The Alternative Factor (TOS S1 E20)

The Alternative Factor (Star Trek: The Original Series, S1 E20) was recommended by Kaleb, he/him, who said:

Listen….listen I'm aware this episode is definitely a strangely paced, scatterbrained mess. Though I'll say it's worst and best sin of it is Lazarus’s facial hair; really Lazarus as a whole sums up my feelings about this episode: meandering, accidentally comical, and strangely poignant. The first five minutes I'm always waiting in suspense for the appearance of Lazarus's awful beard and over-the-top scream as he falls down, because I can't help but laugh every time. And while there are certain parts that are very confusing the first time watching, as well as several bits that drag on too long, there's also a lot of fun lines and good performances to keep me enjoying myself.

This episode also has one of my favorite one-off crewmembers of the whole show, Lieutenant Charline Masters, who I find really charming and professional when she's on-screen. Plus I love Lazarus’s sparkly little outfit.

It's an episode of big swings- trying to deal with total nonexistence should the Enterprise fail, time travel, alternate universes, and pulling a bait and switch over which Lazarus poses the real threat- and I’m sure there were cleaner ways to pull it off, but I do know that in the end, after Lazarus stays to fight the other him for eternity in between universes, I really feel the heaviness behinds Kirk's, “For you and me…but what of Lazarus? What of Lazarus…”

I find it a really compelling episode, though I can definitely see why it's disliked by a lot of people, especially if they only watch it the one time. That's the thought that stands out to me the most: I like and appreciate this episode more and more with each rewatch, which I think it deserves credit for, even if it'll never be my Top Episode of All Time.

Greg's Charity Stream: https://tilt.fyi/cfN1BNS95S

The Alternative Factor first aired on March 30, 1967, written by Don Ingalls, and directed by Gerd Oswald

The Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)

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