Production Order Group Viewing 2018

[CorporalCaptain]

I'm grateful that no on in Amok Time said to Spock, "gee you're having a real Amok Time here" or when the Horta was in the tunnels lurking someone saying, "The Devil in the Dark is killing us" It just underlies the first draft nature of this one for me.

Hang on, hang on.

In "The Devil in the Dark," the singular "devil" was never used in dialog, but "devils" was used twice.

The first time was during the mind meld. Spock channeling Mother Horta referred to the miners as "Devils!"

Then, in the epilogue, Venderberg said "First thing the little devils do is start to tunnel."

So, I'd like to offer the opinion to the court that "the devil in the dark" means both ignorant mankind as well as the underground Horta.

 

[Marsden]

Objection overruled, the quote "The Devil in the Dark" wasn't used.

One character explaining something important wasn't interrupted by another exclaiming the title.

Now you can rebut me saying Kirk said "A Changeling" and not "The Changeling" but it still seemed to me that it was a strange thing to interrupt Spock even causing Spock to say, Huh? That was my point.

I thought Conscience of the King was a great title that worked into the episode very well.
Apple was an ok use, for the episode, because that whole "paradise" business was baloney and the episode was too burdened with silliness, the title was the least of it's problems.
By Any Other Name wasn't just the title of the episode, it seemed to be it's main theme, that calling something by a certain name doesn't change it's nature.

Even when the people on Landru's planet started saying "Are you Archons?" it seemed part of the natural story to me, no one stopped in the middle of Red Hour and yelled "Return of the Archons!"

I think this dead horse has been beat enough. If I liked this episode I probably wouldn't have cared to mention it.
I do want mention that as all over the place it was, the execution was rather well done, I enjoyed Kirk talking Nomad to death, too bad it wasn't part of a better episode.

Wasn't this the first appearance of the Anti-Gravs? Another good thing lost in the rest.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Objection overruled, the quote "The Devil in the Dark" wasn't used.

It wasn't my intention to get into a back and forth about whether the title was used as dialog, but mainly to point out that your interpretation of who the devil in the dark was was incomplete.

 

[johnnybear]

Most of the episode titles refer to events as seen in the episodes, and those that aren't are usually taken from poetry and also bear some resemblance to something in the story!
JB

 

[Marsden]

It wasn't my intention to get into a back and forth about whether the title was used as dialog, but mainly to point out that your interpretation of who the devil in the dark was was incomplete.

Yes, I agree with you, that was a great episode all the way around because you couldn't really say who "the Devil" is here. Some of the miners even seemed like it was Kirk for showing up. You could even say the Devil was miscommunication/language barrier.

Sorry my "Objection overruled" sounded more hostile than funny, that's why I put the after it but the court room term seemed to fit.

Side note on that episode, I always thought it would be cool if someone made a wiki article about it but titled as either "The Battle of Janus 6" or even "The Federation Horta War"
Then they'd have that summary box with the commanders, (Mother Horta vs. Vanderberg and later Kirk) and casualty numbers, (Horta side Thousands, Federation 53 killed several wounded) Results, Negotiated end of hostilities resulted in a peace treaty and trade agreements between both parties. Did the Horta actually join the Federation? It seems like it but it's an interesting point.

 

[johnnybear]

No, I would say the Horta did not join the UFP! In fact Spock says they feel disgusted by the appearance of humans in the same way that humans felt repelled by a lumbering hairy pizza creature! But they came to an agreement not to bother each other and avoid any unnecessary contact! The strange thing was the Horta mumma liked Spock's ears!!!
JB

 

[Marsden]

I have one last comment about Changeling but it's out of our forum somewhat, it would have been an interesting twist that when Scott came back in Relics that they detected he was functionally immortal because Nomad "repaired" him.

 

[Poltargyst]

The Apple

Kirk rockin the wraparound again.

The Federation has scout ships! Apparently they make sensor scans as they pass by a planet but don't investigate further. That's for starships.

Watch out for the dart-throwing Triffids!

That's some happy banter with Scotty considering they just lost a man.

And now Chekov's making moves on Martha. Apparently no one really liked Hendorff anyway.

How much Starfleet invested in Spock...so they do use currency?

Redshirt #2 down. This is definitely a dangerous planet.

THREE redshirts down. We lost four last week. I'm starting to think there's something not good about wearing red.

Pretty neat how Kirk slaps the phaser to his thigh and it sticks.

All the deaths are starting to wear on Kirk. Nice to see Spock and McCoy trying to console him.

Why is Kirk's first impulse to punch Akuta? "We come in peace" SMACK

Hutch! Where's Starsky?

Kirk is getting sadder as this episode goes on and he keeps getting worse news. Later, though, he's pretty Zen about everything when he tells Martha to relax.

Vaal! When I was a kid I had this Star Trek play set with a big dinosaur and this glove. It was called Mission to Gamma VI. This episode takes place on Gamma Trianguli VI. I imagine the playset was inspired by this episode.

Ha ha. Chekov smiles to Martha when Spock gets bounced by the force field. He was a little too convincing in his "pretend' fight with Spock too. Maybe Chekov is getting sick of Spock's half breed interference. If only a bunch of hippies would come along and show him how to beat The Man.

Discard the nacelles and escape with the main section? Wow! Never knew they could do that!

You'd think the villagers would get shot by triffids or step on rocks and get blown up from time to time. Or does Vaal protect them from those things and only sicced them on the strangers?

It doesn't seem like the food the people give to Vaal would provide enough energy to support everything Vaal does. Maybe he has another source of energy as well?

Interesting debate between Spock and McCoy--they both have points. McCoy is arguing one of the themes of TOS. It is WRONG for people to exist in happiness doing nothing. People should be MISERABLE while making progress.

Chekov and Martha: "Everyone on the ship is about to die. Let's make out!"

So where do these replacements come from? Can Vaal create fully adult people as he needs them? Does Vaal cause a couple to get horny and have a baby as needed or can Vaal make women have virgin births? Although they had no idea what children are. Maybe Vaal has clones?

Kirk always has a way of working around the Prime Directive.

Spock is having one tough episode. Shot with poisonous darts, bounced off a force field, blasted with lightning.

Vaal didn't consider the fact that his people suck at fighting.

Spock: "...they have learned to kill." Another of those iconic lines that stuck with me as a kid.

Kirk's beating himself up for not beaming up at the first sign of trouble, but if they'd gone back to the ship they all would have died because they wouldn't know about Vaal.

Spock is certainly spry for having second degree burns.

And another TOS theme. If something appears to be a god, it is an alien that needs to be overthrown.

I shake my head at Kirk's speech at the end. These people are going to be in a world of hurt like they've never known. Suddenly, rather than have free food for no work, now they will toil. Rather than having perfect weather at all times, now they will know harsh weather. And disease. And death. And are they going to have to worry about the triffids and the exploding rocks now? It wouldn't surprise me if they all end up cursing the day the strangers came and killed Vaal. Wouldn't surprise me if they all died before long one way or another. I realize it had to be done to save the ship (although later we will learn that a Captain is supposed to sacrifice his life, his ship, the lives of his crew to avoid breaking the Prime Directive) but to act like this is some kind of unqualified blessing seems unwarranted. The Federation better get a team stationed on Gamma Trianguli VI ASAP to help these people out.

A good episode I generally enjoy.

Alien Watch! Not counting Vaal, but he has peeps!

Alien Watch! No new aliens (not counting Nomad)
Season 1
Talosians
That big ugly Rigellian guy Pike fought in illusion
Vina as an Orion girl in illusion
Glimpse of other aliens captured by Talosians
Ron Howard's brother
That dog from Enemy Within
Salt monster
That hand plant...Gertrude
Spock (duh)
Charlie's parents (Thasians)*
Romulans!
(Ruk)
Miri's planet kids (bonk bonk)
Giant ape creatures of Taurus II
Shore Leave Caretaker guy
Trelaine and his folks*
Gorn
Metrons*
The Lazerii
The remarkably human-looking aliens of Beta 3. (RotA)
The remarkably human-looking aliens of Emineminar VII (AToA)
The Triffids of Omicron Ceti III (TSoP)
The refreshingly non-human-looking Horta
Organians*
Klingons! (Remarkably human looking).
(The Guardian of Forever)
Flying pancakes

Season 2
Sylvia and Korob
The Companion
The remarkably human looking (though tall) Cappellans.
Native Pollux IV-ians (Apollo and his gang)
Full-blooded Vulcans
The remarkably human looking citizens of Argelius II (WitF)
Redjac
The People of Vaal (Gamma Triangulians)

*Alien Watch sublist: omnipotent aliens!

 

[Pauln6]

I'm ambivalent about the Apple; it has very unpleasant colonial overtones but it does have some fun themes.

How many people beamed down again?

If a third of the crew is female, why is there only one woman and why is she the only one who isn't an officer? why a yeoman instead of another security guard? It reminds me of Operation Annihilate where everyone, including McCoy is armed with a phaser except Yeoman Zahra.

If they hadn't planned on using an Adam an Eve theme, would they have bothered featuring Martha at all? At least she's a yeoman who is able to fight!

I expect the natives follow safe paths as directed by Vaal. It feels like the planet ecosystem is part of a controlled experiment. I expect the whole place was sterilised a week later by whoever built Vaal.

 

[Mytran]

Wasn't this the first appearance of the Anti-Gravs? Another good thing lost in the rest.

I thought the same thing but completely forgot to add in in my summary (I think I got a bit overwhelmed with all the new sets).

Still, an excellent addition to Trek Tech

 

[Henoch]

How many people beamed down again?

Nine total. Six in the first sortie, and three in the second sortie. I love it that Martha wears a security belt with a phaser!

 

[Henoch]

Red Shirt Death Toll:
1. Death by poison thorns.
2. Death by lightning bolt disintegration.
3. Death by exploding rock landmine.
4. Death by clubbing of head.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Red Shirt Death Toll:
1. Death by poison thorns.
2. Death by lightning bolt disintegration.
3. Death by exploding rock landmine.
4. Death by clubbing of head.

4/4!

 

[Commishsleer]

I thought the same thing but completely forgot to add in in my summary (I think I got a bit overwhelmed with all the new sets).

Still, an excellent addition to Trek Tech

Yes the anti-gravs were great.
I think the Nomad effects were great back then and even now.
A great episode with a lot of good exciting stuff.
1. Nomad.(as someone else has pointed out the perspective, anti-gravs etc)
2. Nimoys mind meld
3 Shatners acting
4. Scotty's defense of Uhura
5 Scotty's resurrection

Bad Stuff
1. Roykirk - cpme on.
\2. Uhura's reprogrammingof all her experience and knowledge in a week - clearly ridiculous
3; 90 photon torpedoes - really?

Nine total. Six in the first sortie, and three in the second sortie. I love it that Martha wears a security belt with a phaser!

Great to see a female crew member fighting - Yeh!
Not much of that in TOS until TAS

I used to think "The Apple"was skating the line with the Prime Directive but 20 people on the planet vs over 400 on the Enterprise. Kirk had to save his people.

 

[Henoch]

No Prime Directive issue, Kirk was under Starfleet orders to establish first contact:

KIRK: Well, the last scout ship reported some pretty strange sensor readings. Starfleet wants it investigated and the inhabitants contacted. We do what we're told.​

Was Yeoman Martha Landon and the center guy in the photo part of security? Nope. She was ordered to start recording by Kirk:

KIRK: Start your readings.​

Security would not be asked to be distracted by doing other work like recording data, so the other red shirt guy with a tricorder is probably not security, either. Up to this point, he was not in the line of fire, and a security man won't be caught so off-guard for the clubbing.

 

[Pauln6]

No Prime Directive issue, Kirk was under Starfleet orders to establish first contact:

KIRK: Well, the last scout ship reported some pretty strange sensor readings. Starfleet wants it investigated and the inhabitants contacted. We do what we're told.​

Was Yeoman Martha Landon and the center guy in the photo part of security? Nope. She was ordered to start recording by Kirk:

KIRK: Start your readings.​

Security would not be asked to be distracted by doing other work like recording data, so the other red shirt guy with a tricorder is probably not security, either. Up to this point, he was not in the line of fire, and a security man won't be caught so off-guard for the clubbing.

Yeoman Mears was asked to start recording in Galileo 7. The main job of most of the women on TOS landing parties is to switch on a tricorder. And make the coffee while on the ship, obviously. Yeesh .

 

[Mytran]

THE APPLE

With all the retreads from earlier episodes, this story feels a lot like polished fanfic! Elements include:

• Living people should not be enslaved by a machine, even if it gives them healthy, controlled lives (Return of the Archons)
• The population of a planet who never age and remain childlike? (Miri)
• A power on the planet stops the Enterprise from beaming up the landing party (Squire Of Gothos, Shore Leave, A Taste Of Armageddon, Catspaw, Who Mourns For Adonais)
• The Enterprise is paralysed by a superior power from the planet, and must use its phasers to resolve the problem (Who Mourns For Adonais)
• Spock’s poor justification of his sacrificial actions (saving Kirk from the plant) is reminiscent of The Galileo 7 (but without all the LOLing)
• Embarrassing conversation about sex and reproduction (Charlie X)
• Scotty refers to fly paper (Corbomite Manoeuvre)
• Kirk completely destroys the extant way of life on a planet and despite his limited knowledge of their culture, genuinely thinks his "human" way is best (Return Of The Archons, A Taste of Armageddon, This Side of Paradise)
  
• Kirk climbs up the triangular ladder and joins a colleague in conversation (Amok Time)
• Kirk and McCoy make fun of Spock’s appearance to close out the episode (numerous episodes)
• So many redshirt deaths! It's like the writer took the trope and dialled it up to 11

I think the only "Trek" feature absent is Kirk wooing a woman! Fortunately, Chekov is wound up and ready to go in that regard. Just look at that big grin on Chekov’s face when he strides up to show the natives what “love” is by slipping his arm around Yeoman Barrows (not that she's complaining). I suspect that they saw this planet survey as a little weekend away in the woods together. Barrows does try and take the high ground (twice) by expressing concern about the ship and crew burning to death, but Kirk already deflated much of that tension at dinner. Certainly, she and Chekov waste no time in "getting to know" one another. I guess there's not much privacy on the ship?

Having said all that, it is a fairly entertaining episode but certainly not a remarkable one. There are a few nice moments; some Kirk backstory (Mallory’s father helped get him into the academy), some self doubt (Kirk chastises himself for staying on the “paradise planet” and mourns the death of the 3 men) and the realtionship between Barrows and Chekov comes across as genuine. However, there's just so much goofy stuff going on, most of it at Spock's expense: He gets knocked off his feet twice (shot by a flower, then by Vaal’s forcefield) and is later struck by lightning! Of course, Spock's plot armour remains strong and he lives through all these experiences. I might have included his classic Vulcan toughness in that list up there too, I don't think it's ever been tested this much before.

NEW TECH!
Reference to jettisoning the warp drive nacelles, in order to escape from the planet. However, it is an extremely dangerous procedure (according to Scotty). Maybe they use explosives to separate the ship?

Speaking of Scotty, Kirk really butters him up in this episode:

KIRK: Scotty, you're my Chief Engineer. You know everything about that ship there is to know. More than the men who designed it!

Scotty's always been shown to be competent at his job and an excellent improviser, but has Kirk ever been so overt in his praise before? Well, apparently he means it and has 100% confidence in his Chief Engineer’s plan. This means he can act completely unbothered by the impending death of his ship and crew at dinner, which in turn relaxes Barrows enough to enjoy some alone time with Chekov.

So what is the deal with this planet anyway? Who built Vaal and why? How many “people of Vaal” are even on the whole planet? Do they have enough genetic diversity to even prosper? To me, this seems like the last remnant of a long forgotten civilisation who built a machine to take care of themselves and their planet, then lapsed into apathy and withered nearly away (another Trek trope), their population shrinking to the minimum size Vaal needed in order to sustain itself.
Alternatively, they could have willingly surrendered themselves to Vaal's control, knowing that they lacked enough genetic diversity to prosper naturally.

All that is ruined now.

 

[Pauln6]

It's Yeoman Landon rather than Barrows but I find it just as easy to refer to them all as Yeoman Not-Rand. I get the impression that the planet was not the first time they'd engaged in snoo snoo though.

 

[Mytran]

It's Yeoman Landon rather than Barrows but I find it just as easy to refer to them all as Yeoman Not-Rand. I get the impression that the planet was not the first time they'd engaged in snoo snoo though.

Yikes, you're right! I jotted down "Barrows" in my initial notes and then never bothered to double check the transcript.
Slapped wrist for me!

And yes, I think they had had some prior smooching, but this would still be a rare "island" getaway for the lovestruck young couple.

 

[Pauln6]

Yikes, you're right! I jotted down "Barrows" in my initial notes and then never bothered to double check the transcript.
Slapped wrist for me!

And yes, I think they had had some prior smooching, but this would still be a rare "island" getaway for the lovestruck young couple.

I love the way Kirk slaps them down for canoodling on duty. Far more realistic than NuSpock and NuUhura snogging for 5 minutes on the transporter pad when the Earth is about to implode.