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Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Star Trek: The Slaver Weapon

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 Slaver Weapon"
Series: Star Trek: The Animated Series
Season 1, Episode 14
Original Air Date: December 15, 1973
via Wikipedia
"The Slaver Weapon" was written by Larry Niven, an up-and-coming science fiction author in the early '70s.  The episode was based on his short story, "The Soft Weapon."  It is the only Star Trek episode of the Kirk era not to feature Captain Kirk.  The only Enterprise crew members to appear in the story are Spock, Uhura and Sulu.  It's also rather dark by TAS standards.  It's the only episode of the animated series in which anyone dies on screen.

Our heroes have a run in with the Kzinti, apparently old nemeses of the Federation.  Spock and company inadvertently deliver an ancient, mysterious weapon into the Kzinti's hands.  To further complicate matters for our friends, the Kzinti captain is eager to eat them.

Maurice Mitchell and I watched simultaneously via Twitter.  My initial efforts to Tweet with my iPad were unsatisfactory but once I switched to the laptop, it was more fun.  TAS - and really most any life experience - is more fun if you can exchange snarky comments with a friend while you watch.  To that end, please join us next week, Tuesday at 5 pm EDT, #StarTrekTAS.

*****
via Memory Alpha
Chuft Captain was commander of the Kzinti ship, Traitor's Claw.  The incorporation of his rank in his name is consistent with the naming protocol of other Larry Niven stories.  He is 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: "The Eye of the Beholder."


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14 comments:

  1. SpacerGuyJune 3, 2015 at 1:28 PM

    I noticed Spock, Uhura and Sulu stepped out of the shuttle without running a lifeform scan. Serves them right for getting ambushed and all the Kzin had to do was wait!

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    1. The Armchair SquidJune 3, 2015 at 7:31 PM

      Absolutely. You know what they say: be sure to scan for life forms or the Kzinti will eat you.

      Delete
  2. BirgitJune 3, 2015 at 3:17 PM

    Oh my-this seems like it would be fun to watch as this one picture of the Kzin looks like they just partied with Cheech and Chong

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    1. The Armchair SquidJune 3, 2015 at 7:36 PM

      I haven't given much thought to that aspect of Trek. It was the early '70s...

      Delete
  3. Maurice MitchellJune 3, 2015 at 6:38 PM

    That live tweet was a ton of fun Squid so I'm looking forward to next week. It's hard to believe we're halfway through!

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    1. The Armchair SquidJune 3, 2015 at 7:39 PM

      More than! 14/22. We're almost through the first season. See you on Tuesday.

      Delete
  4. Geo.June 4, 2015 at 1:15 AM

    I was most impressed by the similarity of the stasis box to Hilbert Space --a mathematical construct useful in examining quantum systems that are theoretically complete. Then, of course, it's a Larry Niven story --one of the finest imaginers of space. Exceptional for cartoon fare!

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    1. The Armchair SquidJune 4, 2015 at 6:57 AM

      I'm going to have to take your word for it on the similarity. I looked up Hilbert space and was totally lost by the second sentence of the Wikipedia entry.

      I don't know Niven at all. This story makes me curious.

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  5. AnonymousJune 4, 2015 at 4:41 AM

    That's cool to share your experience on Twitter. I remember doing that once with an awards show.

    Another interesting episode.

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    1. The Armchair SquidJune 4, 2015 at 6:59 AM

      It was fun. I hope others will join us next week.

      Delete
  6. Andrew LeonJune 4, 2015 at 1:37 PM

    I've still never read any Niven.

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  7. Romance Reader June 4, 2015 at 7:26 PM

    Interesting episode. Awesome of you to share.

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