The Animated Series 1x15 "The Eye of the Beholder"

rating: *

Memory Alpha summary

via the Agony Booth (still fun for the whole family!)

Perhaps bearing the distinction of the most subdued episode of the series, "Eye of the Beholder" takes the opposite tack seen in various other franchise stories concerning the relative intelligence of humans.  Whereas it was common for god-like beings to belittle the idea, "Beholder" is actually more akin to the revelation about the Horta in the original series episode "Devil in the Dark."

As in, don't judge a book by its cover.  Our heroes are put in an alien zoo, and must convince their captors that they don't belong there.

And that's about it, really.  A pretty simple affair, nothing too flashy, a much more cerebral experience than is typical for the series, less dominated by the visual flair animation made so tempting, or falling back on familiar elements.  It's an episode, generally, that could easily have fit in with its live action predecessors.  

four quarter analysis

franchise * series * essential * character

notable guest-stars:

Majel Roddenberry

James Doohan