Star Trek: S1E14 Balance of Terror review

When I started watching Star Trek, I was positive that it was too dated and blah for me to enjoy it. A few episodes in, I forgave the look of the thing and came to enjoy what it wanted to be. Last episode, I finally saw what I thought the show strove to be, coming out bold and entertaining and cementing this troika of men at the helm of a space ship.

Color me blown away.


I can't even say that this is what I hoped Star Trek would be, because I never even thought it. This is a series that up till now has been been horror, fantasy, that sort of 19th century fiction feel, even Dumb Western (because smart westerns exist, but that was a dumb western). Last episode, I was treated to something novel that I really liked. This time, I got something familiar that I absolutely loved.

Star Wars had this great scene that was like an homage to The Dambusters, minus the casual racism and the work with Wallis and Bomber Harris. Just the best actiony bit. This one is another WWII movie, Enemy Below, which is about an American ship dueling with a Nazi U-Boat. I feel like someone writing this episode must have watched that movie; so much of it is here, the ugly ideology of the rank and file, the curious detachment of the commanding officer, the tension of the vanishing enemy.

Last episode I got extraterrestrials with equal (greater, really) capabilities and their own ship; this time, I get hostile extraterrestrials in the same situation and right from the get-go I was completely sold. I've heard of Romulans, although I didn't know they were Star Trek. They might have dropped the ball a bit with the sub-story about Mr. Spock's resemblance and whatsisface's space racism (spacism!) but on the whole, what a fantastic thing this was. Once again, love McCoy, he's the guy. Mr. Spock is just unflappable. Captain Kirk is great.

The show's just lost with Janice, though. Is she just there for looks? I'm guessing that one was a non-writery decision. "We need a babe on the screen, go get one." If that's the case, then, well, you know why that's an issue for many reasons, but can I just point out two things? 1) Uhura's way more attractive and actually does things; 2) Guys come on Uhura's not even wearing a miniskirt at this point it's like a failed butt-apron. You just told me she's got multiple competencies at the ship's helm and then there's a butt shot? Come on.

Anyway. WWII in space. It's funny, all this time I was never thinking of the ship in the context of, like, a ship. You can take all the boat stories and put them on Enterprise and they will work! In that sense I like the (otherwise completely manipulative, transparent and easy to see coming) wedding because it's this unique cue that we are on a ship. Might be traversing stars instead of oceans, but the same rules of isolation apply.

More like this, please. Star Trek, this is the standard I want to hold you to. Just plain awesome. :D