TheGodBen Revisits Star Trek
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I find Who Mourns For Adonais somewhat average.
Leslie Nielsen was always awesome though.
Leslie Nielsen was always awesome though.
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Does anyone know what the title means? Who or what is Adonais, and what does it have to do with the episode?
It's a quote from a Percy Blysse Shelley poem. Adonais was an ancient Greek savior fertility god with the typical annual death/resurrection cycle. The use of the quote in the context and theme of the episode is supposed to be evocative of how modern man has forgotten their ancient legends and they no longer have relevance in people's daily lives.
Interesting, thanks.
I did the same thing.
Well, that was a strange season of House of Cards. But I guess now it's time for me to get back to pounding that grindstone.
Amok Time (*****)
Spock is feeling randy, and it’s making him frustrated. I know exactly how he feels sometimes, which is why I have a special toy that I use in emergency situations. Sadly, that solution wont work for Spock, the only thing that can cure him is a trip back to Vulcan so that he can have intercourse with his hot wife. Lucky bastard. Being a weird alien, he invites Kirk and McCoy down to watch. Oh yeah, there’s going to be some hardcore finger-on-finger action. If they’re lucky, maybe they’ll even see Spock and his wife hold hands.
But before Spock can get long and pop her by giving her a piece of his long life, his wife T’Pring calls off the ceremony. A million geek girls cried out in confusion, how could she not want to get with Spock? It seems that she wants to be with another man, so the ruthless bitch concocts to have Spock fight in mortal combat with his best friend. Kirk agrees, and after rolling around in the dirt for a few minutes, Kirk helps Spock release his sexual urges. And that’s how slash fiction was born. Also, Kirk dies, but not really.
This is a classic episode, one that even those who don’t know anything about Star Trek somehow know of. In terms of universe building, this episode is absolutely vital as it shows us the planet Vulcan and their rituals for the first time. Yeah, some of it is a bit silly for a species that claims to be completely motivated by logic, but it does make sense that their sex drive is one area of Vulcan nature that they cannot control, and something that they have to shroud with ceremony. The episode is also a key moment in Kirk and Spock’s friendship. Spock reveals his most shameful secret to Kirk, while Kirk risks his career and later his life to save Spock. Also, McCoy makes himself invaluable as the third wheel by finding a solution that saves both Kirk and Spock.
This is also the first episode of the original series that I can remember watching as a child. I don’t recall much about it, but the moment where Spock is overcome with joy when he realises Kirk is still alive stuck in my memory. So the episode does have some extra sentimental value for me.
Amok Time (*****)
Spock is feeling randy, and it’s making him frustrated. I know exactly how he feels sometimes, which is why I have a special toy that I use in emergency situations. Sadly, that solution wont work for Spock, the only thing that can cure him is a trip back to Vulcan so that he can have intercourse with his hot wife. Lucky bastard. Being a weird alien, he invites Kirk and McCoy down to watch. Oh yeah, there’s going to be some hardcore finger-on-finger action. If they’re lucky, maybe they’ll even see Spock and his wife hold hands.
But before Spock can get long and pop her by giving her a piece of his long life, his wife T’Pring calls off the ceremony. A million geek girls cried out in confusion, how could she not want to get with Spock? It seems that she wants to be with another man, so the ruthless bitch concocts to have Spock fight in mortal combat with his best friend. Kirk agrees, and after rolling around in the dirt for a few minutes, Kirk helps Spock release his sexual urges. And that’s how slash fiction was born. Also, Kirk dies, but not really.
This is a classic episode, one that even those who don’t know anything about Star Trek somehow know of. In terms of universe building, this episode is absolutely vital as it shows us the planet Vulcan and their rituals for the first time. Yeah, some of it is a bit silly for a species that claims to be completely motivated by logic, but it does make sense that their sex drive is one area of Vulcan nature that they cannot control, and something that they have to shroud with ceremony. The episode is also a key moment in Kirk and Spock’s friendship. Spock reveals his most shameful secret to Kirk, while Kirk risks his career and later his life to save Spock. Also, McCoy makes himself invaluable as the third wheel by finding a solution that saves both Kirk and Spock.
This is also the first episode of the original series that I can remember watching as a child. I don’t recall much about it, but the moment where Spock is overcome with joy when he realises Kirk is still alive stuck in my memory. So the episode does have some extra sentimental value for me.
I'm assuming you're joking...I mean I never did fully understand the full point of the ritual, but if T'Pring had accepted Spock, they wouldn't have actually got busy in front of everyone, right?
I was just thinking how appropriate this would have been as the first time Spock called Kirk by his given name. I know that's nearly the case (WNMHGB led things off) but I'm wondering if it, in fact, is the first time he does so with such evident joyous emotion. Contributions from the cognoscenti please.
There is no logic in prudishness. And, I mean, if attendees at a Betazoid wedding have to be nude, maybe attendees at a Vulcan wedding get to see a little more action.
The Doomsday Machine (*****)
I think this is the first time I’ve ever awarded two five stars in a row, I guess I’m feeling generous. Yeah, it’s Moby Dick in space with the whale replaced with a giant spliff, and that’s a well that Star Trek went to too often over the decades. The Moby Dick part, not the giant spliff. Although, knowing Hollywood writers... Anyway, The Doomsday Machine is the first, so it gets a pass. There’s a giant machine eating planets. Commodore Decker is driven to madness after it kills his crew, driving him to futilely seek revenge. He dies, but his death provides a solution for Kirk to save the day.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think this is the first time we properly get to see another Federation starship, and even though it looks almost exactly like the Enterprise (except damaged) it’s still a novelty at this point in the series. And in this case, I’m glad to be watching the remastered version. Often, the CG space shots look a bit cartoony, but in this episode I felt the new effects did a better job showing the scale and the power of a Constitution class vessel than the original effects. When I was younger, I thought the TOS Connie looked rather hokey, and I found the scenes of the USS Defiant kicking ass in the mirror universe episode of Enterprise a bit silly because of that. But now I’m a believer.
Overall, I thought the episode was well paced with great drama and characterisation. The episode also benefited tremendously from having an original score. Maybe Commodore Decker was portrayed as being a little too crazy, but the guy is on a show staring Bill Shatner, so he’s entitled to chew a little scenery. And at the end Kirk points out the irony that it was our present doomsday scenario, a nuclear fusion bomb, stopped the even greater doomsday device. The message clearly being that humanity needs to build more powerful nuclear weapons, and to hell with the nuclear non-proliferation treaty!
Here's me:
What the Hell is a spliff?
::Enter into Google to find out::
Then:
What the Hell is a spliff?
::Enter into Google to find out::
Then:
Two great episodes sitting together. I really love Amok Time, with such striking, iconic music.
I'd give "The Doomsday Machine" a 9/10. Decker's over-acting is just a bit much for me, especially the scene where he flies into the machine. What the hell was the man doing? Purposefully trying to out-do Shatner?
Wolf in the Fold (*½)
What the frick is this? If the explosion had been caused by Sulu, would Scotty randomly start to hate all Asians? Or if it was caused by a blonde haired person, would he hate blondes? Okay, let’s just accept this crazy scenario for a second and consider that McCoy’s treatment for this condition is to get Scotty laid. That wont help him to accept his female co-workers as competent professionals, it just teaches him to appreciate their value as sex objects. You’re just replacing one form of sexism with another.
This is the worst excuse for visiting a planet of hedonists I’ve ever seen. Can’t they just go there for fun like normal people?
And they did.
There’s a lot of stupidity in this episode, starting with the opening sexism and ending with the entire crew of the Enterprise getting high. The dialogue throughout is awkward, and the courtroom scene is reminiscent of the daft scene in The Alternative Factor where Kirk and Spock supposition the improbable cause of the problem. But there are some redeeming aspects of the episode. For one, it’s one of the few episodes of the series that features Scotty to a significant degree, and I always welcome more of an ensemble approach. I also liked the set up of the mystery, that Scotty keeps finding himself as the primary suspect in a series of murders and cannot adequately explain what happened. It runs well off the rails by the end, but the hook is still good.
MCCOY: This is prescription stuff. Don't forget, the explosion that threw Scotty against a bulkhead was caused by a woman.
KIRK: Physically he's all right. Am I right in assuming that?
MCCOY: Oh, yes, yes. As a matter of fact, considerable psychological damage could have been caused. For example, his total resentment toward women.
KIRK: Physically he's all right. Am I right in assuming that?
MCCOY: Oh, yes, yes. As a matter of fact, considerable psychological damage could have been caused. For example, his total resentment toward women.
What the frick is this? If the explosion had been caused by Sulu, would Scotty randomly start to hate all Asians? Or if it was caused by a blonde haired person, would he hate blondes? Okay, let’s just accept this crazy scenario for a second and consider that McCoy’s treatment for this condition is to get Scotty laid. That wont help him to accept his female co-workers as competent professionals, it just teaches him to appreciate their value as sex objects. You’re just replacing one form of sexism with another.
This is the worst excuse for visiting a planet of hedonists I’ve ever seen. Can’t they just go there for fun like normal people?
KIRK: Bones, I know a little place across town where the women...
MCCOY: Oh yes. I know the place. Let's go.
KIRK: Why Bones, I didn’t realise you were such a fan of furries.
MCCOY: What? I thought you were referring to the place where the women have three knockers.
KIRK: Oh, I see we have some crossed wires... So, shall we go to my place or yours?
MCCOY: Let’s just split up. And never speak of this incident again.
KIRK: Don’t worry, I’m sure the editors will remove it in post.
MCCOY: Oh yes. I know the place. Let's go.
KIRK: Why Bones, I didn’t realise you were such a fan of furries.
MCCOY: What? I thought you were referring to the place where the women have three knockers.
KIRK: Oh, I see we have some crossed wires... So, shall we go to my place or yours?
MCCOY: Let’s just split up. And never speak of this incident again.
KIRK: Don’t worry, I’m sure the editors will remove it in post.
And they did.
There’s a lot of stupidity in this episode, starting with the opening sexism and ending with the entire crew of the Enterprise getting high. The dialogue throughout is awkward, and the courtroom scene is reminiscent of the daft scene in The Alternative Factor where Kirk and Spock supposition the improbable cause of the problem. But there are some redeeming aspects of the episode. For one, it’s one of the few episodes of the series that features Scotty to a significant degree, and I always welcome more of an ensemble approach. I also liked the set up of the mystery, that Scotty keeps finding himself as the primary suspect in a series of murders and cannot adequately explain what happened. It runs well off the rails by the end, but the hook is still good.
SPOCK: Captain, since you came to Argelius to rest, I suggest you take advantage of the opportunity.
KIRK: That's a splendid idea, Mr Spock. I know a cafe where the women are so...
MCCOY: I know the place, Jim.
SCOTTY: Let's go see.
KIRK: But Bones, I thought you weren’t interested in furries?
MCCOY: Well I’ve been reading up on this Jim, purely out of professional interest, you understand, and I’ve learned that some of those women have as many as eight knockers!
SCOTTY: Aye, and I’ve woken up to hairier women than that during my pub-crawling days in Aberdeen.
KIRK: Well then Mr Spock, will you be joining us?
SPOCK: No. And I would advise you gentlemen to stick to the script. I want to wrap this thing up quickly and take these bloody ears off.
KIRK: That's a splendid idea, Mr Spock. I know a cafe where the women are so...
MCCOY: I know the place, Jim.
SCOTTY: Let's go see.
KIRK: But Bones, I thought you weren’t interested in furries?
MCCOY: Well I’ve been reading up on this Jim, purely out of professional interest, you understand, and I’ve learned that some of those women have as many as eight knockers!
SCOTTY: Aye, and I’ve woken up to hairier women than that during my pub-crawling days in Aberdeen.
KIRK: Well then Mr Spock, will you be joining us?
SPOCK: No. And I would advise you gentlemen to stick to the script. I want to wrap this thing up quickly and take these bloody ears off.
To all: is there anything depicted in the interior of the Constellation, that varies in appearance from areas that had the same function on Enterprise? For instance, I think I recall an old style looking view screen in auxiliary control.
I had completely forgotten about them all getting high.
I'd give it a 5/10. The focus on Scotty really saves it for me.
I was happy to see Scotty have more of a role in this one, even if the reason for being on the planet in the first place were dubious. I thought the ending was, what's the word? Interesting? I'm not sure whether that's a good thing though.
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