"The Enemy Within" - Kirk the freak?

[Ragitsu]

Good evening.

I have a highly specific question regarding "Evil Kirk"; when Janice rakes her nails across his face, does Evil Kirk gasp in pain...or is that pleasure?

 

[1001001]

Good evening.

I have a highly specific question regarding "Evil Kirk"; when Janice rakes her nails across his face, does Evil Kirk gasp in pain...or is that pleasure?

 

[Ragitsu]

Because if he were evil enough, it would be all pleasure.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

Because if he were evil enough, it would be all pleasure.

Evil Kirk is not Bizarro Kirk, like something out of a Superman comic where everything is opposite. I don't see any suggestion that he likes pain. He just doesn't mind inflicting it on somebody else.

 

[plynch]

Id Kirk, not evil. The point of the whole episode.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Id Kirk, not evil.

What's the diff?

I don't see any suggestion that he likes pain. He just doesn't mind inflicting it on somebody else.

Indeed.

 

[plynch]

What's the diff?

If necessary (the point of the episode), how can it be "evil"?

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

If necessary (the point of the episode), how can it be "evil"?

I can't speak for the "necessary" part, but the alternate Kirk sure looked and acted evil to me.

 

[SpocksTricorder]

Good evening.

I have a highly specific question regarding "Evil Kirk"; when Janice rakes her nails across his face, does Evil Kirk gasp in pain...or is that pleasure?

This is Shats chance to act out his inner self.

 

[johnnybear]

His inner desires released with a sprinkling of viciousness and no conscience to keep it all in check! The story tells us that the passive Kirk has none of the aggressive, negative impulses needed to command a Starship or even make a genuine decision as that comes from his assertive side!
JB

 

[Commishsleer]

Both Kirks either have some physical, psychological or chemical brain damage that makes them act the way they do. When the Kirk's duplicated the process somehow damaged part of their brains in different ways. Although I wonder how it got the matter to create the extra Kirk.

 

[thribs]

I always thought this episode was quite dark for the 60's. Shadow Kirk tried to rape Rand. I'm amazed it got through.

 

[Qonundrum]

I always thought this episode was quite dark for the 60's. Shadow Kirk tried to rape Rand. I'm amazed it got through.

Never mind Spock's jaw-dropping response in the end.

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The music seems to be trying to nudge the scene with an audible cue that suggests to the viewer "Um, laugh here". Rand's response is incredibly underplayed with her look of disgust, given the attempt from ImposterKirk earlier.

 

[Ragitsu]

If necessary (the point of the episode), how can it be "evil"?

Attempted rape is necessary?

 

[Kor]

Both sides needed to be combined to counteract the negatives of the other side. The gentler 'good Kirk' was indecisive and couldn't get anything done. But that side of Kirk would have kept the awful predatory impulses of the primitive side in check.

Kor

 

[Ragitsu]

It's kind of a depressing message if it is indeed speaking about the human condition: everyone is a potential rapist held in check by another personality.

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

Weak Kirk had the compassion, but no will to carry it out; violent Kirk had the aggression, but no self-control to temper it. Either without the other is incomplete.

 

[Ragitsu]

Sounds like Yin and Yang.

 

[Ragitsu]

Also: the unfortunate implication that distilled/pure goodness is weak.

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. He could wish all the best to his crew, but if he doesn't have the ability to take decisive action, all is lost, barring an act of God.