‘Star Trek’ Retro Recap: ‘Who Mourns for Adonais?’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

​If there’s one particular saying that television shows more or less live by, it would have to be; ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ Because T.V. shows love to stick with what works, since formula has proven time and time again to be a successful venture, for fans do indeed eat it up. But while formula brings us comfort and familiarity, personally I’m a bigger fan of shows that take the time to challenge the norm, that find ways to tweak said formula or use it to guide the audience into a far more powerful story. Because those are the types of television shows that truly want do something special storytelling wise, and if they’re successful in this bold endeavor, they could potentially become iconic as the years roll on and this particular storytelling gambit is precisely why I had such a great time watching the next episode of Star Trek.
 
Because ‘Who Mourns for Adonais?’ is a story that immediately started out in familiar fashion. For the crew of the Enterprise was on a routine survey mission, doing their science thing when they encountered a powerful omnipotent being that had the ability to achieve wonders with the snap of their fingertips and well, we really have been here before. After all, season one introduced us to three beings that could achieve that particular feat by way of the episodes; ‘Charlie X’, ‘Where No Man Has Gone Before’ and ‘The Squire of Gothos’, so why not feature another omnipotent being in season two? Because obviously it works, and the familiarity of this plot line was only further enhanced by the fact that Apollo had a powerful object driving his majestic abilities. 
 
But it didn’t take long to see that this particular tale was going to offer us more as the hour rolled along, especially after Kirk and his away team beamed down to the planet’s surface. Because this story in essence featured a unique parable on how humanity as a whole is easily seduced by powerful leaders with ill intent in their heart, when promises of peace of prosperity are sent our way, as evidenced by Lieutenant Palamas’ journey in this tale. For she quickly bought into everything that Apollo promised her and he made sure to show her his softer side and offer up a sorrowful lament when things didn’t go his way and really Apollo is reminiscent of despots and dictators and snake-oil selling presidents when all is said and done. And it was fascinating to see an educated and intelligent Starfleet Officer be sucked into this ideology with little effort and I suppose it just makes it clear that men like Apollo know exactly what to appeal to in people in order to garner their loyalty.
 
Yet while there is a powerful parallel to modern America to be found in this tale, it is purely unintentional. For this was made in the sixties, and that comparison is only available because men like this iteration of Apollo continually rise and fall in both America and around the world and really the lesson inherent that this episode was trying to get across, was that… their rule can never last. For eventually mankind wants and expects more out of life than merely paying tribute to a single person that really doesn’t give a hoot about them and when they desire more, they quickly turn their backs upon these men or revolt against them, allowing for the idiot in question to fade away from memory just as Apollo did in every literal sense here and really in the end, I appreciate the fact that this series decided to take this story into such metaphorical territory because it really did make for one brilliant tale.
 
Plus, it was also nice to see this episode buck the omnipotent being trope that the series established in season one and I loved how it featured quite the awesome twist when it comes to Apollo. Because there really is something quite cool about seeing Earth’s history be tinkered with in science fiction and making the Greek Gods of yesteryear, aliens from another world is magnificent storytelling, as was injecting the message into the story that eventually… we outgrow legends, but not necessarily what they stand for. Either way, this was another pleasant surprise to watch and the quality of the writing and the pacing of this young new season continues to impress and it really does feel like Star Trek arrives in its second year and I am definitely excited to see what other incredible stories await me down the line. Until next time.  

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