Star Trek TOS Re-Watch

[Warped9]

I didn't enjoy Diane Carey's sequel to Final Frontier (which I ADORED) nearly as much, but I did love that the framing device was Kirk cooling his heels on the homestead after City and mourning Edith.

I quite enjoyed Final Frontier, but the followups were meh. I didn’t care for the framing sequence so much, or I should say the setting, because it went the TNG route where the 1701D could return to Earth whenever it pleased as opposed to the idea the TOS E was “out there” for five years and wouldn’t return until then—so it didn’t ring true for me.

 

[Farscape One]

But I don't think we were supposed to think otherwise. The sky is falling on Sarpeidon and people are essentially running for their lives, but the irony is that the 'running' is taking place in a hushed, ultramodern automated library at the end of time, instead of around an erupting Vesuvius. That air of desperation gives the episode some tragic depth from the start, which pairs well with the fact that the only two escapees we wind up meeting are unhappy (in their different ways).

To be fair, Zarabeth was put in that icy time as a means of punishment, not escape from Sarpeidon's impending doom. So she naturally wouldn't be happy there.

 

[I am not Herbert]

To be fair, Zarabeth was put in that icy time as a means of punishment, not escape from Sarpeidon's impending doom. So she naturally wouldn't be happy there.

I know. My point was that the tone throughout the episode (both in the contemporary Sarpeidon scenes and the scenes in the past) is one of desperation/banishment of one form or another. Flight into the past has been forced upon the residents, in one way or the other. I never got the sense that they believed this to be a way to revitalize or save their society (otherwise they would have coordinated their efforts to go back to specific times to alter history), but rather as a way for individuals to escape immolation (or, in Zarabeth's case, to be punished). So the fact that transport through the Atavachron ultimately wouldn't "work" from a macro, societal point of view (i.e., preventing the nova) never struck me as a plothole or a weakness. Quite the contrary-- a society that has developed enough to allow for individual time travel but cannot do anything but allow it to be a means of individual escapism and denial of eventual realities is an interesting, tragic idea

 

[Farscape One]

I have always loved "ALL OUR YESTERDAYS". It does touch upon some intetesting ideas, like what you mentioned.

I do wonder if the reason we see them going to escape instead of saving their race is because they have already tried multiple times and failed.

 

[Henoch]

Because the plot says:

JUDGE: We can never go back. We must live out our lives here in the past. The atavachron has prepared our cell structure and our brain patterns to make life natural here. To return to the future would mean instant death.
KIRK: Prepared? I was not prepared. Your Mister Atoz did not prepare me in any way.
JUDGE: Then you must get back at once! If you were not transformed, you can only survive for a few hours here in the past. Come. Hurry. Hurry.

If prepared, it's a one way trip into the past. Note that cell structure and brain patterns are transformed. This last part sort of explains Spock's time-degenerating brain patterns. If not prepared, then you must return to the library in a few hours or die. I guess this allows for historians to travel back in their past and make those detailed disc recordings. Apparently, the Atavachron doesn't allow any changes in the time stream, either.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

I agree with Gerrold about "The Cloud Minders." But it was the first episode I saw as a little boy, it hooked me immediately on all things Trek forever, and I'll always be partial to it for that. It has at least one great scene worthy of being on a list of all great scenes in Star Trek, the one in which Kirk objects to Vanna being tortured. It's too bad the scene has a lowbrow conclusion, with the high advisor ordering Kirk to be killed. Vanna is one of my favorite guest characters.

---

Regarding "The Way to Eden," I'll take it any day over much of the third season, including "Spectre of the Gun" and "The Empath," which I understand are relatively well-regarded. The song "Heading Out to Eden" is hands down the best of the lot, with its melancholy arrangement, tempo, and delivery, ironically foreshadowing disaster. The scenes in sickbay and the brig with Dr. Sevrin are both nothing short of excellent. "We reach, Mister Spock" is a great last line, with its multilayered meanings, indicating that Kirk understands the space hippies better, he appreciates both Spock's sympathies towards them generally and the advice Spock had just given Irina specifically, and he understand that they all strive for something better. Also, even Herberts agree that "Eden" is eminently quotable!

 

[I am not Herbert]

Here is David Gerrold's description of his original story (in The World of Star Trek):...

I think David Gerrold might be looking back a little too fondly on his creation and its obvious (to him) superiority to the finished product. With the caveat that they might have been reading a later draft of his story (and with the further caveat that I am offering obvious hearsay evidence of the contents of that story), the description provided by Tilotta and McAloney of that original story does not jump out to me as anything appreciably better than what we eventually got. (Or more subtle; a rebel named "Gue've'che" is a Panco Villa-type? You don't say...): https://www.startrek.com/news/lost-trek-history-the-cloud-minders

And it wouldn't have had Jeff Corey- thus inferior, Q.E.D.

 

[scotpens]

. . . Regarding "The Way to Eden," I'll take it any day over much of the third season, including "Spectre of the Gun" and "The Empath," which I understand are relatively well-regarded.

I like "Spectre of the Gun" and intensely dislike "The Empath." As I've remarked more than once, "Spectre" is a triumph of style over substance, while "Empath" is all style and no substance.

 

[Pauln6]

I like "Spectre of the Gun" and intensely dislike "The Empath." As I've remarked more than once, "Spectre" is a triumph of style over substance, while "Empath" is all style and no substance.

Yeah, I'm the same. Empath just doesn't do it for me.

 

[Rowdy Roddy McDowall]

A worthy message marred by interminable delays with pink force-fields .

 

[Commander Troi]

"The Trouble with Tribbles"by David Gerrold

Oh, the snark is strong with this one!

The cold open starts with an info dump. The Enterprise is heading to Station K7, near a planet (Sherman's Planet) that's disputed by the Federation and the Klingons. Under terms of the Organian Peace Treaty, one side or the other must prove it can develop the planet most efficiently. It could *almost* be a regular episode (even with Spock's shut down of Chekov).

But that's just a scaffolding for the gradual escalation of crazy, as one tribble becomes a dozen, then several dozen, then are all over the bridge, and finally all over the ship and the station. I love the slow decline of the situation.

Baris is gloriously self-important and annoying. Koloth actually doesn't seem to want trouble, but his officer Korax (possibly drunk) starts one of the best bar fights I've ever seen. Scotty just wants to read technical journals and ends up defending the Enterprise's honor. Cyrano Jones has wonderful banter with the barman and I adore how he deftly navigates himself and his drink through the fight. Uhura's delight with the tribble is adorable, as is her exasperation when Kirk puts several in her arms and tells her to clean up the ship.

So many wonderful scenes and lines! It's quotable and no matter how many times I've seen it, I still found myself laughing out loud.

KIRK: I have never questioned the orders or the intelligence of any representative of the Federation... until now.

SPOCK: (stroking a tribble) A most curious creature, Captain. Its trilling seems to have a tranquillising effect on the human nervous system. Fortunately, of course, I am immune to its effect.
(Everyone stares, not buying that. He suddenly realises what he is doing, and puts it down.)

KIRK: I was not aware, Mister Baris, that twelve Klingons constitutes a swarm.

MCCOY: Do you know what you get if you feed a tribble too much?
KIRK: A fat tribble?

KORAX: Kirk may be a swaggering, overbearing, tin-plated dictator with delusions of godhood, but he's not soft.

MCCOY: Does everything have to have a practical use for you? They're nice, soft, and furry, and they make a pleasant sound.
SPOCK: So would an ermine violin, but I see no advantage in having one.

Nimoy, Kelley, and Doohan all have some terrific scenes in this episode, but Shatner... once again, he blows me away. He disdain for Baris; his growing frustration; his face when he realizes Scotty didn't defend him, just the ship; and, of course, his expressions when the tribbles are falling on his head (thanks to DS9, I found myself picturing Dax and Sisko tossing them at him).

I also love him in the entire last scene, dealing with officers who *really* don't want to tell him what they did with the tribbles!

A brilliantly fun and funny episode that let's Shatner show off his comedic timing and expressions beautifully.

 

[HIjol]

I like "Spectre of the Gun" and intensely dislike "The Empath." As I've remarked more than once, "Spectre" is a triumph of style over substance, while "Empath" is all style and no substance.

Yeah, I'm the same. Empath just doesn't do it for me.

With respect to your opinions, I think “The Empath” was some pretty good television and really good concept writing!

Plus, Full Disclosure, I actually grew up next to the Aunt and Uncle of Kathryn Hays, the Empath Actress, and got to meet her at a “thing” they had for her!

 

[fireproof78]

With respect to your opinions, I think “The Empath” was some pretty good television and really good concept writing!

Same.

But, then I'm highly empathetic so it resonates with me.

 

[Pauln6]

With respect to your opinions, I think “The Empath” was some pretty good television and really good concept writing!

Plus, Full Disclosure, I actually grew up next to the Aunt and Uncle of Kathryn Hays, the Empath Actress, and got to meet her at a “thing” they had for her!

I think I dislike it because (shock) I'm not a fan of episodes that are just primarily Kirk, Spock, and McCoy have a fun time with this week's guest stars. I always prefer it when the wider cast is more involved.

 

[Tallguy]

Tribbles: My only complaint about this episode (and somewhat related to the Shatner thread) is that Shatner knows that he's funny here. (And he pretty much is, to be fair.) Compared to A Piece of the Action where, oddly, he comes across as more reserved. Yes, Fisbin, yes, Gangster Kirk. But in those cases Kirk knows that Kirk is playing a character. Here it's supposed to just be Kirk dealing with an outlandish situation. Nimoy on the other hand is amazing.

The startling thing about this episode is that it manages to get an original score AND new models! This was not a cheap episode! In the third season this would have broken the bank!

 

[fireproof78]

I thoroughly enjoy Tribbles, and I think part of it is that Kirk knows he's in an absurd situation dealing with Barris and Koloth and their whole history. So, when he finally gets to be in control of something he hams it up a bit.

I think in this instance Kirk has to play his part of the responsible party to Barris' seemingly over the top requests. Then he plays the ham because he actually got to do his job.

I never found it to be "laugh out loud" funny through the whole episode, but I definitely smile throughout because I feel and understand Kirk's frustration.

 

[Frontis]

Oh I love the Tribbles episode. I just don't like that they sent them to the Klingons in the end because they probably killed them

 

[Ssosmcin]

"The Trouble with Tribbles"by David Gerrold

Oh, the snark is strong with this one!

The cold open starts with an info dump. The Enterprise is heading to Station K7, near a planet (Sherman's Planet) that's disputed by the Federation and the Klingons. Under terms of the Organian Peace Treaty, one side or the other must prove it can develop the planet most efficiently. It could *almost* be a regular episode (even with Spock's shut down of Chekov).

But that's just a scaffolding for the gradual escalation of crazy, as one tribble becomes a dozen, then several dozen, then are all over the bridge, and finally all over the ship and the station. I love the slow decline of the situation.

Baris is gloriously self-important and annoying. Koloth actually doesn't seem to want trouble, but his officer Korax (possibly drunk) starts one of the best bar fights I've ever seen. Scotty just wants to read technical journals and ends up defending the Enterprise's honor. Cyrano Jones has wonderful banter with the barman and I adore how he deftly navigates himself and his drink through the fight. Uhura's delight with the tribble is adorable, as is her exasperation when Kirk puts several in her arms and tells her to clean up the ship.

So many wonderful scenes and lines! It's quotable and no matter how many times I've seen it, I still found myself laughing out loud.

KIRK: I have never questioned the orders or the intelligence of any representative of the Federation... until now.

SPOCK: (stroking a tribble) A most curious creature, Captain. Its trilling seems to have a tranquillising effect on the human nervous system. Fortunately, of course, I am immune to its effect.
(Everyone stares, not buying that. He suddenly realises what he is doing, and puts it down.)

KIRK: I was not aware, Mister Baris, that twelve Klingons constitutes a swarm.

MCCOY: Do you know what you get if you feed a tribble too much?
KIRK: A fat tribble?

KORAX: Kirk may be a swaggering, overbearing, tin-plated dictator with delusions of godhood, but he's not soft.

MCCOY: Does everything have to have a practical use for you? They're nice, soft, and furry, and they make a pleasant sound.
SPOCK: So would an ermine violin, but I see no advantage in having one.

Nimoy, Kelley, and Doohan all have some terrific scenes in this episode, but Shatner... once again, he blows me away. He disdain for Baris; his growing frustration; his face when he realizes Scotty didn't defend him, just the ship; and, of course, his expressions when the tribbles are falling on his head (thanks to DS9, I found myself picturing Dax and Sisko tossing them at him).

I also love him in the entire last scene, dealing with officers who *really* don't want to tell him what they did with the tribbles!

A brilliantly fun and funny episode that let's Shatner show off his comedic timing and expressions beautifully.

Somewhere in this thread, when I reviewed this one, I also noted my enjoyment. It's the only of the three all-out comedies that I like because it is the only one where everyone remains in character throughout. I don't put it nearly as high as most fans (not even in the top ten) but it is certainly the best comedy and I keep it in the rotation.

 

[Tallguy]

Somewhere in this thread, when I reviewed this one, I also noted my enjoyment. It's the only of the three all-out comedies that I like because it is the only one where everyone remains in character throughout. I don't put it nearly as high as most fans (not even in the top ten) but it is certainly the best comedy and I keep it in the rotation.

I assume the three are Tribbles, I, Mudd, and A Piece of the Action?

I rate APOTA higher (and I avoid IM).

APOTA does not play as as much of a comedy to me as Tribbles does. It's funny, sure, but the immediate stakes to the crew are higher. (Obviously the stakes of the entire population of Sherman's Planet being poisoned are darn high but we don't know that until the end. Send a sternly worded letter to Organia over that one, lads.) The density of the gags in Action may be higher than, say, A Taste of Armageddon or By Any Other Name but the jokes are in the same vein and Kirk and Spock are played with the same lightness of touch. The last half of By Any Other Name is as much of a comedy as Tribbles (after a VERY dark first half) and almost as absurd as I, Mudd.

I think the scenes of jeopardy in Action serve to balance Shatner's comedic instincts so he actually winds up playing it less broadly than in Tribbles.

 

[Ssosmcin]

I assume the three are Tribbles, I, Mudd, and A Piece of the Action?

Yup, that's them.

I assume the three are Tribbles, I, Mudd, and A Piece of the Action?

I rate APOTA higher (and I avoid IM).

APOTA does not play as as much of a comedy to me as Tribbles does. It's funny, sure, but the immediate stakes to the crew are higher. (Obviously the stakes of the entire population of Sherman's Planet being poisoned are darn high but we don't know that until the end. Send a sternly worded letter to Organia over that one, lads.) The density of the gags in Action may be higher than, say, A Taste of Armageddon or By Any Other Name but the jokes are in the same vein and Kirk and Spock are played with the same lightness of touch. The last half of By Any Other Name is as much of a comedy as Tribbles (after a VERY dark first half) and almost as absurd as I, Mudd.

I think the scenes of jeopardy in Action serve to balance Shatner's comedic instincts so he actually winds up playing it less broadly than in Tribbles.

Well, sure, there are always stakes and jeopardy on Star Trek, even in the comedies (just as I Dream of Jeannie episodes often had a dramatic plot driving the comedy). The stakes in "Tribbles" to our characters are lower. But APOTA is just as much of a comedy and as it goes on, it becomes a much broader comedy overall that TTWT is. Tribbles builds to the big pile on Kirk, but that's pretty much the only over the top gag. The rest are all in-character bits.

In APOTA, Kirk, Spock and McCoy are immediately greeted by two guys dressed as gangsters with Tommy guns speaking in Prohibition era slang. The episode is directed by sitcom veteran James Komack, so this one, probably more than the other two, was meant to be funny from the start (and yes I know Marc Daniels and I Love Lucy but he was also established as one or Trek's in house top dramatic directors by this time). Where Tribbles and I, Mudd held onto their slightly more dramatic tone for a few beats before letting it fly. The situation then just builds until it's reveling in absurdity. Once Shatner starts his "Okay shweethart" schtick, even I - one of the most ardent Shatner fans - start looking at my watch. It probably feels less broad because he's playing Kirk imitating these guys - which I get. I just don't enjoy it as much any more. Of all the episodes to get a Fotonovel in the 70's, man was I disappointed this was one over the more visually interesting Doomsday Machine or Corbomite Maneuver.

I laughed a lot when I was a kid in the 70's but when I did my most recent revisit, it was a chore to get through. This one, I, Mudd and a small handful of others probably won't cross my path intentionally again until my own personal tape runs out. But, humor is the most subjective of all, so these will hit differently for everyone.