This Side of Paradise and Pike

[ZapBrannigan]

And, yes, I took Vina's comments as accurate too. I don't see a reason to see her as misleading. The Talosians knew enough and that's about it.

Vina's "no guide" statement was way out of kilter with the fact that the Talosians themselves were humanoids, by the time the script was cast and filmed.

In-universe it's clear that, like so many surgical patients, Vina came away with a poor understanding of what went wrong. And the Talosian doctors weren't about to wise her up, because it was their own post-technological incompetence that wrecked her. Of course they would prevaricate and be evasive. And then they sent her to the Zoo, where she was "patched up" with illusions.

 

[fireproof78]

Vina's "no guide" statement was way out of kilter with the fact that the Talosians themselves were humanoids, by the time the script was cast and filmed.

In-universe it's clear that, like so many surgical patients, Vina came away with a poor understanding of what went wrong. And the Talosian doctors weren't about to wise her up, because it was their own post-technological incompetence that wrecked her. Of course they would prevaricate and be evasive. And then they sent her to the Zoo, where she was "patched up" with illusions.

I see no reason to think she had no understanding. I'm struggling with not taking her at face value. That they are humanoid doesn't make the internal anatomy the same either.

So I take as stated in dialogue.

Mileage will vary. I don't think it takes away from the episode.

 

[JonnyQuest037]

Vina's "no guide" statement was way out of kilter with the fact that the Talosians themselves were humanoids, by the time the script was cast and filmed.

We have no idea what the Talosians looked like underneath those silver robes.

 

[Shawnster]

We have no idea what the Talosians looked like underneath those silver robes.

Maybe their entire appearance was an illusion

 

[mb22]

Maybe their entire appearance was an illusion

Supposedly they can't deal with "primitive emotions" -- while Pike is throttling the Keeper, he/she maintains the original appearance after changing back from the ape creature, so it is assumed that is the 'true appearance' (although it may be part of a new trick).

 

[ZapBrannigan]

Maybe their entire appearance was an illusion

If they really were crab creatures but as big as us, that would be terrifying. So they might want to keep our primitive and very sensible fear levels down by posing as puny humanoids. But @mb22 makes a good point about the evidence of their true appearance.

And if they were just posing as humanoids, why not go all the way and project our idea of beautiful people?

 

[mb22]

Plus, their initial appearance watching Pike and the crew on their 'viewscreen' where no one is interacting with them (except for the audience).

 

[Christopher]

Plus, their initial appearance watching Pike and the crew on their 'viewscreen' where no one is interacting with them (except for the audience).

Yes, but canonically, that shot was part of the images the Talosians transmitted to the Enterprise in "The Menagerie." So we can't be sure it was an accurate representation.