​Something that I’ve always lowkey enjoyed seeing in the overall Star Trek franchise when a particular series is willing to go there; are species or forces that are vehemently against what the Federation stands for. Which is not to say that I don’t like the Federation and its ideals, because the notion of a cadre of planets that believe in peace and harmony is a wonderful idea to say the least. But I love seeing others stand against it, simply because that outright offers up a better and more realistic story. Because there are people in this day in age that cannot stand the idea of peace and prosperity for numerous reasons too big to outline here, and seeing how Kirk and the good people of the future deal with and handle that, allows for us to ponder upon how we should approach that kind of conflict in modern times.
 
As it turns out, the next episode of The Original Series is one that takes the time to dive into such matters and that made ‘Journey to Babel’ quite the fascinating story. For in this particular tale Kirk and a ship of delegates had to deal with the fact that there were entities out there, who did not want to see the planet Coridan join the United Federation of Planets and that added a sense of mystery and dangerous intrigue to this story. For it featured a mysterious assassin aboard the ship who was working to undermine negotiations in the hopes of starting a war so that the Orion Syndicate could profit from it, and it was just fascinating to see how far the Syndicate would go in order to get what they wanted out of this matter, and their actions genuinely spoke to the fact that clearly there are folks who believe the Federation is nothing more than a joke and will oppose it in the most extreme ways imaginable.
 
Yet while that mystery was fascinating in its own right, since it definitely captivates you over the course of the hour, there was an unexpected surprise to be found in this tale as well. For one of the delegates aboard this vessel was Spock’s father, Sarek. Which means that for the first time in the saga’s history, we got to spend a little bit of time with Spock’s family, since his mother came along for the ride as well and all of this made for some supremely compelling television. Because this wasn’t some happy reunion between father and son, there was tension between the two of them and this allowed for a grand exploration of how Spock’s decision to join Starfleet over the Vulcan Science Academy, made waves on his home planet. And it was just incredible to learn that his decision was such a big deal back home and to watch these two interact in such frosty fashion.
 
But truly, the grand payoff when it comes to this storyline, was learning how much Spock loves his father, which is saying something since he so rarely shows emotion. But some semblance of genuine care was present from Spock, after he came to learn that Sarek put off major heart surgery in order to complete the negotiations. Which is the most Sarek thing that Sarek could have done here, but I digress. Because Spock went the extra mile to solve this problem mid-flight, in a dangerous manner, and while he was able to save his dad and make peace with their problems in the process, what made this part of the story so powerful was that Spock had to choose between duty and logic, and his father’s fate. And that difficult conflict was handled in beautiful fashion when all is said and done, and this entire plot thread added incredible depth to this already compelling story.
 
If anything, I have to admit that I really enjoyed this particular tale because it offered everything that an audience could ask for. For there was mystery, action, intrigue and danger present over the course of the hour, all with some important canonical moments thrown in for good measure and that just made for one entertaining episode. Plus, the acting here is top notch since you really do feel for Spock and his plight, and how Nimoy and Sarek (Mark Lenard) play off one another on screen is just a delight and oddly enough Shatner does a fine job here as well. For he really makes Kirk’s suffering in the third act feel genuine and that too adds to the brilliant tension of this tale. Which means that in the end, this is just another quality episode from an already stellar season and this kind of unique and powerful story compels me to continue year two of the five-year mission. Until next time. 

​I would venture to say, that normally only die-hard fans find themselves biting their nails and losing sleep over the season finale of their favorite show. Because these are the folks who are genuinely vested in everything a particular series has to offer and they’re dying to know how a particular arc is going to end. But some shows, grab ahold of people in epic fashion, to the point where it tells a story so fascinating and/or so powerful that everyone finds themselves nervous and worried about the ending in question and The Mandalorian is a series that that meets that particular qualification. Because everyone and their mother loves sweet Baby Yoda and the dire situation that Mando and his friends and The Child found themselves in at the end of the last episode of this series, gave everyone high tier anxiety.
 
Plus, the fact that we had to wait a little longer to see how this ugly situation would find resolution, made the wait for ‘Chapter 8: Redemption’ all the more painful. But as it turns out, the wait to see where this story would take us was absolutely and utterly worth it. For this season one finale finally put the franchise on a path for grand success, and it also took the time to offer up all kinds of answers to our questions and really, let’s start there today, since the facts came at us in rapid fire fashion early on in this tale. For in a matter of minutes, we came to learn why Cara joined the Rebellion back in the day, and she did so in large part because she was a native of Alderaan, and clearly the destruction of her home world by way of the Death Star was a fine rallying cry to join the cause and topple the Empire. Plus, we also learned that Greef was once a lawman, one who obviously walked away from that at some point in order to join the Guild.
 
But the true highlight of this little reveal session, is that the past and true identity of our favorite Mandalorian were put on full display here and, everything we learned about him was fascinating to say the least. For example, we came to learn exactly what happened to Mando (whose real name is Din Djarin) on that fateful day when the Empire came calling, and if it wasn’t for the honor and the bravery of the Mandalorians, Din would have lost his life as well. And clearly, the strength they showed is what prompted him to join their cause when he was of age so that maybe he could do something equally as noble down the line, and as an added bonus, we even got to see Din’s face in a clever reveal and we also came to learn that he is fully aware of the fact that Moff Gideon was involved in that dark day of wholesale slaughter. But what matters the most about this particular segment, is the fact that Din once wanted to do good, only to find his path take him down another direction.
 
Which means that every bad choice and every botched and successful job brought him to this particular point, wherein he finally had to make a decision. Would he embrace honor and nobility, like the Mandalorians that saved him so long ago, or would he continue down the scoundrel’s path so to speak. Thankfully, Din finally embraced the role of the hero. Which prompted him to not only accept his role in caring for The Child and getting it back home, but to face the monster that helped to orchestrate his pain and suffering. Which led to one epic and magnificent showdown between Din and Gideon, one that happened high above in the skies of Nevarro (thanks to a jetpack assist), and one that ended as we all hoped it would. For Din was victorious in his quest to stop this monster, and while there should be a grand celebration over the fact that Din and The Child survived and are now off to find the latter’s home planet, the ending wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. For IG-11 is gone, having sacrificed himself for the greater good, and Kuiil is indeed dead after all, while Moff Gideon, is alive and well and yielding the legendary Darksaber.
 
In the end however, this really was a phenomenal season finale. Because if offered fans of this series everything they ever wanted. I mean come on, the action and adventure were sublime. The laughs were perfect and on point and finally, the story has direction and purpose and the possibilities really are endless when it comes to what this show might uncover as Din searches for The Child’s home world. In fact, I would be shocked if season two doesn’t dive into some Jedi and Sith mythos, which would be awesome. Plus, it looks like we will also get a little more back and forth between Gideon and Din and that’s going to be a genuine delight as well and at this point, I’m already hungry for more. Which means that the wait for next season is going to be a painful one, because this is just an incredible and fun series, one that perfectly embodies the spirit of Star Wars and one that makes you feel like a kid again, while you’re watching it. Until next year.  

​World building is a supremely important element when it comes to assembling a franchise. Because when fans connect with a new saga, they want to consume every detail about it and immerse themselves within it, so they can feel as though they’re apart of this incredible new world they love and enjoy and one such franchise that I firmly believe does an incredible job of world building, is Star Trek. For Gene Roddenberry and other showrunners and executive producers that followed his lead, created an entire history for Earth’s future, one that is fascinating and alluring since it shows us every single precise point where mankind changes course and becomes a species of peace and growth and oddly enough, even the characters that are involved in these moments are well rounded and well known.
 
Take for example Zefram Cochrane, a name that immediately rings a bell for Trek fans everywhere since he was the father of warp drive and his quest to reach the stars is what helped bring about the birth of the United Federation of Planets. And while he’s best known for his appearance in Star Trek: First Contact, since that film straight up showed us the events that led to our first encounter with the Vulcans, I completely forgot about the fact that he showed up well before that film was even discussed in closed room at Paramount Pictures. For back in season two of The Original Series, Kirk and his closest friends were given the opportunity to meet the man that ushered in a new era of space travel in ‘Metamorphosis’ and his arrival on the series made for one fascinating episode.
 
In part because of the fact that he is a young man when Kirk and company encounter him on an isolated world, but also because everything present in First Contact when it comes to his character, such as the bullheadedness and the desire to be bold and do incredible things is present here, and that’s comforting on so many levels. Because it means that Ronald D. Moore and Brannon Braga did their homework properly for that film and that ties into the world building, we’ve been discussing. For in essence, the character is now seamless when it comes to the timeline and this is merely a younger version of the man the crew of the 1701-E meets on their mission to save Earth, with over two hundred years of seasoning behind him, since a strange alien known as the Companion rescued him from the clutches of death ages ago and that’s what made this episode so fascinating.
 
For it went from history lesson and fan moments to an in-depth exploration of the nature of love and how it knows no bounds. Since we came to learn that the Companion cared for Cochrane in ways that only a lover can and in turn, Zefram accepted that love and provided the alien with his own and when both parties come to realize that a separation would be devastating on an emotional level, extreme measures come into play to keep their love alive and this was just, unexpected. Because this saga rarely dealt with romance in the slightest, so to see it here is odd, yet it works in its own special way. For it gives closure to Cochrane’s story since we know that he will finally grow old with someone that genuinely cares for him and he can enjoy that love in peace and quiet, free from the trappings of fame that plagued him ages ago.
 
If anything, I would venture to say that my only complaint about this tale, is the rushed and nonchalant nature that comes with Ms. Hedford’s dying decision to let the Companion take over her body so that the romance can take place because… no one found it weird that Hedford was okay with handing over her mind and body to an alien being, all so that it could finally experience the wonder of love in physical form? It just seems out of place and hokey, but it is what it is and honestly, the fan service present here does overshadow this glaring and off-kilter flaw since you get to hang out with Zefram Cochrane for an hour or so. Either way it was just cool to see an episode of The Original Series that once again had major impact on the fabric of the franchise, and I truly cannot wait to run into more of these, as season two rolls on. Until next time. 

​I don’t know why, but whenever any particular series from the Star Trek franchise goes out its way to follow up with a particular character or incredible species, I find myself giddy and eager to watch the story that is about to unfold. Because the tale in question is either going to take us down an epic path by way of a showdown with said species, or it is going to find a way to have some serious fun, thanks to the dynamic character that’s graced a particular crew with their presence once again. And it just so happens that the return of a classic and bumbling villain allowed for that excitement to return to the top of my mind when I settled in to watch the next episode of The Original Series.
 
For ‘I, Mudd’ saw the return of Harcourt Fenton Mudd, a character that always made Trek worth our while with his hairbrained and incomplete schemes. But at first, it sure didn’t seem as though he was going to be involved in this particular story, since the opening sequence saw the crew of the Enterprise in dire straits. Which is a brilliant stroke of storytelling to say the least. Because if I was an audience member watching this for the first time back in the day, I would have been clueless to the fact that this cold and calculated android was leading the crew to Harry Mudd’s new front doorstep, making his grand reveal delightful and amazing to say the least. But while I got to cheat by seeing the title of the episode before I hit play, the gravity of his entrance is still present in this tale.
 
After all, Harry Mudd is an iconic villain to say the least, one that just exudes a particular gravitas when he’s on screen. Which is thanks in large part to Roger C. Carmel’s dynamic performance of the character. Because his work with Harry always provided us with a fascinating spectrum, one that usually involved total confidence from Harry until his scheme blows up in his face and that’s present here as well. Since Harry is indeed locked in the belief that his plan to capture the Enterprise will be successful, until the androids turn upon him and he’s suddenly lost and scared and in desperate need of Kirk’s help and it’s just a delight to see him back in the proverbial saddle in this tale and truly his arrival in this episode allowed for some serious fun to take place.
 
Because Kirk’s plan to free his crew from the powerful grip of the androids is about as silly as they come, but it works so well on screen. In part because it fits the story perfectly since acting chaotic around beings that believe in logic and order is a fine way to confuse them, but more so because such a decision allows for the actors to just let loose and have fun for a change. Which ends up being a true treat for the audience since every bridge officer gets pretty darn goofy in this story and watching Chekov dance with glee, or seeing McCoy do a little deadpan humor with Harry just puts a smile on your face and I definitely found myself laughing aloud as the chaos unfolded and the attempts to confuse the androids became bolder and more complex. If anything, this is just a fine example of how this series knew how to have fun when the story warranted it, and this lighthearted tale really does serve as a palate cleanser as well.
 
Because season two really has featured some heavier storytelling at times, so it’s nice to see the show let loose and enjoy itself for a change. But sadly, this episode is bittersweet from one particular aspect. For this would be the last time that Harcourt Fenton Mudd would interact with James Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise and honestly, that’s a shame. Because he truly was a dynamic character that deserved more screen time, and it took fifty years before the franchise would reintroduce him in Star Trek: Discovery. Which makes this episode his TOS farewell tale, and thankfully he went out with a bang, and he got his just desserts at last, since he was surrounded by his darling Stellas and one has to wonder what became of him after this particular story. And I do hope the franchise takes the time to revisit his fate somewhere along the line because Harry really does deserve a proper ending when all is said and done.    

The last time we settled in to discuss the runaway, new streaming hit The Mandalorian, I was admittedly quite harsh on the show, but with good reason. Because while the adventures of Baby Yoda and Mando are quite entertaining in their own right, the plot really is at a standstill when it comes to this fascinating series. For we know nothing about where this story is going or why the youngling is so desired by the Imperial Remnant and that is a bit of a problem. Because Star Wars thrives when it tells an enriching story and this one runs the risk of losing us if It doesn’t start moving the plot along and while I was excited to catch an early edition of the show before The Risk of Skywalker hits theaters, I was nervous that it was going to be more of the same in this latest chapter.
 
But thankfully, ‘Chapter 7: The Reckoning’ turned out to be quite the pleasant surprise. For this particular tale finally did what seemed to be the impossible and kicked the plot into overdrive in thrilling and fascinating fashion, and this wondrous change to the overall structure of the series was made possible by way of a single and desperate message from Greef Karga. Because he more or less begged Mando to return to Nevarro to help free his town from the Remnant’s grip since the Client doubled down security after the little incident at the safehouse. And if Mando chose to help free the city, his current poor standing with the Guild would go away, and the Child would be safe at last and this really was too good of an opportunity to pass up. But in order to pull it off, our intrepid hero would need some help and that meant making a few stops around the galaxy to ask a few friends for a favor.
 
Because Cara Dune and Kuiil impressed Mando thoroughly with the help they provided him with and thankfully, once the mission was properly explained to them, they were on board with helping him and that’s really when the story truly took shape. Because the return to Nevarro was one filled with treachery, since Greef planned to kill Mando and his friends and steal the child in order to please the Client. But a surprise evening attack from some terrifying pterodactyl-looking birds left Greef badly wounded, to the point where the Child had to step in and use the Force to heal him and that changed his perspective on everything. For he now understood this little one was something special and needed to be protected at all costs and that prompted him to work with Mando on a new plan, one that would get them face to face with the Client so that they could free the city and drive the Remnant out.
 
But as is often the case in the Star Wars universe, nothing ever quite goes according to plan. For the city featured beefed up security. To the point where Team Mando wasn’t quite sure they could work the plan properly and to complicate matters further, someone else took the time to murder the Client because they had little faith in his abilities to secure the Child and that someone turned out to be the Client’s boss; Moff Gideon. Which means at long last, the big bad of season one has finally arrived, and he wasted zero time in demonstrating just how ruthless he is and how far he’s willing to go in order to get his hands on our sweet Baby Yoda. For in the closing minutes of this tale, not only did he pin down our heroes, he sent a pair of Stormtroopers after Kuiil, who was racing back to the Razor Crest to keep the little one safe. But alas, he didn’t make it, and the Child is now in Remnant hands.
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Which is a devastating way to end this episode since Kuiil wanted nothing more than to do the right thing and fight against evil and it’s a shame that he may have lost his life in this bold attempt at heroism. And I say may because… well, I’m holding out hope he’s just badly hurt and this is the Star Wars universe after all, where death is never quite permanent (looking at you, Emperor Palpatine). But all speculation aside, wow, what an episode this turned out to be. Because this is what I’ve been waiting for, good vs. evil, a grandiose scheme to topple and of course; high stakes action. Which means, that at long last The Mandalorian has arrived and this episode set the stage for a powerhouse season finale and that is going to make the wait until next week’s episode downright painful. But at least we have the finale of the Skywalker saga to fill that void while we wait to see if Mando and his friends will be able to save sweet Baby Yoda. Until next time. 

If you’re reading this, then you’ve heard the devastating new from Lodge 49 showrunner Jim Gavin in that… this beloved series will not be returning to the airwaves and well, hearing that news after fans spent weeks, tweeting and hoping and praying and demanding that another network pick this magnificent series up is heartbreaking to say the least. Because there has been a beautiful outpouring of what this show means to people on the web, along with some unprecedented interactions between cast and crew and fans, as the latter shared their gratitude for everything that a talented group of creatives did to bring this majestic and beautiful tale to life.
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But alas, we have indeed come to the end of the road for Lodge 49 and honestly, I needed some time to process this before writing about it. In fact, I was numb at first after hearing the news simply because I didn’t expect the story to end like this. Especially after the fact that it made so many ‘Best of’ lists from various publications. But it happened, the ride is over, new episodes will not happen and I am certain a fair chunk of fans will be despondent and angry for a little while and hey, that’s okay. Feel your feels, because this show really touched our souls in ways we never thought possible and bidding farewell to something that brings you joy is never easy.

However, rather than chide AMC or the television industry for not embracing a unique show, it’s best to say goodbye to this lovely series by celebrating everything that it accomplished. Because this show really did do some unique things, stuff that I hope someone will try and replicate down the line since this series defied convention. For in this day and age, television loves to focus on gimmicks and gags to garner ratings, but this series offered up an old school approach to storytelling, by inviting us into the lives of everyday people. The kind we can outright relate to and attach to and that made every story accessible to the audience and it also invested us like never before and it is those same dynamic characters that allowed for the series to bring forth its true wonder.

Which brings me back to what I said about this show being ‘old school’. Because television of yesterday, tended to offer up a slice of life and this show definitely featured that, but it took things one step further. For Lodge 49 was a genuine celebration of life, and not just the good stuff, but everything. Every high, every low, and every struggle in between was put on display in this series all in the hopes of reminding us that life is indeed beautiful, even the ugly moments since we draw strength from them. And it also reminded us to be better and to work for our happiness regardless of the odds and to cherish the people in our lives and apologize and open up when the moment is right if we’ve hurt one another, because all we have in this life are one another, and the moments we share.
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Yet while new episodes won’t be hitting the airwaves anytime soon, at least we know can re-watch them whenever we like via Hulu, and I know I’ll be going back as often as possible, to partake in a story that helped me find beauty in life when I thought there was none to be found and I’d like to close this farewell out with some serious thank yous to the cast and crew that brought this series to life and took the time to interact with me and so many of the fans on social media. So, first and foremost, thank you Jim Gavin for dreaming up this beautiful world filled with beautiful people, and thank you to Nina Jack and Peter Ocko for guiding this wonderful story along. Also, my gratitude to Director Althea Jones for being the brains behind two of the most beautiful hours of television that I have ever seen and also to Susan Vaill for editing this show in such seamless fashion, to the point where it felt more like you were right next to Dud and Liz as opposed to watching them through a screen.

As for the cast, thank you Jim E. Chandler, for making the magic of the Lodge come to life by way of Wallace Smith’s infectious joy. Thank you to Britt Rentschler for making Beth’s plight believable since we’ve all been in that moment where we panic and make rash decisions. Plus, my thanks go out to Cara Mantella for making Jackie Loomis a special character, one that truly wanted to do nothing more than provide her son with a better life and who was bold and fearless at every turn when life kept putting roadblocks in her way. Also, thank you to Bruce Campbell and Paul Giamatti for stealing the show when they were on screen with their dynamic acting that brought eccentric characters to new heights. And Bertila Damas, thank you for making Lenore a delight to watch because your performance is what kept us guessing as to what the heck, she was going to do next. 

Also thank you Olivia Sandoval, for making Janet the most entertaining CEO in the history of television and I think I’m not alone in saying, we all wanted to see her succeed at one of her wacky schemes. Atkins Estimond, thank you for portraying Gerson with such warmth, you made him that guy that everyone loves to hang out with at work and speaking of folks from work that felt familiar; thank you David Ury for making Champ the true wiseman that everyone gravitates to. Both of you actually made me feel like I was waiting tables as I once did, back in the day. Eric Allan Kramer, thank you for giving Scott that stern façade that so many of us like to hide behind and for reminding all of us to let it fall once in a while so that those we love can be near us. David Pasquesi, thank you for your beautiful portrayal of Blaise, because you reminded everyone that’s ever felt like an outcast that someday you will belong and you also helped to remind us to believe in the impossible because you never know where that wonder will take us.
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Linda Emond, thank you for making Connie relatable when it comes to the fear that surges through all of us, and for teaching the audience that at some point we have to let go of that fear or it will consume us. Sonya Cassidy, thank you for reminding all of us, by way of Liz, that it’s okay to be in a funk or feel broken as long as you keep pushing forward and keep making discoveries about yourself along the way. Brent Jennings, thank you for your powerful performance of Ernie, one that spoke volumes to the fact that we have to confront our pain and be open when doing so, so that it doesn’t rip at and poison our soul. And last, my thanks go out to Wyatt Russell for his portrayal of Dud. Because Dud really did represent the best parts of us, and your performance taught us all to never give up when grief takes hold and to always look for the beauty in life.

So, I guess that’s that, and this is where I should be emotional and sad that this might be the last time I ever write about this magnificent series. But instead, I am thankful that I was able to discover this show and everything beautiful that it had to offer. And I am equally as thankful that I was able to meet some cool people online that love this show as much as I do and that’s really why I’m not filled with sorrow today. Because we all were able to share in this experience, and that’s something special and unique and something that we can hang on to forever. Because as Sonya Cassidy and several of the other cast members pointed out to me on Twitter, we’re all Lynx for Life and the Lodge is always open and waiting for us.

For the most part, the Star Trek franchise as a whole has stayed away from injecting elements from other genres into its stories and that’s quite the wonderful thing. Because fusing genres often ends in disaster, especially when a series such as Trek has firmly established itself as an intelligent and powerhouse science fiction tale, one grounded in the wonder of science and the human condition. But from time to time, a writer’s room simply cannot resist the draw of seeing what might happen if another genre was gently woven into the fabric of a series that rarely deals in say, horror. And someone clearly wanted to see what would happen if scares were injected into The Original Series and sadly, the end result of this experiment made for one supremely weird and disappointing episode.
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Not because the horror elements weren’t handled in genuinely earnest fashion, for ‘Catspaw’ really does work hard to generate a sense of creepy awe by way of the mysterious death of a crewman and a planet that does look like the setting of a Vincent Price movie. No instead, what allows for the horror elements to fail here is the sheer fact that our characters don’t buy what they’re seeing in the slightest. Because gusty winds and spooky witches and an ominous looking castle are immediately questioned and challenged by Kirk and Spock and Bones, since they firmly and correctly believe that what they are seeing isn’t real in the slightest. And working to solve the mystery of these strange occurrences and keeping level heads in doing so, makes the ‘scares’ present here ineffective and laughable and oddly enough, this episode manages to get more ridiculous as it rolls on.

Because it actually manages to change tone and shift genres once again, which is a cardinal sin in its own right storytelling wise, since it makes things discombobulated for certain, but it happens none the less. For the introduction of a pair of shape shifting aliens dives this episode into the fantasy realm since Korob and Sylvia present themselves as wizards and perform magic tricks grounded in science to try and get information from the crew. What that information is, however, is never made clear. They just… want info and it is weird that this story never addresses what the heck our villains want. Instead the story just presents us with a series of random events and wild moments with our baddies, with most of them focusing on Sylvia and a strange quest for power and sensation that her mysterious species craves and well… that’s when this episode completely falls to pieces.

For the final act of this story features some outright ridiculous moments. Because shortly after Korob decides his friend has gone mad and that Kirk and Spock should be freed, the trio find themselves hunted by Sylvia, who has now transformed herself in a giant black cat. Yes, you read that right. James Tiberius Kirk, captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise, and his first officer Spock, find themselves hunted in a castle by a giant black cat. So, yeah, it really doesn’t get any sillier or stupider than that and truly that’s where this episode lost my attention. Because none of this made any sense, and it was equally as weird to see an evil Scotty, Sulu and Bones trying to stop their friends from getting back to the ship and even though it ends with the defeat of our villains in curious fashion, at that particular point, you simply don’t care.

Because this episode was just an outright mess, filled with underdeveloped guest characters and plot threads filled with plot holes and what’s truly stunning about this sloppy story is that it was written by Robert Bloch, the screenwriter who handled Psycho. Which is a masterpiece of a horror film, so one would think that his skills here would serve him well. But truly I think the fault here just lies in the overall concept. Because horror and science fiction simply don’t mix in a series as intelligent as this and I’m not honestly not sure who made the decision to green light this episode or why, but if I had to guess; it’s airdate of October 27, 1967 likely relates to the decision. Since someone probably wanted to get in on the holiday themed episode craze that television suffered from during that era. Either way, this episode stinks, and it really is the first genuine disappointment of season two and well, it’s best to not dwell on this one and just move on because thankfully, there are plenty more episodes ahead. Until next time. 

There are a great many reasons to love the original iteration of Star Trek. For this series really did push the envelope on a regular basis week in and week out, and I love how it consistently presented the audience with new concepts to chew upon as often as possible, as the crew of the Enterprise faced new challenges that sometimes resembled moments and situations from our world. But one thing that was always supremely unique about this series, is the sheer fact that it would occasionally challenge itself storytelling wise by revisiting concepts it explored in the past, which is a risky venture in its own right. Because such an act has the potential to re-hash or re-tell an older story, something that always draws the ire of a fanbase.
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But this series figured out how to keep a concept re-do in fascinating territory and for proof, look no further than the next episode of the series, ‘The Doomsday Machine’. For this particular tale harkened back to a notion that season one dove into here and there, in that; space exploration is a dangerous business and sometimes there are some serious threats to be found amongst the stars. And it revived this idea by pitting the crew of the Enterprise and a lone survivor of a horrendous attack, against a seemingly invincible ship, one that consumed planets for raw fuel and well… that alone helped to remind us of the scary nature of space. For this ship was unrelenting in its quest to devour worlds and it was quick to attack any ship that got in its way, and while that should have been enough to hammer the point home, the story took everything one step further by offering up some incredibly bleak visuals and plot points.

Take for example the condition of the U.S.S. Constellation in this tale. For the once sanitized and orderly decks of this Constitution class vessel are disheveled and burned and trashed when we see them early on in this story, something that I don’t think anyone was prepared to see in this particularly upbeat universe. And the same goes for the exterior of the hull as well since there are gaping holes to be found, complete with warp nacelles that are incomplete, and the horror of this attack is brought to its peak when we discover that the intrepid crew of this vessel died shortly after the planet they beamed down to, was consumed by the planet-killer, and I have to admit I was quite stunned to see the series go to such incredibly dark places. But it works here, and it all helped to sell the gravity of some supremely powerful moments.

Those came about by way of one Commodore Matthew Decker, who was the commanding officer of the Constellation and his journey in this tale completed the exploratory arc this episode wished to embark upon. For it was not enough to point out the physical dangers of space travel, it also sought to explore the potential damage to one’s mental health as well. For Decker was horribly shaken up by his encounter with the Doomsday Machine, to the point where it outright broke him and drove him toward revenge, and it was just fascinating to watch a Starfleet Officer put another crew at risk in order to avenge his former one and thanks heavens both Spock and Kirk were quick to get him out of the big chair otherwise the Enterprise would have suffered a similar fate akin to its sister ship.

If anything, this is quite the sour episode when all is said and done, and I mean that as a compliment. Because this is that rare episode of The Original Series that holds nothing back and everything we’ve discussed thus far, along with the subsequent suicide/sacrifice of Decker, makes for a powerful episode, one that was intense and fast paced and devastating really and I truly applaud Star Trek for going down this road. For it is just a rarity to see upbeat science fiction take a moment to truly examine some of the dangers of the universe a particular story inhabits and this one, serves as a fine reminder that this franchise knows to tell a strong story and once again, season two of this series continues to impress and it definitely has motivated me to press on and see what other powerful stories await. Until next time.

​If there is one life lesson that we often learn the hard way, it’s the meaning of the phrase ‘it is too good to be true’. Because we’ve all stumbled upon an incredible job opportunity, or a relationship or a place that seemingly resembles perfection in our minds, only to discover that the dream gig is a nightmare, the perfect mate has a poisonous soul and that flawless vacation spot is located next to a landfill. But what’s truly fascinating about this harsh lesson, is that we are forced to learn it time and time again, simply because we are always hoping for the best and it’s also a lesson; that Captain James T. Kirk was forced to learn once again in the next episode of Star Trek.
 
For ‘The Apple’ brought the crew of the Enterprise to what appeared to be the perfect planet. Because Gamma Trianguli VI featured lush jungles and beautiful scenery and well, that made it worth exploring and it made it seem as though it would also be a wonderful place to take a break from the lonely void of space. But it didn’t take Kirk and the away team all that long to discover that this place was indeed too good to be true, since there were violent plants that fired deadly darts into the crew. Plus, there were lightning storms that could vaporize a man and to top it all off, there were explosive rocks to be found everywhere and a strange power source emanating from the surface was draining the ship’s resources and dragging it toward the atmosphere.
 
But while all of that alone should have been enough challenges for the crew to handle, this episode took the problems present in this bastardized paradise one step forward, by having everyone interact with a unique and underdeveloped species native to this planet. For these poor souls knew nothing of life, they simply worshipped a strange mechanized cave that identified itself as Vaal, and it dictated how they were to live. I mean, sure it gave them immortality and a lack of pain or trouble. But that greatly stunted the growth of these people and forced them to do things that a civilized person simply would not do and that frustrated the away team at every turn and forced Kirk and company to get creative to beat Vaal at last. Which of course they did, and of course they offered help to these unique, Oompah Loompah colored humanoids.
 
Yet I couldn’t help but notice at first glance that this seemed like a step back for season two. Because this episode resembled standard fare with its wild planet wherein wild events happen, and therein lies the trick to this tale. Because it really does do a wonderful job of expressing just how quick we are to accept things at face value, since Kirk really did believe this to be an instant paradise, and definitely paid the price for it. Which made it quite nice to see him atone for his mistake and his foolhardy decision by working to keep the inhabitants of this world alive. Plus, I have to admit, that I was quite impressed with the subtle nods to religion that were present in this tale, because you so rarely see religious allegories present in Star Trek and I am glad this episode handled it in classy fashion from beginning to end.
 
If anything, this episode was quite the unexpected surprise when all is said and done. For season two came out swinging with supremely thoughtful and unique storylines. But this one is in many ways all over the place. Because at times, it’s filled with action and adventure, while at other times it is aloof and lighthearted, and it is also supremely dark on a moment’s notice. Yet everything works here, and it kept my attention the whole way through and really, that’s a credit to the quality writing this season. For there is just enough depth present here to make this episode worthwhile for an audience that’s quickly coming to expect more from this show, and while it may not go down as the finest this franchise has to offer, it definitely entertained, and there’s nothing wrong with this franchise taking the time to enthrall us with a simpler storyline here and there. Until next time.  

Whether we like to admit it or not, most of our favorite shows tend to slide into formulaic territory from time to time. That’s not a bad thing by any means, because formula is a pretty standard thing in storytelling and it really does serve its purpose when necessary. But when a brilliant series starts to use it as a crutch and it delays moving the overall plot forward, that actually can become a problem. For it can make the story supremely stale in its own right and of course, the fans will begin to question said tale and potentially turn upon it and this is on my mind today, simply because The Mandalorian is starting to make use a heavy use of formula over anything else.
 
Because at this point in the series, it would seem that our weekly adventures with Mando and the cutest darn creature to ever grace the presence of this saga are getting a tad predictable. For a standard episode will feature Mando and the little one, setting down in a unique or familiar place in the hopes of earning a little bread or eating a little bread before something bad happens in that place and they’re forced to move on post-haste and it really is becoming lather, rinse and repeat with this structure and this week’s episode reinforced that as well. Because ‘Chapter 6: The Prisoner’ saw Mando and Baby Yoda set down in a nefarious place before everything we just discussed happened all over again. Which begs the question, is this young series already getting stale by sticking to this particular formula? Well the answer to that question is, not necessarily.
 
Simply because, the series is handling this cyclitic style of storytelling in unique and creative fashion by giving the audience dynamic characters to enjoy, the kind that oddly enough give us a little bit of insight into Mando’s past from time to time. Since Ran more or less revealed the fact that Mando has been trying to transform his life for the better for quite some time now, and his journey toward the light side started the day he bid farewell to Ran and his brutal band of thieves. And this was quite fascinating and captivating to learn, and the rag-tag group of jerks that Mando was forced to team up with for this week’s mission were equally as intriguing since they each had their own bold and quirky personalities, and also… who knew that Mando had a girlfriend back in the day?
 
But while that alone would have been enough to distract us from the formula in question, the series pushed any concerns one might have, even further out of one’s mind, by offering up quite the incredible heist gone wrong storyline for all of us to chew upon. Because the arrival on that New Republic prison ship offered up some incredibly hilarious moments between these characters and it allowed for big name guest stars such as Clancy Brown (who played Burg) to shine performance wise and let’s be honest, the action here was simply divine. And to top it off, the whole cat and mouse game that Mando played with this former friends and colleagues was quite tense to say the least, and it definitely kept one on the edge of their seat. Plus, you can’t go wrong with a happy ending where the bad guys get their just desserts.
 
However, that little problem plot wise returns by the end of this episode. For once again, Mando and Baby Yoda are on the run, heading to parts unknown to likely do this process all over again and while it is working, the only reason it’s getting a little bit under my skin, is simply due to the fact that there are some bigger questions that need answering. Because we don’t know a thing about our sweet baby youngling, or why the Imperial Remnant wanted it in the first place. Or why it hired the Guild to protect it once Mando brought it in. The bottom line is that we don’t know the endgame at this point, or where this plot is headed, and while it is delightful to return to this universe and share in some wild adventures, at some point this series needs to get the plot rolling or it does run the risk of becoming stale. So, hopefully everything jumps forward plot wise in the next couple of episodes, so the freshman season of this series ends on a compelling high note, one that leaves us hungry for a big story to be resolved in season two. Until next time.