2.4 — “Albatross”

2.4 — “Albatross”

Plot: Dr. McCoy is served with an arrest warrant and imprisoned on the planet Dramia for mass murder, based on allegations that he caused a plauge that wiped out the population of a sister planet 19 years earlier. Kirk and Spock must race across Dramia’s solar system in order to clear McCoy’s name–before the wheels of planetary justice can execute him.

Thoughts: Again, we have a solid episode premise, with plot elements that feel familiar but aren’t completely recycled. Hey, putting McCoy on trial is different! We’ve already seen trials for Kirk (“Court Martial”), Spock (“The Menagerie, Parts 1&2”), and Scotty (“Wolf in the Fold”). This premise could have supported a live action episode. Yet in the animated series, with all the shortcuts, recycled music, and stock animation, the story seems rote and devoid of interest.

So, your trivia answer: regular cast members of original Star Trek to never be indicted on television: Sulu, Uhura, Chekov, Chapel, and Rand.

The plot resolution comes a little too easily, reflecing both the time pressure imposed by the 22-minute format, and lazy writing. No effort is required to discover the sole plague survivor who literally walks up and introduces himself to Kirk and Spock when they beam down to Dramia II, and the solution to the antidote is so pat that Kirk can suggest it.

I do like the way they drew the fingers of the alien creatures. Two more episodes left in the series! This is the 99th televised episode of Star Trek. It the 100th episode to be covered by this community, since we started with “The Cage.” And, it’s my birthday. We should have cake! Metaphorically.

2 out of 5 hanger doors left open (literally)

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albatross_(Star_Trek:_The_Animated_Series)