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Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Star Trek: The Magicks of Megas-tu

My friends and I are embarking on a new journey to watch all 22 episodes of Star Trek's animated series.  We'll be posting on Wednesdays.  All are welcome to join us for all or parts of our adventure.

Episode: "The Magicks of Megas-tu"
Series: Star Trek: The Animated Series
Season 1, Episode 8
Original Air Date: October 27, 1973
via Memory Alpha
Once again, humanity is on trial.  It's one of the franchise's favorite storylines: beings from another world demand the Enterprise crew answer for the injustices perpetuated on Earth centuries before.  This time, our friends encounter Lucien, a not-so-thinly-veiled Lucifer.  The demon brings them down to the planet Megas-tu where the inhabitants hold them to account for the Salem Witch Trials. 

"The Magicks of Megas-tu" was originally pitched for TOS but was rejected.  The episode generally fares very well with critics for its dazzling visuals and the morality play.  I don't think I'd rank it among my favorites so far but I enjoyed it.

*****

In the original story concept, our friends were supposed to meet God rather than Satan.  For whatever reason, the latter was an easier sell to network executives.  Interestingly, Larry Brody, the episode's writer, had been faced with a similar situation while working on the show Police Story.  NBC was alright with the depiction of sex between a man and his mistress but NOT between a man and his wife. 

Lucien was voiced by James Doohan.

If you would care to join us for all or part of our travels, sign on to the list below.  Please visit the other participants.  Next week: "Once Upon a Planet."


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8 comments:

  1. SpacerGuyApril 22, 2015 at 11:26 AM

    There are very similiar parallels with this tas episode and Star Trek V. The buzz words in the movie focused on the great barrier reef instead of breaking through the center of the universe. Do you suppose it was Lucien who created the vortex to snare the Enterprise?

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    1. The Armchair SquidApril 23, 2015 at 5:50 PM

      I saw ST5 many many years ago and remember nothing. I wouldn't put anything past Lucien, though...

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  2. Susan Gourley/KelleyApril 22, 2015 at 1:21 PM

    Why was the devil upset about the Salem Witch trials. I'd like to see that episode.

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    1. The Armchair SquidApril 23, 2015 at 5:51 PM

      It's a little more complicated than that. It's the witches - actually magicians from another realm according to this story - who have it in for both humans and Lucien over their treatment on Earth.

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  3. BirgitApril 22, 2015 at 3:10 PM

    This is inventive-I thought he was Pan:) The devil seems like more fun:)

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  4. Maurice MitchellApril 23, 2015 at 11:23 AM

    Still haven't seen this episode, (review Friday of course) but it's cool that the rejected scripts became the grist for the animated series.

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