the corbomite maneuver
1C03
October 28th, 1992: THE FIRST ONE I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED SINCE "MUDD'S WOMEN."
This episode is very obviously the first one. Very obviously. And when shown out of production order, like here where it is shown tenth(!), it tends to stick out like a sore thumb.
This entire story takes place on the bridge; shows Kirk as a true hero; gives all of the other crew members something to do and creates a great feeling of being in space, facing the unknown.
Best Actor:DeForest Kelly (what a performance, what a debut!). James Doohan is also impressive as the jovial Scotty.
The Star Trek chemistry is present in abundance. All of the regulars go splendidly together. Anthony Call is really great as Bailey. And I really liked the ending.
Best FX:The giant "golf-ball." One of the most enduring images associated with Star Trek. Certainly one that always stuck in my mind.
Balok is an interesting guy. But some of the plot-logic is shaky. Did Balok have a puppet on hand, just in case Spock got nosey? Unlikely. And was he really about to destroy the Enterprise? Hmm. Obviously not. So he was bluffing from the start.
Spock mentions his father and mother for the first time here.
This is definately a Kirk episode. And here we are ten episodes into the TV running order, and he still hasn't touched a female. So much for his bad reputation, with regard to women, eh?
GRADE: A
the corbomite maneuver
1C03
August 1st, 1993: GREAT!
The Plusses: Set on the bridge; claustrophobic; features everybody; superb visuals; positive messages; good "feel".
The Minuses: The portrayal of Uhura and Rand. Both are passive servants. Uhura answers the phone, Rand makes the coffee.
Greatest Asset: Kirk saving the day. Big time. With his patented bluffing tactics. (Gotta love that guy!)
| | | Characters: | Kirk, Spock, McCoy |
| Scotty, Sulu, Bailey |
| | Balok |
| | Uhura, Rand |
Spock is still a formal guy. He speaks in very robotic English.
I was interested to see the ship dispatch a recorder.
It wasn't until McCoy mentioned bluffing that Kirk came up with a possible solution. This episode clearly shows Spock and McCoy as influences upon Kirk.
There's fair bit of humour to this episode. Sula, Spock and Scotty provide it.
The Inner Light:Kirk's speech highlighted the concept that with civilisation must come compassion. From Bailey's we see that it's okay to make mistakes. Plus, that expereince breeds a better person.
Then we come to the episodes most prevailing theme: Deception. Balok read their records, but tested the crew anyway in case the data was a deception. The crew saw Balok, but it was actually a deception. Kirk thought that Bailey was ready, but this proved to a false assumption (a self-deception). McCoy perpetrated a deception upon Kirk by saying nothing about the light. Kirk spoke of Corbomite: it was a deception. Kirk thought little of the female ensign, but appearences are deceptive and she later displayed ingenuity by using a phaser to provide coffee. (!!) Balok's hostile actions were a deception. Kirk et al suspected deception when handed the stuff to drink.
Best Actor:Clint Howard.
An immensely enjoyable episode.
GRADE: A
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