"The Deadly Years"
While visiting planet Gamma Hydra IV to re-supply the scientific colony stationed there, Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scotty, Chekov, and Lt. Arlene Galway are exposed to an unusual disease. The illness causes those exposed to age at a greatly accelerated rate. Spock determines that the radiation of a passing comet poisoned the scientists first, who then passed it to the Enterprise landing party afterwards. The two remaining scientists, both in their late twenties, age well into their eighties overnight and then die. McCoy can do nothing to save them and is able to do even less to save himself and the rest of the boarding party who also begin to age rapidly. Galway is the first to die, her youthful metabolism accelerating the aging process. Chekov is the only member of the party who doesn't get the disease, and McCoy works feverishly to determine why, realizing that therein lies the cure. McCoy is assisted by an old flame of Kirk's, Dr. Janet Wallace. In the meantime, Kirk's aging causes him to begin to falter in his command duties, leading Commodore Stocker, en route to his new command on Starbase 10, to ask Spock to convene a competency hearing regarding Kirk's command. Kirk is found unfit for command and relieve, and since Spock is also losing his faculties though at a slower rate, Stocker must take command. He orders the Enterprise through the Romulan Neutral Zone in an attempt to get the sick crewmembers to the Starbase 10 medical facilities as quickly as possible. As the Enterprise is pounded by a Romulan attack, McCoy realizes that what saved Chekov was adrenaline, as the young ensign was terrified by seeing the corpse of one of the dead scientists on Gamma Hydra IV. Kirk takes the antidote and is painfully but fully restored, and manages to reach the bridge in time to get a few last miles out of his "corbomite" gambit to save the Enterprise. The rest of the affected crewmembers are treated and return to normal.
Story
"The Deadly Years" is a well-loved Trek classic, dealing with the very human and identifiable issues of aging and the weakness of the human body. More importantly, the episode deals with how we humans deal with our bodies and minds as they betray us due to weakness, of which there is much. Kirk's struggle to stop the aging process with willpower and stubborn determination is compelling and poignant, especially in light of the later films' treatment of the issue of Kirk and Co.'s real aging years later. From "The Wrath of Khan" onward, there is no magic shot from McCoy to restore the Enterprise crew to youthfulness. In light of what's to come and in light of the voyages before it, "The Deadly Years" is a thought-provoking examination of the human journey of life which is the very heart of Star Trek.
Action
There's little in the way of phaser fights or hand to hand combat, but "The Deadly Years" is packed with drama and suspense. From the moment an aged Scotty walks into Sickbay, we know the race against time is on, and it's one that never stops. There's also Kirk's battle with his own faculties and Spock over command of the ship, and the Romulan assault on the Enterprise.
Performances
"The Deadly Years" is an episode that could not have been done without a talented, excellent cast. Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelly do an amazing job of playing vital and healthy men on a downward spiral towards infirmity and death. While the makeup used in this episode is highly effective, it's the performances of these three men who make the episode powerful. Shatner affects certain movements with his hands to suggest the pains of arthritis and also slurs his words and walks with an arched back. Nimoy squints and totters, and perhaps best of all, Kelley brings McCoy's southern drawl to the forefront as he ages and adds lip-licking and a toothless way of speaking to McCoy's repertoire. Today, these men would very likely win much-deserved Emmy awards for their performances. Charles Drake's performance as Stocker should also be mentioned, as he's able to make a character Kirk calls a "paper-pusher" a sympathetic man well out of his element.
Trektastic Moments
"The Deadly Years" is one big Trektastic Moment, beloved of Trekkers as "the episode where the crew ages rapidly." Kirk's line "I am the captain of this ship, and totally capable of commanding her" is a classic one, delivered during the competency hearing. The depiction of the beloved Trek heroes aging is considered some of the finest acting of the series.
Overall
"The Deadly Years" is classic Trek. Highest possible recommendation.
The episode's title card.
The first to fall victim to the aging illness: Scotty.
The aged Kirk, determined not to lose his command.
The aged McCoy, one of DeForest Kelley's best performances as McCoy.
The aged Spock, forced to put his captain on report while also struggling with the aging ailment.
Story
"The Deadly Years" is a well-loved Trek classic, dealing with the very human and identifiable issues of aging and the weakness of the human body. More importantly, the episode deals with how we humans deal with our bodies and minds as they betray us due to weakness, of which there is much. Kirk's struggle to stop the aging process with willpower and stubborn determination is compelling and poignant, especially in light of the later films' treatment of the issue of Kirk and Co.'s real aging years later. From "The Wrath of Khan" onward, there is no magic shot from McCoy to restore the Enterprise crew to youthfulness. In light of what's to come and in light of the voyages before it, "The Deadly Years" is a thought-provoking examination of the human journey of life which is the very heart of Star Trek.
Action
There's little in the way of phaser fights or hand to hand combat, but "The Deadly Years" is packed with drama and suspense. From the moment an aged Scotty walks into Sickbay, we know the race against time is on, and it's one that never stops. There's also Kirk's battle with his own faculties and Spock over command of the ship, and the Romulan assault on the Enterprise.
Performances
"The Deadly Years" is an episode that could not have been done without a talented, excellent cast. Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelly do an amazing job of playing vital and healthy men on a downward spiral towards infirmity and death. While the makeup used in this episode is highly effective, it's the performances of these three men who make the episode powerful. Shatner affects certain movements with his hands to suggest the pains of arthritis and also slurs his words and walks with an arched back. Nimoy squints and totters, and perhaps best of all, Kelley brings McCoy's southern drawl to the forefront as he ages and adds lip-licking and a toothless way of speaking to McCoy's repertoire. Today, these men would very likely win much-deserved Emmy awards for their performances. Charles Drake's performance as Stocker should also be mentioned, as he's able to make a character Kirk calls a "paper-pusher" a sympathetic man well out of his element.
Trektastic Moments
"The Deadly Years" is one big Trektastic Moment, beloved of Trekkers as "the episode where the crew ages rapidly." Kirk's line "I am the captain of this ship, and totally capable of commanding her" is a classic one, delivered during the competency hearing. The depiction of the beloved Trek heroes aging is considered some of the finest acting of the series.
Overall
"The Deadly Years" is classic Trek. Highest possible recommendation.
The episode's title card.
The first to fall victim to the aging illness: Scotty.
The aged Kirk, determined not to lose his command.
The aged McCoy, one of DeForest Kelley's best performances as McCoy.
The aged Spock, forced to put his captain on report while also struggling with the aging ailment.
posted by Christopher at 6:51 AM
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