Monday, June 30, 2014

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

22 comments:

  1. You are gonna love Star Trek II!

    Star Trek was pitched as "a Western in space" so you're pretty on the mark with that one.

    As for the miniskirts- Nichelle Nichols (Uhura) has said that in the 60's miniskirts were common and she thought they were empowering. I thought I remembered the actress for Janice saying the same thing but I'm failing to find a quote.

    ReplyDelete
  2. yeah the producers on the show wanted the ladies in more conservative attire but they refused to have their fashions dictated to them by the patriarchy, go 60's feminism!

    ReplyDelete
  3. If you liked Enemy Below, you need to see the other side of it: "Das Boot".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure it's on the... oh, wow, it's not on the Big List.

      People! How is Das Boot not on the big list? He's going to love Das Boot!

      Delete
  4. Glad you are hitting some episodes you like. The troika of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy define the series (as you've figured out.) the best episodes will make you laugh, think, and cheer. Just as there are plenty of allegories for the time, they definitely take on a number of classic tropes.

    ReplyDelete
  5. In case Jeremy is interested and has a cable TV, AMC is showing the entire Jaws series Wednesday (from 10am) and the entire Rocky series on Thursday. Yes, live TV can't be paused and he'd have to suffer the commercials, but there's likely no easier way to marathon these movies...unless he has a DVR?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ick. Commercials, edited-for-TV, and setting Jaws, literally-one-of-the-most-influential-movies-ever-made, up alongside it's incredibly disappointing (ranging down to truly awful) sequels?

      I strongly vote no.

      Delete
    2. Hey, a bad sequel will make the original look even better by comparison.

      Delete
  6. This is one of the best, most essential episodes of Star Trek. I'm glad you found it to your liking.

    ReplyDelete
  7. May I recommend for your next iconic TV show - Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.

    Start with season one (patience), then season two which is outstanding. Season Three is very consistently excellent also.

    Here is my list of iconic pop culture television shows off the top of my head:

    The Honeymooners
    I Love Lucy
    The Twilight Zone
    Mission Impossible
    Star Trek
    Columbo
    Kung Fu
    M*A*S*H
    Happy Days
    The Rockford Files
    Miami Vice – (Season 2!)
    Dallas - (Season 3-7)
    Cheers
    Seinfeld
    The Simpsons
    Friends
    Survivor
    The Office
    Big Bang Theory

    Most of these, you could just watch 2 or 3 episodes of any season to get the flavor of the show.

    Here are a few of my favorite shows that weren't so iconic:

    Taxi
    WKRP in Cincinnati
    The Cosby Show
    Family Ties
    Sledge Hammer
    Newhart
    Everybody Loves Raymond
    Leverage
    New Tricks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your list is sorely lacking in anything animated. Or Firefly.

      Delete
    2. For Buffy it is too early in the padawan's training. Not ready for the metafiction is he. When ready he is, then Joss Whedon we will take him to see. Whedon will complete his training and a Jedi he shall be.

      Delete
    3. Rachel - suggestions?

      The Pink Pather? Scooby Doo? The Flintstones? Looney Tunes?
      Or are you thinking Family Guy type shows?

      Haven't seen Firefly but heard it's very good. Having only one season makes it a little hard to include in a list of Pop Culture Icons.

      NBarnes - LOL so true.

      Delete
    4. Anon: The Simpsons. Avatar the Last Airbender. Futurama. Batman The Animated Series. Animaniacs (if only so he'll understand the "Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?" joke.), Some version or other of Transformers. The four you said too, perhaps, if they're new to him.

      Firefly may be dubious as a pop culture icon but it looms hugely in geek culture. Plus, it's like an entire TV show of Han Solo, so I'm sure he'll find it appealing.

      Delete
    5. I did just notice that you have the Simpsons on there, so there's that.

      Delete
    6. Thanks Rachel. My son has Firefly. I'll have to borrow it.

      Delete
  8. I would add Babylon 5 to the iconic list. It's not that much part of the pop culture consciousness as some of the others but it was a reformer of the genre of long-running series. Before it, almost all were episodic; after it, story arcs became the norm of long-running series storytelling.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I second this. The show was very subversively influential, where it didn't stick to the collective consciousness, but it influenced a great amount of the television that came after.

      And it's a terrific show.

      Also, he should watch Farscape.

      Delete
  9. I haven't seen anyone list "The Last Starfighter" or "Enemy Mine" on the must see movies list. Both are very classic early Sci-Fi. Another couple great ones are "Explorers" and "Flight of the Navigator" to round out the 80s Sci-Fi classics.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Second vote for Flight of the Navigator. He might love it.

      Delete
  10. And I'm really looking forward to his reactions to Ladyhawke.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hm. We haven't really given him much to listen to yet, have we? Good thinking.

    ReplyDelete