1.16 — “The Jihad”
Plot: Kirk and Spock are summoned by an ancient race, the Vedala, to join an expedition to recover the Soul of the Skorr in order to prevent a holy war. The Soul has been stolen and hidden on a “mad planet.” The Starfleet officers join with four other specialists to attempt this quest through dangerous terrain.
Thoughts: This is a magical quest-type episode. That’s different. It was sort of fun to watch all the different characters, and there are some good laugh lines. Also, interesting demonstration of combat at zero gee! Just like they train for. Good volcano effects for Filmation.
Unfortunately, I think magical questing is too much of a stretch to fit Star Trek. Worse, this is the kind of magical quest story where they don’t bother trying to explain anything. I guess because they this kind of story isn’t supposed to make sense? How do the Vedala know any of this information? Why hide the soul on a planet? Why send a saboteur in the party, etc. This has all the realism of The Dark Crystal, which is just about the only Jim Henson production I’ve ever not liked. Being so brief, however, I find the episode mostly inoffensive.
Relatively inoffensive. Having just one woman in the group who is all tarted up and turned into a sexpot is not great. Holy failed Bechdel Test, Batman! This episode is unusual for TAS in that it refers to Kirk’s romantic prowess, although he politely declines Lara’s advances.
Note: this is the last episode of the first season of TAS. Since second season only has 6 episodes, however, we are treating the 22 episodes of the series as if they were one season and will not be taking a break. Six more to go!
2 out of 5 glass box prisons.
Leave a Reply