Obsession

DVD, Star Trek S2 (Obsession)

It wasn't one of the best ones, but it still had a something to it. It's the side story with Garrovick that does it. The best scene is where Kirk helps him realise it wasn't his fault, and if he hadn't hesitated it wouldn't have made any difference, which also helps Kirk see the same for himself. Mr. Leslie makes his big death scene, only to famously appear in later episodes! He was a quiet security guy in the background of most episodes, and his death by vampire cloud is worthy.

The episode starts abruptly, with no time to get your bearings as you're thrown onto a planet, with Kirk and Spock discussing Dikironium, or something, so it's not the most accessible story, but it adds an unbalance for the regular viewer, since usually there's the business of going to the planet, beaming down, etc.

The effects were pretty good, with the reverse film of the cloud making it seem purposeful and alive. While you know it's just a bit of smoke squirting out of a box, it still manages to impress a creeping discomfort.

It's a bit of a talky one, and easy to zone out sometimes, and there seem to be a lot of people lying dejectedly on their beds! I did love the Nurse Chapel scene, the second time she's bought soup to someone and they've thrown it around! She's so practical, even if she does get a bit starry-eyed over Mr. Spock. The history is another draw of the episode. Only the other episode we were told about Kirk's early exploits on the USS Farragut, and now we hear of another event, 11 years ago, where his captain and half the crew were killed by this creature. It does have elements of 'The Doomsday Machine', but this creature is much more believable and personal. Perhaps it would have been more interesting if the creature had taken over someone, but then it might have become too much like the Companion in 'Metamorphosis' or other things.

Poor old Garrovick must have felt the universe was against him as he's only recently transferred to the Enterprise, but finds himself face to mist with the creature that killed his Dad. Then he blames himself for the deaths of his security team when we discover his weapon would have had no effect, then he tries to knock out Kirk to sacrifice himself, but even that goes wrong! The anti-grav bomb was quite clever - I couldn't see any strings. They sort of push it along, without carrying it, which was surprising. You also get to see a little lab room off of sickbay, which I don't think has been shown before, and something later series' do a lot, but they don't do often here, Kirk asks for viewscreen magnification.

Like 'The Changeling' it can be a bit difficult to get into, but both have enough to justify the tag of a good episode. Still no Sulu though...

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