61. Is There in Truth No Beauty?
FORMULA: Journey to Babel + Metamorphosis + Where No Man Has Gone Before + Wolf in the Fold
WHY WE LIKE IT: An at times beautiful morality play.
WHY WE DON'T: More science fantasy than science fiction.
REVIEW: Star Trek is often at its best when it's a morality play, but in many ways, this episode is more of a fable. Though it tried to keep me engaged with lots of twists and turns, I was annoyed by all the "magical" elements. We start off with an alien who's so ugly, seeing him drives you mad. How can that be? There's also a human being with powerful telepathic powers, which passes with the crew without much surprise. And finally, a third version of the Great Barrier, this one creating disorientation and bringing you to a rather busy "void" in a "space-time continuum". The original series was never so full of technobabble.
The episode redeems itself in the last couple acts, especially in Kolos' speech about how he perceives humanoid existence. It's actually moving. Kirk again plays psychologist (I'm still amazed at how watching the episodes daily brings this facet to the fore) in a scene that reminds me of Hamlet confronting his mother. Roddenberry once described Kirk as coming partly from Hamlet, and we see it here. Even more so when he doubts himself with McCoy after the exchange with Dr. Jones.
In fact, the whole episode is rather well written when it comes to dialogue and character, only letting us down on matters of plot and continuity. The direction shows some flair in how it handles the point of view of the characters driven by mad by the sight of Kolos, though fails in its portrayal of Miranda's psychic visions (why does she ask all those questions if what she sees if Kolos' box?). A lot of praise also goes to the always regal Diana Muldaur in the role of Miranda Jones. Well played whether you know the character is blind or not. Finally, I must say the episode has one of the best titles in Star Trek.
LESSON: Touch, but don't look.
REWATCHABILITY - High: Though it's far from perfect, it's won me over with great acting, good character moments, and excellent dialogue. Just don't inspect the plot too closely.
FORMULA: Journey to Babel + Metamorphosis + Where No Man Has Gone Before + Wolf in the Fold
WHY WE LIKE IT: An at times beautiful morality play.WHY WE DON'T: More science fantasy than science fiction.
REVIEW: Star Trek is often at its best when it's a morality play, but in many ways, this episode is more of a fable. Though it tried to keep me engaged with lots of twists and turns, I was annoyed by all the "magical" elements. We start off with an alien who's so ugly, seeing him drives you mad. How can that be? There's also a human being with powerful telepathic powers, which passes with the crew without much surprise. And finally, a third version of the Great Barrier, this one creating disorientation and bringing you to a rather busy "void" in a "space-time continuum". The original series was never so full of technobabble.
The episode redeems itself in the last couple acts, especially in Kolos' speech about how he perceives humanoid existence. It's actually moving. Kirk again plays psychologist (I'm still amazed at how watching the episodes daily brings this facet to the fore) in a scene that reminds me of Hamlet confronting his mother. Roddenberry once described Kirk as coming partly from Hamlet, and we see it here. Even more so when he doubts himself with McCoy after the exchange with Dr. Jones.
In fact, the whole episode is rather well written when it comes to dialogue and character, only letting us down on matters of plot and continuity. The direction shows some flair in how it handles the point of view of the characters driven by mad by the sight of Kolos, though fails in its portrayal of Miranda's psychic visions (why does she ask all those questions if what she sees if Kolos' box?). A lot of praise also goes to the always regal Diana Muldaur in the role of Miranda Jones. Well played whether you know the character is blind or not. Finally, I must say the episode has one of the best titles in Star Trek.
LESSON: Touch, but don't look.
REWATCHABILITY - High: Though it's far from perfect, it's won me over with great acting, good character moments, and excellent dialogue. Just don't inspect the plot too closely.
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