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Episode Guide > Season 2, Episode 3

Star Trek: The Animated Series: The Practical Joker

 

Episode Score

 
8.0 Great
33 votes

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Air Date

Saturday September 21, 1974

Production Code

22017

Episode Summary

After passing through an unusual cloud, the Enterprise computer develops a playful--and potentially lethal--personality.

Read Full Recap » (warning: possible spoilers!)
  •  
    8.9 Great

    Passing through a strange cloud causes the Enterprise to have a mind of it's own, and it isn't friendly hide show

    This is another really good episode of the animated series. There are jokes that the ship plays on the crew that is really funny to watch happen. What makes this episode possibably the most interesting episode of them all is the fact that we see the first holodeck ever in Trek history. Instead of it being called the holodeck, on this episode, it is called the Rec Room. Overall, this is a must see episode just for the fact of the holodeck. It is also really fun to watch all of the pranks on the crew of the Enterprise. Even Spock falls for some of the tricks!

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Episode Cast and Crew

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  • Just after release from the Holodeck rec room, Dr McCoy is standing on the bridge beside the captain. A black strap appears and disappears on his left shoulder. []
  • During the second Romulan attack near the end, the stars are missing from the lower right 2/3 of the view. Only the top left 1/3 has even a sparse population of starfields. []
  • In the overhead shot when Sulu is about to activate a Rec Room program, Nurse Chapel is seen in place of Lt. Uhura. []
More Trivia
  • This episode along with "The Pirates of Orion" was released on The Animated Adventures of Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek: Volume 10 for VHS. []
  • Although the animated series is not considered canon, this constitutes in essence the first appearance of the holodeck, superseding the one in Star Trek: The Next Generation. In this episode, however, it's called the Rec Room. []
  • Spock: Question; why are we unable to communicate with crew members McCoy, Sulu and Uhura?
    Computer Voice: Answer; that is for me to know and for you to find out.
    Kirk: Did I hear that right?
    Spock: Affirmative. The dysfunction is more severe than I thought. Question; are you deliberately holding our missing crew members prisoner?
    Computer Voice: I'll never tell.
    Kirk: This is Captain James T. Kirk speaking. You are programmed to obey any direct order I may give, correct?
    Computer Voice: Correct.
    Kirk: Very well, I order you to release McCoy, Sulu and Uhura immediately.
    Computer Voice: Say "please."
    Kirk: Well, I'll be...
    Spock: I suggest compliance, Captain.
    Kirk: (Through clenched teeth) Please!
    Computer Voice: Say "pretty please... with sugar on top." []

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