The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Star Trek: Discovery (Season 1)

OK, I have stated in the past that I was going to hold off on doing episode reviews of DIS episodes until more of it had rolled out. I also didn't want to get caught up in the whole week-by-week breakdown of the show, as I only do this blog in my spare time and I just can't keep that kind of commitment. However, now that Season 1 is in the bag, I can give you a look back at the season as a whole, in a little piece I am going to call "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly". Each section is not limited in the amount of points that I can make, and some points might fit in more than one category. So, without any further ado, here we go.

The Good

• Special Effects! - Gotta admit that the effects of the show are great. I know this gives some fans a lot to complain about, but it adds to some great aesthetics. Things look sleeker and more modern, which is what is necessary for the franchise to continue to boldly going forward. While I appreciate how some fan shows are paying attention to details that keep the same look as the original series (hats off to you, Star Trek: Continues), I just don't think that the show would be successful if everything looked like it did in the 60s. 

• Interesting characters - While not every character has endeared themselves to me, I do like many of the ones that they brought into the universe. Personally, Saru is my favourite. I have seen a lot of great growth as he went from timid science officer to capable first officer to decisive Acting Captain. I also enjoyed the characters of Paul Stamets and Hugh Culber (more on them in a moment). Lorca is most assuredly a different type of captain, Tilly is the heart and soul of the show, and Ash Tyler gives us one of the most complex characters ever. Of course, there is Michael Burnham (played by star Sonequa Martin-Green). A first for a Trek series, focusing on not the captain but on a crew member. Burnham is likely one of the most complex characters that we have ever seen. Definitely divides the fan base, but I see a lot of promise being delivered. It also looks as if we will see Georgiou again, and that should be interesting. We also have some well developed recurring characters is Sarek, Mudd, and Cornwell that look like they could add some spice to the future of the show. While not every character is a home run, it definitely makes things interesting.

• One of the Best Relationships is Trek - Paul Stamets, the first main character that is openly gay on Star Trek, is involved in one of the most real and lovely relationships we have seen in Star Trek. His love, Doctor Hugh Culber, is a perfect yin to Stamet's yang. I have noticed that some shows include a same-sex couple and make such a big deal about it that it comes across as forced and phony. This is not the case here. Their relationship, as tragic as it becomes, is so simple and yet sincere. The fact that there is no big deal made out of the fact that they are gay just adds to the power of this duo. Sadly, with death of Culber, this relationship is looking like it's done, but it gave us some great touching moments while it lasted. Here's hoping that Paul will find love again.

• Hat Tips to the Past - Some have argued that Discovery spits in the face of the past. I disagree. They have paid great homages to the past. Noticed the list of "Great Captains" that Saru asked for in "Choose Your Pain"? Johnathan Archer is a throwback to Enterprise, Robert April to the Animated series, and Christopher Pike and Matt Decker to the Original series. Did you notice the Gorn skeleton and in Lorca's ready room? All cool little nods to what has come before. Plus, there are the familiar characters with new faces (Sarek and Mudd) that give us more to love. And, of course, the last scene of seeing the USS Discovery nose-to-nose with the USS Enterprise was a great way to end the season.

The Bad

• New Klingons - There is an old saying: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". I get that we can have updates to the look of Klingons, but do we have to go so far away from what has been established? Yes, the look of the Federation's favourite foes-turned-allies changed a lot from the Original series to the movies and TNG, but at the time it was understood that it was due to progress and increased budgets over 20 years. Enterprise even gave us a plausible explanation for the difference in the look. And yet, once again, the look of the Klingons underwent a major change that, in my own humble opinion, was unnecessary. I could have bought that T'Kumva's group were on a generational ship that was far away when the Augment virus hit, but they then took the look to all Klingons in the established universe, and I just really do not like the look. The look of the Klingons has become as iconic as the Vulcans, so I really don't get why they have to go such a drastic route as they did. 

• Failed Hat Tip - Even though I mentioned that the hat tips were a good part of the season, there was one that just seemed a bit pointless. Lorca had a pet tribble. Cool, a tribble! But, why? Tribbles have become a bit of an inside joke among fans, and given what we learned about Lorca it made little sense that he would have one. If it had served a plot device, such as exposing Tyler as a Klingon, that would have been better. Plus, if he had a bowl of fortune cookies on his desk all the time, what would have stopped the little furball from snacking on them and becoming a ready room full of tribbles? I like nods to the past, but I prefer it if they actually mean something and are not on the superfluous side. 

• It's Been a Long Road - One of the biggest complaints about Discovery was that for many fans it just didn't feel like Star Trek. Starfleet officers were not acting like we had come to expect. Yes, it was war time, and that led to more grit. Yes, we saw some very un-Starfleet actions by officers in the past (Sisko and Janeway have both made some questionable choices in the past). Yet it seemed that it took a while before I myself could say "Now this feels like the Star Trek I knew and loved". I felt a little bit of it in the pilot episode, and then when Burnham mutinied and tried to take control, it went out the window. It wasn't until "Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad" did I start to feel it again, and then it took me until the last two episodes where I could see the Trek moments of humanity bettering themselves really take shape. There may have been other examples of this in other episodes, but they were overshadowed by the desperation and darkness that dominated this season.

• Who Are You Guys? - This is not so much as "bad", but it is something I really hope gets explored and developed moving forward. I get that in this new current format of story-telling on TV that the ability to develop characters becomes limited. In Discovery, the focus was on Burnham, Lorca, Saru, Stamets, Tyler, and Tilly. Other recurring characters, such as Sarek, Mudd, Cornwell, Huber, and Gerogiou, were given their moments. Then, there was the rest of the bridge crew. They showed a lot of diversity, (as well as a lot of looking at each other on the bridge) and yet we had very little knowledge of them. Airiam, Demeter, Owosekum, and Rhys all appeared in most of the episodes, and yet very little information about them was provided. I get that they had to tell a story and that these characters were largely in the background, but I wish that we could have learned a bit more about them. Hopefully, some if not all of these characters will be given some more attention in future seasons.

The Ugly

• Unleash the Trolls - Without a doubt, the ugliest thing that DIS has brought out are the small yet vocal cadre of fans that have taken it upon themselves to sully the name "Trekkie". There are two groups in this. First, there are those that have decided that DIS is utter garbage, but instead of turning the channel or popping in a DVD and watching something they enjoy, they take it upon themselves to ensure that everybody knows about it, and that they insist that people who do enjoy it are not "true fans". Second, there are those that love the show, but as soon as someone expresses an opinion or thought that is a criticism of the show, they turn into ravenous foul-mouthed lunatics who will spam said offenders with venom and vitriol. I get  that Star Trek is a passion for many people, but come on guys, do we have to be so negative that we create a toxic environment for everyone? I have seen a lot of fan groups on social media that have been overtaken by this type of trollish behavior, and it really doesn't put Trekkies in a positive light. 

So now that Season 1 is in the bag, how do I feel about the series and season as a whole? Overall, I liked it. I think the good far outweighed the bad, and I think the first season has been strong. I will freely admit that I miss a more optimistic Star Trek, and the dark mood that DIS sets is not my favourite. I also accept that there are some fans who cannot get over the disappointment of their expectations not being met, and to them I would offer that they have a right to those feelings and a right to offer them up in a manner that is respectful without having disrespect thrown at them. I also accept that there are fans who love the show, that this is the best Trek for them yet. There are a lot of us that fall in between. I hope that in the future, the good gets better, the bad improves, and the ugly (which is what we fans have the most control over) goes away. The only complaint that I have at this point is that we have a long wait until Season 2. Until then, live long and prosper my friends.

Episode Review - The Siege of AR-558 (Deep Space Nine, Season 7)

For those who are new to my episode reviews, you can find the post where I establish my point criteria here

Overview – The Defiant is supplies to AR-558, a remote outpost on the front lines of the Dominion war which has a Dominion communication array. Sisko finds the garrison depleted in troops and morale. When the Jem’Hadar attack the colony, the Defiant is forced to retreat. Captain Sisko, Dax, Bashir, Nog, and Quark are left behind and join in the fight. As the terrors of war hit Sisko and his crew in full force, they must dig deep within themselves to find the strength and courage to overcome a superior force.

Score: 9/10 – No other episode of Star Trek has been able to accurately show the real horrors of war than this episode (and, for all its grit, I would put the first season of Discovery up as comparison and still make the same conclusion). We start out with a very light-hearted scene of Rom auditioning for a spot on Vic Fontaine’s show. As soon as we arrive at AR-558, we leave all joy behind. Sisko and those that stay behind with him soon discover the true horrors of war. We are taken along on a terrible and engaging trip through one of life’s worst experiences: the battlefield. The tone reminds me of the very serious and non-glamorous depictions of war, a “Saving Private Ryan” for Star Trek. We are introduced to some interesting Federation soldiers (tired leader Larkin, despondent Vargus, weary yet optimistic engineer Kellin, and embittered Reese), each of whom is dealing with the difficult conditions in different ways. These soldiers give us a quick and realistic introduction to the effects of war that quickly endears them to us. As all but Reese eventually perish in the battle, their deaths still strike strong chords with the audience. Then, of course, there is the fate of Ensign Nog. Tragedy hits our favorite Ferengi ensign loses his leg after a scouting mission. There is so much about this episode that works well here. Of particular note, Quark, of all people, shows some great growth as the voice of conscience and reason. He has one of the best lines of dialogue where he observes that humans are capable of savagery equal to that of the Klingons when their comforts are taken away. The action is as gritty as Star Trek had ever been at this point. The use of violence to demonstrate the devastation of war was practically perfectly executed but famed director Winrich Kolbe, himself a veteran of the Vietnam War. His experiences helped craft a story that left little to our imagination. I also love the music composed for the final battle. It was haunting and depressing, not the typical energetic and inspiring that often is used in some war movies. It perfectly complements the theme that war is not glorious. The acting is excellent, with special nods going to Avery Brooks, Armin Shimmerman, Aaron Eisenberg, and the guest stars. I also liked how that aside from Sisko, the main characters that are caught in this situation are the ones with the least battle experience. Worf and O’Brien are on the Defiant, while Odo and Kira are back on the station. A great way to examine the concept of war.

Relevance – 3 points. AR-558 in in the Chin’toka system, which was recently captured in the episode “Tear of the Prophets”. This episode shows us that this system is still hotly contested. I am also scoring a point for the ritual that is often seen of someone (in this case, as it often is, it is Captain Sisko) reading the posted casualty list. I like this touch that is woven throughout various episodes as it reminds us that the lives that are being lost mean something. Finally, with no surprise, the fact that Nog loses his leg is without doubt relevant to another popular episode, “It’s Only a Paper Moon”.

Continuity – 3 points. Story line, this works. I get how those that were left behind were chosen as such. I also will score a point for universe continuity. As far as character continuity, there are few things to mention. First off, some may question why seasoned fighters like Worf and O’Brien were not taken to the planet on the away mission. While storyline wise it makes sense to explore the effects of war through the lenses of those with the least battle experience, Sisko did not anticipate being left behind. It made sense to take those he did. How each one reacts to the battles makes sense. Ezri starts to form bonds with the soldiers, especially Kellin. Bashir using Vic’s music to help calm people fits. Nog as the eager soldier who learns the hard way also fits. In particular here we can look at Quark and Sisko. Sisko is trying to keep everything together and shows great ability as a wartime commander, while Quark shows loyalty to his nephew first and Tries his best to keep Nog safe, even to the point of taking a life. More on that in the next section.

Character Development – 3 points. Sisko is a primary focus in this episode, being forced to take command in a horrible situation. It is a great showcase of his leadership, and he has to make some tough situations. He shows a great balance of determination and compassion. A bit surprisingly, this is also a great showcase of Quark as a character. Armin Shimmerman loves Quark’s scenes in this episode as he gets to provide the Spock-like perspective of an outsider to humanity. In typical Quark fashion, he keeps himself as far from the fighting as possible, but when push comes to shove, he shows that he has some mettle of his own as he shoots down the Jem’Hadar soldier who attacks the infirmary where Nog is kept. Ezri and Julian also are given some insights, but really it is Quark and the captain that steal the scenes.

Social Commentary – 3 points. War is ugly. Too often in film and television the impact of war is glossed over in the names of maintaining patriotism and flag-waving. Here, we quickly realise that war is not glamorous. It is not fun. People die and are hurt, and that hurt is more than just physical. When this episode first aired, there was not a lot of attention given to PTSD, but since then this episode is just as relevant as we are seeing the lingering effects on the soldiers who see combat. When Nog loses his leg, we have more than just a lost limb. We have a loss of innocence and idealism that is tough to ignore. There is also an important message at the end, when Sisko again finds himself staring at the casualty list. He mentions that each name on the list, including the men and women he fought with on AR-558, were people with lives and loved ones, and for that reason they should not be forgotten. We must also remember those who died fighting for our freedom that we often take for granted. It’s not just soldiers, but police officers, fire fighters, and other first responders that often put themselves into horrible situations to help other people. It is important to recognize all of their sacrifices.

Cool Stuff – 3 points. While I do not want to negate the message about war that this episode makes, I do want to score a point for the battle at the end of the episode. It is riveting and well executed. In Star Trek we rarely get to see a battle between ground troops like this, and I would rank this as one of the top battles in all of Star Trek. I also am scoring a point for the music. As I mentioned earlier, the music during the final battle sets the proper tone this battle. It is grim yet beautiful. It walks a careful line between stirring emotion and providing a soundtrack for a bloody battle. Finally, I want to score a point for the “Houdinis”, a cloaked mine that the Dominion use against the Federation forces. It is an ingenious and deadly weapon. The scene where they are decloaked gives an eerie sense as to how precarious their situation was.

Rank – Admiral (24 points). Definitely not an episode that will leave you feeling all chipper and happy, but it is one that cannot be missed. I would find it hard to believe that there are many people who do not have this in their top 10 list. Not all episodes and stories need to have uplifting endings to be powerful, and this is a perfect example.

If you would like to read other reviews from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, please click the following link.

If you would like to read an episode review from any of the Trek series, click the following link to get to the series catalog. If the episode you want reviewed has not been done yet, then feel free to request it in the comments and I will see what I can do.

Episode Review - Firstborn (Next Generation, Season 7)

For those who are new to my episode reviews, you can find the post where I establish my point criteria here

Overview – Worf is frustrated that his son, Alexander, shows little interest in becoming a warrior, to the point of jeopardizing his Rite of Ascension. As he struggles to accept his son’s choice, he decides to take Alexander to a Klingon outpost for the Kot’baval celebration, hoping that the culture and folklore can inspire them both. One evening at the festival, Worf and Alexander are ambushed by three would-be assassins. Father and son are rescued by K’mtar, who identifies himself as the gin’tak, or adviser, to the House of Mogh. K’mtar, who has a strong connection to young Alexander, offers help in influencing the youngster as well as track down the source of the assassination attempt. While the Enterprise and the crew try to locate the Duras sisters, believed to be responsible for hiring the would-be killers, Worf makes a startling discovery about K’mtar and what the future holds for himself and his son.

Score: 7/10 – This was a nice episode and a change from the typical Klingon-centered shows. While there is still the ceremony and ritual we grew to expect from Klingons, there is a deeper familial struggle between the expectations of parent and the dreams of the son. Worf is never going to be given the “Father of the Year” award, but he does show some growth in that department here. There is a lot that works well in this story. We get to see the Duras sisters one last time before their fate is sealed in the upcoming feature film. We get a further look into Klingon myth and culture, including some Klingon opera. We have a hunt for the suspected assassins that shows some of the ingenuity of the crew (mostly Riker), we have time travel, and we even have a great scene with DS9’s favourite bartender, Quark. There are some funny scenes (Worf getting hit with a water balloon, for example) and some real tender moments. James Sloyan plays yet another character in the franchise (he has already been a Bajoran and a Romulan and will go on to make an appearance in Voyager), and he gives us something special in K’mtar/future Alexander. The idea that Alexander travels back in time to try to change his younger self is a new take on the time travel trope, and it is a bit of a surprise. We see some real depth to Alexander in this, and it reflects upon Worf as well. While the pacing gets a bit slow at times, the general flow is consistent. As Worf and the crew search for Lursa and B’Etor, we are introduced to a couple colorful characters that move the story along well enough. Although they are entertaining, they are really just token alien smugglers with otherwise little significance. So while this episode is not earth-shattering or a game-changer, it is pleasant to watch and gives us some interesting concepts to ponder.

Relevance -2 points. A point scored for using the death of K’Ehleyr as a means for Worf to verify the claim that K’mtar is the future version of Alexander. The way it was described was perfect and gives us the perspective of Alexander on an important part of Worf’s story. Another point is scored for the reference of the Duras sisters being on Deep Space Nine (from the episode “Past Prologue”). It was the events in this DS9 episode that led Riker to contacting Quark for information.

Continuity - 3 points. Character continuity is intact. Worf again stumbles around parenthood, trying to make his son into something Alexander simply does not want to be. In typical Worf fashion, he learns to accept his son for who he is. He is fiercely defensive of Alexander. Story continuity does work here as well. Universe continuity is also good. Of particular note is the Klingon culture that is explored in a bit more detail than before, highlighting the reverence for Khaless in story and song.

Character Development – 2 points. This is definitely and unsurprisingly a Worf episode, with very little attention given to other characters. Riker does show some ingenuity in his investigation and location of the Duras sisters (his detonation of some magnesite ore to reveal a cloaked Bird of Prey vessel is particularly impressive), but that is about it for character development of everyone else. Worf, meanwhile, is given another story that highlights his difficulties in being a single parent. He learns that his son does not have to be a Klingon warrior to make him proud. He starts to see the true potential in Alexander and allows him choose his own path of honor.

Social Commentary – 3 points. Ah, the delicate balance between allowing your child to find their own way and to influence to take the path you think that they are best suited for. Worf, as mentioned, wants his son to go one way, and has to accept the fact that his son will likely try to seek glory in his own way. As a parent, I understand how difficult that can be. There is also the concept of regret of one’s perceived failings. K’mtar goes back in time to try to persuade his younger self to choose the warrior’s path, hoping to prevent the assassination of his father in Worf’s future. When that he fails, he attempts to kill his younger self, perhaps in an attempt to take away the pain of his failure by preventing he, the older Alexander, from reaching his current situation. As much as Worf must accept that his son can choose his own destiny, Alexander/K’mtar must accept that his choices do not necessarily mean that he has failed his father. As Worf pointed out, by warning him of his fate, K’mtar may have set events in motion to prevent his future death.

Cool Stuff – 1 point. A point has to be scored for the fun and entertaining scene between Riker and Quark. We were still in the early stages of getting to know Quark at this point, and it was fun watching the banter between the two.

Rank – Captain (18 points). The final season of TNG may not have been the strongest of the seasons, but this episode does have some great moments. While it lacks lots of action, it does give us some nice drama. This is the last episode for which actor Brian Bonsal plays Alexander (the character returns in DS9, but much more mature and played by another actor). Definitely an interesting story that should be seen.

If you would like to read other reviews from the Next Generation, click this link.

If you would like to read an episode review from any of the Trek series, click the following link to get to the series catalog. If the episode you want reviewed has not been done yet, then feel free to request it in the comments and I will see what I can do. 

Episode Review - Crossover (Deep Space Nine, Season 2)

For those who are new to my episode reviews, you can find the post where I establish my point criteria here

Overview – Kira and Bashir are returning from opening a hospital on the New Bajor colony in the Gamma Quadrant. As they enter the wormhole, something happens with their warp field that sends them to a parallel universe where Klingons and Cardassians are allies and humans are slaves. Learning that this is the same universe that legendary Starfleet Captain James T. Kirk once visited, they find themselves in a power struggle where familiar faces are not the people they knew in their universe. Kira and Bashir try to find a way back to their universe before they are killed (or worse).

Score: 9/10 – Ah, the Mirror Universe, where all bets are off. “Mirror, Mirror” is one of the best Original Series episode, and we fans finally get to see how Kirk’s influence on Spock is resolved. Sadly, it looks as if Kirk royally messed things up for the Terran Empire almost a century ago. Spock’s new empire was weak and soon fell victim to the combined Klingon-Cardassian alliance that is now the main enemy in this alternate universe. This episode is the first of five episodes in Deep Space Nine that are set in this universe originally established in the Original Series, and will be revisited in both Enterprise and Discovery. One of the strengths of this episode is that the counterpart characters are so delightful to see. While there is little difference in O’Brien (or “Smiley”, as the mirror Ben Sisko calls him), Garak is far more treacherous and sadistic, Odo is a ruthless villain, Sisko a care-free collaborator, Kira a seductive and twisted tyrant, and Quark a lowly bartender who tries to help out the humans out of a sense of decency instead of profit. The other fun aspect of this episode is that all bets are off with these counterpart characters. Odo and Quark are both killed, the former is a bit of an explosive manner, the latter off screen. This basically means that nobody (outside our crewmen from our universe) is safe, which really frees up the story telling. There is also a good dose of humor at the beginning of the episode as Bashir tries to charm his way into Kira’s graces. Once they enter into the mirror universe, however, the levity is appropriately finished and things get really serious very quickly. A great piece of Star Trek television.

Relevance - 3 points. So there is the obvious connection to the Original series episode “Mirror, Mirror”, plus the four mirror universe episodes that follow in DS9. Add to that the great two-part story from Enterprise and the significant plot points in Discovery’s first season, and you have a solid reason for knowing and watching this episode. There are also some other important references. Kira and Bashir are returning from establishing a hospital on a new Bajoran colony in the Gamma Quadrant. In the season finale episode “The Jem’Hadar” it will be revealed that the Dominion massacred this colony. Overall, a very relevant episode for the franchise.

Continuity – 3 points. Story continuity works out well here. While the Intendant Kira knows that Bashir and Kira need to die (according to Alliance law), her reasons for keeping them alive make sense and advance the story. Universe and character continuity are a bit trickier here, as this is a different universe playing by its own rules. Suffice it to say, there is not anything in the mirror universe that doesn’t make sense. It was a logical progression of how the universe came to be where it was in DS9 from what we saw in the original series. For what we did see of our own characters (not the MU counterparts), everyone was acting as they should. What was fun was seeing how our universe people compare to their MU versions.

Character Development – 3 points. Definitely a Kira and Bashir episode, both characters go through some significant growth. A lot of it is established in the opening teaser scene where Bashir is trying to get the Major to warm up to him, just like he supposedly did with Chief O’Brien (while, contrary to the good Doctor’s opinion, the chief and him weren’t close yet, but they eventually become the best of friends). As he tries to get her to call him Julian, we see how Kira is still more annoyed with him. Then they end up in a struggle for survival. Bashir grows up here a lot as he is taken out of his comfort zone, while in the meantime Kira is faced with a much different situation. She faces who she could have been if things had turned out differently, and it is clear that she doesn’t like it. Nobody likes to face their evil twin. When the story ends, it seems as if Kira has come to a new-found respect for Bashir.

Social Commentary – 2 points. I often find that with really exciting episodes it is harder to find much to score in this section. As I thought about “Crossover”, there were a couple things that we could take from this. First, there is always something to be said about confronting your dark side, which is what Kira does here. That’s good for a couple points, at least.

Cool Stuff – 2 points. Where to start, where to start. Well, we’re in the MIRROR UNIVERSE! That is cool in itself, to see how everything and everyone turned out after Kirk and company visited there about a century before. Of particular note is Quark, who is likely the most different in the MU than here. To see him as being the only decent person who is willing to help others with no thought to himself is fun. Also, I am giving a point for the cool effect of watching mirror Odo get obliterated by Bashir.

Exploding Odo

Rank – Admiral (22 points). This is definitely a highlight for the second season of DS9. It is exciting, fun, and dark. We pick up where a classic Original Trek episode left off and sets up a whole bunch of future episodes. Best of all, it’s a well-made episode.

If you would like to read other reviews from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, please click the following link.

If you would like to read an episode review from any of the Trek series, click the following link to get to the series catalog. If the episode you want reviewed has not been done yet, then feel free to request it in the comments and I will see what I can do.

Don't like the Mirror Universe?

Episode Review - Let That Be Your Last Battlefield (Original Series, Season 3)

For those who are new to my episode reviews, you can find the post where I establish my point criteria here.

Overview – The Enterprise is on an urgent mission when it detects a shuttlecraft stolen from Starbase 4 weeks earlier. Seeing that the shuttle is damaged and that the life support systems are failing, Kirk orders a tractor beam to bring the craft aboard. The pilot, an unusual looking alien who is white on the right side of his face, is taken into custody. He identifies himself as Lokai, from the planet Cheron. As they continue to their original heading, they encounter another strange vessel, this time transporting a member of the same planet, only he is white on the left side. His name is Bele, and he has been hunting Lokai for 50 000 years. He demands custody of Lokai, who claims political asylum. Between the two arguing with each other, Kirk and his crew soon learn that the people of Cheron live in a society where the ones who are black-right have a great deal of power over those who are white-right. They both display unique powers which leaves Kirk in a precarious position as he tries to find a solution to their millennia-arching hatred while protecting the Enterprise and her mission.

Score: 8/10 – Star Trek became well renowned for its ability to comment on social issues of the day in a way that was unique due to the science fiction nature of the show. Indeed, “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield” is often a cited as a prime example of this. Here, the writers tackle the issues of racism in America by creating a world where everyone is both black on one side and white on the other. The difference is in which side is which color. We are then taken into a conflict that has spanned tens of thousands of years, if not more. In the end, we see that the hatred each side had for the other doomed the civilization to annihilation. We get great performances from the two guest stars, Frank Gorshin and Lou Antonio. They play their parts well, mixing anger and hatred with a sense of justice (for Bele) and sympathy (for Lokai) effectively. While the social message of this story is about as subtle as an explosion, it is still a very powerful message. There are a few parts of the story that I wish had been more fully explored, such as if Lokai had similar abilities as Bele with regard to taking over the ship. I also found the end scene of the two aliens chasing each other through the corridors of the ship to be a bit drawn out, although it was partly made up for with the stock footage of burning buildings to show how each of them envisioned the destruction of their homeworld. For its time it was an effective use of imagery. When the crew is left on the bridge contemplating and discussing the futility of the hatred that Bele and Lokai had for each other, we the audience are also left questioning the futility of hatred in our own world. That is what good television, and good Star Trek, is all about.

Relevance – 1 point. This is a tough one, and it hurts the overall scoring of this very worthy episode, but try as I might there is only one part of this episode that has any bearing on anything else in the franchise. When Kirk is forced to use the self-destruct sequence to prevent Bele from preventing the Enterprise in reaching her mission, they format of the code is the same as will be used to destroy the Enterprise in Star Trek III. Even though this episode can stand on its own, and if you miss it you will not be losing any understanding or connections to anything else in the franchise, this is still very much an episode to watch

Continuity – 2 points. Giving a point for both universe and character continuity here. For the universe, I almost took a point off for having a planet full of such powerful and long-lived beings that it was amazing to me that nobody in the Federation seemed to have heard of it before. But, space is big, so I can let that slide. Character continuity is also intact here. I especially appreciated how the scene where Lokai is trying to recruit sympathy for his people among the crew, he is discussing it with Sulu and Chekov, among others. While it was interesting that Chekov, a Russian, and Sulu, a Japanese, were acknowledging that persecution existed on Earth at that time, they had shown that Earth had largely moved on from it. Where I have to take a point away is in story continuity, and it is for two instances. First, in the just mentioned Lokai recruitment scene, he is seen speaking to four members of the crew, one of whom is Sulu. The point of view focuses on Spock listening in the hallway. We then hear Chekov’s voice in the conversation. As the camera focuses back into the room, there is no Chekov visible. Also, in the end when Spock is monitoring the movements of Bele and Lokai throughout the ship, he is able to give Kirk and the bridge crew a play-by-play description of the chase. He is able to indicate who is where in the ship and where they are headed. Then, as Lokai enters into transporter room, and everybody cannot explain why the transporters are being activated. With Spock being able to report where each of the two are, it is odd that they would not be able to make a simple deduction as to who was transporting to the planet.

Character Development – 1 point. Again, it pains me to rank this as this is an excellent episode, but this story is largely an analysis of two guest characters, neither of whom add anything to the development of any of the main characters. Everyone is very sympathetic to the situation, at least. There is one major revelation about Kirk here, and that is found in the scene where he sets the auto destruct of the ship to prevent Bele from commandeering the ship. It shows his resolve (and, possibly, his bluffing abilities). It highlights that Kirk means business here, and if it means he destroys his vessel and crew, so be it.

Social Commentary – 3 points. OK, here is where there is no doubt as to giving it full points. Racism was definitely the focus of this episode. In a time when racial tensions in the US were particularly high, Star Trek was able to address it in a way that gave everyone watching it a chance to sit back and think. A simple yet brilliant move in making both central guest characters black and white, just on different sides, was very effective at pointing out the sometimes silly nature of racism. It does not matter what the skin coloring is, there is nothing that truly separates them other than their own prejudices. Add to that is the distrust each has for the mono-colored skin colored captain and his crew who cannot possibly understand how they feel. In the end, we see what this sort of hatred and pettiness can lead to, and that is the complete destruction of their civilization. Of particular note, however, is that this message is still needed today. Perhaps it is even more relevant today, and I am not just talking about racism here. Our Western society has been embroiled in polarizing divisions for some time now. Racism is only one facet of this stone. There are so many ways that this type of mistrust and hatred can be seen, from religion to politics, from socio-economic status to philosophy. What really makes this episode powerful is that while we may have sympathy for Lokai, being the member of the oppressed group, he is not innocent here. As we see in the aftermath of the battle on the planet, both sides were guilty of fueling their hatred towards each other. Lokai had given into hatred as much as Bele did. Too often in these disputes both sides will claim to have the moral high ground, and in the end we see that neither does. No matter how justified, hatred really accomplishes little that is good.

Cool Stuff – 2 points. I am scoring a point for the memorable visual of Lokai and Bele. A quick and simple way to divide the two men from the same planet that really establishes how silly their fight is. One feels superior to the other because their colors are reversed. Both characters kept their gloves on during the episode to prevent the make-up people from having to add make-up to their hands, which is an acceptable way of maintaining costs on the show. I also want to score a point for Frank Gorshin as Bele. Gorshin was probably best known as the Riddler in the Batman series starring Adam West. It was interesting seeing him play such a different character here.

Rank – Captain (17 points). Such a strong episode that gives us a great message in a powerful way. Yes, the approach is blunt and obvious, but the execution is nearly perfect. Definitely one to watch.

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