Guest star: Diana Muldaur
Pros: Acting, Music, Direction, dialogue
Cons: weak 2nd act, lack of action.
The weak 2nd Act
As stated, the producers liked the script, but they needed more action. The solution was to make "Larry" attempt to assassinate Kollos, go mad, sent the Enterprise into another Galaxy and then die. The problem is we don't really care about Larry. Nor do we really care about his unrequited love for Miranda. Hey, we just met the dude. Had been played by George C. Scott, well, we might have cared, but the actor cast doesn't make much of an impression.
So, it all comes off as padding. Trying to stretch the story to meet the required run time. Too bad. Perhaps if more budget been available, an alien vessel could've attacked, or maybe Larry could've been made into a alien spy, trying to steal the Kollos for the Klingons. But as it is, we don't care about this pathetic incel with a crush on Miranda.
Diana Muldour
I can't praise Diana Muldour enough in this episode. Next to the musical score, she's the best thing in the episode. She plays her part perfectly, and has great chemistry with McCoy, Spock, and especially Shatner.
The Odd Ending
Sadly, the ending of this episode is almost ruined by some bad editing. The episode SHOULD have ended with Spock's line " Live long and prosper, Miranda." Instead, for no good reason, we cut to Kirk who absurdly says "Peace", and then we get a reaction shot of Kirk, without his visor. Good God, what was wrong with the editor/Producer ? Talk about a "tin ear". The Director felt the same, and never did another Star trek.
Reviewing the Reviews
I read and listened to many reviews of this episode on the internet, and I was shocked. You can take the stupidity of the "Elanne of Troyius" reviews and multiply by 20. Almost all the reviewers are male. You get the impression they don't really like a "chick episode" and cover for it by sreeching "sexism" at the top of their voices.
Or maybe I'm giving them too much credit. Maybe they're so stupid they think that men can't admire a woman's beauty without wanting to hop into bed with her. Or they're OUTRAGED that a man could compiment a coworker for her stunning good looks.
For example, The Dinner scene (that I've quoted) litteraly drives them mad. One would think they'd just saw Kollos without a visor. Anyway, the officers involved, escpecially McCoy behave in a Gallant fashion. And McCoy ooze ol' Southern gentelmenly charm. (note: I assume the respect shown for Dr. Jones, isn't just for beauty, but for her accomplishments as a pyschologist). Do these internet reviewers/podcasters pick up on that? Nope. To them McCoy and the others are just sexist pig-dogs who want to rape Dr. jones back in her quarters! In other words. men can only do two things with women:
1) Treat them as "one of the guys" who fight, work, and think like men
2) "Chat them up" in order to have sex with them.
Otherwise, its SEXISM!
Pros: Acting, Music, Direction, dialogue
Cons: weak 2nd act, lack of action.
Best Quote:
KIRK: Yes, I think most of us are attracted by beauty and repelled by ugliness. One of the last of our prejudices. At the risk of sounding prejudiced, gentlemen, here's to beauty. (they stand for the toast) To Miranda Jones, the loveliest human ever to grace a starship.
McCoy: [toasting] How can one so beautiful condemn herself to look upon ugliness the rest of her life? Will we allow it, gentlemen?
All: Certainly not.
Dr. Miranda Jones: [counter-toast] How can one so full of joy and the love of life as you, Doctor, condemn yourself to look upon disease and suffering for the rest of YOUR life? Can we allow THAT, gentlemen?
Originally, entitled "Miranda", the Star trek producers picked this script by an unknown female writer as their 5th aired episode. The Producers wanted to increase the female audience and this story fit the bill.
Its a well written, well acted, and well directed story that kept me interested. Leaving aside the absurd amount of respect that the Star Trek officers show Miranda Jones, its plot is logicial, and the dialogue is every good. Its main flaw lies in the lack of action and a weak 2nd half. There's too much focus on Miranda Jones and her feelings and not enough action, or focus on the Medusans.The weak 2nd Act
As stated, the producers liked the script, but they needed more action. The solution was to make "Larry" attempt to assassinate Kollos, go mad, sent the Enterprise into another Galaxy and then die. The problem is we don't really care about Larry. Nor do we really care about his unrequited love for Miranda. Hey, we just met the dude. Had been played by George C. Scott, well, we might have cared, but the actor cast doesn't make much of an impression.
So, it all comes off as padding. Trying to stretch the story to meet the required run time. Too bad. Perhaps if more budget been available, an alien vessel could've attacked, or maybe Larry could've been made into a alien spy, trying to steal the Kollos for the Klingons. But as it is, we don't care about this pathetic incel with a crush on Miranda.
Diana Muldour
I can't praise Diana Muldour enough in this episode. Next to the musical score, she's the best thing in the episode. She plays her part perfectly, and has great chemistry with McCoy, Spock, and especially Shatner.
The Odd Ending
Sadly, the ending of this episode is almost ruined by some bad editing. The episode SHOULD have ended with Spock's line " Live long and prosper, Miranda." Instead, for no good reason, we cut to Kirk who absurdly says "Peace", and then we get a reaction shot of Kirk, without his visor. Good God, what was wrong with the editor/Producer ? Talk about a "tin ear". The Director felt the same, and never did another Star trek.
Reviewing the Reviews
I read and listened to many reviews of this episode on the internet, and I was shocked. You can take the stupidity of the "Elanne of Troyius" reviews and multiply by 20. Almost all the reviewers are male. You get the impression they don't really like a "chick episode" and cover for it by sreeching "sexism" at the top of their voices.
Or maybe I'm giving them too much credit. Maybe they're so stupid they think that men can't admire a woman's beauty without wanting to hop into bed with her. Or they're OUTRAGED that a man could compiment a coworker for her stunning good looks.
For example, The Dinner scene (that I've quoted) litteraly drives them mad. One would think they'd just saw Kollos without a visor. Anyway, the officers involved, escpecially McCoy behave in a Gallant fashion. And McCoy ooze ol' Southern gentelmenly charm. (note: I assume the respect shown for Dr. Jones, isn't just for beauty, but for her accomplishments as a pyschologist). Do these internet reviewers/podcasters pick up on that? Nope. To them McCoy and the others are just sexist pig-dogs who want to rape Dr. jones back in her quarters! In other words. men can only do two things with women:
1) Treat them as "one of the guys" who fight, work, and think like men
2) "Chat them up" in order to have sex with them.
Otherwise, its SEXISM!
