Space Seed. Seems like just the middle of a story.

[Queen Mab]

Just watched Space Seed again.
Its been ages since I saw it before.

Thinking of it from a pre-1982 lookout:
It does seem like its like its a full story just a middle part.

I feel that they could've spoken about Khan's/His People's History more.

Even more so, I feel more time should be given or another story should've shown the Empire they (started to) forge.

Perhaps my wanted Epilogue wouldve not been needed if more info was given on their lives in the 1970/80/90s as we would imagine how they would fare on a new world.

Has anyone else thought this? or is it just me?

 

[Timo]

Dwelling more on Khan's rule might have stretched plausibility and the writers' skills, as the issue was somewhat controversial. Khan was presented in a highly positive light here: our heroes seemed to be head over heels about this one-time dictator, expressing honest appreciation for his efficient rule and his moderation on the massacres and atrocities. Would this Mussolini or Gaddafi of his time really warrant that much admiration in the eyes of the audience, if the writers forced it to confront the issue?

Also, ST2 comes as more of a surprise when we don't see Khan's gradual (or abrupt?) descent to madness, but merely witness the end result...

Kirk admired the Khan of the 1990s, and still held some admiration to the Khan of the 2260s. He probably did that for those aspects of Khan that reminded him of himself; he could turn a blind eye on Khan's shortcomings of the 1990s as he was historically separated from those, and Khan's villainy in the 2260s featured some gallantry becoming of a Starfleet officer, too. But a closer look at Khan would reveal Kirk's profound failure of judgement and make him more of a fool in "Space Seed".

Timo Saloniemi

 

[BillJ]

There is a series of Eugenics Wars novels by Greg Cox who posts here on the TrekBBS. The first two deal with Khan's reign on Earth.

 

[22 Stars]

Would have been fun to do a time travel story that instead of going to a time in Earth's history we recognize, like ST IV, A:E, TiY, they went to the time of the Eugenic's Wars, possibly with the option of assassinating Khan, but knowing they can't or shouldn't.

 

[A beaker full of death]

I feel that they could've spoken about Khan's/His People's History more.

Why? That wasn't what the story was about. More background would have just bogged things down. Same deal with Kodos the Executioner.

 

[Timo]

...Also, the less the writers establish about these things, the less they contradict each other, and themselves.

But the idea of following villain characters every now and then, instead of just the dull old heroes, carries dramatic merit. It might not have been all the vogue when TOS was made, but the modern TV medium might accept such an approach.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Maximara]

Dwelling more on Khan's rule might have stretched plausibility and the writers' skills, as the issue was somewhat controversial. Khan was presented in a highly positive light here: our heroes seemed to be head over heels about this one-time dictator, expressing honest appreciation for his efficient rule and his moderation on the massacres and atrocities. Would this Mussolini or Gaddafi of his time really warrant that much admiration in the eyes of the audience, if the writers forced it to confront the issue?

Vlad III is revered by his people of Romania as a national hero and the world more commonly knows him by his last name: Dracula.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Khan is found. Khan takes over the ship. Khan is defeated. Sounds like a complete story to me.

 

[cblmc1296]

The awesome David Gerrold has said that good story writing can always be boiled down to two very basic elements: Person (or people) and Problem. In Space Seed we see multiple instances of this and the problems are solved elegantly as the episode progresses.

It's a testament to the writers and, of course, the actors that we yearn to know more about the characters even though such details are not integral to the story at hand.

 

[Captain Tracy]

No Queen Mab, it is not just you, as I had the same feeling - as though I was seeing something En Media Res, and did not have all the facts to complete a truly complete tale.

It's an excellent episode on many levels, yet this element which you have pointed out, has always bothered me a bit as well.

 

[Queen Mab]

There is a series of Eugenics Wars novels by Greg Cox who posts here on the TrekBBS. The first two deal with Khan's reign on Earth.

I have read these. (Thankfully, they arent canon)

Anyway, I am talking about people watching the episode alone.. before even 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)'

To me it seemed like something was missing..

No Queen Mab, it is not just you, as I had the same feeling - as though I was seeing something En Media Res, and did not have all the facts to complete a truly complete tale.

It's an excellent episode on many levels, yet this element which you have pointed out, has always bothered me a bit as well.

Glad to know it wasnt just me.

 

[7thsealord]

Noting that 'Assignment Earth' was originally intended as the lead-in to a possible spin-off series. IF it had been taken up, having some kind of Khan tie-in was a possibility. Then again, considering how fast and loose they played with continuity, there is no telling what might have happened.

 

[Bones_McCoy21]

Khan is found. Khan takes over the ship. Khan is defeated. Sounds like a complete story to me.

right

 

[Captain Tracy]

LOL!! Somehow that comment doesn't surprise me in the least.

Wonderful plot pointing BTW,.. however, the original post relates to an entirely different subject regarding this story.

Oy veh.

 

[Nerys Myk]

LOL!! Somehow that comment doesn't surprise me in the least.

Wonderful plot pointing BTW,.. however, the original post relates to an entirely different subject regarding this story.

Oy veh.

Just because the episode didn't contain "More" biographical info on Khan and his supporters doesn't make it feel like the "middle" of a story. The information given was to inform the viewers about who Khan was and provide motivation for his eventual take over of the Enterprise. Thats what the episode is about. Not Khan's past or future.

Just about every episode is open for a prequel or sequel built around the guest characters. "Space Seed" is hardly unique in that respect.

Oy vey.

 

[Captain Tracy]

As long as we are completely off the point,... I think you might just 'sweep' this weeks caption contest, as your entries seemed to be by far the funniest.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Off point????

Thanks for the compliment.

 

[Captain Tracy]

Oh yeah, working PIKE into that, was a 'pisser'! brilliant! best of the entire bunch LOL!

 

[Delta Vega]

While Space Seed was a fine episode, I cant get my head around a Mexican / American guy playing an Indian Sikh, not very PC.

 

[BillJ]

While Space Seed was a fine episode, I cant get my head around a Mexican / American guy playing an Indian Sikh, not very PC.

Then you should probably steer clear of Breakfast at Tiffany's, where Mickey Rooney plays an Asian man...