tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post3128913360327477578..comments2024-03-13T14:53:58.150-04:00Comments on MUSINGS OF A SCI-FI FANATIC: Star Trek TOS S1 Ep5: The Enemy WithinSFFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-24302740304773021572010-09-08T21:11:31.022-04:002010-09-08T21:11:31.022-04:00Matt
It's a great point. If any series was s...Matt<br /><br />It's a great point. If any series was shown out of order or filmed at different times, etc... it was Star Trek:TOS.<br /><br />So, I'm definitely basing my chronology on my DVD collection. I'll be the first to admit that I am far from a Star Trek expert. <br /><br />While I love the series, I will not always have the facts on the background or other important anecdotal information so I welcome your input. <br /><br />You will no doubt have some valuable information to offer based on your comments.<br /><br />HA! Poor Matheson is right. I suspect there was some considerable tinkering with the man's writing, but as you said, still a classic.<br /><br />Thanks again Matt and please continue to offer information like this. I'll be very interested as I'm sure others will too.SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-62407219199529769262010-09-08T20:45:19.111-04:002010-09-08T20:45:19.111-04:00Since the episodes were not always shown in the or...Since the episodes were not always shown in the order they were produced, it's quite possible that "The Enemy Within" was shot before "The Naked Time," but I'm not in a position to ascertain that. I do know that Nimoy related the anecdote in his introduction to the Sci-Fi Channel Special Edition of "The Enemy Within" some years ago, and attributed it to that episode. As for "He's dead, Jim," the equivalent line is actually spoken by Spock in the published version of the script (included in MATHESON UNCOLLECTED: VOLUME ONE). When a disbelieving Kirk says, "It's not dead," Spock replies, "Yes, Captain, it is. Dead." So poor Matheson is 0 for 2 when it comes to introducing classic TREK elements, but it's still a great episode.Matthew Bradleyhttp://bradleyonfilm.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-1775288828675317812010-09-03T20:44:11.510-04:002010-09-03T20:44:11.510-04:00Thank you Matthew for that great insight into TOS ...Thank you Matthew for that great insight into TOS behind the scenes. Very interesting, could Mattheson be attributed with "He's dead Jim." ?<br /><br />I will makenote of one correction. I believe this is the second installment noting the Vulcan neck pinch at least numerically by episode order right? It appears Spock pulled the Vulcan neck pinch on his deranged shipmate Sulu in The Naked Time, Episode 4, [see image].<br /><br />I would note that as the first implementation of the Vulcan neck pinch unless I missed one earlier. <br /><br />Cheers Matt for the extra information on this stellar episode. Thank you.SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-57816237659872127452010-09-03T18:17:05.678-04:002010-09-03T18:17:05.678-04:00Let's not forget this episode's other &quo...Let's not forget this episode's other "famous first" (in addition to "He's dead, Jim"), as it marked the debut of the Vulcan neck pinch. That, however, cannot be attributed to Matheson, for in his script I believe it stated that Spock knocked the evil Kirk out with the butt of his phaser. But Nimoy thought that was a little too unsophisticated for our Vulcan friend, and invented the nerve pinch just for the occasion. At least that's how he tells it...Matthew Bradleyhttp://bradleyonfilm.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-20056747294206925942010-08-29T09:39:55.661-04:002010-08-29T09:39:55.661-04:00Oh, by the way Doc, silly or not, I do love that h...Oh, by the way Doc, silly or not, I do love that horndog! I wouldn't change a thing there.<br /><br />Plus, it wasn't CGI, and although that wasn't available at the time, I'm pleased they had the creative will to place a dog in a furry horndog suit! Peace out.SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-37759488969052446982010-08-29T09:37:39.856-04:002010-08-29T09:37:39.856-04:00My pleasure Doc. I always look forward to your co...My pleasure Doc. I always look forward to your commentaries right here. I welcome them [better late than never]. They are a pleasure to read.<br /><br />First, I know what you mean. It feels like a rite of passage each decade to mark our lives by revisiting Star Trek. The show is infinitely rewatchable and classic. Not simply because of nostalgia, but because it's a fascinating series filled with nuance and details and colors. It's wonderful. <br /><br />Second, as a result of our love for it, I think there is a little trekkie in all of us. But, like you, I do not feel as though I'm a trekkie in any way. I think to qualify you must attend Trek conventions, not just one, but many and almost always perhaps, but otherwise I certainly don't have the grasp or depth of knowledge concerning the series and its cast as some fans. I simply love it on its creative merits and narrative and ideas probably like you. Star Trek- the original, quite simply, is a beautiful thing.<br /><br />Third, you are hysterical, Kirk is indeed a certified horndog. It's funny you mention The Enemy Within is not your favorite when it is a favorite of others. That speaks volumes to the qualities of each episode, because while each episode is great in so many ways, it definitely appeals to someone for some reason. Each episode can do that.<br /><br />I completely understand your reasoning behind the episode as "poor science fiction." It certainly lacks in the science department, but I do love it for its fiction and its sense of embracing the impossible and having fun with it. For me, it's good, old-fashioned science fiction which is why I accepted Matheson's premise and story openly. But I do understand your reasoning to be sure.<br /><br />I agree and make note that Shatner is over the top, but again I embrace the preposterous nature of his performance. I love it.<br /><br />Doc, it's funny we're not far apart on our thinking on this one at all, but appreciate it differently. This is indeed a simple, straightforward tale and certainly lacks the complexity of some of Star Trek's best. I think the episode allows the imagination to ponder certain aspects of the story that otherwise play it out as not very reflective. I like the human nature issues the episode requires for us to dig deeper for, but it's not obvious and requires more effort on our part ro look for it if we wish. But it's funny, ironically, you and I very much of the same mind, but we are split on our take of the entry. Fascinating!<br /><br />Glad you like the humor. I always wonder if I shouldd go there, because I like to take Star Trek seriously, but sometimes the photos scream for fun.<br /><br />My pleasure to add you to the blogroll Doc. You guys offer another flavor to the science fiction and horror genre. You guys have alot of fun over there and it comes across. I say keep up the fantastic work!<br /><br />So long super Freak my friend.SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-33220717075797020472010-08-28T23:50:34.125-04:002010-08-28T23:50:34.125-04:00Thank you, Sci-Fi Fanatic, for continuing your met...Thank you, Sci-Fi Fanatic, for continuing your methodical, insightful and entertaining reviews of each episode of the first and best Star Trek series! I enjoy your episode recaps, replete with your insights and commentaries, because it makes me reevaluate these classic programs in my own mind's eye. I've watched every one of these 79 episodes more times than I can recall; usually one or twice per decade starting once in the 60's, twice or thrice in the 70's and at least one more time in the 80's, 90's and beyond. I've never thought of myself as a Trekie or Trekker, but I've been told by more than a few people that I'm living in denial.<br /><br />I'll start right off by saying that The Enemy Within has never been one of my favorite episodes. As with most of the original Trek episodes that I don't like, it is the basic premise that bothers me. The idea that the transporter could divide a human or a "horndog" (this describes the 'evi'l Kirk as well, does it not?), into two separate, duplicate material bodies, replete with separate "good" and "evil" personalities is just poor science fiction. Yes, the transporter itself is fuzzy sf at best, but at least if used properly - following the matter transfer principle rule - than we can accept that as science fiction. What I can't accept is that you can make two bodies from the rematerialized matter of one body. Does this one flaw in the story ruin the entire episode? No. But combined with some of the dramatic flaws in the episode itself, these keep The Enemy Within from being one of the better ones. I won't rant on William Shatner, because as classic Trek fans... we all love Bill as Kirk. This is not one of Bill's finer Trek moments, as he really goes over the top in several scenes as the "evil" Kirk. The limited budget of Star Trek often got in the way of the dramatic scenes in Trek and unfortunately it strikes again here. I'm sure when Matheson wrote the alien creature into his script, which he cleverly uses to demonstrate the serious and deadly dilemma that Kirkl is truly in, he didn't envision the silly looking dog-in-a-costume that was used to visualize it. The "horndog" really takes away from the dramatic impact of the story. Finally, The Enemy Within is basically a one-act moral play, without the depth of many of the better episodes of Star Trek. A similar theme is used in the second season episode Mirror, Mirror, which I think explores the darker side of humanity in a much more complex fashion.<br /><br />Please do keep up the great recap reviews of Star Trek The Original series, Sci-Fi Fanatic! And don't stop adding the occasional funny photo caption, because sometimes we fans can take ourselves a little too seriously and these type of things help to remind us of that.<br /><br />On a side note: I wanted to thank you for recently becoming a follower of my blog, Guardians of the Genre. I'll do my best to post as many sci-fi reviews as possible to make if worth your while. This is Freak... out.Fritz "Doc" Freakensteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13209589620766485745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-7325607252184996362010-08-26T08:39:11.191-04:002010-08-26T08:39:11.191-04:00L13
Thank you for the kind words my friend.
I ...L13<br /><br />Thank you for the kind words my friend. <br /><br />I should qualify my horndog remarks by the way. As a teenage we often would say to one another, "Wow, she's a babe," or "she is sweet." And of course we would go back and forth about babes until one of us would say to each other, "you are such a horndog!" Well, I never realized it was an actual creature until seeing the little guy in The Enemy Within. So there's the backdrop to horndog.<br /><br />Thanks again for your comments. I try to note the details without losing sight of the big picture, but honestly, "He's dead Jim" is the first time Bones has actually said those words and it was on a dog- a horndog!<br /><br />I try not to get too silly with the captions but sometimes I just can't resist and my humor takes off. Thanks again my friendSFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-25202682856826051522010-08-25T22:04:32.080-04:002010-08-25T22:04:32.080-04:00This is one great examination of one of the best e...This is one great examination of one of <b><i>the</i></b> best episodes of ST:TOS season 1, SFF. And it doesn't surprise me that it was penned by the great Richard Matheson. I don't think that man is capable of writing anything close to boring. And it does have a dark power about it (plus, Shatner proved how effective a villain he could really be in this episode). I think it's also worth noting your discovery of the original of that famed (and oft-repeated) Dr. McCoy expression. Who he <i>pronounced</i> should be the conclusive trivia question for real fans of this series!<br /><br />I must commend you for a couple special details in this post, my friend. Your razor wit for those image captions really had me cracking up when reading the piece. As well, your footnote spotlighting director Leo Penn (I never knew he was Sean, Chris, and Michael's father) and Richard Matheson was an especially great touch, here. Last October, I wrote about one of Matheson's masterworks, <a href="http://le0pard13.blogspot.com/2009/10/richard-matheson-i-am-legend4.html" rel="nofollow">I Am Legend</a>. I feel close to that novel and it was wonderful the detail you devoted to it, and the author.<br /><br />As I've come expect, another of your fine ruminations on this outstanding science-fiction television series. Thanks for this, SFF.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-72716135324532725692010-08-25T21:23:49.904-04:002010-08-25T21:23:49.904-04:00Matthew. Thanks for stopping. I will indeed chec...Matthew. Thanks for stopping. I will indeed check out the book. Matheson has a tremendous cv. What Dreams May Come still remains a favorite along with I Am Legend.<br /><br />I really appreciate the additional insights regarding Matheson's involvement with ST:TOS. As John Muir can attest from many of his writings on Space:1999 and other topics, it's amazing to me how many great writers get re-written. It's astounding, but definitely par for the course in that business. Anywa, very interesting. Matheson deserved better and a few additional stories from the man would have been great to see materialize.<br /><br />John. Man, thank you. HA! I laughed so hard. "One of the greatest sci-fi bloggers in the known universe"! WOW! That is heavy praise. That's quote material if I ever saw it ;) ha still laughing.<br /><br />But, great point about the images from the episodes earlier in Season One. You're right. They are indeed darker. That spotlight image of Kirk's face made me immediately think of the recent meme we circulated and almost mentioned it as far as the coloring or at least the lighting of it. It's a terrific point. <br /><br />Leo Penn clearly did a nice job with his shoot on the episode and I suppose you have to really give him credit on the entry's look to be sure.<br /><br />The Enemy Within is menacing as you said and that scene between Kirk and Rand as he physically violates her space and forces himself upon her is just as compelling today.<br /><br />Once again, as Will got me thinking earlier, ST:TOS is a truly powerful series entry by entry. There is so much on offer within its alotted time. There's a reason this show still survives today. It was ahead of its time. It's a miracle it got off the ground back in the day. It is vibrant and abundant with ideas and the superior quality of the craft of all those involved. It's something special.<br /><br />Thanks so much John!<br /><br />"...one of the greatest science fiction bloggers in the known universe" You're killing me!SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-22650946357812446422010-08-25T20:00:49.436-04:002010-08-25T20:00:49.436-04:00Sci-Fi Fanatic: I too love this episode. And your...Sci-Fi Fanatic: I too love this episode. And your great selection of photographs gets at a truth not often discussed: just look at how atmospheric this episode is, especially in comparison to later seasons (and later Treks). Look at the lighting in the briefing room, in the photo with Spock and Kirk.<br /><br />I have always adored the expressive, atmospheric lighting and tone of the early, first season Star Trek episodes. There's something visually dark and menacing about this handful of programs that didn't get carried over into later episodes.<br /><br />And here, the subject matter -- which kinda includes attempted rape -- goes hand in hand with those grim visuals.<br /><br />As usual, a superb piece from one of the greatest sci-fi bloggers in the known universe...<br /><br />best,<br />JKMJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-27123114443136749682010-08-25T19:53:42.825-04:002010-08-25T19:53:42.825-04:00As a longtime Matheson fan, I appreciate your givi...As a longtime Matheson fan, I appreciate your giving him his due in this fun and perceptive analysis of his sole TREK outing. It's a shame the stars---if you'll pardon the pun---were not in alignment for him to do further episodes. He has said that he suggested other ideas Roddenberry evidently didn't go for, and that he (Matheson) was dissatisfied with the uncredited rewrites to his script, adding the B story of the men trapped on the planet's surface. But his contribution seems to have remained a favorite over the years. For further information, see my book RICHARD MATHESON ON SCREEN (http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-4216-4), tentatively due out in early October.Matthew Bradleyhttp://bradleyonfilm.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-86642297729565500422010-08-25T18:11:21.837-04:002010-08-25T18:11:21.837-04:00Hey Will,
Thanks for writing. I really appreciate...Hey Will,<br />Thanks for writing. I really appreciate your thoughts.<br /><br />It's funny. I just finished reading your insurrection Review last night and I was so gassed at that point I simply didn't have it in me to write, but it was a very thoughtful review. I also agree with you on the entertainment factor. I always liked that particular film myself.<br /><br />Anyway, as far as TOS goes, I think you hit on something that I genuinely believe as well and that is that TOS is the most consistently thoughtful, entertaining an-d well-executed of the ST franchises IMO. It happens to be the shortest, but above all it's simply the best.<br /><br />The Enemy Within may be blatant as you say, but it's a lot more complex than we give it credit for because it is very much in your face. There were so many great ideas about humanity in TOS and in TNG as well, but TOS executes the best and for my money still has the most amazing ensemble on screen.<br /><br />I loved your point about TOS being like a classic science fiction novel. Perhaps it's because it is so nostalgic in vibe like say The Illustrated Man or The Time Machine or perhaps some books you were thinking of in particular. But, TOS still holds up and, for me, looks amazing when held up to so many CGI-driven programs today. So I do differ with you there slightly. I don't look at them as dated and maybe it's because I'm dated I suppose. :)<br /><br />But when I look at some older science fiction programming I think I can discern the poor from the excellent and I think Star Trek TOS and Space:1999 hold up better than most. Buck Rogers is a good example of looking more dated, but I suppose it is debatable.<br /><br />Anyway, loved your inspiring thoughts that got me thinking more about the episode and the complex elements of the human condition posed by Matheson as you mentioned. They are most welcomed. Thanks again Will.SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-77368491859831878372010-08-25T14:20:53.870-04:002010-08-25T14:20:53.870-04:00Awesome! I love, love, love, love this episode. Li...Awesome! I love, love, love, love this episode. Like any good science fiction tale (and Star Trek in particular), it brings up good questions about the human condition and what parts of our humanity make us good people and bad people and how a mixture of them makes us truly human (we all have good and bad moments).<br /><br />When I've re-evaluated both TOS and TNG over the years, both amazing revolutionary shows for science-fiction, they both, obviously, appear dated for different reasons. But while TNG seemed to be a sort of 'bible' for all modern day science fiction to come, TOS episodes still holds an effective point of view on humanity that doesn't seem to age, much like the classic novels or films of yesteryear. 'The Enemy Within' might 'look' dated but it's incredible how effective, plot wise, it still is. Utterly watchable (the same can't be said for a lot of TNG episodes).<br /><br />Ironically, I was watching the DS9 episode 'For the Uniform' where Sisko has to decide to play it 'nice' or become a little bit like his nemesis Michael Eddington to level the field. . .using Hugo's Les Miserable as inspiration. Sisko decides 'I'm going to be the bad guy' and he actually does something that, to some, would be considered 'evil'. The point came across that, within us, lies a villain (or an evil) and a hero and the two together can provide a positive outcome, if necessary.<br /><br />Obviously 'The Enemy Within' is a bit more blatant in it's plot but clearly the theme continues from generation to generation! <br /><br />Thanks for the review! It perked up my day at work!!!!Willhttp://secureimmaturity.comnoreply@blogger.com