Tread Perilously is a podcast in which hosts Erik Amaya and author Justin Robinson watch the “worst” episodes of popular TV shows, attempting to determine if they would continue to watch the series based on the most off-key moments.
This Week: Star Trek: TOS‘ “The Omega Glory”
Tread Perilously‘s 2024 Star Trek month opens with an episode of The Original Series called “The Omega Glory.”
Arriving in orbit around Omega IV, the Enterprise discovers the crew of the U.S.S. Exeter have been turned into salt; the result of a highly infectious disease from the planet below. Beaming down, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy find the Exeter‘s captain, Donald Tracey, alive and well. He’s convinced the planet holds the secret to immortality and wants Kirk to join him in making millions once Tracey learns how to bottle it. Will Kirk break the Prime Directive? Will Tracey learn the real secret of Omega IV? And will we ever get past the sensation that Gerd Shockley wrote this episode?
Erik and Justin commemorate the Bell Riots in the best way possible: talking about a true Star Trek low light. The pair differ on guest actor Morgan Woodward’s performance as Tracey, but absolutely agree on the shockingly regressive attitudes present in a script by Gene Roddenberry. Emperor Sheev Palpatine’s real plan is revealed. Justin’s love of the starship-specific logos is tempered by the reason why it was abandoned. The presence of Space Huns leads the discussion in a certain direction, and Lt. Galloway gets the memorial he deserves.
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