Star Trek The Original Series - Season One (DVD)

Honestly, I could not remember the last time I saw an original episode of Star Trek before this DVD edition came into my hands, but now that it has I am reminded of just how groundbreaking this series was.

As it debuted on TV in 1966 (11 years before Star Wars) the special effects are nothing compared to what we see on TV or in movies today, but there is something that kept this series from bombing and that is the excellent dialogue and captivating stories that were written. Yeah, Shatner has a hard time putting a sentence together without eight dramatic pauses and the goofy sets aren't that great but I actually found enjoyment in watching them again.

On top of that the fans out there that are upset that they bought the single editions of the original series as it came out on DVDs containing two episodes you can be assured that the packaging of this set is one of a kind. The first thing that actually drew in my attention and the attention of those that I showed it to was the spectacularly original packaging that sets the edition apart from everything else on your shelf. Not only that, having discs that contain four episodes as opposed to two will save a ton of shelf space, but those two benefits are obviously only aesthetic, let's look at what else you will have to gain.

Containing all 29 episodes from the first season all digitally mastered and presented in 5.1 sound this is a definite must own for Trek fans and those fans, like me, that lost interest in the new Star Trek spin-offs that never really had the charisma and character of the original series.

Not only do you get the full season you also get over 4 hours of special features, most of which I really didn't have much interest in but true Trek fans should eat this stuff up.

Before you get to the eighth disc you get a couple of goodies with the actual episodes such as a pop-up video commentary on select episodes, offering up trivia and facts about key episodes in the season. As for me my favorite was the promotional trailers that you could watch prior to screening each episode. These are the original previews that were shown detailing what to expect in the next episode and while they aren't anything uproariously special I am a huge fan of trailers and previews and it served as a good reminder before I got into an episode or if I was browsing for a specific one.

Following that the eight disc holds the rest of your goodies including features on Bill Shatner now, listening to Leonard Nimoy talk about Spock and his dealings with Paramount, a look at the writers of Star Trek, but the best is the featurette titled "The Birth of a Timeless Legacy."

The name of the feature itself couldn't ring more true with the word timeless as the Star Trek journey has not stopped since 1966. This feature goes in-depth into the creation of the series from all the details that went into the first pilot "The Cage" and the ultimate reshoot of the pilot as you see it today with an all new cast.

This is a definitive DVD collection starting off the release of all three Star Trek original seasons on DVD. Paramount has worked its Star Trek franchise to the bone and now it is working it a little harder and is finally bringing the original series to fans in three complete box sets. Pick up season one now and look forward to the second in November and the third in December, I know I will.