32. Who Mourns for Adonais?FORMULA: The Squire of Gothos + Space Seed [I'm adding this section because I find that, over time, Star Trek episodes tend to go after the same themes. By Voyager's time, most episodes seemed derivative of an older episode.]
WHY WE LIKE IT: Great effects all around.
WHY WE DON'T: Apollo is quite the windbag.
REVIEW: The idea that Earth was visited by aliens in the past, seeding cultural and religious elements isn't a new one, though usually we think of Aztecs and Egyptians when the subject is brought up. Here we have the Greek gods of Olympus as powerful aliens that thrive on worship. I'll buy it, and the episode's high production values help sell it. The set is obviously indoors, but the swaying trees in the background create the illusion that we're outdoors; the shots of the giant Apollo are well done, if primitive by today's standards; the animated thunderbolts are cool too, as is the stunt work when Scotty gets zapped; and the hand holding the Enterprise is an iconic moment.
Chekov makes a good impression in his first away mission, acting as a very competent (if overenthusiastic) mini-Spock. The other secondary characters get some good, if brief, scenes back on the ship, especially Uhura. It's important to me that these characters not be left behind.
If the episode is let down, it's in the dialogue. It's all a bit flowery for me, with Apollo as the ultimate name-dropper (we get it, you know the gods personally). In trying to convince us of his olympian origins, the writer goes too far, although it helps make him a relic of the past. Even Kirk joins in with his hokey "human flesh against human flesh" speech. But I guess that's how you convince Lt. Palamas, so charmed by Apollo's words that she falls in love with him. Star Trek nearly always misses with its "love at first sight" stories. Scotty's attentions are also a weak element. He seems too old and seasoned to be so wreckless as to attack Apollo that number of times over a girl.
In fact, the episode is rather sexist in its handling of Palamas. It's mentioned that once she gets married, she'll be out of the service, for example. And her betrayal of the crew is ill-advised. Her violation at the hands of Apollo could have been tasteless, of course (the original script apparently had her become pregnant as a result), but leaves it at an embarassing upskirt instead. It's a good thing she redeems herself, poignantly rejecting the god she loves. Apollo finally projects some pathos at the end as well, bittersweetly marking the end of the Olympians.
LESSON: Don't let your girlfriend anywhere NEAR a super-charismatic god!
REWATCHABILITY - Medium: Great to look at (both for the effects and the beautiful Lt. Palamas), a little dull to listen to, but the plot stands up.
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