Wanderlust

1.22 — “Space Seed”

1.22 — “Space Seed”

Plot: In deep space, the crew of the Enterprise beams aboard a mysterious derelict spacecraft of Earth origin, dating from the late 20th century. They discover a crew alive in suspended animation for 200 years. Its leader, defrosted, is Khan, a genetically-altered superman and refuge from the Eugenics Wars that overtook Earth in the 1990s (erroneously labelled as “the grunge rock movement” in modern history books). How will Khan react to life in the 23rd century? Has hibernation blunted the edge of his urge to rule?

Analysis: OMG famous episode. Khan Noonien Singh. The Eugenics Wars! I was in college in the 1990s while Khan ruled 25% of the planet, so I must have missed it. Looking backward, I would think Khan would be just as famous a historical figure as Lief Ericsson, if not Alexander and Napoleon. They don’t quite get around to explaining how he and his people slipped off-planet without anyone noticing. Presumably this was a big cover-up? Did he fake his death à la Kodos the Executioner?

I don’t remember Wrath of Khan making a big deal about Khan being a perfect physical specimen, five times stronger than Kirk, but maybe I’m forgetting.

A big subject here is the dynamics of cult leaders and the power of big personalities. What do you think about Khan’s claim, “Improve a mechanical device and you may double productivity. But improve man and you gain a thousand fold?” Eugenics aside, this view of human exceptionalism seems consistent with the outrageous salaries paid to superstar CEOs–worth 1,000 times more than ordinary workers?–and the cult of personality that grows around people like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. Khan is not the kind of character you see all the time on television. Lt. McGivers doesn’t come off very well, especially due to time compression in the story, but the effect of cult leaders on those who follow them is obviously a real thing. Khan is great, but I want to know more about the genetically altered super_women_.

Did I see Khan use the Vulcan neck pinch? I saw that and thought, oh shit. They’ve had it now.

Eugenics fortunately has died off as a big topic, with Hitler far in the rearview mirror and theories of racial superiority being long discredited. I notice they make sure to emphasize their supermen are from all races, i.e., not just Aryans. Ricardo Montalban (who was Mexican) passes fairly well as Indian, I guess–they made a lot more effort at this in “Space Seed” than Wrath of Khan. I find it interesting they cast a real ethnically Indian actor to be this week’s helmsman on the bridge (oddly named “Spinelli”)–probably no coincidence there.

I love McCoy’s line, “I signed aboard this ship to practice medicine, not to have my atoms scattered back and forth across space by this gadget.” Shatner plays Kirk with a swagger that differs from earlier episodes–I don’t know whether this choice was made to contrast him with Khan, or whether it may have been a product of studio notes. I don’t like it, but it’s not enough to overturn this action-packed episode.

Part of the success comes from art direction. Five costume changes for Khan, some of them extraordinary–the gold net number? I also like the wild artwork in Lt. McGivers’ quarters.

Kirk and the crew come off as extraordinary. The bridge crew blacks out rather than surrender when Khan cuts out their life support. No one betrays the ship as first Kirk and then Spock are led off to be killed, with a promise that they all will follow. And McCoy doesn’t flinch under the threat of Khan’s scalpel, delivering the best lines of the episode.

Something should be said about the efficiency of the story-telling. I looked at the clock at the moment when Khan, victorious, assumes control of the ship, and realized there were only 10 minutes left in the episode. They pack a lot in. But, what you remember about “Space Seed” is Khan, Khan, Khan. I love the wordless scene where he regains consciousness in sickbay. Apart from this, there’s also something cool about looking back at World War 3 and disaster in Earth’s presumed near future from the perspective of an even further distant peaceful future. 

For ambition, humor, irresistible scenes, and Ricardo Montalban, I rate it 5 out of 5 frozen supermen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Seed

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10 responses to “1.22 — “Space Seed””

  1. Randi Cohen Avatar
    Randi Cohen

    I actually liked Kirk in this episode, although overall it is not my favorite.  Firstly, we have the title, “Space Seed”.  I won’t discuss what associations come up in my mind for this title, but suffice it to say not apples.

    Also, this ep would have been vastly improved if McGivers had been even slightly mistreated or been demonstrated in some way to feel like an outcast amongst the crew.  This would have made her betrayal of the Enterprise seem to make sense in some way rather than just being completely random and nuts – I do think generally people that wind up following cult leaders are in some way disillusioned with mainstream to begin with.

    The beginning of the episode has several gaping plot holes – McCoy is perhaps cool when the knife is being held to his throat, but a death threat by someone of potentially superhuman strength and whose background is unknown does not even warrant mentioning to the Captain??  And he is welcome to read the ship’s technical manuals??  Really??

    There were a couple of great lines, particularly “Unified?  Like oxen under the same whip?”  and “I’m glad to see you Captain, although surprised.”  “I’m a bit surprised myself.”

    I also enjoyed seeing more of Uhura on-screen and the rather “I am Spartacus”-like display of crew heroism.  It’s also kind of cute how despite being hit by anesthetic gas and needing to escape, Scotty just has to get a punch in.

    Then of course we have the not-at-all-contrived mano a mano fight scene between Kirk and Khan, and the not-at-all-unbelievable knocking out of the 5-times-as-hardy Khan with what looks like a plastic pump handle.  Also, is Ricardo Montalban using spray tan?  He seems to be pretending to be darker than he is.

    That being said, I do think Ricardo’s Khan is convincingly narcissistic and antisocial and has a certain bad-romance-novel kind of charm to him, and actually I think one reason I like Kirk in this episode is that in comparison to Khan he seems positively nerdy.  (Which to me is a good thing).  

    Overall, I would rate it three out of five derelict shuttles full of scantily clad would-be supermen.  And I do agree with Kevin, I very much wanted to know more about the superwomen, and why was that one superwoman wearing  a black wig?  A mystery.

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  2. R. Alex Reutter Avatar
    R. Alex Reutter

    What’s up with Kirk first giving Uhura lip about translating the Morse code and then giving McGivers a hard time?  Way to be a dick, Kirk.  Maybe that’s the writers giving us the hint of disaffection McGivers is supposed to feel as a member of the crew.

    McCoy isn’t going to do anything to revive Khan?  Oh, they’re going to beam him to the Enterprise, but still, I expected a shot of adrenaline or something.

    Ricardo Montalban may join George Takei as the only castmembers who may go shirtless.

    McCoy has HUGE BALLS when faced with Khan’s hand around his neck and a knife at his throat.

    “Thank you, Captain.  You are very cooperative.”  Excellent choice of word here.

    Prior to the dinner for Khan, Kirk steers McCoy right into a chair as they walk around the head of the table.  Good job blocking that scene, guys (NOT).

    Great dinner conversation.  I could go for more back and forth with Khan before he snaps, but there’s enough here for me to be happy.  Lots to pack in a short episode.

    I would prefer it if Khan’s escape plan didn’t simply revolve around seducing/abusing Marla.  She’s a submissive dip.  

    Great conversation in the briefing room when they reveal who Khan is.

    Glad Marla saves Kirk.  Nice detail for her to wait for the pressure in the chamber to near regular room pressure before opening.

    Uhura defiant!  Scottie gets in one good punch!  

    I disbelieve that Kirk wins this fight.  Sorry.  Not credible.

    I really liked this episode, but I probably like it a little more than it deserves because of the Wrath of Khan.  Brilliant sequel, especially given Spock’s words about returning in 100 years — how about 16?

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  3. Kevin Black Avatar
    Kevin Black

    I really like the last scene–the court martial, when Kirk opts for mercy. Space is vast and how long can you hold on to the past. Perhaps he pitied Khan, because he didn’t chose his biology. And the allusion to Milton was apt.

    As I type this, I think that Roddenberry chose the name Khan in part for its similarity to Kirk. Apparently (according to These Are the Voyages) Khan was going to be a Norwegian criminal named Ericsson until Roddenberry’s 11th hour rewrite of the script.

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  4. R. Alex Reutter Avatar
    R. Alex Reutter

    The court martial scene is excellent, again, especially knowing that his mercy turns to dust and fuels Khan’s rage. 

    I may soften my feelings about the handling of the character of McGivers, because we can see what they want (or should want) to do with the character (as historian, she’s a bit of an outcast on the Enterprise; Khan’s cult of personality overwhelms her and she betrays the Enterprise; she comes to her senses when she sees Khan’s true nature).   The first problem, though, is that it’s all a little ham-handed because of time constraints and her “fall” into Khan’s power is a little too immediate and obvious (Kirk seems aware of this, so why isn’t she being watched?).   The second problem is that after she sees Khan’s true nature and saves Kirk (and the ship), she’s still smitten with her user/abuser.  I find that believably within character but I have concerns that 23rd century human society doesn’t recognize McGivers as a victim in need of support, but instead simply as a collaborator to be marooned or court martialed.  In 1966, Kirk showed mercy to her.  In 2013, he’s condemned her to life with her abuser.

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  5. Kevin Black Avatar
    Kevin Black

    I think Kirk was slow to realize how much of a threat Khan was–normally you don’t treat space rescue people as hostiles, and it’s not as if Khan’s actions were preceded by provocation. They don’t even identify him right away, although as I mentioned I would think that he would be pretty famous. I would hesitate based on what we are shown to label Khan as McGivers’ “abuser”… some people (men and women) are attracted to domineering personalities, it doesn’t have to cross that line, although it certainly could have.

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  6. Randi Cohen Avatar
    Randi Cohen

    Well, I don’t know, lying to a woman that your intentions are peaceful (as transparent as that lie was) and enlisting her help then threatening/trying to kill her colleagues while she watches seems kind of abusive.  Also that whole “squeeze the hand till it hurts and force you to kneel” thing would count as abuse unless she had said yes to it in advance as some kind of S&M “play”.

    McGivers certainly seems co-dependent (or co-narcissistic), which was probably considered normal for a woman to be in the 1960’s, which would barely be recognized as a mental illness now, and who knows what the case will be in the future.  

    If having a knife held to your throat doesn’t telegraph Khan as a hostile, I am not sure what would.  

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  7. Kevin Black Avatar
    Kevin Black

    I don’t think Khan misled Marla–she asked him if he would promise not to harm anyone, and he pretty clearly said no. And the scalpel thing was right when he woke up, before they explained their peaceful intentions.

    I’ve probably known more submissive men who seek out domineering women than the other way around, so it can go both ways, although there is a very special 1960s sexist flavor to the dynamic between K&M.

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  8. R. Alex Reutter Avatar
    R. Alex Reutter

    Good point about the intruder control gas!  That would perfectly explain why Khan might be slower/weaker than usual; it would have been nice if they played that up a little bit.

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  9. Michael Hanscom Avatar
    Michael Hanscom

    A mysterious old Earth ship from the 1990s discovered floating in deep space. Why, who in the world could be on that ship? 20/20 hindsight snark aside, I like the opening sequence.

    On the one hand, I like that the captain’s log establishes that they just sat beside the ship for an hour before attempting anything else.

    The last world war, on Earth in the 1990s…the Eugenics Wars. Somehow I missed that…must have been too busy graduating high school and getting my first post-graduation job.

    McCoy’s first anti-transporter rant! I like the introduction of McGivers. First, we get a glimpse of her in her quarters, so we already know she’ll be more than just random background yeoman. Then she’s obviously disgruntled by being tasked for the away mission, even still when she comes into the transporter room, virtually ignoring Kirk and the rest.

    Scotty, of course, just wants to take the ship apart.

    She specifically identifies Khan as being from the northern Indian era, possibly a Sikh…just one of the many reasons why Cumberbatch shouldn’t have been Khan (no matter how fun of an actor he is).

    I do like the interplay between Spock and Kirk as they’re trying to figure out the Botany Bay’s history. It’s always nice to see Shatner underplay his reactions! Actually, I’m finding as I watch these that much of the time, Shatner’s acting doesn’t bug me much, if at all. For all the jokes about his style, it’s not always a bad style, especially for the time.

    McCoy’s reaction to Khan waking up is perfect. “You’re in bed, holding a knife to your doctor’s throat.”

    Montalban is great, right from the start. Khan is obviously used to being in charge, at all times, without question.

    There’s a series of books (by Greg Cox, if I’m remembering correctly; I’ll have to look that up later) that does a very enjoyable job of weaving together Star Trek history and real history, working the Eugenics Wars into the real 1990s history of our world. Definitely some of the better entries into the Star Trek novels.

    As totally inappropriate as it is, even now it’s not impossible for me to buy McGivers immediate acquiescence to Khan redoing her hairdo. The kiss in the next scene, though…well, okay, necessary to move the plot along the way they wanted, but it falls into the category of unrealistic kisses that always make my wife go, “What? Really? Why!?”

    I love that they came up with an outfit for Khan that fits his supposed Sikh background so well. It’s a gorgeous jacket, too (not my color, though…I’d want it in black).

    “It’s been said, captain, that social occasions are merely war concealed.” Lots of good verbal fencing in that dinner, ending with the first real hint at Khan’s weakness in his easily goaded ego.

    I think one of the few problems I have with this is McGiver’s quick capitulation to Khan. First, it’s a rather quick turnaround from the prickly, standoffish personality we’d seen earlier (though that’s addressed in the episode with her idealization of strong historical personalities); second, while I can totally see Khan wanting a woman he could dominate, he seems the type to me to prefer a woman who might not be dominated quite so easily (a Klingon, perhaps, might have caught his interest).

    Why would they give Khan a duty tunic? Just so, in the off chance he was able to escape, he’d be as inconspicuous as possible?

    And of course, when Khan wakes his crew, the men immediately change into orange coveralls, while the women stay in their gold bikinis and mesh jumpsuits.

    I can’t help but be amused by the redshirt draped over the back railing of the bridge as they run out of air…how in the world did he manage to collapse like that?

    Really, Khan…having your boys smack Uhura around isn’t likely to win you any friends.

    Khan really doesn’t cope well with being crossed…starts losing his temper quickly.

    Impressive that Khan can crush the Type II phaser with his bare hands…but he left the Type I phaser undamaged (the pistol-grip Type II is just a receptacle that the smaller Type I phaser snaps into to increase the power and range). If Kirk had just picked that up and used it, we wouldn’t have had to watch their stunt doubles duke it out. 😉

    Why, yes…Ceti Alpha V sounds like a great place! It’s an interesting solution, really — far more interesting than either killing Khan or locking him away somewhere. And, of course, it became fodder for one great film (and one disappointing one).

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  10. R. Alex Reutter Avatar
    R. Alex Reutter

    That would have been great if some seemingly minor lack of knowledge about current technology brought Khan down.

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