Whom Gods Destroy - episode #71
Base of Galactic Science Fiction :: SCIENCE FICTION in TELEVISION :: Silver Age of TV Science Fiction
Page 1 of 1
Whom Gods Destroy - episode #71
WHOM GODS DESTROY (3rd season; episode #71)
Directed by Herb Wallerstein writers: Lee Erwin, Jerry Sohl Air Date: 1/3/69
ABOVE: Keye Luke as Cory... or is it ALSO:Close-Up of the sanitarium decal
This episode had a great title (from the Roman proverb, 'Whom Gods Destroy, They First Make Mad'), as with many Trek episodes. The episode itself - not so great. This is one of the few episodes which makes no attempt at some social statement or exploring some idea; there are no profundities to be found here. It's strictly a cheap thrill and, for me, a guilty pleasure. Much as I hesitate to admit it, I enjoy the histrionics on display here, all the screaming and yelling and crazed behavior in a thriller which is seasoned with a flipped out tone. It's this tone which makes this episode more entertaining than many other episodes of the 3rd season, which had its share of dull shows. Click here SCENE 29D for extensive behind-the-scenes on this episode.
In the episode, Kirk & Spock enter the last insane asylum in the Federation. The somewhat loopy plot, involving the planned eradication of all mental illness, is contradicted by such later TNG episodes as "Sarek," where-in it's clear that some Federation members still suffer incurable mental problems. We, as well as Kirk & Spock, meet the former fleet captain (a rank attained during interstellar war?) Garth, portrayed by Steve Ihnat, an actor with a strong screen presence who never attained much fame. Though he doesn't look too much older than Kirk, it's established that he's from a previous generation of starship captains, a prototype on which Kirk and his peers based their training. Unfortunately, Garth's seen better days (check out his differently-colored boots) - he's decided that being stuck inside an asylum is no longer suitable for a man of his great stature and demands that everyone address him as 'Lord Garth - Master of the Universe.'
We also finally see the first Orion female (actress Yvonne Craig, better known as 'Batgirl!' on the sixties Batman TV show) since The Menagerie episode - but, oops, she's even crazier than Garth. Marta, as played by Craig, seems simply silly at first, indulging in some sexy dancing, derivative poetry and clumsy seduction, but later reveals a slightly homicidal side to her nature. Adding to all this madness, Garth also possesses a talent for mimicry; implausibly, he can take on the appearance of anyone, down to their clothes, leading to one of those 'two Kirks for the price of one' scenes (see also The Enemy Within and What Are Little Girls Made Of?).
So, for most of the episode, we watch Kirk & Spock deal with a psychotic green dancing girl and listen to the rantings of the brain-damaged Garth as he details his deranged plans to take over the universe. Well, actually, since he's insane, he doesn't provide any details; we're just supposed to take his word for it that a universe under his rule is inevitable. Watch out, Khan! You may have some competition.
However, Garth, as it turns out, is not some harmless blowhard. He's apparently invented some kind of explosive, proved by its use later, and the only thing stopping him from invading the Enterprise is a clever chess password invented by Kirk for this episode (a convenient plot turn? - this is the only time on the series such a password was used). It is mentioned early in the episode that Garth was a genius before the accident which damaged his mind. One wonders, as the story progresses, if a Garth who is out of his mind gives Kirk & Spock so much trouble, just how formidable would a sane Garth be? Ihnat gives a suitably magnetic, hammy, over-the-top performance as the insane leader, though he really shows what he was capable of in the moments when Kirk was able to break through Garth's madness very briefly.
The weakest part of the episode occurs near the conclusion, when Spock has to choose between two Kirks as to which is the real captain. It should have been a simple solution for the logical Vulcan, such as asking Kirk a personal question. Of course, that way, we would not have been able to observe two Kirks fighting each other. The only other explanation I can come up with has to do with Spock's sensitive mind, which may have been affected by such close proximity to disturbed individuals. BoG's Score: 6.5 out of 10
Last edited by BoG on Sun May 03, 2015 3:46 am; edited 3 times in total
Whom Gods Destroy - full episode
NOT-SO-CLASSIC TREK QUOTES:
Garth: "Lies! All lies! You are the greatest liar I have ever met!"
Garth: "You WROTE THAT?!!"
Garth: "She's yours if you wish, Captain."
Garth: "REMOVE THIS ANIMAL!!!!"
Garth: "Lies! All lies! You are the greatest liar I have ever met!"
Garth: "You WROTE THAT?!!"
Garth: "She's yours if you wish, Captain."
Garth: "REMOVE THIS ANIMAL!!!!"
Similar topics
» episode #14 - Love Gods
» episode #05, segment 2: Ye Gods
» episode #07 - Revenge of the Gods
» Food of the Gods (1976)
» Destroy All Monsters (1968 Japan)
» episode #05, segment 2: Ye Gods
» episode #07 - Revenge of the Gods
» Food of the Gods (1976)
» Destroy All Monsters (1968 Japan)
Base of Galactic Science Fiction :: SCIENCE FICTION in TELEVISION :: Silver Age of TV Science Fiction
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum