Spock's Brain vs Spock's Mind

[albion432]

It seems the whole brain taken and being replaced concept is what really made "Spock's Brain" so absurd. Any thoughts on whether or not the episode may have played better if the producers had not postulated the idea of it being Spock's physical brain that had been removed, but instead constructed the episode around the idea that his mind had somehow been stolen?

 

[ZapBrannigan]

Any thoughts on whether or not the episode may have played better if the producers had not postulated the idea of it being Spock's physical brain that had been removed, but instead constructed the episode around the idea that his mind had somehow been stolen?

"It was accomplished and forgotten long ago on Camus II." So yeah, that's well within the reach of in-universe tech.

A third option would be to kidnap Spock's whole person and hook him up Matrix-style to the air conditioning system.

 

[Nebusj]

It seems the whole brain taken and being replaced concept is what really made "Spock's Brain" so absurd. Any thoughts on whether or not the episode may have played better if the producers had not postulated the idea of it being Spock's physical brain that had been removed, but instead constructed the episode around the idea that his mind had somehow been stolen?

It's not clear to me that the idea of stealing a brain to use as a planetary master computer is the point that makes the episode absurd. I'm also not clear on how separating Spock's mind from his brain would be more plausible than the, presumably, surgical removal of his brain from his body.

 

[albion432]

Any thoughts on whether or not the episode may have played better if the producers had not postulated the idea of it being Spock's physical brain that had been removed, but instead constructed the episode around the idea that his mind had somehow been stolen?

"It was accomplished and forgotten long ago on Camus II." So yeah, that's well within the reach of in-universe tech.

A third option would be to kidnap Spock's whole person and hook him up Matrix-style to the air conditioning system.

The connection to the technology used in The Turnabout Intruder is a good point--one I hadn't considered. The Matrix-style hook up I had. Both are good points. Thanks for posting them!

 

[albion432]

It seems the whole brain taken and being replaced concept is what really made "Spock's Brain" so absurd. Any thoughts on whether or not the episode may have played better if the producers had not postulated the idea of it being Spock's physical brain that had been removed, but instead constructed the episode around the idea that his mind had somehow been stolen?

It's not clear to me that the idea of stealing a brain to use as a planetary master computer is the point that makes the episode absurd. I'm also not clear on how separating Spock's mind from his brain would be more plausible than the, presumably, surgical removal of his brain from his body.

Of course you now have me curious to know what, if any, part of Spock's Brain you feel makes the episode absurd . . .

 

[Push The Button]

If "remote control" brainless Spock didn't push it over the edge into complete absurdity, then post-brain-reinstallation Spock with not so much as a bandaid, and retaining his perfect Vulcan haircut certainly did.

I do love Spock's Brain, however, and still prefer it over most of the other third season episodes.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

If "remote control" brainless Spock didn't push it over the edge into complete absurdity, then post-brain-reinstallation Spock with not so much as a bandaid, and retaining his perfect Vulcan haircut certainly did.

I do love Spock's Brain, however, and still prefer it over most of the other third season episodes.

Exactly. I enjoy it, but not as a hard-hitting "realism" episode.

Regarding the tag scene with Spock's hair just right, you could rationalize it with fictional tech. But there are also two distinct pleasures to be found here. One is "Spock's Fugue," a short musical masterpiece by Fred Steiner. The other is a little gag that McCoy and Kirk "mime" after the final bit of dialogue. It might be the best joke of the series.