Johnson, this story entertains solidly although it's not a great one. It does have its pleasures, and knows how to hook viewers early on, with the scientists' wife appearing as a different woman to Kirk, Bones, and expendable crewman # 1 (Michael Zaslow). Kudos, also, to the technical crew on 'Star Trek' for doing their able best to create these alien worlds on their budgets (even if you never really believe that the characters are outdoors). The performances proved to be ingratiating right from the start, with all of the actors who play both their original characters and the aliens' manifestations being appropriately off-putting in the latter incarnations.

If one is a newcomer to this original series, as this viewer is, they should find this to be agreeable entertainment.

Although a fair amount of the main cast appear here, only Shatner and Nimoy get proper billing during the main credits. It wouldn't be until season two that things changed in that regard.

Directed by TV veteran Marc Daniels, who guided 15 episodes of the series in total.

Seven out of 10.

Nancy Crater is not what she seems

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 8 November 2012]

This, the first episode to be broadcast, opens with Kirk, McCoy and Crewman Darnell beaming down to a planet so that its sole inhabitants; Professor Crater and his wife Nancy can undergo there mandatory annual medical. It becomes clear that something strange is going on when we are introduced to Nancy; McCoy, who had a fling with her many years before, sees her as an attractive young brunette, Kirk sees her as the same woman but older and Darnell sees her as a curvaceous blonde! When Nancy goes to find her husband Darnell follows and is soon dead; his face covered in strange makings. Nancy says that she saw him eating a poisonous plant but was too late to stop him. When the professor joins them he seems overly keen for them to leave; saying they don't need a check-up, all they need is a fresh supply of salt tablets. Kirk isn't willing to leave it at that and later returns with Spock and crewmen Sturgeon and Green. Soon the two crewmen are also dead but when Kirk calls out to them Nancy takes on the form of Green and joins them. The three of them return to the Enterprise and it is clear that 'Green' is desperate for salt... the mineral which test showed was missing from Darnell's body.

While this wasn't intended to be the first episode of the new series it serves well enough in the role as it introduces most of the regular cast. Obviously viewing it now it loses some of its impact as we know that regular cast members are in no real danger but when first broadcast it is unlikely viewers would have known who were destined to become secondary characters and who was expendable! The special effects weren't bad for their time but inevitably they have dated over the years as has the scenery which looks very basic to fans of the more recent series. Having first watched this series in the seventies that didn't bother me; it gave it a nostalgic charm. The story is pretty decent with a memorable monster. As well as the drama there is some humour as Uhuru flirts with the emotionless Vulcan; Science Officer Spock and the banter between Yeoman Rand and Sulu... scenes not necessitated by the plot but which helped to introduce the characters various personalities.

The fact that this wasn't shown in the correct ordered wouldn't really have mattered as there is very little continuity between episodes; each story stands on its own and anybody we haven't seen before is unlikely to be seen again!

Buffalo Woman

[Samuel-Shovel · 7/10 · 9 May 2017]

The premiere of Star Trek under the reign of Captain Kirk starts off promisingly enough with this episode. There is a good combination of character development as well as plot line here. The dilemma over endangered species and their right to survival, regardless of their threat level, is always a delicate subject and the script does a fine job with the material. The added layer of old flames reunited is also a nice touch.

You Bleed too Much, Bones

[Aaronb00 · 5/10 · 13 November 2021]

Stardate 1533.1 Approximately 2266 AD

As Kirk and crew approach planet M-113 for a routine medical check up on the husband and wife archeological crew, Nancy and Robert Crater, dispatched by the Federation 5 years earlier to study the planet's long dead ancient civilization, Captain Kirk and Doctor Leonard "Bones" McCoy discuss how 12 years earlier Bones and Nancy had an intense romance together. When the crew meets the marooned couple for the first time each member seems to see Nancy as a different woman that reminds them of past lovers. Soon after the first meeting the third member of the landing party, after running off alone with Nancy, is found dead with mysterious marks all over his face. Upon further investigation we learn that the dead crew member has had all the salt pulled out of his body by a mysterious force. This same mysterious force makes its way onto the Enterprise, compromising the rest of the Enterprise crew orbiting above in a manner that no doubt inspired the 1982 remake of "The Thing."

A few things that I don't entirely understand about this episode still lingers in my thoughts. Near the beginning Prof. Crater mentioned that they need salt tablets because they live on a desolate desert planet. Kirk replies, "we're well aware of the need for salt in these conditions." I must admit, I am not aware. Why is salt so obviously important? I know when I'm in desert-like conditions the last thing I typically want is salt. Is there some scientific truth to this that everybody knew about in the 60's that I am completely unaware of?

We eventually learn that this creature is capable of taking the shape of whatever it wants. Which confused me because in the beginning of the episode when the crew sees Nancy for the first time she appears to the third crew member to be a blonde woman, Bones saw her exactly the same way he remembered her from 12 years prior, and Kirk seems to have the only consistent vision of Nancy. But if the creature is capable of taking the shape of whoever it wants then why does each crew member see something else? I don't think they were implying that it is psychic in some way, but who knows.

This is a fun enough episode that does a pretty good job exploring some of the characters that we will eventually grow to love, and that's a good thing because this is actually the first Star Trek episode aired. Here we are introduced to Kirk and Bones and explore their friendship a little, back up on the enterprise we see learn that Spock does not have emotion and operates entirely off logic, which is unsettling to the feminen Uhura. We are introduced to Sulu where we meet him taking care of his alien plant life. Plus this is a relatively exciting episode where we get to see a lot of action and emotional turmoil, especially that of Bones in the climax.

We also see classic staples of Star Trekian moral conundrums. The overall theme being that this creature is simply trying to survive and requires salt to survive which is why it kills in the first place... why they can't just give it salt from the Enterprise food stores I don't know. I think we are supposed to take a sympathetic view on this creature, comparing it to the Buffalo from frontier America. But somehow killing this creature is absolutely necessary, and it's a decision that is made all the more difficult because the creature takes the shape of a loved one.

The script could have gone through a few more drafts before filming, I would have liked to see some of these inconsistencies cleaned up. But ultimately i think the point of the episode is more to explore Dr. Bones and introduce other primary characters like Spock and Uhura. I know it's a fan favorite, but it's certainly not my favorite.

Not the Trek philosophy

[karn · 6/10 · 8 June 2010]

I have a real problem with this episode. The Enterprise encounters an intelligent creature, the last of its race. Knowing this, they still blow it away. Maybe that's something the Terran Empire in the Mirror Universe would do, but this is not the Federation I know.

Yes, the "salt vampire" was killing Kirk's crew. Nothing, but NOTHING gets him madder. But the Horta in "Devil in the Dark" was doing the same -- after killing several dozen miners -- yet Kirk ultimately protects and defends it. (Perhaps his actions with the Horta were the result of lingering guilt over his actions here? Who knows...)

Of course, this creature must take much of the blame for its own demise. It was intelligent and (unlike the Horta) had the ability to communicate easily with humans. When the Enterprise arrived it could have simply appeared in its natural form and explained its need for salt. Crater must have told it that the Enterprise could supply it in large quantities. When the Enterprise arrived, it no longer had to kill to survive.

Given the Federation's (and Kirk's) usual tolerance toward other life forms, especially those being contacted for the first time, it would undoubtedly have been given enough salt for a lifetime.

It probably would even have been forgiven for murdering Nancy Crater, just as the Horta was forgiven for murdering many more. Both creatures, natives of their worlds, had only been trying to survive after the humans arrived uninvited.

Yet instead of simply asking for salt, it immediately began to hunt the Enterprise crew for relatively trivial amounts. And it continued even after the humans discovered its nature and began to methodically hunt it down. Why?

Maybe it really was "evil", as another reviewer suggests. But I think that label should be reserved for entities that act out of pure malice rather than from a survival instinct. Would we humans like to be considered "evil" and worthy of genocide by some highly advanced life form that has learned to live directly on stellar energy because our survival still depends on killing other life forms, plants, at the very least?

In this case a simple death wish seems more likely. It was, after all, the last of its kind. Unless it could reproduce by parthenogenesis (or had a cache of eggs hidden somewhere) its species was doomed already. Maybe it figured it had nothing to live for.

Yet Kirk and crew are still culpable. Yes, they had the right to defend themselves. But consider how the episode ends. The creature had been stunned by a phaser and was no longer a threat. It could have been easily captured at that point; everyone knew it was a shape shifter, so that trick would no longer work. Yet McCoy -- of all people! -- deliberately shot again and killed it. Was that a "justifiable shooting"? I think not.

"Devil in the Dark" was the MUCH better episode.

Rather ridiculous premise-- but plays very well

[bgaiv · 8/10 · 15 April 2022]

A shape shifting salt vampire-- okie dokie!

This kind of story is what you'd expect in a series late in its run when it's run out of ideas. In TOS terms, you'd expect this from season three.

But this one works well because it's very well produced and the character interplay is great, even when the character is the shapeshifter.

Professor Crater makes a surprisingly convincing and compelling "villain".

Dr. McCoy's Old Flame

[Rainey-Dawn · 7/10 · 20 December 2016]

Nancy Crater and Dr. McCoy at one time was very close... it's been years since they've seen each other. Naturally Bones was excited to find out he'll see Nancy again while on the planet M-113. Nancy has gotten married to Professor Robert Crater, a man that knows all about Nancy. Nancy is not quite her old self, trying to harm the Starship Crew for Salt.

Off to a great start with the first season, first episode of ST-TOS. It is taken very much seriously - nothing cutesy or funny about it. Like all Star Trek TOS - you'll either like the Captain and Crew or you simply won't.

Oddly, this episode looks and feels like a later episode... one that you know the characters better rather than the very first episode aired for TV audiences in 1966.

7/10

First Broadcast Episode. One of the Best!

[mike48128 · 9/10 · 16 July 2014]

A prime example that "less is more" shows what can be done with a limited budget on a weekly TV series. The "salt vampire" is quite well-done as a "rubber suit" monster, and was on display at the old "Star Trek" exhibit in Las Vegas. Thankfully, they abandoned the "monster of the week" concept almost at once on Star Trek. (Often used on the tacky "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" series.) The major makeup goof here is the blood on Mr. Spock. Both green and red blood appear on his forehead and face. Too bad the "Television Code" kicked in here: "All murderous beings must die". Poor "Nancy"! Like "What are Little Girls Made Of", one of the very best first season "TOS" episodes!

not-bad start for series

[HelloTexas11 · 6/10 · 25 February 2009]

Observation about the first dozen or so ST episodes produced- Kirk is more of an authority figure than he would be later, less friendly with the rest of the crew, more likely to bite someone's head off over a minor transgression, as he does in 'The Man Trap' with McCoy. Spock too is more business-like; the advice he gives to the Captain tends to be terse and to-the-point. In fact, the whole structure of the show and life aboard the Enterprise in particular is much more military-oriented, unlike later episodes where there is a more casual feel and easygoing interaction among the crew members. And in the very early shows, like 'The Man Trap', there is a certain stiffness that is perhaps attributable to the above or it may simply be that the series was still finding its way. The plot revisits the idea of a race of creatures with the power of illusion as in the original pilot 'The Cage,' except here there is only one surviving member left. During a routine planetary stop to visit a research station and check on its two inhabitants, Dr. Crater and his wife Nancy, the creature kills an Enterprise crewman. No one realizes at the time that the creature is impersonating Nancy, who in reality is dead, as well as various crewmembers as the episode progresses. Crater has accepted the creature as a replacement for Nancy and so protects it. Finally the truth is admitted by Crater and in an exciting scene in McCoy's quarters, the creature reveals its true, ghastly appearance and is killed. Though the sixth Trek episode produced, 'The Man Trap' was the first episode aired on NBC and so served as the series' introduction to millions of people on September 8, 1966. What they saw was a genuinely oddball installment, in some ways typical and in some ways not, but it may have misled some to think this new 'Star Trek' was going to be more 'monster-oriented' than it in fact turned out to be. (Leonard Nimoy has said at the time he was concerned about this.) Still, it was a satisfactory and at times exciting start to the new sci-fi series.

Quite a Salty Episode

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 23 April 2014]

This is really quite good. The crew goes to a planet where Dr. Crater and his wife are due for a required checkup. They have been on the planet for five years. Mrs. Crater is a former love interest of Dr. McCoy and he looks forward with trepidation to seeing her. When the away team gets there each of them sees this woman in different. To McCoy, she appears to be as young as when they last met; Kirk sees her as one of an appropriate age; and the other crewman sees her as a woman from a pleasure colony. Now the bodies start to pile up. The men meet Dr. Crater who is uncooperative and unfriendly. A scream is heard outside and upon investigation, the body of the third crewman lies dead, circular burn-like marks on his skin. The central issue has something to do with salt. The body, when investigated, is lacking salt. Mrs. Crater is really worried that their salt supply is dissipated. Soon even more bodies are found. The thing is a shape-changer and it begins to find ways of attacking crew members to remove its salt.

This episode sucks....literally.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 5 December 2006]

Okay, you Trekkie/Trekker trivia freaks, this is the first Star Trek episode that was aired, even though it was not the first filmed. Apparently, NBC wanted a "bug-eyed monster" episode and made them show this one first since it features a giant body-changing sucking hairy monster. The problem is that despite having the monster, there really isn't all that much to recommend the episode. It's pretty dull and a terrible way to initiate the series. Not among the very worst, but far, far from the best.

Strengths are the monster itself--it looked cool and compared to later episodes, the production values are pretty good. Negatives were the incredibly low energy of everyone in the episode (I actually would have welcomed some of Kirk's hysterics) and the static nature of the episode. It should have been more exciting and probably reflects the newness of the show. Later episodes would be smoother--with better and more natural action and dialog. Regardless, it is fun to watch and the show won its time slot when it debuted back in the 1960s.

By the way, if you watch, look carefully at the first scene. You'll see Uhura at the helm! Also, her dialog with Spock is very unusual- - quite good, but unusual.

Filmed in Color but had to watch in B&W

[ducatimatz28 · 9/10 · 26 February 2022]

In Sept 1966, Not that many households had a Color TV. NBC's figure for January 1st, 1966 stood at 5,220,000 Nation Wide, an 85% gain over the January 1st, 1965 number but still only 9.7% of all television households. I was in HS in 66 and we didn't get a Color TV (Zenith 25") until 1967. Although all the ST Episodes were filmed in Color, Not every TV Station in your Smaller Markets had the equipment to transmit Color; so even those Households that had a Color Set in 1966 still might have only seen this Episode in B&W. I don't think it was until 1969/70 that I saw "Man Trap" and a lot of other Programs that had been filmed in color for years in living Color.

So re watching all these Episodes/Programs was a new Experience. All the Bright Different Colored Uniforms of the Crew as well as the Ship's interior and Sets was like seeing the episode for the 1st time again. Today's Generation give you the Odd Look today talking about Color TV, but People of my Generation can still remember when it was a Thrill in the early 60's to watch the NBC Peacock Fan out from B&W to "In Living Color" or watch Tinker Bell produce Color with her wand on Walt Disney's WWOC. Just because you were the Luck Family that had a Color Set in the early 60's; there were on 4 programs that were shown in Color... I still believe IMHO that "Man Trap" was one of the best Episodes of the Series.

Shatner was right

[eti55 · 5/10 · 27 February 2008]

In his book "Star Trek Memories," William Shatner lamented that out of the first few Trek episodes filmed, the network made the mistake of choosing to start the series off with the worst of the bunch. He was right, although it isn't all bad. But it was the weakest of the first few episodes by far, and not the best way to start the series.

There is something I actually like about this episode which some other Trek-heads don't like; this is one of the few Trek installments which actually recognizes that there are some beings that are truly evil and malevolent, regardless of how intelligent they are (as opposed to Roddenberry's usual "there is no good or bad there is only that which we don't yet understand" rap), and that sometimes the only thing you can do with evil is take it out. But some hard core Trek fans wring their hands about how terrible it was that Kirk and company just killed this poor misunderstood intelligent creature which was the last of its kind, instead of trying to understand it. Unfortunately, this wasn't a situation like The Devil in the Dark, where a normally peaceful creature was pushed to murdering miners who were destroying her eggs. Case and point: Kirk and his crew hadn't been down on the planet for 10 minutes when this thing proceeds to suck the life out of a member of his crew with no provocation. And this was after a year or two of peaceful association with Professor Crater. 'Nuff said.

A 'first' episode worth its salt.

[BA_Harrison · 7/10 · 8 May 2022]

The Man Trap was the first outing for the Enterprise crew that we all know and love: Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley), and Sulu (George Takei). But still no sign of Scotty yet (his first appearance was in the show's second pilot 'Where No Man Has Gone Before', which was broadcast as the third episode in season one).

This one opens as Kirk, Spock and expendable crewman Darnell (not wearing a red shirt but still soon-to-be-dead) are beamed to the surface of planet M-113 to check up on the health of Professor Crater (Alfred Ryder) and his wife Nancy (Jeanne Bal), an old flame of the Doc's. On meeting Nancy, each member of the Enterprise crew sees the woman differently, although they do not realise it. Soon after, Darnell is found dead (what a shocker!), McCoy eventually discovering that the man's body has been depleted of salt.

Kirk recalls that a supply of salt was high on the Craters' list of requirements and begins to become suspicious about the couple. It eventually transpires that Nancy is in fact a salt-sucking shape-shifting alien, the last of its kind, having replaced the real Mrs. Crater, who was killed two years earlier by the creature. The professor is now protecting the beast, which has become a surrogate wife to him.

A lot more fun than the show's overly-cerebral pilot The Cage, The Man Trap is suspenseful and has the major benefit of its more familiar cast, who all interact marvelously. There's also the no-small-matter of Yeoman Janice's magnificent beehive hairdo, Sulu's amazing living plant specimen (that is clearly a man's hand), and the final appearance of the shape-shifter: a hilarious hairy monstrosity with a real ugly mush -- let's hope that the professor didn't allow the creature to replace his wife in all aspects of their relationship.

STAR TREK "Punked" #3

[joker-scar · 9/10 · 1 October 2017]

To begin with I grew up watching Star Trek reruns on TV in the 1970's and I caught every original cast flick that came out in the theatre. To be honest I was always a bigger STAR WARS fan than Trek. "WHAT???!!! How dare a SW fan have the audacity to criticize Star Trek! "

But I will *DISCLAIMER: this is done with the utmost fun/love so any of you TREKKIES out there that feel the need to zip off a hasty/indignant reply with headings like: "How dare you nit-pick a cherished franchise!" "Such-and-such was done because of the limited TV budgets back then " " It was made 50 years ago and was cutting edge stuff to the pabulum that was out back then and it changed the face of sci-fi forever so cut it some slack you sacrilegious bastard!!" blah, blah, blah. Reel in your indignation

*FYI - I know that most of you TREKKIES have a sense of humour (I'm Canadian, THAT's how we spell it here! We LOVE "U's" and use them whenever we can) and those that don't are called TREKKERS! If that is the case then as William "the Shat" Shatner once stated on Saturday Night Live "Get a life!" Of course the episodes I'm reviewing are the revamped ones with the new special effects so I will spare those purist Trekkies (I know I'm getting under your skins right now.. ha ha my evil plan is working) that cherish the original special de-fects. So I will commence in pointing out some glaring blunders in these cherished episodes. Today's episode "THE MANTRAP" I wholly expected it to be written by a woman. WOAH totally leaped into that PC nightmare statement.  -The only thing to criticize is that the crewman who beams down with the landing party runs after the "blonde version" of Nancy like a hound-bog in heat, wholly ready with no qualms of banging another man's wife. Somehow I doubt he reflects Starfleet's HR department policies. -Question: why wasn't he wearing a red shirt?

Well, there wasn't too much to pick apart in this episode since Marc Daniels is a good director until next time.