Two stories of how the Federation is making new friends in unusual ways
In the first episode, "Bem", the mission of the Enterprise is to explore a planet containing an aboriginal species. The species is reptilian in form and the mission is to gather scientific data and to avoid making any contact with them. On board the Enterprise is Commander Bem, a member of an alien species that has recently made contact with the Federation. While Bem only has observer status, he is assertive and insists on beaming down with Kirk and Spock. His headstrong nature and desire to test humans causes him to compromise the mission, and all three are captured. Eventually, they are freed, but only after they learn that there is a powerful entity overseeing the aborigines. They manage to beam back to the Enterprise and a remorseful Bem now appreciates the talents of the creatures of the Federation and the crew of the Enterprise in particular.
The second episode is called "Albatross" and Dr. McCoy is accused of being a mass murderer. Years before, he led a mass inoculation program on Dramia Two, but there was a mass plague that killed nearly everyone on the planet. As a consequence of this, the Dramians hold him responsible. The Enterprise is out of communications range with Star Fleet command, so Kirk is the sole authority and he takes the Enterprise to Dramia Two in search of answers. While there, they find survivors, including one who was treated by McCoy and that treatment saved his life.
When traveling back to where McCoy is being held, the plague infects the crew of the Enterprise, including a representative of McCoy's accusers. Only Spock is immune, so when the Enterprise gets back, Spock breaks McCoy out of jail and McCoy manages to find a cure just in time. That cure also clears McCoy of any wrongdoing and he is now honored as a hero.
While the Star Trek animated series now looks rather quaint when compared to modern animation techniques, at the time it was state of the art. It also helped keep the Star Trek flame alive and allowed for the development of story lines that could not have been presented in any other medium at the time. The stories are good, which makes this tape well worth watching.

The basic plots are good but read the books
Like most Star Trek stories the underlying messages are good. The big problem was the time limit to the films, too much has been cut out leaving the story thin and somewhat uninspiring. I recommend to all trekkies collect the series but also buy the books

Ok but not the Best episodes
"Bem" Was not a good episode, Commander Bem himself is dumb and foolish, and the end is not a good one. Kirk disregards the alien enity's warning to leave and then she (the enity) is Ok with it, get real! "Albatross" was a pretty good episode for the most part.

Two solid but not terrific episodes
"Bem"- This episode is one that could not have been done live action, and probably shouldn't. The plot seems repetitive and Bem himself is unbelieveably foolish. Fun, but problematic. (2 stars) "Albatross"- Pretty good episode. The banter between the "big trio" is engaging and the story is fairly solid. However, the solution to the problem is a little shaky. Well done, but not the best. (4 stars) END