I have been surprised to find so much love for "The Corbomite Maneuver" in the "Hurt/Heal"-game in recent weeks. As I didn't want to clog up that thread, I thought I start this one as I would really appreciate the supporters to come forward with some explanation for their fondness.
I had not seen this episode (just like most of the others) for more than ten years, just remembering it to be rather lame.
It just so happens that I recently found reasonably priced season 1 combos so now I start watching TOS with my children - in production order and, for the time being, only the harmless stories where no one dies.
You guessed it: The first ever Star Trek episode for them (other than TAS and ST IV - TVH) was CM, despite my memory of it.
I must admit there were some little things I enjoyed seeing, like the opening shot looking from above on the bridge with the empty command chair in the middle, Spock dramatically raising into the frame (had they not promised to NBC early on to keep Spock low-key?) or the crowded corridors. And, of course, the basic premise ("dont be afraid of alien life, better investigate it") is good, being the essence of Star Trek in a nutshell.
But the execution IMHO was actually worse than I had remembered.
Why did Kirk order the drill? He was rather reluctant to give the order to shoot but when it came, it was executed right away. Who was going to learn from that drill - Bailey by lording it over the phaser crews?
I thought it was quite plausible and well played when Bailey eventually cracked but did he have to make such an absolute fool of himself earlier on when he could not follow the most basic instructions?
My eldest (11) found it strange that they decide on the rescue mission after listening in on the distress signal with the claim that life-support is failing, but they see no reason for space suits, sensing the oxygen content to be actually higher than normal (well, maybe the First Federation likes its fires to burn a little brighter).
Scott then tells them to bend over - good advice as they materialize in an alcove. Once they have stepped out of it, they can stretch again as the ship seems to be a flying curtain shop with really high ceilings. What the free-standing girders are good for, only Balok knows.
And what about him? Why is he all alone? Is he the first, the last, the only of his kind? Has he formed a "Federation" all with himself? Why would he build a large ship, if he is all alone (and the Fesarius is not just an illusion either the way he speaks about it)? Why would he long for company but try to scare other space ships away with buoys (rather lucky for him that Kirk didn't take "no" for an answer)?
And what about that talk of Bailey coming back after some time as a better officer? From all we know, he was left to rot, the "First Federation" disapears as it came to never be heard of again ... Thinking of it, it is really a shame, Balok did not take this episode with him. The first season would have been better without it.
And now I brace myself against all sorts of comments, the good, the bad and the ugly.
I had not seen this episode (just like most of the others) for more than ten years, just remembering it to be rather lame.
It just so happens that I recently found reasonably priced season 1 combos so now I start watching TOS with my children - in production order and, for the time being, only the harmless stories where no one dies.
You guessed it: The first ever Star Trek episode for them (other than TAS and ST IV - TVH) was CM, despite my memory of it.
I must admit there were some little things I enjoyed seeing, like the opening shot looking from above on the bridge with the empty command chair in the middle, Spock dramatically raising into the frame (had they not promised to NBC early on to keep Spock low-key?) or the crowded corridors. And, of course, the basic premise ("dont be afraid of alien life, better investigate it") is good, being the essence of Star Trek in a nutshell.
But the execution IMHO was actually worse than I had remembered.
Why did Kirk order the drill? He was rather reluctant to give the order to shoot but when it came, it was executed right away. Who was going to learn from that drill - Bailey by lording it over the phaser crews?
I thought it was quite plausible and well played when Bailey eventually cracked but did he have to make such an absolute fool of himself earlier on when he could not follow the most basic instructions?
My eldest (11) found it strange that they decide on the rescue mission after listening in on the distress signal with the claim that life-support is failing, but they see no reason for space suits, sensing the oxygen content to be actually higher than normal (well, maybe the First Federation likes its fires to burn a little brighter).
Scott then tells them to bend over - good advice as they materialize in an alcove. Once they have stepped out of it, they can stretch again as the ship seems to be a flying curtain shop with really high ceilings. What the free-standing girders are good for, only Balok knows.
And what about him? Why is he all alone? Is he the first, the last, the only of his kind? Has he formed a "Federation" all with himself? Why would he build a large ship, if he is all alone (and the Fesarius is not just an illusion either the way he speaks about it)? Why would he long for company but try to scare other space ships away with buoys (rather lucky for him that Kirk didn't take "no" for an answer)?
And what about that talk of Bailey coming back after some time as a better officer? From all we know, he was left to rot, the "First Federation" disapears as it came to never be heard of again ... Thinking of it, it is really a shame, Balok did not take this episode with him. The first season would have been better without it.
And now I brace myself against all sorts of comments, the good, the bad and the ugly.
