Rating: 
Summary: Two solid, transitional episodes
Review: Plato's Stepchildren-Another menacing and sadistic 3rd season episode, this time involving an Ancient Greek-like people
with telekenetic powers. This is one of those episodes-there would be many more ahead--that doesn't have a lot to say. It is most noteworthy for the kiss between Kirk and Uhura (too bad it had to be forced upon them), the absurdly camp antics performed by Kirk and Spock in particular, and the icy malevolence of Parmen and his cohorts. Whatever moral the episode conveys could probably best be summarized as "absolute power corrupts absolutely." There's nothing very deep about the crew's 'escape' either, although they are able to teach Alexander some valuable lessons before they go. (3 stars) Wink of an Eye-This episode, involving an accelerated species, has always been a favorite of mine. It is a very dreamlike episode; the scene depicting Kirk's acceleration must be one of the show's most bizarre segments. Tilting the camera and returning to music used in 'The Cage' were nice ways of embellishing acceleration. The idea also struck me as quite original (although I must confess I've read very little science fiction). Others have noted that when you sit down and work out the times involved, there are a lot of inconsistencies and implausible outcomes, but I do not look to Star Trek for that kind of realism.
Kathy Browne does a nice job as Deela. While clearly serious about the business of reproduction, she has a light, flirtatious quality which, along with her power, forces Kirk out of his usual domineering role. Of course, the two of them generated a scene for the sensors to miss nonetheless!
One final note: Even after several viewings I'm still not sure I understand the final scene, when Kirk utters the cryptic line, "That's..no malfunction." Did the production team just run out of steam at the end of the episode? Or did Deela intentionally leave the tape nearby (for Uhura to mistakenly pick up) as a momento to Kirk? Not clear. What is clear is that things were starting to get sloppy by the middle of the 3rd season; it would only get worse.
Nevertheless, I feel this episode, number 12 of 24) sits solidly on the winning side of what would be a turning point for the show. The remaining shows as a rule wouldn't feel as stylized as those from the first half of the third season, and were somehow less quirky and more formulaic. Given that they also tended to have thin plots, this would be a formula for disaster. (4 stars)
Rating:
Summary: Two solid, transitional episodes
Review: Plato's Stepchildren-Another menacing and sadistic 3rd season episode, this time involving an Ancient Greek-like people
with telekenetic powers. This is one of those episodes-there would be many more ahead--that doesn't have a lot to say. It is most noteworthy for the kiss between Kirk and Uhura (too bad it had to be forced upon them), the absurdly camp antics performed by Kirk and Spock in particular, and the icy malevolence of Parmen and his cohorts. Whatever moral the episode conveys could probably best be summarized as "absolute power corrupts absolutely." There's nothing very deep about the crew's 'escape' either, although they are able to teach Alexander some valuable lessons before they go. (3 stars) Wink of an Eye-This episode, involving an accelerated species, has always been a favorite of mine. It is a very dreamlike episode; the scene depicting Kirk's acceleration must be one of the show's most bizarre segments. Tilting the camera and returning to music used in 'The Cage' were nice ways of embellishing acceleration. The idea also struck me as quite original (although I must confess I've read very little science fiction). Others have noted that when you sit down and work out the times involved, there are a lot of inconsistencies and implausible outcomes, but I do not look to Star Trek for that kind of realism.
Kathy Browne does a nice job as Deela. While clearly serious about the business of reproduction, she has a light, flirtatious quality which, along with her power, forces Kirk out of his usual domineering role. Of course, the two of them generated a scene for the sensors to miss nonetheless!
One final note: Even after several viewings I'm still not sure I understand the final scene, when Kirk utters the cryptic line, "That's..no malfunction." Did the production team just run out of steam at the end of the episode? Or did Deela intentionally leave the tape nearby (for Uhura to mistakenly pick up) as a momento to Kirk? Not clear. What is clear is that things were starting to get sloppy by the middle of the 3rd season; it would only get worse.
Nevertheless, I feel this episode, number 12 of 24) sits solidly on the winning side of what would be a turning point for the show. The remaining shows as a rule wouldn't feel as stylized as those from the first half of the third season, and were somehow less quirky and more formulaic. Given that they also tended to have thin plots, this would be a formula for disaster. (4 stars)
Rating: 
Summary: TV's First Interracial Kiss...OR IS IT?
Review: Volume 34 of Paramount's complete reissue of Classic Trek contains two episodes which could best be described as fair-to-middling in quality. Plato's Stepchildren made history of sorts by containing the first interracial kiss (inter-ETHNIC, really, since Kirk and Uhura are both of the same race--the HUMAN race) on network television. But William Shatner, in his book Star Trek Memories, pointed out that TWO versions of the kiss were filmed--one as a full-on kiss, and one where the actors' lips didn't actually meet. The second take was used, which means the highly touted kiss is actually a fake! (Watch the episode and you'll see what I mean.) Perhaps the publicity mavens connected with Trek actually are referring to the smooch between Spock and Nurse Chapel when they refer to an interracial kiss--which would fit the bill since Spock is half-Vulcan. The rest of the episode is a mix is sillyness, some cringeworthy moments from the actors, and lightweight sermonizing. Wink of an Eye is a bit better. The idea of life-forms existing out of sync with each other has served Trek well and often. Generally, this episode is well made, although there are inconsistencies. It is never fully explained how the accelerated Scalosians can function on the Enterprise (the doors to the turbolift and corridors remain conveniently open for much of the episode). Uncharacteristically, after the Scalosians have been defeated, Kirk does not extend the hand of friendship and offer them a cure for their ailment, but rather sends them on their way. NBC's censors must have been asleep during the infamous scene where Kirk--after a coital romp with the Scalosian queen--pulls his boots back on. There is an inventive touch late in this episode, where some stock music is played at the wrong speed to increase the disorienting effect. Picture and sound are fine.
Rating:
Summary: TV's First Interracial Kiss...OR IS IT?
Review: Volume 34 of Paramount's complete reissue of Classic Trek contains two episodes which could best be described as fair-to-middling in quality. Plato's Stepchildren made history of sorts by containing the first interracial kiss (inter-ETHNIC, really, since Kirk and Uhura are both of the same race--the HUMAN race) on network television. But William Shatner, in his book Star Trek Memories, pointed out that TWO versions of the kiss were filmed--one as a full-on kiss, and one where the actors' lips didn't actually meet. The second take was used, which means the highly touted kiss is actually a fake! (Watch the episode and you'll see what I mean.) Perhaps the publicity mavens connected with Trek actually are referring to the smooch between Spock and Nurse Chapel when they refer to an interracial kiss--which would fit the bill since Spock is half-Vulcan. The rest of the episode is a mix is sillyness, some cringeworthy moments from the actors, and lightweight sermonizing. Wink of an Eye is a bit better. The idea of life-forms existing out of sync with each other has served Trek well and often. Generally, this episode is well made, although there are inconsistencies. It is never fully explained how the accelerated Scalosians can function on the Enterprise (the doors to the turbolift and corridors remain conveniently open for much of the episode). Uncharacteristically, after the Scalosians have been defeated, Kirk does not extend the hand of friendship and offer them a cure for their ailment, but rather sends them on their way. NBC's censors must have been asleep during the infamous scene where Kirk--after a coital romp with the Scalosian queen--pulls his boots back on. There is an inventive touch late in this episode, where some stock music is played at the wrong speed to increase the disorienting effect. Picture and sound are fine.
Rating:
Summary: DON'T BUY INTO THE HYPE.....
Review: Volume 34 of the Star Trek DVD series contains two episodes that have been considered good cause they were supposedly very risqué during the time they aired. Partly because each has it's own "landmark moment in American television". In reality these moments are barely noticable and these two Trek episodes are just as mediocre as the rest that came out of the third season. PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN opens this one. Yeah I know. I've heard it a thousand times: "tv's first interracial kiss" between William Shatner and Nichelle Nichols. The truth is (according to Shatner himself) that two scenes of this were shot. One that was actually a kiss and the other that wasn't. The latter was chosen in the original airing and they have never bothered to put the actual kiss in any reruns. Therefore technically there is nothing special about this one. The plot is typical Star Trek and this episode showcases some of the actors most embarassing moments. Still this is good for a laugh. Especially when the dwarf Alexander mounts Kirk like a horse and our good Capt. begins to 'neigh'. Apart from those embarassing moments and a few touching acting scenes between Kirk and Alexander this episode is pretty forgettable. The second episode here is WINK OF AN EYE which fairs little better than PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN. For whatever reason I have always felt the sound in this one was muffled. Maybe it was just me? Anyways the supposed off camera sex scene between Kirk and the girl isn't very noteworthy. As a matter of fact I didn't even notice it until another Amazon.com reviewer mentioned it! The plot to WINK OF AN EYE is interesting but in the long run it's merely the Star Trek crew being invaded by bizarre aliens once again. As I said many times before, it's been done! Anybody else notice that the camera work of this episode was almost always on a slant? Just a thought... Overall these two episodes are definetly watchable but I find neither them are as special as they claim to be. Keep in mind these were released in 1968 so perhaps they were considered more shocking back then but I find it hard to believe since Star Trek's ratings and popularity were at an all time low when they aired. Not the best but it's classic Trek so go on try it! Recommended!
Rating:
Summary: DON'T BUY INTO THE HYPE.....
Review: Volume 34 of the Star Trek DVD series contains two episodes that have been considered good cause they were supposedly very risqué during the time they aired. Partly because each has it's own "landmark moment in American television". In reality these moments are barely noticable and these two Trek episodes are just as mediocre as the rest that came out of the third season. PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN opens this one. Yeah I know. I've heard it a thousand times: "tv's first interracial kiss" between William Shatner and Nichelle Nichols. The truth is (according to Shatner himself) that two scenes of this were shot. One that was actually a kiss and the other that wasn't. The latter was chosen in the original airing and they have never bothered to put the actual kiss in any reruns. Therefore technically there is nothing special about this one. The plot is typical Star Trek and this episode showcases some of the actors most embarassing moments. Still this is good for a laugh. Especially when the dwarf Alexander mounts Kirk like a horse and our good Capt. begins to 'neigh'. Apart from those embarassing moments and a few touching acting scenes between Kirk and Alexander this episode is pretty forgettable. The second episode here is WINK OF AN EYE which fairs little better than PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN. For whatever reason I have always felt the sound in this one was muffled. Maybe it was just me? Anyways the supposed off camera sex scene between Kirk and the girl isn't very noteworthy. As a matter of fact I didn't even notice it until another Amazon.com reviewer mentioned it! The plot to WINK OF AN EYE is interesting but in the long run it's merely the Star Trek crew being invaded by bizarre aliens once again. As I said many times before, it's been done! Anybody else notice that the camera work of this episode was almost always on a slant? Just a thought... Overall these two episodes are definetly watchable but I find neither them are as special as they claim to be. Keep in mind these were released in 1968 so perhaps they were considered more shocking back then but I find it hard to believe since Star Trek's ratings and popularity were at an all time low when they aired. Not the best but it's classic Trek so go on try it! Recommended!
Rating:
Summary: You want cheese with that?
Review: You know, when it comes to big-time over-the-top sci-fi cheeseball, the third season of classic `Star Trek' really hits the spot! In "Plato's Stepchildren", you've got Spock dancing the mamuschka around Kirk's prone body; Spock showing his `talent' as a singing sensation, and some of the more over-the-top Kirkian heavy-handed monologues out there! Oh yeah, this eppie's also got a midget... or is he a dwarf? I don't know the diff myself. Maybe I'll research the contrasts someday, but for now I'm too lazy, and basically couldn't care less. Oh yeah, let's not forget network prime-time's first interracial kiss-which wasn't nearly as gratuitous as some of Kirk's other liplocks. G-Rod & Company definitely did their best to make this `infamous' moment as subtle as possible! Then there's `Wink of an Eye', where ol' Jimmers catches the eye of Deela, the comely leader of a race of hyperaccelerated beings. It's not too bad as far as third-season `Trek goes, but it does have its silly moments. The over-done `Jim-gets-romantic-with-the-babe-of-the-week' plot element is given yet another showing here. In fact, there's more than kissing going on in this instance- there's a moment where Kirk & Deela are in his quarters, and he's putting one of his boots on! Does that mean...? Hmmm.
Rating:
Summary: You want cheese with that?
Review: You know, when it comes to big-time over-the-top sci-fi cheeseball, the third season of classic 'Star Trek' really hits the spot! In "Plato's Stepchildren", you've got Spock dancing the mamuschka around Kirk's prone body; Spock showing his 'talent' as a singing sensation, and some of the more over-the-top Kirkian heavy-handed monologues out there! Oh yeah, this eppie's also got a midget... or is he a dwarf? I don't know the diff myself. Maybe I'll research the contrasts someday, but for now I'm too lazy, and basically couldn't care less. Oh yeah, let's not forget network prime-time's first interracial kiss-which wasn't nearly as gratuitous as some of Kirk's other liplocks. G-Rod & Company definitely did their best to make this 'infamous' moment as subtle as possible! Then there's 'Wink of an Eye', where ol' Jimmers catches the eye of Deela, the comely leader of a race of hyperaccelerated beings. It's not too bad as far as third-season 'Trek goes, but it does have its silly moments. The over-done 'Jim-gets-romantic-with-the-babe-of-the-week' plot element is given yet another showing here. In fact, there's more than kissing going on in this instance- there's a moment where Kirk & Deela are in his quarters, and he's putting one of his boots on! Does that mean...? Hmmm.
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