Episode: "Wink of an Eye"
Series: Star Trek: The Original Series
Season 3, Episode 11
Original Air Date: November 29, 1968
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| via Memory Alpha |
This time, the Enterprise is lured to the planet Scalos. Unbeknownst to our heroes, the natives live in accelerated time and are able to roam the ship virtually undetected by the crew apart from an insect-like buzzing. The Scalosians are also dying out and are intent on abducting members of the crew, including Captain Kirk, for breeding stock.
The deeper one gets into the third season, the more one sees ideas wearing thin. The fake distress call, the abductions, the superior beings effectively winning control of the ship: these are all tried and somewhat true staples of the franchise by this point. The time acceleration idea, however, is new - or it is to Trek, at any rate. An early use of the concept is found in H.G. Wells's short story entitled "The New Accelerator." On television, it had previously been explored on episodes of The Wild Wild West and The Lone Ranger animated series.
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| via Memory Alpha |
Oh yes, I remember this one! At 18 years old, my attention was riveted by the Scalosian queen's costume. I'm sure it was a very popular episode despite its familiar formulaic format.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's quite a costume!
Delete"Kathie Brown...Kirk's seductress of the week." LOL!
ReplyDeleteAnd seduce him, she did!
DeleteWhat a line, Kirks seductress of the week, made me giggle.
ReplyDeleteNot sure this is the year, when they didn't know what to do, Kirk got in a fight or rescue and his shirt ended up being ripped. That could be the ripped shirt of the week also.
Maybe that really didn't happen but every time I watched the show Kirk ended with a ripped shirt.
cheers, parsnip
There's quite a lot of wardrobe abuse in the next episode.
Delete>>Another pesky fake distress call! You'd think they'd learn!<<
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha, you are so right! I never thought about it, but they used that one to death. You need to get stats on the effectiveness of that ploy (I think it was 100%).
I think you're right. They fall for it every time!
DeleteI don't remember much about this one, but I do recall that the buzzzzzzing was a pretty creepy effect. Hearing it meant that the aliens are nearby, but not visible.
ReplyDeleteReminded me of mosquitoes - world's most dangerous animal.
DeleteThe Lone Ranger cartoon had a time acceleration plot? I don't remember that.
ReplyDeleteI've never watched the show myself. But according to my sources, yes.
DeleteI thought this was a mind-blowing concept when I was a kid. Still holds up.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great concept. There are those who have sought to debunk the underlying science but hey, folks, this isn't supposed to be realistic!
DeleteThe fact that Kirk has a seductress of the week suggests that this show was a bit like James Bond, in that regard at least. ;)
ReplyDeleteThere may have been some inclination to project Kirk as such. The same first name - coincidence? Kirk was nowhere near as smooth, though.
DeleteDarren McGavin of 'A Christmas Story' fame?
ReplyDeleteOne and the same. Kathie Browne was his second wife. Previously, he'd been married to Melanie York for 25 years.
DeleteWow. Two marriages that last that long is like two separate lifetimes.
DeleteI was thinking the same. The first ended in divorce. It's a good reminder never to take anything for granted.
DeleteGreat episode. Thanks for the share.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lady L!
DeleteI've seen ideas wearing thin in other shows. It's important to keep things fresh. I'm not familiar with this episode.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely.
DeleteIt's funny--most shows WAY outlive their storylines. But I'm surprised Star Trek ran out so soon--especially since they seem to have had no problem coming up with ideas for movies!
ReplyDeleteBig picture, the original series laid out an enormous canvas to be filled by five spinoff series over 27 seasons plus the movies. Plus comic books, novels and on and on. My guess is that with dwindling ratings, most of the writing talent was heading for better fishing grounds.
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