The Case of the Colonist's Corpse
- Thread starter Anubis
- Start date
It's good. Read it.
On the other hand, if you don't like mysteries (or tributes to Perry Mason) all that much, it may not be your cup of tea. I think it's one of only two modern ST novels I returned to the library unfinished (if I recall, Garth of Izar was the other). No offense to the writer, as the book was well written, but it was not for me. {ProfJonathan}
While I enjoyed the book, and the packaging, and the style, and the writing, I have one huge quibble with the book - the thanks. While the authors thank Gene R, the writers of Court Martial, the creators of Perry Mason, various Trek authorities, various friends, etc, all of whom I am sure did contribute and are fully entitled to their thanks - they totally fail to mention Elisha Cook at any point. I found it unbelievable that they could name every person around the heart of the episode, and fail to miss him out. If this oversight has been pointed out previously, and an explanation was forthcoming, I apologise - it's the one thing for me that marred an enjoyable read.
Well, I'm not sure it's necessary to thank the actor who gave life to a character. Do you get upset when William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelly or any other stars that appeared in the TV series are not thanked in every book? No! So why should you expect it for Elisha Cook Jr.? He didn't create Cogley you know?
Kevin
Kevin
A one-shot from a veteran character actor is different from the stars who have every episode for years to develop their character. Cook came on and knocked it out of the park. Who can say the episode would have as memorable with someone else in the role?
And a TV show is a collaborative process; the original writers may have created the character, but Cook brought him to life. Shatner didn't create Kirk, either, but I don't think you would so easily dismiss what he brought to the role.
Of course the writers can thank or not thank whoever they want, but I understand Pixel's surprise that they didn't include Cook. I don't hold it against the writers or the book--all kinds of personal emotional stuff goes into coming up with your acknowledgments, and I’m not going to second guess that.
But here's a big tip of the hat to Elisha Cook Jr.--the guy was in everything! :thumbsup:
I certainly wouldn't hold it against the writers that they didn't thank him (even if that does suck). However, Elisha Cook Jr. is awesome. If you've ever seen the original House on Haunted Hill with Vincent Price, that's another Cook performance that rocks.
As I indicated, but maybe I should have made it more specific - the authors may well have addressed this issue in the interim since the book was published. It could have been a total case of "my god, it was so obvious we never even realised we missed it out," because we've all done it. Hell, I almost forgot to send my grandmother a Christmas card this year, and can you imagine how bad that would have been when I went around for Christmas dinner.
My feeling was that of all the thanks they made, Elisha Cook contributed more than than some of those who were included. I'm totally with Clayin, Anubis and Scott on this one - he owned that part, and with it, the whole episode.
My feeling was that of all the thanks they made, Elisha Cook contributed more than than some of those who were included. I'm totally with Clayin, Anubis and Scott on this one - he owned that part, and with it, the whole episode.
*admits to being a complete TOS ignoramous*
Could someone name the referent TOS episode for me, and give me a quick descriptive sentence as to plot?
I bought this book when it came out, because it came out during a time period when I was buying every new Trek book. One of these days I might even read it.
Could someone name the referent TOS episode for me, and give me a quick descriptive sentence as to plot?
I bought this book when it came out, because it came out during a time period when I was buying every new Trek book. One of these days I might even read it.
^ The title is "Court Martial," which also is a quick descriptive sentence as to the plot. 
A crew member dies, and Kirk is court-martialed for negligence in that death. Elisha Cook Jr. plays Samuel T. Cogley, whom Kirk employs as his defense counsel.
Having said that, you really don't need to see "Court Martial" to appreciate TCOTCC. All you need to know is that Cogley's a 23rd-century lawyer.
A crew member dies, and Kirk is court-martialed for negligence in that death. Elisha Cook Jr. plays Samuel T. Cogley, whom Kirk employs as his defense counsel.
Having said that, you really don't need to see "Court Martial" to appreciate TCOTCC. All you need to know is that Cogley's a 23rd-century lawyer.
Cogley, if my addled brain is remembering correctly, also appears in the novel Crisis on Centaurus
Similar threads
