"The Galileo Seven"
Captain's Log, 1160.6
The Trektastic Voyage continues with yet another true Trek classic, "The Galileo Seven."
"The Galileo Seven" remains one of the most beloved of all Trek episodes. It deals with themes of prejudice, loyalty, and courage, all of which are part of the universal human experience.
The Enterprise is delivering a vaccine to a plague-stricken colony but has standing orders to investigate celestial phenomena along the way. Kirk is constantly reminded of his duty to the plague victims by the Federation commissioner on board. Kirk dispatches the shuttlecraft Galileo to investigate a nearby gaseous anomaly. The Galileo is forced to land on a planet within the anomaly that supports life. Once there, the situation rapidly degenerates as the seven Enterprise crewmen, under Spock's command, discover that they must leave two men behind to achieve lift-off and that there are giant ape-like creatures on the planet with murder on their minds. Two crewmen are killed by the beasts, and Spock is forced to realize that logic may not be enough to save the day. Scotty works one of his patented miracles, and is able to refuel the Galileo with the hand phasers on board. The Galileo takes off despite the attempts of the creatures to stop them, and the Galileo achieves a low orbit. Spock, realizing the Enterprise won't see them if she even is still around, gives in to a moment of human desperation and ignites the shuttle's fuel, getting the attention of the Enterprise. Once safely back aboard, Kirk and McCoy have a laugh of relief when Spock refuses to admit that he did indeed give in to a human impulse when using the fuel as a flare.
Spock's dilemma in finding ways to keep those under his first command alive is what drives the tension of the episode. The crewmen aboard the Galileo distrust and eventually loathe Spock's adherence to logic, and speak unkindly to him as a result. Spock's inability to realize that logic sometimes fails in illogical situations could be seen as the reason two crewmen lose their lives, but it's hard to blame Spock for decisions he feels are the best for the crew. McCoy's usually playful banter with Spock becomes cruel and biting here, evidence that the writers were still working out the details of the Spock-McCoy dynamic. The episode is a nail-biter because of its dire situation and the struggle Kirk must also face aboard the Enterprise, torn between his duty to his ship and his duty to Spock, McCoy, and the rest of the Galileo crew. This episode also features themes that would later be explored in the Star Trek films, especially Star Trek II, III, and IV.
Beaming up screencaps...
The episode's title card.
The Galileo Seven.
The fearsome beasts who seek to destroy the Enterprise crewmembers.
Spock, faced with the loneliness of command and the prejudice brought on by his alien heritage.
The Trektastic Voyage continues with yet another true Trek classic, "The Galileo Seven."
"The Galileo Seven" remains one of the most beloved of all Trek episodes. It deals with themes of prejudice, loyalty, and courage, all of which are part of the universal human experience.
The Enterprise is delivering a vaccine to a plague-stricken colony but has standing orders to investigate celestial phenomena along the way. Kirk is constantly reminded of his duty to the plague victims by the Federation commissioner on board. Kirk dispatches the shuttlecraft Galileo to investigate a nearby gaseous anomaly. The Galileo is forced to land on a planet within the anomaly that supports life. Once there, the situation rapidly degenerates as the seven Enterprise crewmen, under Spock's command, discover that they must leave two men behind to achieve lift-off and that there are giant ape-like creatures on the planet with murder on their minds. Two crewmen are killed by the beasts, and Spock is forced to realize that logic may not be enough to save the day. Scotty works one of his patented miracles, and is able to refuel the Galileo with the hand phasers on board. The Galileo takes off despite the attempts of the creatures to stop them, and the Galileo achieves a low orbit. Spock, realizing the Enterprise won't see them if she even is still around, gives in to a moment of human desperation and ignites the shuttle's fuel, getting the attention of the Enterprise. Once safely back aboard, Kirk and McCoy have a laugh of relief when Spock refuses to admit that he did indeed give in to a human impulse when using the fuel as a flare.
Spock's dilemma in finding ways to keep those under his first command alive is what drives the tension of the episode. The crewmen aboard the Galileo distrust and eventually loathe Spock's adherence to logic, and speak unkindly to him as a result. Spock's inability to realize that logic sometimes fails in illogical situations could be seen as the reason two crewmen lose their lives, but it's hard to blame Spock for decisions he feels are the best for the crew. McCoy's usually playful banter with Spock becomes cruel and biting here, evidence that the writers were still working out the details of the Spock-McCoy dynamic. The episode is a nail-biter because of its dire situation and the struggle Kirk must also face aboard the Enterprise, torn between his duty to his ship and his duty to Spock, McCoy, and the rest of the Galileo crew. This episode also features themes that would later be explored in the Star Trek films, especially Star Trek II, III, and IV.
Beaming up screencaps...
The episode's title card.
The Galileo Seven.
The fearsome beasts who seek to destroy the Enterprise crewmembers.
Spock, faced with the loneliness of command and the prejudice brought on by his alien heritage.
posted by Christopher at 3:19 PM
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