I agree, 'Spock's Brain' is just so harmlessly fun. Yeah, the plot seems a bit contrived, yeah there are inconsistencies (what episode doesn't have them?) But it has this innocent feel of a sci-fi show for kids. And I loved Chekov, Sulu, and Uhura getting the chance to say something, even though it's probably just because Kirk's butt buddies are otherwise occupied *eyeroll* it's great to see them anyway.
In Defense of "Spock's Brain"
- Thread starter KirksStuntMan
- Start date
It's great to see that other ST fans see the positive merits of "Spock's Brain". I still find it to be an entertaining episode.
This lady tried the Teacher out and now she's the new Federation ambassador to Uranus.
I'd like to say she's attractive but its impossible with all the garbage that comes out of that mouth.
I like to think it's the same thing as the "polaric ion power" mentioned in VGR: "Time and Again," the power source that's so potent and unstable that there are treaties banning its use. If the Eymorgs were able to harness it safely, that is something that Scotty would be impressed by.
I don't even have a problem with the conceit of Spock undergoing extensive brain surgery without having his head shaved or anything. I figure the brain was just beamed out/in and that McCoy reattached the neurons with remote-controlled nanites.
Maybe Khan was talking about different men?
Ah, I'd forgotten that. Still ... having seen Limitless, I'd have to wonder if a computer capable of giving you medical information necessary to transplant a brain into a machine couldn't also give you electronics information appropriate to build a portable unit.
Well, that's not exactly how it works. It gave the Space Bimbos information appropriate to flying an interstellar spacecraft while untethered. Furthermore, she retained the info long enough to actually make an interstellar flight. At also must have given the information necessary to at least extract a Vulcan brain from its body.
Again, I'd put the thing on and see if I could improve it and tether it.
Maybe -- we don't really know for sure as the plot never required that fact. It would be consistent with the episode, however.
Dakota Smith
Well, hell, when you put it like that ... a child could do it!
Maybe Khan was talking about different men?
It was about Chekov, he was undergoing facial reconstruction surgery at the time...
Oh I considered something advanced for that procedure, its just the they don't realistically portray it, by hiding the work it just still looks silly.
So THAT'S how they do it on the soap operas!
'Cuz hardly any characters who undergo brain surgery ever need so much as a band-aid, and they have perfect hair immediately after the operation...
So THAT'S how they do it on the soap operas!
That's science fiction for you. Spock's hairdo undergoes 2 major surgeries, but still comes out with a shiny glow to it!
After read the above defences for this particular episode, I still have to say it was the worst of the lot. It reminds me of when Nelix lost his lungs in Voyager and the Doc sets him up with temp holographic ones whilst there's a frantic search for the originals, another crazy idea.
Is it really worse than "And The Children Shall Lead" or "Plato's Stepchildren"????
In terms of ideas "Spock's Brain", "And the Children Shall Lead", and "The Alternative Factor" were not that bad--it just how those ideas were presented that that made them horrid.
As for ideas that were bad to begin with "The Mark of Gideon", "That Which Survives", and "The Way to Eden" come to mind.
I should say even by TOS standards "Spock's Brain" has a lot of internal illogic. The civilization has ion power-which is beyond Federation technology and in addition they have two other inhabitable planets right in their own solar system. So they don't use their ships to colonize as their planet turns into an ice cube.
Then you have the idea of the men only living on the surface and the women underground. How did that happen? Better yet why is it maintained? Then you have the issue of men becoming primitives and the women idiots--again why?
At least "Spock's Brain" is enjoyable in a Plan 9 sort of way. "And the Children Shall Lead" and "The Alternative Factor" are boring and the less said about the ideas behind "The Mark of Gideon", "That Which Survives", and "The Way to Eden" the better.
^^Yes, if given a choice between watching either "Spock's Brain" or "And The Children Shall Lead"...I'll put the former into the DVD player. It's not my favorite 3rd season episode, but when compared to some of the other script clunkers in the final year, it at least keeps me interested enough to watch it.
Yeah!!!!
Boo!!!
Yeah!!!!
Boo!!!
Some of us actually do like 'The Way to Eden."
In terms of ideas "Spock's Brain", "And the Children Shall Lead", and "The Alternative Factor" were not that bad--it just how those ideas were presented that that made them horrid.
As for ideas that were bad to begin with "The Mark of Gideon", "That Which Survives", and "The Way to Eden" come to mind.
I should say even by TOS standards "Spock's Brain" has a lot of internal illogic. The civilization has ion power-which is beyond Federation technology and in addition they have two other inhabitable planets right in their own solar system. So they don't use their ships to colonize as their planet turns into an ice cube.
Then you have the idea of the men only living on the surface and the women underground. How did that happen? Better yet why is it maintained? Then you have the issue of men becoming primitives and the women idiots--again why?
At least "Spock's Brain" is enjoyable in a Plan 9 sort of way. "And the Children Shall Lead" and "The Alternative Factor" are boring and the less said about the ideas behind "The Mark of Gideon", "That Which Survives", and "The Way to Eden" the better.
Well at least we didn't see a giant celery alien. That was a relief, but how did Spock know how to complete the operation at all. McCoy was a doctor and on the outside of the situation. what made Spock so smart? Medically or otherwise? Weird how people just accept this.
Yea some of these middle episodes could have used some major development. I'm thinking of 'The Lights of Zetar' (a science ep.written by a woman as well). 'The Mark of Gideon' was written by that chick with the puppet. i liked her and that puppet act alot with the lipstick. Actually it was a very sexy puppet, but what did she know about writting science fiction or was she one of GR's casting couch clients. My least favorite was by Gene Coon - 'That which survives' VGR did a better job with that concept of invisable aliens and AF could have been alot better too.
Yea some of these middle episodes could have used some major development. I'm thinking of 'The Lights of Zetar' (a science ep.written by a woman as well). 'The Mark of Gideon' was written by that chick with the puppet. i liked her and that puppet act alot with the lipstick. Actually it was a very sexy puppet, but what did she know about writting science fiction or was she one of GR's casting couch clients. My least favorite was by Gene Coon - 'That which survives' VGR did a better job with that concept of invisable aliens and AF could have been alot better too.
