S.T. original series , Episode: Plato's Stepchildren
- Thread starter Phaser 7
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They ran out of script ideas, so the producers said "Let's do a parallel planet episode about Nazis!" 
And it's not like anyone will be offended by it is it? 
JB
JB
I couldn't agree more, Matt! It's the one show without any redeeming features unless you have a thing about seeing Shatner in a toga?
JB
JB
...or Captain Kirk training for the equestrian events in the 2154 Starfleet Olympics :
And as I've said before, Plato's Stepchildren cannot possibly be the worst episode of the series. No one likes the humiliations scenes, neither do I. Those aside, you have super-powered bullies who beat up our heroes as well as poor Alexander. Then our heroes use their ingenuity to pull the upset, beat the bullies at their own game, and yet still show classic Trek mercy. What's not to like about that? Alexander is a compelling character. His presence alone makes this better than the worst episodes of the series, so yes, the episode has redeeming qualities.
"Plato's Stepchildren" is bottom-of-the-barrel TOS.
The slide in the end credits from "Patterns of Force" is here:
http://tos.trekcore.com/gallery/albums/3x10/Platos_Stepchildren_339.JPG
The slide in the end credits from "Patterns of Force" is here:
http://tos.trekcore.com/gallery/albums/3x10/Platos_Stepchildren_339.JPG
Yes, it was a stinky poo-poo episode.
"Plato's" has a few excruciating scenes, but you also get a moving performance out of Michael Dunn, plus another visit from the always-welcome Barbara Babcock. On my personal "worst" list, this one is fourth from the bottom.
I won't argue with your point on Michael Dunn, who was a superb multi-talented performer... but the 'humiliation' scenes are so awful as to render the entire episode unwatchable to me. As bad as other episodes are, they are at least watchable. Even "And the Children Shall Lead," my second worst rated episode, has some things about it I like*.
And it doesn't have Melvin Belli in the episode either.
If it did then it would be in the running for worst TV episode of all time.
*Not including Melvin Belli.
I'm not sure, but his son Ceasar Belli probably had more acting ability that his dear old dad Melvin.
Exactly. And they are humiliation scenes, and not thrown in just to be "wacky". I have never seen them as anything but their dignity being ripped away. When they ask McCoy "How long can you let this go on?", it's one of the most effectively disturbing moments in ST. It's an excellent episode.
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The next twenty times this episode is brought up, am I going to have to see "stinky poo poo" as a review?
Ran out? It was probably on the first list of ideas, along with cowboys, gangsters and Rome. Part of Trek's selling point was to use existing sets, costume and props.They ran out of script ideas, so the producers said "Let's do a parallel planet episode about Nazis!"
That was a way of getting by when they couldn't afford better, not their primary goal. Note that it wasn't until the second half of season two that they leaned on alternate Earths really heavily. Literally it's every third episode at that point.
IIRC, several early plot ideas included "parallel earth" ideas. Though they might not have been fleshed out until later seasons.
I remember reading that 2 of GR's very early story lines involved the dinosaur age and JFK's assassination.
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