Well folks we made it. My candidate for worst Trek episode of them all. At least "Spock's Brain" and "And the Children Shall Lead" are so bad they're good. Even "Plato's Stepchildren" managed a moment or two. This is stupid on every level. I get that it was the 60's and the episode was reflecting the times, but man did have to be so awful?
Plot:The Enterprise picks up a group of renegades who have rejected modern technological life to search for the mythical planet Eden.
Guest Stars:Skip Homeier as Sevrin, Charles Napier as Adam
Nitpick:Ok I let it go yesterday for the most part but what the heck is it with Spock in this episode? How out of character can he get? I can understand why Nimoy stopped caring but man it shows. Originally this was supposed to be about McCoy and his daughter, wonder if that would have been better?
Summary:
Teaser-The Enterprise intercepts the Aurora, a stolen space cruiser. The vessel tries to escape but the engines overheat destroying it. Scotty is able to beam the crew aboard, and they end up being space hippies. There's no hiding it, let's just get this over with.
Act 1-The group includes Tongo Rad, the son of a Catullan ambassador. His involvement prevents Captain Kirk, under orders from the Federation, from arresting the group for theft. As the group sits in, and chants, Chekov recognizes the voice of one of them. Kirk and Spock arrive in the Transporter room where Kirk berates the group. The group ignore Kirk and continue to sit. Spock greets them and seems to connect with the group. The leader Dr Sevrin says his destination is Eden which Kirk suggests is a myth. He explains they recognize no authority of any kind. Kirk says they are guests and expects them to behave as guests. Spock seems to understand the group as they chant at Kirk. On the Bridge Chekov says he knows one of them. Irina Galliulin, a dropout of Starfleet Academy. He explains the group rejects conventional society. In Sick-Bay we get a song from Adam, one of the hippies. No seriously. Chekov catches up with Irina. She explains she believes in the path she has chosen. She rejoins the others who are shouting because Sevrin is quarantined.
Act 2-Dr. Sevrin is found to be a carrier for the deadly bacteria synthococcus novae. A product of their current civilization. He is a carrier and needs to be quarantined. Sevrin refuses to accept the diagnosis which Sevrin refuses to accept. He says he rejected the exam because it was an infringement of his rights. The other five sit in and refuse to move. Adam starts to sing and Kirk walks away from their chanting. On the Bridge, Scotty reports says that one of the group was there. Kirk asks Spock to communicate with the group since he cannot. Spock tries to insist that Sevrin stop the others from interfering with the ship. If they are charged with a crim they will never colonize anything. Sevrin says that he did know he was infected, he resents the restrictions placed on him due to the virus he carries (dear lord this is sounding relatable!). He needs a primitive world to cleanse himself of the disease. Spock determines he is insane and will assist his search for the fabled planet. Sevrin says he will have his group behave. In his quarters Adam visits Spock and is impressed by his Lute. He asks Spock to join them for a concert. In Auxiliary Control Chekov is assisting Spock but is distracted by Irina. She learns the functions of the room, and the real plan is for the group to seize the Enterprise.
Act 3-And know we get a concert. Yes, really. Sigh. Spock joins them and then at the end of the scene he walks off without a word. I get the feeling Leonard Nimoy walked off the set and kicked a wall. During the concert Sevrin is secretly released. They take control of the ship and set course for Eden-right across the Romulan Neutral Zone. Don't worry that goes nowhere. While the crew try to break into auxiliary control Sevrin announces he has taken control of all functions. Kirk tries to reason with the others that Sevrin is insane. But they will not listen. The group uses ultrasonics to knock out the crew.
Act 4-Kirk and Spock awaken and turn off the ultrasonics. The discover a shuttle is missing and Kirk decides to go after the group. The Enterprise orbits the plane the shuttle went to. Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Chekov beam down and find an idyllic world which is absolutely beautiful. Suddenly Chekov screams, he had touches a flower and it burned him. The plants, grass and everything is full of acid. There clothes protect them for a little time. Spock then finds Adam dead from eating a fruit that was poisoned. subtle guys. They see the shuttlecraft and finds the others inside, all suffering from burns of various degrees. Sevrin refuses to leave, despite the fact that he has been severely scalded, and runs off. He climbs a tree and kills himself eating a fruit. Later on the Enterprise Kirk is prepared to beam the survivors to the starbase. Chekov apologizes for not behaving like an officer which Kirk accepts, and allow him to say goodbye to Irina. Spock encourages her to continue to search for Eden. Kirk says "we reach", I have no idea what the hell that means, and thankfully this painful episode ends!
Final Thoughts:So Spock is a wannabe hippie and Kirk the grumpy rigid old timer stuck in his ways. I said before that season 3 was either stupid or boring. This episode is the one that manages both. Yeah, why is this episode hated? I am not going to pretend I understand everything about the counter culture movement of the 60's, but it seems unlikely this episode really represents it well. As I said last year, the Batman episode that tackled the subject was actually better. A bit. This was the hardest time I've had paying attention or not reaching for the remote. The twist ending was kinda clever, but not nearly enough to save the episode. I could go on and on about the character inconsistencies, stupid plot, boring ass romance, and horrid singing but I think I will keep it short and simple. THE EPISODE IS THE WORST!
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