^ IMHO, "Elogium" was worse (I just watched it), but I don't think I'd definitely call it the worst episode ever. It's in the conversation, though.
Was "Spock's Brain" really an intentional parody?
- Thread starter Warped9
- Start date
"A Night in Sickbay" is the most horrible piece of dog excrement ever.
Aw, come on. You really think it's worse than TatV? I mean, really? Yeah it's dumb, but that doesn't justify this kind of hatred at all. It's not as dumb as The Way to Eden, imo.
And just for the record, I was talking about TOS eps only above, sorry for the confusion.
But in all of Trekdom, And The Children Blabla is just as bad as or worse than Threshold.
And just for the record, I was talking about TOS eps only above, sorry for the confusion.
But in all of Trekdom, And The Children Blabla is just as bad as or worse than Threshold.
At least "Spock's Brain" doesn't involve Kirk's dog peeing on an alien plant as a major plot point. And at no time during the episode does McCoy suggest to Kirk that the real reason he's upset about Spock's brain being stolen is that he needs to get laid with Uhura.
I doubt it, but I have always thought the Trouble with Tribbles was intentional parody, to some extent.
Kirk: "This is my CHICKEN SANDWICH, and COFFEE!"
Spock: "Fascinating."
Kirk: "This is my CHICKEN SANDWICH, and COFFEE!"
Spock: "Fascinating."
^^ Intentional comedy at least.
Well yeah. The reason I said parody is because the show almost seems to be poking fun at itself at times. Definitely a great episode. It's funny how that and City on the Edge of Forever are widely considered the best episodes of the series. They're like polar opposites. A testament to how great TOS was, IMO.
I dont see how those make it "bad." At least the comedy involved in those concepts seem intentional.
Both, as I see it. Of course, it's just way outside the plausibility zone. I don't care what kind of technique Kara employed--a body is simply not going to survive without a brain. And then they're able to quickly fashion a device to remote control his body? Whether the writers intended it to be a parody or not, the result is that it just simply is... a real joke of an episode. And not just from the brain perspective. There are a number of other elements that make it rather silly.
So yeah, Spock being so intelligent that his brain is desired to run an entire civilization. The whole brain removal/transplant thing overused in the sci-fi genre. And Star Trek boldly going where no one has gone before... Seems like a parody on all of those elements.
And lastly... Spock seems like someone who is very serious about having an important purpose. He'd forgone having a wife. So, here's a civilization that could really use him. He'd be the supreme ruler. And in this special environment, he'd live far longer than he would in his Vulcan body. Plus access to all of the scientific knowledge of the Morg. Why would he want to be put back into his body?
Perhaps he had seen "Colossus of New York" and remembered what happened to the disembodied brain of Ross Martin...
It's just a bad episode. It was from the 3rd season, most of the original writers were gone, the budget was low, and the show was on its way to cancellation. While some decent eps got made in season 3, many were of poor quality, like this one.
"Spock's Brain" is a guilty pleasure for me. I do enjoy that episode. When Checov has the stellar map up on the view screen and is explaining to Kirk the other planets in that solar system was very interesting and broadened the Trek universe in my opinion. Today that scene seems more like a TNG moment.
I always loved how Bones thought how easy it was to reconnect Spock's brain and when he starts losing that ability is also a fun moment in the episode.
There are a few of the bad episodes that are bad because they're dull, this episode certainly isn't dull.
I always loved how Bones thought how easy it was to reconnect Spock's brain and when he starts losing that ability is also a fun moment in the episode.
There are a few of the bad episodes that are bad because they're dull, this episode certainly isn't dull.
^ I think each episode has its merits, Space Therapist. And the best way to enjoy "Spock's Brain" is to look at it as a parody. It definitely has some great moments to it. 
Btw, is your avatar essentially an Avatar version of Mr. Bean?
EDIT: Yes indeed. Just found out by doing a quick Google search.
Btw, is your avatar essentially an Avatar version of Mr. Bean?
EDIT: Yes indeed. Just found out by doing a quick Google search.
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Were you aware that Steve Inhat was one of the actors being considered for Captain Kirk?
number6
Vice Admiral
I don't think Spock's Brain is bad, just silly, but I never really thought of it being silly in a bad way. It was just like how TFF was silly. Both are a load of fun to watch on psychotropic chemicals and there is nothing wrong with that.
Are they Trek's finest?? Certainly not, but it is ok that even TOS' worst moments still had the heart of what Star Trek means to me. No Trek captured that on-screen chemistry we saw on the original show.
That was the "lightning in a the bottle" other Trek shows and movies repeatedly fail to recreate.
The chemistry of the cast of TOS certainly sold a bad story or a silly script and we know there were many of each!!
Well said.
number6
Vice Admiral
Cheers.
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