Star Trek Phase II 4×09 — “Mind Sifter”
Plot: Mystery abounds. Captain Kirk is missing from the Enterprise after disappearing during an away mission. Meanwhile, we see scenes of Kirk in what appears to be a 20th century Earth asylum. How did this happen, and can the crew rediscover and rescue its Captain?
Thoughts: Surprise! This episode was released last December. I recently saw it at WorldCon 2015 in Spokane (known as Sasquan). I also had the opportunity to see Star Trek writers David Gerrold and Melinda Snodgrass.
Like previous episodes in this series, the sets, props, and costumes from the original Enterprise are fantastic, as are the visual effects. Production quality is high for a fan film. Which makes it an eminently watchable 1 hour 17 mins of film.
Unfortunately, the style of the writing, filming, score, and sound deviates significantly from the original series. Except during scenes on the ship, it does not look or feel like an episode of TOS. It doesn’t help that the Captain is helpless for the whole episode and makes no significant contribution to the resolution of the conflict.
On top of this, the actor who plays Spock is significantly out of character, failing to emulate the character’s trademark logic and dispassion (although Spock might well make the same emotionally-based decisions to pursue Kirk’s rescue, he would not be caught moping). There should be some doubt about whether Spock will follow orders or continue rescue efforts; this actor does not conceal his intentions at all.
Could this be decent as a science fiction story, but mediocre as a tribute to Star Trek? I’m still glad they are producing these. What do you think?
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