kirk outthinks a computer/vulcan Archive

14

Star Trek Animated Series Re-Watch: “The Practical Joker”

By
Torie Atkinson & Eugene Myers
– July 28, 2011 8:00 amPosted in: Animated Series Re-Watch

“The Practical Joker”
Written by Chuck Menville
Directed by Bill Reed

Season 2, Episode 3
Production episode: 22021
Original air date:  September 21, 1974
Star date: 3183.3

Mission summary

The Enterprise is on a routine geological mission exploring asteroids. Kirk notes that they’re ahead of schedule and “the cruise has been uneventful,” which is filed with “They’ll never find us here!” or “What could possibly go wrong?” in the Ways You Should Not Tempt Fate folder.

As if alerted by the hubris, a trio of Romulan ships begin to fire on the Enterprise.

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7

Star Trek Animated Series Re-Watch: “Once Upon a Planet”

By
Torie Atkinson & Eugene Myers
– June 21, 2011 8:00 amPosted in: Animated Series Re-Watch

“Once Upon a Planet”
Written by Chuck Menville and Len Janson
Directed by Hal Sutherland

Season 1, Episode 9
Production episode: 22017
Original air date:  November 3, 1973
Star date: 5591.2

Mission summary

It’s time for some well-deserved r&r, so the Enterprise stops by the Omicron Delta sector to unload its weary crew on the so-called shore leave planet. McCoy, Sulu, and Uhura are in the first wave and note that the place is just as they left it–serene, idyllic, slightly wacky. To clue us in that this is a sequel, McCoy reminisces about that time he felt like he was in Alice in Wonderland, and right on cue Alice and the White Rabbit pop up.

UHURA: It’s hard to believe they’re not real.
MCCOY: Well just remember they’re highly sophisticated robots created by the planet computer to make your dreams come true.
UHURA: So think only happy thoughts.

At least they don’t have Stay Puft in the future.

The three of them wander off to enjoy the planet until McCoy is accosted by the Queen of Hearts, who decides to paint the roses red… with his blood! Shouting “Off with his head!” she and her cardguards chase him around for a bit until he finally gets through to the ship for an emergency beam out. They get a lock on Sulu, too, who reports no strange occurrences whatsoever and seems bummed to miss out on the vacation, but they can’t find Uhura anywhere. She’s been kidnapped!

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9

Star Trek Re-Watch: “Mirror, Mirror”

By
Torie Atkinson & Eugene Myers
– September 25, 2009 8:45 pmPosted in: Favorites, TOS Re-Watch

“Mirror, Mirror”
Written by Jerome Bixby
Directed by Marc Daniels

Season 2, Episode 4
Production episode: 2×10
Original air date: September 29, 1967
Star date: Unknown (dun dun dun)

Mission summary
Captain Kirk, Mr. Scott, Dr. McCoy, and Uhura are on the homeworld of the Halkans, attempting to negotiate an agreement to mine dilithium from the planet’s surface. The Halkans, however, are a race that believes in total and absolute peace, and their leader Tharn refuses to grant Starfleet these rights; while the Federation is currently benevolent, “the future is always in question.” Disappointed but hopeful for a change of heart, Kirk asks Spock to beam up the landing party.

A powerful magnetic storm disrupts their transportation, however, and their forms flicker in and out of the transporter room. The Enterprise reverses in orbit, flashing, and then the landing party finally materializes. But something is rotten in the state of Denmark…

They appear and are wearing modified uniforms, with gold sashes around their waists. Uhura’s midriff is bare. Spock and the other transporter room officers greet the Captain with a quasi-Heil Hitler salute.

But worst of all…Spock has a beard.

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