This is a great episode. It has all the really cool elements. It has a worthy adversary, the Tholians. It has Kirk caught somewhere between his physical being and his molecules spread across the universe. It has McCoy viciously attacking Spock and his decisions, time after time, questioning his very integrity. Meanwhile, the space they are in has destroyed an entire crew of another ship and is affecting the Enterprise crew. Oh, yes, the Tholians, who are ticked because Spock fired phasers at them, are building a web to tie the Enterprise up for eternity. All these plot elements are interconnected and eventually come to a head. There were certainly some very good episodes in the third season and this is one of them. It's also intriguing how McCoy can be so cruel (almost racist) to Spock but never offers anything of any use to solve the problems. Of course, in this one he is suffering a bit of space sickness. Anyway, they are an interesting pair.
29 Reviews
Forget it, Bones
snoozejonc16 October 2021
An away team boards the USS Defiant to find the crew all dead.
This is a strong character episode that has a few story issues but is well made.
The plot has a decent ticking clock premise and contains a few interesting concepts, slightly too many, but it is told in an entertaining way due to the focus on characters.
Spock and Dr McCoy have most of the limelight, as Captain Kirk is absent for a large part of the episode and their dynamic is quite compelling. Bones is slightly infuriating at times, but that makes it all the more satisfying when Spock puts him in his place with some calmly delivered reminders of who's in charge.
U'Hura, Chekov and Scotty have some decent moments, particularly Nichelle Nichols getting a rare opportunity of do more than just open hailing frequencies. James Doohan has some funny moments and so does Walter Koenig (albeit some unintentional).
Visually it works wonderfully well, as there is a lot of storytelling done with the camera. I love the scenes on the Defiant, and the odd camera angles indicating the perspective of characters suffering space madness. The effects used for the web and the interspace phasing are also good.
This is a strong character episode that has a few story issues but is well made.
The plot has a decent ticking clock premise and contains a few interesting concepts, slightly too many, but it is told in an entertaining way due to the focus on characters.
Spock and Dr McCoy have most of the limelight, as Captain Kirk is absent for a large part of the episode and their dynamic is quite compelling. Bones is slightly infuriating at times, but that makes it all the more satisfying when Spock puts him in his place with some calmly delivered reminders of who's in charge.
U'Hura, Chekov and Scotty have some decent moments, particularly Nichelle Nichols getting a rare opportunity of do more than just open hailing frequencies. James Doohan has some funny moments and so does Walter Koenig (albeit some unintentional).
Visually it works wonderfully well, as there is a lot of storytelling done with the camera. I love the scenes on the Defiant, and the odd camera angles indicating the perspective of characters suffering space madness. The effects used for the web and the interspace phasing are also good.
A very strong third season Trek episode
fabian54 September 2007
Warning: Spoilers
The Tholian Web is, after "The Enterprise Incident", perhaps the best episode of the final Star Trek season. While the plot is indeed slow moving, it certainly cannot be called boring. The Enterprise finds the USS Defiant adrift in space and Captain Kirk with 3 crew members beam down to investigate the situation only to discover that the Defiant's crew have killed one another. Then the Defiant disappears from view before Captain Kirk can be beamed aboard the Enterprise and is presumed lost. Shortly thereafter, the Star Trek crew find themselves trapped in hostilities with the completely alien Tholians who view the presence of the Enterprise in their space as a hostile act. The Enterprise crew slowly goes berserk--in a pocket of space where this manifestation previously destroyed the USS Defiant's crew--while Spock and McCoy bicker endlessly with one another over Command since Kirk is no longer around to referee their disputes.
The situation seems hopeless until Spock and McCoy listen to Kirk's taped and touching last testament to them and decide to reconcile and work together to solve the ship's predicament. When Uhura sees Captain Kirk's ghostly appearance, she thinks she is going crazy like the rest of the crew until Spock himself sees Kirk floating throughout the ship. As the Tholian Web nears completion, and the USS Enterprise faces imminent destruction, Spock manages to beam and hold onto the signature traces of Kirk's latest appearance--before the captain's oxygen supply is depleted--before warping the Enterprise out of the nearly finished Tholian Web. If this is boring, I don't know what isn't! There is even a public memorial held by the crew in memory of Captain Kirk. "The Tholian Web" is one of the highlights of the third Trek season and certainly caught people's attention since it was nominated for an Emmy in special effects although it didn't win--as I once thought. This episode belongs among my top 20 Star Trek shows and shows what can happen when good script writing and direction--qualities missing in many of the inferior Trek shows of the third season--come together.
This may be the only Trek episode with 2 different directors: Ralph Senensky who was fired midway through filming and then replaced by Herb Wallerstein. According to Senensky on his web site, the reason this happened was because the new authorities at Paramount bungled the delivery of the space suits on day 1 of the production of this episode which led to production delays of this episode. In order to avoid blame and show who was in control, the Executive in Charge of Production at Paramount, D. Cramer, fired Senensky and publicly announced Senensky's termination--which resulted in Ralph Senensky being blacklisted from directing any films anywhere for 6 long months. (until Herb Solow intervened with a project) One of the reviewers mentioned here that it was unlikely a ship would allow itself to be trapped in the Tholian's Web but the reason given for the Enterprise's action is 'logical': if Spock moved the ship, he risked disrupting the local space time continuum thereby losing all hope of locating and saving Kirk in time.
The situation seems hopeless until Spock and McCoy listen to Kirk's taped and touching last testament to them and decide to reconcile and work together to solve the ship's predicament. When Uhura sees Captain Kirk's ghostly appearance, she thinks she is going crazy like the rest of the crew until Spock himself sees Kirk floating throughout the ship. As the Tholian Web nears completion, and the USS Enterprise faces imminent destruction, Spock manages to beam and hold onto the signature traces of Kirk's latest appearance--before the captain's oxygen supply is depleted--before warping the Enterprise out of the nearly finished Tholian Web. If this is boring, I don't know what isn't! There is even a public memorial held by the crew in memory of Captain Kirk. "The Tholian Web" is one of the highlights of the third Trek season and certainly caught people's attention since it was nominated for an Emmy in special effects although it didn't win--as I once thought. This episode belongs among my top 20 Star Trek shows and shows what can happen when good script writing and direction--qualities missing in many of the inferior Trek shows of the third season--come together.
This may be the only Trek episode with 2 different directors: Ralph Senensky who was fired midway through filming and then replaced by Herb Wallerstein. According to Senensky on his web site, the reason this happened was because the new authorities at Paramount bungled the delivery of the space suits on day 1 of the production of this episode which led to production delays of this episode. In order to avoid blame and show who was in control, the Executive in Charge of Production at Paramount, D. Cramer, fired Senensky and publicly announced Senensky's termination--which resulted in Ralph Senensky being blacklisted from directing any films anywhere for 6 long months. (until Herb Solow intervened with a project) One of the reviewers mentioned here that it was unlikely a ship would allow itself to be trapped in the Tholian's Web but the reason given for the Enterprise's action is 'logical': if Spock moved the ship, he risked disrupting the local space time continuum thereby losing all hope of locating and saving Kirk in time.
Character Interactions
jdunc57831 August 2006
Warning: Spoilers
An excellent episode that provides the all the elements necessary for the feud between Spock and McCoy to come to a climax. Without Kirk to referee and the situation growing more intolerable, Spock and McCoy find themselves alone to hear the "Final Orders" as part of their obligation to Kirk. It is only after hearing this prerecorded message from Kirk do they realize how important that they both work together to deal with the impending crisis. Execellent writing and a well-thought out plot development make this episode one of my favorites of this series.
HERE BE THE SPOILER
Only after the rescue of Kirk does the interpersonal relationships return to normal, with an indication that Spock and McCoy have developed a better respect for each other's position in the chain-of-command.
HERE BE THE SPOILER
Only after the rescue of Kirk does the interpersonal relationships return to normal, with an indication that Spock and McCoy have developed a better respect for each other's position in the chain-of-command.
Season Three Is Still Good... Here's Proof
florida8720 March 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Season three is holding up pretty well in my re-watching of the DVD set in series order. The Tholian Web is an excellent episode, at least top 30 of all the Trek TOS made. Here we see another Starship (The Defiant, I believe) losing its whole crew to a space madness, plus its phasing in and out of the dimension! The landing party don space suits (!) for the first and only time here, proof that the writers were at least trying to keep this series alive; despite it never cracking the top 30 shows TV ratings in its total run. We also get a new alien with comparable weapons, and its own unique ones at that, the Tholians! Add on top of that, cool scenes with Chekov, Dr McCoy and Scottie; and Spock becomes the Captain, this is on the level with seasons one seriousness with the crew and adds seasons threes chemistry between Kirk, McCoy and Spock, making it must watch Trek TOS. McCoy and Spock further their friendship and respect for each other here adding to the chemistry that would later on make the movies so good. A goof I noticed, the officer (a one strip on the sleeve type) beaming Kirk is an Ensign or close to that rank, the hand we see moving the slides is that of CDR Scott with two gold strips. Oh well I'm sure there are lots of others to make fun of but than this wouldn't be a cool show to watch if you nit picked. McCoys spacesuit went for 125,000 US dollars on auction recently, so there are those who think this was a great episode other than me. LLAP
And The McCoys Shall Lead...
fedor828 April 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Uhura: "Will I become like Chekov?" McCoy: "No, no. We're working hard to find an antidote." Uhura: "An antidote for russkiness?" McCoy: "No. An antidote for overacting."
In spite of its several flaws, one of the better ST episodes - if for no other reason than because it deals with sci-fi matters, instead of being yet another badly-disguised soap-opera ("Amok Time", "The Paradise Syndrome") or a story with elements of witchery/sorcery instead of science ("A Private Little War").
Exactly half-way through the episode Spock does what he'd never done before: he explains/summarizes the plot of the first half at Kirk's "funeral". Had the writers of ST lost that much confidence by that point in their viewers? But I guess that this way even the dimmest Trekkie can follow the story-line without getting too confused.
In the meantime, McCoy draws the most illogical conclusion of his emotion-stained career as medical officer: because Spock stayed to look for Kirk, that, in McCoy's mind, proved that Spock wanted to make sure that Kirk is dead, so that Spock can take over as captain! Ironically, only a minute later, Kirk's video-message is played and in it he praises this supposed "wisdom" that McCoy has. The wisdom of reaching idiotic conclusions? In that case nobody isn't wise... A little later, just to underline how utterly wrong Kirk's positive appraisal of McCoy's intellectual abilities was, McCoy PREVENTS Uhura from telling Spock that Kirk is still alive.
Still... apart from McCoy's over-the-top anti-spockness and his total lack of interest in Kirk's alleged demise, TTW is light years ahead of episodes such as "Turnabout Intruder" or "Naked Time".
In spite of its several flaws, one of the better ST episodes - if for no other reason than because it deals with sci-fi matters, instead of being yet another badly-disguised soap-opera ("Amok Time", "The Paradise Syndrome") or a story with elements of witchery/sorcery instead of science ("A Private Little War").
Exactly half-way through the episode Spock does what he'd never done before: he explains/summarizes the plot of the first half at Kirk's "funeral". Had the writers of ST lost that much confidence by that point in their viewers? But I guess that this way even the dimmest Trekkie can follow the story-line without getting too confused.
In the meantime, McCoy draws the most illogical conclusion of his emotion-stained career as medical officer: because Spock stayed to look for Kirk, that, in McCoy's mind, proved that Spock wanted to make sure that Kirk is dead, so that Spock can take over as captain! Ironically, only a minute later, Kirk's video-message is played and in it he praises this supposed "wisdom" that McCoy has. The wisdom of reaching idiotic conclusions? In that case nobody isn't wise... A little later, just to underline how utterly wrong Kirk's positive appraisal of McCoy's intellectual abilities was, McCoy PREVENTS Uhura from telling Spock that Kirk is still alive.
Still... apart from McCoy's over-the-top anti-spockness and his total lack of interest in Kirk's alleged demise, TTW is light years ahead of episodes such as "Turnabout Intruder" or "Naked Time".
Great episode...
daronheim10 February 2021
I've been a trekkie since the 70's. I know many people and critics pretty much panned season 3 of TOS. Since they were losing ratings and money along with it, I do agree that generally season 3 was of lesser quality. Nevertheless, there are a few hidden gems in there, and this was one of them. With Kirk MIA, this episode had a completely different vibe, and was rather riveting for its seriousness, unpredictability, sharp tension and verbal sparring. Plus, an alien that actually looked completely alien and weird, rather then humans with cheesy makeup or antenna. Highly recommend this episode....
Caught in a trap
Tweekums5 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Responding to a distress signal from the USS Defiant they discover it and an away team beams over only to discover the crew dead; apparently as a result of them attacking each other. Then the Defiant starts to disappear; Scotty tries to beam the away team back but Kirk is left behind. He is trapped in interspace; the overlap of two universes and it will be a few hours while before a rescue attempt can be made. While preparing for the rescue it becomes apparent that whatever caused the Defiant's crew to become violent is starting to affect the crew of the Enterprise. As time comes for the rescue an alien ship turns up; it is the Tholians demanding that the Enterprise leaves their space; shots are exchanged and the rescue fails. Kirk is declared dead and Spock takes command although it might not be for long as the Tholians are constructing a mysterious energy web around the damaged Enterprise. While McCoy struggles to find a cure to the violence and engineering works on repairs Uhuru sees a ghostly image of the Captain; this is put down to grief but then Scotty and later the entire bridge crew see him
is he alive? Can he be rescued? Can they escape the Tholian Web?!
This classic season three episode is notable for the fact that for most of the story Kirk is considered dead. With Kirk away tensions soon rise between the logical Spock and the emotionally driven McCoy about how the ship is being run interestingly McCoy is blaming Spock for endangering the ship by hanging around to try to rescue the Captain one would have expected McCoy to be stating the case for rescue while Spock stated that it was illogical. DeForest Kelley and Leonard Nimoy were on top form as McCoy and Spock in these scenes as well as in the final scene where they claim not to have watched Kirk's video will (which they had). The Tholians were interesting foes, despite the fact that we don't see much of them, and their web provided a nice threat this was helped by some nice special effects. Overall an interesting episode which, while primarily character driven, still manages to keep the tension high.
This classic season three episode is notable for the fact that for most of the story Kirk is considered dead. With Kirk away tensions soon rise between the logical Spock and the emotionally driven McCoy about how the ship is being run interestingly McCoy is blaming Spock for endangering the ship by hanging around to try to rescue the Captain one would have expected McCoy to be stating the case for rescue while Spock stated that it was illogical. DeForest Kelley and Leonard Nimoy were on top form as McCoy and Spock in these scenes as well as in the final scene where they claim not to have watched Kirk's video will (which they had). The Tholians were interesting foes, despite the fact that we don't see much of them, and their web provided a nice threat this was helped by some nice special effects. Overall an interesting episode which, while primarily character driven, still manages to keep the tension high.
Space Madness and the Punctual Tholians
Bogmeister4 February 2007
The Enterprise enters a region of space where space itself phases in and out. Another starship, the Defiant, and her crew have already fallen victim to this spatial malady. Kirk beams over to the shifting Defiant with Spock, McCoy and Chekov; we get to see the crew wearing funky spacesuits in this one. In an eerie sequence of scenes, we see that the Defiant's crew appears to have killed each other. This shifting space also affects the brains of humans, causing a degeneration into insanity. These and later scenes recall the bouts of insanity in "Is There in Truth no Beauty?" earlier this same season. Unfortunately, Kirk should have left Chekov on the Enterprise; Scotty is able to beam back only 3 of them at a time and the Defiant fades away before they can get Kirk back - he's gone, all the way gone (there's something about the number 3 on this show). They even hold a funeral service for Kirk later; yes, this is Kirk's final episode...just kidding. Then the Tholians show up. They're territorial and want the Enterprise outta there!
Like about half of the 3rd season episodes, this is saddled with a snail pace in spots, but the alien Tholians almost make up for this. While we were still seeing actors in lame appliances 20 and 25 years later on the later series (TNG, DS9, etc.) to display alien reps, here we see a truly innovative attempt at visualizing an alien race, complete with an unusual audio signature. You won't soon forget the Tholians. Their energy web - well, that's another matter: seems to me this tactic would work only if an enemy vessel sat unmoving for an hour or two, not using its weaponry. How often does that happen? This episode is also unusual in that Kirk shows up only in the pre-credits scenes, the first act and then disappears until the last 5 minutes (not counting his shots as a ghost). Hence, we observe a new group dynamic shifting into place to fill in the gap: Spock & McCoy further their tense relationship, while Scotty moves in to complete a new trinity. There's an interesting scene with the trio in Spock's quarters near the end, just before final maneuvers are to be made and Scotty walks off with obvious plans to get drunk.
Like about half of the 3rd season episodes, this is saddled with a snail pace in spots, but the alien Tholians almost make up for this. While we were still seeing actors in lame appliances 20 and 25 years later on the later series (TNG, DS9, etc.) to display alien reps, here we see a truly innovative attempt at visualizing an alien race, complete with an unusual audio signature. You won't soon forget the Tholians. Their energy web - well, that's another matter: seems to me this tactic would work only if an enemy vessel sat unmoving for an hour or two, not using its weaponry. How often does that happen? This episode is also unusual in that Kirk shows up only in the pre-credits scenes, the first act and then disappears until the last 5 minutes (not counting his shots as a ghost). Hence, we observe a new group dynamic shifting into place to fill in the gap: Spock & McCoy further their tense relationship, while Scotty moves in to complete a new trinity. There's an interesting scene with the trio in Spock's quarters near the end, just before final maneuvers are to be made and Scotty walks off with obvious plans to get drunk.
Classic Star Trek- The Tholian Web
Scarecrow-8817 September 2011
Warning: Spoilers
The Enterprise answers a distress signal from another ship, the USS Defiant, not knowing what lies in wait. Kirk, Spock, Bones, and Chekhov board the Defiant, finding the entire crew dead, having killed each other. The transporter is malfunctioning and only three can return to the Enterprise. The Defiant and Captain Kirk become "interspatially trapped", dissolving, with a possible "interphase" the only hope of rescuing him. This area of space, where dimensions "rift", causes not only the loss of the Defiant and Kirk, but a type of angry dementia where those afflicted act out in a violent, uncontrollable rage. Like in a lot of instances throughout the Trek's various series, we see the result of another ship's tragic demise, planting a seed in our minds as to how the Enterprise crew will try to not wind up suffering a same fate, avoiding the similar circumstances.
I agree with other reviewers on this site that "The Tholian Web" is a strong entry in the maligned Third season, allowing us to see Spock in charge, butting heads with Bones over the right strategic methods to escape their current predicament, only to settle their grievances after a taped recording from Kirk, in case of his death, disrupted the hostility stirring between them. Spock treats his command with logic and absent an influx of emotion, a goal to not only save Kirk, but get the Enterprise out of an evolving jam. These race called the Tholians are angry with the Enterprise occupying their part of space, threatening to blast them to atoms, before Spock returns the favor with a phaser burst that knocks the alien ship for a loop. A second Tholian ship emerges, joining forces with the injured first ship, forming a type of "web", a trap which will imprison them if Scotty cannot get the transporter to operate as well as the warp engines, both of which are losing power. The tension between Spock and Bones (Spock repeats over and over to Bones that he belongs in the laboratory testing for a cure to the dementia epidemic, instead of barking at him in regards to his commanding methods), the rising cases of those with dementia, the steadily forming Tholian energy web slowly trapping the derelict Enterprise, Kirk's possible death, and absence of warp engines, test the resolve of everyone on board the ship. I damn well think this is a plot that works well and has lots of suspense. I am starting to think the third season might have some gems ripe for reevaluation. Uhura (in her Swahili civilian attire and quarters, a nice scene for Nichele Nichols) and Scottie both see a "figment" of Kirk appear on the Enterprise, then disappear, their testimony of this falling on skeptical ears, considered just delusional desire for his being alive. The idea of the Enterprise befalling the same interspatial fate as the Defiant also adds some extra uncertainty to an already distressing sequence of events. Seeing practically an entire episode absent Kirk I consider quite an alluring factor for Trek fans as we experience the ship in a perilous situation, this time with the pressure applied to Spock who never wavers even as Bones contradicts him on numerous occasions. And Spock takes some chances that might or might not result in saving the ship and its crew, such as the decision to not leave Kirk, because any movement might have resulted in never recovering him, or ordering the starting of the warp engines at 70 % as the web is closing, entering the rift, quite a dangerous risk. All in all, "The Tholian Web" is a peculiar Trek episode in that it shows how Spock handles an onslaught of crises and prevails. The tractor beam on Kirk before his gutsy warp into the rift shows that Spock could indeed multitask—and perhaps captain his own starship if such an opportunity had arisen.
My favorite scene, besides the viewing of Kirk's speech to Bones and Spock, who receive it after a heated (well heated from Bones, Spock still remains like a mountain unmoved)argument, has Spock, Bones, and Scottie together about to drink the concoction from the good doctor, a poison diluted with alcohol (Scottie owns this scene as he plans to apply Scotch to the "cure" for extra potency!). This episode really gave others a chance to shine without Kirk; "The Tholian Web" is well worth a look (if just to see Chekhov explode in furious anger at Spock!).
I agree with other reviewers on this site that "The Tholian Web" is a strong entry in the maligned Third season, allowing us to see Spock in charge, butting heads with Bones over the right strategic methods to escape their current predicament, only to settle their grievances after a taped recording from Kirk, in case of his death, disrupted the hostility stirring between them. Spock treats his command with logic and absent an influx of emotion, a goal to not only save Kirk, but get the Enterprise out of an evolving jam. These race called the Tholians are angry with the Enterprise occupying their part of space, threatening to blast them to atoms, before Spock returns the favor with a phaser burst that knocks the alien ship for a loop. A second Tholian ship emerges, joining forces with the injured first ship, forming a type of "web", a trap which will imprison them if Scotty cannot get the transporter to operate as well as the warp engines, both of which are losing power. The tension between Spock and Bones (Spock repeats over and over to Bones that he belongs in the laboratory testing for a cure to the dementia epidemic, instead of barking at him in regards to his commanding methods), the rising cases of those with dementia, the steadily forming Tholian energy web slowly trapping the derelict Enterprise, Kirk's possible death, and absence of warp engines, test the resolve of everyone on board the ship. I damn well think this is a plot that works well and has lots of suspense. I am starting to think the third season might have some gems ripe for reevaluation. Uhura (in her Swahili civilian attire and quarters, a nice scene for Nichele Nichols) and Scottie both see a "figment" of Kirk appear on the Enterprise, then disappear, their testimony of this falling on skeptical ears, considered just delusional desire for his being alive. The idea of the Enterprise befalling the same interspatial fate as the Defiant also adds some extra uncertainty to an already distressing sequence of events. Seeing practically an entire episode absent Kirk I consider quite an alluring factor for Trek fans as we experience the ship in a perilous situation, this time with the pressure applied to Spock who never wavers even as Bones contradicts him on numerous occasions. And Spock takes some chances that might or might not result in saving the ship and its crew, such as the decision to not leave Kirk, because any movement might have resulted in never recovering him, or ordering the starting of the warp engines at 70 % as the web is closing, entering the rift, quite a dangerous risk. All in all, "The Tholian Web" is a peculiar Trek episode in that it shows how Spock handles an onslaught of crises and prevails. The tractor beam on Kirk before his gutsy warp into the rift shows that Spock could indeed multitask—and perhaps captain his own starship if such an opportunity had arisen.
My favorite scene, besides the viewing of Kirk's speech to Bones and Spock, who receive it after a heated (well heated from Bones, Spock still remains like a mountain unmoved)argument, has Spock, Bones, and Scottie together about to drink the concoction from the good doctor, a poison diluted with alcohol (Scottie owns this scene as he plans to apply Scotch to the "cure" for extra potency!). This episode really gave others a chance to shine without Kirk; "The Tholian Web" is well worth a look (if just to see Chekhov explode in furious anger at Spock!).
Great visual effects episode
reillym3230 April 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I just wanted to comment on "The Tholian Web" being one of the best episodes of the entire Star Trek original series, as far as visual effects. For 1968, the visuals in this episode are pretty interesting, from the Defiant phasing in and out, to the Tholian ship and their energy web, to the Tholian commander himself, who was also created through a visual effect, not an actor. And in "The Tholian Web," as well as the rest of the third season, there are much better visual effects camera shots of the Enterprise exterior, than in the first two seasons. And finally, these exterior shots even helped years ago when I was building my model kit of the Enterprise, as far as painting and decal references. Good visual treat, in addition to the episode's story.
Crown Jewel Episode of TOS Season Three
susanleslie217 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Science fiction, suspense, horror, adventure and Emmy Award nominated visual effects-- all coming to you at Warp Speed.
This episode will grip you from start to finish. There are at least four (4) ticking clocks weaved believably and elegantly into the story line layer upon layer.
This episode is also a rare treat showcasing the talents of the entire classic TOS ensemble cast, and is absent a guest star.
Originally conceived as a TOS "Ghost Story" it uses a most creative element of Science Fiction: the lure of "unstable, fragmenting space" which our Enterprise crew unwittingly get tangled up in.
This episode also introduces a new silicon-based alien adversary: the Tholians.
This episode will grip you from start to finish. There are at least four (4) ticking clocks weaved believably and elegantly into the story line layer upon layer.
This episode is also a rare treat showcasing the talents of the entire classic TOS ensemble cast, and is absent a guest star.
Originally conceived as a TOS "Ghost Story" it uses a most creative element of Science Fiction: the lure of "unstable, fragmenting space" which our Enterprise crew unwittingly get tangled up in.
This episode also introduces a new silicon-based alien adversary: the Tholians.
Space madness and the Tholians
bkoganbing7 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The Enterprise is out looking for the lost starship Defiant and they find it with
crew all dead and dead violently. Space itself is breaking down and the Enterprise starts to feel the same effects.
William Shatner led an away team to the Defiant, but when the rest beam back, Kirk is left just as the Defiant disappears. So with oxygen space suit he's only got hours left wherever he is.
At that point a nasty group of aliens called Tholians tell the Enterprise now commanded by Leonard Nimoy to get out of their space. Two Tholian ships start weaving a spider's web like structure to hold the Enterprise.
This episode is good because of the inherent conflict between Spock and Dr.
McCoy. Usually that's mediated by Captain Kirk, but he's not there at the moment and Leonard Nimoy might just get permanent command of the Enterprise. The scenes with Nimoy and DeForest Kelley crackle more than usual here.
William Shatner led an away team to the Defiant, but when the rest beam back, Kirk is left just as the Defiant disappears. So with oxygen space suit he's only got hours left wherever he is.
At that point a nasty group of aliens called Tholians tell the Enterprise now commanded by Leonard Nimoy to get out of their space. Two Tholian ships start weaving a spider's web like structure to hold the Enterprise.
This episode is good because of the inherent conflict between Spock and Dr.
McCoy. Usually that's mediated by Captain Kirk, but he's not there at the moment and Leonard Nimoy might just get permanent command of the Enterprise. The scenes with Nimoy and DeForest Kelley crackle more than usual here.
Fishnet Folly...
Xstal16 February 2022
A web that was thoroughly bare, I'm not sure that anyone cares, laddered, crosshatched, in need of a patch, to plug everything that just isn't there.
Fading in and out of phase with the Enterprise, the captain is caught interspace while a pair of alien vessels take up cross stitching.
Fading in and out of phase with the Enterprise, the captain is caught interspace while a pair of alien vessels take up cross stitching.
Dark and Tension Filled
vikezupa29 September 2017
One of the highest quality productions in TOS universe. Kirk is trapped alone in a hidden, unpredictable, parallel universe. Spock deals with the building tension of Enterprise systems failures, Tholian attacks, Kirk's disappearance, and McCoy's ranting in such a calm manner it only adds to the tension. With the crew going berserk, Kirk's ghostly 'phasing in and out' and the Tholians closing the trap, the well-written interactions between McCoy and Spock are the one thing the viewer can hang their sanity on. There's a lot going on and the writers and production staff did a stellar job in telling the story.
Tholians, Derelict Ship, Madness, Space/Time Ripping Apart, Kirk Missing
Rainey-Dawn13 January 2017
Season 3, episode 9. The Enterprise in previously uninvestigated territory run across the USS Defiant, a ship that is considered derelict and it vanished 3 weeks prior. Space is essentially breaking up, according to Spock's readings and logic. Sensors do not pick up the Defiant but they see it on their viewing screen, and their is no response from the ship when hailed. Kirk, Spock, Chekhov and McCoy board the Defiant wearing protective gear - they find 2 crew members dead, one seemingly about to chock the other when they died... looking like maybe a mutiny was about to occur. McCoy examines them and finds the Defiant's captain's neck broken. Kirk calls for some security because they fear that mutineers are aboard the ship and have all area of the Defiant searched... then he cancels the the security crew orders to Mr. Scott. All are dead on the Defiant when the ship is searched. While searching the area Chekov is overcome by something, almost fainting. Bones reported that all appeared to have killed each other on the Defiant. Then McCoy reports that the ship is dissolving, his hand just went though a solid object. The Enterprise can see the Defiant dissolving and is happening to the Enterprise as well. Only 3 can be beamed back aboard the Enterprise, Kirk decides to beam back last and he his disappeared along with the Defiant before Scotty can get him back to the ship. All contact with Kirk has been lost, with Spock in command of the Enterprise they must find away to get Kirk back before the Enterprise and crew disappears as well. Another problem: they must do this before all crew members go mad and kill each other or they will have the same fate as the Defiant. Time/Space fabric is ripping apart at that part of the Universe so it's a race against time - and space. The Tholians have taken over at area of space and will tolerate deceit - they are also punctual as Spock pointed out.
This is an episode that I recall rarely being shown on TV in the 80s when I was watching Star Trek fairly regularly. Having acquired all the Star Trek episodes recently, I am very pleased to see this one again. The Tholians are indeed a good foe and they are up against the always logical Mr. Spock acting as captain of an excellent starship crew. A very exciting episode.
9.5/10
This is an episode that I recall rarely being shown on TV in the 80s when I was watching Star Trek fairly regularly. Having acquired all the Star Trek episodes recently, I am very pleased to see this one again. The Tholians are indeed a good foe and they are up against the always logical Mr. Spock acting as captain of an excellent starship crew. A very exciting episode.
9.5/10
Spock on control, McCoy is not happy about it
nicofreezer14 July 2021
One of the best episode, The Tholian Web put Captain Kirk out for 40 minutes and give Mr Spock and doctor McCoy a run for their money. The feud between the two is back and still fun to see. McCoy Always test Mr Spock decision and leadership but Mr Spock just dont Care and do what he have to do ! He Always do the right thing the logical thing, what a legend... Love the moment when they listen to Kirk tape and in the end when they denied having listen to it, so Funny. A great episode of TV
9/10.
"Uh, Mr. Spock gave the orders, and I found the answers".
classicsoncall24 January 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Even as the series was winding down and plot elements were being rehashed, there were still a couple of new ideas used here. This was the first time for example, that a personnel conference was held aboard the Enterprise, called by Mr. Spock, to explain the Captain's apparent demise in an interspacial overlap between galaxies. This was also the first (and only?) time that the primary crew used space suits to beam down to The Defiant. If I'm recalling correctly, no reason was actually given for the suits, Kirk and Company just arrived in the Transporter Room wearing them and that was that. They could have made something up.
Say, didn't Chekov go berserk just a couple of weeks earlier in Season III's "Day of the Dove"? The writers probably should have spread the madness around to other members of the cast to keep things a little more varied, but what the heck. You just never know how the deteriorating effects of inter-space is going to affect someone.
The episode also had that interesting visual with the cross hatch pattern of the Tholian Web. It had the effect of creating a claustrophobic feel as if the Enterprise was being hemmed in, or caught in a spider's web if you will. Which would have been harder to do than it looked in the vast expanse of outer space, but it seemed to work here. True to form, Captain Kirk is saved at the v-e-r-y l-a-s-t m-i-n-u-t-e with not a second to spare. I just wonder how even Captain Kirk can keep perspective after being pulled out of the fire so many times throughout three seasons of the show.
Say, didn't Chekov go berserk just a couple of weeks earlier in Season III's "Day of the Dove"? The writers probably should have spread the madness around to other members of the cast to keep things a little more varied, but what the heck. You just never know how the deteriorating effects of inter-space is going to affect someone.
The episode also had that interesting visual with the cross hatch pattern of the Tholian Web. It had the effect of creating a claustrophobic feel as if the Enterprise was being hemmed in, or caught in a spider's web if you will. Which would have been harder to do than it looked in the vast expanse of outer space, but it seemed to work here. True to form, Captain Kirk is saved at the v-e-r-y l-a-s-t m-i-n-u-t-e with not a second to spare. I just wonder how even Captain Kirk can keep perspective after being pulled out of the fire so many times throughout three seasons of the show.
Solid Episode
Catalist12729 April 2008
Warning: Spoilers
One of my favorite aspects of the series is how the Enterprise is always the second starship on sight coming in just after the first has met their demise. (Doomsday Machine, Immunity Syndrome etc...) Here the unlucky starship is the Defiant which is still in tact but the crew has gone mad. Our heroes beam over to the defiant in some cool looking space suits. Seemingly the crew of the Defiant has gone mad and killed each other due to the proximity of the area of space that they have entered. Chechov ventures to the lower decks and upon returning to the Enterprise is afflicted with the same madness.
Of note is that Kirk is lost when the Defiant is sucked in to inter space which apparently exists when two galaxies overlap. The task is now to get Kirk back and the other members of the crew are allowed to shine in Kirks absence. Spock is in command and McCoy is his foil until they watch a recording Kirk has left for them.
Scotty of course in in engineering working his magic and McCoy is able to remedy the madness problem. Spock shows a somewhat human side when he welcomes Checkov and Uhura back to their positions on the bridge.
All in all a good episode.
Why didn't communicators come with some sort of voice mail function?
Of note is that Kirk is lost when the Defiant is sucked in to inter space which apparently exists when two galaxies overlap. The task is now to get Kirk back and the other members of the crew are allowed to shine in Kirks absence. Spock is in command and McCoy is his foil until they watch a recording Kirk has left for them.
Scotty of course in in engineering working his magic and McCoy is able to remedy the madness problem. Spock shows a somewhat human side when he welcomes Checkov and Uhura back to their positions on the bridge.
All in all a good episode.
Why didn't communicators come with some sort of voice mail function?
Good episode but.....
ewaf5812 May 2009
Warning: Spoilers
This is definitely one of the stronger episodes from season three. Well acted and emotional. The Aliens themselves are well represented and make a refreshing change from the usual rubber masks. However (and I thought this back in 1973 when I first saw the episode) it is let down slightly because the aliens have silly voices and are poorly scripted.
Hence they lacked credibility - perhaps it would have been far better to have left them silent with the ship being in 'time jeopardy' inferred from the electronic cage that was being generated.
Such a pity they weren't given more money for the final series - just think if the series had continued it would have begun to have got the benefit of better special effects pioneered by 2001: A Space Odessey. But then I suppose it might have lost some of it's charm and perhaps not become a cult series (heaven forbid)
Hence they lacked credibility - perhaps it would have been far better to have left them silent with the ship being in 'time jeopardy' inferred from the electronic cage that was being generated.
Such a pity they weren't given more money for the final series - just think if the series had continued it would have begun to have got the benefit of better special effects pioneered by 2001: A Space Odessey. But then I suppose it might have lost some of it's charm and perhaps not become a cult series (heaven forbid)
McCoy is very annoying and out of character
robert375027 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The episode has some interesting aspects, with Spock in command after the disappearance of Kirk, but I hate what the writers did with McCoy. Yes, he had his disagreements with Spock, but he always respected him. But in this episode, the writers decided to have McCoy despise Spock so much that he's instantly eager to relieve him of command for NO good reason whatsoever (attempting to save Kirk is NOT a good reason). Done not on the basis of the character, but simply to create drama out of nothing.
There are jewels in Season Three
Fluke_Skywalker12 August 2023
Even as a casual "Star Trek" fan I know about the somewhat difficult circumstances that the series' third and final season were made under. Creator Gene Roddenberry all but checked out, the budget was slashed and the show was moved to a Friday night dead zone time slot. In short, the writing was on the wall.
These challenges led to the show having to adapt and become less ambitious in terms of its scope and scale relative to seasons one and two. This has given the perception that season three is, for lack of a better word, "bad". However in recent years season three seems to have been re-evaluated a bit and many fans, both hardcore and casual, have found that there are more than a few very strong episodes to be found there. Take "The Tholian Web".
Character focused and story driven, this episode is smart, efficient and often compelling. It's a case where the lack of resources probably forced the writers and producers to focus on the fundamentals rather than try and distract us with baubles and beads.
As I write this, I'm struggling to place "The Tholian Web" into a Trek tier. Is it an all-time, top-ten? No. Though to be fair I'm still making my way through the series. But it seems to fit nicely on that shelf just below, and I'd have absolutely no qualms about revisiting it again in the, um, future.
These challenges led to the show having to adapt and become less ambitious in terms of its scope and scale relative to seasons one and two. This has given the perception that season three is, for lack of a better word, "bad". However in recent years season three seems to have been re-evaluated a bit and many fans, both hardcore and casual, have found that there are more than a few very strong episodes to be found there. Take "The Tholian Web".
Character focused and story driven, this episode is smart, efficient and often compelling. It's a case where the lack of resources probably forced the writers and producers to focus on the fundamentals rather than try and distract us with baubles and beads.
As I write this, I'm struggling to place "The Tholian Web" into a Trek tier. Is it an all-time, top-ten? No. Though to be fair I'm still making my way through the series. But it seems to fit nicely on that shelf just below, and I'd have absolutely no qualms about revisiting it again in the, um, future.
Spock acts out of character endangering the Enterprise for no apparent reason. Then he lies. Not cool.
Bababooe9 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
So, people love this episode. Why? I don't know. Here's what happens. The Ent finds one of its sister ships, the Defiant, busted and dead in the water. Kirk, McCoy, Spock and Checkoff beam aboard in space suites, and find the crew all dead, apparently killed themselves by strangulation. Checkoff experiences a weird feeling. McCoy's hand passes through a dead corpse and through a table. They decide to beam back to the Ent before the Defiant disappears. Scotchy says the transporter can only beam up 3, so Kirk stays behind. Once the other 3 are on board the Ent, the Defiant with Kirk disappear. Spock's hypotheses is the space near the Defiant is between two universes, ours and the next one, and he calculates that if they wait The Defiant and Kirk will reappear. So far so good.
Now, the Tholians show up and they want the Ent out because it is their space. Spock tells them they need to wait for a couple of hours. Once the time is out the Defiant and Kirk don't show up, the Tholaians start shooting and damage the Ent. Ent shoot the Tholains with little damage. Another Tholian ship comes in and they start to build an energy field web around the Ent.
Meanwhile, since the space is between two different worlds, peoples brain cells are also disturbed, and a select few people go insane and psychotic, including Checkoff.
The Ent is stuck. McCoy blames Spock for endangering the Ent. McCoy finds a cocktail to help with the insanity. Kirk reemerges, and is beamed aboard just in time when the Ent escapes the Tholian web and everybody lives happily ever after. Except for the Defiant and its crew. And all the viewers who cannot understand how anybody could consider this a great episode.
Here's the list of problems I found: 1) Spock's decision to stay in a dangerous space endangering the Ent. 2) Spock and McCoy lying to Kirk at the end that they did not view his posthumous message. McCoy fine. But Spock lying, that is pure garbage! 3) Insanity does not affect everyone. Why not? Everyone has neurons and brain cells that may be switching to the other universe. 4) Acting was ok, but the dialogue was mediocre. 5) Music was ok, not great 6) Cinematography was ok, not great. 7) Scotcy is again depicted as a drunkard Scotchman, IN THE MIDDLE OF A CRISIS, he wants to add more alcohol to McCoy's insanity cure. Not cool. 8) As others have mentioned, the web created by the Tholains would only be effective for ships that just stayed where they were while the Tholians slowly built their web. Very impractical. Most ships would just move away every time these suckers tried to build their web. 9) Spock and McCoy dialogue is and character are out of character. Only explanation is that they are also going insane. Except the effect is psychotic. They are not acting psychotic. McCoy acts like a jerk. Spock acts not like Spock. Spock would not risk the ship to save one person, even if it's Kirk.
So, some good and decent ideas here. That's why it's not getting a 1 star. But given the out of character and the list above, there is no way this is a great episode. I'd rather watch Spock's Brain. At least that's fun.
Now, the Tholians show up and they want the Ent out because it is their space. Spock tells them they need to wait for a couple of hours. Once the time is out the Defiant and Kirk don't show up, the Tholaians start shooting and damage the Ent. Ent shoot the Tholains with little damage. Another Tholian ship comes in and they start to build an energy field web around the Ent.
Meanwhile, since the space is between two different worlds, peoples brain cells are also disturbed, and a select few people go insane and psychotic, including Checkoff.
The Ent is stuck. McCoy blames Spock for endangering the Ent. McCoy finds a cocktail to help with the insanity. Kirk reemerges, and is beamed aboard just in time when the Ent escapes the Tholian web and everybody lives happily ever after. Except for the Defiant and its crew. And all the viewers who cannot understand how anybody could consider this a great episode.
Here's the list of problems I found: 1) Spock's decision to stay in a dangerous space endangering the Ent. 2) Spock and McCoy lying to Kirk at the end that they did not view his posthumous message. McCoy fine. But Spock lying, that is pure garbage! 3) Insanity does not affect everyone. Why not? Everyone has neurons and brain cells that may be switching to the other universe. 4) Acting was ok, but the dialogue was mediocre. 5) Music was ok, not great 6) Cinematography was ok, not great. 7) Scotcy is again depicted as a drunkard Scotchman, IN THE MIDDLE OF A CRISIS, he wants to add more alcohol to McCoy's insanity cure. Not cool. 8) As others have mentioned, the web created by the Tholains would only be effective for ships that just stayed where they were while the Tholians slowly built their web. Very impractical. Most ships would just move away every time these suckers tried to build their web. 9) Spock and McCoy dialogue is and character are out of character. Only explanation is that they are also going insane. Except the effect is psychotic. They are not acting psychotic. McCoy acts like a jerk. Spock acts not like Spock. Spock would not risk the ship to save one person, even if it's Kirk.
So, some good and decent ideas here. That's why it's not getting a 1 star. But given the out of character and the list above, there is no way this is a great episode. I'd rather watch Spock's Brain. At least that's fun.
The Enterprise Gets Caught on a Web!
Samuel-Shovel19 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
In "The Tholian Web", the Enterprise encounters the missing USS Defiant in a section of uncharted space. Kirk, Spock, Bones, and Chekov beam over to investigate. The entire crew is dead, apparently they killed one another. While still aboard, the Defiant begins to disappear around them. With the transporter on the fritz, Scotty is only able to beam back 3 at a time. Kirk is still aboard the Defiant as dematerializes. Spock hypothesizes that space is breaking apart at their current location. The Defiant (and Kirk along with it) have been pulled into another dimension via a spatial interphase. He predicts another should occur soon but the Enterprise must not use up any energy or it will alter the spacial dimensions around them. The two dimensions coming into contact here also cause some kind of space madness in people in the area. Some members of the crew start to become violent.
So here comes another ship, a member of the Tholian Assembly. The Tholians have claimed this area of space as part of their territory and are prepared to use brute force to make the Enterprise leave. Spock explains the situation to them; they agree to wait for the captain until the allotted time. But due to the disturbance in space the Tholian craft caused, Kirk doesn't reappear as predicted. The angry Tholians attack the Enterprise and disable it.
Meanwhile, Bones is working on an antidote for the madness caused by the area they're in. The longer they stay, the more cases become apparent.
Another Tholian ship shows up. The two crafts use some type of energy field to start spinning a web around the Enterprise. The goal is never established but I assume they will use this web to transport the Enterprise as some sort of spoil of war. Spock says they need to get out of the web's trap before it is fully formed around them. Meanwhile, some members of the crew begin to see the ghost of Kirk around them.
To make matters worse, Spock and Bones can't stop bickering about what should be done next. Bones questions Spock's leadership abilities. Spock tells him to focus on the antidote. Only after watching a recorded tape from Kirk do the two lay aside their differences to achieve their goals.
The Enterprise repairs itself and waits around for Kirk to reappear. Bones uses a diluted Klingon poison as a cure for the madness and feeds it to the crew. They grab Kirk, transporting him aboard just before his air runs out and just before the web is complete. They blast out of there, back into Federation space and onto the next mission.
I really enjoyed the design of the Tholians in this one. The effects department really thought outside of the box with this one, not allowing themselves to be stuck on humanoid figures. Very cool.
The episode itself is fairly decent too. The design of the web (although never adequately explained) is fun to look at and to think about. The plot of this one gets a bit messy and confusing in the middle (maybe it's the fault of the director) but regardless, a solid episode by Season 3 standards.
So here comes another ship, a member of the Tholian Assembly. The Tholians have claimed this area of space as part of their territory and are prepared to use brute force to make the Enterprise leave. Spock explains the situation to them; they agree to wait for the captain until the allotted time. But due to the disturbance in space the Tholian craft caused, Kirk doesn't reappear as predicted. The angry Tholians attack the Enterprise and disable it.
Meanwhile, Bones is working on an antidote for the madness caused by the area they're in. The longer they stay, the more cases become apparent.
Another Tholian ship shows up. The two crafts use some type of energy field to start spinning a web around the Enterprise. The goal is never established but I assume they will use this web to transport the Enterprise as some sort of spoil of war. Spock says they need to get out of the web's trap before it is fully formed around them. Meanwhile, some members of the crew begin to see the ghost of Kirk around them.
To make matters worse, Spock and Bones can't stop bickering about what should be done next. Bones questions Spock's leadership abilities. Spock tells him to focus on the antidote. Only after watching a recorded tape from Kirk do the two lay aside their differences to achieve their goals.
The Enterprise repairs itself and waits around for Kirk to reappear. Bones uses a diluted Klingon poison as a cure for the madness and feeds it to the crew. They grab Kirk, transporting him aboard just before his air runs out and just before the web is complete. They blast out of there, back into Federation space and onto the next mission.
I really enjoyed the design of the Tholians in this one. The effects department really thought outside of the box with this one, not allowing themselves to be stuck on humanoid figures. Very cool.
The episode itself is fairly decent too. The design of the web (although never adequately explained) is fun to look at and to think about. The plot of this one gets a bit messy and confusing in the middle (maybe it's the fault of the director) but regardless, a solid episode by Season 3 standards.
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