The Most Disliked Episode of TOS, Season 1: 2021 Edition...

The entire reason the 3 women are with Mudd is to FIND HUSBANDS. And they marry men they don't even know! So I disagree.

 

^^^
It's an 'old west' style story (done on many the TV Western in years prior) updated for Star Trek.

 

I know. Still, of the Mudd eps, I prefer I, Mudd.

 

It's a scenario right out of 19th Century gold rush days. Mail order bride services were quite common. Online dating services today are a watered down version of same. If you're arguing that the miners on Rigel were jerks and the women were portrayed as fools for marrying them in particular, then I agree. The ending feels rushed. But the scenario itself is hardly sexist.

Eve McHuron tells us that she comes from a planet inhabited by just her family, just her brothers tracking in the mud. She also claims that the other two women are from similar circumstances. Their desire to get married is pretty normal.

Kirk musing about a female officer just signing up to find a husband in the service is sexist. Kirk wistfully talking about "spending some time on some...lovely...planet" while staring at his yeoman's ass is sexist. ALL the men continually referring to Lieutenant Romaine as "the girl" is sexist. Where to begin with "Turnabout Intruder?" There are more.

Yes, the end of "Mudds' Women" isn't great, but the premise itself is not Trek's worst offender.

--Alex

 

Points taken.