#lenore karidian

[honeyburn-blog]

another saturday night… pass the mediocre star trek shitpost comp

[favvn]

I love how Kirk and Lenore's first meeting goes. He is returning back to the planet with the full intent of speaking to Anton Karidian after looking into Kodos/Karidian through the ship's computer, so his plans are altered when Lenore tells him her father doesn't meet anyone personally or go to parties. He decides to charm Lenore instead. And right away, the dialogue gives a tell: "You saw Macbeth. That was my father."

Macbeth here can refer both to the play itself and the titular character in the play, the Scottish general who is told by a trio of witches he will be king, and he is so consumed by the ambition this prophecy brings, that he murders King Duncan to ascend to the throne. He and Lady Macbeth kill more people to keep their crimes secret and retain power, and the two descend into madness amidst a civil war. Does any of this seem at all familiar, perhaps, to Tarsus IV's revolution, Kodos' declaration of martial law to gain control, etc.? ("The revolution was a success [...] I was a soilder in a cause.")

And Lenore goes for a sip of her drink to stop talking. She wants this line of conversation to go nowhere, both because of her father and possibly because she is aware she has said too much. By linking her father to Macbeth, she inadvertently recalls Kodos and Tarsus IV. Remember, she knows that Kirk is a survivor of Tarsus IV, so it is in her interest to play coy and keep Anton Karidian out of the conversation. (In other words, this whole scene is a game of cat and mouse. Kirk wants to use her to get to her father, Lenore wants to kill Kirk to protect her father.)

But Kirk is the one to link her to Lady Macbeth, and rather than respond, "My name is Lenore when I am not on the stage," Lenore plays along. By coyly hiding behind the role of Lady Macbeth, she inadvertantly allows Kirk to see how the Karidians work, assuming Kirk knows his Shakespeare. (In all honesty, this dialogue is more so for the audience's benefit. Had Kirk realized it was Lenore right here, I think even Columbo himself would call bullshit. Still, picking out these details makes for a fun rewatch.)

In the play, Lady Macbeth pushes her husband to action and cleans up after his mess by killing Duncan's guards. Lenore was born after the Tarsus IV massacre so this is obviously not to say she pushed her father into a massacre, but she has decided to dispose of the survivors lest they come back to cause problems for her father. It's in this way that Lenore is like Lady Macbeth as the two women commit further crimes to hide the initial crime perpetrated by the one they love and to retain power.

These two are playing unspoken 3D chess, but this is the extent of their conversation. Awkward! Still, it is neat that Kirk ignores Lenore's opening for more information about him. He just takes her phrasing and throws it back at her and then asks a question to actually get her talking.

Regardless of Kirk's own knowledge of the play, it is still fun that after saying, "So, Lady Macbeth. Interesting," Kirk then asks, "What's your next move?" This would be akin to asking, "Who do you intend to kill next?" but since the Macbeth references are for the audience's benefit, Kirk's intended meaning is, of course, "Where will you perform next?"

Still, Lenore Karidian just gives him a look as she takes a sip of her drink, as if she understands all too well the layers behind this exchange.

It is by the end of this exchange that Lenore finally tells Kirk her name, and it is by asking how well she played the role of Lenore Karidian. The earlier exchange on the couch might have been odd, but this goes to show Lenore's willingness to play a role, even at the expense of her own life. She's no longer making nods and winks towards the theater. Her life is one long act in a play. Her killing the survivors of Tarsus IV is just as much for her own peace of mind as it is for her father at this point. (Need I remind anyone of the fate of Lady Macbeth?)

[leehallfae]

this is the great karidian. you cannot deny him his last performance!

barbara anderson as lenore karidian in star trek: the original series (1966–1969) s01 e13 “the conscience of the king”

[ID: nine screencaps of lenore karidian confronting captain kirk. in costume as ophelia, she wears a dress of lavender and pale green, the bodice adorned with white flowers. she points a phaser gun at kirk, a wild look in her eyes. standing beside kodos on the stage, kirk says, “you’ll never get off the ship.” lenore replies, “it will become a floating tomb, drifting through space, with the soul of the great karidian giving performances at every star he touches.” as she speaks, there is a close-up shot of her eyes sparkling with white light. brandishing the phaser gun, she continues, “i know how to use this, captain.” off-screen, somebody shouts, “no!” and lenore declares, “caesar, beware the idea of march.” end ID.]

[anewstartrekfan]

I cannot stress enough how skilled of a manipulator Lenore Karidian was in conscience of the king. The only reason Kirk found out she was the killer was that he overheard her inadvertently confess. He never once considered her as a suspect. She played him in all of their conversations. Every time he tried to pry she always turned the conversation away. First by trying to focus on him, but then when that failed, turned to romance/seduction. Because while you can never get Kirk to talk about himself, he will speak about love and the human condition at length, and fall hard and fast for anyone who appeals to that.

[data2364]

via Trekcore.com

Barbara Anderson (Lenore Karidian) 1966 in Star Trek: The Original Series “The Conscience of the King”

https://data2364.wordpress.com/2022/04/14/daily-star-trek-14-april-2022/

[reusedtvseriescostumes]

This Fur mini dress is worn two times in Star Trek: The Original Series, First worn on Lenore Karidian in The Conscience of the King (1966) and worn on an woman in Assignment: Earth (1968)

[trekkingthroughthestargate]

It’s also SO INTERESTING to me how our own technology advancing oftentimes results in what were previously considered to be plot holes in Star Trek instead being considered innovative.

Because in Conscience of the King, Kirk has a picture of both Kodos and Karidian, and I saw a frequent critique of this episode being “why do they need eye witnesses/why is Lenore so intent on getting rid of the eye witnesses when they have pictures”.

But Star Trek has AI technology, and in our world we have only just started creating it. Which means that having a picture generated by the computer is not enough. AI increases the need for eye witnesses a hundred fold, because the image created by AI might just be what Kodos probably looked like based on the accounts of people who knew him and the handful of eye witnesses of the Tarsus IV incident.

And the fact that, unintentional or no, that was something predicted in 1966 will never cease to amaze me

[walkingstackofbooks]

TOS rewatch - Conscience of the King

Jim is SO certain that Kodos is dead, isn't he? Or at least, in utter denial that he could be anything else. Ohhhhh.

Gosh, the complete CONTROL he's maintaining as he looks up the information, only stroking his hands anxiously.

"Stop." I spoke too soon - he can't allow the computer to continue to say about the massacre. MY HEART IS ALREADY TOO MUCH.

Jim's description of Tom as "with a very long memory". How much of this has Jim blocked out of *his* memory? He appears to have no recognition of Kodos, which I've never really thought about too much before, but how deep is that memory buried?

(Alternatively - and I have no idea if this would track at all with any other episodes - but aphantasic Kirk?)

The way he smiles at Lenore definitely would add to his reputation if it wasn't obviously a ploy to get to the bottom of this.

I've never thought about the fact that Lenore IS Lady Macbeth, either, killing Kodos' "rivals" for him so that his future is clear. I really feel like I ought to have 😅

OH, and SHE'S like the cat who's got the cream when he suggests they leave, because it's like he's handing himself straight to her - far easier than I imagine she'd have thought it would be to trap a Starship Captain!

"At the party you were such a brash young man" He's more than ten years your senior, Lenore. You've been playing Lady Macbeth too much.

Why did she let him take her so close to her murder? Did she just not realise what direction they had come in until it was too late and then was trying to distract him with a kiss once she realised? I guess she is not exactly a professional with this...

Oh, Jim. It always strikes me how Tom is an actual friend to him, still - he clearly knows Martha, and she knows him.

Jim delighting even at this time in making Spock confused about knowing about the pick-up 🤣❤️

Oh, he has really played her so well, even without knowing that *she's* behind the killing - she totally believes he's just a charming captain who has quite fallen for her charm.... Although I guess he's the same, thinking that she's just Kodos' innocent daughter who's fallen for *his* charm.

And again, his startled-ness at Kevin Riley. I guess there's technically no *reason* why he should have known the other survivors who had seen Kodos? With 4000 survivors, I guess it could have been quite random which ones of them saw Kodos.

Okay, with his orders to Spock to send Kevin back to engineering, Jim has definitely entered "fight" mode, and as tactical as he can be he's not thinking with his whole brain here.

"Did it ever occur to you that he simply might like the girl?" "It occurred. I dismissed it." "You would." I don't know what this is but Bones, Spock, I love you.

SPOCK'S SIGH. THAT WAS A FULL ON GRUMPY HUFF. Oh he is SO worried 💔💔💔

I'm guessing Bones isn't worried only because he hasn't been snapped at by Kirk.

Bones really feels like he's trying to avoid this conversation here - either hecan guess the conclusion Spock's coming to and doesn't want to hear it, or he already knows and is trying to protect himself privacy.

Spock reaches out for Leonard's arm! "Over 4000 people" and he has to reach out to TOUCH Bones. SPOCK 💔💔💔

Oh yeah, I think Bones totally knew already about Tarsus. He didn't know the Karidian connection, definitely, and he maybe didn't know about Riley, but I really think he knew about Jim. He barely reacts to Spock saying Jim's name, already steeling himself not to give away that he knew.

Oh, Riley. "Someone talk to me!" Ohhh, bless.

"Something to reassure me I'm not the only living thing next in the universe." He's so melodramatic I love him XD

The disinfectant into the milk is so jarring!

The way you think he might not drink the milk but then he does! Aghhh. The drama!

Spock needing to physically protect Jim by making him completely informed Vs Bones needing to emotionally protect Jim by letting him have a little longer in ignorance.

Bones backing Spock up - "he's doing his job!"

Spock and Jim telling each other to get out and go! And Spock of course coming back after doing orders.

Well that did seem like a murder attempt for sure.

Kodos barely reacting. I guess he knows the name James Kirk, knows this might have been coming.

The fact that Kodos barely looks at the paper but still keeps up the charade afterwards. Argues with Jim about Kodos' motives but pretends Kodos is another man. And it shouldn't work too dissuade Jim yet it does because Jim has to be *surer* then sure, he can have no room for doubt 💔💔

Seriously, Bones, recording your medical log with such sensitive information out in the open like that?!

I guess being raised by a secretive af Shakespeare actor probably screws up your childhood a whole lot. This Lenore and Karidian scene is so chilling.

Her insistence in finishing the play. Her quoting of Shakespeare over her father's body. It's like Shakespeare was the more real world to her.

How long does it take him to process that Kodos saved his life and died for him. Because fucking hell that is a HELL of a lot.

[alex99achapterthree]

A Star Trek moment...

I know how to use this, Captain !!!

Barbara Anderson as Lenore Karidian in Star Trek S1E13 "The Conscience Of The King" which aired on 12/8/66.

Anderson enjoyed a long television career which included 105 episodes of the 1967 series Ironside with Raymond Burr.

[reusedaccessoriesjewellery]

This Lovely cats eye oval brooch with a pearl drop is worn two times in Star Trek: Tos, First worn on Lenore Karidian in The Conscience of the King (1966) and worn again on Lt. Uhura in Plato’s Stepchildren (1968)

[defconprime]

Lenore Karidian from Star Trek Timelines, 2023

[peridotsarelongterm]

DeForest Kelley, Ironside, “Warrior’s Return” (1970)

I haven’t watched this yet, either. From what I can see, De is only in a couple short scenes, though ofc, it’s always lovely to see him in a post-TOS non-McCoy role (the 70s hair!).

The big fun here is not only is he laying it on hilariously thick with this detective (the last 2 are him warning her she’ll need his jeweling services soon bc she’s hot and thus won’t be single long), but this is the same actress who played Lenore Karidian on TOS. 😱

[favvn]

yeah, i could keep working on the same wip i've been working at for over a month now or i could take a delightfully fun break by writing a fic from her perspective

[majimatime]

17 right back at ya!!!!!!

Thank you so much!!! The original series has so many good outfits I am physically incapable of choosing just one. Or even just two.

I can never find good pictures that show this full outfit but Lenore Karidian's Ophelia costume... I love very dearly.

I've only seen this episode once and it was a long time ago but Irina's ensemble has never left my memory. I love florals!!

This is like my favorite pattern in Star Trek history. And the hair is so stellar!!! And the cutouts man I just love this dress. I love Natira too because we share a common love for McCoy!

And one last shoutout to the Romulan commander in The Enterprise Incident!! I seriously cannot handle the TNG Romulan uniforms... Maybe a tasteful pop of magenta could've saved them. Her casual outfit is fantastic too!

And for my one TNG feature I have to put forth Kamala from The Perfect Mate. The color of this dress is so magical to me!

[anewstartrekfan]

Star Trek Rambles: Lenore Karidian: A Wonderful Subversion

Lenore Karidian is one of the best women Star Trek ever wrote (I say this a someone who has only seen a season and a half of tos) I know not a high bar but legitimately. She had Captain Kirk eating out of the palm of her hand. Even when he was trying to fish from her she managed to turn it around in her favor. I truly believe she never actually gave a shit about Kirk. It was all a means to an end to protect her father. What’s my proof?

Their first little date, about 5 minutes after meeting each other, they ditch a party she was late for, (because she murdered the host), and then lead Kirk down a path, TO WHERE SHE KILLED THE LAST GUY

If you ask me she was luring Kirk there to kill him. How, I’m not sure, but I can assume she had something planned for when they were going to kiss.

Oh but what about their flirting on the enterprise? The scene where Kirk proclaims that women remain women no matter what.

That scene is a farce in terms of the romance and revealing when it comes to Lenore’s beliefs. Kirk is giving her this tour to try and get her guard down so he can get info on her father. However Lenore notices this, calls him out for it, and turns it around on Kirk. Forcing him to answer her questions, like if he is actually human, and if the women on the enterprise are human as well.

“Are you captain? Human?”

“Has the machine changed them? Made them, just people instead of women?”

It’s subtle but she isn’t just fake flirting here. She’s othering Kirk and his crew. Her later attempt on Kirk’s life involves overloading a phaser, which would destroy not only Kirk’s cabin but those around it. Kirk has to call for an emergency evacuation while he desperately searches for it. It’s easy to justify killing the Tarsus 9 because they weren’t human by her father’s standards anyway, but what about Kirk’s crew? She had to other them as well to justify it.

“All this, and power too. Caesar of the stars, and cleopatra to worship you.”

I spoke in a prior blog about how Kodos sees technology as something that has made humanity inhuman. That removed the struggle from life, emphasizing the so called tradition of man shaping his destiny himself without tools. Aka, fascism. Lenore does this as well, and displays a sort of devotion to tradition when she quotes Star light Star bright and talks about how old the stars are. When Kirk insists he’s human, she doesn’t agree with him. Instead she shifts the topic to the women in the crew. When Kirk gives his line about how women will always be women, Lenore again changes the subject. Likening Kirk to Caesar. Stroking his ego, but also it is fitting given she planned to murder him. She likens herself to Cleopatra, a woman who is frequently portrayed as a seductress and blames for Antony’s fall.

Another thing to remember is she got a tour of the whole ship from Kirk. Which is how she was able to track down Riley AND plant the phaser in Kirk’s cabin.

While I can’t prove she was going to kill Kirk in an earlier scene, she absolutely tried to kill him with the overloaded phaser on the enterprise. And what’s key is she attempts this before Kirk confronts her father. So at the end of the scene when she breaks things off with kirk, and is angry at him for just being a tool, I think she’s upset that she didn’t see Kirk was using her as well. She drops the pretenses and says what she actually thinks of him.

“You are like your ship. Powerful, and not human. There is no mercy in you.”

All she sees Kirk as is a threat to her father’s safety. And above all else that is what she cares about. It’s why she has the nervous breakdown at the end. Her father finds out she’s been murdering the survivors of the genocide he committed and he’s heartbroken. She can’t see that her actions doomed her father, and when she kills him only because he protected Kirk, she loses it completely. How could her father ever dare to want to protect Captain Kirk? The inhuman who was going to throw him in jail. Who dared to make her father suffer?

Big picture is she was great. Cunning, ruthless, and a match for Kirk’s wit. She only got caught because Kirk happens to hear her confess to her father. Had Riley not tried to kill Kodos, Kirk would’ve arrested Kodos and let her go free none the wiser.

[historicalreusedcostumes]

This Gray Faux Fur Mini-Dress is worn two times in Star Trek TOS, First worn on Barbara Anderson as Lenore Karidian in The Conscience of the King (1966) and worn again on an Woman in Assignment: Earth (1968) and later worn on Stefanie Powers as Agent April Dancer in The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. (1966–1967)