50th Anniversary Rewatch Thread
- Thread starter dahj
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I'm going to argue with you guys about Plato's Stepchildren like I argue with JB. Bullies get their comeuppance. Not only is PS not the worst episode of the series it is genuinely a GOOD episode.
I didn't know we argued, Polty? I thought we were the best of friends!!! 
JB
JB
Meh, it had already happened multiple times on British TV, going back as far as 1959. And it wasn't the first one on US network TV either; of that @Harvey and I are now certain. We'll fill ya all in one of these days soon.
Star Trek
"Plato's Stepchildren"
Originally aired November 22, 1968
Stardate 5784.2
What was going on the week the episode aired.
Of special note, the mythical role of this episode in television history got it into the Wiki timeline for the year. Bit of a pity that the most historically noteworthy episode of the series, deserved or not, happens to be this one.
Sounds like Shat has a cold, at least in some scenes. Kirk's assertions to Alexander do play nicely into what the episode is best known for.
As humiliating as the Platonians' treatment is to the characters, it's arguable that the actors would have enjoyed the opportunity to step out of their usual roles and show off their talents, like dancing and singing. And Shat certainly gets to unleash his full hamminess. It looks like they used a double for Spock's tap-dancing, though.
I'll say this for the episode...as chock full of cringe as it is, it's entertaining in its badness, which is something I can't say for "The Alternative Factor".
Plus there's a particularly good Spock moment backstage between shows. And Michael Dunn is pretty good.
Whatever it may or may not have been in terms of the American racial situation, the kiss scene was not a great women's lib moment, what with Uhura going on about she's frightened and all the other times that she's been frightened.
I have to wonder how Alexander fared out in the Federation, with his weak immune system and susceptibility to the most minor injuries.
Next week, Kirk sets a new record for human males, then puts his boots back on:
"Plato's Stepchildren"
Originally aired November 22, 1968
Stardate 5784.2
H&I said:
What was going on the week the episode aired.
Of special note, the mythical role of this episode in television history got it into the Wiki timeline for the year. Bit of a pity that the most historically noteworthy episode of the series, deserved or not, happens to be this one.
Sounds like Shat has a cold, at least in some scenes. Kirk's assertions to Alexander do play nicely into what the episode is best known for.
As humiliating as the Platonians' treatment is to the characters, it's arguable that the actors would have enjoyed the opportunity to step out of their usual roles and show off their talents, like dancing and singing. And Shat certainly gets to unleash his full hamminess. It looks like they used a double for Spock's tap-dancing, though.
I'll say this for the episode...as chock full of cringe as it is, it's entertaining in its badness, which is something I can't say for "The Alternative Factor".
Plus there's a particularly good Spock moment backstage between shows. And Michael Dunn is pretty good.
Whatever it may or may not have been in terms of the American racial situation, the kiss scene was not a great women's lib moment, what with Uhura going on about she's frightened and all the other times that she's been frightened.
I have to wonder how Alexander fared out in the Federation, with his weak immune system and susceptibility to the most minor injuries.
I'm well aware that the subject has been thoroughly disputed in these parts, and wasn't even planning to get into that. Regardless of that, it is what the episode has become best known for (you may want to work on the Wiki pages here and here), and my brief, quippy "next episode" one-liner was if anything attempting to take the stuffing out of it a little. However, I'll point out that whether or not it had been done on British TV is beside the point, as the subject is commonly framed in terms of American TV and the American racial situation at the time. Anyway, this sums up what I was getting at...Meh, it had already happened multiple times on British TV, going back as far as 1959. And it wasn't the first one on US network TV either; of that @Harvey and I are now certain. We'll fill ya all in one of these days soon.
Wiki said:
Next week, Kirk sets a new record for human males, then puts his boots back on:
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But they basically get their comeuppance by our heroes becoming stronger than the bullies themselves and able to bully them, which is kind of a resigned message...
Yep, this was the first time I watched it in HD and that's definitely a Stunt Flamenco Spock.
My sentiments exactly.
@The Old Mixer Variety took note of the kiss at the time, even if they weren't particularity impressed by the courage of aliens forcing it via telekinesis. The Hollywood Reporter may have also mentioned it. Outside of the trades, however, it doesn't seem to have made much of an impact at the time.
But, as @Maurice indicates, more on this to come at a later date.
But, as @Maurice indicates, more on this to come at a later date.
Let me clarify something here. I am not the poster boy for the "first interracial kiss" crowd. I'm skeptical of the claim myself, and I've read the evidence against it. I was jokingly referencing the fact that the subject exists. To review this episode without mentioning it in some way would be like ignoring an 800-lb. gorilla in the room.
Wishing I'd thought of that...!
Yes, I've known of that (that in fact, it wasn't the first one) almost simultaneously with the claim that it was the first interracial kiss.
I didn't know we argued, Polty? I thought we were the best of friends!!!
JB
Always, JB.
How else was it going to happen? The difference is what Kirk and co. did with the power. They didn't torture or humiliate Parmen or the others, they just left them be. If anything, Parmen and the others got off too easy.
This time through I was thinking about how much more powerful the scene would have been if Kirk had actually whipped Uhura, if Spock had actually burned Chapel. Or maybe I've been watching too much Game of Thrones.
We don't really get a "interracial kiss" there. Show me Kirk and Uhura going to town like Spock and Chapel did, then I'll say there was an interracial kiss. Not this little head turn thing to hide the face smush.
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Oh, I was never suggesting you were.
Exactly.
Bullies use their power/size to intimidate and humiliate/ Kirk used his power to get the hell away from there and take away their usual victim. Not even for vengeance.
I wonder if they found a new victim once Alexander was gone?
Frankly I think the kissing scene wasn't that humiliating.
Chapel's constant awful crush is far worse.
What is humiliating is Uhura's sudden crush on Kirk..What?
Chapel was once engaged and Uhura said she was no fair maiden and suddenly a kiss is going to make them both afraid? Maybe is what it was leading up to was more the point.
I think the horror aspect of it was going the right way with the whip and the poker.
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