Episode; Empath

[Kryton]

To be frank, I remember thinking of this episode as a poor man's version of "The Cage" (only I didn't really know about "The Cage" at the time, so I probably was thinking of "The Menagerie").

 

[Esteban]

Gee, I have a hard time coming up with a WORSE episode. Boring, talky, goofy, soft-focusy, bad-zoomy; I can't bear to go on thinking about it. And I thought the music to be the worst score on the whole series: schmaltzy, effeminate, soapy.

But that's what makes a universe.

 

[Michael]

Gee, I have a hard time coming up with a WORSE episode.

The Alternative Factor. The Omega Glory.

 

[pookha]

considering what gem is i could see why spock wouldnt meld with her.

She must be an empath. Her nervous system is so sensitive, highly responsive that she can actually feel our emotional and physical reactions. They become part of her.

and empath is one of my favorite episodes too.

 

[Kagan]

I'm one of the apparent few who actually like this episode. I thought it did a great job with the Big Three, better than most third season episodes did.

I'm there with you. Empath seems to really delve into the connection between the Big Three. In Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Sybok talks about how the connection between the Big Three is strong. However, it wasn't TFF that established that as a truth. They are written as being tight from the beginning. Empath just really shows the connection. Everyone is willing to give his life for the other two. The only question that remains for the fans is: Why? Enquiring minds want to know.

Empath has been a favorite of mine even when I saw it as a kid. To me, I like its music; it draws you in a little.

 

[Esteban]

The Alternative Factor. The Omega Glory.

You know, if stranded on a desert isle with nothing but my iPod, I'd take either of these over The Empath.

I'd probably be happier sucking on a coconut than watching TAF, but Glory I kind of like. Give me Morgan Woodward over Kathryn Hays (is that it? the memory grows dim...) any day.

 

[trevanian]

The Alternative Factor. The Omega Glory.

You know, if stranded on a desert isle with nothing but my iPod, I'd take either of these over The Empath.

I'd probably be happier sucking on a coconut than watching TAF, but Glory I kind of like. Give me Morgan Woodward over Kathryn Hays (is that it? the memory grows dim...) any day.

I suppose you prefer Belli as well?

 

[Saxman1]

The Alternative Factor. The Omega Glory.

You know, if stranded on a desert isle with nothing but my iPod, I'd take either of these over The Empath.

I'd probably be happier sucking on a coconut than watching TAF, but Glory I kind of like. Give me Morgan Woodward over Kathryn Hays (is that it? the memory grows dim...) any day.

I suppose you prefer Belli as well?

Belli...the drag queen in the shower curtain?

 

[Esteban]

I suppose you prefer Belli as well?

No, I think I'd leave that in the library along with The Empath.

Trying to be charitable, I can see where Joyce Muskrat, whatever, was going, and I guess it might have worked out.

Naaaah.....

 

[Kryton]

I suppose you prefer Belli as well?

Belli...the drag queen in the shower curtain?

HEY, now...that's not entirely ... uh ... inaccurate.

 

[trevanian]

I suppose you prefer Belli as well?

No, I think I'd leave that in the library along with The Empath.

Trying to be charitable, I can see where Joyce Muskrat, whatever, was going, and I guess it might have worked out.

Naaaah.....

I thought about it a bit, and I think the way folks have problems with EMPATH is like my problem with PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN ... it is just too damned hard to watch (unless you're stoned, in which case PLATO is a scream.) In terms of crossing the line into slash and help/hurt, I think PLATO really jumps in with both flippers, whereas EMPATH ... well, for me it is like Fincher's SE7EN ... I just find it practically above criticism. Even the hokey slomo stuff is okay with me.

 

[windwood]

Empath just really shows the connection. Everyone is willing to give his life for the other two.

And they do it without any coercion. That is the great lesson, imho, that kindness, compassion and sacrifice flow from within without any prompting. An empathic response is a flow of healing energy from one person to the other. It's entirely natural. The Empath is being taught not to resist the flow.

"The field draws it strength from you. The more you resist, the stronger the field becomes."

The original script had far stronger Christian elements, but was toned down in production (according to a webpage I just read ). The end result is more secular but still mystical (and the Biblical "Pearl of Great Price" reference feels more like a comment on the events than a casting of the story as Biblical allegory).

Very nice episode.

 

[Esteban]

I find this discussion fascinating, to coin a phrase. I would love to see the demographics on the fans of the this ep vs. the detractors, especially as it seems to have many of both.

I mean, it's not like And The Children Shall Lead, or The Alternative Factor, which seem to pretty much rank right down there on everyone's list.

I'm on record as detesting The Empath. I'm a 48 year old straight WASP Ivy League-educated male Eagle Scout. Sounds like I should run for President, but I'm a little too far left, would never wear a flag lapel pin, and would never reference anyones' God in a speech.

I watched TOS as a kid, loved it during the syndication years, went to some of the original conventions in NYC during the 70's, and have a life (though many would differ, given that I whistle Fred Steiner cues to myself).

So now you know all about me. I absolutely loathe The Empath.

Et tu?

 

[Michael]

I'm an almost 25 years old left-wing male who's a vegetarian, an atheist, a design student, a German and a heterosexual. I watched TOS as a teenager.

Oh, and I love The Empath.

 

[Esteban]

See how much fun this is? Based on a sample of 2, we see that The Empath skews young (more desirable for advertisers).

If NBC had this kind of data, TOS might still be on the air, in Germany at least!

 

[M'Sharak]

Not Ivy League, though WASP is close enough (or was.) Watched "The Empath" on its original run. Still like it, and I think the minimalism of the set design adds a lot to the creepy feeling of it.

 

[Joanna McCoy-Kirk]

It's certainly one of the better third-season episodes.

JL