No one has cited the episode "The Way to Eden" as the absolute worst episode of Star Trek, the original series. I would think we would find a rare bit of consensus in the opinion that all copies and the original negative of this episode should be destroyed. Just read the IMDb synopsis:
The Enterprise is ordered to pursue a group of anti-establishment idealists who have stolen a space cruiser and made off for the mythical planet Eden. When the group pushes their stolen ship beyond its limits, the Enterprise is forced to rescue them by transporting them aboard. This merry band of space-hippies includes the insane leader (Dr. Sevrin), an academy drop-out and former love interest of Chekov (Irina), and the son of a Catullan ambassador (Tongo Rad). With the Federation undergoing fragile treaty negotiations with the Catullans, Kirk is ordered by Starfleet to treat the dissidents with "extreme tolerance." Kirk finds the group and its leader too difficult to deal with while Spock maintains a deep curiosity about their ideals. Kirk appoints Spock as liaison for the group during their stay on the Enterprise. Dr. Sevrin demands to be taken to Eden, but Kirk refuses on the grounds that his orders from Starfleet dictate that the group be taken to the nearest star base. While investigating this strange group of free spirits, Dr. McCoy and Mr. Spock discover that not only is Dr. Sevrin insane, he is also the carrier for a potentially lethal disease. His desire to abandon technology and join the "primitive" inhabitants of planet Eden could well result in their destruction. As a precaution, Dr. Sevrin is quarantined, but Spock agrees to plot a course to the mythical planet of Eden in exchange for his cooperation. Meanwhile, Chekov inadvertently gives away some vital information about auxiliary control to his former classmate, Irina, and she and the rest of Sevrin's followers soon free him and commandeer the Enterprise. The group takes the Enterprise to Eden (which, to complicate matters, happens to be in Romulan space), establish orbit and steal a shuttle craft to land on the surface while the Enterprise crew is incapacitated. But the planet, while as beautiful as any of them imagined, also has a deadly side.
OK … it was obligatory to do a "youth oriented" episode at that time and what possible way to seem "with-it" and on the wavelength of "the youth" and to be "relevant" than to depict any young person who didn't conform as a totally demented moron? These shows invariably showed how out of touch the folks making the shows could be.  Let's see … evil guru? Check!  All kids devoid of any intellect and who are total puppets?  Check!  No serious challenge to the status quo?  Check! Yep … it's all in place.  It is astounding how all (if you can come up with an example of this sort of show that doesn't feature such a figure do let me know) of the shows at this time invariably had the evil guru figure. The possibility that a person could, for whatever personal reason, reject the mainstream was simply not permissible to even discuss. And the basic message of all these shows was that non-conformists are invariably irrational and usually dangerous.  So no one ever disagreed with the status quo of their own free will. Sheesh!
    
Space hippies (some looking well over 30) materialize and their evil rock-and-roll music is a hypnotic weapon … not just enjoyable. Spock at least tries to understand those who feel alienated. As for looking for  Eden (WHAT!?!? You imply the  current USA … erm … the Federation  isn't totally perfect?!?!?!?) … it  will kill you. Look … I have always found  granola-head (all of 'em, not just the "extra crunchy" ones), extra cosmic types irritating but lighten-up already. People are allowed to have different tastes. After all genre fans were a minority for decades and no evil guru was to blame … unless you wish to accuse Forry Ackerman..

opticalguy1954@yahoo.com (Spencer Gill)
Last Edited By: opticalguy Jun 4 11 2:35 PM. Edited 4 times.