"The Conscience of the King"
Captain's Log, 11030.6.
Well, I knew it would eventually happen: I'd run late in watching the episodes for the week and updating The Trektastic Voyage. I was out of school two days week before last, and my wife's birthday and our annual Halloween party were the same weekend. So here I am, updating a week late. But as the old adage goes, "Better late than never."
The first episode in this week's installment of The Trektastic Voyage is "The Conscience of the King," a fantastic episode that focuses heavily on characterization and drama. The story begins with Kirk being told by an old acquaintance, Dr. Thomas Leighton, that Leighton suspects traveling actor Anton Karidian is in fact Kodos, one-time governor of the colony on Tarsus IV, where both Leighton and Kirk once lived as youths. Kirk refuses to believe at first, meeting Karidian's lovely daughter, Lenore. Kirk and Lenore are enjoying a nighttime walk together when they find Leighton's dead body. Kirk decides to arrange for the Enterprise to transport the Kardian troupe to their next gig, and becomes tormented by the possibility that Karidian could be Kodos. He falls more and more for Lenore, and eventually confronts Karidian. The two men have a passionate exchange, and Kirk realizes he still can't prove anything. Lenore hear's Kirk's accusations and spurns him. An attempt is made on Enterprise lieutenant Kevin Riley, and Spock suspects Karidian is behind it. Riley learns that Karidian may be Kodos, who years ago killed Riley's parents, and heads to the ship's performance hall to kill Karidian. Kirk intervenes and stops Riley from killing Karidian, and then overhears Karidian and Lenore talking. Lenore reveals that she has been killing the Tarsus IV survivors, in an attempt to protect Karidian. He's furious, and we learn that while he really was Kodos, he was trying to forget his past and give his daughter a life free from the burdens of that past. Kirk confronts Lenore and Karidian, and Lenore accidentally kills her father. The episode ends with Lenore en route to a rehabilitation colony and Kirk mourning not only Tarsus IV but also the loss of Lenore.
"The Conscience of the King" is the first episode of Star Trek to utilize Shakespearean themes and moods. Shatner's often criticized for his acting ability, but the truth is, he's a Shakespearean-trained actor, and that skills comes to the forefront here in what is one of his best Trek performances. The same is also true of Arnold Moss, who plays Karidian/Kodos. These two men carry the episode and give it its strength. Oddly, Spock is still not quite the Spock we know and love later on. He's clearly emotional in his conviction that Kirk suspects Kodos is Keridian. And McCoy is also a little too far out of character, more interested in knocking back shots than doing his duty as ship's physician and at least considering that Kirk might be mentally and/or emotionally compromised. Nonetheless, this episode is a strong one and remains successful even now.
Screencaps ahead!
The episode's title card.
The lovely Lenore.
The tortured Kodos.
Well, I knew it would eventually happen: I'd run late in watching the episodes for the week and updating The Trektastic Voyage. I was out of school two days week before last, and my wife's birthday and our annual Halloween party were the same weekend. So here I am, updating a week late. But as the old adage goes, "Better late than never."
The first episode in this week's installment of The Trektastic Voyage is "The Conscience of the King," a fantastic episode that focuses heavily on characterization and drama. The story begins with Kirk being told by an old acquaintance, Dr. Thomas Leighton, that Leighton suspects traveling actor Anton Karidian is in fact Kodos, one-time governor of the colony on Tarsus IV, where both Leighton and Kirk once lived as youths. Kirk refuses to believe at first, meeting Karidian's lovely daughter, Lenore. Kirk and Lenore are enjoying a nighttime walk together when they find Leighton's dead body. Kirk decides to arrange for the Enterprise to transport the Kardian troupe to their next gig, and becomes tormented by the possibility that Karidian could be Kodos. He falls more and more for Lenore, and eventually confronts Karidian. The two men have a passionate exchange, and Kirk realizes he still can't prove anything. Lenore hear's Kirk's accusations and spurns him. An attempt is made on Enterprise lieutenant Kevin Riley, and Spock suspects Karidian is behind it. Riley learns that Karidian may be Kodos, who years ago killed Riley's parents, and heads to the ship's performance hall to kill Karidian. Kirk intervenes and stops Riley from killing Karidian, and then overhears Karidian and Lenore talking. Lenore reveals that she has been killing the Tarsus IV survivors, in an attempt to protect Karidian. He's furious, and we learn that while he really was Kodos, he was trying to forget his past and give his daughter a life free from the burdens of that past. Kirk confronts Lenore and Karidian, and Lenore accidentally kills her father. The episode ends with Lenore en route to a rehabilitation colony and Kirk mourning not only Tarsus IV but also the loss of Lenore.
"The Conscience of the King" is the first episode of Star Trek to utilize Shakespearean themes and moods. Shatner's often criticized for his acting ability, but the truth is, he's a Shakespearean-trained actor, and that skills comes to the forefront here in what is one of his best Trek performances. The same is also true of Arnold Moss, who plays Karidian/Kodos. These two men carry the episode and give it its strength. Oddly, Spock is still not quite the Spock we know and love later on. He's clearly emotional in his conviction that Kirk suspects Kodos is Keridian. And McCoy is also a little too far out of character, more interested in knocking back shots than doing his duty as ship's physician and at least considering that Kirk might be mentally and/or emotionally compromised. Nonetheless, this episode is a strong one and remains successful even now.
Screencaps ahead!
The episode's title card.
The lovely Lenore.
The tortured Kodos.
posted by Christopher at 4:01 AM
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