Return to Tomorrow - episode #51
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Return to Tomorrow - episode #51
RETURN TO TOMORROW (2nd season; episode#51)
Directed by Ralph Senensky writer: John Kingsbridge
Air Date: 02/09/68
Some fantastic concepts are presented here, the kind of wild science fiction speculation which makes many sci-fi fans wonder about the cosmos, about existence, purpose and so on. In a sector of space where no other Federation ships have yet been, the Enterprise crew come across 3 incredible survivors - the last survivors of a cataclysmic war fought half-a-million years ago. All that remains of these beings is pure energy, contained in special containment globules. Some caution now - these beings have godlike minds capable of feats which 23rd-century humanity can scarcely dream of; it may just be a little dangerous to get involved with such beings, if you're still a simple human being.
For reference, the beings are probably somewhere between the Metrons (Arena) and the Organians (Errand of Mercy) on scale of power. This is also the episode which offers at least some possible explanation for all the similar humanoid lifeforms throughout the galaxy.
The story also stresses the seductive power of our human bodies - the sensations, a theme that was repeated in several episodes concerning alien beings, where-in advanced rationality still seems no match for primitive urges. But, hey, whatever else, we get to see Nimoy act out a sadistic villain; picture a serial killer with superhuman psychokinetic abilities. Nimoy lends a creepy tone to at least a couple of scenes - Henoch, the thing in Spock!
But, these are minor quibbles; Kirk's speech is what probably pushed up my score. It summed up the goal of the entire series, as well as TNG. It may have summed up the true destiny of mankind. Where else on TV can you hear such a speech? BoG's Score: 8 out of 10
Extra Trek Trivia: actress Muldaur returned as another character in the 3rd season episode Is There in Truth no Beauty and then played Dr. Pulaski in the 2nd season of TNG. The Trek shows couldn't get enough of her
Last edited by BoG on Sun May 03, 2015 1:52 am; edited 6 times in total
Return to Tomorrow full episode
CLASSIC TREK QUOTES:
Sargon: "One day our minds became so powerful, we dared think of ourselves as gods."
_
Kirk: "They used to say if man could fly, he'd have wings. But he did fly. He discovered he had to. Do you wish that the first Apollo mission hadn't reached the moon, or that we hadn't gone on to Mars, and then to the nearest star? That's like saying that you wished you still operated with scalpels and sewed your patients up with catgut like your great great great great grandfather used to.
I'm in command. I could order this. But I'm not.. because Doctor McCoy is right in pointing out the enormous danger potential in any contact with life and intelligence as fantastically advanced as this. But I must point out that the possibilities, the potential for knowledge and advancement is equally great. Risk... Risk is our business. That's what this starship is all about. That's why we're aboard her."
Sargon: "One day our minds became so powerful, we dared think of ourselves as gods."
_
Kirk: "They used to say if man could fly, he'd have wings. But he did fly. He discovered he had to. Do you wish that the first Apollo mission hadn't reached the moon, or that we hadn't gone on to Mars, and then to the nearest star? That's like saying that you wished you still operated with scalpels and sewed your patients up with catgut like your great great great great grandfather used to.
I'm in command. I could order this. But I'm not.. because Doctor McCoy is right in pointing out the enormous danger potential in any contact with life and intelligence as fantastically advanced as this. But I must point out that the possibilities, the potential for knowledge and advancement is equally great. Risk... Risk is our business. That's what this starship is all about. That's why we're aboard her."
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