Spock's Brain
- Thread starter QuasarVM
- Start date
It's just too much fun for it to be the worst episode of TOS.
Compare it to bad 'uns like "Turnabout Intruder" or "And the Children Shall Lead." Or even one I like knowing it's bad, "The Alternative Factor."
The plot is straightforward and logical (aliens steal Spock's brain, they chase them to find it, it's inside a machine running a planet) there are plenty of goofy lines (the givers of pain and delight, any that mentions Spock's brain
) and the usual three way interactions between Spock, McCoy and Kirk.
Or in simple terms, you don't notice time going by when you watch it. If you have to labour to like an episode, it's time to pop in a BSG disc.
Compare it to bad 'uns like "Turnabout Intruder" or "And the Children Shall Lead." Or even one I like knowing it's bad, "The Alternative Factor."
The plot is straightforward and logical (aliens steal Spock's brain, they chase them to find it, it's inside a machine running a planet) there are plenty of goofy lines (the givers of pain and delight, any that mentions Spock's brain
) and the usual three way interactions between Spock, McCoy and Kirk.Or in simple terms, you don't notice time going by when you watch it. If you have to labour to like an episode, it's time to pop in a BSG disc.
I will always have a soft spot for this episode - it's not only the first one I ever saw, but I saw it first-run in September 1968, the first episode broadcast in the third season. I became a fan (I was 12 and didn't yet know that these episodes were a step down, scriptwise, from earlier seasons) and cursed NBC when it canceled the show; clearly the curse has finally taken effect (given NBC's announcement that they've effectively given up on scripted programming with the Monday-to-Friday Leno primetime hour to start next fall).
I remember watching it the first time knowing that it was absolutely an abomination coming from other fans point of view. I found myself actually enjoying it because it was so bad. It's one of those love to hate things I guess.
Star Trek's spinoff series' have many, many worse and more horrific epsiodes than "Spock's Brain." Consider for example Enterprise's "A Night in Sickbay". Say what you will about "Spock's Brain", at least it doesn't involve Kirk's dog peeing on an alien plant as a major plot point. And at no time during the episode does McCoy suggest to Kirk that the real reason he's upset about Spock's brain being stolen is that he needs to get laid with Uhura.
That must've been a surreal experience seeing that one first run!
I may have...but I'd have been five years old back then. My memory of what I saw first run and what I saw when they first started showing re-runs blurs...I know I saw some of them first run.
Exactly! But, I don't hate it because it IS a fun episode...for all the wrong reasons, but it is fun...
I still say it has one of the most dramatic openings of any episode.
It felt like they were going out of their way to make 50s style popcorn flick.
"His BRAIN is gone!!!"
"His BRAIN is gone!!!"
Hear, hear.
Why isn't that technology ever used or mentioned again, by anyone ever?
N
NCC1968
Guest
With lines like "Brain and brain - what is brain?" how can it lose
Bah, what useful technology ever is? The psychic water and food from "Wink of an eye" or "Plato's Stepchildren"? Nomad's warp drive improvements? Any amendments that the Kelvans made? The Romulan cloaking device stolen by Spock and Kirk?
N
NCC1968
Guest
^It's almost like every episode must stand alone..............
Yes!
Well, except for "The Trouble with Tribbles."
Well, except for "The Trouble with Tribbles."
With all the advanced technology the Federation has been exposed to, they should be practically invincible by the 24th century.
The crew of the Enterprise and indeed every member of Starfleet, acts exactly like a 20th century human suddenly handed some 23rd century science and using it as they see fit.
Much like the writers of the show then.
Re: Spock's Brain -- Orci Timeline Version...LOL!!!
No way!!!
I think Spock's Brain will still have happened, but it'll be a remastered version of events -- one that ties into Vulcan mythology.
The Eyemorg spaceship will be a souped-up, pumped up uber-redesigned ion powered starship. Spock recognizes the ship and uncharacterically shows emotion -- telling Kirk to deploy shields! He says the ship resembles something from Vulcan mythology -- the "chariot" of a race of beings know as the "Takers" that kidnaps Vulcans in their sleep and takes them into unknown space for purposes unknown. They were known as the givers of pain and delight pr "The Takers". Kirk starts to ask Spock a question when Kara materializes on the bridge. The Eyemorgs/Morgs will have forehead ridges and Ferengi/Vorta like ears (in other words, their ears are molded into their heads. Why? I dunno. Sounds cool.). Females will have a different skin tone than the males...and the mini skirts and go-go boots will be gone. When Kirk and Co. beam down to Sigma Draconis, they will be wearing snow gear amidst a huge blizzard. Robo Spock will have a blinking electronic beanie on...and will float rather than walk...using anti-grav technology to make him float.
Discussion of Spock's katra take place in sickbay between Bones and Kirk and Scotty. On the viewscreen, Sarek elaborates on the Vulcan myth of the "Takers" and tells Kirk if they don't get Spock's Brain retrieved within a certain timeframe then even his Katra will be dead -- Spock will be lost forever! Kirk tells Sarek every myth has its basis in reality...and he has a hunch that that reality exists in the Sigma Draconis star system (the destination of the ion ship).
After Kirk and Co. beam down to Sigma Draconis, they are attacked by a massively huge tentacled snow monster called the "Qah-Queej" (Pronounced "CAH-KEEJ")which is brought down by the Morgs (using guns that fire implant devices that produce and electric charge)! After Kirk and Co. beam down to Sigma Draconis, they are attacked by a massively huge tentacled snow monster called the "Qah-Queej" (Pronounced "CAH-KEEJ")which is brought down by the Morgs (using guns that fire implant devices that produce and electric charge)! "Impressive weaponry..." Kirk tells the Morg leader, Trong. "Yes, but these weapons are useless against the Takers. They can bring down the mighty Qah-Queej and yet are worthless against the Takers. Ironic...do you not think?", sayeth Trong. "Who...are...the Takers" says Kirk. "The Takers come for all like us...and bring others from beyond the sky. The Qah-Queej brings only pain. They bring pain and delight", says Trong.
The pain-giving devices are kind of Borg technology implants (Not Borg...but you know what I mean...).
Kara tells Kirk and Co. that only Vulcan brains can sustain life on their planet. They tried other aliens millennium ago, but they did not have the longevity of Vulcan brains due to a life-giving aura of energy they produce that other alien brains did not (Katra?).
The subject of the Katra is a very mysterious thing to Kirk/McCoy...they don't really know what it is at this point. It's foreshadowing for the events of Star Trek III!
McCoy uses the remastered teacher device and learns that the Takers have been harvesting Vulcan brains for their technology and are the SOURCE of the Vulcan myth!
After the alternate universe events occur -- Spock runs around with a grotesque scar on his forehead from the surgery of brain replacement -- until McCoy uses the tri-laser skin refurbisher to fix it!
Yeah...that's about it...whatever else I failed to update here is the same as in the original timeline version.
But...bottom line...Spock's Brain WAS/IS stolen! In fact, the whole timeline now revolves around it.
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Yeah...I liked the women too...
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