a piece of the action

2C20


Late Summer, 1993: ENJOYABLE, but disappointing if you sat down wanting meaty, thoughtful Star Trek.
    At first glance, this one is fairly brimming with worthwhile messages. But, when you are actually there watching it, all that is conveyed to you is a sense of fun. Yet, the other (deeper) stuff is there.
    Notice how the book gives shape to the society (much as the Bible does, with regard to the Western World); notice how things go round and round in circles, with nothing ever being accomplished, while the gangsters waste time and energy trying to beat one another.
    The episode also sets out to show us how much can change in only one hundred years.
    Themes: Religion, Violence, Unity, Prime Directive.
    And yet, the overall effect fails to be thought-provoking in a worthwhile manner. The best that can be said, is that this is one of the "gimmick" episodes, and as such it definitely isn't an example of Star Trek at it's best. It raises laughs, but it also gets a tad tedious.
Characters: Kirk, Spock
McCoy
Oxmyx, Bela
Scott
Uhura
Chekov

    Best Actor: Shatner.
    The guest cast, and the sets, are good. Parts of it seem forced, humour-wise. Which is another reason it rates a "Grade B" for "average." I mean if you are setting out to do a funny, gimmick episode the least it can be is genuinely funny.
    Interesting to see Kirk desperately trying to right a violation of the Prime Directive.
    The ending, however, is strange as McCoy causes more problems for the society.(!)
    The Scene with the kid is likewise very strange since Kirk never goes back to give him Apota.
    One for the Christmas period.

GRADE: B

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