I'm working my way through a Star Trek rewatch. I'm up to TNG season 2 and just finished "The Child." I thought it'd be interesting to compare it with Phase 2's version, since they were both based on the same script. My understanding (not having read the script) is that Phase 2's version is closer to the original script.
Interesting comparison. Overall, yes, it is the same story. Energy being "impregnates" a female Enterprise member with some form of telepathic abilities. The resulting child grows at an incredibly fast rate. The Enterprise is threatened by some biological component that could potentially kill the crew. The alien child "sacrifices" it's physical form and this results in the crisis being averted.
It was the differences that I found striking. Of course there were going to be some obvious differences. One was set in the TOS universe, the other was set in the TNG universe. Not only that, but the TNG version was a season premier and had to explain the changes in crew from season 1. It was the other differences, however, that caught my attention.
Overall I think I preferred the Phase 2 version better. The threat was more threatening and the child actually had a hand in the plot. Further, the threat itself was totally different. On the one hand we have a deadly weaponized germ in TNG while, on the other hand, Phase 2 had an alien of the week (in a ship reminiscent of the Whale Probe from STIV).
Troi's child seemed to simply be along for the ride. He never made any connections with any of the crew. He was more connected to the puppies he saw. Ise's daughter, on the other hand, develops a relationship with Scotty and is necessary in saving the ship not once, but twice before finally leaving her physical body behind and rejoining her "people."
Overall an interesting comparison and contrast.
Interesting comparison. Overall, yes, it is the same story. Energy being "impregnates" a female Enterprise member with some form of telepathic abilities. The resulting child grows at an incredibly fast rate. The Enterprise is threatened by some biological component that could potentially kill the crew. The alien child "sacrifices" it's physical form and this results in the crisis being averted.
It was the differences that I found striking. Of course there were going to be some obvious differences. One was set in the TOS universe, the other was set in the TNG universe. Not only that, but the TNG version was a season premier and had to explain the changes in crew from season 1. It was the other differences, however, that caught my attention.
Overall I think I preferred the Phase 2 version better. The threat was more threatening and the child actually had a hand in the plot. Further, the threat itself was totally different. On the one hand we have a deadly weaponized germ in TNG while, on the other hand, Phase 2 had an alien of the week (in a ship reminiscent of the Whale Probe from STIV).
Troi's child seemed to simply be along for the ride. He never made any connections with any of the crew. He was more connected to the puppies he saw. Ise's daughter, on the other hand, develops a relationship with Scotty and is necessary in saving the ship not once, but twice before finally leaving her physical body behind and rejoining her "people."
Overall an interesting comparison and contrast.
