Series: Star Trek: The Original Series
Season 3, Episode 9
Original Air Date: November 15, 1968
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| via Wikipedia |
The story opens with the Enterprise in search of her sister ship, the USS Defiant. Eventually, the ship is found but its entire crew is dead and the entire vessel seems to be winking in and out of existence. Kirk is lost in a transporter malfunction and presumed dead. Spock assumes command of the Enterprise, as is his duty, but not without abrupt and significant challenges from McCoy at every turn. As if all of this weren't troubling enough, beings called the Tholians show up, demanding that our friends hightail it out of their territory. Spock would be only happy to oblige if not for the slim hope that the captain might be saved. He pleads with the Tholians to allow them more time but when the extension expires, the Tholians weave a lasery web around the Enterprise.
Fortunately, Kirk had planned for the possibility of his own untimely demise. He left a recording for his two confidants to watch in which he advises each of the other's strengths and their need for each other. His message is a fair summation of the moral/ethical landscape upon which the entire series is built. Even more fortunate, Kirk is ultimately rescued from the parallel universe to which the transporter had sent him and the future of the franchise is saved.
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| via Wikipedia |
Babcock has had a highly distinguished television career. In 1981, she won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series as Grace Gardner on Hill Street Blues. In 1993, she was nominated for another, this time for her supporting role on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. There have been big screen credits, too, including Day of the Devil Gun, Bang the Drum Slowly and Chosen Survivors. She had six appearances on Trek's original series, four for voice work, two on camera. She appeared on both "A Taste of Armageddon" and "Plato's Stepchildren."
Ding-ding-ding! I remember this one (it seems that I have forgotten quite a few, so I have to celebrate a retained memory).
ReplyDeleteThe radically different personalities made this show. The episodes that focused on those differences are always some of the better story lines.
I absolutely agree. I've been composing a wrap up post internally and the relationship between the three principals will be central to it.
DeleteI think I sort of remember that one...
ReplyDeleteI swear I'm going to get around to re-watching the series some day.
Let me know if you do!
DeleteNo, I don't think I saw this one.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely photo of Barbara Babcock.
cheers, parsnip
It is a great photo. Thank you, Wikipedia!
DeleteYou know that recording could be a way to bring Shatner back to the franchise. Maybe he creates a holographic version of himself like the Doctor from Voyager. I hope Abrams is reading this...
ReplyDeleteOnce I finish this series of posts, I should probably re-watch the Abrams movies. Unfortunately, I think now I'd be even more troubled by his liberties. Before, I liked the original series. Now, I'm invested!
DeleteThe Tholians showed up a number of times in Enterprise, including during it Temporal Cold War arc and in the Mirror Universe.
ReplyDeleteI saw that one about the Temporal Cold War. As previously stated, I'm not a big fan of time travel in Trek but I do think the Temporal Cold War offers interesting spinoff series possibilities.
DeleteBarbara Babcock was a talented and lovely actress; I remember her in those other shows.
ReplyDeleteI remember her from Hill Street Blues. I never watched Dr. Quinn.
DeleteI remember this episode very well! I certainly appreciate your mention of Barbara Babcock, who was certainly prettier than Loskene.
ReplyDeleteWell, yes. She turned up the next week on Trek, too.
DeleteThat sounds like another grew episode.
ReplyDeleteYup, it's fun.
DeleteThat picture of Babcock- just wow. Where are women like that nowadays. She is stunning.
ReplyDeleteYes, very beautiful lady.
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