"Who Mourns for Adonais?"
"Who Mourns for Adonais?"
Captain's Log: 01070.7.
The Trektastic Voyage continues despite being a week behind with "Who Mourns for Adonais" and "The Changeling."
"Who Mourns for Adonais"
The Enterprise is investigating the unremarkable planet Pollux IV when a large green hand materializes directly ahead of the ship and grabs it. Spock quickly confirms that the "hand" is an extremely powerful energy field, which seems to have its origins on the planet below. Kirk leaves Spock in command and beams down Bones, Scotty, Checkov, and the lovely Carolyn Palamas, who is the object of Scotty's affections. The landing party encounters a being enthroned in a Greek temple who claims to be the god Apollo. Kirk demands that the Enterprise be released, but "Apollo" won't allow it, and demonstrates his powers against the crew as they attempt to protect Palamas from Apollo's overtures. Eventually, Kirk realizes that Apollo is indeed who he says he is, one of many powerful alien beings who visited ancient Earth and were worshiped by humans as the Greek pantheon of gods. Apollo laments that the love of men has grown cold, and demands that Kirk and his crew become new devotees to the cult of Apollo. Spock is able to cut through the forcefield and fire phasers, destroying the temple, Apollo's source of power. Apollo uses his last remaining godly ability to disappear into the nothingness where his other godly peers went before him. Bones expresses sorrow that Apollo couldn't be reasoned with, and Kirk agrees, realizing that all of humanity is greatly indebted for the beings who inspired the flourishing of western civilization on Earth.
Story
"Who Mourns for Adonais?" is one of those Trek episodes that has lived on in infamy to the casual fan. It's become a bit of a joke that the Enterprise always ran into gods, and while it is true that the crew often encountered super-powerful beings, they didn't meet gods every episode. The central conceit of this episode, that gods and other divine beings were simply powerful aliens worshipped as deities, is certainly not a new one, though it remains interesting in a science fiction context. Some detractors of Roddenberry's secular humanism and seeming atheism have often cited this episode as proof that Roddenberry hated the idea of gods and God in general, even so much so as to render them simply alien intelligences whose vast powers greatly overshadow human ability. Yet the truth is, Roddenberry criticized the flaws of organized religion more than faith or devotion, and was probably more of an agnostic than an atheist. In fact, Kirk says "We have no use for gods...we find the One quite satisfactory," suggesting that Roddenberry didn't frown on religious belief or belief in an all-powerful being. Regardless, the idea that gods and supernatural beings were really aliens is an intriguing one, explored in various stories throughout science fiction history.
Action
"Who Mourns for Adonais?" has some great action. There's Apollo's growth to titanic proportions, his blasting of Scotty and Kirk, the storm he whips up to frighten Palamas, and of course, the energy construct that holds the Enterprise fast in space. These elements manage never to be hokey and the episode keeps a sense of forward motion and momentum.
Performances
There are great performances all around from the Trek cast, especially James Doohan as a worried, lovestruck Scotty. The actor portraying Apollo, Michael Forest, does a great job as the forgotten god.
Trektastic Moments
We've got plenty here. Chekov drops a few lines suggesting his patriotism for his Russian roots, Kirk dresses Scotty down after he attacks Apollo twice over Palamas, and Kirk gives Palamas a lecture on duty and humanity that is classic to his character and the series. Spock shines in command of the Enterprise as he tries to find the source of Apollo's power, and Lt. Kyle gets a significant role standing in for Scotty.
Overall
"Who Mourns for Adonais?" is thought-provoking, engaging, exciting, and features dynamic action and character interaction, all hallmarks of Star Trek. A solid A+ episode.
The episode's title card.
The giant "hand" that grabs hold of the Starship Enterprise, a classic image in The Original Series.
Apollo shows his power as he towers above the Enterprise landing party.
The lovely Lt. Carolyn Palamas, apple of Scotty and Apollo's eyes.
Captain's Log: 01070.7.
The Trektastic Voyage continues despite being a week behind with "Who Mourns for Adonais" and "The Changeling."
"Who Mourns for Adonais"
The Enterprise is investigating the unremarkable planet Pollux IV when a large green hand materializes directly ahead of the ship and grabs it. Spock quickly confirms that the "hand" is an extremely powerful energy field, which seems to have its origins on the planet below. Kirk leaves Spock in command and beams down Bones, Scotty, Checkov, and the lovely Carolyn Palamas, who is the object of Scotty's affections. The landing party encounters a being enthroned in a Greek temple who claims to be the god Apollo. Kirk demands that the Enterprise be released, but "Apollo" won't allow it, and demonstrates his powers against the crew as they attempt to protect Palamas from Apollo's overtures. Eventually, Kirk realizes that Apollo is indeed who he says he is, one of many powerful alien beings who visited ancient Earth and were worshiped by humans as the Greek pantheon of gods. Apollo laments that the love of men has grown cold, and demands that Kirk and his crew become new devotees to the cult of Apollo. Spock is able to cut through the forcefield and fire phasers, destroying the temple, Apollo's source of power. Apollo uses his last remaining godly ability to disappear into the nothingness where his other godly peers went before him. Bones expresses sorrow that Apollo couldn't be reasoned with, and Kirk agrees, realizing that all of humanity is greatly indebted for the beings who inspired the flourishing of western civilization on Earth.
Story
"Who Mourns for Adonais?" is one of those Trek episodes that has lived on in infamy to the casual fan. It's become a bit of a joke that the Enterprise always ran into gods, and while it is true that the crew often encountered super-powerful beings, they didn't meet gods every episode. The central conceit of this episode, that gods and other divine beings were simply powerful aliens worshipped as deities, is certainly not a new one, though it remains interesting in a science fiction context. Some detractors of Roddenberry's secular humanism and seeming atheism have often cited this episode as proof that Roddenberry hated the idea of gods and God in general, even so much so as to render them simply alien intelligences whose vast powers greatly overshadow human ability. Yet the truth is, Roddenberry criticized the flaws of organized religion more than faith or devotion, and was probably more of an agnostic than an atheist. In fact, Kirk says "We have no use for gods...we find the One quite satisfactory," suggesting that Roddenberry didn't frown on religious belief or belief in an all-powerful being. Regardless, the idea that gods and supernatural beings were really aliens is an intriguing one, explored in various stories throughout science fiction history.
Action
"Who Mourns for Adonais?" has some great action. There's Apollo's growth to titanic proportions, his blasting of Scotty and Kirk, the storm he whips up to frighten Palamas, and of course, the energy construct that holds the Enterprise fast in space. These elements manage never to be hokey and the episode keeps a sense of forward motion and momentum.
Performances
There are great performances all around from the Trek cast, especially James Doohan as a worried, lovestruck Scotty. The actor portraying Apollo, Michael Forest, does a great job as the forgotten god.
Trektastic Moments
We've got plenty here. Chekov drops a few lines suggesting his patriotism for his Russian roots, Kirk dresses Scotty down after he attacks Apollo twice over Palamas, and Kirk gives Palamas a lecture on duty and humanity that is classic to his character and the series. Spock shines in command of the Enterprise as he tries to find the source of Apollo's power, and Lt. Kyle gets a significant role standing in for Scotty.
Overall
"Who Mourns for Adonais?" is thought-provoking, engaging, exciting, and features dynamic action and character interaction, all hallmarks of Star Trek. A solid A+ episode.
The episode's title card.
The giant "hand" that grabs hold of the Starship Enterprise, a classic image in The Original Series.
Apollo shows his power as he towers above the Enterprise landing party.
The lovely Lt. Carolyn Palamas, apple of Scotty and Apollo's eyes.
posted by Christopher at 7:56 PM
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