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Star Trek

The Trouble with Tribbles

  • Episode aired Dec 29, 1967
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 50m
IMDb RATING
8.8/10
4.2K
YOUR RATING
S2.E15
  • S2
  • E15
All episodes
All
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Star Trek (1966)
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Sci-Fi
To protect a space station with a vital grain shipment, Kirk must deal with Federation bureaucrats, a Klingon battle cruiser and a peddler who sells furry, purring, hungry little creatures a... Read allTo protect a space station with a vital grain shipment, Kirk must deal with Federation bureaucrats, a Klingon battle cruiser and a peddler who sells furry, purring, hungry little creatures as pets.To protect a space station with a vital grain shipment, Kirk must deal with Federation bureaucrats, a Klingon battle cruiser and a peddler who sells furry, purring, hungry little creatures as pets.
IMDb RATING
8.8/10
4.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Joseph Pevney
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry
    • David Gerrold
  • Stars
    • William Shatner
    • Leonard Nimoy
    • DeForest Kelley
Top credits
  • Director
    • Joseph Pevney
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry
    • David Gerrold
  • Stars
    • William Shatner
    • Leonard Nimoy
    • DeForest Kelley
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 31User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos46

    Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, DeForest Kelley, and Nichelle Nichols in Star Trek (1966)
    Nichelle Nichols in Star Trek (1966)
    William Shatner in Star Trek (1966)
    William Schallert in Star Trek (1966)
    William Shatner in Star Trek (1966)
    Star Trek (1966)
    William Shatner in Star Trek (1966)
    William Campbell and Michael Pataki in Star Trek (1966)
    Whit Bissell in Star Trek (1966)
    Charlie Brill in Star Trek (1966)
    William Campbell in Star Trek (1966)
    Stanley Adams, Nichelle Nichols, and Guy Raymond in Star Trek (1966)

    Top cast

    Edit
    William Shatner
    William Shatner
    • Capt. Kirkas Capt. Kirk
    Leonard Nimoy
    Leonard Nimoy
    • Mr. Spockas Mr. Spock
    DeForest Kelley
    DeForest Kelley
    • Dr. McCoyas Dr. McCoy
    William Schallert
    William Schallert
    • Nilz Barisas Nilz Baris
    William Campbell
    William Campbell
    • Kolothas Koloth
    Stanley Adams
    Stanley Adams
    • Cyrano Jonesas Cyrano Jones
    Whit Bissell
    Whit Bissell
    • Lurryas Lurry
    James Doohan
    James Doohan
    • Scottas Scott
    Nichelle Nichols
    Nichelle Nichols
    • Uhuraas Uhura
    Michael Pataki
    Michael Pataki
    • Koraxas Korax
    Edwin Reimers
    • Admiral Fitzpatrickas Admiral Fitzpatrick
    • (as Ed Reimers)
    Walter Koenig
    Walter Koenig
    • Chekovas Chekov
    Charlie Brill
    Charlie Brill
    • Arne Darvinas Arne Darvin
    Paul Baxley
    • Ensign Freemanas Ensign Freeman
    David L. Ross
    David L. Ross
    • Guardas Guard
    • (as David Ross)
    Guy Raymond
    Guy Raymond
    • Traderas Trader
    Richard Antoni
    • Klingon Brawleras Klingon Brawler
    • (uncredited)
    Bobby Bass
    Bobby Bass
    • Guardas Guard
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Joseph Pevney
    • Writers
      • Gene Roddenberry
      • David Gerrold
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    Storyline

    Edit
    Having received a Priority One distress call from an outlying space station, the Enterprise arrives to find they have been summoned there by a Federation commissioner merely to protect a shipment of seeds meant to sow wheat on Sherman's planet. The planet is also coveted by the Klingons, who are taking shore leave at the station. The trouble arises with tribbles - small furry creatures that seem to multiply without end. However, their fortuitous presence reveals both a problem with the wheat and a traitor on the space station. —garykmcd
    • furry creature
    • year 2268
    • 2260s
    • 23rd century
    • koloth character
    • 94 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Adventure
      • Sci-Fi
    • Certificate
      • TV-PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      To create the one tribble moving on its own, the prop supervisor bought a battery powered toy dog and stripped it down to the mechanical works. Once recovered with fur including the toy legs, the prop moved on camera along the railing on the Enterprise bridge without wires or external assistance. The toy was so noisy all the dialogue in the scene had to be looped with ADR (re-recorded after shooting).
    • Goofs
      Bones describes the Tribbles as bisexual when he means parthenogenic. However, he could have meant the Tribbles possess both male and female sex organs, as "bisexual" was once another term for hermaphroditism.
    • Quotes

      Spock: [while holding a tribble] Most curious creature, Captain. Its trilling seems to have a tranquilizing effect on the human nervous system.

      Spock: [beginning to pet it gently] Fortunately, of course, I am... immune to it's effect...

      [realizing what he is doing, he quickly puts the tribble down and excuses himself]

    • Alternate versions
      Special Enhanced version Digitally Remastered with new exterior shots and remade opening theme song
    • Connections
      Edited into Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Trials and Tribble-ations (1996)
    • Soundtracks
      Theme
      Music credited to Alexander Courage

      Sung by Loulie Jean Norman

    User reviews31

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    It was invented by a little old lady from Leningrad
    Enterprise is assigned to guard a consignment of grain on board a space station where the crew have a number of encounters furry creatures called Tribbles and also the Klingons.

    This is a strong episode with great comic situations and character moments.

    Although quite lighthearted the story is very good. The writers present a solid overarching narrative and include many situations that create opportunities for both physical and verbal comedy.

    Scotty and Chekov are used excellently in humorous situations, whereas Kirk is an effective straight-man through most of the chaos and has some great dialogue. Kirk is also quite impatient and amusingly hostile towards one antagonistic guest character, which works well as a recurring joke. Spock, Bones and U'Hura also contribute to the fun, as do the guest characters.

    The visuals in this episode are some of the best in the series. It is all very simple prop work that depicts the issues caused by the Tribbles but it is both effective and highly memorable. One fight scene is done fantastically well and reminiscent of a classic western saloon brawl. Kirk's lineup with the offenders is a classic Star Trek moment.

    All stars are on top form especially William Shatner, James Doohan and Walter Koenig.

    For me it is an 8.5/10 but I round upwards.
    helpful•2
    0
    • snoozejonc
    • Sep 2, 2021

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 29, 1967 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • handitv
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Desilu Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Desilu Productions
      • Norway Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 4:3

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