Episode: "The Savage Curtain"
Series:
Star Trek: The Original Series
Season 3, Episode 22
Original Air Date: March 7, 1969
"The Savage Curtain" is an interesting episode - less for the story itself than for the history it supplied for the
Trek universe. In a now typical morality play, Kirk and Spock are pitted against evil forces for the amusement - or in this case, the intellectual enlightenment - of superior beings. Our heroes have company on the "good" side: mysterious incarnations of Abraham Lincoln, Kirk's personal idol, and Surak, the father of Vulcan civilization. Lining up on the baddies' side are Genghis Khan and three new faces: Colonel Green, a genocidal despot from 21st century Earth; Zora, a eugenicist-type from the planet Tiburon and Kahless, the forefather of the Klingon empire. Surak, Green and Kahless all feature in later spinoff series stories.
Creator Gene Roddenberry wrote this episode himself. The idea of humanity proving its moral worth was clearly important to him as it often comes up in his stories, well into
The Next Generation. In March 1969, human science was on the brink of reaching the moon. We were ready. But, Roddenberry wondered, did we actually deserve it?
*****
Lee Bergere (Lincoln) was born April 10, 1918 in Brooklyn. For those keeping score at home, he's the second native Brooklynite in a row to be featured in this space. His acting career began on stage as an understudy to Danny Kaye in
Lady in the Dark. During World War II, he served in North Africa, supervising entertainment services for the troops.
Most of his work was on television. His best-known role was Joseph on 56 episodes of
Dynasty. One of his few other regular gigs was as George on
Hot L Baltimore. The series, starring James Cromwell of all people, only lasted for 13 episodes but George was one of the earliest gay characters to appear regularly on an American TV show.
Bergere retired from acting in 1989. He died in 2007 in New Hampshire from undisclosed causes.
Well, I admit it's among my favorite episodes. Where else would you get that striking opener of a starship skidding to a stop in front of a giant animated Lincoln Memorial in orbit? Then they go down and have hokey fights with rocks and sticks but the fascination was this: the landing party periodically debated with the orchestrator of the illusory charade --a sort of igneous turd that just wouldn't listen to their objections. If we consider how many of America's youth were similarly engaged with their draft boards to secure non-combatant duty or conscientious objector status, the allegory becomes clear. At the time, the episode reflected current events, and might have doomed the series if it wasn't on the military-industrial hit list already.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand the challenge to authority angle and I have no doubt that was a powerful message at the time. But I do think there's more to it, something that helps bridge Trek to eras beyond its own. The concern about technological progress outpacing moral progress was certainly nothing new. From the Industrial Revolution onward, many expressed the same worry, including Nobel and Einstein. One could even argue that dilemma is the story of the 20th century. It's a big part of the underlying philosophies which I've grown to admire about Star Trek.
DeleteIt seems that humanity is always needing to prove itself but, then, when you look around today, sometimes, it's not surprising.
ReplyDeleteAre we truly the world society we wish to be? It's a worthy question and not enough people are wondering. Or, some have done plenty of wondering and arrived at terrifying conclusions.
DeleteI had no idea Abe Lincoln ever had a presence in any Star Trek rendition. This is interesting information!!!
ReplyDeleteWild, right?
DeleteI wouldn't have thought to see Abe Lincoln in Star Trek, either. ha. Love it.
ReplyDeleteI think that 'human moral superiority' thing still comes up in many movies / TV shows today.
Indeed. It's not as if we solved all of those problems in the '60s.
DeleteDo we ever *deserve* the bounty of progress? Lucky, beloved beasts we be, precious in the sight of Providence.
ReplyDeleteWait, did I just channel somebody!? :D
Channel away, my friend!
DeleteI liked that Lincoln and Surak stayed true to their beliefs and talents, even if it meant defeat.
ReplyDeleteYes - definitely a message to the military powers of the day.
DeleteI don't remember ever seeing this episode. It does sound interesting and what a picture!
ReplyDelete~Jess
It is a good picture.
DeleteI appreciate it when shows and movies go in depth like this with a message or point. I'd like to see this episode.
ReplyDeleteThere was definitely a message embedded in Trek - a wish for a better way of interacting with one another.
DeleteThis episode sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was.
DeleteI never knew which episode Kahless the unforgettable was in and now I know. Roddenberry had a singular vision for his show. Good and bad.
ReplyDeleteThere's no denying that the vision resonated, though. 27 seasons of spinoffs plus 12 films and the franchise is alive and well nearly 50 years later: that's the result of a lot more than strength of story.
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