wix@bergil.DEC (Jack Wickwire) (08/28/84)
This is being forwarded through me to NET.STARTREK. I only do some basic formatting and I am not responsible for its content. All responses sent to me will be forwarded to the author. With regard to "Amok Time" -- I've always thought that nobody mentioned to Kirk that the duel was to the death because it wasn't supposed to matter. Remember that, by the time T'Pring chooses her champion, Spock is almost beyond speech: T'Pau is astounded (in her Vulcan way) that he can say anything. And she squelches any impulse he may have to speak to Kirk directly with her, "Are thee Vulcan or are thee human?" Kirk and McCoy have been given a couple of chances to duck out of the ceremony; that they don't know exactly what it is they're being given a chance to duck out of is basically irrelevant. Spock has asked, in essence, that they be treated as Vulcans, and T'Pau has consented to do them this honor. Being chosen as T'Pring's champion is just one of the chances you take for the honor. With regard to the destruction of the Genesis planet in STIII: there are a few hints given in the movie that the planet's orbit is going bad: several shots of the sun setting much too quickly, and a general impression that nether day nor night has lasted as long as one might expect. With regard to "The Alternative Factor" -- I HATED that episode! It's one of the ones that follows me around. I don't know if anybody else has had this experience, but when I'm out of the habit of watching ST reruns regularly, and just happen to turn one on now and then, I always get one of three episodes: that one, "The Cloud Minders" (which is basically more stupid, but less boring), or "The Omega Glory" (which is stupider yet but has a few amusing moments, if the station didn't happen to cut them). Why couldn't I be haunted by "Mirror, Mirror" or "The City on the Edge of Forever" or even something solid like "The Immunity Syndrome"? -------- PDDB