Star Trek: The Animated Series
(1973–1975)
The computer of the Enterprise gains partial sentience and a taste for playing practical jokes on the crew.
Here are some great movies worth streaming that you won't see in the Best Picture category at the 2021 Oscars.
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: The Practical Joker (21 Sep 1974)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
Edit
Cast
| Episode complete credited cast: | |||
| William Shatner | ... | Capt. Kirk (voice) | |
| Leonard Nimoy | ... | Mr. Spock (voice) | |
| DeForest Kelley | ... | Dr. McCoy (voice) | |
| George Takei | ... | Sulu (voice) | |
| Nichelle Nichols | ... | Uhura (voice) | |
| Majel Barrett | ... | M'Ress / Computer Voice (voice) | |
| James Doohan | ... | Scott / Arex / Search party 7 Crewman (voice) | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
See All (81) »
Storyline
In the midst of a stand-off with the Rimulans, The Enterprise's computer systems, gain partial sentience, and with it, starts playing practical jokes upon the crew, which leads to a dangerous life-and-death battle with Romulans. Written by Tony-B4
Plot Keywords:
practical joker | m'ress character | intercom | audiovisual communication | raising one eyebrow |Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
Edit
Uhura: After that ride, I could use some repairs.
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
This takes place in 2270. See more »Goofs
At 6:29, Lt. Arex is shown to have the conn; however, Spock, Sulu, and Uhura are in the shot also, and all of them have been shown to be higher in the chain of command than Arex. See more »Quotes
Capt. Kirk: Reduce speed to sub-warp cruise. We'll lay by here for repairs.Uhura: After that ride, I could use some repairs.
See more »
As I always point out, the animation for this show is pure crap. Low cell counts (with jerky, robotic movements) and ugly drawings are the norm for this series--and this one is unfortunately no exception. Even by 70s TV cartoons, this one is butt ugly.
The show begins with Romulans attacking Enterprise. The Captain takes the ship through an energy field to avoid them and in the process the computer aboard the ship is affected--becoming goofy and with a bad sense of humor. Dribble glasses, pies in the face graffiti on the Captain's uniform and other simple-minded pranks start occurring and everyone aboard laughs like crazy. Mostly, however, it looks like stuff most children watching the show would have laughed at instead of adults. Well, they eventually discover that the computer is behind all this.
This episode is clearly one that kids would love--because they would have thought the computer's jokes were funny. As for older audiences (and it's amazing that adults really embraced this show), it's harder going due to its silliness--which grates on you after a while. My verdict is an 8 for kids and a 5 for adults.
By the way, it is interesting that this show debuts the holodeck-- something I incorrectly assumed was created on "Star Trek: The Next Generation".