1.4 — “The Lorelei Signal”
Plot: An investigation of a series of disappearing ships brings the Enterprise into a sector of space where the men on board are entranced by a strange signal and lured towards an uncharted planet. A landing party made up of Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and some ensign who no one ever pays any attention to are trapped by a group of women, and then start aging rapidly. During the men’s incapacity, Lt. Uhura assumes control of the Enterprise–and prepares to save the day!
Thoughts: This is another pretty good episode of TAS. At this length, so far, the episodes don’t wear out their welcome. This is the episode where Uhura takes control of the Enterprise! For the only time in any movie or TV show. That, and her all-female squad of security guards, makes this episode memorable and fun.
Does that mean this is a great feminist episode? Well–the episode still turns to Spock to figure out the mystery, and to make all the important decisions. The women on the planet seem awfully helpless. Did it never occur to them before to try to be rescued from the planet, instead of continuing to prey on starships? I guess then there wouldn’t be an episode.
Still–beautiful illustrations and brisk pacing make the time pass well. And there is a message–living an honest, authentic life makes for a better future than chasing immortality.
The aging trick is reminiscent of TOS 2.12, “The Deadly Years,” except the trick of having the transporter restore the crew’s bodies into an earlier pattern provides a new twist. And is totally creepy! The transporter is one scary, crazily overpowered device. Interestingly, the episode implies that Spock has secret feelings for “Christine,” since that’s what he calls Nurse Chapel when he finds himself at need. Other than during this episode, I don’t recall it being implied that he has feelings for her other than compassion.
3 out of 5 phasers on setting 1.
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