Today's episode has a similar thing going that "Plato's Stepchildren" had. It's famous for one big scene, but the whole episode isn't that great. Don't get me wrong, it's a lot better than the previous one. But is it really good enough to get the accolades it often gets?
Plot:The crew of the Enterprise find themselves caught in the middle of an intractable conflict with a bizarre fugitive alien and his equally belligerent pursuer.
Guest Stars:Frank Gorshin as Bele, Lou Antonio as Lokai
Nitpick:Yeah the self destruct sequence used in this episode is done verbatim in Star Trek III. And yes that's awesome.
Summary:
Teaser-The Enterprise is on it way to a decontamination mission at Arianus when they come aross a shuttlecraft believed stolen from Starbase 4. The shuttle's life support is not working so Kirk brings it on board. Kirk and Spock go the hangar bay and are surprised when a humanoid emerges with one half of his face white and the other black.
Act 1-The stranger is in Sick-Bay where Kirk, Spock and McCoy comment on the odd pigmentation of their skin. McCoy says its a natural condition of the species. Spock suggests he is one of a kind. The stranger wakes up and says his name is Lokai from Cheron. Cheron is a distant part of th galaxy. Lokai wont answer when Kirk asks what he is doing out here. Suddenly there is contact with another alien vessel, this one has been shielded it is invisible (how convenient). The ship breaks apart and when Kirk asks what happened to the passenger, a voice behind him says he is there. It is another alien like Lokai except that the block and white are on different sides of his face.
Act 2-The stranger identifies himself as Commissioner Bele, the Chief Officer Of The Commission on Political Traitors, from Cheron there to capture Lokai who has been tried and convicted of treason. Kirk beings Bele to Lokai, and they start arguing with each other. It's clear that Bele has been chasing Lokai for a very very long time. Lokai claims they were slaves but Bele insists that he led a revolt against the government. Lokai requests political asylum on the Enterprise and Kirk explains they are going to Starbase 4. However Bele is not satisfied with that. Suddenly the Enterprise seems to be under someone else's contorl, and Bele explains that he has taken control of the ship with his mental powers. It is now en route to Cheron. When Bele refuses to relinquish control, and phasers fail to stop him, Kirk activates the self destruct and with Spock and Scott's help enables the countdown (which is dragged out in the episode).
Act 3-Kirk explains that past 5 second no command can stop the destruct order. Bele agrees just in time, and the destruct sequence is disengaged. Bele apologizes for interfering with their decontamination mission and promises to allow the ship to proceed. While Lokai tries to recruit crewmembers to his cause, Bele discusses the matter with Kirk and Spock. And here is the famous scene when Bele explains Lokai is inferior because of what side his white side is, which confuses Kirk and Spock. I do like their baffled looks. What difference does that make, there still the same species right? Starfleet Command then reports that they will allow Bele to take Lokai after a hearing at starbase 4, which Bele knows is just more delays. After the Enterprise has accomplished its task at Arianus, Bele reveals that he has shorted out the self destruct and directional control. Now they have no choice to go to Cheron.
Act 4-Lokai begs for the crew to intervene while Bele brags that he has finally caught him. As they fight on the Bridge the energy they create comes close to wrecking the ship. Bele is finally forced to return control of the ship to Kirk but they are approaching Cheron anyway. Spock scans the planet, and finds barren and lifeless. It appears that the wars and fighting from the people has annihilated the planet. Bele and Lokai are enraged and fight again, with Kirk trying to explain that there cause no longer exists. There is nothing left to fight for. Lokai runs off the Bridge, and when Bele goes to run after Kirk pleads with him to let his anger go. Bele says he cannot let lokai escape, and runs after him. The two chase each other into the transporter room and down to the planet surface. Kirk notes that all they have left is their hatred of each other.
Final Thoughts:I can't help like this one, though it's not perfect. Padding seemed to be a real thing in Season 3 as this episode is as dragged out as yesterday's. But the message in the episode is sound, to me it's about how hating can consume people. Even when their cause is gone, Bele and Lokai can't let go of their hate. I like how Kirk appeals to Bele at the end to let it go. Kirk knows Bele is a rational person, but he still can't let go of his hate. That's how I see it anyway. Of course another reason to love this one is Frank Gorshin, he can never go wrong. However as I said with Plato's Stepchildren, one memorable and even historic moment does not a great episode make.
No comments:
Post a Comment