This was kind of the first episode of the series, but it wasn't seen until several weeks into the show--and this must have really confused some of the viewers, as the costumes in this episode and parts of the ship really differed from previous and later episodes. This is because this really wasn't the 4th episode--it was the second pilot episode--the one NBC bought. The first pilot, THE CAGE, was rejected and the series was totally retooled--with a new crew and style. However, WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE was not shown first even though it was the first episode starring Kirk and Spock and MOST of the rest (though Spock WAS in both pilots and McCoy isn't in either) because some bone-headed idiots at NBC insisted that a rotten episode be shown first because it featured a "bug-eyed monster" and they knew that Star Trek NEEDED one of these! So, instead of starting the series on a great note with this episode, the one about the salt monster that McCoy loves was shown first. Not a good idea in hindsight.
This episode started with the crew encountering a strange probe that was badly damaged. From what they could tell by listening to the data recorder on the probe, it sounded as if the previous crew was panicked and Spock thought he heard something about crew members coming back to life and ESP!!! Then, the Enterprise passed through a nearby energy cloud and soon Gary Lockwood passes out and then starts acting odd to say the least. At first, it's just odd--then later, he begins to read at a hugely accelerated rate, talk in a cool voice that was all "echo-y" (is that a word?) and could also make things fly into his hands. This was obviously NOT the same Gary Lockwood they all knew and loved before the energy cloud struck!!! In time, Gary, and later, Sally Kellerman, became almost god-like and were a major threat to all the mere morals on board.
The show was excellent for several reasons. First, the show didn't stay stuck on board the Enterprise and there was a decent amount of action. Second, the show had some real humanity and sense of loss about it. Third, Shatner's acting is amazingly restrained (MOST of the time) and the guest stars did a good job. All-in-all, this one is well worth seeing--perhaps again and again.
This episode started with the crew encountering a strange probe that was badly damaged. From what they could tell by listening to the data recorder on the probe, it sounded as if the previous crew was panicked and Spock thought he heard something about crew members coming back to life and ESP!!! Then, the Enterprise passed through a nearby energy cloud and soon Gary Lockwood passes out and then starts acting odd to say the least. At first, it's just odd--then later, he begins to read at a hugely accelerated rate, talk in a cool voice that was all "echo-y" (is that a word?) and could also make things fly into his hands. This was obviously NOT the same Gary Lockwood they all knew and loved before the energy cloud struck!!! In time, Gary, and later, Sally Kellerman, became almost god-like and were a major threat to all the mere morals on board.
The show was excellent for several reasons. First, the show didn't stay stuck on board the Enterprise and there was a decent amount of action. Second, the show had some real humanity and sense of loss about it. Third, Shatner's acting is amazingly restrained (MOST of the time) and the guest stars did a good job. All-in-all, this one is well worth seeing--perhaps again and again.