Star Trek: The Original Series' riskiest episode remains brilliant

The article says the second-season episode "The Trouble with Tribbles" was a bold tonal shift for Star Trek: The Original Series in 1967 and that its smart comedy, script by David Gerrold, and strong performances helped the franchise embrace humor and inspire later entries.

Star Trek: The Original Series took creative risks from the start, attempting serious science fiction on a limited budget. In its second season, the 1967 episode "The Trouble with Tribbles" shifted the show's tone toward broad but smart comedy while keeping a coherent plot. The article credits David Gerrold's script and committed performances from the main cast for making that shift work. Over time the episode became one of the series' most remembered installments and influenced later franchise entries. Key points: - "The Trouble with Tribbles" aired during the show's second season in 1967 and is identified as a notably risky tonal departure. - David Gerrold wrote the episode, and the article highlights visual gags alongside subtler, character-driven humor. - Performances by the regular cast, including William Shatner's role as a straight man, are cited as central to balancing comedy and story. - A climactic joke involves crew members admitting they beamed many tribbles onto a Klingon ship. - The episode led to follow-ups such as Deep Space Nine's "Trials and Tribble-ations" and is credited with helping make room for future Star Trek comedies. Summary: The episode demonstrated that Star Trek could handle overt comedy without undermining its characters or stakes, and it became a durable part of the franchise's legacy. It directly inspired later works and episodes, and the article notes ongoing development of comedy-related Star Trek projects, including a reported live-action comedy co-written by Tawny Newsome that is awaiting approval.