Rating: 
Summary: Appearances Are Deceiving...
Review: ...as Captain Kirk discovers, in these two pretty good episodes."Mark of Gideon" isn't terribly plausible, but it is fun, and actually kind of creepy. Captain Kirk beams down to an isolated planet on a diplomatic visit - but never arrives there. Instead, he finds himself still on board the Enterprise, but all alone. Yet the Enterprise can't find him aboard, despite the insistence of the planet's inhabitants that Kirk never materialized among them. Eventually, Kirk encounters a beautiful alien girl (is there any other kind, where he's concerned?) named Odona, who falls in love with him (come on, you knew that, right?). It's all part of a nefarious plot by the planet's inhabitants to thin out their overpopulation - but as to how, you can find that out yourself. The early scenes, with Kirk haunting an empty Enterprise like his own ghost, are rather eerie, and Sharon Acker is delightfully appealing as the childlike Odona. "Whom Gods Destroy" is just plain fun, no matter how you slice it. The inmates have taken over the asylum on an isolated prison planet, but Kirk doesn't find out until he's beamed into the situation and found himself held prisoner. The man who freed his fellow inmates is a fellow Starfleet captain gone mad named Garth (Steve Ihnat), who learned the unique talent of being able to rearrange his molecular structure to appear like anyone he chooses, and intends to impersonate Kirk and commandeer the Enterprise. Spock smells something wrong, but can't get into the facility to arrange a rescue attempt. While he works that little problem out, Kirk has an assortment of adventures with the mad Captain Garth and his erstwhile concubine, the equally mad green alien dancer girl, Marta (Yvonne Craig). Ihnat was a lesser-known character actor of the time, whose premature death unfortunately deprived us all of seeing more of him - he's quite good here, as he was in everything he did - and anything with Yvonne "Batgirl" Craig is always a delight.
Rating:
Summary: Appearances Are Deceiving...
Review: ...as Captain Kirk discovers, in these two pretty good episodes. "Mark of Gideon" isn't terribly plausible, but it is fun, and actually kind of creepy. Captain Kirk beams down to an isolated planet on a diplomatic visit - but never arrives there. Instead, he finds himself still on board the Enterprise, but all alone. Yet the Enterprise can't find him aboard, despite the insistence of the planet's inhabitants that Kirk never materialized among them. Eventually, Kirk encounters a beautiful alien girl (is there any other kind, where he's concerned?) named Odona, who falls in love with him (come on, you knew that, right?). It's all part of a nefarious plot by the planet's inhabitants to thin out their overpopulation - but as to how, you can find that out yourself. The early scenes, with Kirk haunting an empty Enterprise like his own ghost, are rather eerie, and Sharon Acker is delightfully appealing as the childlike Odona. "Whom Gods Destroy" is just plain fun, no matter how you slice it. The inmates have taken over the asylum on an isolated prison planet, but Kirk doesn't find out until he's beamed into the situation and found himself held prisoner. The man who freed his fellow inmates is a fellow Starfleet captain gone mad named Garth (Steve Ihnat), who learned the unique talent of being able to rearrange his molecular structure to appear like anyone he chooses, and intends to impersonate Kirk and commandeer the Enterprise. Spock smells something wrong, but can't get into the facility to arrange a rescue attempt. While he works that little problem out, Kirk has an assortment of adventures with the mad Captain Garth and his erstwhile concubine, the equally mad green alien dancer girl, Marta (Yvonne Craig). Ihnat was a lesser-known character actor of the time, whose premature death unfortunately deprived us all of seeing more of him - he's quite good here, as he was in everything he did - and anything with Yvonne "Batgirl" Craig is always a delight.
Rating:
Summary: Kirk beams down into big time trouble a couple more times
Review: Kirk beams down into a couple of major problems in the two episodes offered up on Volume 36 of the Star Trek DVD series. The Enterprise stops by the Maximum Security Asylum on Elba II (cute, huh?) and finds that Garth of Izar, an infamous Starfleet captain who destroyed an entire race, has learned how to alter his appearance and has assumed the face and position of Governor Cory. Locking up Kirk and Spock, Garth changes himself to look like Kirk and tries to take over the Enterprise. "Whom Gods Destroy" is a below average Star Trek episode, especially since Garth's plan can only work if the Enterprise basically has no security measures in place whatsoever. I have children who could program the computer not to let unauthorized characters beam aboard the ship, but that would sure kill a lot of stories on Star Trek. Certainly the idea of a shape shifter running loose on the Enterprise is a good idea, Odo more than proves that on DS9, but beyond his special ability Garth is just pretty stupid for an ex-Starfleet captain. "The Mark of Gideon" offers one of Star Trek's most convoluted plotlines, but for my money it provides a pretty good payoff. Gideon, a planet that does not belong to the Federation, requests the presence of Captian Kirk. But when he beams down to the coordinates given by Hodin, the leader of the Gideon Council, Kirk finds himself back on the Enterprise, only now it is totally deserted. Meanwhile, Hodin claims to have no idea as to what happened to Kirk. Well, Kirk has suddenly found he is not alone, there is a woman named Odana who has joined him. She claims to know nothing about what is going on and it is pretty clear Kirk has no clue. Like many Star Trek episodes, there is a didactic social commentary aspect to "The Mark of Gideon," but what is nice this time around is that it comes as something of a surprise. I am curious as to exactly how Kirk contracted Vegan Chrolomeningitis, but overall this is one of the better Star Trek solve a mystery episodes.
Rating:
Summary: Kirk beams down into big time trouble a couple more times
Review: Kirk beams down into a couple of major problems in the two episodes offered up on Volume 36 of the Star Trek DVD series. The Enterprise stops by the Maximum Security Asylum on Elba II (cute, huh?) and finds that Garth of Izar, an infamous Starfleet captain who destroyed an entire race, has learned how to alter his appearance and has assumed the face and position of Governor Cory. Locking up Kirk and Spock, Garth changes himself to look like Kirk and tries to take over the Enterprise. "Whom Gods Destroy" is a below average Star Trek episode, especially since Garth's plan can only work if the Enterprise basically has no security measures in place whatsoever. I have children who could program the computer not to let unauthorized characters beam aboard the ship, but that would sure kill a lot of stories on Star Trek. Certainly the idea of a shape shifter running loose on the Enterprise is a good idea, Odo more than proves that on DS9, but beyond his special ability Garth is just pretty stupid for an ex-Starfleet captain. "The Mark of Gideon" offers one of Star Trek's most convoluted plotlines, but for my money it provides a pretty good payoff. Gideon, a planet that does not belong to the Federation, requests the presence of Captian Kirk. But when he beams down to the coordinates given by Hodin, the leader of the Gideon Council, Kirk finds himself back on the Enterprise, only now it is totally deserted. Meanwhile, Hodin claims to have no idea as to what happened to Kirk. Well, Kirk has suddenly found he is not alone, there is a woman named Odana who has joined him. She claims to know nothing about what is going on and it is pretty clear Kirk has no clue. Like many Star Trek episodes, there is a didactic social commentary aspect to "The Mark of Gideon," but what is nice this time around is that it comes as something of a surprise. I am curious as to exactly how Kirk contracted Vegan Chrolomeningitis, but overall this is one of the better Star Trek solve a mystery episodes.
Rating: 
Summary: How lucky can one man get?
Review: Two more great episodes from TOS in which Kirk gets AN ORION SLAVE GIRL in "Whom Gods Destroy". He dukes it out with an insane Starship Captain as well who can morph into anyone he chooses.
In "Mark of Gideon", TOS tackles the problem of overpopulation & birth control...and Kirk gets the girl AGAIN!
Rating:
Summary: A Typical Third Season Mixed Bag
Review: Volume 36 of Paramount's complete reissue of Classic Trek contains two episodes which point out the uneven quality of the series' third season. Whom Gods Destroy is essentially a remake of Dagger of the Mind, and a pretty weak one at that. The writing in this episode is typical of some of the inane stories foisted upon unsuspecting viewers during Trek's third season. Yvonne Craig (Batgirl) appears in green makeup as a mental patient with a Black Widow's complex (perhaps one should call her the Green Widow). The Mark of Gideon is one of Trek's better issue-oriented episodes. Tackling the hot button topics of overpopulation and contraception took some bravery on the part of the writers, and they more than rose to the task. Without the competing presence of his fellow cast members, William Shatner turns his performance down by several notches, and there is great chemistry between him and guest star Sharon Acker. The picture has been restored well enough so that the viewer can plainly see the cheesy looking bald caps worn in The Mark of Gideon.
Rating:
Summary: GOOD STAR TREK THIRD SEASON DVD!
Review: Volume 36 of the Star Trek DVD series includes two of the better episodes from the tail end of the TV series' third and final season on NBC. Both these epiosdes are fairly decent despite the typical third season flaws. WHOM THE GODS DESTROY is simply a fun Star Trek episode. Kirk and Spock beam down to the prison planet Elba II to find that Garth of Izar (Steve Ihnat), an infamous Star Fleet Captin who wiped out an entire race, has taken control of the prison complex from Governor Cory. Using his ability to shapshift into different characters Garth attempts to take over the Enterprise. This episode is actually pretty laughable. Garth's evil plan is way too far fetched to even work. But perhaps the producers wanted to point out that the character was utterly insane. It's the cast of colourful characters and the over the top acting that save this one. Ihnat is great as the bantering Garth and Yvonne Craig (Batgirl from the TV show Batman) makes a great acting appearance as Marta (the green alien woman). Ironically the third Batman guest star to appear in a consecutive Star Trek episode. Too bad Adam West, Burt Ward, Burgess Meredith and Caesar Romero never showed up as guest stars huh? MARK OF GIDEON is a little more serious and almost creepy. Another Star Trek issue oriented episode. This time tackling overpopulation problems and contraception. Most of the screen time is given to Shatner and guest star Sharon Acker who plays Odana. There is great chemistry between the two and the acting in this episode is quite good. Good casting and a strong plot overshadow the obvious production budget flaws on this episode (most of it was filmed on the Enterprise set). The Gideon council leader, Hodin, is played by David Hurst, who made a hilarious appearance as Baron Von Klutz on the Monkees TV series. Here though he plays a suprisingly serious role as the main antagonist. Overall a good set of third season episodes. One laughable one a little more dark and serious. Considering that the tail end of the final season was filled with bad episodes this is quite refreshing to watch becuase these are a few better episodes from the wildly uneven third season. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: GOOD STAR TREK THIRD SEASON DVD!
Review: Volume 36 of the Star Trek DVD series includes two of the better episodes from the tail end of the TV series' third and final season on NBC. Both these epiosdes are fairly decent despite the typical third season flaws. WHOM THE GODS DESTROY is simply a fun Star Trek episode. Kirk and Spock beam down to the prison planet Elba II to find that Garth of Izar (Steve Ihnat), an infamous Star Fleet Captin who wiped out an entire race, has taken control of the prison complex from Governor Cory. Using his ability to shapshift into different characters Garth attempts to take over the Enterprise. This episode is actually pretty laughable. Garth's evil plan is way too far fetched to even work. But perhaps the producers wanted to point out that the character was utterly insane. It's the cast of colourful characters and the over the top acting that save this one. Ihnat is great as the bantering Garth and Yvonne Craig (Batgirl from the TV show Batman) makes a great acting appearance as Marta (the green alien woman). Ironically the third Batman guest star to appear in a consecutive Star Trek episode. Too bad Adam West, Burt Ward, Burgess Meredith and Caesar Romero never showed up as guest stars huh? MARK OF GIDEON is a little more serious and almost creepy. Another Star Trek issue oriented episode. This time tackling overpopulation problems and contraception. Most of the screen time is given to Shatner and guest star Sharon Acker who plays Odana. There is great chemistry between the two and the acting in this episode is quite good. Good casting and a strong plot overshadow the obvious production budget flaws on this episode (most of it was filmed on the Enterprise set). The Gideon council leader, Hodin, is played by David Hurst, who made a hilarious appearance as Baron Von Klutz on the Monkees TV series. Here though he plays a suprisingly serious role as the main antagonist. Overall a good set of third season episodes. One laughable one a little more dark and serious. Considering that the tail end of the final season was filled with bad episodes this is quite refreshing to watch becuase these are a few better episodes from the wildly uneven third season. Highly recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: 2 signs that Trek was getting ready for bed
Review: Whom Gods Destroy (2 stars)-The second of the insane asylum/ penal colony episodes is no better than the first (Dagger of the Mind). The episode has the cold, impersonal feel that was becoming a staple at this point in Trek's run (at least in part attributable to the actors having to act of character [witness the recondite Spock here], the executive producer's let's get this over with approach, and a growing sense that the run was over.) A telling scene has Kirk and Spock seated, with Garth and his cohorts standing behind them. Are the slouching Kirk and Spock's snickering, knowing, and tired expressions aimed at Garth's entourage of misfits, or at us, the audience? Most of the make-up, costumes, and equipment are retreads, and the plot too has nothing new to say. As in other third season shows, we have sadism for its own sake. The cruel and childish antics are reminiscent of the recently finished Plato's Stepchildren. But as in the real world, evil for evil's sake would surface all too often in the 3rd season.
In this sense the stylistically trippy 3rd season is actually more realistic than the idealistic 1st season. Oh well, at least this episode's finale holds out some hope for Garth and company's redemption. Too late for the viewer! (2 stars) The Mark of Gideon-Another episode struggling to fill up its allotted 50 minutes, this one features Kirk and a beautiful lady alone on the (?) Enterprise. I know I've said in other reviews that I don't hold Star Trek to a high plausibility standard, but this episode even offends my sensibilities. Rebuilding a ship like the Enterprise, to perfection? Spock, and the transporter system in general, getting fooled again (as in the prior episode)? Not to mention the extent of the overcrowding on Gideon!
The episode's few pluses include the subtle, macabre twist on the Kirksploitation element seen in Wink of An Eye (even if it too is farfetched here, and there for that matter), as well as the return of some of the eerie atmospherics of some of the earlier 3rd season shows. Examples of the latter include the faces seen in the windows and the camera shots of Kirk alone on the bridge. Props should alsi be given for the fact that the episode addresses overpopulation, however crudely. (2 stars)
Rating:
Summary: 2 signs that Trek was getting ready for bed
Review: Whom Gods Destroy (2 stars)-The second of the insane asylum/ penal colony episodes is no better than the first (Dagger of the Mind). The episode has the cold, impersonal feel that was becoming a staple at this point in Trek's run (at least in part attributable to the actors having to act of character [witness the recondite Spock here], the executive producer's let's get this over with approach, and a growing sense that the run was over.) A telling scene has Kirk and Spock seated, with Garth and his cohorts standing behind them. Are the slouching Kirk and Spock's snickering, knowing, and tired expressions aimed at Garth's entourage of misfits, or at us, the audience? Most of the make-up, costumes, and equipment are retreads, and the plot too has nothing new to say. As in other third season shows, we have sadism for its own sake. The cruel and childish antics are reminiscent of the recently finished Plato's Stepchildren. But as in the real world, evil for evil's sake would surface all too often in the 3rd season.
In this sense the stylistically trippy 3rd season is actually more realistic than the idealistic 1st season. Oh well, at least this episode's finale holds out some hope for Garth and company's redemption. Too late for the viewer! (2 stars) The Mark of Gideon-Another episode struggling to fill up its allotted 50 minutes, this one features Kirk and a beautiful lady alone on the (?) Enterprise. I know I've said in other reviews that I don't hold Star Trek to a high plausibility standard, but this episode even offends my sensibilities. Rebuilding a ship like the Enterprise, to perfection? Spock, and the transporter system in general, getting fooled again (as in the prior episode)? Not to mention the extent of the overcrowding on Gideon!
The episode's few pluses include the subtle, macabre twist on the Kirksploitation element seen in Wink of An Eye (even if it too is farfetched here, and there for that matter), as well as the return of some of the eerie atmospherics of some of the earlier 3rd season shows. Examples of the latter include the faces seen in the windows and the camera shots of Kirk alone on the bridge. Props should alsi be given for the fact that the episode addresses overpopulation, however crudely. (2 stars)
|
