Elaan of Troyius // Star Trek: The Original Series Reaction // Season 3

[@scottmitchell3641]

Bunny: "Another outfit!! This is the gift that just keeps on giving!"

[@lucasdeaver9192]

This episode is essentially Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew in space.

[@bluebird3281]

With a small nod to the Iliad.

[@josiahslack8720]

@@bluebird3281 Indeed. It was an embarrassingly long time after the first time I saw the episode that I connected the dots of "Elaan of Troyius" and "Helen of Troy"

[@ninjabearpress2574]

Yeah, Mum caught on to that quickly enough, that's how she got six year old me into Shakespeare.

[@robertfindley921]

That's true!

[@SatoshiMatrix1]

@bunnytailsREACTS Despite the dialogue suggesting a one-way attraction, the actual episode shows that the Elasian tears are a proverbial glue that bonds both the man who touched the tears and the woman who shed them into mutual love of each other. Whether or not it was a ploy on her part to fake cry to manipulate Kirk or her tears were real when she told him she wants people to like her, it is my opinion that once Kirk touched Elaan's tears, her attitude genuinely changed towards him, and her character arc from a brat to the head of state duty ahead of her was sincere. By Kirk touching her tears, Kirk not only saved the day in this episode, but also averted war on two entire planets. What a boss.

[@luminiferous1960]

I don't think Elan's tears affected her. I think she admires Kirk's strength of character especially since he fulfilled his responsibilities and obligations as the captain of the Enterprise even after he had touched her tears. She also told Kirk that she chose him - the opposite of the very thing she hated most about the arranged marriage in which she had no choice. In saying goodbye, after Kirk says he has no choice about remembering her, she responds "Nor have I. I've only responsibilities and obligations. Goodbye." This indicates to me that she has learned from Kirk to have the strength of character to perform ones duty regardless of personal sacrifice that she admires in him. Her love for Kirk has made her a better person. In addition, when she told Kirk that Kryton was in love with her and acted out of jealousy, she acted very dismissive of Kryton's feelings toward her as if they meant nothing to her. I think it is likely that Kryton was in love with her because he had been touched by her tears a long time ago. Recall the Troyian ambassador telling Christine that once touched by the tears of a woman of Elas, a man has his heart enslaved forever. What better way for Elaan to ensure Kryton's loyalty to her as her chief body guard than for Elaan to have exposed him to her tears. If this were the case, then it shows that her tears do not affect her.

[@dunringill1747]

17:09 Kirk - "Mr. Spock, the women on your planet are logical. That's the only planet in this galaxy that can make that claim." BunnyTails reaction: 😑 *appears to be holding back a comment My reaction to both Kirk and BunnyTails: 🤣

[@ralphangioli4852]

It’s no accident France Nuyen was casted as the Doman. She and Bill Shatner appeared together on Broadway in 1959 in the stage play, “The World Of Suzy Wong.”

[@arthurcamargo8416]

It is funny that you mention that because she was on the cover of Life Magazine for 06 Oct 1958 as "Broadway's Suzie Wong - Frances Nuyen"!

[@Lynn-u7l]

She was replaced for the film version of Suzie Wong because of her erratic behavior on set.

[@danielasuncion9991]

Yes, tear trap.

[@danielasuncion9991]

She wants to do the spanking?

[@danielasuncion9991]

The whole idea of "tears" being used to get what she wanted from a man: It would be interesting to have asked the writer where this idea came from.

[@jsurace]

William Ware Theiss continues to bring it! (he was the Trek costume designer). The man truly was a genius.

[@leftcoaster67]

As Shatner pointed out. He made brilliant costumes that made the actresses "chilly" A polite way of saying he liked to show off actresses assets.

[@SatoshiMatrix1]

Ever since bunntailsREACTS began watching TOS, I've been leave her comments about the brilliance of the man's costumes, from the standard starfleet uniform designs meant to be a selling point for color television to the costumes of the women of the week. The colorful extravagant to the incredibly alluring and sexy. Star Trek without Mr. Theiss would be a much a shell of itself as Star Trek without the character of Spock. I hope bunny goes back and does a top 10 costumes once she is finished with season 3. It would be interesting to see what she finds are the best ones.

[@SatoshiMatrix1]

23:55 Due to the budget going to the costume and makeup department, note that the 'bridge' of the Klingon ship is quite clearly the Enterprise Engineering set near Scotty's terminal. No additional sets were created or even redressed here. They just shot in The Enterprise Engineering and called it a scene. Crafty.

[@mmattson8947]

They did have to pay for a large decal of the Klingon empire to be stuck on the Engineering wall. Scotty won't be happy that he has to stare at that every day.

[@janneroz-photographyonabudget]

France Nuyen, beautiful lady, still going, still beautiful. South Pacific, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek. All the great films and tv series.

[@leftcoaster67]

She's a clinical psychologist as well. She helped abused women and children. Quite the talented lady.

[@MC-en9rg]

And St Elsewhere in the 80s

[@leftcoaster67]

@@MC-en9rg Hawaii 5-0 in 1971.

[@paulgallagher1414]

"His hair looks like a cinnamon roll." 😂😂😂

[@scottmitchell3641]

The initial appraisal of the ambassador, lol. Bunny always making us laugh.

[@screenplayhouse4932]

Now you've made me hungry

[@BlueShadow777]

For crying out loud!!! How can I possibly concentrate on watching Star Trek!!!

[@kenglasson2920]

LMAO Um yes. Nice costumes right.

[@WheelsonRails728]

What I picked up on was the close-up on her eyes after KIrk brushed away her tears - like "got him"!

[@Cheryworld]

France Nuyen did a great job, she created one of the most memorable side characters in Star Trek

[@paulalexandredumasseauvan2357]

they way he says, "...for your lovely neck!" 🤣 even sweet BT is ready to toss them in the brig 🤭 you summed it up PERFECTLY!... "this is not he first rodeo" LOVED your reaction! 👍☺

[@catman8965]

Back in the early 1970's the book to get is "The Making of Star Trek"

[@fyreflye100]

Yes, that and "The World of Star Trek" by David Gerrold. Both are wonderful books.

[@rogershore3128]

“Round your lovely neck!” Never have four words been said with such venom. One of my favourite episodes of the classic run.

[@CFWhitman]

Easy to see that he wanted to replace "'round" with "ring."

[@yaddamop6309]

Yes, Bunny! I have a Star Fleet Technical Manual. I got it when it first came out (I was just a kid in elementary school). I can't remember where I bought it, but I still have it. It is hardcover in black rubber vinyl with gold leaf on the cover that says, "STAR FLEET Technical Manual." It's old but in excellent condition. Oh, and a terrific watch with you this Saturday afternoon. Thank-you! So much fun!

[@michaelbruno1666]

Another fantastic episode and soundtrack for it. It's just amazing that they would put these together in a week.

[@docsavage8640]

Part of the show's doom was that they couldn't. They were regularly running late and over budget. The network didn't want it because it cost too much and they hated Roddenberry as a person. We're lucky it got a 3rd season at all.

[@kennethlee494]

I still have my hardback edition of the Technical Manual that I bought in 1976, it inspired me to build many Star Trek ship models over the years based on what was in the book.

[@leftcoaster67]

It's sad by Next Generation, they basically said everything in the Technical Manual was not cannon. :(

[@tomtortolani8082]

Been looking forward to your reaction on this one Bunny, nice opening pan up shot at the beginning and blue outfit at the end. One of season 3's best 10/10. This was actually once of first handful of episodes shot for season 3, and was actually the first appearance of the Klingon Battle Cruiser (the filming model looks way better then the CGI version). Also lots of great quotes, including Kirk quote regarding logical women.

[@tonydavis8696]

I commented about 4 or 5 episodes back about when we would get to this episode. Finally! Yes!

[@SuStel]

I think using her tears to ensnare Kirk was what Elaan thought was love. When she thinks he's under her influence, she lowers her guard with him and learns to see her own behavior more clearly.

[@ammaleslie509]

It was decades before I realized her name was a play on "Helen of Troy"

[@mikefoster6018]

I only realised when you said that. Nice. I guess - the face that launched a thousand starships!

[@stevenwoodward5923]

I thought the same when I saw it yeara ago. You did a good job, was wondering is anyone else would notice.

[@randalgelking7329]

WTF I got it immediately 😆 you're a bonehead

[@jeffreysmith236]

your comment is a slap my face moment, DUH. Thank you.

[@scoots66]

Ironic though that she's dressed like an Egyptian. Helen of Troy was Greek.

[@screenplayhouse4932]

She didn't want to leave, but she was beginning to cry and transporter took her away just in time. Extremely moving. A heartbreaking TAMING OF THE SHREW.

[@joeyartk]

William Shatner and France Nuyen(Elaan) were the the leads on the Broadway version of "The World of Suzie Wong". In the famous film version she was chosen to play Suzie again, but was ill and was replaced by the 21 year old Nancy Kwan. William Holden was chosen for the male lead in the film version.

[@jsharp3165]

And Holden was decidedly not 21.

[@joeyartk]

@jsharp3165 Yep, changed the whole vibe of the play. I believe he was 42 and friends with her father in real life. Lol

[@akw141-yy3rz]

I like this episode a lot. I liked it as a kid, and I just liked it more over time. I like the story, I like Elaan, I like seeing Kirk dealing with everything including seeing him dealing with a combat situation. The resolution makes sense, and if you take it in context with other episodes and lore it works. They arrange to take out who they see as their most dangerous rival in the Federation - Kirk - and when that doesn't work and they get bested in spite of that they realize he'll probably be leading any war against them - and the only reason cloaking technology (enterprise incident) isn't currently being used is treaty, so that would be a factor. So, if you care about background lore (which I do) it all kind of fits, and the story itself also works for me. Sure, Elaan is arrogant and spoiled, but she's also basically being sold off into a marriage she doesn't want against her will. Maybe her change of heart with Kirk is partly manipulation, but he gains some respect for her and maybe sees him as a way out of her predicament. It seems like she's been really sheltered and groomed to be an arrogant princess, and it's possible Kirk is the first time she sees a way to act on her own behalf. Realizing she CAN'T completely control him and make him her simp probably makes her respect him even more, and even care about him, but also kind of resigns her to something she doesn't want. So it's kind of sad for her, yes, but somehow I don't think she'll be a slave to her new husband. There I go with my psychoanalyzing of fictional characters, again, but even if I'm wrong at least it's a new perspective. Great reactions :)

[@JeffreyCantelope]

The actor playing Petri also played the role of the Roman emperor in Demetrius and the Gladiators. His name is Jay Robinson. He really chews the scenery in the movie.

[@DocFranke]

Chekov is so under rated. The man never misses when he is on weapon control. Even if sensors and weapon locks and visuals are down, the man has a gift based on past movements to always know where to fire with 100% hit rate. If you remember the Wrath of Khan when they were fighting blind in the Motara Nebula, Sulu, kept missing. Then Chekov arrived on the bridge, still shaky from his earwig i might add, to recieve permission from Kirk to man weapon control. And he ended up literally putting a brutal beat down on the Reliant. Crippling her indefinitely.

[@archlittle6067]

Kryton was rejected and felt that his life was over if he could not have Elaan. He made a deal with the Klingons so that no one could have Elaan and their worlds would be destroyed. FYI, an excellent memorial to Star Trek TOS is online now, "Unification". I don't know if it will still be around by the time you watch the first TNG movie. It has some big spoilers, but is definitely worth the watch (with a box of tissues).

[@loudelk99]

Can you imagine what happened to the klingon commander when he got back to Kronos and had to report he had failed in his mission against a crippled Enterprise.

[@georgeplimpton9429]

My FAVORITE line in the whole episode was when Kirk told Spock the the Vulcan women are the ONLY ones in the galaxy who can claim to be logical and rational. THAT was funny.

[@scottmitchell3641]

Yes, agreed!

[@brianmiller9382]

I've always liked "Elaan of Troyius". Originally, the title was to have been "Helen of Troy" (who, from The Iliad, was known for starting the Trojan War between the Greeks and the Trojans). The title was changed, but not by much, so that people could get the classical reference. France Nuyen, who played Elaan, had starred with Shatner in the 50s in the Broadway play "The World of Suzie Wong", so Shatner knew Nuyen very well. Despite the usual arguments about sexism/misogyny that those who dislike this episode will make, I think Kirk's threat to spank Elaan was great. (He didn't actually spank her, but she threw a dagger at him.) She was unqualified for the role she was in and needed to be confronted. Her tears were essentially a chemical weapon that was as unfair to use as mustard gas in WWI. Her hysteria was not the result of her being female, it was the result of her being a brat! She did learn from her experience though, and by the end she knew she had to do her duty. Arranged marriages have been a part of diplomacy among royals throughout history : You want the money and power that comes from being royalty? You have to do your duty. She is free to avoid the arranged marriage, but she would have to give up her title. The late Princess Margaret might have had something in common with Elaan with her romance with Group Captain Townsend in the 50s. She could marry who she wanted, but the price of doing so was more than she could bear. Not an example of misogyny, it is really an example of the price of being royalty, even into the 23rd century, apparently.

[@docsavage8640]

The idea that you'll marry someone of your own choice is relatively recent in human history.

[@Dracounguis]

James "love em & leave em" Kirk. 😆

[@bluebird3281]

So that's what Tiberius means in Latin.

[@brom00]

That SF Tech Manual is a fun read. It's info has even been used in some of the films and various Trek episodes through the years. It's a grrat find,, it was last reprinted for the 40th anniversary in 2006. I had forgotten that the actor jay Robinson, who played the ambassador, was in this episode. One of those actors you recognize right away because of their voice.

[@chake46]

Bunny, I enjoy your reactions, your excellent & funny analysis, and amazing insight after each episode. You are right this episode could have a two parter to really give a deeper view into Elaan or a two hour movie. (Similar to City on the edge of forever or The Doomsday Machine) I thank you again, Bunny. 🌹

[@joelmoreno4223]

bunnytails: you definitely surpass Elaan the Dohlman of Elas in attractiveness, and you don't need any tears to do it!😏 Looking forward to many more of your reactions. Thank you... your actual reactions ARE entertaining and a pleasure to watch.

[@robertfindley921]

Love this episode! Kryton was in love with her, so I guess he figured if he couldn't have her, no one would. Love it when Kirk slaps someone: Spock in "The Naked Time" Trelane in "The Squire of Gothos" Rojan in "By Any Other Name" Himself in "Plato's Stepchildren" Elaan in "Elaan of Troyius" Anyone else?

[@docsavage8640]

Would be a spoiler to answer that

[@johnclawed]

My favorite slaps were between McCoy and the Teer's wife in Friday's Child.

[@robertfindley921]

@@docsavage8640 Good call!

[@robertfindley921]

@@johnclawed Definitely!

[@toneloc7910]

Hurting Scotty's pride once started a bar fight with the Klingons . . .

[@cleekmaker00]

This Episode cemented the legend that Constitution Class Starships were never bested in direct Ship to Ship Combat with an Alien adversary. The M-5 "war games" Scenarios from The Ultimate Computer do not count, nor does the 'planet killer' from The Doomsday Machine because it and the Enterprise were under Automated control. Actress France Nuyen (Elaan) had worked with William Shatner before, in the Broadway play "The World of Suzie Wong". She also worked with Shatner after Star Trek, in the TV movie " The Horror at 37,000 Feet" and in an episode of the TV series "Kung Fu".

[@royroblox]

I love how much this episode added to the whole starship combat lore ... if you're played Starfleet Battles / Starfleet Command, it's really cool how the Klingons are patterned after this (strafing maneuvers) vs the cloaking and rushing in how they do it in later series.

[@ardvark8699]

The D7 in the episode almost destroyed the Enterprise. Heavy disrupters FTW.

[@ardvark8699]

@@royroblox Once the Klingons got cloaking tech, their combat tactics change.

[@royroblox]

@@ardvark8699 yes and yes!

[@Bubbles99718]

Trek has so many epic endings, this episode has possibly the most epic beginning. Kneeling, the music swelling and the shot of her, 3/4 quarters frame is titanic. The rest is great as well. Always loved this episode.

[@scottmitchell3641]

Congratulations on all that reading you've been doing. You said you wanted to get back into reading and it looks like that has been accomplished, big time. Well done, Bunny. Amazing how you are managing all these different things at once in your life. Amazing..

[@scottbridge9391]

Yes, good episode. Yes, the blue dress she wore near the end was my favorite. This had a taming of the shrew theme. This episode was not as complex as it may seems. The Klingons wanted access and control of the dilithium crystals. That was it. Kryton was the only person who was working with the Klingons, and he did because he was jealous for being rejected by Elaan, because she didn't want to marry him. In response, he sold out to the Klingons. Since this episode had a taming of the shrew theme, it accounts for her big change as the episode goes on. Being with Kirk, she learned about the Federation and their values. She learned about the importance of accepting her obligations and responsibilities as a world leader from Kirk's example as a starship captain. Seeing Kirk spare the Klingons after defeating them in battle also affected her. Elaan's change in her dresses also reflect this change, where she willingly wears the blue dress that she refused to wear earlier. This theme gets repeated in different ways in the later Star Trek franchises. This episode was made before Plato's Stepchildren, and it also had an interracial kiss on a TV show. The kiss between Khan and Lt. Marla McGivers was the first one on this show. One thing that we can say about the women of Elaysia is they strongly value long term pair bonding. We see that once a man comes into contact with her tears, he'll be bonded to her for the long haul. In that way, she was the opposite of Kirk who went from woman to woman. Kirk was originally paired with just one woman, Janice Rand, but they wanted Kirk to be more like a James Bond type figure, which left no place for Ms. Rand.

[@robphillips1797]

As a kid, I was given the Star Trek Technical Manual. My mom even made me a Science Officer shirt from the pattern inside. Speaking of costumes, I always thought Elaan 's blue dress was really nice.

[@adambusenlehner3689]

Fred Steiner's great score for this episode is available on CD from the La-La Land Records soundtrack label.

[@fredklein3829]

Much to say about this episode, Elaan of Troyius (ET). I did have two of those books and the Technical Manual was a key reference book for me. About ET, it's not only you as many people agree with Bunnytails. I think they were going for an episode that would have the feel and success of Journey to Babel. The script, however, was a retelling of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew while still being based on the ancient story of Helen of Troy. As you can see, diverse sources were competing and though the finished product fell short by being compressed when it could have been expanded into a two-parter, excellent guest stars like Jay Robinson helped pull it off as did France Nguyen, she who had excellent chemistry with Shatner after being his co-star on Broadway 10 years earlier in The World of Suzie Wong.

[@screenplayhouse4932]

OH MY DOG I've been waiting for Bunny to hop thru this episode! Your commentary is on point about a two parter. Frankly any Trek episode with a strong female guest star (CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER, the Romulan Lady episode) would easily stretch to two hours. If someone hasn't shared this with you: Shatner and this lead actress in this episode had worked together before in theater and I wouldn't doubt he recommended her.

[@johnbuchanon7717]

Amazes me if there had been trade with Elas the Federation didn't already know they were rich with di-lithium but it was a great plot device. Great reaction Bunny!

[@TFT-JF]

I love how you're always checking out the outfits.

[@JimmyG1776]

Both waring planets needed to find a way peace because they both had the power of mutual destruction. This scene depicted the same situation with USSR and the U.S.A. in the 60s of mutual insured destruction. So both sides had to find a way of peace, as today also with the war in Ukraine escalating ...or mutual destruction is insured. 8:11

[@bobmessier5215]

I agree with you, that we needed more from this story. Either a two-part episode or a return episode. I loved the performances of the actress that played Elaan and actor, Jay Robinson, as the Troian Ambassador. I'd seen Robinson as an actor only twice before, portraying the insane Roman Emperor, Caligula, in the 1950's historical epic film, "The Robe" and its sequel, "Demetrius and the Gladiators".

[@jsharp3165]

Kids from the '70s remember Robinson primarily as the titular villain of the Saturday morning live-action show, "Dr. Shrinker." It was a featured part of the "Krofft Supershow."

[@SuperINFINITY181]

I got one of those Technical Manuals! Such progress! Now you’re so interested in the show that you’re grabbing hold of tie-in materials devoted to exploring the universe it created. Congratulations: you are now OFFICIALLY a Trekker… 😊😂

[@miguelbotelho2613]

I love when Kirk says to Spock, "Mr. Spock, the women on your planet are logical. It's the only planet in the galaxy that can make that claim." I laughed out loud at that one!

[@ammaleslie509]

@@miguelbotelho2613 the sexism of OldTrek was hard to take then and is hard to take now

[@williamterry8316]

Kirk has the option of taking Elaan back to Elas, but this is a very important mission with Uhura bringing him secure communications in person 16:53 so he uses brilliant psychology on the aristocratic Elaan and ✔️ for Captain Kirk's report. Amazing they would permit the Elasians unlimited contact with personnel on a Starfleet vessel before they at least developed an antidote. Thanks for making the episode as fresh and unique as the first time I saw it!!

[@MrGadfly772]

I also own the Star Trek Technical Manual. It's old since I bought way back in the day. The other one, which is just kind of fun, is the Enterprise deck plans. You might also keep an eye out for that. This is another intriguing episode with some great roles. The Dolman wasn't being as clear headed as you are, I think her tears were genuine, but she also wasn't above using them. She is a character with mixed feelings like many who are well written. The episode ends in a bittersweet fashion, as not all stories are meant to end with joy and happiness. Chritton's motivation was just as the Dolman said, he loved her and didn't want to see her get married to another man, even at the cost of his own life. I think you're being too logical in your reasoning (Kirk would find you a rare woman) when it comes to Chritton's motivations. His was a crime of passion.

[@oobrocks]

Making her necklace into dilithium crystals was very clever by the writers.

[@socalpaul487]

I still have my Starfleet Technical Manual and Star Trek Compendium from the mid to late 1970's.

[@Lynn-u7l]

Jay Robinson, who played the green-skinned character Petri, played one of my childhood favorite characters -- the villainous Dr. Shrinker on Sid and Marty Krofft's "Krofft Supershow" which ran in 1976.

[@justinplayfair4638]

There’s a graphic novel adaptation of Harlan Ellison’s screenplay for I, Robot, which was to be directed by The Empire Strikes Back’s Irvin Kershner. It was published a few decades ago, but should still be around. Definitely worth seeking out!

[@idea2go]

Great reaction thanks! Regarding Kirk’s women, I think it’s fair to say the Edith Keeler stands out in his heart as special over and above all the more fling-style relationships he’s had. And of course Carol Marcus, whenever that occurred in his timeline.

[@davezink7944]

Wow Bunny - way too many books to read - my brain would explode trying to read all those !! Never seen that Star Trek technical manual , and I've been around since the 1800s (he he) (I'm 66) -that Troyius lady is like hugging a porcupine !🤪 He touched her tears , now he's got trouble !

[@JulieFreyHomeWebBiz]

Shakespeare reference - "Taming of the Shrew" Which is the basis of the Broadway musical "Kiss Me Kate". Everything that the network permitted to be aired as well. (The spanking part did get past the censors.) Actress appears in classic movie musical "South Pacific". Overall literary "love is death of duty" vs "duty is death of love" ''Written and directed by John Meredyth Lucas, it was first broadcast on December 20, 1968." It was the holiday season when this episode first aired. The novelizations of the TV series have more than could be aired on TV in the allowed time. I have no idea if the writer is watching a movie or the news and uses that to write a story. Once an idea is presented the viewer goes, oh today this is Taming of the Shrew in space. Let's have fun with that. And then perhaps more viewers start reading Shakespeare or goes to see a play. I think some stories were created as gateways to older literature that TV was taking us away from. So I think the content is minimal so viewers want more at the nearest library or bookstore. I have an old copy of the Technical Manual somewhere with a different, less vibrant cover. Commercial type TV was made to sell things in the ad breaks so that the network made money. If you read David Gerrold's "The Trouble With Tribbles" (1973) non-fiction novel you can read how TV was made at the time. A TV writer's craft is how to make it exciting and get it past the censors. I leave you with David Gerrold's page for book ideas. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Gerrold

[@fyreflye100]

I have a great fondness for this episode just because I'm a big fan of France Nuyen... As for Crighton (not sure if that's the right spelling), my feeling is that he was simply motivated by revenge and an all-consuming desire to stop the wedding. Elaan tells Kirk that Crighton had been in love with her, so I think he just had an attitude of, "If I can't have her, nobody can!" Yes, Elaan's costumes were fire in this episode.

[@jeffreysmith236]

especially the blue dress

[@aarrgghh]

i'm one of those lifelong star trek fans who got franz joseph's tech manual and blueprint sets way back in the 70s when they published those in hardcover and who's picked up a few more books including the next generation tech manual by series designers sternbach and okuda ('91). i even spent some free time over the past year making vector (re)drawings of a number of joseph's enterprise blueprints in full color to print as hi-rez posters.

[@MichaelJShaffer]

The Franz Joseph technical manual was a rite of passage for every young Trekkor growing up. While there are a LOT of inaccuracies that have led to a lot of confusion over the years, it was all we had for decades. I LOVED that you called it - Kirk's love of The Enterprise - before Spock said it was the "antidote" at the end.

[@DocFranke]

I also love this episode because it is one of the few that shows some real space combat, and how good chekov is on weapons

[@CFWhitman]

This was one of the favorite episodes of my siblings' and mine when we were kids.

[@MGower4465]

Love the TOS reference manual. Not exactly a bedtime read, but there is lots of information.

[@gallendugall8913]

The Star Fleet Technical Manual has patterns for the various uniforms which made it a must have for early cosplayers.

[@cashflowhustles]

Another EXCELLENT episode!

[@hawkmaster381]

If you watch the entire episode, watch the scene where Elaan is sitting next to Scotty during the Klingon battle. You'll catch a blooper - a glimpse of her looking up at Scotty and laughing (near 26:08 in this edit)

[@markallen2984]

More evidence of the mouth watering beauty of star trek's female guest stars. This is alwaysone f my favorite episodes I think that the writing and the drama is so character-driven that it is unusually compelling. Elaan Is an excellent character very complex and Initially off putting but finally rather sympathetic. I think her use of her tears was initially a ploy but when she let her guard down and made love to captain Kirk she began to fall in love with him as well. When Jim dropped his Orion's belt and showed him her the big dipper Elaan found that she was ensnared by Biological forces As well. An excellent and well acted episode Very memorable Characters

[@EricBierman-x7i]

Interesting episode. Yeah I am guessing many women would like to have the Elann's power to pick and force her intended one to love her.

[@johnclawed]

This was only the second episode produced in the 3rd season, but for some reason it aired after Plato's Stepchildren. So this was the first interracial kiss filmed for TOS.

[@paulsander5433]

And the second televised interracial kiss between Shatner and France Nguyen!

[@ericlewisauthor]

I used to have that tech manual when I was a kid! I read the cover clean off.

[@herbertkeithmiller]

Now you've got the technical manual Bunnytails we're going to need warp speed in 5 minutes or we're all dead.

[@emilsitka9537]

David Gerrold wrote two books well worth reading. One is The World of Star Trek, the other The Trouble With Tribbles, the story of his first professional sale as a writer.

[@bluebird3281]

I first meet the ambassador from Troyus at the Arena in Imperial City in Cyrodil.

[@-johnny-deep-]

Love that book! Still have one in the original board and clear vinyl cover. It inspired dreams of real star trekking in my formative teen days. I've got a set of the blueprints too.

[@johnwood9504]

One book I would recommend is Cities in Flight by James Blish. There's no direct connection to Star Trek, however Blish did write several books consisting of novelizations of Star Trek episodes.

[@walfiend2]

Really enjoyed your reaction, as usual!

[@Phantassm]

Great episode. One of the best and the new VFX really highlight the story. For Elann, the ending was very bittersweet. I imagine McCoy gave Kirk the antidote anyway despite his love for the Enterprise. As far as what was in it for Kryton? He loved Elann so much that his mindset was that if he couldn't have her-to hell with eveything else.

[@aminmalik4086]

Just watched Phantasm yesterday. Saw it in the Theaters in 1979 when I was 14.

[@Phantassm]

@@aminmalik4086 Great film.

[@Eudaimonist]

This felt like a Caesar and Cleopatra story to me with some Taming of the Shrew as mention by others.

[@kunserndsittizen2655]

23:53 notice the KLINGON symbol...it was rotated 90 degrees counter clockwise for TNG and the movies

[@kennethbutler1343]

I think your analysis was pretty spot on. I have nothing to add!

[@smadaf]

I think the Elaan character is interesting enough to warrant a fan-novel or something like that. If you enjoyed France Nuyen's performance . . . well, she also played three guest-characters over the years in the original _Hawaii Five-0_ series.

[@SteveMavronis]

Interesting Elaan is similar to Hellas (Greece) and Troyius (Troy). Anyway, I have the Star Trek Technical Manual, the Star Trek Blueprints, and other stuff including the book The Making of Star Trek (good read), model kits and anything I could collect since I was a kid.

[@royroblox]

16:40 he needed those sigma chad legs to be taken seriously in *that* outfit!

[@r.lyster8280]

I have an original copy of that Technical Manual that I purchased in the 1970s.

[@hawkmaster381]

I love the Egyptian aethsetic, too. I've always found it incredibly stylish, erotic, mystic and powerful.

[@Warped9]

I have had the Star Trek Star Fleet Technical Manual since it came out in the 1970s.

[@edwinlemus8530]

Do you realize one of the reasons why Star TREK IS ICONIC; those ending is never close but open. It makes you or keep you thinking of what could have happened if, if only if...

[@teambanzai9491]

The Star Fleet Technical Manual by Franz Joseph is the first of many technical reference books. I have an original 1975 printing which has a red cover and a black vinyl dust jacket. The version you possess originally costed $6.95! Then there was the Star Trek Blueprints ($5.00), also by Joseph, which is a set of 12 plans of the original Constitution-class Starship. There is also the Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual (1977) which too, costed $6.95. Following the first Star Trek film came Star Trek The Motion Picture: 14 Official Blueprints (1980). This would eventually lead to Mr. Scott’s Guide to the Enterprise (1987) which was on the refitted U.S.S. Enterprise. And then there is Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual (1991). There are a myriad of Star Trek reference manuals, and it is a long list, but it was Franz Joseph that started it all. 19-year-old France Nuyen’s debut was in South Pacific (1958), which was the film adaptation of the 1949 Broadway musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein. She played Liat, the daughter of Bloody Mary and the love interest of the lead character, Lt. Joe Cable. The musical itself is based on Tales of the South Pacific (1947) by James A. Michener. Before guest starring on Star Trek, France Nuyen did 4 episodes of I Spy from 1966-67, where she met her second husband, Robert Culp, who costarred in the series with Bill Cosby. She then rejoined Shatner in the TV movie, The Horror at 37,000 Feet (not to be confused with The Twilight Zone episode Shatner did, Nightmare at 20,000 Feet). She would guest star on other television series, Hawaii Five-O, Kung Fu, The Six Million Dollar Man, Charlie’s Angels, Columbo, Magnum, P.I., and Murder, She Wrote. Nguyen would be a regular on the medical drama, St. Elsewhere. It should be noted that aside from being an actor, Nguyen also has a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. She also was in the fifth Planet of the Apes film, Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) and in The Joy Luck Club (1993) which was based on the 1989 novel by Amy Tan. That film also starred notable Vietnamese actor, Kieu Chinh, (Operation C.I.A. with Burt Reynolds), Rosalind Chao (Star Trek: Deep Space 9), Lauren Tom (Supernatural, Futurama), Tamlyn Tomita (The Karate Kid Part II) and was the debut role for Ming-Na Wen (Mulan, Stargate Universe, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Mandalorian, etc.).

[@quadibloc2]

The fact that one of Elaan's entourage was working with the Klingons... is so as to create a dramatic problem for the Enterprise. It doesn't need to have a motivation explained in the episode to serve that purpose.

[@jimml1938]

William Shatner and France Nuyen previously worked together in the play The World of Suzie Wong. It was such a success that they appeared together (along with background cast) on the Ed Sullivan show in 1958 to show off some of the play's scenes. Ten minutes of your tine to watch them in a completely different setting: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2qlfIhtopeDjrM

[@gordonlong3095]

As others have stated, this episode is a retelling of the Greek Myth of Helen of Troy. Elaan is Helen, taken to Troyius (Troy) against her will. She’s from Elas, which is a paraphrase of Hellas (Greece, in Greek). To the backdrop of the Trojan War, we add Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. And boy, was she ever one! You asked about Kryton, the Head Guard. He loved her, was willing to do anything for her, even marry her to prevent her from being dishonored (defiled) by a Troyian. For him, it was better they both die and the Klingons take over the system then let a Troyian touch her. How he would hate her winding up with Kirk, although since Kirk was at least white, it would less offensive. You can see how racist the Elasians are (least, Kryton and Elaan). As for the tears affecting Kirk: yes, you were right, in the past the ship has always come out ahead of the women in his life. I realized while watching this time that there’s more to the story than The Trojan War/The Iliad and The Taming of the Shrew. Kirk himself is Odysseus. Spoilers! Despite his odyssey after the war, he finally came home to his wife (the Enterprise). One of his trials was the Land of the Lotus Eaters. Odysseus’ men got drugged by Lotus Flowers and wouldn’t go any farther, but eventually he freed them. This reflects the episode with The Spores, doesn’t it? As well as how Landru absorbed the Archons 100 years ago and in the present. Another trial was when he and his men landed on the island of Circe the witch. She transformed his crew into pigs. In essence she tried to bewitch him into being hers, but he was still faithful to his wife. Circe with her magic is like Elaan with her tears. But she’s also like Sylvia from Catspaw, and the way Scotty, Sulu, and Bones got turned into zombies. (Actually, Sulu and Bones both got absorbed by Landru and the Spores.) The author of the also directed it. But the show fell behind schedule, and went over budget for that as well as the obvious makeup and costumes, and this was the first episode with the then-new Klingon miniature.

[@bobbyquinting3918]

@16:15 LOL! one of the aliens looked like PRINCE in his costume! And Prince was not even a thing when this episode aired.

[@michaelbruno1666]

I think it's like this. If the Klingons could have the ship blow up the Federation's relationship with the aliens possessing the dilithium crystals would be damaged, opening the door to the Klingons having relations with them. That security guard who sabotaged the warp drive was a spurned lover of the Doleman so was angry and resentful and ripe for corruption by payment or promise of something from the Klingons which is what happened. His suicide when discovered was a part of his anger at being spurned, he didn't care at that point and just wanted to take the Doleman down with him.

[@bjgandalf69]

William Ware Theiss definitely got a bit of a budget for this episode as the title guest star got 4-5 different costumes with varying reductions of coverage like he is so well known for.

[@docsavage8640]

The Franz Joseph Technical Manual was our best resource for many years. A lot of the material in it later became canon. And what didn't become canon is usually better than what Paramount and CBS came up with later.

[@bodine57]

Enjoy your book commentary at the beginning. Issac Asimov was part of the "golden age" of science fiction. Read a ton of his books as a kid. "I Robot" is as good a place to start as any!

[@mmattson8947]

Agreed that "I, Robot" is a good place to start with Asimov. I preferred the stories that had Powell and Donovan trouble shooting robots not behaving as expected. That helped me (growing up) think about problem solving in real life, where we have to figure out how things actually are, instead of insisting on stubbornly following our over-simplified beliefs. The most interesting character is still Dr. Calvin, who is very flawed, but also brilliant and very human.

[@Stogie2112]

Jay Robinson (Ambassador Petri) will always be the evil Emperor Caligula to me. His portrayal of Caligula in "The Robe" (1953) and its sequel "Demetrius and the Gladiators" (1954) was awesome. Growing up in a Catholic family and community, I saw all the epic Biblical movies. Robinson threw some great Imperial tantrums!

[@michaelbruno1666]

Yes he had a very expressive style. The soundtrack to The Robe was jaw-dropping.

[@cajunsushi]

Thank you, I knew his voice and face but couldn’t place it. The movie was also in The Queens Gambit.

[@brom00]

I remember him most as Dr. Shrinker from Saturday morning TV.

[@jasontoddman7265]

@@brom00 Was going to say the same. He was quite a character on that show and apparently in real life as well.

[@johnclawed]

Now I want to see The Robe and Demetrius again, since I was just a kid and didn't know who Caligula was. For me John Hurt is Caligula, because "I Claudius" laid it all out clearly (and more explicitly), even though I was only a couple of years older then. There is one complete episode on youtube where Patrick Stewart's Sejanus does some of his scheming (and he had hair in 1978!). Bunny just saw Derek Jacobi as a Roman senator in Gladiator, but he could have phoned that in. His portrayal of Claudius is heartbreaking.

[@flnthrn2]

Some classics for you to read. Foundations Trilogy. Then, Foundations Edge. Then................... I Robot (the Will Smith movie) .... because, why not.