Or, The One Where Shirtless Sulu Fences
“The Naked Time” is the episode I think of when I think of Star Trek. The one that was the ultimate embodiment of what the series was, what it meant, and what it stood for. In the next 700 hours of Trek viewing, that perspective may change but, for now, “The Naked Time” remains a perfect specimen of Trekdom.
It’s also a perfect example of why everyone should wash their hands.
Or, perhaps, just deal with the itchy nose rather than compromising the integrity of your encounter suit to pick it.
What I like most about the premise on this one is the acknowledgement that everyone is putting up a front to some exent. The virus causes drunken-like behaviors (Sulu’s fencing, Riley’s musical takeover, Enterprise Banksy’s graffiti), but most of the symptoms we see are naked (aha!) emotion, the sort of things we push down to get through the day and do what needs doing.
In a way, we’re all Spock.
“Naked Time” Moments (heh):
Here’s the guy who started it all, Lt. Joe Tormolen, who just couldn’t keep his hands in his encounter suit.
See? This is what I’m talking about. If Joe could have just left his damn nose alone, we could have avoided all this awkwardness. Just because the ship got flung three days into the past doesn’t mean it all gets taken back.
I love the little details about ship life, like this automat-style food hole that, apparently, you need a card to use. It’s so retro when compared to Captain Picard barking, “Tea. Earl Grey. Hot,” at the replicator.
Oh no….Joe’s got a butter knife. EVERYBODY PANIC!
Or don’t panic. Whatever. Sit at the table with your three dimensional chess and stare, disinterested, like the space hipster douchebags you are.
Meanwhile, Sulu and Riley are struggling to gain control of the Butter Knife of Death.
Without the butter knife debacle, Sulu doesn’t get infected. If Sulu doesn’t get infected, we don’t get Shirtless, Fencing Sulu!
Not everyone appreciates the epic wonder of Shirtless, Fencing Sulu. They look like Joe Biden and Bill Maher.
If only there were something with which Nurse Chapel could sanitize her hands……
Poor Yeoman Rand can’t go a day without being sexually harassed. Janice has been harassed or assaulted in every episode she’s been in so far. I should keep an official count.
“Arts education! Ha! Sit down and bubble your test!”
Best photo of Spock, ever. I love his expression and posture here. It all says, “Oh, for god’s sake….” You know he’s simultaneously thinking of the logistics of the clean up and having frustration toward humans as a species.
Finally, Spock’s moment. The moment where his Vulcan self-control cracks and he cries, even as he tries to regain his composure via reciting math facts.
It OK, Spock. Don’t be cry.
Related Stuff:
Lisa Fary's earliest influences are Princess Leia, Rainbow Bright, Astronaut Barbie, and her 6th grade teacher, Ms. Palmer. She's angry that it's 2011 and she still doesn't have a hovercraft, but will accept a jetpack as consolation. That jetpack had better be pink with a rhinestone monogram. 
“Butter Knife of Death” = LOL
WOOT! LOVE the story! Another feather in your cap! “Douchbag hipsters” RULE!