Top 10 Star Trek: The Original Series Episodes

#10 – The Corbomite Maneuver (Season 1)

Beginning the list at #10 is the 10th episode of Season 1, “The Corbomite Maneuver.”

In the episode, the Enterprise initially encounters a cube-shaped probe in space; further investigation reveals the probe’s source (a massive starship with an unusual pilot).

#9 – Space Seed (Season 1)

Continuing the list at #9 is the episode “Space Seed,” where Khan Noonien Singh is introduced to the audience for the first time. He would later return in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, and his genetically-enhanced followers would be explored further in the Star Trek: Enterprise episodes, “Borderland,” “Cold Station 12″ and “The Augments.”

In the episode, the Enterprise re-awakens a dangerous genetically-enhanced dictator from Earth’s Eugenics Wars in the 1990s – Khan Noonien Singh.

#8 – A Taste of Armageddon (Season 1)

At #8 is the episode “A Taste of Armageddon,” which debuted right after “Space Seed.”

In the episode, the crew of the Enterprise visits a planet whose people fight a strange, computerized war with a neighboring enemy planet.

#7 – Operation: Annihilate! (Season 1)

In the top ten episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series, the Season 1 finale “Operation: Annihilate!” comes in at #7 on the list.

In the episode, the crew of the Enterprise encounter neurologically parasitic creatures that have destroyed a Federation colony, and are set to continue their murderous swarm across the galaxy.

#6 – Mirror, Mirror (Season 2)

The 6th best episode of the series is the Season 2 episode, “Mirror, Mirror.” The idea of a “Mirror Universe” is further explored in the Star Trek: Enterprise two-part episode, “In a Mirror, Darkly.”

In the episode, a transporter mishap slips Captain Kirk and his companions into a parallel universe (and their counter-parts into our universe).

#5 – Day of the Dove (Season 3)

Kicking off the top five episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series is “Day of the Dove.”

In the episode, an alien energy-based life form drives the crew of the Enterprise into brutal conflict with the Klingons.

#4 – The Enterprise Incident (Season 3)

Sitting at #4 on the list is the 2nd episode of Season 3, “The Enterprise Incident.”

In the episode, the crew of the Enterprise attempts to steal a Romulan cloaking device.

#3 – The Tholian Web (Season 3)

Holding on to its #3 position on the list is the episode “The Tholian Web.” The story in this episode is continued in the Star Trek: Enterprise two-part episode, “In a Mirror, Darkly.”

In the episode, Captain Kirk is caught between dimensions while the Enterprise is trapped by an energy-draining web spun by mysterious aliens known as the Tholians.

#2 – The Doomsday Machine (Season 2)

The second best Star Trek: The Original Series episode on my Top 10 Episode List is the Season 2 episode, “The Doomsday Machine.”

In the episode, the Enterprise plays a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with an alien planet-killing machine that travels in space from star to star.

#1 – The Ultimate Computer (Season 2)

Finally, we come to the best episode of the entire series of Star Trek: The Original Series! Sitting pretty at #1 on our Top 10 Episode List is “The Ultimate Computer.”

During the episode, a new battle computer being tested on board the Enterprise (with the intention of eventually replacing most of the human crew), instead causes havoc.

Other Good Episodes

In particular, many fans of the series might wonder why I’ve left out a couple of other good episodes on this Top 10 Episodes List. I’ve tried my best to write a list incorporating what I believe are the best episodes of the series, based upon action, storyline and amount of special effects used. If you believe there was another good episode of the series that’s worth being mentioned, feel free to post a comment to my article and let everyone else know.