5 absolutely ridiculous moments in Star Trek TOS

5. "Who Mourns for Adonais?" (Season 2, Episode 2)

Let's pretend you find yourself cruising through space, minding your own business, when suddenly, out of the vast emptiness, a gigantic green hand appears. This isn't your average "need a hand?" situation but rather a "whoa, space just got handsy!" moment.

In the Star Trek: TOS episode titled "Who Mourns for Adonais?" the crew of the USS Enterprise encounters just that. This surreal experience quickly goes from a cosmic high-five attempt to a full-on celestial showdown. The hand belongs to an alien who claims to be none other than Apollo, the Greek god of the sun, music, and a bunch of other cool stuff. Talk about mixing your mythology with your astrophysics! I like it, honestly.

This entire episode is a wild ride that blends ancient myths with futuristic space exploration, creating a storyline that's as entertaining as it is out there. Apollo, feeling a bit lonely and nostalgic for the days when humans worshipped him, decides it's showtime and uses his giant green hand to grab the Enterprise, essentially saying, "Let's hang out."

What follows is a peculiar mix of diplomacy, mythology quizzes, and sci-fi shenanigans. The crew must navigate this odd encounter, balancing respect for the divine with their mission to explore strange new worlds. It's a classic Star Trek mix of thought-provoking themes and head-scratching moments, proving that space really is the final frontier for the unexpected.

These moments among many others I didn't list, while often seen as ridiculous, also underscore the creativity and boldness of Star Trek: TOS.

The series' willingness to experiment with diverse storylines and special effects, despite the era's limitations, contributed significantly to its lasting legacy and its role in shaping the sci-fi genre.