TOS – Metamorphosis

Plot – It’s nice to see TOS continuing to build on its own mythos, introducing Zefram Cochrane who discovered space warp and died 150 years ago. It not only adds more detail to this universe but presents an intriguing mystery too. 

‘We’re on a 1000 planets and spreading out’ – it’s supposed to be an affirmation of humanity’s achievement but Kirk makes humanity’s expansion sound like a disease that’s attacking the galaxy.

There’s lots of elements that work here; especially the production values and the mystery of who the companion is and why Cochrane is here is absorbing but there isn’t enough plot to fill 50 minutes and so there are lots of atmospheric shots of the planet and long reaction shots to fill out the time.

It’s that old trope of trying to understand a lifeform that is completely different from us that Star Trek does so well. Weirdly of all the Captain’s it is Kirk who shows the most empathy and intelligence to these beings – we always see the best of him when he is trying to communicate with creatures that exists completely different to ourselves.

Character – Cochrane can’t help but point out there is a woman in their party. I rather like the Commissioner, a haughty diplomat who is distinctly unimpressed by Starfleet and just wants to get on with her work. Or rather, I liked her until she starting wailing like a banshee at the thought of being brought to the planet for the amusement of somebody else. If you need an example of how the portrayal of women is different in Trek these days, look no further than here. When she starts lamenting that she has never been in love (as if that is the only thing a woman can aspire to) her character had bombed beyond redemption.

This is the ultimate expression of the Kirk/Spock/McCoy show with only the three of them on the shuttle and taking part in the bulk of the episode. TOS has the least utilised ensemble of all the Trek shows but it is in episodes like Metamorphosis that you can see why they kept leaning on the Captain/First Officer/Doctor trio so much. They’re highly engaging together.

It’s nice to then head back to the Enterprise where the other characters get a chance to make their presence known without having the limelight stolen by the three leads.

Kirk is the consummate leader here, thinking about his people above all else and not distracted by the one woman that is present (when it comes to Kirk that latter one is a miracle). ‘I’m in command, Bones, that makes it my fault.’

Spock rules. He admires the companion for attacking him with an electric shock, and considers it a respectable voltage.

Performance – The idea of a being experiencing life as a human is a unique one but it is hampered by the syrupy dialogue and the emphasis on love. Elinor Donahue adjusts her performance brilliantly but the overdone dialogue and violin strings threaten to trip her up.

Production – The attack on the shuttle is achieved using very simple techniques, mostly good lighting, but it is highly effective. I’m genuinely impressed that they managed to build the entire shuttle on the planetary surface set – anybody who mocks the Original Series could do well to watch this episode and see what they could achieve with far less resources and money than today.

Worst moment – The painful moment when the two women in the show come together – both of whom long for love – and give themselves to Cochrane. It’s predictably sappy and misogynistic, both criticisms you could level at TOS on a regular basis.

I wish they hadn’t done that – making the companion female and in love with Cochrane gives the story a saccharine edge that it didn’t need. Why gender had to come into it I have no idea. It would have far more forward thinking if the creature was asexual.

A reason to watch this episode again – For the glorious moment when the Commissioner becomes a shrinking violet. There’s some attempt to discuss the idea of cross species love but it’s hindered by a plot that is obvious (this just happens to be the episode where they are accompanied by a woman who is dying?) and an ending that is problematic (leaving two people to survive on a barren planet?). Some tasty interaction between Kirk, Spock and McCoy keeps this episode afloat.

*** out of *****

Clue for tomorrow's episode: 

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