Stardate: 3087.6
Quick Summary: While exploring an unknown planet, the Enterprise is suddenly jolted. Turns out that the entire magnetic field of the solar system "winked", meaning it encountered "non-existence". A man named Lazarus unexpectedly appears on the planet and is crazed with paranoia about a terrible half-humanoid, half "emptiness" trying to destroy civilization. Ultimately, it's revealed that there is a parallel universe and two different Lazarus' at the heart of the mystery, thus Kirk traps them both within the corridor between the two universes where they will be left to fight for all eternity.
Review: Whew, that was a mouthful. If you ever want to make an in-the-know reference at a social gathering, just ask, "What happens when two identical particles of matter and anti-matter meet?". Then, as you pour your drink over their head, exclaim "ANNIHILATION!!!". It's very popular at parties.
The first half of this episode is too confusing, the dissolving special effect when the galaxy "winks" is too lame, and Lazarus is too poorly acted. Then in the second half we're introduced to the concept of parallel universes and corridors that act as safety valves protecting eternity and other high-minded ideas like that. The writers are finally coming into their own and earning their sci-fi chops.
It's another cool twist at the end when "the terrible thing out to destroy civilization" is actually the sane and rational Lazarus, in contrast to the insane madman Lazarus of our universe. It does indeed depend on one's perspective. But I have to ask, wouldn't large enough quantities of sanity and rationality, in fact, destroy many aspects of our anthropomorphic view of the universe after all? Put it in the context of American politics and you'll see what I mean.
Also, Kirk's final thought lingers: How would it be, to have a raging madman at your throat for all eternity, trapped in a corridor between universes, until time itself came to an end? It's impossible for us to even fathom. But I might have a better shot at it if the picture didn't go blurry every time they depicted it.
Some 5-star ideas, but 1-star storyline and acting. Let's average them out.
Review: 3 stars
No comments:
Post a Comment