"The Alternative Factor" sets a low water mark for the first season. The physics as presented are inconsistent with the rest of the show (if not reality), and tenuous even after substantial hoop jumping. Production problems result in a shabby episode despite plenty of undelivered promise. Such overblown threats (like the universe "blinking out") should have waited until much later series could overdo them, and such dramatic potential (as "We're the bait") should not be wasted on an hour of the crew doing nothing. What might have been an interesting approach spoils in execution and the remnants reek.

The listless acting obscures the story to the point of annoyance, unaided by multiple viewings that do little to clear things up (is band-aid Lazarus the mad one or not?). The repeated wrestle-in-the-corridor sequence, an uninspired reverse image with Batman-style camera tilting, might be passable once but constitute unnecessary if not abusive scene padding unsuited for any Trek not to mention TOS. Script lines parroted pensively fail to establish profundity. There's lots of walking to and fro over Vasquez Rocks involving horrific visuals caused by changing environmental lighting. (Rocks outside? Yep, it must be first season.) And where is Scotty as his precious dilithium crystals are stolen from Engineering? Wouldn't this also contribute to his resentment noticed on Argelius?

Unexpectedly cast at the last minute, Robert Brown as Lazarus does his best with a silly role wearing an even sillier moustache. (Maybe it's actually to his credit that lines like, "Humanoid on the outside - inside a hideous, murdering monster" don't dissolve into inadvertent comedy.) Other special guests include science fiction veteran Richard Derr as Commodore Bartlow and perky Janet MacLachlan as Lt. Masters (in both incorrect uniform color and sleeve rank). At least Eddie Paskey finally gets a screen credit as he both talks and takes the conn!

It's not all bad, notably the unique and impressive reverse angle of the Enterprise firing phasers, and Kirk snarking on the strange sense of humor of his ship's physician. There are a few lines, like "madness has no reason but it may have a goal," that are worthy of recall as much as "Kill Kill KILL KILL KILL" is not. But an episode in which nothing is shown, everything is told, cannot be composed by editing. There must be a foundation of some dramatic meaning since it's nonsense otherwise to experience anything from "outside our universe." In addition to being deaf as well as blind we would be better off forgetful as well.