Season 1 original Trek
Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 9:26 pm
We are rewatching it in order and it's very interesting. I have nothing to say that you haven't heard before - crew boldly ventures into space yet learns semi-profound lessons about humanity, with mod fashion, some truly genius ideas, and some tragic special effects. However, it's filling in a lot of gaps in lore and history for me, and many fascinating details surface. Spock refers to himself most often as Vulcanian, and his use of the nerve pinch is swift and graceful, often humorous. I never quite understood the thing with Ricardo Montalban because I was too young when I first saw it to pick up on different literary and historical references, and at the same age I knew him first and foremost as Mr. Roarke. Amusingly, Khan emerges from the world wars of the 1990s as various genetically engineered strongmen attempt to seize power. (Reminds of 2020 in multiple countries though heaven knows the engineering left something to be desired if today's examples count.)
But he is not a pure version of Genghis Khan (well, we knew that because he did not prevail and was clumsy in the attempt, but still), and his pitfall is overestimating his own strength, after which Kirk bonks him Silently with an improvised bonking stick from the control panel. It's full stage theatre yet the opposite of slick cinematic violence we are used to today, and the fact that the weapon makes no dramatic noise as Khan is subdued was inexplicably delightful to me. Like, this is what actually happens when you need to use an improvised weapon that goes pfff when it hits!
The fact that the chick goes off to exile with Khan afterward is so wacky - his virulence cannot be thwarted even if his ambition to rule must be.
Many episodes have dealt profoundly with what it means to be free, whether we have good reasons to value what we do, or believe certain actions are right.
The show used to seem so cheesy and sexist even though I enjoyed it, and now I barely notice that stuff and find it compares incredibly well to contemporary shows. William Shatner is also freaking hilarious - I didn't appreciate him when I was younger and now I find him so amusing, it really helps overall. Scotty remains my favorite, though.
But he is not a pure version of Genghis Khan (well, we knew that because he did not prevail and was clumsy in the attempt, but still), and his pitfall is overestimating his own strength, after which Kirk bonks him Silently with an improvised bonking stick from the control panel. It's full stage theatre yet the opposite of slick cinematic violence we are used to today, and the fact that the weapon makes no dramatic noise as Khan is subdued was inexplicably delightful to me. Like, this is what actually happens when you need to use an improvised weapon that goes pfff when it hits!
The fact that the chick goes off to exile with Khan afterward is so wacky - his virulence cannot be thwarted even if his ambition to rule must be.
Many episodes have dealt profoundly with what it means to be free, whether we have good reasons to value what we do, or believe certain actions are right.
The show used to seem so cheesy and sexist even though I enjoyed it, and now I barely notice that stuff and find it compares incredibly well to contemporary shows. William Shatner is also freaking hilarious - I didn't appreciate him when I was younger and now I find him so amusing, it really helps overall. Scotty remains my favorite, though.