3.23 — “All Our Yesterdays”
Plot: A rescue mission to the planet Sarpeidon, hours before its sun goes supernova, inspires Kirk, Spock, and McCoy ‘s visit to a strange library. Among the stacks they meet Mr. Atoz (A to Z, get it? He’s a librarian). Atoz and his helpers are startled to see them, but keen to rush the travelers through time portals into the planet’s past, before they are caught in the imminent apocalypse. Kirk is trapped in time separately from Spock and McCoy. The loyal officers soon find that the stress of the time displacement produces strange effects on Mr. Spock.
Thoughts: It’s near! All good things come to an end. Here we have a fine episode spotlighting the best supporting cast on television, who have been criminally underused in recent episodes (especially McCoy). The Spock/McCoy relationship has been barely explored since second season, when it seemed to be the focus of almost every script, but now Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley get one last chance to shine (until the films!).
Some of McCoy’s best scenes all season (despite “For the World Is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky” and “The Empath”) come as he tells Spock repeatedly to leave him, and Spock won’t listen. He stands out, despite Spock’s own great moments. “I don’t like that. I don’t think I ever did!” What a scene–it should be on a poster! Wait, it is: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/57561701460317245/
Another highlight for me is when we learn that Spock, like everyone in the future, is a vegetarian. I knew it! Trek also anticipates data storage discs in this episode.
I love the way Spock and McCoy charge right after Kirk through the time doorway, without heeding Atoz’s protests. They know where their duty lies. And, as Spock says, Kirk is their friend.
A running theme at the end of the series seems to be Spock’s sadness, as he tentatively reaches out, seeking support and a richer emotional life than he has known before. Is it Kirk and McCoy’s friendship that allows him to do this? Spock gets one more love story, following the events of 1.24 “This Side of Paradise;” and 3.2 “The Enterprise Incident,” and one more kiss (the flirtation from “The Cloud Minders” doesn’t count). There is a lot of earned sadness in his line “Yes, it happened. But that was five thousand years ago. And she is dead now. Dead and buried. Long ago.“
And I am sad. I am sad because I soon will have no more opportunities to watch new episodes of TOS. Onwards to the animated series–and to next week’s series finale.
4 out of 5 skimpy outfits–that’s how you dress on an ice planet?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Our_Yesterdays_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)
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