At the end of each episode of Talk Trek it has become a tradition for each of us to come up with a moral for the reviewed episode and then do a “star down.” A “star down” is kinda like a “hoe-down” only we rate the show on a scale of 1-5 stars (5 being the best and no fractions, please!). ((Actually that is nothing like a hoe-down… but then again what is?)) But I digest (I just ate some brats)… I really look forward to the star down segment of our shows – not just for the cool dinging star sound effect that happens, but for the insight it gives us into the mind and souls of Clank fu, Njord4 and Von the Mon. What does Pete really think of Charlie X?
It’s easy for us to agree on the really good episodes like “This Side of Paradise” and the really bad ones like “The Squire of Gothos.” But what of “The Devil in the Dark’s” of the world? Episode 25 ended with Njord4 and I debating why I gave The Devil the coveted 5 star rating. Is it really in the same league as Paradise or is the paradise of 5 stars truly lost?
The Devil for me is just a rose of another name. No, it’s not of the same species as Paradise but is none-the-less a 5 starrer. Tis like a constellation in the bright city – not as obvious by any means but once your eyes adjust, it’s clear as the big dipper!
The story has merit from solid beginning to solid end. One might say that the endings of some D.C. Fontana episodes are a bit convenient. Let’s take Paradise’s ending solution of a subsonic transmitter to rid everyone of the spores… um, just add techno-babble, and you have yourself an ending! Granted that isn’t really the point of the episode. But it takes more than techno-babble to resolve the miners’ problem with the Horta and vice-verca.
Secondly the moral works on several levels. Don’t judge a book by its cover or a Horta by it’s pizza-like appearance. Be mindful of the Hortas in your mining operation and understanding can bring peaceful co-existance and even cooperation.
Thirdly my inner-child loves this episode. This episode has always remained fresh in memory since I was a kid. Sure, my adult eyes might only see the Horta as a strange shaggy molten piece of 1960’s costume design — but the eyes of my salad days of youth see… a Horta! There’s something to be said about sentimentality and these original series Star Trek episodes. Spock’s Brain ain’t Shakespeare… or even Stan Lee but it does add to the enjoyment and nostalga of Trek.
So my question to you is, what’s your Devil? Was Charlie X a “V-star” for you? Or maybe you deuced Paradise. Perhaps The Menagerie Part I was a two… or Part II a three…. you tell me!
