Fact-Checking Inside Star Trek: The Real Story

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

Bad episode? Yeah, it is. But, I'd rather watch it than a lot of episodes from the various spinoffs. It is goofy, yet it seems to be trying to reach for greatness (yet fails in spectacular fashion).

I'd rather watch "The Alternative Factor" than a dozen or so episodes from any of the spinoffs as well.

As for trying to reach for greatness, that might be giving the episode too much credit. TMP was trying for greatness yet fails spectacularly. "The Alternative Factor" was just something that didn't completely gel from start to finish. The concept is just too flawed.

 

[UnknownSample]

Didn't I go on and on about AF, and its positives, earlier in this very thread? I suppose the "we all agree" was with a wink or something. Anyway, the concept was what *did* work. It's in the execution that it half fell apart.

 

[publiusr]

TheI wonder if it is more than just anti-matter--maybe something to do with quantum chromodynamics that is changed with universe flipping. Two examples of Laz can't be the same spin--so one flips and BOOM

You can have anti-matter in compunds
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positronium#Exotic_compounds

Positronium can also form a cyanide and can form bonds with halogens or lithium

 

[johnnybear]

I agree, Ryan! Alternative Factor instead of any of the later series adventures, but can't say I'd rewatch Plato's Stepchildren rather than a TNG or DS9! That one was real bad!
JB

 

[publiusr]

It is a tough episode to explain. Clearly any kind of matter will react badly with any kind of anti-matter.

I think the little saucer somehow changes baryon spin to allow cross-overs--but the protection breaks down if two similar patterns are near one another--something like the fictional Ice-9 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice-nine

The ice-nine phenomenon has, in fact, occurred with a few other kinds of crystals, called "disappearing polymorphs"

So--the way I explain it is to say that there is something else going on--maybe something to do with the chirality of two exact objects in two universes..or something. I'm clutching at straws here.

 

[Harvey]

A new post is up today: http://startrekfactcheck.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-alternative-factor-what-hell.html

More to come on this one!

 

[Tallguy]

The depth and detail of your research continues to astonish me!

 

[Harvey]

The depth and detail of your research continues to astonish me!

Thank you !

This one took a long time to finalize, and I still have to do a lot of work on the next part.

 

[J.T.B.]

The depth and detail of your research continues to astonish me!

And not just research, but interpretation and analysis. It's as good as anything I've ever read on the subject, and better than most.

 

[Sir Rhosis]

Outstanding research, compellingly presented, Michael.

 

[plynch]

book, book, book ... (imagine in an encouraging chant-like voice)

 

[Myko]

Great article, looking forward to the next part!

Do you have any idea how Bjo Trimble managed to turn the character of Larry Riddle into an actor playing "Officer" in her cast list for this episode in the Star Trek Concordance?

 

[Harvey]

Great article, looking forward to the next part!

Do you have any idea how Bjo Trimble managed to turn the character of Larry Riddle into an actor playing "Officer" in her cast list for this episode in the Star Trek Concordance?

The cast list on the shooting script lists an "Officer Larry Riddle" (a carryover from the second Ingalls draft, which reflects how quickly some of the final staff revisions happened). Trimble must have translated this into an Officer, played by Larry Riddle at some point.

 

[Myko]

Makes sense, thanks!

There's a similar issue where Christine Ducheaux (an old name for Chapel) turns into an actor in the cast list for The Naked Time, along with someone called Woody Talbert. They both play "crewman" according to Concordance.

 

[Spock's Barber]

I agree, Ryan! Alternative Factor instead of any of the later series adventures, but can't say I'd rewatch Plato's Stepchildren rather than a TNG or DS9! That one was real bad!
JB

I think both AF and PS had interesting concepts, but when put on film somehow those episodes morphed into something almost unwatchable. AF can be confusing at times and PS had some downright silly moments.

 

[Nerys Myk]

I think both AF and PS had interesting concepts, but when put on film somehow those episodes morphed into something almost unwatchable. AF can be confusing at times and PS had some downright silly moments.

Not sure why it's silly. The Platonians are humiliating and degrading Kirk and Alexander.

 

[Spock's Barber]

A midget riding his Kirk horse is not silly?

What about Spock-o doing the Flamenco around Kirk's head? No wonder Shatner and Nimoy protested about the script.

 

[Nerys Myk]

A midget riding his Kirk horse is not silly?

What about Spock-o doing the Flamenco around Kirk's head? No wonder Shatner and Nimoy protested about the script.

Again, they are trying to humiliate our heroes and use them like playthings. It's kind of the point of the episode and the motivation of the Platonians. It's not like the writers intend the scenes to be normal for the characters.

 

[Spock's Barber]

Again, they are trying to humiliate our heroes and use them like playthings. It's kind of the point of the episode and the motivation of the Platonians. It's not like the writers intend the scenes to be normal for the characters.

but, but, but.....Shatner and Nimoy ended up being humiliated by having to act in what Shatner calls a "rather forgettable and a rather dull Star Trek episode". Nimoy also wrote a letter to GR and Doug Cramer complaining about how Spock was being misused in the 3rd season episodes like PS.

 

[Nerys Myk]

but, but, but.....Shatner and Nimoy ended up being humiliated by having to act in what Shatner calls a "rather forgettable and a rather dull Star Trek episode". Nimoy also wrote a letter to GR and Doug Cramer complaining about how Spock was being misused in the 3rd season episodes like PS.

Seems like they were getting a little full of them selves.