“The Alternative Factor”
Captain’s Log, 01020.7. 0826 hrs.
Sadly, I’ve been backed up and haven’t put up these episodes, which would have constituted the last episodes of 2006. Such is life. Nevertheless, The Trektastic Voyage continues to boldly go…
The Enterprise detects a moment of “nonexistence,” and is ordered to investigate the planet which is the source by Starfleet Command. There, they meet the strange man known as Lazarus, who explains he is from another dimension and is battling his counterpart self in “our” universe. After arguing with Kirk and battling his other self numerous times, the “good” Lazarus asks Kirk to help defeat the “bad” Lazarus by sealing both away in the space between universes, eternally locked in combat. Kirk and good Lazarus are successful, and Kirk asks his crew to never forget the sacrifice made by Lazarus.
Story
This is a first for The Trektastic Voyage. This episode is utter garbage. From a poorly written story to a terribly edited episode replete with cheesy, uninspiring SFX, “The Alternative Factor” is a waste of time and doesn’t belong in the stellar lineup of episodes that the first season of Trek brought. I’m amazed it was ever made. And what’s sadder is that alternative/parallel world and dimension stories are so easy to do and are often compelling. Trek would get this right when it would show us parallel versions of the Enterprise crew in Season Two’s “Mirror, Mirror,” a classic Trek episode.
Action
The only action here is “Lazarus-1” vs. “Lazarus-2,” to cop a phrase from the old DC comics of the Silver Age. The action is repetitive and not at all interesting, and other than a few other times when we see Lazarus fall off a cliff or knock someone out on the Enterprise, this episode is a bore in the action department.
Performances
The guy playing Lazarus isn’t all bad in the role, but poor bastard, he just wasn’t given much to play with. Had the script been better, we might have actually cared for this conflicted character and his struggle against his darker self.
Trektastic Moments
Sadly, there aren’t any Trektastic moments in “The Alternative Factor.” In fact, Kirk is out of character a few times and so is McCoy.
Overall
Overall, this is one of the worst episodes of any Star Trek incarnation. If you’re just discovering Star Trek through the re-released, re-mastered episodes, I recommend avoiding this one when CBS gets to it. Grade: F
The episode's title card.
Lazarus-1 or Lazarus-2. Take your pick. One of the many failings of the episode is that you can't tell the difference.
Lazarus-1 and Lazarus-2 in combat in the "doorway" between universes.
Sadly, I’ve been backed up and haven’t put up these episodes, which would have constituted the last episodes of 2006. Such is life. Nevertheless, The Trektastic Voyage continues to boldly go…
The Enterprise detects a moment of “nonexistence,” and is ordered to investigate the planet which is the source by Starfleet Command. There, they meet the strange man known as Lazarus, who explains he is from another dimension and is battling his counterpart self in “our” universe. After arguing with Kirk and battling his other self numerous times, the “good” Lazarus asks Kirk to help defeat the “bad” Lazarus by sealing both away in the space between universes, eternally locked in combat. Kirk and good Lazarus are successful, and Kirk asks his crew to never forget the sacrifice made by Lazarus.
Story
This is a first for The Trektastic Voyage. This episode is utter garbage. From a poorly written story to a terribly edited episode replete with cheesy, uninspiring SFX, “The Alternative Factor” is a waste of time and doesn’t belong in the stellar lineup of episodes that the first season of Trek brought. I’m amazed it was ever made. And what’s sadder is that alternative/parallel world and dimension stories are so easy to do and are often compelling. Trek would get this right when it would show us parallel versions of the Enterprise crew in Season Two’s “Mirror, Mirror,” a classic Trek episode.
Action
The only action here is “Lazarus-1” vs. “Lazarus-2,” to cop a phrase from the old DC comics of the Silver Age. The action is repetitive and not at all interesting, and other than a few other times when we see Lazarus fall off a cliff or knock someone out on the Enterprise, this episode is a bore in the action department.
Performances
The guy playing Lazarus isn’t all bad in the role, but poor bastard, he just wasn’t given much to play with. Had the script been better, we might have actually cared for this conflicted character and his struggle against his darker self.
Trektastic Moments
Sadly, there aren’t any Trektastic moments in “The Alternative Factor.” In fact, Kirk is out of character a few times and so is McCoy.
Overall
Overall, this is one of the worst episodes of any Star Trek incarnation. If you’re just discovering Star Trek through the re-released, re-mastered episodes, I recommend avoiding this one when CBS gets to it. Grade: F
The episode's title card.
Lazarus-1 or Lazarus-2. Take your pick. One of the many failings of the episode is that you can't tell the difference.
Lazarus-1 and Lazarus-2 in combat in the "doorway" between universes.
posted by Christopher at 9:09 AM
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