The third book in A. Bertram Chandler’s John Grimes series, “The Hard Way Up” follows Grimes’ first foray into commanding a vessel of his own. Across seven short stories, we’re treated to Grimes and his crew facing off against various Science Fictional dilemmas and foes.
It’s classic Golden Age Science Fiction stuff. Rocket ships, bug-eyed aliens, space dames, and Australians. Interesting worlds and trouble with authority. It’s solid entertainment. This isn’t high art. This isn’t going to change hearts and minds. This is fun, adventurous fiction. A great read. It was written in the 60s and early 70s, so there is some of the typical sexism and I think a bit of racism; but not worse than usual from that time. Otherwise, a great read.
While I’ve written about Star Trek and to a lesser degree Star Wars before, I thought I’d revisit it for a few reasons. First, the recent success of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a movie that I thought was OK and much better than the previous three films, but not all that great. Second, the recent announcement that a Star Trek TV series is in development. And third, the aftermath of Star Trek Into Darkness (worst Trek film ever?) and the build-up to Star Trek Beyond.
I read an article (see here) that compared Star Trek and Star Wars a while ago, which bothered me. In it, the author postulated that the major difference between the two was that Star Wars was about fighting the Man, and Star Trek was about being the Man. I disagree. Getting past various categorization squabbles (science fiction vs. science fantasy, blah, blah, blah), there are some pretty big differences that separate the two. I’d argue the target audience, for one, is different. Also, the nature of the two is profoundly different. One started as a weekly TV series in the 1960s, while the other started as a blockbuster theatrical release in the 1970s. That difference alone is profound. And when I think of Star Trek at its best, I think of the original series and some of The Next Generation. I don’t tend to think of the films, which from Wrath of Khan on (with the exception of Star Trek IV) are very much more in the Star Wars, summer blockbuster, action film camp.
Star Wars is generally marketed for children. It’s enjoyable for adults, but rarely deals with particularly deep themes or complicated issues. It often relies on gross caricature when presenting characters, so that everyone is on the same page. Good guys are obviously good guys. Bad guys are obviously bad guys. Typically looking at them is all you need to do in order to know what sort of person they are. And the general theme is about as simple as they come, and roots back at least to Zoroastrianism and the duality that would help to form three of today’s major religions (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism). It is the conflict between Good and Evil.
While still frequently marketed toward younger viewers, Star Trek often presents more complicated issues. There are absolutely ham-fisted attempts (see: most episodes actually written by Gene Roddenberry, for example), but there are occasionally subtle ones, too. With Star Trek, the viewer is frequently presented with a moral question. Unfortunately, as was the style of the day, they were then given the answer to that question. But the questions were often serious, sometimes deep questions of morality, philosophy, and meaning. The question wasn’t “do I submit to the horible forces of Evil?” but rather “is it right to do this evil thing for the greater good?” Or, “do I need to make peace with the evil within me in order to better the good?”
Star Wars never grew out of its simple nature. It remains a story of Good vs. Evil. Even as it distanced itself from its Flash Gordon, pulp roots, it moved deeper and deeper into a universe of constantly warring sides in a battle between ultimate Light and ultimate Dark. Villains rarely seem to have any motivation beyond cruelty and the hunger for power.
Star Trek has changed and evolved many times over the years. Unfortunately, more often than not, this seems to have moved it more in line with the Star Wars tradition. Though not going so much for the Good vs Evil line, it has frequently fallen into the trap Batman & Superman have, the “let’s make it darker” trap. Star Trek was a semi-Utopian setting...so let’s show how the Utopia of the Federation is actually corrupt and evil (Deep Space 9). Star Trek was about brave people who faced the unknown of space for the pure joy of it. So, let’s make the characters hate their jobs and be forced into it (Voyager). Star Trek was about big ideas and moral questions. So let’s make action movies that must be solved by the hero punching the villain (the theatrical films). And as time went on, folks behind Trek tried to make it more ‘sciencey’ by throwing in lots of buzzwords and technobabble which muddied the dialog and provided too many opportunities for technological deus ex machina rescues.
But when Star Trek was at its most Star Trek, it wasn’t about ‘being the Man.’ It was about being the best we could be, then striving to be better. Star Wars, for better or worse, was and is about Good vs Evil. Star Trek made young Matt think about what choices he might make, about what it was to be a good person. Star Wars made young Matt say, “AWESOME!” I loved both. And while Star Wars has lost a lot of its charm over the years, thanks to terrible prequel movies and some other issues; and later expansions of the Star Trek universe seem to have lost the thread; I still have fond memories of both. I just find myself going back to Star Trek, watching the original TV episodes, even popping in the original films (the first four, anyway), far more than I do with Star Wars. Star Wars doesn’t give me the same thrill it once did. Though I enjoy the heck out of the first two films. I’m a Science Fiction nerd, and I have a lot of room in my heart. But when it comes down to it, Star Trek at its best is better than Star Wars. There. I said it.
Fans of science fiction simply must read Andre Norton (Alice Mary Norton). She was one of the architects of the genre, writing a daunting number of books that stand alone Asimov, Herbert, and the rest. She creates visions of believable futures, peopled with multi-faceted characters. And she does it in just a hundred or two pages.
In Star Hunter, we’re introduced to Ras Hume, a safari guide and big game hunter who takes wealthy folk to specially selected game worlds. But he’s also running a con, getting the mob and a desperate orphan wrapped up with him. And when they stumble upon something unexpected, all kinds of trouble drops on their head.
When I’m reading Norton’s work from the 50s and 60s, I can’t help but think she was crafting a larger universe without every getting too strict about it. I often get the feeling that if you flew far enough in one direction or another, you’d find the characters from one of her other novels going through their particular set of struggles. If I were a better man, I’d assemble some kind of guide to her worlds; try to figure out which stories belong together.
Star Hunter Author: Andre Norton Publisher: Bean ISBN: (book two in the collection Secret of the Stars) 978-1-4767-3674-7
Growing up on classic films, few actors could stand next to Cary Grant when it came to embodying the Golden Age of Hollywood. Sure, my favorite actor since I was a boy has been Humphrey Bogart, but I think it's because I feel myself reflected in him, I can relate to him. Cary Grant, I don't relate to, not really. I look up to, I want to be, but I don't see myself reflected in him. I see an idealized version of me, maybe.
"Everyone wants to be Cary Grant. Even I want to be Cary Grant." -Cary Grant
Obviously, the man is among the most handsome men to ever be put on film, but handsome only goes so far. Grant has a humor and a charm that elevate him to what we think of when we think 'movie star.' And he's a fascinating guy, an engineered persona that he sort lived until it became real.
And he followed one of the oldest pieces of advice for any showman. He left us wanting more. Still a relatively young man, he retired and lived out the rest of his days doing what he pleased, I suppose. There are photos of him as an older man, going to events, on the street, with his child. But he never did another movie after Run, Don't Walk. Part of me laments the lack of great Old Man Grant performances. But then, in that day, how many great roles would there have been? No need to dwell on what might have been, because we have what was, and it is a heck of a body of work.
So, go check out some of the great Cary Grant films; North by Northwest, His Girl Friday, Holiday, Only Angels have Wings, Charade, or any number of others. I'm not gonna say every film he was in was gold, but the lion's share were darned entertaining. So, celebrate one of the titans of film, one of the greatest movie stars of all time, by just watching his movies. The man may be dead, but Cary Grant lives on.
Who the heck is Jeff VanderMeer, and where the heck did he come from?! Well, turns out, he’s been around for a while, working frequently as an anthologist, and penning a few stories as well. And he’s been garnering some acclaim for that. But, due to my general disappointment with the state of science fiction today (I’ll go out and wave my cane at whippersnappers later) I’d never heard of the guy. Now I have, and I won’t soon forget.
Did you like Lost? Do you like weird, challenging stories that hint at much bigger things? Do you enjoy that unsettling feeling created in the best horror (not the jump-scare/gore horror that is so common, but the real, intellectually terrifying stuff)? I do, and this delivers. Alienness and the slow, creeping madness it instills in people gives the book a terrible menace that builds and builds. What could possibly be worse or more shattering than the previous discovery? Try the next one.
The book unfolds like a puzzle. It’s the journal of a biologist, recording her part in an expedition into a corrupted landscape called Area X. What is it? Who made it? How long has it been there? Why? So many questions and too few answers. But it is the questions that linger. And who is this biologist, anyway? Is she a reliable narrator? Why did she sign up? Who are these other women on the expedition?
Annihilation is the first part of the Southern Reach trilogy, which will be completely published before the end of the year (no waiting years on end for the next part of the story). It should appeal to fans of Lovecraft and his disciples, fans of Lost and Fringe, and fans of mysterious adventure. I was frequently reminded of the strange science fiction that trickled out in the late 60s and 70s, and of the works of Robert Charles Wilson. I’ve heard good things about the second book, Authority, which has recently been published. And I understand that it is stylistically quite different, giving more indication as to why this was split into three books. The final book, Acceptance, is due out in September.
Annihilation
Author: Jeff VanderMeer
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
ISBN: 978-0-374-10409-2
Oh, the perils of a social life. Didn’t get a lot of Dork business done this week. I was out on the town, having a blast.
The Asphalt Jungle: The dingy underbelly of urban life is exposed in this nasty bit of work. Sterling Hayden is but one of the film’s monsters, bent on filling his belly with hate and greed. It features a lot of the usual Noir dialog, plot twists, and ugly characters. And it features a pretty good heist. The characters are a lot of fun, and there are a surprising number of them. Even a young Marilyn Monroe shows up as a sympathetic floozy. John Huston knew how to make a mean movie, tinged with grit and sadness.
Smiles of a Summer Night: I guess I had this realization last year some time. But yup. I’m an Ingmar Bergman fan. I love how fun this film is, how bawdy and funny it is. And I love how sexy it is. Gunnar Bjornstrand is so charming, the ladies are so lovely, and the shenanigans so much fun. Bergman is not the cold, symbolic, unapproachable filmmaker he is often made out to be. While some of his films are dense with symbol and some are certainly challenging, I think he is very much the populist; crafting excellent films for everyone to enjoy. Smiles of a Summer Night is not difficult to understand. It’s about our passions, our lusts, and our loves. It’s about being alive.
Sorcerer: Bring a change of clothes, a cool drink, and some freshly soothed nerves. This movie will put you through the wringer. A brutally slow burn, this film builds and builds and builds, until what is, in a sense, the main action of the film begins, probably an hour in. It’s wonderfully shot, and absolutely revels in the awful, hot, poverty stricken, disgustingly wet world of South America. And when the action does happen, it’s gripping and nasty. Sorcerer is an excellent, thrilling, adventurous piece of mean spirited 70s cinema. Desperate and awful people, hiding out on the fringe of civilization, taking on a job only a sucker would do. Man, it’s good.
Burnt Offerings: The 70s produced a lot of cool films, but it also produced a very particular type of horror film that seems unique to its time. Burt Offerings is a perfect example of what I’m talking about (see also: The Sentinel, The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane, and Don’t Look Now) . The characters are all totally insane, and not at all relatable. The plot doesn’t make much sense. The atmosphere is monstrously thick. But sadly, so is the writing. Frequently, very little happens, but there’s almost always a flippin’ crazy ending that doesn’t make much sense. I enjoyed watching this film. The actors are all good (even Karen Black isn’t bad), and it’s creepy and weird. But it’s also, like so many others of its time, ultimately disappointing. The big reveal at the end was a huge let down. If Oliver Reed had opened that door and found some kind of great spider demon or something, I’d have lost my s%#& and this might be one of the coolest films ever. Alas, what was behind the door was kind of boring. If you’re looking to watch more movies of that particular 70s vibe, this was better than some, like The Other or the afore mentioned Don’t Look Now (I’ll never get why people like that one).
On Thursday night, I read Godzilla: Gangsters & Goliaths. It was OK. Felt like a comic version of a lesser film in the classic (Showa) era. Readable, with a few good bits, but nothing special.
The Apartment: You can feel the yoke of the Hayes Codes slipping in this 1960 comedy about a wide-eyed pencil pusher striving for the American Dream. As bosses keep using his apartment for their extramarital affairs, he starts to fall for the dame in the elevator. Things get really out of hand when the big boss calls him in and demands the use of his place (but offers a sweet promotion). Jack Lemmon balances sweet charm with wannabe corporate shark quite well. Shirley MacLaine is kind of adorable as the broken girl with dashed hopes. And Fred MacMurray is an absolute monster as the boorish, heartless, blowhard boss. Lots of great character performances, a great style, and a clever script all make for a fine film. I love Lemmon’s apartment, too, which seems like a realistic, lived in place, without seeming either too fancy/swinging or too rundown/slumy.
After The Apartment, in keeping with the 60s theme, Mad Men hit the screen. It’s been a long time since I watched season 1, but it didn’t take long for me to slide back in to the smooth, casually evil world of smoking, drinking, and rampant misogyny. Awesome.
Saturday, I headed in to DC to meet with a friend who was visiting from Europe. It was an amazing day, gorgeously sunny without being too hot, and darn it, but I do love DC. It’s so pretty, and so walker friendly. Love it. The only problem we had was with the crowded streets of Georgetown, but it wasn’t unexpected, and once you leave the main drag, it’s not bad at all. Very pretty community. I really love living in this area. I don’t take advantage of living next to DC nearly as much as I should, but then, that makes these trips all the more special.
While in the city, we hit up the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. I still don’t think it’s as good as the Udvar Hazy location, and sometimes the displays can seem a bit dull (maybe rudimentary is a better word?). But this time around there were a few especially good exhibits. The Spirit & Opportunity exhibit was breathtaking. Gorgeous images of Mars taken by our robot explorer brothers. Any one of those would make amazing art to hang on a wall. Really wonderful. And yeah, if I hadn’t been on top of it, I’d probably have shed a tear. Quite impressive.
Turns out, a lot of stuff is closed in DC on Saturday, which I was a bit surprised by. So, it took a bit to find a place to eat. But finally, we found Wicked Waffles, one of those obscure theme restaurants you find in bigger cities. They make waffles, and they put things on ’em, like open faced sandwiches. OK. Why not. It was pretty good (not amazing), and unusually inexpensive for food in the city.
So, on the Dorkside, there wasn’t all that much to this week. But on the personal side, it’s one of the best I’ve had in a long time. Spring is finally in the air and I feel great.
OK, so, a little over a year ago, I decided to watch all of the episodes of the original series of Star Trek, in the order they should be seen in, as opposed to the original on-air order. Due to various outside issues, I got side tracked on this endeavor during season 3. However, as today (September 8, 2011) is the 45th anniversary of the debut of Star Trek, I thought I’d share with you my reviews of each episode of season 1. These were written as I completed each episode, so please pardon any repetitiveness in my vocabulary.
The Cage: The originally unaired pilot has some interesting differences from the show to come. Something I really liked, that was missing from the later show was the complexity of the ship’s captain. Pike was a bitter man, tired of his command, and ready to give it all up. I also liked that there was both a first officer and a science officer, not just Spock pulling double duty. The story of a lost expedition and their strange discovery is pretty cool. There are some aspects I wish had been further explored in the rest of the series. Overall, a good start, even if viewers weren’t originally allowed to see it.
Where No Man Has Gone Before: Possibly my favorite single episode, this is an extremely dramatic introduction to Kirk, the now emotionless Spock, and a few series regulars. The story is really something, with Kirk facing off against his best friend who has gained godlike powers that are driving him mad. Great guest actors like Gary Lockwood and Sally Kellerman, along with some surprisingly good production values for a TV show make this feel more like a theatrically released movie. And they crammed a lot of story into less than an hour of runtime.
The Corbomite Maneuver: Though Clint Howard is extremely creepy, this is a pretty good episode. One of the seemingly impossible to beat, shockingly powerful enemies that ultimately teach a lesson about living well and humanity’s ability to triumph. Not genius, but a solid story.
Just got a look at Clint Howard.
Mudd’s Women: Trek and comedy are not the ingredients for my favorite episodes. There are some cool ideas in this one, and I think had Mudd been played a little more like Han Solo and a little less like P.T. Barnum, the episode would be less annoying. It also doesn’t help that the three ‘mysteriously, magically beautiful’ women aren’t especially good looking, no matter how heavy the filter is. However, I guess that does work with the idea that the drug effected their charisma more than their appearance.
The Enemy Within: Kirk gets split in two. His good half and evil half battle for supremacy. What I like about this episode is that it reminds us that greatness depends not just on being nice and loving, but on being able to do that bad thing when it needs to be done. None of us is whole if we don’t have both darkness and light, good and evil, violence and gentleness.
The Man Trap: The crew runs into problems and McCoy’s old flame hides a secret in this pretty cool episode. I like the mix of mystery and horror as a killer sets its sights on the Enterprise’s crew. The creature design is quite nice, too. A good story with plenty of creepy atmosphere.
The Naked Time: The crew gets Space Madness! and turns upon itself while simultaneously being pulled into a collapsing planet during a science mission. Darn the luck. This episode has a lot of cool moments, sets up for some interesting things that happen later in the series, gives actors a chance to break out of their norm, and has some good humor. Overall a solid episode with lots of character development.
Charlie X: Possibly my single least favorite episode of the entire series, Charlie X is an exercise in uncomfortable, awkward moments. From the racist song Uhura sings about Spock, to Charlie’s pouting stupidity, to the creepy sex talk, it’s just not good. Of all the petulant gods Kirk and crew come across, Charlie has to be the worst.
Balance of Terror: This introduction to the Romulans, who would go on to become one of the Federation’s major enemies, is beautifully shot and tensely paced. Mark Leonard (who would return to play Spock’s father in a later episode) is fantastic as the stoic enemy commander who just wants to get his ship home and enjoy a moment’s peace, but is compelled by duty to engage Kirk and the crew in battle. Many good moments, including themes of paranoia and racism. Plus, Uhura gets the conn for a moment. An excellent episode all around.
What are Little Girls Made Of?: Another Star Trek episode that hints at some interesting, ancient history for the greater galaxy, there are some really cool ideas in this one. Though, as often happens, especially in science fiction TV, there is an undercurrent of anti-technological sentiment. Ted Cassidy is especially entertaining as Ruk, the ancient android. And the extremely comely Sherry Jackson ramps up the sex appeal. Some good Shatner moments, too.
Holy Cats, I love this show.
Dagger of the Mind: Kirk and crew come up against a futuristic, ‘humane’ corrections system in this interesting episode. With stunning guest actress Marianna Hill backing him up, and facing off against always awesome character actor James Gregory, Shatner has plenty to do. One of the things I noticed about this episode was its excellent used of lighting and color to set mood and tone. While not as action packed as some popular episodes, this one has some great stuff.
Miri: Never one of my favorite episodes, Miri does feature some especially good moments for McCoy. Part of my problem stems from my general dislike of children in science fiction, especially Trek. But also, I’ve never been a fan of the ‘we found Earth again’ storylines. Really? A planet that looks EXACTLY like Earth? Just doesn’t sit well with me. There are a bunch of uncomfortably creepy scenes between Kirk and a young girl that make for some good laughs.
The Conscience of the King: There are some great character moments in this episode, and the production design and costuming are especially good. Even the storyline is pretty good. But the execution isn’t. The way it plays out is just not interesting.
The Galileo Seven: Not one of my favorite episodes, but Spock and Scotty get some really good scenes. We’re introduced to the shuttle craft, and of course, it immediately crashes, stranding seven people on a hostile world. It comes down to ‘everybody hates Spock’ as he tries really hard to keep everyone alive and give them a fighting chance, while they all seem dead-set on getting themselves killed. Yet at the end, I think we’re supposed to think Spock was wrong. Though at EVERY turn he made the right choice.
Court Martial: Another episode I’ve never been particularly fond of, Court Martial does sport some great moments for the characters, especially McCoy, and an awesome guest appearance by Elisha Cook Jr. as a crazy old coot of a lawyer. Of course, they still manage to throw in a fist fight, torn shirt, and deadly crisis for Kirk to face, too, even though it doesn’t make much sense with the story.
The Menagerie Part 1: Spock goes rogue in order to help an old friend in this first half of a story that flashes back to the originally unaired pilot episode, The Cage. Former captain Pike, now confined to a Hawking like chair, while mentally alert, is physically little more than dead. So, why does Spock abscond with him and plot a course for a planet so taboo it means death to visit? Perhaps a court martial trial will reveal the answers. This episode has some good moments for Spock and Kirk, and an interesting view into off-ship life in the Trek universe.
Boop! Boop!
The Menagerie Part 2: With a court martial under way, stock footage reveals the story of Captain Pike from some 13 years earlier and his original visit to the now banned world Telos. Could anything justify Spock’s actions? Of course, by the end of the episode, we learn the truth and we see that perhaps Pike can finally find some peace in his life.
Shore Leave: A strange, occasionally goofy episode, Shore Leave also has lots of great bits for the actors to have fun with. McCoy, especially, is quite the lady’s man. And a visit from Kirk’s school bully is infuriating and fun. A good lighthearted episode, especially after the three heavy court based stories that came before.
The Squire of Gothos: Another in a long list of episodes where Kirk and co. go head to head with a god-like being, this time in the form of an effete, fickle creature obsessed with old Earth warfare. The so called Squire of Gothos, Trelane, is played to obnoxious perfection by William Campbell. There are plenty of good comedy gags here, and it’s fun to watch Kirk nearly pulling his hair out while dealing with the spoiled and moody Squire. This episode is clearly the major inspiration, for better or worse, for the character Q from The Next Generation.
Arena: Yes, some of the fight choreography in this episode isn’t so good. Still, there are some awesome scenes, and Kirk pulling a MacGyver on the giant reptile alien was always a favorite moment of mine when I was a lad. One of the first episodes shot on location, it also features the iconic Vasquez Rocks which would be seen in one way or another on many alien worlds.
The Alternative Factor: There is a very cool concept buried in this episode. Unfortunately, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. From the awful fake beard on the central guest actor, to the awful effects used during his time seizures, it feels like nearly every choice made was a wrong one. And more difficult to swallow than the poorly done parts, the episode is straight up boring. Not as bad as Charlie X, but on my list of worst episodes for sure. I do think the idea could work if handled differently, though.
Tomorrow is Yesterday: The first major time travel episode (though not the first time the plot device is used), this one finds the crew of the Enterprise stranded in a shaky orbit above the Earth of the late 60s. Time travel never seems to work quite the same way on Trek, but this time they’ve got to worry about contaminating history, and some comic hijinks ensue. Lots of great moments for Spock in this episode, as well as Kirk. A good lighthearted episode.
Return of the Archons: One of my favorite anti-Communist allegorical episodes, this is also the first major battle between Kirk and a mega-computer. After landing on a world of total peace, they quickly find that things are not what they appear. The ‘perfect society’ has something very dark at its heart. It brings up questions that don’t have easy answers. Is a society without war or conflict able to be healthy? Or does a certain level of strife drive us to be more? Is part of being free the need to face our dark impulses as well as our good? And if we ever achieve total peace, will we simply fall into a rut our civilization cannot escape? Who cares? It’s FESTIVAL!!!
A Taste of Armageddon: Another interesting moral question in this episode. Is the horror and brutality of war a good thing? Would a clean war be easier to wage than a dirty one? Does pushing a button and killing a lot of people detach a person too much from the reality of gruesome death? And are we the bloodthirsty savage, fighting against our murderous nature to hold onto civility? On top of that, there are also some cool scenes for both Scotty and Spock. And Kirk is at his confident best (subduing about a dozen people in one scenes, unarmed and alone). Not an action packed episode, but a cool idea interestingly explored.
Space Seed: A really challenging episode, we’re introduced to the idea that Earth went through a third World War around the end of the 20th century, and that it involved, among other things, a group of genetically engineered ‘supermen’ who tried to take over the world. Finding some of these men and women floating in space, Kirk and crew are forced to make some difficult decisions. Kahn and his people represent the best and worst in us. Our ambition and our hubris. Are they evil? Who can say for sure? Some good moments for the crew as they resist Kahn, especially Spock, McCoy, and Uhura. Obviously, this episode sets the stage for Star Trek II. One of the true classics of the series that stands the test of time.
This Side of Paradise: Not a great episode, but it does feature some cool character moments. Everyone starts acting high after getting shot in the face with plant spoors, including the normally stoic Mr. Spock. There is an interesting question posed in the episode which seems to be a common theme. Do we need struggle to define and drive us? Is an easy life, without want or suffering a trap that will lead to stagnation?
The Devil in the Dark: Always one of my favorite episodes, it starts like a classic horror story, but evolved into something much more interesting. One of the things I like about the original series is its willingness to embrace really interesting and imaginative design. The creature in this episode is about as far from a human with a bumpy forehead as you can get. Some great bits for Spock and McCoy near the end of this one, too.
Errand of Mercy: The introduction to the Klingons sets the stage for Trek’s most iconic villain. Here we see Kor, played to gleeful perfection by John Colicos, as Kirk’s nemesis. And we see that even Kirk and Spock can get swept away in the tides of anger and violence, for all their talk of civilized enlightenment. There is a lot of talk about when it is right to fight, and what is worth dying for. And there’s a lot of hate from Kirk toward pacifists. However, the episode does have some interesting lessons to teach about messing with what you don’t understand and underestimating people based upon first impressions. Not one of my favorite episodes, but it’s a good one.
The City on the Edge of Forever: Rightly looked at as one of the classics of the series, this one breaks some rules and keeps you guessing. Though there are some humorous scenes, especially with Kirk and Spock unsuccessfully trying to blend in to 1930s America, there is also some pretty grim darkness. And the interesting idea that doing the right thing at the wrong time might be the worst thing you could do. What is the value of a life? How much can one person’s existence effect the course of history? Is horror and tragedy ultimately needed to make us better in the long run? Not many answers, but plenty of questions in this one. One of the best episodes of the show and I would venture to say one of the best single episodes of television history, it still holds power more than forty later.
Operation---Annihilate!: The final episode of season one, this is a pretty cool story, featuring some awesome location shooting. Some complain that the creature in this looks silly, but I’ve always found the little rubber pancake things to be kind of horrifying, sort of like Heinlein’s ‘Puppet Masters.’ There are a lot of good character moments in this one, especially for McCoy and Spock. We get a little glimpse into Kirk’s family, but it’s brief and not as satisfying as I’d like. Overall an excellent finale to an excellent season.
So, what are your thoughts on the original show? What are some of your favorite episodes? I love its creativity and ‘go for it’ attitude. And of course, I love the pro-exploration, pro-vision, pro-advancement mindset. Where much of modern science fiction TV is ‘dark,’ violent, and cynical, Trek looked to the future not as something to be feared, but as something to be anticipated.
