Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Star Trek: Albatross

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: "Albatross"
Series: Star Trek: The Animated Series
Season 2, Episode 4
Original Air Date: September 28, 1974
via Memory Alpha
There's nothing quite like an epidemic to keep a story moving.  As our heroes are leaving the planet Dramia, having delivered medical supplies, the natives arrest Dr. McCoy on charges of having caused a deadly plague on Dramia II 19 years before.  While Bones awaits what is sure to be a swift and unfair trial, Kirk directs the Enterprise to the infected planet to investigate.  A survivor willing to testify on McCoy's behalf is found but on the way back to Dramia, the entire crew (except for Spock) is turning blue, a sure sign they've been infected with the disease.  All are in peril in the final race against the clock.

"Albatross" takes heat from critics for inconsistencies but I enjoyed it.  I like the tension building from two separate but related crises.   There's also some nice Spock-McCoy relationship development in the final act.

*****
via Memory Alpha
Demos (voiced by Lou Scheimer) is the Dramian commander who issues McCoy's arrest warrant.  Later, he follows the Enterprise in hopes of preventing the investigation of Dramia II.  Kirk tricks him by leaving the shuttlebay doors open.  When Demos lands without permission, Kirk gains the upper hand, impounding Demos's ship and claims the Dramian prisoner as a stowaway.

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: "How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth."



14 comments:

  1. I think this one sounds interesting. bah
    I kind of want to go watch it.

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  2. Sounds good. Spock vs McCoy interaction was always one of my favorite parts of the original show and the later movies.
    Susan Says

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    1. I'm with you. Things get particularly interesting between the two of them when Kirk is compromised in some way and therefore can't moderate. Such is the case here.

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  3. I'm guessing Demos tried to stymie the investigation because he needed a fall guy. It must have been political.

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    1. That aspect of the story is never really explained, is it? He gives up the fight pretty easily once he knows he's in the wrong.

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  4. The animated series must be expected to leave some parts of its stories unresolved. Writers are given only 23 minutes to save a planet --a process TOS showed often consumes a whole hour. However, I think Finelli and Reed a fine job on this one.

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    1. Generally speaking, I would say TAS makes good use of time, cramming fairly complex stories into 22-minute packages. To me, Seinfeld is the gold standard for time management in the half hour slot. TAS isn't that good but it's not bad.

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  5. This one sounds intense with the plague and trial angles. I enjoy reading these summaries of episodes.

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    1. Thanks, Medeia! It's been fun seeing your promo around the 'sphere.

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  6. I swear these eps look so crazy from a "2015" perspective. However, I do love the Spock/McCoy dynamic.

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    1. The development of the Spock/McCoy relationship was the saving grace for TOS's season 3, I think. It's good to see that continue in TAS.

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  7. This sounds quite intriguing but the last photo of the alien looks like his pants fell down to his ankles..just saying:)

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