Spock's Brain

DVD, Star Trek S3 (Spock's Brain)

Generally regarded as the worst episode of Star Trek ever. I don't recall seeing this before, so perhaps I blocked the memory out, but actually, expecting absolutely ridiculous, boring and stupid moments throughout I was surprised to discover that the episode is pretty good. I can see where people have problems with it (namely the bizarre sight of Spock's brainless body being remote controlled, and the operation to restore the absent organ). It was like Voyager's 'Phage', but not exciting or horrific in any way.

What worked? Sulu in the command chair - so now we know what happens if Scotty's not there to take charge. Or Spock. Or Kirk. The cast feels more like an ensemble, a welcome trend that has returned this season. The idea that this woman and her people were completely different and childlike most of the time until the 'Teacher' went over their heads, and for three hours they were completely knowledgeable. Voyager's pilot was another possibly influenced by this episode, in that it was about a race dependent on machines, living underground, and needing a new 'controller' to replace the old one. Then again, it's probably a sci-fi staple.

It wasn't the crazy remote control Spock that made me think less of the episode, it was the planetside scenes. When they said the inhabitants were huge I was expecting the type of ogres from 'Galileo Seven', but these were pretty much the same size as the crew. The planet set, for some reason, felt smaller and less realistic than ever before. I completely forgot this was a glacial environment as the crew beam down in nothing but standard uniform, when you'd expect suits or furs. There wasn't a lot of ice or snow, their breath never showed, and the illusion was very much lost in this sequence. However, the design improved as soon as they began descending into the planet, with the lift action very realistic (and McCoy's line about calling Chekov to send down his stomach!).

The technology of this planet did look more advanced (I even noticed an M5 set of blinkies working!), and rather than make the episode less believable, Spock's voice speaking via communicator was logical. His brain was connected to the whole system, so it's obvious he would have access to the communications too, and be able to 'ring' up Kirk. It put a smile on my face as Spock found his predicament, as he would, fascinating. He is the best person to have been put in the situation, not least because of that superior Vulcan brain, but also because he would adapt most comfortably to the situation. Can you imagine Scotty? "Captain, you mean I'll never be able to drink Scotch again? Ye'll have ta shut me doon!"

While the conflict on the surface promised a good knees-up, and didn't deliver, we at least got a fight in the underground meeting room (I must mention here that I liked the wooly hats of the guards) - Scotty gets chucked about, bringing back memories of Season Two! Aah, those balmy days. Now we're into barmy days, but if you can accept most things from the series, why not a knowledge that permits brain transfusion? Perhaps there were even advanced tools that were assisting McCoy, so that he could knit bone and skin together afterwards, and a device that made the hair grow back immediately. If so, Picard wants some!

But barmy bits there were. Spock giving Bones oral direction while being operated on, and that line by the main lady. Yes, you know the one. It's sublimely ridiculous: "Brain and brain. What is brain?" I also saw reference to Star Trek II with the talk of sacrificing one to serve the many's needs. Perhaps this supposed worst episode has influenced Trek more than people care to remember?

There was a familiar gaffe on the bridge with Hadley in Chekov's seat, before the Russian is seen in the following shot. And I think Kirk called orders for Spock and then changed it to Scott when they first beam down. It was dramatically different to see Kirk speaking to Spock on his communicator with the Vulcan's motionless body in frame, and helped sell the separation.

I was expecting to laugh at this, but I found I laughed with it, and accepted the bizarre aspects. It could have been because I already knew the episode's plot point, so I was mentally prepared. But I have to admit I also really liked Voyager's 'Threshold'. Am I allowed to say that?

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