Spock in THE GALILEO SEVEN

[david g]

Rewatching this episode, I am amazed at how poorly Spock comes across in it, particularly in his assigning one of the ensigns to certain death in an area full of the planet's ten foot tall monsters! THE THOLIAN WEB is a much better Spock-in-command episode. I used to think Galileo was a classic, but it doesnt hold up well. Thoughts?

On a lighter note, I think Uhura had a little more visibility here than she usually does.

 

[simmsbc]

I think this was all about humanizing Spock through the rest of the crew, because when he starts out he is all about logic and the needs of the many out-weighing the needs of the few ( I know it wasn't said but the philosophy was evident from Spock's actions) and in the end it is a purely emotional act of desperation that saves the day.

 

[Basil]

N'ah, it works -- TOS in the beginning treated its heroes as flawed but admirable, in short, like classic heroes. The notion of perfect people really doesn't happen until the early years of TNG. The only problem I have with the episode is the notion of that being Spock's first command, which seems highly unlikely given his rank and position aboard the Enterprise. I do see how it could have played out with Pike-era Spock.

 

[david g]

I think the final act works quite well, but I just think that Spock comes across as idiotic rather than Vulcan at other points in the episode.

 

[Timo]

The only problem I have with the episode is the notion of that being Spock's first command, which seems highly unlikely given his rank and position aboard the Enterprise.

One might argue that this would be the first time Spock commanded a detached party of the Enterprise 5-yr-mission crew. That'd be momentous enough - the first time these particular guys and gals see him in action - yet not in contradiction with what was said in the episode.

After all, the whole idea that this would be Spock's "first command" is based on this exchange:

McCoy: "Well, I can't say much for the circumstances, but at least it's your big chance."
Spock: "My big chance? For what, Doctor?"
McCoy: "Command. Oh, I know you, Mister Spock. You've never voiced it, but you've always thought that logic was the best basis on which to build command. Am I right?"
Spock: "I am a logical man, Doctor."
McCoy: "It'll take more than logic to get us out of this."
Spock: "Perhaps, Doctor, but I know of no better way to begin. I realise command does have its fascinations, even under circumstances such as these. But I neither enjoy the idea of command, nor am I frightened of it. It simply exists. And I will do whatever logically needs to be done. Excuse me."

Nothing about "firsts" there, really. The only thing we really learn here is that McCoy is looking forward to seeing Spock make important command decisions all on his own. And since we have seen that McCoy has seen Spock make some important command decisions already, but onboard the starship, we can deduce that McCoy now wants to see Spock make those decisions when Kirk isn't around...

Timo Saloniemi

 

[EEE]

The only problem I have with the episode is the notion of that being Spock's first command, which seems highly unlikely given his rank and position aboard the Enterprise.

One might argue that this would be the first time Spock commanded a detached party of the Enterprise 5-yr-mission crew. That'd be momentous enough - the first time these particular guys and gals see him in action - yet not in contradiction with what was said in the episode.

I think it had more to do with the fact that Spock had never served with Pike prior to this episode, as his time with Pike didn't get dropped into the formula until two episodes later in Menagerie. If they hadn't come up with a way to use that footage, I doubt Spock would've ever have served under Pike until at least the 70's when fans started spreading the "woulda'/coulda'/gonna' stories and information that never happened or made it to the screen (i.e. pre-series and 4th season stories, plans, outlines, ideas, promises, etc.).

 

[Timo]

That doesn't help much with the problem Basil stated, really: Spock in TOS is a senior officer with lots of braid on his sleeves, so the assumption would be that he has plenty of command assignments under his belt - quite regardless of whether such backstory would have been explicated in an episode or not.

But as said, "The Galileo Seven" does not claim that Spock wouldn't have had that command experience. It merely shows us that McCoy is all excited about seeing Spock in action and demonstrating his logical command style - and it's entirely plausible that McCoy wouldn't have seen Spock do that yet.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[JoeD80]

I think it had more to do with the fact that Spock had never served with Pike prior to this episode, as his time with Pike didn't get dropped into the formula until two episodes later in Menagerie. If they hadn't come up with a way to use that footage,

They already knew they were planing to incorpoate the original pilot's footage into an episode somewhere; they started working on that idea when John D. F. Black was still working for the show.

 

[EEE]

If they hadn't come up with a way to use that footage,

They already knew they were planing to incorpoate the original pilot's footage into an episode somewhere; they started working on that idea when John D. F. Black was still working for the show.

So they knew it was going to work then? The script and the whatzits were finalized?

 

[JoeD80]

If they hadn't come up with a way to use that footage,

They already knew they were planing to incorpoate the original pilot's footage into an episode somewhere; they started working on that idea when John D. F. Black was still working for the show.

So they knew it was going to work then? The script and the whatzits were finalized?

Only the idea of an "envelope" around the pilot was finalized at the time. The script was later written by Roddenberry after Black had left, but it had been in the works.

 

[EEE]

They already knew they were planing to incorpoate the original pilot's footage into an episode somewhere; they started working on that idea when John D. F. Black was still working for the show.

So they knew it was going to work then? The script and the whatzits were finalized?

Only the idea of an "envelope" around the pilot was finalized at the time. The script was later written by Roddenberry after Black had left, but it had been in the works.

Oh, okay... so it wasn't a "done deal" yet. Perfectly understandable that a prior script could show Galileo as Spock's first command then. Wouldn't be the only continuity error in the Star Trek universe! *grin* Warts and all, it's still my favorite TV show of all time... to date anyway.

 

[KeepOnTrekking]

After all, the whole idea that this would be Spock's "first command" is based on this exchange:

Quote:
McCoy: "Well, I can't say much for the circumstances, but at least it's your big chance."
Spock: "My big chance? For what, Doctor?"
McCoy: "Command. Oh, I know you, Mister Spock. You've never voiced it, but you've always thought that logic was the best basis on which to build command. Am I right?"
Spock: "I am a logical man, Doctor."
McCoy: "It'll take more than logic to get us out of this."
Spock: "Perhaps, Doctor, but I know of no better way to begin. I realise command does have its fascinations, even under circumstances such as these. But I neither enjoy the idea of command, nor am I frightened of it. It simply exists. And I will do whatever logically needs to be done. Excuse me."
Nothing about "firsts" there, really.

The so-called "first command" lines don't come until later after Spock jettisons the fuel. McCoy makes a command about "So ends your first command." Spock repeats this "Yes, my first command." The scene cuts to the shuttle's orbit starting to decay. I guess the real interpretation of these lines is: Was it Spock's first EVER command? OR Was it Spock's first command under Kirk's watch on the Enterprise? I could easily see a previous situation where Spock and McCoy are debating the merits of command stylesand what's really important. A logical approach or a more human approach like Kirk's relying on intuition. I could see McCoy twisting the knife a bit as Spock's first command is going down in flames literally with the shuttle. It would tie in very nicely with "THe Tholian Web" last orders about Kirk admonishing Spock to seek out McCoy for his human insight and intuition that seems to give Spock difficulties once in a while like in "Obsession" where Kirk is proceeding on hunches and intuition. The big final scene on the bridge in "Galileo Seven" where Kirk baits Spock about making an emotional decision which saved the crew seems to reenforce this.

 

[Basil]

The only problem I have with the episode is the notion of that being Spock's first command, which seems highly unlikely given his rank and position aboard the Enterprise.

One might argue that this would be the first time Spock commanded a detached party of the Enterprise 5-yr-mission crew. That'd be momentous enough - the first time these particular guys and gals see him in action - yet not in contradiction with what was said in the episode.



Timo Saloniemi

It's possible, Timo, but it just feels like the script was conceived for an earlier incarnation, when Spock was a lesser officer, and then updated to fit the Kirk-era ship and crew. Spock certainly "commands" the landing party in The Naked Time, as well as beams down solo in "Dagger of the Mind," and presumably is in command of the Enterprise when Kirk and company are planetside in "Shore Leave." I suppose it hinges on how one defines "command."

 

[EEE]

It's possible, Timo, but it just feels like the script was conceived for an earlier incarnation, when Spock was a lesser officer, and then updated to fit the Kirk-era ship and crew. Spock certainly "commands" the landing party in The Naked Time, as well as beams down solo in "Dagger of the Mind," and presumably is in command of the Enterprise when Kirk and company are planetside in "Shore Leave." I suppose it hinges on how one defines "command."

Perhaps it was his first Enterprise command from mission conception, to planning, to staffing with over x number of crewmembers, involving a separate craft (versus a beamed down landing party). Or perhaps, you're right (my gut agrees with you).

 

[Timo]

Oh, I'm positive that the script indeed works from assumptions that were outdated by other first-season scripts already. It's just a question of whether it can be interpreted in a manner that makes said season a consistent and pleasing whole.

Thanks for the correction, KeepOnTrekking; explaining the events away as not being Spock's actual first command is a bit trickier than I thought. Still, we could argue that McCoy is taking liberties with facts, grammar and stuff, all in the name of a good argument, and Spock at this stage is resigned to play along. (The same would go for McCoy's claim that Spock or Spock's people were "conquered" due to their inability to cope with the dubious pleasures of booze, I guess.)

Timo Saloniemi

 

[KeepOnTrekking]

That's right, Timo . I had forgotten about the 'Vulcan being conquered' contradiction until you mentioned it. The 2 episodes in question there were "The Conscience of the King" and "The Immunity Syndrome" if I'm remmebering right.

 

[Timo]

Semantically, we might argue that "Conscience" only has McCoy stating that Spock's ancestors were conquered. That is, Spock's dad succumbed to the charms of Amanda Grayson due to the inability to withstand booze.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[stoneagepunk]

At that time Spock was Lieutenant Commander by rank. They mention his "first command" and he behaves as if it is, he didn't win the rest of the crew's confidence and seemed a bit indecisive.

He had been under Pike's command for something like 11 years, and under Kirks for 2 years by the time.

Actually, I can't imagine that he is in charge for the first time on this occasion.

 

[maryh]

N'ah, it works -- TOS in the beginning treated its heroes as flawed but admirable, in short, like classic heroes. The notion of perfect people really doesn't happen until the early years of TNG. The only problem I have with the episode is the notion of that being Spock's first command, which seems highly unlikely given his rank and position aboard the Enterprise. I do see how it could have played out with Pike-era Spock.

This was definitely a showcase for one of Trek's favorite themes, logic verses emotion/intuition. But it did seem like it should have happened 10 - 15 years earlier with a much less experienced Spock. The insubordination and disrespect with which he is treated seemed out of place compared to other episodes of this era as is Spock's judgment.

IMO they played Kirk in the TOS era as "too perfect" with perfect judgment, and perfect adoration from his crew. Kirk's greatness and heroism got a little hammy and over the top for my tastes, and then TNG just augmented that "perfection" aspect in its characters even more. It's a clever balance in making a character who is supposed to be a hero that is flawed, yet capable and admirable.

 

[Red Ranger]

People,

Despite Spock's experience, you can make an argument that this was his first command of signficance, despite the fact that he's first officer and we'd already seen him in the center seat on Enterprise.

First off, as a few of you have speculated, his command of Galileo 7 could have been his first separate command of a mission and vessel off of Enterprise.

Second, Spock had been in the science section for quite some time. As far as we know he never served as Pike's first officer, and he was still a relatively green first officer for Kirk, so he probably is still not as experienced in making command decisions as another officer with more time in the command track. I assume the science track doesn't place as much emphasis as the command track does on operational control of the ship and its personnel.

If you take these two possibilities into account as part of Spocks' experience, it makes more sense that he would feel that logic alone would be sufficient to make sound command decisions. He may be half-human, but he's in denial of that half, and seeks always to make decisions as a Vulcan. His early blind spot was not acknowledging his human half, which he does by the end of the ep by making a desperate, emotional decision to jettison and ignite the shuttlecraft's fuel to turn it into a massive flare to attract the Enterprise. He covers that fact by claiming he logically decided that panic and desperation might work for him where pure logic had failed.

And that of course led to one of the best exchanges of the ep, where Kirk says he's a stubborn man, and he replies, "Yes, sir."

Red Ranger