Star Trek, TOS: The Naked Time

[eleanorigby]

One of the most interesting episodes, IMO, because it brings together the revealing of our "true selves" and the concept of time travel--which foreshadows several other ST:TOS vehicles. I like that early on, Roddenberry was determined to exhibit serious concepts and explore them.


I especially like the interaction between Spock and Kirk when Spock is crying over his mother and then Kirk seems to respond with rage and then he realizes that he has been infected as well.

Nurse Chapel reveals her love for Spock and the more I see this episode, the more ambiguous Spock's response is. I also like Uhura's role in this episode.

O'Reilly is still annoying, though.

[silenus]

"I'll save you, fair maiden."

"Sorry. Neither."

[pepperlandgirl]

I've always been moved by Spock's breakdown, but after I read I Am Spock, I was even more impressed. Originally, Spock was to be given a "funny" scene (though the description doesn't sound hilarious to me). Somebody draws a mustache on Spock and then Spock wanders down the hallway crying. Nimoy, as you might imagine, wasn't too impressed with the idea, and he suggested something else be done with Spock, saying it was a great opportunity to learn more about the Vulcan. The idea was approved, except they only had like 20 minutes at the end of the day to film (filming stopped at 6:18 and the set shut down, PERIOD. No exceptions!). I also read that Nimoy basically improv'ed the whole thing, though Nimoy doesn't explicitly say so in his book, so I'm not sure about that. He also said that after this ep, the amount of fan mail he received rose dramatically, and I believe him.

I think the scene with Chapel, and then Kirk's revelation about how he's caught between his desire for Rand and love for his ship, were both very well done. The more I watch the episode, the more I think that Spock knows nothing could ever, ever happen between him and Chapel. I used to think he was horrified and disgusted by her, but now I think he might be a little sympathetic towards her and just horrified by the situation that would lead to just an undignified display.

[eleanorigby]

And then, in a later episode, when Chapel somehow gets into Spock's brain (I can't recall the title, but it's NOT "Spock's Brain"), they exchange a look.. IMO, Chapel then finally gets it and they share a minute of mutual respect, admiration and a touch of what might have been.

I really do like how Kirk handles the whole Rand story line. And this is one of the few episodes where we see Kirk openly resenting the burden of captaincy and yet also loving it.

[dread pirate jimbo]

This is a pretty good episode. Sulu chasing around with his shirt off and brandishing a sword is probably what endeared him to me and made him one of my fave characters in the series. Spock's breakdown reveals a ton about the true nature of his character, which we rarely see. Kirk's longing for something he can never have is also poignant. And, of course, we get the first hint of time travel which will become an increasingly important plot device as this series -- and the series that follow -- progress.

Best line of the episode: "I canna change the laws of physics!"

[What Exit?]

I can barely remember this one now. What set off the craziness?

[pepperlandgirl]

They picked up a virus on a planet (where of course everybody was dead) and that virus was passed from person to person through basically perspiration. I think that Spock caught it from Chapel when she grabbed him, but I'm not sure when Kirk caught it. I guess when Spock was talking to him?

[eleanorigby]

They picked up a virus on a planet (where of course everybody was dead) and that virus was passed from person to person through basically perspiration. I think that Spock caught it from Chapel when she grabbed him, but I'm not sure when Kirk caught it. I guess when Spock was talking to him?

Kirk lost it in the confrontation with Spock--he couldn't get Spock to focus and resorts to belting him one. Spock lets him get 3 good slaps in and then backhands Kirk over the desk. I believe some bodily fluids were exchanged then.

The contagion acts completely erratically, though--the first victims were slow to succumb, while Kirk and others became "wild" almost immediately.

I also love the quaint 1960s notion of "craziness": taking a shower with your clothes on. I can't say I've done it (although I have run out into intense downpours with my clothes on just for the hell of it), but I'm thinking there are lots of crazier levels of crazy than showering fully clad...

Oh, and I wanted to say that I'd have liked some Naked Time with Kirk.

[pepperlandgirl]

I'd like some Naked Time with both Kirk and Spock...

I loved the beginning of the episode where Spock announces it's something they've NEVER SEEN BEFORE with the dramatic zoom and everything.

[dread pirate jimbo]

You know what I didn't like? I didn't like the shitty, half-assed rip-off episode that TNG did in their first season, The Naked Now. Picard and Dr. Crusher flirting, the engineer pulling all the circuit boards out of engineering, Data ALSO getting infected (?!?) and Tasha Yar fucking him? Yeah, that was hella-lame. Season One of TNG sucked harder than a two-dollar hooker.

[pepperlandgirl]

Don't malign two-dollar hookers by comparing them to TNG S1 please .

[eleanorigby]

You know what I didn't like? I didn't like the shitty, half-assed rip-off episode that TNG did in their first season, The Naked Now. Picard and Dr. Crusher flirting, the engineer pulling all the circuit boards out of engineering, Data ALSO getting infected (?!?) and Tasha Yar fucking him? Yeah, that was hella-lame. Season One of TNG sucked harder than a two-dollar hooker.

Excuse me, sirrah, but these are words I am uncomfortable with in mixed company. They indicate a boorish, loutish mindset.

Please do not mention season 1 of TNG ever again. Thank you.

[dread pirate jimbo]

My apologies. I shall not mention The Season of That Other Show That Shall Not Be Named again. I also apologize to any two-dollar hookers I may have insulted.

[eleanorigby]

I like a man who can own up to his frailties and vow to sin no more.


Gimme 5 minutes in that briefing room with Kirk and Spock. I promise they'd go where no man has gone before... :wink