TV SERIES Review: Star Trek: The Animated Series S2E1 – The Pirates Of Orion ⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Season 2
CBS All Access (Original TV network: NBC)
September 7, 1974
Run Time: 24 minutes

Episode 1 – “The Pirates Of Orion”

Spock has become ill with a fatal disease unless he receives a life-saving drug. The problem is the nearest planet with the drug is four days travel away. Captain Kirk devises a plan to rendezvous with a ship carrying the drug sooner. An intruder ship with aliens called Orions steals the cargo before it reaches the Enterprise and then hides in asteroid. Will the Enterprise find and work out a peaceful resolution with the Orions in time to get the drug to save Spock’s life?

Summary

Kicking off the six episode second season of the animated series, puts Spock in peril and a race against time for his crewmates. One thing that kept throwing me out of this episode were the too familar extra character voices which clearly were voiced by Majel Barret-Roddenberry and George Takei. I’ve noticed Takei’s distinct voice in other non-Sulu characters throughout the series. Barrett has played the computer voice on many Star Trek shows as well as other characters including Nurse Christine Chapel.

This is one of the better animated episodes, providing a good amount of tension and conflict, fueled by a race to save Spock’s life. The Orions green, mean look a little bit like something out of the Batman ’66 TV series, but are kind of cool and fitting for a Star Trek enemy.

Episode rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½

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