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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Star Trek: The Changeling

Episode: "The Changeling"
Series: Star Trek: The Original Series
Season 2, Episode 3
Original Air Date: September 29, 1967
via Memory Alpha
 "I am Nomad!"

This is definitely an episode I remember from syndication way back in the '70s.  In fact, it's entirely possible this was the first one I ever saw.  I distinctly remember that "I am Nomad!" line though I didn't recall much else about the story before watching again this week.

I believe we are now entering an era of more formulaic plots for Trek.  For the second week in a row, the show aired a Charlie X-type tale.  In this case, the superior being is a planet-destroying space probe called Nomad.  It spares the Enterprise because it mistakenly believes Kirk to be its creator.  The probe is on a Cylon-like purity cleansing binge and the crew knows it's only a matter of time before Nomad realizes its mistake and wipes them out, too.  Unable to overpower the machine, Kirk cleverly tricks it into destroying itself.

"The Changeling" is a good Uhura episode.   Nomad overhears her singing and seeks her out for questioning.  When she gives unsatisfying answers, Nomad wipes her memory, deeming her flawed.  Dr. McCoy and Nurse Barrett set out to reeducate her.  In her training, her native Swahili comes to her before the English.  Apparently, Nichelle Nichols had to fight for that to be included in the story.  Director Marc Daniels wanted her to stick with English, arguing that Nichols herself didn't speak Swahili so why bother?  Nichols countered, saying "Nichelle Nichols doesn't speak Swahili, but Uhura does!"  Nichols won and a linguist was brought in to teach her the lines.

*****
via Memory Alpha
Vic Perrin (voice of Nomad) was born April 26, 1916 in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.  After a long career in radio, Perrin made numerous television appearances as both actor and voice actor including 16 guest appearances on Dragnet.  "The Changeling" was his second of three appearances on Star Trek.  He was also the voice of the Metron in "The Arena" and we actually get to see him in next week's episode, "Mirror, Mirror."  On Super Friends, he performed the voice of Sinestro.
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18 comments:

  1. SuzeMarch 26, 2014 at 12:02 PM

    'Apparently, Nichelle Nichols had to fight for that to be included in the story. Director Marc Daniels wanted her to stick with English, arguing that Nichols herself didn't speak Swahili so why bother? Nichols countered, saying "Nichelle Nichols doesn't speak Swahili, but Uhura does!" Nichols won and a linguist was brought in to teach her the lines.'

    Love that.

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    1. The Armchair SquidMarch 26, 2014 at 2:39 PM

      The more I learn about her, the more I admire Nichelle Nichols.

      Delete
  2. LisaMarch 26, 2014 at 12:29 PM

    I LOVE Star Trek so much that my kids gave me the entire series (original) on DVD. I love it and the bonus material that tells you all kinds of neat stuff like this, and what Suze wrote!

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    1. The Armchair SquidMarch 26, 2014 at 2:41 PM

      The little tidbits are certainly fun. They satisfy my inner Cliff Clavin, as Suze would happily point out.

      Delete
  3. CygnusMarch 26, 2014 at 12:47 PM

    I remember being very disappointed with the conclusion of the first movie, "Star Trek: The Motion Picture," when the blatant similarities with this episode were revealed. Everybody remembers V'ger, but poor Jackson Roykirk has been forgotten... :-(

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    1. The Armchair SquidMarch 26, 2014 at 2:42 PM

      I haven't seen the original movie in so long. It will be fun to revisit again after this story.

      Delete
  4. Maurice MitchellMarch 26, 2014 at 3:56 PM

    Good for Nichols supporting her character's African roots! You always have cool trivia from the show Man.

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    1. The Armchair SquidMarch 26, 2014 at 8:00 PM

      Thanks, Maurice! Thanks for the mention on Twitter, too.

      Delete
  5. Geo.March 26, 2014 at 6:23 PM

    Uhura was my favorite Star Trek character --and the only one from whom I have an autographed photo-- because her beauty, modesty, gentleness and reliability defined what freedom could be. Roddenberry dreamed her up, but Nichelle Nichols made Uhura real.

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    1. The Armchair SquidMarch 26, 2014 at 8:01 PM

      There is a gentleness in her character that's very appealing. Uhura would be a good friend to have, I think.

      Delete
  6. Remembering GraceMarch 26, 2014 at 11:30 PM

    Read her autobiography! She's had an amazing life...she keenly felt the responsibility of being the only black female lead on the show and fought to have her character represented appropriately every week.

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  7. mshatchMarch 27, 2014 at 4:14 PM

    I remember this episode. I think my siblings and I went around the house chanting "I am nomad." Bet our parents loved that.

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    1. The Armchair SquidMarch 27, 2014 at 6:31 PM

      My sister still reminds me of my odd little habits along those lines. It's truly a miracle I was allowed out of the house, really.

      Delete
  8. UnknownMarch 27, 2014 at 4:57 PM

    Nice. The episodes seem to get better and better.

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    1. The Armchair SquidMarch 27, 2014 at 6:32 PM

      Well... maybe. The one I just watched - for next week's post - was quite good, indeed. It was my favorite in a while.

      Delete
  9. AnonymousMarch 27, 2014 at 9:16 PM

    I just love that she fought for Swahili! There's yet another reason Uhura rocked. As if I needed one more...
    ...Veronica

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