THE ENTERPRISE FINDS SOME SPACE HIPPIES!

 

Episode Title:  The Way to Eden

Air Date: 2/21/1969

Written by Arthur Heinemann and Dorothy C. Fontana 

Directed by David Alexander

Cast: William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk    Leonard Nimoy as Commander Spock             DeForest Kelley as Dr. Leonard H. McCoy AKA “Bones”              James Doohan  as Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott AKA “Scotty”        George Takei  as Lieutenant  Hikaru Sulu              Nichelle Nichols as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura          Elizabeth Rogers as Lieutenant Palmer          Bill Blackburn as Lieutenant Hadley        Frank Da Vinci as Lieutenant Brent         Roger Holloway as Lieutenant Lemli           Jeannie Malone as unnamed lieutenant              Majel Barrett as Nurse Christine Chapel          Walter Koenig as Ensign Pavel Chekov      James Drake as unnamed Nurse      Skip Homeier as Dr. Ton Sevrin                Charles Napier as Adam                 Mary Linda Rapelye as Irina       Victor Brandt as  Tongo Rad           Deborah Downey as unnamed Hippie Woman#1                 Phyllis Douglas as unnamed Hippie Woman #2 

Ships: USS Enterprise NCC-1701, Gallio II NCC-1701’7, Aurora NC-17740

Planets: “Eden”

My Spoiler filled summary and review: The episode begins with the Enterprise chasing down a stolen starship.  It is not the first time we have seen them do this for they had to do the same task in “Mudd’s Women.”  Like with Mudd’s ship the stolen vessel was still destroyed, but the adventure was still a step up.  The Enterprise crew were able to perform better this time as they saved the people on the stolen ship without incurring any damage to their own vessel.  Instead of finding a space pimp and his ladies, they find a group of space hippies.  Kirk’s log entry lets us know that one of these space hippies is Tongo Rad, the son a prominent Catullan diplomat, whose people are involved in a delicate negotiation with the Federation.  Therefore, Kirk must proceed more gently than he would otherwise like.

The space hippies are led by a Tiburonian, named Dr. Sevrin, who teaches a philosophy that rejects the artificial world of technology and seeks a return to the primitive and natural that he calls “the One.”  Sevrin believes there is a world called Eden that is untouched by the modern and his followers can live life in a natural paradise.   They don’t like Kirk who they call a “Herbert” for insisting that he is going to return them to the authorities.  They do take to Spock who is sympathetic to their plight and even offers to help find a potential “Eden” planet for them to live on once things are settled with Federation authorities. 

Sevrin and Adam

Ensign Chekov is both surprised and horrified to discover that his ex-girlfriend, who he dated while they were both at Starfleet Academy, is part of their group.  Kirk can’t believe that any space hippie was once an Academy cadet.  This leads Spock to point out that most of the space hippies are remarkably intelligent with their leader, Dr. Sevrin, being a top scientist in his field.  Kirk allows Chekov to go check on his old flame and they do a little bit of bonding as her people are being medically checked in sick bay. 

Trouble starts when McCoy discovers that Sevrin suffers fromsynthococcus novae.  This condition is generated by the technology in modern Federation society.  It’s treatable and most Starfleet personnel are vaccinated against it.  However, as a carrier Sevrin cannot leave artificial environment society in exchange for the natural as his condition would spread untreated and begin to kill people.  Sevrin strongly rejects this and Kirk orders him confined to the brig.  This leads his followers to try to recruit Enterprise crewmembers to revolt.  Spock tries to reason with Sevrin only to come away convinced that Sevrin is insane. 

Having a "jam"

The space hippies mingle with the Enterprise crew, learn things about the ship, and sing songs. At one point the one named Adam invites Spock to participate in a jam session.  All of this is a ruse however to get knowledge of the Enterprise and control of the ship.  They re-route everything to the emergency control room and take the ship to the area of space they think Eden is.  It just so happens to be in Romulan space so they could be in a lot of trouble as they fly past the Neutral Zone.  When they arrive at the planet, they make the ship produce a sonic noise that knocks out the crew.

With the crew unconscious the space hippies take a shuttle to the surface.  However, the planet turns out to be toxic to humanoid life.  Adam had died because he ate a piece of fruit.  Sevrin not willing to accept defeat does the same.  The crew of the Enterprise brings the hippies back.  Spock tells Chekov’s ex that they should not give up their search for Eden.

Chekov and his lost girlfriend

Additional thoughts: Given the popularity and growing power of the counter-culture that existed in the 1960s it was probably inevitable that Star Trek would do an episode to comment on it.  I think this probably would have been a better episode to do time travel trip to 20^th century Earth (maybe to stop some rogue time traveler hiding out) and encounter some real hippies instead of inventing their own.  The real hippies protested and fought against unjust war, racial segregation, institutional sexism, greedy unrestrained capitalism, the environment, and rigorous patriarchal standards on family structure.  What do the space hippies fight against in the ideal future?  The answer: the Federation is just too awesome.  We have technology that can do almost anything! Rebel! 

Adam and Tongo Rad

It is not to say the hippies cannot be criticized they certainly can be.  Amongst hippie culture there was a rapid spread of drug use and STDS.  There is also some bone head political decisions such as publicly endorsing Chairman Mao and Ho Chi Minh.  However, the episode doesn’t really work with legitimate criticisms.  The focus seems to be why are young people so crazy sometimes? Even the space hippies’ worldview of the return to the primitive never sees legitimate critique either.  As much as they may hate artificial environment it is better for us than pure nature.  If you don’t believe me, take a look at what bananas are really supposed to look like.  Not only that but corn, apples, and anything else. There is a reason why hunter/gather had to remain small it is not the best way to feed yourself.  That is why we developed agriculture; it is far more secure. For some reason no one, even Spock, mentions this. 

A human-made banana vs. nature made.  Have fun in Eden!

This happens to be one of the few Star Trek stories that Kirk has a really passive part.  The Captain is just along for the ride in this one where the focus of the story is on Spock and Chekov.  Considering we know how hard Chekov can fall for a girl he is the most logical choice to be made to suffer over his ex’s defection.  Chekov, with his Monkey’s haircut, can also represent the non-hippie youth, who continues to believe in the values of the prior generation and who is repulsed by the hippies.

Spock jamming with a hippie girl

The False promise of Eden leads to death.

The crew of the Enterprise should be glad the Romulans decided to take today off.   The last time two times they went into the Neutral Zone the Romulans were on top of them in a moments notice.  The Romulans in “The Deadly Years” showed no interest in listening to the stupid Commodore in command.  Considering what happened in “The Enterprise Incident” there is no way the Romulans would believe the Enterprise entered into their space because they were overwhelmed with space hippies.  In fact, being that it is the Enterprise the Romulans wouldn’t believe anything they had to say with good reason.  
 

 FINAL GRADE 3 of 5

KIRK DECIDES TO TRESPASS AND HIS LANDING PARTY ENDS UP IN A WESTERN

 Episode Title:  Spectre of the Gun  

Air Date: 10/25/1968

Written by Gene L. Coon

Directed by Vincent McEveety

Cast: William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk    Leonard Nimoy as Commander Spock             DeForest Kelley as Dr. Leonard H. McCoy AKA “Bones”              James Doohan  as Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott AKA “Scotty”        Nichelle Nichols as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura          Eddie Paskey as Lieutenant Leslie                 Bill Blackburn as Lieutenant Hadley    Roger Holloway as Lieutenant Lemli       Walter Koenig as Ensign Pavel Chekov                 Jeannie Malone as unmanned Yeoman              Ron Soble as Wyatt Earp               Don Keefer as Bonnie Beecher        Charles Maxwell as Virgil Earp               Rex Holman as Morgan Earp            Sam Gilman as Doc Holliday            Charles Seel as Ed            Bill Zuckert as Johnny Behan              Ed McCready as Barber            Abraham Sofaer as Melkotian (voice)       Richard Anthony as Rider   Paul Baxley as 1st Cowboy     Bob Orrison as 2nd Cowboy                        Gregg Palmer as Rancher

Ships and Space Stations: USS Enterprise NCC-1701

Planets:  Melkos

My Spoiler filled summary and review: The Enterprise is on a mission to the planet Melkos under orders to make contact and establish diplomatic relations.   Since the Melkotians are known to be xenophobic this is going to prove to be quite the task.   As the ship gets closer a buoy shows up on an intercept course.  If the Enterprise alters its path the buoy follows.   The whole thing starts to be a reminder of The Corbomite Maneuver, until the buoy speaks.  Everyone on the bridge hears it in their own language.  Kirk hears English, Spock Vulcan, Ensign Chekov Russian, and Lt. Uhura hears it in Swahili.  The message is the same: stay away. 

Buoy wants them gone!

Now you would think an organization like the Federation would respect their wishes, but this is a crew that goes boldly.  So Kirk, citing his orders to establish peaceful relations says he intends to do just that whether the Melkotians want him to or not.  Kirk orders the Enterprise into orbit around the planet and forms a landing party of five (himself, Spock, McCoy, Scotty, and Chekov) to beam down.  When they do they are surprised to discover fog as the sensors did not indicate they would have any.  The landing party also discovers that none of their equipment works.  A Melkotian revels themselves and Kirk tells them they are peaceful while pointing a phaser in their direction.

Melkotian who Kirk points a phaser at!

All of the sudden the world transforms around them and they are now in Tombstone, Arizona on October 26, 1881.  This was the day the famous Gun Fight at the O.K. Corral occurred.  However there is something terribly off.  It almost as if the Melkotians are short on their studio budget, for all the buildings only have a front wall with nothing on the sides or back.  All the townspeople are oblivious to the fact that their homes and businesses would be in a lot of trouble if it rained.  They also see the Enterprise landing party as the Clanton gang.  In particular Kirk is Ike Clanton, Scott is Billy Clanton, McCoy is Tom McLaury, Spock is Frank McLaury, and Chekov is Billy Claiborne.   Their phasers have been exchanged for six-shooter revolvers.  Spock concludes that the Melkotians have taken this from Captain Kirk’s mind because they hold him responsible for the intrusion. 

Okay we get to be in a Western

Not wanting to get in violent confrontation Kirk tries to reason with the Earps. He finds Wyatt Earp not in the mood to negotiate.  The only one of them who seems to be having a good time is Chekov whose character has the affections of a pretty girl named Bonnie.  Kirk gets desperate and tries to tell the towns people the truth and no one believes him thinking that he is joking.  With the truth failing Kirk and crew decide to get out of town, which ironically is what they should have done at the start of this episode.  However a force field prevents them from leaving. 

Since it appears the Melkotians are going to force them to relive the historic event as it happened Kirk doesn’t trust their six-shooters to work as a successful defense.  They decide to build a tranquilizer weapon that will knock out, not kill, their opponents.  McCoy ironically gets his supplies from Doc Holiday who is scheduled to shoot at him today.  While this is going on Morgan Earp comes to challenge Chekov over his girl.  Instead of a knife, Chekov makes a worse error and brings a charge to a gun fight and is promptly killed.

The remaining crew is devastated but there is one clear silver lining: Chekov’s character Billy Claiborne survived the gunfight at the O.K. Corral.  For the first time since they got here they were able to change something.  Kirk orders a test on the new tranquilizer weapon and Scotty volunteers.  Then in the funniest scene in the whole episode the weapon fails.  Kirk and crew decided to stay right where they are and not even go to the O.K. Corral.   However moments later they are transported straight there.

Normally they are the good guys!

Well it seems they are all doomed.  However Spock has an observation, the reason the tranquilizer failed is because it wasn’t real.  If that is not real neither are their weapons.  The other three point out that Chekov was killed, and then Spock said he wasn’t certain that he was but if so it was because his mind tricked him into thinking he was dead.  Spock knows their bullets are not real and therefore he cannot be harmed by them.  McCoy points out that as human beings they can’t be so certain, that is when Kirk suggests a mind meld to make them so.  Spock performs it and when Earps and Holiday show up their bullets pass right though the Starfleet officers harmlessly. 

That is when Kirk remembers that he is the greatest fighter in the known galaxy and decides to take down Wyatt Earp with moves based on such speed and grace that Earp is helpless in the attack.  Kirk is almost going to kill him but when he sees the fear in Earp’s eyes and remembers how his fight with the Gorn ended he relents.  This proves to the Melkotians that the Federation’s intentions are peaceful and with that the illusion ends and they are all now back on the Enterprise’s bridge with a living Chekov.   It had all been an illusion they had never left, and they conclude Chekov was alive because he was focused on the girl.  The Melkotians are satisfied and they invite the Federation in for continued contact making the Enterprise’s mission a success.   

Additional thoughts: This actually reminds me of an episode of The Real Ghostbusters that I watched as a kid.  In that episode the Ghostbusters also had to play he part of the Clantons, when the ghosts of the Earps and Doc Holiday came back to clean up the town again. 

Given that Starfleet has the Prime Directive it seems odd that they want their starship captains to establish contact with unknown aliens with instructions that by “contact” they mean exactly the type of relationship that the Federation deems as desirable regardless of what these new peoples want.  That seems almost imperialistic to me.   If Kirk’s orders were to make contact with the Melkotians the moment they encountered the buoy and its message was: “We are the Melkotians, now go away,” one would think Kirk would be like “Well, we made contact and they told us to pound sand, mission accomplished.”   Not the result they wanted but I fail to see why they shouldn’t accept it.

Kirk seems a little jealous of someone's luck!

So the Melkotians are powerful enough to reach inside your head to create powerful illusions yet they can’t finish the job with the same illusions.  Buildings missing three walls and only a skeleton population in the town, you would think if they were pulling this all out of Kirk’s head that they would be able to finish the job.  It turns out that the show really did run out of money in the budget so they had to be creative and that is what they came up with.  Good way of improvising on the part of Vincent McEveety.  

Yes, something is missing

Another thing that bothered me about the episode was Kirk’s extremely stupid behavior that I find really out of character.  Not only does he, under orders, try to impose himself on the Melkotians when he first sees one he points his phaser directly at them to demonstrate his peaceful intentions. During the illusion he suggests to Spock they should try to build a communicator to contact the ship where he should clearly see that whatever mechanism the Melkotians were using to cause their original communicators to malfunction will most likely also stop a coupled together one.  Worst was when he tried to reason with the townspeople that he and his friends were from “the future” and they weren’t the Clanton gang.  Kirk should have realized by the three walls missing on all the buildings that this was some sort of alien creation not an act of time travel.  He has time traveled to the 1960s not once but twice, and he went back to the 1920s via the Guardian of Forever.  He knows what time travel is like and this isn’t it.  These aren’t real people and there is no way they could be reached by having them feel the fabric of his shirt.  Kirk should be better than all of this.  I would expect more from Gene L. Coon. 

Then there is Spock, who not only seems to be completely on board with this whole trespass thing, is in this episode often “right” but for the “wrong” reasons.  The one character who is defined by logic and reason and yet his logic in this episode is as flawed as the buildings with missing walls.  The biggest moments of this are in the episode’s climax.  He concludes the bullets can’t hurt them because they are not real based on the fact that the tranquilizer failed where it otherwise should have worked.  Except that at this point we have already scene Chekov killed by the bullets.  The reason we are then given is that because Chekov believed the bullets were real that is why they could kill him, but Scotty had every reason to believe the tranquilizer was real and yet that failed.  Spock did add the Chekov might not be dead, I wish they stuck with that reasoning instead of ‘he’s dead because he believed.”  At least the ending would have made a little more sense.

Chekov's focus!

Chekov is clearly a lover not a fighter.  I mean when someone has a gun on you and you are armed that weapon is your best chance of survival not a charge.  Yet that is what we saw from our dear Ensign.  Now granted if you wanted to catch Morgan Earp in state of surprise then maybe there is some logic in a charge, I imagine he was quite surprised.  However his gun solved his problem as Indiana Jones’s would over a decade later.

I really did love the failed tranquilizer scene.  That was hilarious.  My favorite part is when it was clearly not working Scotty tires to help by sticking his face directly in the fumes!  At that point it was clearly a failure even if Scotty did pass out.  It’s not as if the Earps and Holiday are going to stick their faces in it.

FINAL  GRADE 3 of 5