One of Our Planets Is Missing

DVD, Star Trek: The Animated Series (One of Our Planets Is Missing)

There are some things Trek isn't suited to: complete serialisation, short seasons, action films. And animation. We've been getting a lot of what Trek isn't suited to lately, which is one reason I've found it difficult to go back to 'TAS,' the other being a lack of enjoyment. And if you don't really enjoy 'Yesteryear,' the most lauded (perhaps the only one to be so), of this series, then what hope is there for the rest? Still, I'm surprised it had been almost half a year since I last watched one, and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise indeed, the most authentic so far. It's very much like an episode of 'TOS,' only with the addition of the more outlandish three-limbed Lt. Arex sitting next to Sulu, and a visit to a part of the engine room we never saw before. The story concerns a vast cloud, sentient, and consuming planets, and that must be thwarted from doing so to a very inhabited human colony in its path. Very V'Ger of 'The Motion Picture,' and though a couple of episodes of 'TOS' often get the credit for inspiring the debut Trek film, this must also have been heavily in mind.

Spock even mind melds with the being and it is through this ability to communicate that all it made right, an excellent lesson. It's made better by Majel Barrett resuming her usual role as computer voice which the cloud uses to communicate, something extremely Trek-like. The use of science and knowledge, tempered with hard decision-making by Kirk as he takes everything into consideration and is prepared to sacrifice this living creature to save the many colonists is also very accurate to the style, right down to Spock and McCoy providing differing viewpoints for Kirk to weigh up. I suspect if a story like this were made now, and perhaps even in Picard's day on the Enterprise-D, it would be all about the creature, the lives of people, unknowing and without a say, sacrificed for its wellbeing, whereas Kirk is more concerned about the many of his own kind. It's a victory then, whichever viewpoint you subscribe to, that a nonviolent solution is found and all is made well!

James Doohan once again performs admirably in multiple roles: as Scotty, as Arex and as the planet's Governor, Bob Wesley, and each of the characters is part of the adventure from their positions on the Bridge. It all feels very reassuring and comfortable. Maybe watching 'DSC' has helped me appreciate it more, what with its complete opposite: of discomfort and simplistic storytelling. But this cartoon had far more of the Trek spirit in it and it's good to hear those familiar voices again. For me, this is a proper Trek episode, and whether low expectations and exposure to much recent and unreliable Trek made it seem so much better, or whether I'd have come to the same conclusion regardless of what else I'd watched recently, I have to recommend this one, a story with real stakes, hard choices, nothing too wacky, and the right usage of the characters. It makes me want to see more…

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