Game The Most Disliked 'Hey, This Planet Is Just Like Earth!' Episode, 2025 Edition

[Sakonna]

THE OBJECTIVE: A sudden-death elimination game in which we remove our personal favorite episodes/movies from a themed list, until we arrive at the episode that is, if not the worst, at least the most disliked.

It's a framework to say positive things about episodes from across the franchise.

THE RULES: Below is a list of alternate Earth episodes from TOS, TNG, VOY, ENT, DIS, and SNW.

Eliminate/save your favorite, or the one you deem the ‘best' of what currently remains.
Post something you enjoy about the episode you are saving, and copy-and-paste the list with your choice removed.

You can use any standard you like to judge which option is "best." You can save episodes for being widely recognized “best Trek” classics, or for idiosyncratic qualities that no one appreciates but you.

As you get down the list, you might have to reach more and more for something to enjoy about an episode, and it's OK to eventually save episodes for being "less bad."

But -- no tactical voting! You cannot remove an episode because you don’t think anyone else will, or because you feel it would threaten your preferred episode's chance to “win.”

You can take multiple turns.

Leave at least 2 eliminations by other posters before you eliminate another episode.

New players are always welcome. You do not have to already be a "most disliked game" regular to dive in.

Much thanks to @Farscape One for helping me vet the list!

Enjoy!

TOS, Season 1: "Miri"
TOS, Season 1: “The Squire Of Gothos”
TOS, Season 2: “Who Mourns For Adonais?”
TOS, Season 2: “Catspaw”
TOS, Season 2: “A Piece Of The Action”
TOS, Season 2: “Patterns Of Force”
TOS, Season 2: “The Omega Glory”
TOS, Season 2: “Bread And Circuses”
TOS, Season 3: “The Paradise Syndrome”
TOS, Season 3: “Spectre Of The Gun”
TOS, Season 3: “Plato’s Stepchildren”
TNG, Season 2: “The Royale”
TNG, Season 7: “Sub Rosa”
VOY, Season 5: “In The Flesh”
ENT, Season 3: “North Star”
DIS, Season 2: “New Eden”
SNW, Season 2: "Hegemony"

 

[Sakonna]

I always have to save "Sub Rosa" right away on any list which it appears. I have such fondness for it. I love gothic ridiculousness, possession stories, and deeply committed acting.

I would have said this was the peak for Beverly, until season 3 Picard gave her such good scenes.

TOS, Season 1: "Miri"
TOS, Season 1: “The Squire Of Gothos”
TOS, Season 2: “Who Mourns For Adonais?”
TOS, Season 2: “Catspaw”
TOS, Season 2: “A Piece Of The Action”
TOS, Season 2: “Patterns Of Force”
TOS, Season 2: “The Omega Glory”
TOS, Season 2: “Bread And Circuses”
TOS, Season 3: “The Paradise Syndrome”
TOS, Season 3: “Spectre Of The Gun”
TOS, Season 3: “Plato’s Stepchildren”
TNG, Season 2: “The Royale”
VOY, Season 5: “In The Flesh”
ENT, Season 3: “North Star”
DIS, Season 2: “New Eden”
SNW, Season 2: "Hegemony"

 

[Oddish]

Saving "In the Flesh". It both makes Species 8472 scarier, and puts a more relatable edge on them. And so, longtime loser VOY is swiftly eliminated.

TOS, Season 1: "Miri"
TOS, Season 1: “The Squire Of Gothos”
TOS, Season 2: “Who Mourns For Adonais?”
TOS, Season 2: “Catspaw”
TOS, Season 2: “A Piece Of The Action”
TOS, Season 2: “Patterns Of Force”
TOS, Season 2: “The Omega Glory”
TOS, Season 2: “Bread And Circuses”
TOS, Season 3: “The Paradise Syndrome”
TOS, Season 3: “Spectre Of The Gun”
TOS, Season 3: “Plato’s Stepchildren”
TNG, Season 2: “The Royale”
ENT, Season 3: “North Star”
DIS, Season 2: “New Eden”
SNW, Season 2: "Hegemony"

 

[carcinoGeneticist]

Saving Miri. I found it to be an interesting concept that was handled in quite an interesting way. It was quite interesting to see a dystopia ran by kids as in 'Miri'. My dad and also I find that one part where the kids are going "blah blah blah!" and then Kirk goes "NO BLAH BLAH BLAH!!" to be stupidly funny. The episode is also, I believe, the origin of the phrase 'the before times' (although I could be wrong).
TOS, Season 1: “The Squire Of Gothos”
TOS, Season 2: “Who Mourns For Adonais?”
TOS, Season 2: “Catspaw”
TOS, Season 2: “A Piece Of The Action”
TOS, Season 2: “Patterns Of Force”
TOS, Season 2: “The Omega Glory”
TOS, Season 2: “Bread And Circuses”
TOS, Season 3: “The Paradise Syndrome”
TOS, Season 3: “Spectre Of The Gun”
TOS, Season 3: “Plato’s Stepchildren”
TNG, Season 2: “The Royale”
ENT, Season 3: “North Star”
DIS, Season 2: “New Eden”
SNW, Season 2: "Hegemony"

 

[Detached Nacelle]

Saving New Eden. A lot of fun in the episode. Great Pike moments, some actual development for Owosekun and always a treat for the tantalising little peaks into WWIII

TOS, Season 1: “The Squire Of Gothos”
TOS, Season 2: “Who Mourns For Adonais?”
TOS, Season 2: “Catspaw”
TOS, Season 2: “A Piece Of The Action”
TOS, Season 2: “Patterns Of Force”
TOS, Season 2: “The Omega Glory”
TOS, Season 2: “Bread And Circuses”
TOS, Season 3: “The Paradise Syndrome”
TOS, Season 3: “Spectre Of The Gun”
TOS, Season 3: “Plato’s Stepchildren”
TNG, Season 2: “The Royale”
ENT, Season 3: “North Star”
SNW, Season 2: "Hegemony"

 

[Victoria]

I enjoyed "A Piece of the Action" when I first saw it and I still enjoy it now. Such a good send up of "old" gangster films!


TOS, Season 1: “The Squire Of Gothos”
TOS, Season 2: “Who Mourns For Adonais?”
TOS, Season 2: “Catspaw”
TOS, Season 2: “Patterns Of Force”
TOS, Season 2: “The Omega Glory”
TOS, Season 2: “Bread And Circuses”
TOS, Season 3: “The Paradise Syndrome”
TOS, Season 3: “Spectre Of The Gun”
TOS, Season 3: “Plato’s Stepchildren”
TNG, Season 2: “The Royale”
ENT, Season 3: “North Star”
SNW, Season 2: "Hegemony"

 

[Qonundrum]

High concept or weaving real science into the story, there are a few worthy of saving... but the one, from the list below, that I like the most, is:

TOS, Season 2: “The Omega Glory”

True, this was a script originally meant as a pilot.

True, it does cater to the censors of the time.

True, the Earth parallel is taken to extremes. There is a certain charm, yes, but for the "just like Earth" premise, the level of coincidence is a rare odd indeed.

But, dang, the horror element of some disease from another planet that could turn people into dehydrated clumps of chemicals was presented downright creepy, and of all the formats that "just like Earth", the comedic ones I loathe.

Now add in Morgan Woodward playing this with utter conviction (though TOS has almost everybody always playing everything with such conviction, so the more the merrier - just like at a 60s love-in, but before I digress while handing out the then-effective penicillin...) and, big revelation aside as it doesn't quite work, the rest of it really does. It's a mystery, exploring unknowns on other planets, where - yeah - something fatal can indeed be out there and our immune systems would have zero possibility. This eppy is a horrorfest. And it's great.

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Oh, spot the stunt doubles? I didn't see any stunt doubles... only heard overlaid sound effects, but they don't go over the top. The choreography to make this look as good as they had is genuinely impressive. Quite underrated.


What's left:
TOS, Season 1: “The Squire Of Gothos”
TOS, Season 2: “Who Mourns For Adonais?”
TOS, Season 2: “Catspaw”
TOS, Season 2: “Patterns Of Force”
TOS, Season 2: “Bread And Circuses”
TOS, Season 3: “The Paradise Syndrome”
TOS, Season 3: “Spectre Of The Gun”
TOS, Season 3: “Plato’s Stepchildren”
TNG, Season 2: “The Royale”
ENT, Season 3: “North Star”
SNW, Season 2: "Hegemony"

 

[CoveTom]

I'll save "Spectre of the Gun." Although, I'm not sure I'd say that planet was just like Earth. Still, it's a good example of them taking their lower 3rd season budget and using it to the story's advantage. I don't think it would have had the same creepy, alien feel if they had been able to construct full sets for the town.

What's left:
TOS, Season 1: “The Squire Of Gothos”
TOS, Season 2: “Who Mourns For Adonais?”
TOS, Season 2: “Catspaw”
TOS, Season 2: “Patterns Of Force”
TOS, Season 2: “Bread And Circuses”
TOS, Season 3: “The Paradise Syndrome”
TOS, Season 3: “Plato’s Stepchildren”
TNG, Season 2: “The Royale”
ENT, Season 3: “North Star”
SNW, Season 2: "Hegemony"

 

[Victoria]

Saving "The Royale" as another good spoof of a well-known genre. I do like Data as a gambler. I see from elsewhere on the Board it might have been even better if they had gone with the early version of the episode.

TOS, Season 1: “The Squire Of Gothos”
TOS, Season 2: “Who Mourns For Adonais?”
TOS, Season 2: “Catspaw”
TOS, Season 2: “Patterns Of Force”
TOS, Season 2: “Bread And Circuses”
TOS, Season 3: “The Paradise Syndrome”
TOS, Season 3: “Plato’s Stepchildren”
ENT, Season 3: “North Star”
SNW, Season 2: "Hegemony"

 

[Sakonna]

"Hegemony" is an incredible season finale. So modern, but also such a throwback in it's cliffhanger style. I am dying to finally get the resolution at some point!

TOS, Season 1: “The Squire Of Gothos”
TOS, Season 2: “Who Mourns For Adonais?”
TOS, Season 2: “Catspaw”
TOS, Season 2: “Patterns Of Force”
TOS, Season 2: “Bread And Circuses”
TOS, Season 3: “The Paradise Syndrome”
TOS, Season 3: “Plato’s Stepchildren”
ENT, Season 3: “North Star”

 

[Qonundrum]

There are a couple I'd save for poetic reasons, but my next save is a high concept goodie:

TOS, Season 3: “Plato’s Stepchildren”

It's high concept, but it's science fiction. On a weekly basis. With no

The kiss is always taken out of context, what with the Platonians using their psi powers to force sexual assault, attempted murder (multiple times, including Spock) and everything, never mind the Brits did an interracial kiss in 1964 and without any alien species with psi ability, but the high concept notion of controlling others so literally is frightening if you can roll with the premise.

Add in Michael Dunn as Alexander, who steals the show, with on-screen chemistry with William Shatner, and it's an easy save.

Especially when the actors work in overdrive to sell another scene that's taken out of context, often to mock the show with. I wonder what their favorite shows are and if those can be mocked.

Let's look at a couple of the more renowned scenes:

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(It's almost fourth wall, if you take some audience reactions into the scene in which that one reflects on is taken into account. It's also better than the times Kirk went overboard to get Spock out of being mind-controlled by magic fungus spores.)

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(great stuff)


The story's moral dilemma, of taking the kiranide or not, is well-woven in terms of Alexander. Alexander knows a part of him would become no different than those he hates so he'd rather avoid it altogether, which is interesting. While the story ends like a whimper and kiranide completely forgotten, it was written in the sixties when universe building was limited in scope - otherwise we'd have had the Romulans and Klingons a lot more frequently otherwise.

What's left:
TOS, Season 1: “The Squire Of Gothos”
TOS, Season 2: “Who Mourns For Adonais?”
TOS, Season 2: “Catspaw”
TOS, Season 2: “Patterns Of Force”
TOS, Season 2: “Bread And Circuses”
TOS, Season 3: “The Paradise Syndrome”
ENT, Season 3: “North Star”

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

I'm going to save “Patterns Of Force” as it's always nice when Kirk and Spock get to come up with a scheme and go undercover.

TOS, Season 1: “The Squire Of Gothos”
TOS, Season 2: “Who Mourns For Adonais?”
TOS, Season 2: “Catspaw”
TOS, Season 2: “Bread And Circuses”
TOS, Season 3: “The Paradise Syndrome”
ENT, Season 3: “North Star”

 

[Detached Nacelle]

Just like in the last game I guess will save North Star again. Much like New Eden I do kind of like the abducted humans who are somehow frozen societally after being abducted. I also don't find the Skagaran prejudice plot too heavy handed and it ends on a high note which could absolutely lead to a Skagaran Starfleet officer making an appearance in a currently running show. Or at least someone mentioning they're drinking Skagaran whiskey.

TOS, Season 1: “The Squire Of Gothos”
TOS, Season 2: “Who Mourns For Adonais?”
TOS, Season 2: “Catspaw”
TOS, Season 2: “Bread And Circuses”
TOS, Season 3: “The Paradise Syndrome”

 

[Qonundrum]

Next up, which isn't easy save for one:

TOS, Season 1: “The Squire Of Gothos”

The use of real science (seeing 900 years distant) is a big plus, even if the time period involved doesn't equate to our heroes being from the 23rd century.

Trelane's character could be hit or miss, and relegated to that of "errant child being called in for dinner by mommy and daddy" at the end. What's more interesting is how Trelane was the basis for Q, only without the pseudo-parental trappings and allowed to be so much more.

Plus, any time a costume can be reused, that's great:

Monkees – Prince and the Pauper Trelane’s coat shows up on the footman.

Visit the post for more.

trekkerscrapbook.com

Then later Mike Nesmith wears it.

Visit the post for more.

trekkerscrapbook.com

And, hey hey, there's more and plenty of sixties shows had that coat passed around and more than my ex!

Haven’t I Seen That Before? (GALLERY) Part One: Star Trek Costumes

(NOTE: This is a repost of one of my earliest articles from way back in 2011 when I started this blog! Posting it again today since I am finally writing Part II, about Star Trek Props) As I review…

trekkerscrapbook.com

What's left:
TOS, Season 2: “Who Mourns For Adonais?”
TOS, Season 2: “Catspaw”
TOS, Season 2: “Bread And Circuses”
TOS, Season 3: “The Paradise Syndrome”

 

[Farscape One]

Saving "CATSPAW".

As a horror guy, I love these things.

And Kirk calling out "Bones" then quickly going to "Dr. McCoy" when McCoy is looking right at the skeleton never fails to be funny.


TOS, Season 2: “Who Mourns For Adonais?”
TOS, Season 2: “Bread And Circuses”
TOS, Season 3: “The Paradise Syndrome”

 

[Brennyren]

Saving "Bread and Circuses" for an exchange during the "games" that never failed to crack me and my dad up: And for the send-up of televised sports in general.

SPOCK: Defend yourself, Doctor!
McCOY (struggling, exasperated): I am defending myself!

Poor Bones. Why was he never called on to compete at something more his style, like a first-aid meet?

TOS, Season 2: “Who Mourns For Adonais?”
TOS, Season 3: “The Paradise Syndrome”

 

[Qonundrum]

It's the second time I've fallen for the old "ancient beings came to Earth and humans saw them as actual gods" trick and liked it:

TOS, Season 2: “Who Mourns For Adonais?”

It's a nice relaxing tale, with a box of snack crackers and a glass of whatever booze you find palatable. Okay, it's unintentionally silly at times, but just sit back and enjoy this tale. It takes less than three hours to do.

Yeah, Apollo is just like humans except he has some implant (hint: It's a glorified pacemaker) that allows him to channel power, get all big and strong without the need for blue pills, and allow god/human hybrids to be born, just like with the ancients. Except for Pan, nobody liked pan because he was the GOAT of all things horny and all... I wish the clip of Apollo dissing on Spock for the resemblance was on Youtube, but oh well.

There's a great scene where Spock micromanages as a good captain-in-training might, then encourages Uhura. It's more than a tad underrated, as it's a contrast to Kirk's style. Especially when he states that he can think of nobody better to accomplish the task within sufficient time, and that includes... himself!

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And, of course, when Scotty gets Lt Palmolive under cover:

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Okay, her surname is really Palamas and I do wonder if she is with child. Uh oh, here comes the real Star Trek II, the wrath of (Well, I can think of four individuals at least... five if you include McGivers, whom Kirk misnamed as well... how's that for a wackydoo tangent?)

You know that, as with some who'd want to become Borg, others wouldn't be sheepish and would merrily sign up to be a sheep to this guy. Can't imagine why...

For 1967, the original visual effects were rather great at times as well.



And here are some others, I mean everyone digs crossovers - amirite?

Aww come on, you know you wanted a scene like this one!



Or this one:

Whoops, wrong show, let me change the dial after commending on the marks actors stand on like those behind and to the left of Dr Crusher there...





...there, I found it:

What's left:
Season 3: “The Paradise Syndrome” remains

 

[Sakonna]

"The Paradise Syndrome" is one I've been meaning to revisit. I think I saw it once when I was a kid still, in the mid-90's! And the memories aren't good, but it does seem like one of those episodes where an adult viewer might find more to enjoy.

 

[Seven of Five]

I saved it in the last contest, didn't have the time to rescue it this time.

 

[Qonundrum]

"The Paradise Syndrome" is one I've been meaning to revisit. I think I saw it once when I was a kid still, in the mid-90's! And the memories aren't good, but it does seem like one of those episodes where an adult viewer might find more to enjoy.

It's worthy of "worst episode lists", but somehow isn't the worst Trek episode ever made. For rewatch lists, I don't often return to it, but it's been a long time for me as well.

Reception of the episode is definitely a mixed bag: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Paradise_Syndrome#Reception

I think, for now, more of it is happenstance or coincidental than deliberate on the part of the writer:

The ending was as morbid on multiple fronts, the basic idea isn't bad... but criticisms of the content therein are not invalid. Did the script writer (Margaret Armen) really mean to be writing Kirk as a tropey savior, or did she just have Kirk (Kirok) show off CPR the way any of us would if in a hotel swimming pool where many people there wouldn't regardless and it's a coincidence, and/or other? The episode also subverts the trope as Kirk is definitely not the big savior but is an impostor (unwittingly). Plus, the Preservers were trying to prevent destruction and interference and - oops - here comes Kirk and does his usual routine of teaching love again as well. Only, for this episode, it's oddly more believable when compared to Shahna and some others. Romance plots aren't often my thing, but I always found this one more engaging in that area. Possibly in part because of the tragic and horrific ending.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_savior
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MightyWhitey
etc

I've had a season 3 marathon of recent, this episode will be next on my list for sure.