Series: Star Trek: The Original Series
Season 1, Episode 16
Original Air Date: January 5, 1967
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"If more of us valued food and cheer and song over hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." - J.R.R. Tolkien
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Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Star Trek: The Galileo Seven
Episode: "The Galileo Seven"
Series: Star Trek: The Original Series
Season 1, Episode 16
Original Air Date: January 5, 1967
Among the devoted, "The Galileo Seven" is best known as the episode which introduced the shuttlecraft - named, of course, Galileo. Up to this point, the show had used the transporter instead of a shuttle because the effects were cheaper. How funny to think that what began as a cost-saving measure became such an iconic aspect of the Star Trek franchise!
More importantly to me, the first episode of 1967 is a great Spock vs. Bones story. Spock and Dr. McCoy lead a seven-person crew (thus the title) on a scientific investigation of a quasar-like formation. Naturally, disaster strikes and the shuttle is forced to land on Taurus II. Out of communication with the Enterprise, Spock assumes command of the stranded party. Predictably, the crewmen take exception to his management style, informed more by cold logic than emotion. Bones does his best to steer Spock to a more balanced approach. Meanwhile, tensions mount as hope of rescue fades.
Don Marshall (Lt. Boma) was born May 2, 1936 in San Diego, California. He made his professional acting debut in the 1961 film The Interns. In 1964, he starred opposite Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura) in a made-for-TV movie, Great Gettin' Up Mornin'. His scifi credentials extend beyond Trek. Cast in a leading role in Land of the Giants, Marshall was one of the first African American men to feature prominently in a science fiction series.
Series: Star Trek: The Original Series
Season 1, Episode 16
Original Air Date: January 5, 1967
A famous episode insofar as Spock's relationship with the team goes.
ReplyDeleteThe Trek writers were not shy about taking on the fear of otherness. It's clear that some crew members are as threatened by the fact of Spock as they are by his approach to leadership.
DeleteWell all right! Go Marshall! A great episode A.C.
ReplyDeleteLt. Boma's an interesting character, too.
DeleteI remember this episode as an unusual (for the time) lesson in doing the least possible harm in a combat situation, that ingenuity could outstrip big guys with rocks. Fortunately, it's a lesson I've seldom had to test. But I do wish the current Trek movies would get back to that sort of emphasis.
ReplyDeleteThe movies are definitely more into the dazzling explosions than the ethical nuances. There will be a new director for the next Trek film - perhaps an opportunity for a new (old) direction.
DeleteI love my Star Trek soooo much. But it just struck me, just now, looking at the first picture, that the shuttlecraft kinda looks like a little tiny model shuttlecraft, instead of a genuine big one on a spaceship, right?
ReplyDeleteI can't describe what I'm feeling right now...kind of like when I first heard someone say something about Santa Claus.
I try not to get hung up on the primitive special effects. Trek was, after all, a low-budget production nearly 50 years ago. No shame in miniaturization either. I'll take the minis used in the Star Wars movies over the CGI of more high-tech films.
DeleteI have never watch star trek, but it sounds interesting. I do know many trekies and they all have so much to say about it though.
ReplyDeleteGasp!
DeleteIf you're interested in starting, I'd recommend The Next Generation as a starter. The originals are fun but TNG is a bit more polished.
I remember that episode! Thought Don Marshall was so handsome.
ReplyDeleteHere is a YouTube video you should check out, if you haven't already.
http://youtu.be/i-zdMkOZTKs
Ha! I'd seen it floating around but hadn't watched it yet. The "Shut up, Wesley" line really sells it.
DeleteI should track this one down again. I forgot about all the subtle stuff between Bones and Spock -- I just remember always wanting to get a clearer look at the big yeti creatures.
ReplyDeleteThat "Make it so" video is hilarious... Did you catch the episode from which they yanked the word "lights?" :-)
Oh, I won't pretend I know the series well enough to guess. It is funny, though.
DeleteIt's true, you only see the big yeti things from the rear!