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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!harvard!h-sc1!guy
From: guy@h-sc1.UUCP (alfred guy)
Newsgroups: net.startrek
Subject: Re: Yet another ST trivia question
Message-ID: <512@h-sc1.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 8-Aug-85 21:05:11 EDT
Article-I.D.: h-sc1.512
Posted: Thu Aug  8 21:05:11 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 12-Aug-85 00:33:29 EDT
References: <7341@Shasta.ARPA>
Reply-To: guy@h-sc1.UUCP (alfred guy)
Distribution: net
Organization: Harvard Univ. Science Center
Lines: 58

Newsgroups: net.startrek
Subject: City on the Edge
References: <7341@Shasta.ARPA>
Reply-To: guy@h-sc1.UUCP (alfred guy)
Distribution: the known universe
Organization: Harvard University Science Center
Keywords: Acting?  On Star Trek?


A few days ago I read the posting which included the results of the
best ST episode ever poll.  I was dismayed to find that I didn't
recognize the names of many of those episodes which you out there
said were the best ever.  Of course I watch on channel 56 in Boston,
and they often don't show the title.

However, last night I saw "City on the Edge of Forever," and I have to
say that in my opinion it is the best episode.  Not only is there a juicy 
amount of sci-fi speculation (what with time travel and changing the past),
but it seemed to me that everyone in this episode acted well!
I have *always* enjoyed Star Trek, but I watch it for Kirk's charisma,
and Spock's dry wit, as well as the suspense.  
I have never been disappointed by the fact that the acting (especially
of the guest stars) is often terrible ("Damn it, Jim, I'm a doctor not
an actor, ..., I mean, bricklayer.")
But the love story is beautifully underplayed, McCoy has a meaty role in
the drama of the episode, and is not just there to tell Kirk "Leave him
alone, Jim, he can't take any more," or "He's dead."  I also thought
that the relationship between Spock and Kirk in this episode is almost
a perfect example of the ideal that I think their friendship embodies.
Even Joan Collins's character seems real, and doesn't look like she's
struggling to remember her lines.  (Though I got a laugh out of her 
accent.)  All in all, it was the best ST hour I have ever spent.

I can't wait to see "Amok Time," now that I know I can have confidence
in the taste of my fellow net.readers.
------------------
On another note, for anyone who is still reading (and I realize that this
question has probably been asked, but I've only been reading for about
four months), why is it that, despite the fact that whenever he's in a 
tough spot Kirk always says "Above all else, I have a duty to protect
my ship," he--the captain, Spock--the first officer, and McCoy--the chief
medical officer, are always the first to beam down into potentially
hostile and dangerous territory?  Of course I realize that they are the
stars, and the reason we watch the show, but I've always felt that that
one particular doubt of mine about the validity of the show needed to
be voiced, and now it has.

Thank you for listening.


-- 


-------------
"But why do you hate me?"  --Lord Foul
"Because you're ugly!"     --Thomas Covenant

                                             -alfie-