Star Trek The Original Series Ruminations S1E17: Shore Leave

[@eddstarr2185]

In 1966, nine year old me watched Star Trek every Thursday night with the whole family. The opinions and reactions of my mom and dad still hold sway on my opinions of "Shore Leave" even to this day. My dad groaned his impatience over the 20 minute Kirk/Finnegan fist fight. Mom actually left the room. I went to bed that night disappointed. I learned that a bad episode can really hurt.

[@MariahSyn]

I see the difference between the two Kirks as one grew up with his father, and one did not. George Kirk likely was a positive influence upon his son and inspired him to join Starfleet. Without that guidance, the Abrams Kirk lacked that seriousness to his detriment. Anyhow, another great rumination!

[@kellinwinslow1988]

After the incredibly bad news that CBS renewed their contract with Kurtzman to continue screwing up Star Trek it did me good to see Lore do this episode. It's clear that Star Trek is dead now and any hope of it being a smart science fiction show instead of just action shlock or snarky humor is gone. It's clear they don't care about long time fans at all even though they are barely bringing in new ones with the ratings tanking and merchandise not selling at all. I always had a soft spot for this one as it's just a fun time. The line at the end about how the smarter the race is the more it looks for simple distractions always struck me as profound. I also like the focus on multiple crew members instead of just Kirk,even though I like seeing more of Kirk's background. Actually made me glad I have the Blu ray set so I can rewatch it and remember when Trek felt like Star Trek. Star Trek is dead but it lives on in our hearts. Looking forward to Lore doing some really good stuff now that we're well into 1st season.

[@patsk8872]

That should have been clear to you about a couple of minutes into the first Abrams movie.

[@DefSquadFan]

@@patsk8872 stop hatin'!

[@tbk2010]

The movies are about to be released in 4K, including the directors cut of TMP. So there's some Star Trek to look forward to.

[@quasimodojdls]

Star Trek essentially died when ENT ended. I was hoping for a resurrection with the ousting of Kurtzman but, sadly, no such luck.

[@stevena488]

I wonder why Roddenberry kept using the Irish stereotypes? All the way up to TNG, we get the Irish being nut cases or vaguely backwards (besides O'Brien). Also, Theodore Sturgeon. Fascinating guy. Gave us the immortal law of "90% of sci fi is crud. But then 90% of everything is crud." Also wrote my favourite science fiction story of all time, "A Saucer of Loneliness". If anyone's interested, look up the X Minus 1 radio episode of it, it's here on KZbin.

[@comentedonakeyboard]

They actualy made a spin off show after this Episode, staring Ricardo Montalban.

[@francoislacombe9071]

Ok, the thing about Angela. She DOES appear again in the episode, safe and sound. At the end, when Spock says that he is returning to the ship, the camera pans over the entire group of people, and you see her standing by Rodriguez's side, smiling. It's a "blink and you miss it" moment, you really have to pay attention to see it.

[@Werezilla]

My favorite part of the Finnegan fight is an editing mistake. In addition to seeing the Shatner's Stunt Double's face when Finnegan flips Kirk over his head, his shirt is intact in said shot. Then in the close up Kirk's shirt is suddenly torn open.

[@paulscott2037]

Based on all the character traits we know Kirk had as a cadet ie. A book worm, rigid, driven, yet also pushing the bounds of what he can get away with and challenging the system (like with the Kobyashi Maru) ...Basically, what I'm hearing is that Kirk was Hermione from Harry Potter

[@HappyMrGhost]

Your insights are so good I usually hit like before I've even watched anything. My only criticism would be how long each episode is. I want to start watching DS9 again together with your rumination series. You have a serious talent and I really hope more people find your channel.

[@ELEKTROSKANSEN]

Criticism of how long each episode is = you mean you long for these 40/60 minute videos from VOY/TNG era! Yeah, I do too!

[@dirtywashedupsparkle]

Can I say it's a big relief to be able to listen to these ruminations on franchise properties from the days they were treated well and done as the fans enjoyed them, to talk about them in terms of how well they work as story, character, arc, setting, tone, continuity, etc. - and stick to that. A fun episode that I didn't know was so expensive and ended up being a first draft type rewrite. I loved the McCoy trick to effectively make Kirk order himself to rest, it's one that I still remember.

[@captainsquarters1030]

Wouldn't be interesting if these pleasure planet aliens were the same that built the repair facility in Enterprise.

[@SeruraRenge11]

I think wallpaper music when say John Carpenter did it for his movies because they tend to be atmospheric music even if he believed it should be something you don't really pay attention to during the movie.

[@HairExplosion]

The weird obsession with depicting Irish people in such a stereotypical way is highlighted with Finnegan in this episode. Thankfully they fixed that with Miles O'Brien who is a real Irish person, not a stereotype.

[@stevena488]

Even then it took Colm Meany to tell them to knock it off when they got to DS9 and wanted O'Brien to meet a Leprechaun.

[@markwatson8714]

It's not just the Irish. Scotty has the same problem throughout ToS (though not in the movies). Though Star Trek is hardly consistent on that score - TNG did give us the most stereotypically English Frenchman to ever command a Starship ...

[@Edax_Royeaux]

@@markwatson8714 Picard just couldn't stop surrendering in season 1.

[@macmcleod1188]

​@@Edax_Royeauxlol. I used to call him a "surrender monkey".

[@thatryftperson1766]

I'm so glad that Lore got a big laugh out of the same things I did.

[@francoislacombe9071]

Btw, this episode, with the original special effects, is the only one where the Enterprise orbits a planet in a clockwise direction. In every other episodes, the ship orbits in a counterclockwise direction.

[@LostMercenary99]

Despite its flaws this is an episode I absolutely adore. It's just so much fun to watch. Also if you've ever read the DC Comics run of Star Trek comics you find out that the real Finnegan never made it past Commander because he kept pulling off these bad practical jokes up until he was an old geezer. I find that kinda hilarious and I wish it was Alpha Canon.

[@SeeHere2]

The caretaker, no not that one. ..lol

[@fredrikcarlstedt393]

Kirk et consortes visits the Wonderland through the Looking- Glass, and therefore understands the Rabbit- hole better .

[@lancebaylis3169]

23:40 One story I've heard is that this episode was meant to have a Kirk/Sulu aspect to it, but Spock's popularity was getting too much to ignore and tensions between Shatner and Nimoy were starting to rear their heads. In steps noted sci-fi author Isaac Asimov, who suggested the key to Roddenberry's problems was to make Kirk and Spock joined at the hip: that way whenever people thought of Spock they'd also think of Kirk. Which settled Shatner's complaints (for now). But it did mean in rewriting this specific episode , Roddenberry inserted a few incredibly obvious Kirk/Spock moments where they had no reason to exist, such as diluting Sulu's role and inserting Spock into some of the planet events alongside Kirk. I also reckon this anecdote explains that bizarre scene of Kirk thinking Spock is giving him a back rub.

[@jacklnu1614]

At 26:01 you said Angela Martine was killed by a "biplane" but it was in fact a Japanese Zero which is a low wing "monoplane". Biplanes have two sets of wings and were used during WWI and flown by pilots like the Red Baron.

[@StevenErnest]

I do like your sharp critical analysis; unfortunately, I find that lacking in most ST discussions. An early excellent, insightful, analysis of TOS was by David Gerrold in his book, "The World of Star Trek," published in the early/mid 70's. [P.S. I was dividing up my many comments here, as when I'd edit them, I'd get a red, "returned error" message and it wouldn't take.]

[@donovanbradford8231]

This is a fun episode, I do find it funny as well that Kirk is called a seriously grim student at the academy. As far as Kirk being hypnotized by Ruth and Finnegan I would say it's because Kirk has a few issues there. Ruth at this point being either his first love that you always remember or the one he wishes he held onto. Finnegan I would say is that one bully you never get over because you wish you could've gotten a crack at. Also I remember seeing Angela at the end of the episode and I also believe see pops up briefly in a season 2 episode where Uhura is on the away team so Angela is the one at the comm. station. But I also did notice the background noise very cool effect.

[@LittleZbot]

When I first watched this episode and they mentioned the power drain, my mind instantly jumped to the idea that this was a Lotus Trap. A mechanical planet that constructs the wishes of those who land on it as well as dulls their brainpower (explaining why everyone was having so much trouble figuring out something the viewer realized as soon as the White Rabbit showed up, why McCoy was unnaturally flirty, why nobody found lack of insects strange upon their second scan, and so on) while draining energy away from their ship. We already know that this Enterprise's phaser blast alone could blow up "half a continent" so the full energy of the entire ship could certainly power this illusion planet for some years. It made perfect sense to me, and even worked in Spock's earlier comment about all Vulcans having one style of rest as relevant. Most aliens only rest in one way, such as sleep or see, thus only have a few basic wishes, but humans are all different and find all things interesting, so what was supposed to lure them in is instead turned into tigers and bombing runs. McCoy would be healed when they figured this out, actively wished a way to revive him, then either destroyed some sort of power node or just escaped on the ship while they still could. I was so proud of myself for having figured it all out. And then it wasn't that. It was just a bunch of aliens not getting human culture. Still had fun. Decent episode.

[@StevenErnest]

I've always been a bit suspicious about how much Roddenberry was rewriting the script while they were on location; as you mentioned there were many guest stars, and these actors, and thieir costumes, etc., could not be easily acquired at the last minute. But perhaps these elements were already in place, and Roddenberry was writing the "interstitial" dialogue.

[@stevemanart]

Given how much effort we know Leonard Nemoy put into building up the Vulcans and how it is him more than anyone who advocated for Vulcans as repressed emotions; What if that line could mean that capital-R *Rest* for a vulcan was almost compleatly about emotional rest. A time where the Vulcan was specifically resting the parts of their mind that kept their emotions in check?

[@ELEKTROSKANSEN]

Great stuff as always. However there is one thing that I'm kinda missing in these TOS ruminations: for other series you are quite often sharing your memories of watching the episodes for the first time as a kid. These little inside stories are somewhat missing in TOS videos. Is there a particular reason? Like, I know that you watched most of the TNG/VOY/DS9/ENT with your mom and you never mentioned doing so with TOS, so I guess it's possible that you only watched TOS for the first time in full in your later years? so there might be no emotional attachment to it? Dunno, but I would be very happy to hear some of your memories from the past mentioned in these videos. Other than that, it's awesome to listen to, thanks for all these!

[@LittleZbot]

He mentioned before that he only started TOS years after starting TNG, and even then only select episodes. This was one of the final series he watched to completion, and I'm pretty sure he did it on his own time.

[@tobi3782]

During Earth‘s history there was a time period, where the planet was filled with plants, but no insects outside of water had evolved yet (roughly in the Ordovicium and Silir period). So a planet of only plants but no animals is not unlikely. But it definitely would not have flowers, so you are correct there.

[@lancebaylis3169]

The actress who plays Angela does pop up again -- ISTR she's even in the series finale, substituting for Uhura at Communications -- but there's some debate as to whether they're intended to be the same character in that one.

[@grimreaper6557]

i was surpised by spocks lack of understanding specially after even kirk picked it up that even the most advanced mind needs the simplicity of PLAY, for relaxation to return to that simplicity .

[@Eelco_de_Boer]

Summary: The Enterprise crew take shore leave on a planet where their imaginations become reality. Rabbits, Don Juan, a Samurai and even Jim's frenemy from his academy days appear from nothing. Is there an evil plan behind it or... (many funny scenes and with a mild and actually interesting ending, but rarely on anyone's top-ten list of best episodes.)

[@mrred773]

Shore Leave - Yellow ('s good. The fight between Kirk and the guy from back in military school or whatever was great, the concept of a pleasure planet gone out of control is really fun. I wonder how they got in that tiger.)

[@markforster6457]

You missed the best evidence of a 1st draft script: Angela runs in to a tree, knocks herself out and falls down. She ran into a tree :D :D

[@tiffanyshank8837]

I have ZERO memory of this episode. I guess maybe my novelization reading wasn't as thorough as I first thought? As always, you did a really good job with it. I look forward to these posting. Even above and beyond what I do for any of the other Star Treks you've covered -- I love all the behind the scenes information you put in, and I think you're doing a fair and thorough job of analyzing the very roots of something that's grown so far beyond this place. Also I'm reminded of a line from one of the novels -- "Sarek." There's some reason for McCoy to have to cart Kirk somewhere, and he makes a comment that at least he doesn't have to get Kirk's boots off since they're not in uniform. Sarek says something to the effect of "do you frequently have to put your commanding officer to bed?" and McCoy says they've seen a few shore leaves together. That's the level of comfort I picture that developed within the trio, and I'd imagine it happened mostly offscreen if it's already there in this episode. As to the constant "illogical," I have a theory on that. I think it has to do with Spock trying to be move Vulcan than full-blooded Vulcans. In TOS -- really, in every point before the later book chronology or the movies -- I think that every time Spock says "illogical," he doesn't really mean "that doesn't fit with my sense of logic." He means, "that is not something Surak would have approved of, therefore I do not approve because I am a Vulcan." (the ironic part to that is that "the cause was sufficient" is a Surak quote!) So if meditating on the teachings of Surak is all a good Vulcan needs for rest, then of course Spock would label the rest illogical. I have another theory too (you're probably laughing at me by now.) I think Kirk and McCoy already knew Spock was doing that by that point, even though Spock himself did not, and that's why McCoy has a little too much fun picking on him from time to time.

[@honkytonkinson9787]

When I was a kid I always thought I was missing out on something with the Ruth character. I wondered for a long time whether she was in a different episode. Eventually I just chalked it up to lousy 1960s television

[@StevenErnest]

I think it's kind of a stretch to call this a "holodeck malfunctions episode." No: it's a mysterious confrontation with advanced alien technology, the purpose of which is not made clear for too long. If the aliens were sharper, they'd explain it to newcomers upfront, lol. And it was not holographic "illusions," but physical creations. I seem to recall that the Holodeck for TNG was Bob Justman's idea. Anyway, your metaphor is okay. ^_^

[@lancebaylis3169]

The holodeck concept, famously, pre-dated TNG with the holographic 'rec room' from The Animated Series. Possibly the technology used here led to the Rec Room, which then led to the creation of the holodeck in the 24th century?

[@thomaswitte2971]

You know when Angela “dies” it really seems like she just ran into the tree and knocked herself out

[@cml898]

One thing that always bugged me was that Finnegan was described as a prankster, but all this guy wanted to do was beat Kirk to a pulp. What a joker! But I guess it can be rationalized because an all out brawl was what Kirk always wanted. I’m surprised you didn’t say more about the Don Juan bit in terms of how it comes off by today’s standards. The idea of an attempted sexual assault provided for the entertainment of the intended victim....yeah that doesn’t really play well today.

[@ricknbacker5626]

I am left to ponder the filled in backstories episodes like Shore Leave and the Galileo Seven could have provided for Enlisted Yeoman Rand. Did she request to be assigned to The Enterprise? Kirk realizing he has been developing feelings for his Yeoman as she, and 6 officers, are missing on the Galileo. I agree with Lorerunneer. Shore Leave is kind of a 'middle of the pack' episode. Superb rumination Sir, RNB.

[@CabtainCrispy]

I think this is the first instance of the McCoy Manuever: Dying but then not really. Is it just me or does Bones do that a lot? Is that why he's still alive in the tng era? Is that why they call him Bones?

[@rayvenkman2087]

Must be Leslie’s older cousin. Can’t keep ‘em down for long.

[@quasimodojdls]

So, the crew find themselves on a planet where their imaginations become reality. Thankfully, O'Brien isn't around to imagine Rumpelstiltskin this time. Instead, we get things like "Alice in Wonderland" characters, revolvers, tigers, samurai, fighter planes, and princess dresses. This place actually sound pretty awesome! "Shore Leave" is like a dessert - you can't live off of them, but one every now and then is good for the soul. Kirk gets to beat someone up; Sulu gets to play with his antique gun; and McCoy gets to have a little fling with one of the most beautiful guest characters in TOS (good on you, Bones!). What's not to love? I suppose McCoy's "death" was an unnecessary addition and that it took too long for the crew to figure things out. But, meh, it was still an enjoyable way to spend an hour. 7/10

[@athrunzala6919]

Kirk was hoping for a Vulcan neck message pinch ;)

[@catherinetheegreat8742]

I noticed the Ruth age thing too!! honestly, I just assumed that Kirk was into older women because when we met the salt demon (who takes the looks of what you love/find most attractive/Siren style) we see Kirk see her as an attractive older woman. I just thought that it was funny that it happened twice (plus the lawyer lady who also looked mature.... but whos really counting?)

[@Antonio-ui2mh]

I might be wrong but I think Ruth is actually supposed to be dead at this point. Kirk asks her how she’s there and she replies that she supposed to be dead.

[@DefSquadFan]

Why does Lore say "If I were reviewing this...."? I thought that's what these video are?

[@macmcleod1188]

Don't consider any kelvin trek to be canon.

[@deanchristian7774]

Always gr8 acting lol ....don't wear an Ass red Shirt......usually dead on under 7 mins. Yes lol

[@rawlinjernigan8548]

I really don't care about your take on it I just wanted to watch the full show Was that somebody having to talk about it

[@knightwatchman]

I consider "Shore Leave" one of the dumbest ST stories ever.

[@tbk2010]

Maybe it was fine for it's time, but this episode has aged very poorly. The fist fight goes on waaayyyyy too long, and I say that as someone who is quite fond if long action sequences - if they're good. And then there is the "our thoughts/wishes become reality" plot device that has been done so, so often in Star Trek, even before this episode if you count the cage.

[@mr51406]

Another episode that’s only watchable for nostalgia. Meh. I hope Kirk gave specific instructions to the “holodeck” planet’s caretaker that the safeties have to be ON! It’s marred by the awful fake Irish accent and the interminable fistfight scene. Wasn’t there anything else they could have done? Two or 3 other fantasies would have made it a bit more interesting.