Well, we made it my friends. This is the episode I HATE. I mean, truly truly hate. It nauseated me when I saw it years ago, kind of hate. And I promise I have never watched it since 1991 and I almost didn't do this overview because I knew we would get here eventually. It's a top contender for the worst episode of the series, almost any series. Sigh, so let's finally watch it again and see if it's at all better years later. A little? Maybe? Please???
Plot:The Enterprise finds a planet inhabited by aliens who were once followers of the Greek philosopher Plato.
Guest Stars:Michael Dunn as Alexander, Liam Sullivan as Parmen, Barbara Babcock as Philana
Nitpick:Of course this episode is infamous for being the first interracial kiss on television. That galls me. Not because I have an issue with an interracial kiss, but because it means this horrid episode will always be considered a "noteworthy" one which it does NOT deserve. And to be fair, there is one scene I really love. After all the humiliation that happens to Kirk and Spock, the natural reaction would be to feel outraged and angry. That's fine, unless you're a Vulcan who suppresses all emotion. How do you process that? It's a nice scene and Nimoy handles it great.
Summary:
Teaser-Summoned by a medical distress call Kirk, Spock and McCoy find a society that models itself after Plato. When there planet when nova they transported to Earth during the time of Plato and Socrates. When the Greek pantheon died they came to this new planet and patterned their society after those legends. Their leader, Parmen, has a massive infection and is close to death. When McCoy tries to use a hypo they demonstrate their amazing telekinetic abilities by making the hypo work by itself. Alexander, a servant, whispers they should not kill the three but is silenced.
Act 1-McCoy treats the infection and wonders how a simple cut could get that serious. They explains they had these telekinetic powers since they arrived on the planet. They haven't needed medical professionals, there world is a utopia. In his delirium Parmen tosses items around the room and effect the Enterprise in orbit. McCoy finally calms them and McCoy wants to stay until the fever breaks. Alexander explains that he is the court buffoon and never had the telekinetic abilities. Later, the landing party is prepared to leave at last however the Enterprise is frozen. Kirk rushes into demand an explanation and Parmen removes Kirk's phaser. He says the guests cannot make demands. Kirk says guests are not treated as common prisoners, at which Parmen forces Kirk to slap himself. Here we go.
Act 2-Later, the three are trying to contact the Enterprise. It's clear they have no intention of releasing them. The three are suddenly forced back into the main room. Parmen presents gifts to them, and says he will release the ship but wants McCoy to remain on the planet. McCoy refuses to stay, and Spock says they cannot be descendants of Plato he wanted truth and beauty and above all, justice. Parmen wanted to persuade Kirk to let McCoy stay peacefully, but since they will not cooperate. And here is where we get the fun stuff, and I will not dignify this episode by listing what they do to Kirk and Spock aside from saying that they humiliate the two.
Act 3-Later, the three are recovering and Spock is especially disturbed by what has happened. Feeling intense rage but having no outlet to express it. McCoy volunteers to stay but Kirk says they will just destroy the Enterprise if they leave. Alexander says that he is right. He explains that he realizes he has been treated the same way and now realizes that it was because they were bullies not because he was small. He briefly has a murderous fury which Kirk talks him down from. He explains that the power developed after they arrived at the planet. When they started eating the native food. There must be a connection. Alexander must not be able to absorb the crucial element. McCoy finds that Parmen has more kironide, which is broken down by the pituitary gland. The same keeping him small keeps him from having the power. Kirk tells McCoy to find a way to get the substance in there blood and speed up the process. And he does it very quickly! Alexander does not want to take it, saying he does not want to become one of them. He simply asks Kirk to take him with them if they do escape. Suddenly, Uhura and Chapel materialize on the planet. Kik asks what they are doing but they say nothing and just walk away. Kirk comments that it looks like they were not sufficiently entertaining.
Act 4-Later that night Uhura and Chapel are dressed in Greek dresses as are Kirk and Spock. They explain how they were forced to beam down. The four are led to a stage where Spock sings a love song to Chapel and Uhura. Then they are paired off, Spock making out with Chapel and, yep, Kirk being forced to kiss Uhura. So now that we are here, is the scene well done? The dialogue and acting are, but that kiss is way to safe it closes in on Kirk and you barely see the lips meet. It's more suggestion, which I guess is all 1969 could handle. After that they force Kirk and Spock to start tormenting the women with a whip and hot rod. Alexander tries to sneak up on Parmen with a knife, but it fails. Parmen then makes Alexander try to kill himself, but Kirk feels his powers kick in. He explains they have their abilities. Kirk and Parmen duel but ultimately Kirk is victorious. When Alexander on his own tries to attack Parmen Kirk talks him out of it. He drops the knife finally. And heaps contempt onto his former leader. Parmen is surprised Kirk did not kill him, and Kirk explains killing is murder to them even for revenge. Parmen says that they will be benevolent to future starships. Skeptical, Kirk and Spock point out they can give anyone their powers now. Parmen seems to accept this, and it's finally over. Kirk calls Scotty for a beam up saying that they have a little surprise for him. Because Alexander is joining them and a height joke is a classy way to end this train wreck.
Final Thoughts:Well, I made it through. So I read some reviews that the episode is good (not great) precisely because of the cringe factor. It's basically about bullying or torture and is supposed to be uncomfortable to watch. Ok, but then I thought of "Chain of Command" on TNG. Here we see Picard being tortured and that is hard to watch, but that's a well regraded episode (at least compared to this one) and I don't mind watching that one. What's the difference? The writing is solid and the acting is solid and the characters are strong and well performed. Three things this episode failed at. Plus in that episode the torture was based on real torture, here it feels like they were going for laughs but fell painfully flat. Another thing "Chain of Command" did was keep the torture scenes to a minimum. They were there but then we'd either get some dialogue or cut away back to the ship. Here the tormenting goes on forever to the point where it's just disturbing to watch. Especially when Alexander rides Kirk like a horse, wtf? In fact the final resolution is rushed, you have to wonder if maybe cutting back the nonsense would have helped. Do I hate it a much as I did in 1991? Pretty much but for different reasons. It wasn't nauseating to see those scenes again, but they did go on to long and did not achieve what they were going for. But the big problem is the episode is stupid, the solution a little to easy, and it's just unpleasant. One memorable and historic moment does not a good episode make!
Maybe some day I will give "Sub Rosa" another watch. Nah, that one has NOTHING redeemable.
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