Whether it be Star Trek or another iconic series like Doctor Who, classic sci-fi TV has often relied upon established formulas when devising weekly episodes. There was the “Enterprise under attack” format, the “saving an alien planet” episode, the “crew member goes rogue” stories, etc. Another of Star Trek‘s favorite tropes in the 1960s and ever since has been the historical adventure, where the Enterprise is somehow thrust into a setting from Earth’s past.

It was a format that led to one of Star Trek‘s greatest episodes, “The City on the Edge of Forever.” Set in the 1930s, the Enterprise’s landing party meets Edith Keeler and wrestles with an inability to alter Earth’s past. No historical Star Trek episode has topped “The City on the Edge of Forever” since, but not for lack of trying, with plenty of episodes in that style released since.

Indeed, the trope became so common, Star Trek: The Original Series told two stories set in the past, both eerily similar, only a few short weeks apart.

These Two Star Trek: The Original Series Episodes Have A Lot In Common

The offending episodes are Star Trek: The Original Series season 2‘s “A Piece of the Action” and “Patterns of Force,” which aired on January 12, 1968, and February 16, 1968, respectively.

Not only are both historicals, each episode’s narrative follows a remarkably similar course.

In “A Piece of the Action,” the Enterprise visits a planet the Federation has lost communication with after making contact many years prior. Kirk beams down with Spock and McCoy, only to discover that Starfleet’s previous visitors left behind information about 1920s Chicago mobsters that the natives have since modeled their society on. The landing party finds itself within a perfect recreation of that era, and must somehow undo the damage without breaking Starfleet’s Prime Directive.

This involves Kirk and Spock donning a series of disguises, making contact with the planet’s leaders, and convincing them there’s a better way forward than Tommy guns and terror.

A mere five weeks later, “Patterns of Force” aired following near-identical beats. The Federation sent a historian to a developing planet, but lost contact, and the Enterprise must now investigate. Once again, Kirk and Spock beam down (McCoy follows later on this occasion) only to discover the planet strongly resembles 1940s Germany. As it turns out, Starfleet’s previous visitor gave his hosts details of Earth history that allowed them to recreate the period with unerring precision.

The heroes quickly don disguises to blend in with the locals, then turn their attention toward finding the planet’s leader and showing a better way forward that doesn’t involve emulating the worst parts of human history.

There are similarities here beyond the standard features of a Star Trek episode set in the past. The setup of Kirk’s crew fixing past Federation mistakes, alien cultures basing themselves on specific Earth eras, Kirk and Spock escaping capture and wearing disguises, the inability to break the Prime Directive. In thematic terms, both episodes also share an overall message to avoid repeating mistakes from history, and place heavy emphasis on democratic leadership.

“A Piece Of The Action” Vs. “Patterns Of Force” – Which Star Trek Episode Is Better?

There must have been an oversight in scheduling for Star Trek: The Original Series in season 2, because you’d typically want episodes so similar at either end of the season to avoid drawing obvious comparisons.

Alas, the comparison is drawn, and it’s intriguing to see which episode does Star Trek‘s historical format better between “A Piece of the Action” and “Patterns of Force.”

It’s a tricky question to answer. By walking the outwardly comedic route, “A Piece of the Action” doesn’t demand to be taken as seriously, which plays to its advantage. Even if you’ll cringe upon hearing “Spocko,” Kirk explaining the rules of fizzbin is still absolutely hilarious. The subject matter behind “Patterns of Force” demands to be approached more seriously, so the premise falling apart under even the slightest scrutiny can’t help but count against it.

At the same time, you could absolutely argue that “Patterns of Force” has the more compelling narrative. The inclusion of a resistance group combined with an effective villain twist at the end is potent. On the other hand, “A Piece of the Action” plays its farce out for too long, sending Kirk and Spock back and forth until the joke has truly worn thin.

Both installments are solid efforts, but neither will be troubling “The City on the Edge of Forever” in the hall of fame of Star Trek episodes set in the past.

Release Date

1966 – 1969-00-00

Showrunner

Gene Roddenberry

Directors

Marc Daniels, Joseph Pevney, Ralph Senensky, Vincent McEveety, Herb Wallerstein, Jud Taylor, Marvin J. Chomsky, David Alexander, Gerd Oswald, Herschel Daugherty, James Goldstone, Robert Butler, Anton Leader, Gene Nelson, Harvey Hart, Herbert Kenwith, James Komack, John Erman, John Newland, Joseph Sargent, Lawrence Dobkin, Leo Penn, Michael O’Herlihy, Murray Golden

Writers

D.C. Fontana, Jerome Bixby, Arthur Heinemann, David Gerrold, Jerry Sohl, Oliver Crawford, Robert Bloch, David P. Harmon, Don Ingalls, Paul Schneider, Shimon Wincelberg, Steven W. Carabatsos, Theodore Sturgeon, Jean Lisette Aroeste, Art Wallace, Adrian Spies, Barry Trivers, Don Mankiewicz, Edward J. Lakso, Fredric Brown, George Clayton Johnson, George F. Slavin, Gilbert Ralston, Harlan Ellison