Joel Revisits TOS....

[RAMA]

Well there was a city that looked a lot like Roman ruins surrounding the Guardian of Forever.

I'll PM you my contact info so we can keep in touch.

*****
The City On the Edge of Forever ​

Story

Kirk and Spock must track down a drugged McCoy who has not only beamed down to a random planet, but has ran into a time portal on said planet that takes him to the 1930s and changes the current timeline. Arriving a few days before McCoy in the 1930s, Kirk falls immediately for a woman who works with the homeless and who coincidentally affects the outcome of the future whether she lives or dies. Kirk must decide whether or not to save his current crush or let her die when they meet up with McCoy.

Plot Issues/Plot Holes

● There is no city on the edge of forever. The title pertains to an actual city on the brink of time in Harlan Ellison’s original script. Not too mention, the actual script involved actual drug use and more Janice Rand. Alas, it was changed to more safer fare.

The city, in regards to the episode, can be 1930s New York since the future is going to be decided there, but that might be reaching.

● When McCoy shows up, he gets better on his own. So the urgency is lost. The plot device becomes Edith Keeler’s life or death, and it's kind of predictable what is going to happen for the story to move forward.

Miscellaneous Thoughts

● Kyle is hurt again by someone who wants to use the transporter unauthorized.

● I like the way Spock refers to the 1930s as a ‘barbaric’ period particularly in Earth’s American history.

● The vagrant unknowingly killing himself was played for laughs, but it's also a bit dark since no one will miss him. At the same time, one can see it as karma for him stealing McCoy’s phaser.

● In the TNG era, the 20th century seems to be an era many are well-versed in. Yet here, McCoy doesn't know who Clark Gable is.

● A romance doesn't make sense in the timeframe of the story. It would have made more sense to have Kirk and Edith be mutually fascinated with one another, nothing more. We got the 23rd Century in danger, a romance shouldn't be in the mix.

Score

3 out of 5. Some consider this one of the best of the TOS episodes. I'm not one of them, unfortunately.

Next Up
Operation: Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminaaaate!
(Actually, the episode, in all seriousness, is: Operation: Annihilate!)​

 

[Joel_Kirk]

Well there was a city that looked a lot like Roman ruins surrounding the Guardian of Forever.

Maybe, but we don't know if it was hanging on.....forever.

In the actual episode, it could have been a city...or just a place where the Guardian stood. We don't know.

 

[Gary Mitchell]

• Chekov, our new edition for this season, has a horrible wig. This isn't something novel, but it has to be pointed out. (Yeah, yeah. The Beatles were big during this time as well as Davy Jones from The Monkees, but the hairstyles actually suited those guys....not so much Walter Koenig). He joins Landru with cheesy, horrible hairstyles.

I used to really hate that wig. However, after a recent Star Trek rewatch, I now equally hate his terrible combover or whatever it's called.

 

[Joel_Kirk]

I used to really hate that wig. However, after a recent Star Trek rewatch, I now equally hate his terrible combover or whatever it's called.

hahahahahaha

We reach!!!

 

[Joel_Kirk]

Metamorphosis​

Story:

Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are transporting a sick - ‘sick’ as in literally sick, not the slang version of ‘badass’ - Assistant Federation Commissioner Hedford to the Enterprise - 4 hours away - on the shuttlecraft Galileo, but are thrown off course when they come across an alien cloud, forcing them to land on a nearby planet. On this planet they meet the humanoid Zefram Cochrane, the man who invented warp capabilities. They - Kirk, Spock, and McCoy - also find out they are supposed to remain on the planet as companions for Cochrane, despite Hedford dying of her sickness.

Plot Issues/Plot Holes:

● It’s too convenient how Cochrane immediately falls for Hedford when he meets the fours as they land on the planet. The Companion just so happens to possess Hedford, who conveniently has never been loved and seems okay with the possession, and falls for Cochrane and has no problem staying on the planet with him.

This is my second time, I believe, seeing this episode...and I felt it was kind of projected what the outcome of this episode was going to be.

Miscellaneous Thoughts:

● Why would Starfleet send a sick commissioner to stop a war when she should be getting medical help? This is just as bad as the Enterprise being the ‘only ship in the quadrant’ when the Federation has thousands of ships, as they should have thousands of diplomats.

● I like how this fits in with the canon in regards to Star Trek: First Contact. When Cochrane landed, he was dying and he was 87 years of age. The Companion probably probed his mind and saw someone that looked like the actor in this episode rather than the face we saw in the film.

●I like the music in this episode. The bit that opens the episode is used again in “Trouble with Tribbles.”

● I like the bit where McCoy suggests Kirk use diplomatic means rather than aggressive means to get through to the cloud.

● I like the bit where Hedford, possessed, holds up the sash she wore to see Cochrane in a manner she would see him if she were still in cloud form.

● Mr. Chekov (and his horrible wig) isn’t in this episode. I don’t feel he was needed.

● I don’t like how, because The Companion has a feminine voice, it is automatically surmised that she is a ‘lover’ of Cochrane. What if it was male? Or what if Hedford was male and The Companion was a ‘female’ who possessed said male Hedford? Kirk assumes, in the 23rd century, that male/female is a constant in the universe. How does he know that being that they’re still ‘exploring new lifeforms and new civilizations?’

● Kirk shows his flaws when he makes a joke at the end about the Federation finding another woman to stop a war.

Score:

3.5 out of 5. A few non-progressive moments bring this down while there are some touching moments between Cochrane and the possessed Hedford.

Next Up
Friday’s Child​

 

[RAMA]

Despite the qualms of the execution, the episode is pretty progressive.."love the one you're with"! It didn't really matter that the concept of male and female might not be a constant, it's an alien that's not even biologically compatible!! Now that beats that Kirk-Uhura nonsense that didn't really happen anyway.

RAMA

Metamorphosis​

Story:

Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are transporting a sick - ‘sick’ as in literally sick, not the slang version of ‘badass’ - Assistant Federation Commissioner Hedford to the Enterprise - 4 hours away - on the shuttlecraft Galileo, but are thrown off course when they come across an alien cloud, forcing them to land on a nearby planet. On this planet they meet the humanoid Zefram Cochrane, the man who invented warp capabilities. They - Kirk, Spock, and McCoy - also find out they are supposed to remain on the planet as companions for Cochrane, despite Hedford dying of her sickness.

Plot Issues/Plot Holes:

● It’s too convenient how Cochrane immediately falls for Hedford when he meets the fours as they land on the planet. The Companion just so happens to possess Hedford, who conveniently has never been loved and seems okay with the possession, and falls for Cochrane and has no problem staying on the planet with him.

This is my second time, I believe, seeing this episode...and I felt it was kind of projected what the outcome of this episode was going to be.

Miscellaneous Thoughts:

● Why would Starfleet send a sick commissioner to stop a war when she should be getting medical help? This is just as bad as the Enterprise being the ‘only ship in the quadrant’ when the Federation has thousands of ships, as they should have thousands of diplomats.

● I like how this fits in with the canon in regards to Star Trek: First Contact. When Cochrane landed, he was dying and he was 87 years of age. The Companion probably probed his mind and saw someone that looked like the actor in this episode rather than the face we saw in the film.

●I like the music in this episode. The bit that opens the episode is used again in “Trouble with Tribbles.”

● I like the bit where McCoy suggests Kirk use diplomatic means rather than aggressive means to get through to the cloud.

● I like the bit where Hedford, possessed, holds up the sash she wore to see Cochrane in a manner she would see him if she were still in cloud form.

● Mr. Chekov (and his horrible wig) isn’t in this episode. I don’t feel he was needed.

● I don’t like how, because The Companion has a feminine voice, it is automatically surmised that she is a ‘lover’ of Cochrane. What if it was male? Or what if Hedford was male and The Companion was a ‘female’ who possessed said male Hedford? Kirk assumes, in the 23rd century, that male/female is a constant in the universe. How does he know that being that they’re still ‘exploring new lifeforms and new civilizations?’

● Kirk shows his flaws when he makes a joke at the end about the Federation finding another woman to stop a war.

Score:

3.5 out of 5. A few non-progressive moments bring this down while there are some touching moments between Cochrane and the possessed Hedford.

Next Up
Friday’s Child​

 

[UnknownSample]

If ever there was a justifiable "love at first sight" moment in a story, this is it. It's not supposed to be normal or "believable" in terms of ordinary, unepic, real, everyday life. There are indefinables at work. You're expected to find it miraculous-- that's what they were going for.

I assume Hedford became sick while on the trip. About ‘only ship in the quadrant’... since I have absolutely no idea where these places are in relation to the Federation, I take them at their word. In TOS there are many remote areas without a Federation presence. I also think the original intent was to have a fleet of twelve starships, and that's it. We "correct" that now to just twelve of that class, but back then, it really was supposed to be one starship alone in a vast area, usually. Non-star ships? I don't know.

I like the conversation where they're telling Cochrane the cloud probably loves him. K, S, and M represent a future point of view which casually accepts all sorts of relationships between very different beings. I missed this as a kid. Then when Cochrane is weirded out by it and stomps off, Spock says "Fascinating. A totally parochial attitude!" Human being and cloud... what's your problem, you narrow-minded throwback!-- they almost say. Seeing this in recent years, I felt I must be hallucinating. Are they saying what I think they're saying ? Yup, they were. Good for them.

 

[RAMA]

yeah, once they are in deep space they're committed. it's not like they could just turn around.

If ever there was a justifiable "love at first sight" moment in a story, this is it. It's not supposed to be normal or "believable" in terms of ordinary, unepic, real, everyday life. There are indefinables at work. You're expected to find it miraculous-- that's what they were going for.

I assume Hedford became sick while on the trip. About ‘only ship in the quadrant’... since I have absolutely no idea where these places are in relation to the Federation, I take them at their word. In TOS there are many remote areas without a Federation presence. I also think the original intent was to have a fleet of twelve starships, and that's it. We "correct" that now to just twelve of that class, but back then, it really was supposed to be one starship alone in a vast area, usually. Non-star ships? I don't know.

 

[RAMA]

Maybe, but we don't know if it was hanging on.....forever.

In the actual episode, it could have been a city...or just a place where the Guardian stood. We don't know.

They did a set extension in 16:9 for the remastering of the "city".

 

[Maurice]

● Why would Starfleet send a sick commissioner to stop a war when she should be getting medical help?

They didn't:

NANCY: I should've received the proper inoculations ahead of time.
MCCOY: Sakuro's disease is extremely rare. The chances of anyone contracting it are literally billions to one.
NANCY: I was sent to Epsilon Canaris Three to prevent a war, Doctor. Thanks to the inefficiency of the medical branch of the Starfleet, I've been forced to leave before my job was done.

 

[Joel_Kirk]

They didn't:

NANCY: I should've received the proper inoculations ahead of time.
MCCOY: Sakuro's disease is extremely rare. The chances of anyone contracting it are literally billions to one.
NANCY: I was sent to Epsilon Canaris Three to prevent a war, Doctor. Thanks to the inefficiency of the medical branch of the Starfleet, I've been forced to leave before my job was done.

Hmmm, so as stated in my review, Starfleet/The Federation didn't give her the proper inoculation before sending her out and Hedford had to leave the posting before the completion of her job due to the worsening of her condition. Hence, they --Starfleet/The Feds -- knowingly sent out a sick diplomat when they could have used another.

Hmmm....:/

Now that think of it: I wonder if Hedford's demeanor was due to the ineptitude she had to deal with?

They did a set extension in 16:9 for the remastering of the "city".

I vaguely recall a pan of the area in the remastered version.

 

[TwoJakes]

what if Hedford was male

It's possible that the companion wouldn't have taken the shuttle then, also it might not have taken the shuttle if the female passager wasn't dying. The companion was actively looking for a female host body.

he makes a joke at the end about the Federation finding another woman to stop a war.

If the various factions in the war were of matriarchal societies, this would make sense.

 

[scotpens]

. . . This is my second time, I believe, seeing this episode...and I felt it was kind of projected what the outcome of this episode was going to be.

The Companion and Commissioner Hedford merging into a single entity? Well, I certainly didn't see it coming.

I don’t like how, because The Companion has a feminine voice, it is automatically surmised that she is a ‘lover’ of Cochrane. What if it was male? Or what if Hedford was male and The Companion was a ‘female’ who possessed said male Hedford? Kirk assumes, in the 23rd century, that male/female is a constant in the universe. How does he know that being that they’re still ‘exploring new lifeforms and new civilizations?’

I think you're projecting your 21st-century sensibilities onto a TV show from nearly 50 years ago. The notion of love between a male human and a female, uh, cloud was pretty damn progressive for the time.

Kirk shows his flaws when he makes a joke at the end about the Federation finding another woman to stop a war.

Yeah, those forced jokey endings were already starting to be an annoying cliché.

Hmmm, so as stated in my review, Starfleet/The Federation didn't give her the proper inoculation before sending her out and Hedford had to leave the posting before the completion of her job due to the worsening of her condition. Hence, they --Starfleet/The Feds -- knowingly sent out a sick diplomat when they could have used another.

My impression is that either she contracted the disease while conducting negotiations on Epsilon Canaris Three, or the disease has a long incubation period and no one knew she was infected until the symptoms showed. It wouldn't be standard procedure to inoculate against a disease when the chances of getting it are "billions to one." Just like today, no one gets routine smallpox vaccinations anymore.

The only part of this episode that seemed a bit "off" to me was Cochrane's initial revulsion at the idea of the Companion loving him. I mean, it's not as if the Companion were some gross bug-like thing with tentacles. It's a goddamn cloud, for Christ's sake!

. . . what if Hedford was male

It's possible that the companion wouldn't have taken the shuttle then, also it might not have taken the shuttle if the female passenger wasn't dying. The companion was actively looking for a female host body.

That's an interesting retcon, but as written, the Companion was only looking for other human beings to keep Cochrane company.

 

[TwoJakes]

as written, the Companion was only looking for other human beings to keep Cochrane company

I think there was more, the Companion wanted a relationship with Cochrane. If the existing one was sufficient, why combine with Hedford?

To save her life? Hedford meant nothing to the Companion. The Companion's intention was to become flesh and blood, for Cochrane.

 

[Maurice]

The Companion didn't grab the shuttle because of Hedford and had no intention of merging with her until Kirk gave her/it the idea by stating that she couldn't love Cochrane because she wasn't human.

 

[Joel_Kirk]

Tks for the comments guys...

***​

Friday’s Child​

Story
Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are the away team/landing party (along with a young redshirt) to talk with the warrior-like Capellans. Unfortunately, the Klingons have sent a single agent (to the surprise of the young redshirt who immediately wants to shoot said Klingon and is immediately killed by a Capellan before doing so) to also bargain for mining rights. After helping deliver a baby, the son of a leader killed during a coup, they manage to get on the side of faction that may just favor a Federation alliance.

Plot Issues/Plot Holes
● This is not so much a straightforward episode, but it’s not so much a confusing or convoluted episode. Little details like where the crew are going (Capella IV) and why they are on the planet (mining rights) may go over the heads of first time viewers....especially those who saw this episode pre-internet or who are casually watching the episode for the first time. (This would probably be the third time I’ve seen this episode in my lifetime).

Miscellaneous Thoughts
● The entire crew (i.e. the crew that will go ahead in the movie series) is in this particular episode. Yes, even Chekov’s horrible wig makes an appearance.

● I like the Capellans. They are reminiscent of the Ligonians from the TNG episode “Code of Honor.” The difference is: There is no mention of the inferiority/superiority of the Capellans. However, the fact that the Capellans utilize melee/non-energy weapons hints their technology is not on the level of the Federation/Starfleet. Not too mention, the fact that Eleen is not familiar with McCoy’s medical practices shows an even further hint of Capellan technology.

●The redshirt was, in particularly, stupid. His death, while regrettable, showed his lack of thinking under pressure. I do like that Kirk mentioned that he was ‘young’ and ‘inexperienced’...and even mourned for a bit.

●Maab always reminded me of Wings Hauser, even though the character is not portrayed by that actor. Hauser would probably be little kid at the time anyhow.


●Uhura looks particularly sexy in this episode, I don’t know what it is.


●There is a hilarious bit where Maab’s coup is going on and Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are taking out the guards where they were being held. Kirk manages to go one on one with a Capellan while Spock and McCoy are watching. Spock, in particular, is watching with arms folded until Kirk is done. (HAHAHAHAHA).


●Julie Newmar and Lee Meriwether both portrayed Catwoman and characters in the original Star Trek. It would have been interesting if Earth Kitt showed up as a character in Star Trek as someone.


●A few bits of the incidental music would show up in the NES Star Trek game, the one for Star Trek’s 25th anniversary.


●I’m a feminist, but I know there are those (who take feminism too far) who would probably have a problem with McCoy returning Eleen’s hit when he is trying to help her through birth. One: She hit him first. Two: One Capella IV, strength and might define the man or woman. If he didn’t return the hit, she would have thought him weak and probably would have continued to hit him.

As weird as it may sound: He gained her respect by standing up for himself.

●I didn’t notice it before, but the Capellan names are two or more syllables: Maab (pronounced Mah - ab) ...Akaar (pronounced Ak-ah-ar)...and Eleen (as El-ee-en).

●It’s a small bit, but it’s cool to see Scotty with a group of security guards running to the rescue.

●I didn’t know what the title referred to, so I had to look it up. Apparently, it - the title - refers to a poem where a ‘Friday’s child’ (or a child born on Friday, rather) is loving and giving. While it’s not stated the Capellan’s concept of Sunday - Saturday, it hints that Leonard James Akaar, the child born to Julie Newmar’s character, will be a loving and giving leader -- something that may be a bit of an anomaly in that particular culture. A reason Maab’s coup against the elder Akaar occurred.

Score
3.9 out of 5. Another routine episode of TOS. It’s interesting; nothing more or less.

Next Up:
Scotty is in the FriendZone
in
"Who Mourns for Adonais"​

 

[Maurice]

...is immediately killed by a Capella...

Hi-larious typo.

 

[Joel_Kirk]

Hi-larious typo.

Fixed...lol

 

[Joel_Kirk]

Who Mourns for Adonais?​

Story

While traveling to an unstated destination, the Enterprise crew comes across a literal hand (in space!) that stops the ship in its tracks. The being who the hand belongs to, Apollo, calls a landing party down to his planet; the first of many, where he plans on watching over them as a ‘God’ watches over his (or her) children. Of course, the crew don’t want to be marooned on a world with omnipotent being telling them what to do - at least those not named Carolyn Palamas.

Plot Issues/Plot Holes

● Apollo and Palamas fall in love way too quickly. (Or was it lust?) In the original script. Palamas was supposed to be pregnant with Apollo’s kid by the end of the episode, which would have been too much. Granted, Apollo is a ‘God’ so he probably has some super-sperm (or something) but it’s really asking a lot of the audience.

Not too mention, when Apollo disappears with Palamas to wherever, I wonder if time is different where ‘they’ are compared to where the rest of landing party/away team/the group of people who beamed down are?

Miscellaneous Thoughts

● When Apollo’s open hand shows up on the Enterprise viewscreen, approaching the ship, Uhura says, “It’s almost as if it means to grab us!” (Uhhh, ya think, Uhura?)

● Chekov returns…with his horrible hair! (Like Landru’s hair or Lazarus’ beard, or even Captain Ramart’s hair from “Charlie X,” Chekov’s hair needs it’s own credit).

●There is a hilarious bit (aside from Uhura stating the obvious) when Apollo’s head appears and talks ancient rhetoric. When he’s done, or thought to be done, Kirk is about to reply, but Apollo resumes speaking....having Kirk give an amusing reaction.

●The fan series Star Trek Continues did a sequel to this episode.

● Archeology and Anthropology is Palamas’ forte. I wonder if she had the same interest in ‘ancient’ beings like Lt. Marla McGivers? McGivers fell for Khan just as quickly as Palamas fell for Apollo.

● Scotty is in the FriendZone. In the opening, we get he has a huge crush on the blonde science officer, but her romantic interests are not reciprocated; her ‘love’ is for Apollo. And it’s kinda sad that Scotty is struck down three times in front of the landing party, which includes Carolyn Palamas, each time he tries to ‘save’ her.

●I’m noticing that the Enterprise is frequently diverted by omnipotent beings to serve in some way. Either that, or they’re transporting an uptight commissioner.

● “You seem wise for a woman,” says Apollo to Palamas at one point. He’s an ‘old school’ individual, a being that possibly inspired the Greek gods. Still, you would think a 23rd century woman would correct him, even with a hint of jest. She does not. (Obviously, too smitten with him to do so).

Earlier on, it’s interesting that Kirk and McCoy talk about a woman like Palamas will find her man and then she’ll be out of Starfleet, as if she can’t serve and have her man and possibly little Palami (pronounced ‘pala-mai’). Three men assuming her role based on her gender.

With that said:

●It’s cool seeing Uhura handle repairs at her station with blue coveralls over her red uniform.

●Lt. Leslie, at one point, is seen taking over Mr. Spock’s station.

●The title refers to ‘God’ basically; it’s combining Adonis and Adonai together, I believe. Hence, who mourns for God? (Later in the franchise, it is asked “Who Mourns for Morn?”)

Score

3.8 out of 5. The episode isn’t ‘all that.’ It’s a routine episode with issues. Palamas is eye candy, the attractive Lieutenant (in lieu of the attractive yeoman) that appears in the episode. While she looks good in the Starfleet uniform and the Greek-inspired dress, her character is stereotyped due to her gender. At the same time, her character isn’t horrible.

As aforementioned, the love between Apollo and Palamas doesn’t ring true unless we count it as lust and not love; and the script is telling us, and wanting us to believe, it’s love. Especially when Apollo loses his power and we see Palamas turn away in sadness.

Next Up​

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Amok Time​

 

[Joel_Kirk]

Amok Time​

Story

Spock is going through Pon Farr (i.e. it’s been seven years and he needs to get laid) and it’s affecting him; he’s not cool and composed, but angry. (Interestingly, there are a few humans who are like that when they don’t get laid, but I digress). Kirk must go against Starfleet orders and divert to Vulcan where Spock must fight for his lover, T’Pring. The one he must fight is his friend and Captain, James T. Kirk.

Plot Issues/Plot Holes

● None!

Miscellaneous Thoughts

● This was still when the Vulcans were mysterious, exotic...sexy. And no stupid bowl cuts! (Shame on Enterprise! Shame!)

● This comes off as a high-concept episode. I don’t think they did those in that era, but this episode comes off as an episode where, like ‘Balance of Terror,’ the producers wanted to go all out and do something different: Focus on Spock and finally show his people and culture. Not too mention, have a script where everything clicks and everything moves the story along.

●I wanted to eventually meet the exotic Arlene Martel, who was gorgeous in this episode as T’Pring. She would, as most of us know, reprise her role as T’ring in the fanfilm “Of Gods and Men.” In that film, she - T’pring - would marry Stonn (Lawrence Montaigne, again) and Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), showing that Uhura always had a thing for Vulcan men...lol

Martel is actually the reason I watch the classic Twilight Zone episode ‘What You Need’ and the Outer Limits episode ‘Demon with a Glass Hand.’ (Which reminds me of Blade Runner for some reason...Hmmm).

RIP...Ms. Martel.

●Nurse Chapel returns, to primarily try to get the attention of the first officer. Alas, she is in the FriendZone here just as Scotty in the previous episode with Carolyn Palamas.

● Kirk takes a back seat, something that is the exception, not the norm. The only episode with the original crew he doesn’t appear in at all is the episode ‘The Slaver Weapon’ from Star Trek: The Animated Series.

I like how he is definitely out of his element from dealing with Spock on the Enterprise to being drafted into fighting Spock on Vulcan.

●Yes, Chekov and his wig makes an appearance.

●The guitar theme for Spock makes it’s first appearance. It would show up again in the next Vulcan-centric episode ‘Journey to Babel.’

●Admiral Komack is on the list of ‘Reasonable Admirals.’ In Star Trek lore, the Admirals are mythically thought to be power crazed or incompetent, but that isn’t true here. When Kirk asks to divert to Vulcan from a mission to Altair VI, Komack doesn’t budge. Kirk, out of respect for Spock, doesn’t divulge much information about what Spock is going through...so naturally, Komack is going to deny the request to change course for what seems to be a minor matter.

● The remastered version gives the audience a bit more scope when Kirk, Spock, and McCoy beam to Vulcan and walk to the area of the wedding ceremony. The new effects are timed pretty well with the score that was already edited with the scene.

●I just now noticed the helmets on the Vulcans resemble those used with the Romulans. It may be a budget issue ‘out-universe’ but it makes sense ‘in-universe.’

● The Vulcan Executioner (who I used to draw while watching this episode on videodisc) acts only ‘if cowardice is seen.’ (I always used to think T’Pau meant that HE was the one who was cowardly, when McCoy asks if said executioner was going to fight Spock. I was like ‘If he’s an executioner, why would he be cowardly? Especially if he’s a Vulcan?’) Anywho, it makes sense if the executioner or mediator steps in since those in Pon Farr are already going crazy as it is; emotions will be high.

●T’Pau, speaking of which, is cool. Again, I don’t know if I like the Enterprise version of her. It loses the mystery of the character when we try to tell ‘what happened before.’ (I’m looking at you Han Solo prequel!)

●There are some obvious stunt doubles seen. Something the producers and editors couldn’t foresee with the remastering, Blu-Rays, etc.

●Royka! (A word that should be used more in the real world).

●Star Trek novels are hit-or-miss, but I do recall T’Pring in the book “Spock’s World.” She is shown to be xenophobic, trying to separate Vulcan from the Federation. I may read it since I do currently own said novel

Score

4.8 out of 5.

Obvious stunt doubles and, to a lesser extent, the fact the ‘fight music’ makes me think of Futurama had me taking off a few points. It’s still one of the best episodes of the franchise; I, of course, like it also because of Arlene Martel.

Next Up​

The Doomsday Machine​