OK, classic Trek. I’m going to start right in the middle of the thing because I’ve seen most of the early episodes recently. I’ll circle around and catch them later. Also I’ll go by disc order, which is the same as episode airdate order. I’m not going to worry to much about spoilers since these shows are, you know, over 40 years old.
Set phasers to minimum kill and let’s roll.
38. Metamorphosis. Pretty standard Trek fare to start us out. An Enterprise shuttle encounters a weird probe in space, which disables it and strands it on the surface of a nearby planet. The only person here is Zefram Cochrane, famous known as the inventor of warp drive, only that’s sorta weird because Zefram Cochrane had been lost in space 150 years before. Also he was 87 at the time, and is now a young man. Events are further complicated (aren’t they always!) by the presence of diplomat Nancy Hedford, whose rare and fatal disease chooses this precise moment to cause her serious health issues. Kirk spends most of episode slowly figuring out Cochrane’s relationship to “The Companion,” an alien entity that restored Cochrane’s health and keeps him company. The Companion won’t let them leave or help Hedford in any way, but eventually they figure out a way to make it happen and all is well. Episodes like this usually bore me a bit: there is a stubborn alien preventing people from doing something. They talk to it for a while, and then they get it to do what they want and wrap things up. Usually you just hope the themes are interesting. In this case, a yes: considering their interaction, the Companion can really only be considered to have a sort of intimate relationship to Cochrane. The thought instantly disgusts him, which highly amuses the progressive Enterprise crew, themselves frequent intimates with a variety of species. Spock’s killer line: “Fascinating. A totally parochial attitude.” All told, a decent episode with some interesting ideas. 4 out of 5.
Trek tropes (number of instances encountered in series so far in parentheses):
- Strange probe encountered in space (1)
- Badger alien until you get what you want (1)
- Guest star abandons life for new existence (1)
39. Journey to Babel. Escorting a shipful of diplomats to political talks, the Enterprise picks up Vulcan Ambassador Sarek and his wife Amanda. If you have never watched any Trek before or it’s November 1967 where you are, it will come as a surprise to you to learn that these are Spock’s parents. We learn that Spock and his father aren’t on speaking terms, dating back to when Spock joined Starfleet against his father’s wishes. Some of the workings of Spock’s familial relations are covered here, along with an assassination plot, mysterious space probe, and the health problems of Sarek. A lot happens and it makes for a highly suspenseful, terrific episode. A great quandary comes from Spock’s refusal to leave command while Kirk is injured, despite Spock being needed for a blood transfusion for his father. Lots of gem scenes about duty, logic versus emotion, and whether you should give up a dangerous amount of your blood in a highly risky surgery for someone that doesn’t like you. Spock’s killer line: “Worry is a human emotion, Captain. I accept what has happened.” Great ending with McCoy hopelessely trying to keep Spock and Kirk in Sick Bay while both recover. Everything good about Star Trek on display here: 5 out of 5.
Trek tropes (number of instances encountered in series so far in parentheses):
- Strange probe encountered in space (2)
- Highly experimental plan with low probability of success somehow works anyway (1)
- Lighthearted banter to close episode (1)
