4. Our favorites kick up their comedic heels
Using the Tribbles as a frame for comedy isn't the only aspect that makes this episode so important. Viewers rarely got to see favorites like Kirk, Scotty, and Bones in such silly situations that allowed them to cut loose like they did! Kirk sassed Nilz Baris, Scotty introduced that Klingon wise guy to his fists after he insulted the Enterprise, plus McCoy and Spock had a sass-off in the lab.
Star Trek: The Original Series can be so grim, especially in season 1 (I'm looking in your direction "The City on the Edge of Forever"), and "The Trouble With Tribbles" is like a pressure valve. It lets viewers in on the shared human experience of comedy, laughter, and the relatable moments of life.
What do you think about "The Trouble with Tribbles" and its legacy, including Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's "Trials and Tribble-ations" episode? Is this one of your favorites, too? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.