tothatmanonthebridge

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Review? Star Trek TOS - Alternative Factor (S1 Ep27)

In lieu of a proper review of this episode I am just going to reproduce my written notes in full, because I believe they sum things up nicely:

- Spock every episode: “normal, boring planet” = ALWAYS WRONG

- Delicious redshirt

- Illogical

- I don’t know.

The artwork below is titled: ‘Alternative Boring’

Next up: City on the Edge of Forever. Finally some good f****** content

[tothatmanonthebridge]

Review: Star Trek TOS - Errand of Mercy (S1 Ep26)

First of all: I present for your consideration...

I really dig this episode. It addresses all the complaints I’ve had so far about Kirk rushing in and assuming he knows better than an entire race of people after spending a total of 2 seconds on their planet.

Kirk is like an American tourist who's only seen the Tower of Pisa and has decided he knows how to fix Italy's architecture.

It’s not that I don’t love rebel Kirk. I do. But, I mean, he is the military captain of a Starship and the representative of a powerful imperial force… so his attitude often comes off as less rebellious and more condescending.

Unfortunately for an otherwise stellar episode... The Klingon make-up is truly terrible, combining black-face with Asian caricature. I don’t care that it was “a product of its time”: it was racist, it looked truly awful, and pointing it out does no harm. I’m glad the Klingon make-up changes later.

However, that being said, Kor is a very entertaining antagonist. His dynamic with Kirk was excellent. It’s interesting that Kor and Kirk seemed far more able to communicate with each other than they can with the peace-loving Organians.

Let’s be honest: Kirk loves war.

Yes, for him it’s about combatting injustice, and obviously springs from his trauma (see Conscience of the King, and his reaction in Arena), but he has expressed on multiple occasions that he believes it’s an inherent (and positive) part of human nature. I’m not putting Kirk at fault here; he tries his best and you can’t say that violence is always is first recourse, or if it is then he can and does change his mind (see ‘The Devil in the Dark’). He is a complex character and I love him. … but I do also love when he is taken off his pedestal just a little bit.

Queer Trek Corner:

This is a very queer episode of Star Trek *pauses to allow the shocked gasps time to die down*.

My boys Kirk and Spock get to run around flirting with each other and causing hi-jinks, and that's what I love best about this show.

Dramatic recreation of my reaction to the first five minutes of Errand of Mercy:

Me: “OMG look how Kirk and Spock fall towards one another, they are so in love ASDGHFJK”

My long-suffering Trekkie friend: “Interstellar war has just broken out and you’re drooling”

Me: “THERE’S A WAR ON IN MY HEART OKAY!?!?”

Next up: City on the Edge of  –  I mean Alternative Factor. Yay. Joy.

[tothatmanonthebridge]

Review: Star Trek TOS - The Devil in the Dark (S1 EP25)

I just really like this episode. I think it’s neat.

The Devil in the Dark will definitely be at the top of my comfort Trek rewatch list. It just has all the elements I love about this show. It’s campy. It’s delightfully low-budget. It’s heartfelt.

Most importantly: I would die for the Horta.

Its cuteness surpasses even unicorn dog. No, I’m not joking. I want a giant plush toy of this creature. Again, I am deadly serious. 

But oh no! The Horta is badly hurt, it may die –

“It won’t die. By golly Jim, I’m beginning to think I can cure a rainy day”

That cut to Plum is easily the funniest moment of the series so far. I cackled. I love that Plum performed the biggest miracle of his medical career almost entirely off-screen while the others remained completely oblivious. I love the look of wonder on his face. I love how eager he is to explain how he did it. I love Kirk and Spock’s... underwhelming reaction.

For Pete’s sake, all the good doctor wanted was for you to admire his handiwork Jim!

The final scene of the episode, with Kirk, Plum, and Spock bantering on the deck of the Enterprise, is what I have come to look forward to most from this series. Plum and Kirk teasing Spock about his ears, Spock comfortably turning the tables back at them, and Kirk gazing lovingly at him. That’s the good shit.

I do have one criticism of this episode however. The Horta felt like an analogy for Indigenous peoples, and in the end, the Horta prove incredibly useful to the human settlers for mining ‘pergium’ and other profitable minerals. Now, what’s the problem with that you ask? Well, it just feels like cheating to me. An episode about overcoming mutual misunderstanding, aggression, and a language barrier feels cheapened by an ending where one side is valued for its economic usefulness. I would have really preferred it if the Horta’s presence made mining the planet impossible without killing them, and the humans chose to give up the mining out of real respect and friendship.

Tolerance is easy when it benefits you.

If you have to make a sacrifice to do what’s right, that’s a far more powerful act. Of course, it’s all justified within the story, with the pergium being vital for the survival of several human colonies, and the Horta not being negatively affected by the operation. It just feels a little convenient.

Queer Trek Corner:

Kirk and Spock just do not stop flirting as they crawl around in caves for the majority of this episode.

I approve.

Okay well actually, they do butt heads a little in this episode, as Spock hopes to keep the creature alive and Kirk is determined to kill it (because it killed a member of his crew and we all know how much that affects Kirk). I love that Kirk tries to be all authoritative and send Spock away, and Spock is literally goes “I beg your pardon??” before convincing Kirk to let him stay using statistics (classic Spock), so then Kirk warns him to stay out of trouble… and by this point Kirk is absolutely flirting back oh my sweet baby JEEZUS the chemistry!

Also it’s interesting that Spock later urges Kirk to kill the creature, completely abandoning his principles, as soon as he believes Kirk’s life may be in danger… Interesting…

[tothatmanonthebridge]

Review: Star Trek TOS - This Side of Paradise (S1 Ep24)

“I have a responsibility, to this ship, to that man on the bridge. I am what I am Layla, and if there are self-made purgatories, then we all have to live in them. Mine can be no worse than someone else’s.”

Folks, this is it: my favourite episode of Star Trek TOS season 1.

Yes, it is because of the ejaculating flowers.

Okay, while the ejaculating flowers are ridiculous and fun, obviously the reason I love this episode is because it is Spock-centric and OMG THE FEELS

Firstly, biggest twist in the series so far: when the softly-lit blonde walks in and the camera cuts to Spock and NOT Kirk. I was genuinely shooketh that she was Spock’s ex and not Kirk’s. I also really liked the actress, I completely believed Layla’s feelings for Spock.

Also, Sulu actually gets some screen time this episode!! I love that he thinks outside the box, not hesitating to suggest that maybe the walking-talking colonists are in fact dead. At this point I was convinced that the people were plant people and so we were both wrong but I think these were both valid hypotheses… We also learn that he’s a city boy on top of being an antique weapons enthusiast. Takei gives a great physicality to the character, his free movement and easy-going attitude stand in contrast to the other members of the Enterprise crew.

Shout out also to Plum who is fantastic in this episode. He is hilarious as the country doctor

“I’ll throw away my shingle”

a low-key badass

“Would you like to see how fast I can put you in the hospital?”

and lover of mint juleps

“It’s a drink”

So pure, I love him.

This episode also created a moment that I found really redeeming for Plum. I have been annoyed in the past at his unfair treatment of Spock, but his concern for his friend here really warmed my heart.

“ - That didn’t sound at all like Spock, Jim.

- No, it  *shocked face* I thought you said you might like him if he mellowed a little.

- I didn’t say that!

- You said that.

- Not exactly… He might be in trouble”

I feel like this moment is really great at showing that Plum, and by extension Spock’s crewmates, have come to love and respect him exactly as he is. This is important in an episode with the question of "Who should Spock be?" at its centre.

I would be the first and the loudest to argue that Spock as he has been up until now on the show is perfect and does not need to change, even as his differences occasionally put him at odds with the human crew (in essence: neurotypicals).

However, as has been alluded to in previous episodes, we see here that this is not his authentic self, at least not entirely. We see that he constantly exerts a huge amount of control over his emotions. A control that he fights to keep to the point of pain as the spores overtake him.

“There was always a place in here where no one could come. There was only the face you allow people to see. Only one side you’d allow them to know.”

And this is where the episode provoked a huge conflict within me. I was simultaneously devastated at this psychological and emotional assault on Spock, as well as relieved to see him finally happy and able to experience love. But are his layers stripped down to reveal his authentic self? Or is this another lie? After all, he had no choice in the matter.

This almost feels like an essentialist versus existentialist dilemma. Is there a pure, untouched, immutable Spockness? Or is the Spock that Spock chooses to be the most authentic Spock of all?

I will say there is another important consideration to factor in here. Yes, Spock puts up a facade, but that is not all people see. Might I suggest that Spock believes he is more successful at concealing his emotions than he actually is.

I know, I know; completely illogical.

It’s not that Kirk and Plum have accepted the facade, this half-truth of Spock. Rather, they have accepted the man who presents a facade. They have learned to speak his language, and understand what he does not say. He does belong, even though he feels he doesn’t.

I don’t think I’ve gone out of my way to praise Nimoy’s acting before now (I mean, it's such a given) but damn he is amazing in this episode. He portrays the conflict within Spock so well. He understands the assignment.

Queer Trek Corner:

Okay so ♪I have a theory♪ it could be bunnies that the spores try to make their hosts straight.

Hear me out!!!

So, first piece of evidence is Spock going from rejecting the advances of a female to exclaiming “I can love you!”, because obviously being very gay this was an impossibility before.

Evidence the second: Spock says to Kirk “Perhaps we should go back and get you straightened out”… get it? Go back to be sporified… go back to be MADE STRAIGHT!!!

Evidence the third: James T. Kirk, the queerest captain in all of Starfleet, manages to miraculously avoid the effect of the spores even as they shoot right at him (taking down EVEN SULU) and spread throughout the Enterprise’s ventilation system. Coincidence? I THINK NOT!!!! It is only when he is at his lowest, marooned and alone, the last queer on the Enterprise, that he gives in to the straight agenda.

EVIDENCE THE FOURTH: the only thing capable of breaking the hold on the heterosexual hypnosis is Spock’s feelings for another man.

... Sure those feelings were anger, but how do you think Kirk was able to get under Spock’s “thick hide”? He knew what would hurt Spock, and Spock (who has surely experienced discrimination his entire life) felt intimate betrayal because it was Kirk doing the damage.

His friend, his captain, his TRUE LOVE.

I rest my case. 

Okay but seriously, when Spock expresses his devotion to “that man on the bridge” I DIED. I was a blubbery mess. I have a witness.

[tothatmanonthebridge]

Review: Star Trek TOS - A Taste of Armageddon (S1 Ep23)

A Taste of Armageddon is definitely one of the better Trek episodes so far, although not my personal favourite.

There was a great build-up of tension leading to the revelation of how the ‘cold war’ operates, and it served as a great science fiction premise. However, I had a few issues with this episode.

Firstly, Mea 3 felt like one of the more superficial one-off female characters so far, and that’s saying something. She existed entirely to demonstrate the banal cruelty of the death pods but neither Kirk nor the audience are given a strong reason to care about her as an individual, and therefore the idea of her death isn’t more impactful than that of any other rando on the planet. She also just gets completely forgotten as the episode progresses.

However, my main issue with this episode is that Kirk spends two minutes learning about the culture, and the rest of the time lecturing the local people about right and wrong. It’s not that I don’t agree with Kirk, but it is another case of Kirk coming in and jumping to conclusions because of course he knows better than an entire race of people.

This is probably my most recurring pet peeve with the show, and it’s not that I don’t approve of the messaging and how anti-war the show was, but it often feels forced to me, and Kirk lecturing grandiosely at people (or a computer that one time) gets boring quickly.

See, the problem is that Star Trek is episodic and set in space. Its episodic nature results in a relatively quick introduction to each setting and its particular socio-political structure, which means that it can be difficult to explore the nuance of the raised ethical issues. Therefore when Kirk comes to a conclusion, I’m like: “I’m sure you’re right but how do you know that???”.

Additionally, the Enterprise travels to different planets, different corners of the galaxy, which makes it baffling that Kirk assumes the knowledge and authority necessary to make these moral judgements.

This story structure works more when it’s say, a stranger riding into a frontier town and shaking things up.

This is because there is a shared human experience and general social context at play between the stranger and the townspeople in the Wild West film.

But when Kirk comes swanning in, in his big spaceship, and immediately judges a whole race of people of being as being ‘backward’ or ‘primitive’ or ‘morally inferior’ in some way, it reads much less like lone cowboy and much more like imperialist superiority.

Now, the wonderful thing about this show is that it also subverts this formula often enough, so I can’t stay mad.

Some more things I actually enjoyed about this episode so y'all don't think I hated it because I didn't:

Mr Fox was such a dic— dislikeable character, but by the end of the episode it was actually super endearing the way his face lit up at the prospect of finally being able to negotiate.

He just wants to diplomat.

Let the man diplomat.

Give him all of the diplomacy.

I’m glad he got his happy ending.

Spock reveals himself as king of the dad jokes with his cool delivery of “Sir, there’s a multi-legged creature crawling on your shoulder”. I now live for Spock delivering one-liners before bringing someone down without breaking a sweat. He and Buffy would make a great team.

Finally: “The haggis is in the fire” – Scotty, you are a legend keep it up!

Queer Trek Corner:

Kirk’s favourite pastimes are (in no particular order):

- Worrying about his ship

- Speechifying on morality

- Staring adoringly at Spock while the latter says something smart, or caresses a wall, or breathes

Next up: This Side of Paradise !!!!!!!!!!!!

[tothatmanonthebridge]

Review: Star Trek TOS - Space Seed (S1 Ep22)

Well this episode was way less gross than I expected considering it's called SPACE SEED.

And that’s saying something because this episode features eugenics and domestic abuse. Still, I know my sci-fi, and alien sperm is never off the writer’s table.

Never.

Ok so I knew ‘Khan’ was a thing in Star Trek so I had that ‘oh damn’ moment when he was introduced. I can say that he was not at all what I was expecting – and that’s a good thing. Khan is a great villain, and there was not a second he was on screen that I did not want to punch him in his smug face. Khan’s control and abuse of McGivers was... disturbing to watch to say the least. The episode built the tension really well and I am dreading Khan’s return (in a good way).

Also, Uhura was absolutely amazing in this episode and I need more of her in this show already! 

The ending of this episode just baffles me though. I mean sure Khan and his ‘supermen’ do not seem like the type of people who can be rehabilitated but come on, letting them go?

Yes, I’m sure we’ll never see them again.

I am Australian, and the references to Australia here weren’t great IMO and here’s why. First off, there’s this idea that Australia was a barren and inhospitable wasteland when the British invaders arrived, this idea is called ‘terra nullius’. This is a lie. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived here for tens of thousands of years and had agriculture, aquaculture, architecture, hundreds of languages, arts, medecine etc. well before the arrival of Europeans. Terra nullius was the unquestioned colonial mythology at the time this episode was written so it makes sense that Kirk would compare that ‘primitive’ unpopulated world he leaves Khan on to Botany bay, but this has obviously aged very poorly. Moreover, the fact that this is a eugenics episode when ‘selective breeding’ practices were actually in place in this country for so long, just makes the whole association uncomfortable for me.

I mean it’s great that this episode is taking an anti-eugenics stance but it really doesn’t seem to understand what eugenics is and that really undermines its message.

1) Eugenics is rooted in racism, which is an entirely emotional and irrational approach to science, not the cold genius described by Plum.

2) The fact that a point is made about the ‘supermen’ having diverse ethnicities... Again, see my point about racism. And yes, eugenics doesn’t always have a racist goal, as it targets people with disabilities and neurodivergent people as well, but again it just makes this representation feel like its missing the point. At the same time, having all the supermen be white (I think I saw somewhere that the original intent for Khan was a Nordic Thor-like figure) would probably not be better.

3) The constant emphasis on just how amazing these supermen are physically just felt gross. It makes it seem like they are actually ‘objectively’ better humans. Whether you think ‘superhumans’ is even a desired goal for us as a species (I don’t), this legitimises eugenics as a practice by saying it works. I know this is ‘science fiction’ and exploring what would happen if eugenics were successful is interesting, however, added together with the other faulty aspects of the representation of eugenics here, it just seems like the episode gives too much credit to the side of eugenicists.

4) And then there’s the fact that Kirk, Plum, and Scotty actually admire the genocidal tyrant.

wat?

This brings me to the main point I want to make about this episode, which is this: SPOCK IS AN ABSOLUTE ANGEL AND HE DESERVES BETTER.

Seriously, it enrages me any time Spock’s ‘humanity’ is questioned by the other characters, but never more than in this episode when they are literally defending a eugenicist dictator and laughing about it. My poor confused baby is right to be confused, I have never felt his ‘illogical’ more than I did then.

So yeah, great episode, but what I’m guessing was a good take-down of eugenics for the time just left me a bit ambivalent.

Queer Trek Corner:

Hmm doesn’t look like there’s much here this episode which makes sense given its topic so let’s move on –

I LIEEEE!!!!

Spirk content is an everlasting light even in the darkest of times.

Kirk poking fun at Spock for making an error at the beginning of the episode is adorable as always. Stop flirting Kirk, there’s a situation.

Spock pretending not to be overwhelmed with relief to see Kirk alive is adorable as always. I know there’s a situation, but you can take one second to flirt a little, Spock.

Next up: A Taste of Armageddon

[tothatmanonthebridge]

Review: Star Trek TOS - The Return of the Archons (S1 Ep21)

This might be a controversial opinion, but I wasn’t a huge fan of this episode.

That being said I probably will rewatch it a whole lot because my boys look fine in those suits.

And yes Spock, you are very inconspicuous in that get-up, good job.

Despite the beautiful aesthetics (or mensthetics amirite?) of this episode, I found it all quite confusing.

Maybe if this had been a two-parter and they had dedicated enough time to really exploring how this society works I would have enjoyed it more. As it is, as much as Kirk talking a computer to death was impressive, I would have been way more interested to see a rebellion, and see people taking back physical and moral control for themselves.

I was also just generally confused as to how people were being controlled. They can seemingly be turned into happy zombies in a second, so why the need for a purge-style festival? And sometimes they can be fully controlled by Landru? It’s not that I think we need detailed explanations of the logistics of all the things we see on screen, it’s just that I felt we were supposed to assume a lot of things about this culture, including that lack of creativity was killing it. I mean sure, I think creativity is important, but that concept wasn’t explored until Kirk uses it to destroy Landru. Thus, the conclusion didn’t really feel earned to me.

Speaking of, Kirk’s assertion “Freedom is never a gift, it has to be earned” rang hollow to me. I mean if that’s the case, then why are you interfering in this society? Let them figure things out themselves, isn’t that the prime directive? But no instead you’ve freed them from an entity which was telling them how to act and what to think… and left people behind to tell them how to act and what to think. Maybe if this episode had presented us with a more clear-cut representation of a mind-controlled society, and saved the happy gas and purge stuff respectively for different episodes, it would have been more coherent.

In summary, there are a lot of interesting ideas in this episode, and I can see why it was a really influential episode in pop culture. However, it felt like the moral conclusion of the story “Peace at the cost of individual freedom is too high a price” wasn’t actually meaningfully explored in the episode itself. I also really enjoy this show best when it challenges the colonialist frontier mentality, like it seemed to do in Arena.

Queer Trek Corner:

The whole point of the bed shortage trope is for there to be bed-sharing!!!

I was robbed of a Kirk and Spock cuddling scene because *checks notes* a certain Boris Sobelman obviously didn’t get the memo. He literally has Kirk sleep standing up rather than take the obvious solution of cuddling up to a certain Vulcan.

Read more fanfiction Boris, smh.

Also, Kirk and Spock in this episode remind me of another favourite couple of mine...

Next up: Space Seed

[tothatmanonthebridge]

Review: Star Trek TOS - Court Martial (S1 Ep20)

This episode is fine I guess. You’ve seen one courtroom drama episode and you’ve seen them all. Also the pacing felt a bit off and there was absolutely no doubt in my mind that Kirk was innocent, so there wasn’t much tension there.

Also, what age is Jame supposed to be? Twelve or thirty? The actress is older but the choices for her costume and behaviour suggest pre-teen and its very weird.

I cringe at the possibility that hundreds of years from now we will still be having the pointless books versus e-books debate. Joy.

As much as I like the idea of Areel Shaw as a character, she seems to be a very corrupt lawyer. Prosecuting your ex? Talking to him prior to the trial without his knowledge and without his defense attorney present?? I've watched enough legal dramas to know this isn't on the up-and-up.

Don’t get me wrong, so far she’s the most interesting character presented as a female love interest for Kirk, and she actually feels like a real person. Her being a successful lawyer is great representation. But yeah her behaviour seems very unethical.

Thankfully, Spock saves Kirk. Using chess. Very on brand for those two.

Queer Trek Corner:

The show really wants us to know that Kirk has a thing for blondes. But, I'm sorry, soft lighting and a close up isn't enough to make any ships sail.

*sigh*

It’s not my fault that so far this show has failed to produce any convincing female romantic partners for Kirk. Some of my favourite ships are straight, I swear on my life!!!

[tothatmanonthebridge]

Review: Star Trek TOS - Tomorrow is Yesterday (S1 Ep19)

For an episode plot-line so full of potential, Tomorrow is Yesterday was just very meh.

It wasn’t well constructed and didn’t make much logical sense. That would have been fine of course, if it was engaging thematically or character-wise. But I just did not understand the point of any of it.

The conflict between the 60’s pilot and the Enterprise crew felt very contrived, I mean yeah duh of course he’s upset at being abducted and told he can’t ever see his family again! This wasn’t revelatory of any interesting character motivations, or an interesting divide between the future and the past. Maybe if the whole thing had not been neatly resolved at the end might I have gone “oh damn they really went and tore this guy away from his family in order to preserve the timeline, what an interesting moral dilemma” but no.

Seriously, how did they manage to make a time-travel episode boring?

By every right this should be a very forgettable episode.

However.

The way Kirk fights in this episode is priceless and I will never got over it.

Never.

I have noticed in the past his fighting style seems to consist mostly of hugging people to death, but this whole "I'm just gonna use my whole body as a battering ram" approach is taking things to a new level. It reminds me of Spike’s line in Buffy the Vampire Slayer:

I wonder if Steve Rogers got his inspiration from Captain James Tiberius Kirk for that move where he just jumps into his opponent’s arms in order to drag them to the ground. You know the one…

I would feel remiss if I didn’t point out that this style of fighting is very gay… and therefore completely unsurprising from both Kirk and Steve.

Now, please excuse me while I go look for that crossover fanfic…

Next up: Court Martial

[tothatmanonthebridge]

Review: Star Trek TOS - Arena (S1 Ep18)

... Who else was low-key Team Gorn captain in this episode?

I don’t think I have much to say about Arena that I didn’t address in my review of Squire of Gothos. While the series so far has been heavily episodic, this instalment serves as an appropriate follow-up to Squire of Gothos and its anti-war message. Interestingly, Kirk (and by extension the human race) are not presented as the calm reasonable alternative here. Their stated purpose and methods is directly questioned.

It really works to the story’s benefit that we always follow the Enterprise’s POV here. The conflict is framed as an unprovoked and brutal attack at the beginning, and given Kirk’s history with the slaughter of innocent civilians, he (and we along with him) feels justified in his reckless pursuit. Reframing the conflict as one of colonisers setting up shop wherever they want and the local civilisation defending their land… was honestly more progressive than I expected the show to be.

The conclusion, of course, in which the colonisers kindly spare the leader of the native civilisation and work on a nice treaty yay sunshine and rainbows the end is obviously idealistic and potentially a little offensive in another way (although not for me to decide).

Still, as a show trying to project an ideal future, I can’t say I hate the overall message here.

Colonialism is bad people.

I did feel that the episode dragged on a bit and was quite predictable. Predictable isn’t necessarily a bad thing of course, and at best comes from knowing how good storytelling works. Kirk taking forever to realise that the minerals could be used as a weapon was just a bit boring though. I understand setting up each of the ingredients so the audience can figure it out with him, and so when he puts everything together it’s more satisfying. However, I’m sorry, the aliens gave that one to him on a silver platter. If they hadn’t mentioned at the beginning that he would have all the tools he needed to make a weapon I might have been a bit more forgiving of that realisation being so drawn out.

Arena is still definitely a strong episode and one I definitely look forward to rewatching in future.

Queer Trek Corner:

While Ren the Barbarian did an AMAZING job highlighting the erotic nature of Kirk and the Gorn’s deadly dance in their video on the episode --

-- I am disappointed they didn’t mention Kirk shooting the contents of his canon all over the Gorn at the climax of the fight.

So here I am.

Mentioning it.

Next up: Tomorrow is Yesterday

[tothatmanonthebridge]

Review: Star Trek - The Original Series 'The Squire of Gothos' (S1 Ep18)

Trelane obviously has done his homework on humans, but he failed to learn the most sacred rule of human civilisation:

You don’t get to pick your own nickname.

It is a depressing thought that an outside vision of Earth would see war as our primary pastime, our way of being. But while Trelane gets the pattern right, he definitely misses the substance. War is not a feeling. It is something that happens to us, but it’s not the complex web of love and fear and hope and anger that constitutes our experience, whether in wartime or peacetime. Even when Trelane gets angry, it’s ultimately a shallow imitation. He says he experienced genuine anger, but for all his dramatics he never accesses the ‘real thing’.

Still, even as the episode positions the crew of the Enterprise as morally superior to Trelane, it does serve to poke holes in the ideology of the Starfleet. The phasers are notable for having a non-lethal setting, but they *can* kill. And Trelane’s demonstration of their power is chilling. Of course, the most disturbing element is Trelane’s giddy enthusiasm as he murders helpless creatures for no reason, when we have seen much more restraint from our heroes even when in direct conflict.

Every episode, the show announces that ‘space is the final frontier’. This statement evokes feelings of adventure and discovery. But, the American frontier was a violent conquest. The mission of the Enterprise, and its calm thoughtful realisation, might seem completely opposite to the lawless brutality of the wild west (that is to say, how it is depicted in film, the real history as I understand it, while very brutal, was much more complicated). However, the essential principles are similar: they are colonisers, never questioning their right to be cover new ground, and to settle wherever they please. Even if it’s relatively bloodless, I’d argue that it’s still violent.

Of course, a frontier does not have to be spatial. The frontier in the Star Trek universe is more one of knowledge (especially as the show so far can’t seem to decide if the ship is exploring mapped or unmapped territory). Acquiring knowledge about other species and planets is sort of gestured at half-heartedly within the plot, but really just like any good science fiction work, Star Trek deals with problems of human nature.

Even in the ostensibly ‘sillier’ episodes such as this one.

Some more thoughts:

I fully expected Desalle to bite it in this episode, he just exudes deadshirt energy and somehow he survived? Somehow everyone survived?

(Well, everyone human. R.I.P. Plum’s ex-girlfriend).

Actually wasn’t that creature the last of its kind? Did Trelane commit genocide??? It certainly fits the theme of the episode.

I noticed that Spock seems more comfortable in his position of authority here. It’s a nice continuation from Galileo Seven.

I love that this show seems fixated on two things: finding any excuse to dress up the women in period outfits, and undressing Kirk as much as possible…

The ending is obviously very similar to Charlie X, thank the PTB for deus ex machina eh? I do think Squire of Gothos is a better episode, although I did actually manage to have sympathy for the highly unlikeable Charlie at the end, who seemed genuinely terrified at going back to a life without love or affection, whereas with Trelane it was just a tantrum at playtime being over. It was appropriate of course, but by that point I was ready for it to be over tbh. I did love the spotlight focussed on Trelane and then slowly disappearing. It was a very appropriate artistic choice for our dramatic antagonist.

Queer Trek Corner:

How does this show keep getting gayer??? I realised I needed a dedicated section to keep my thoughts straight.

Not that my thoughts are ever ‘straight’ of course...

While Spock’s turn-on is obviously Kirk beating him at 3D chess, Kirk’s is evidently Spock delivering sick burns – which he does several times to Trelane in this episode. Here, Kirk gives Spock the most adoring look I have ever seen on a human being I MEAN COME ON THAT IS NOT A HETEROSEXUAL LOOK

And when Trelane attempts to force Kirk’s compliance, from a room full of onlooking crew members, he chooses to threaten Spock.

I’m sorry, it is a truth universally acknowledged that the villain will threaten the hero’s love interest. It’s a tale as old as time.

Now, Spock may not be a helpless damsel

-- I mean except in certain fun role-play situations… too much? --

but the effect is the same.

I think this could easily be one of my favourite episodes of season 1, but time will tell!

Next up: Arena

[tothatmanonthebridge]

Review: Star Trek - The Original Series  'The Galileo Seven' (S1 Ep17)

It really took me a while to get my thoughts together on this episode.

Can Nimoy’s legs stop being so long? It’s distracting…...

This is definitely a good episode with some great exploration of Spock’s character. But I have some issues with it, namely that the plot felt messy and was clumsily forcing the confrontation between Spock and the crew.

This sort of thing usually does not bother me too much. After all, the development of theme and character are what’s important. But here it kept distracting me from the themes. What on Galileo Seven do you mean Plum when you say it was perfectly predictable how Bigfoot’s cousins would react? They’re not human!! I mean this is an alien species, who knows what an ‘emotional’ reaction look like with them? And wasn’t Spock trying to scare them away? Isn’t fear an emotion? So he *does* understand emotion? And – for  heaven’s sake woman why are you sitting on the ground like a schoolgirl?? Do you even do anything in this episode?

I miss Rand…

There’s definitely a lot that works here, and I found particularly interesting Jessie Gender’s explanation of the episode using a neurodiverse lens:

In my opinion, this story would have been much better however without the distraction of the fluffy boulders. Have the deadshirts die from say the atmosphere of the planet, or from wounds sustained during the landing

(I mean they didn’t have seatbelts, WHERE WERE THE SEATBELTS??? This schoolbus is not up to code…).

Have Spock’s moment of self-sacrifice arise from the problem of there being too much weight to lift-off. They had all the necessary elements there, they really didn’t need the teddy bears of doom.

Some more thoughts:

I know these are supposed to be tragic deaths, but the spears being gently tossed at the actors’ feet by low-budget Chewbaccas hardly conveys the terror that was intended. I think this is the first time the production has really broken the immersion for me. I really don’t care if a set is obviously cardboard and polysterene, it’s what you do with it that counts.

And Spock isn’t helping me take this all seriously by looking like a fed-up school teacher.

I love Scotty here though. Scotty is best. He was certainly the most helpful…

Also Kirk spending the entire episode worrying about his boyfriends is just *sigh*

Only to be outdone by Spock sending his bf a blazing message of hope.

These boys…

Next up: The Squire of Gothos

[tothatmanonthebridge]

Review: Star Trek - The Original Series 'Shore Leave' (S1 Ep16)

Ok so I was going to talk about Balance of Terror, but I really feel like I missed a lot there and need to rewatch it. So from now on I’m going to try to post my thoughts on each episode as I watch them. We’ll see how that turns out…

I watched Shore Leave with a good friend (who was very excited for my reaction)...

The opening scene almost killed me.

It is hands down the queerest scene of television I have ever seen.

I have watched it a dozen times, analysed it from every angle, and consulted the oracles. There is no other explanation for Kirk expecting Spock to be the one to give him a back massage other than that he gay af.

Fight me.

Okay enough of that, on to more serious matters

*watches rest of episode*

Well that was a beautiful hot mess. It’s a fun romp, and low-key a great Sulu episode. I love how he’s just like “Plants and weapons. That’s my jam”.

Plum is also hilarious here, even though I am very disappointed in his behaviour. Barrows should have kicked Plum in the nuts. Or gone off with the ‘exotic dancers’ and had a girl’s night, leaving Plum on his lonesome.

I’m obviously still scarred from ‘Miri’ because:

Kirk: “You follow the rabbit. I’ll backtrack the girl...”

Me: “STAY AWAY FROM THE PRE-TEEN, KIRK”

The episode has some after-school special vibes, with Kirk needing some rest from his captaining duties. I don’t hate it, but it definitely feels a bit tacked on to the chaos of the rest of the episode. I do love that Kirk’s idea of a relaxing time is rolling around with his tits out in the dirt with another man. Ahem, in a purely heterosexual macho fighty way of course.

Spock: “Did you enjoy it?”

Me: “YES”

Next up: The Galileo Seven.

[tothatmanonthebridge]

Review: Star Trek - The Original Series 'The Corbomite Maneuver' (S1 Ep11)

I found this to be a pretty predictable episode, but thoroughly enjoyable. The design of Balok’s ships is sufficiently otherworldly and threatening, and while I could see the twist coming a mile off, the ‘it was a test all along’ trope is one I love when it’s done well. Kirk deciding to go to the aid of the alien that had trapped his ship, poses the moral framework that I feel will define this franchise.

I also found Bailey in this episode to be very refreshing. I’m used to science fiction shows where command structures are either absent (band of misfits roaming around space, e.g. Firefly, Farscape) or routinely questioned (e.g. Stargate: Universe, Battlestar Galactica). The rigid power structure of the Enterprise, and the calm obedience of its officers no matter how dire the situation is definitely not something I’m used to. That’s of course not to say it’s bad, on the contrary it represents part of the appeal so far. And it’s not as if the characters haven’t already been able to demonstrate that they’re not automatons. However, I like seeing some of the pressure come through the cracks and I empathise with Bailey. If I were there I’d probably want to shout. Not that he’s right to behave that way of course, but I would argue for some compassion for this rando (*cough Renthebarbarian cough*)

There have been better episodes of the show so far, along with some worse ones (Kirk, step away from the pre-teen) but this one told me a lot about Star Trek’s themes, its humanity, its possibility, and also Plum gave me a few giggles. Not to mention, it has one of my favourite exchanges so far:

Spock: “Has it occurred to you that there’s a certain… inefficiency in constantly questioning me on things you’ve already made up your mind about?”

Kirk: “It gives me emotional security.”

Can these two stop being adorable together for even one minute??? They send me into a fit of the vapours every damn episode, there is such a thing as too much flirting ya know

(I’m kidding, if these two ever stop being the cutest couple in all the known and unknown universe I will strike).

[tothatmanonthebridge]

Review: Star Trek - The Original Series 'The Enemy Within' (S1 Ep6)

....My grief is deep and eternal.

That's it.

That's all I have to say.

[tothatmanonthebridge]

Review: Start Trek - The Original Series 'Charlie X' (S1 Ep2)

I don’t know what it is about the name Charlie, but you’ll never see a sexy male Charlie on screen. Sexy Charles, sure, look no further than J. August Richards, but Charlie is always a creep or a child. And here he’s both.

Still, I feel for Charlie in this episode, no matter how off-putting his behaviour is, the actor really manages to convey his confusion and eagerness to be loved. By the end, I was genuinely distressed by his pleas to stay. It was an unsettling ending to the episode.

Also Charlie in the gym is me. Thank the PTB that high school is over.

Although Kirk can tackle me to the ground any time…This episode is what really drew me into the show, and I think works far better than the thematically similar episode ‘Where No Man has Gone Before’, which I saw right after this one (although I believe it was produced first?).

What the plunger is to Doctor Who, Plum’s upside down foot step machine is to Star Trek… or maybe not. I will say this show does a lot with very little, and I for one think it looks great most of the time. The clean lines and bold colours set the tone really well. When Star Trek aired on French TV when my mum was a child, it was in black and white. She hated it, thought it was the most boring, uninspired spectacle since the Shat-Lord discovered twitter, and I can imagine a lot of the magic would have been lost without the colour. Also there is nothing I hate more than a French dub.

Rand has been one of my favourite characters so far, although I’ve got to say, I think it’s less to do with what she’s given to work with, and more to do with what Grace Lee Whitney brings to the role. On paper, she’s a boring trope and a passive character, treated more like an object by the plot and male characters. But Whitney infuses her with these fascinating little quirks, which makes her an absolute delight to watch. This episode also really manages to convey a sense of camaraderie between the characters and crewmates, notably during the rec scene, before Charlie comes and spoils the fun. It really feels like these people have been stuck on the ship together for a while. Uhura is passing the time by objectifying Spock and to be honest… same. Plum, Spock, and Kirk’s dynamic is also really great already. They sound like an old married thruple.

And the look Spock gives Kirk when the captain beats him at 3D chess, makes me feel all funny inside…What did you folks think of Charlie X? Insightful or boring? What would you do if an all-powerful sexually frustrated adolescent took over your spaceship? Are Kirk and Spock boyfriends or life partners? Discuss!

[tothatmanonthebridge]

Please Read :D

I am a first time watcher of Star Trek and have at the time of posting this only seen season 1 of TOS. I started watching a short time ago during a rough time (Covid amirite?) and progressively gained a group of friends (and more seasoned Trekkies) with whom I discovered the show.

I have grown to love my boys (and Uhura) and feel a deep connection to this ridiculous series.

I also began to write out my reactions to each episode. I have been sharing these with some friends since I began writing, and I decided to post them all here.

If you’ve stumbled on to these I hope you enjoy!

Please no major spoilers, and if the image below offends you then 1) what r u doing on this website? 2) what r u doing watching Queer Trek? 3) you can leave now because it only gets worse and I am incorrigible :)

<3 Char