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Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973-1975)
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Bud Brewster
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 26, 2019 2:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

________________________________

Thanks, Pow! Very Happy

I was hoping you'd be able to point out a plot element I overlooked which would explain that puzzling omission. Sad

Meanwhile, I'm still having fun watching TAS with my newly acquired appreciation for it, thanks to you! Cool

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Pow
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 27, 2019 1:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"The Terratin Incident,"November 17,1973. Episode #11.

Synopsis } While surveying the remains of supernova Arachna, the Enterprise receives a mysterious signal from an uncharted planet.

The crew of the Enterprise shrink! This is a fun episode and another example of what TAS was able to do that TOS could never have even considered.

It's wild to see how the star ship slowly becomes more and more an obstacle for the miniaturized crew members. They are so used to having the vessel serve their needs that it is almost a trusted companion on their trek through outer space. Now it is becoming the enemy.

I am also a fan of this episode as I've always enjoyed the sci~fi trope of humans shrinking & dealing with the challenges that go with it.

"Dr.Cyclops'', ''Fantastic Voyage'', and ''Land Of The Giants", are all wonderful productions where humans must deal with a giant world, giant creatures, and giant people who are the enemy.

Fun Fact } Writer of this episode, Paul Schneider, wrote "The Balance Of Terror", and "The Squire Of Gothos'', both are some of the finest episodes written for TOS.

Two thumbs up for TTI.
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Bud Brewster
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 27, 2019 4:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

________________________________

Another episode I'll enjoy much more when I watch it, thanks to your wonderful comments, Pow! Very Happy

Thank you very much. Cool

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)
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Pow
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 28, 2019 11:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My pleasure, Bud. Glad you enjoy reading 'em as much as I enjoy posting 'em.
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Pow
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 04, 2019 7:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"The Time Trap,"November 24,1973. Episode # 12.

Synopsis } The Enterprise enters the Delta Triangle in order to discover why numerous starships have mysteriously disappeared in this sector.

The Enterprise and the Klingon starship Klothos both become victims of vanishing into a bizarre pocket dimension of the universe where time moves very slowly. Both vessels are trapped there in a huge graveyard of starships from many worlds. Some unknown to the Federation of Planets.

Rousing and entertaining episode that explores the Bermuda Triangle of outer space.

Kor is the commander of the Klingon starship. The same Kor that Captain Kirk & Mr. Spock first met on TOS episode "Errand Of Mercy." Unfortunately John Colicos (who portrayed Kor) did not return to do the voice over for Kor.

Storyboard artist Bob Kline had created a number of starship designs for the first episode of TAS, "Beyond The Farthest Star," which were rejected for the alien vessel in orbit around the dead star. These designs were later reused on this episode as the various ships that comprised the graveyard in space.

A definite 2 thumbs up for this episode featuring a multitude of vessels as well as aliens who have created a peaceful society in spite of being made up of various races.
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johnnybear
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 05, 2019 10:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Beyond The Farthest Star was the fourth episode to be completed while More Tribbles, More Troubles was the first!
JB
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Pow
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 06, 2019 3:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"The Ambergris Element,"December 01,1973. Episode #13.

Synopsis } The Enterprise is studying the planet Argo which is completely covered by oceans. Argo underwent violent seismic disturbances in the past. The mission is to research the effects from those upheavals in order to help a Federation planet with millions of inhabitants whose planet will undergo the same fate as Argo.

An entertaining episode which delves into life beneath the seas in the future. Too often this seems to be a plot device ignored by TV sci~fi series. Rarely do any outer space shows show us the wonders undersea in the future. Be it on Earth or other worlds.

Star Trek had 5 live action series on and only one, an episode of Voyager, revolved around a water world.

The sci~fi films and TV series that explore oceans are limited and I would enjoy seeing more of 'em.

The Aquans live undersea on Argo. Yet, their discovery by the Enterprise crew is a surprise.

Why exactly?

Are the scanners on board the star ship unable to detect life below the surface of oceans?

The Environmental Life Support Belt that protects the crew from the dangers of outer space are utilized to explore deep under the ocean.

New } We see that the Enterprise has an aqua-shuttle that can act as a submarine and scouter rig that floats on the water. The aqua-shuttle is the first shuttle in Star Fleet equipped with weapons.

Telefocals are futuristic binoculars for the crew that can see objects 2-miles away. Come to think of it, did any of the Star Trek TV series ever show the crew as having futuristic binos?

Another fun episode from TAS.
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Pow
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 17, 2019 1:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"The Slaver Weapon," December 15,1973. Episode # 15

Written by famed sci~fi author Larry Niven.

Mr.Spock, Uhura, and Sulu are journeying to Starbase 25 in the shuttlecraft Copernicus. In their possession is a Slaver stasis box where time stands still within the confines of the box. The alien race known as the Kizinti have set a trap for Spock and crew in order to take the Stasis Box and use it for their own ends.

Larry Niven adopted his short story,"The Soft Weapon," for TAS.

It is an intriguing tale as it deals with the astounding technology of not only the Stasis Box where time can be frozen, but of the incredible Slaver device within the box.
The device is capable of morphing into many contrivances that perform different functions.

This episode also gives Nichelle Nichols & George Takei an opportunity to shine by having a prominent part in their roles as Uhura & Sulu.

Always fun to see a brand new shuttlecraft configuration & this was a decent looking one.

What did not work for me was both the Kzinti & their uniforms color.

Director Hal Sutherland was color blind and gave the okay to the pink colored uniforms worn by the Kzinti. Now they are supposed to be a fierce warrior race and a serious threat to Spock,Uhura,and Sulu. But pink just doesn't cut it in creating villains who are supposed to be deadly and imposing.

My other issues with the Kzinti were their appearance & demeanor.

They look like hunchbacked cats which came off as rather silly and hard to take very seriously. They looked like something you'd see on the Flintstones.

Then the manner in which they acted seemed unsophisticated. This is a race that has achieved space travel & is certainly technologically adept.

However,they speak in raspy voices which make them seem ignorant & unsophisticated. If they have technology that is advanced it seems their speech patterns would have evolved along the way...as well as their intelligence.

Here they come off as clumsy neanderthals. It makes you wonder just how such a race ever managed to make it out of the caves and into the stars.

The design of the amazing Stasis Box is disappointing,too.

Such an awesome device should look fascinating to behold.Alien craftsmanship,alien symbols or language carved into the box would have seemed appropriate raising our curiosity and deepening the mystery about the box and the race that created these wondrous objects.

Here they simply look like a box from UPS or FedX.

The artists could have dreamed up something far more visually compelling. Heck, it didn't even have to be shaped like a box. Could have been shaped like anything.

In spite of it defects this still remains a decent entry to TAS and has it moments of entertainment.


Last edited by Pow on Sun Nov 17, 2019 2:24 pm; edited 2 times in total
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johnnybear
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 26, 2019 7:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Slaver Weapon is the only episode of the original series and animated version to not feature William Shatner! I think he does the star log at the beginning though or am I mis-remembering it?
JB
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Bud Brewster
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 26, 2019 10:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

________________________________

JB, I feel a bit guilty for not allowing our resident expert, Pow, to confirm your comment, but I looked up the info on IMDB and found that you are quite correct.

IMDBs cast list has this.

William Shatner ... Capt. Kirk (voice) (credit only)

I also found this interesting IMDB trivia item which explains why Kirk was absent from this one.
________________________________

The three main characters in Larry Niven's original short story were adapted into Spock, Sulu, and Uhura. Niven was given permission to leave Captain Kirk out of the script because Kirk could not be easily adapted into Niven's characters.
________________________________

And speaking of that award-winning science fiction writer, IMDB also has this item.
________________________________

The Kzinti's space suits and ship were colored pink because director Hal Sutherland was color blind. Pink and gray looked similar to him. After the episode aired, producer D.C. Fontana apologized to Larry Niven.
________________________________

Having read nearly all of Niven's novels and short stories (several times), I can appreciate this next item. For Niven's meat-loving carnivores, the Kzinti, a telepath who reads the mind of someone who imagines the taste of a carrot would be like me suddenly having liver in my mouth! Shocked
________________________________

During the interrogation, Spock tells the others to imagine eating a raw vegetable. In Larry Niven's stories, the common way to foil a Kzinti telepath was to imagine eating a carrot.
________________________________

Many artists have presented their ideas of what the Kzinti look like. I've yet to see one I was really impressed by. Rolling Eyes

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Pow
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 31, 2019 2:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"The Eye Of The Beholder,"January 05,1974. Episode 15.

Synopsis } The Enterprise's mission is to investigate the 6-person crew of the science star ship Ariel who have mysteriously vanished while in orbit of the unexplored world named Lactra VII.

The alien Lactrans have evolved far beyond humankind and see humans as animals to keep in their zoo. Kirk & company discover the missing crew from the Ariel but now they all must find a way to escape the all powerful Lactrans.

Writer for this episode, David P.Harmon, previously scripted 2 episodes for ST:TOS. "The Deadly Years," which he co~wrote with Gene Coon, and "A Piece Of the Action."

If I recall correctly, Kirk & Spock are surprised to discover the diversity of environments that co-exist in close proximity to one another. So they did not scan the planet Lactra prior to beaming down? That would be standard protocol.

Kirk is astounded that the commander of the Ariel beamed down to attempt to locate/rescue his missing crew members. Seems like Jimmy forgets about all the high risks he takes on his missions.

Seemed far fetched that the aliens here could not grasp with their amazing intelligence that the Federation crews are intellectual beings & therefore not candidates for zoo specimens. Having 2 star ships as well as their communicators & so forth would display that to the Lactrans.

Entertaining if not outstanding an episode. The Lactrans form is truly alien looking. Something that would not have been achievable on the TOS.

The plot is similar to the very first ST:TOS pilot "The Cage."
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Bud Brewster
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 31, 2019 3:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

________________________________

I'm really looking forward to watching this one, although I'm glad I'm aware of its faults, thanks to you. Cool

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)
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Pow
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 31, 2019 3:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You are welcome.
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 12:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"The Jihad, "January 12,1974. Episode #16,Season #1

Written by Stephan Kandel

Plot Synopsis } The Vedala, the oldest space-faring race known have requested Captain Kirk & Mr.Spock to be a part of a specialized team.According to the Vedala the safety of the galaxy is at risk.

Writer David Gerrold voiced the alien Em/3/Green on this episode which allowed him to obtain his Screen Actor's Guild card.

Another entertaining episode as we see Kirk & Spock join an intrepid group of aliens in order to recover the stolen religious artifact the Soul of Alar. If the team is unable to find and recover it there will be a holy war.

Observations } The Vedala provide a land vehicle for the team that seems impractical. The design is nifty enough but it relies on wheels and has no roof to it.

The "Mad Planet" where the holy relic is located is plagued by constant earthquakes & tidal waves.

Would it not make much more sense that the Vedala vehicle had the capability of flight in order to avoid the surface disruptions & tidal waves?

Considering the debris all over, a roof would be an absolute necessity.

The Vedala are a feline species which look like the Kzinti (right down to being hunched over) from the previous episode "The Slaver Weapon."

Was this some kind of cost saving measure by the producers by using the same figure?

A shame since the idea of producing an animated Star Trek TV series was that the creators could draw anything they could imagine. With artwork there aren't any restrictions at all as there would be with elaborate and expensive make~up or other visual effects.

Why in the world would you repeat yourselves by utilizing a previous design of an alien race for another (unrelated) alien race?

The birdlike Skorr race are cool looking but they also represent another (yawn) warrior race. At least they are a 'former' warrior race which put a different spin on the ball for a change of pace.

Conflict=drama. However, I find it a hoary cliche that in literature, comics, film and TV writer's resort to the warrior race as a plot device time and time again in order to provide the conflict/drama for their story.
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Eadie
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 2:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Vadalan "Land Rover":






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