Four of my favorite Star Trek minutes
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- This scene from "The Empath" defines the Kirk/Spock/McCoy relationship like no other. Call me a sentimental sap. This clip is provided under fair use doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research, I encourage the viewer to purchase their own full copies of Star Trek - The Original Series for their own video library.
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Perhaps this episode illustrates one of the lesser known goals of the original Star Trek series more than any other episode.
That is as much as the series was about exploring the expanse of the universe, it was just as much if not more about mankind exploring his own nature, the depths of his own existence, and how man relates to everyone and everything outside of himself.
So the show was as much about "inner space" as it was about outer space.
well said. 👏
Very astute ellisdesign1!
Indeed, the "sci-fi fantasy" genre to which both " Star Trek" and "The Twilight Zone" belonged was merely a vehicle to convey the Great Moral Play . THAT is why all the subsequent attempts to repeat their success, FAILED and always will. You can't use the Star Trek "brand" as a tool for EVIL SOCIAL RE-ENGINIEERING under the guise of false civil rights schema. It can't possibly work. How could it? Star Trek and The Twilight Zone taught me how to recognize imposters; gave me the power of discernment between good and evil to a certain extent. Certainly the ability to detect counterfit star trek and counterfit twilight zone.
@@drsilkworth I think you may need to reline your hat.
@@jackal59Reprimand Procedure; Continue Jackal..
.First, do you have a pony in this race?
ellisdesign1 Yes indeed. Macrocosm microcosm. Absolute magic…
That awkward moment when Spock was totally gazing at a sleeping Kirk fondly bc he thought it would be the last time he'd ever get to see him again.
Lillian Sunshine
Yes, they both had a real, true, beotherly love for each other in all the things they had done with each other, risking each other's lives for each other, which also includes the good Doctor there even though he was quite emotional and at times explosive in his manner. This is what makes the Originsl Star Trek Series so much more BETTER to watch than that goofie next generation stuff which is totally stupid, ridiculous, childish as well as mindless. The Original Star Trek Series Rules!
@@danbasta3677 Well I really like TOS but you cannot say that TNG is ridiculous, childish and stupid. In fact it had many episodes that far outperformed many TOS episodes. You can say it was more silver lined and overly optimistic, but it had many episodes that can easily be considered works of art. "The Drumhead", "The Measure of a Man", "The Offspring", "Relics", "The Lower Decks", "I, Borg", "Chain of Command" and "The Inner Light" are just few episodes which outperformed their parent show's episodes. The list could go on, but that's not the point.
TNG in many ways, corrected the mistakes TOS made. You'll agree that TOS was kind of subtly misogynist, but TNG corrected that. And of course you may argue that a show which ran for 3 seasons only can't be compared with a 7 season show.
@@LonesomeTraveller I don't think was referring specifically to TNG TV show but the follow on series/films in general including the J.J. Abrams bastardizations.
@@jcf20010 I see! I agree with you 100% on the JJ Abrams intellectual murder of the franchise.
Spock miscalculated how deeply the doctor felt for him as well as the captain. Amazing that he did not foresee McCoy's next course of action when he realized he'd inadvertently put Spock in danger, considering the doctor's typical emotional behavior.
It makes sense. McCoy pulled rank on Kirk, and had an arguably justifiable excuse for what he did. He had no such justification for injecting Spock.
This is underestimated, the relationship those two had for each other as they both had a deep admiration of each other's scientific knowledge and skills even though the good Doctor there always chided and challanged the unemotional and always calm and logicial first officer, trying his very best to embarass the Vulcan, and yet, Mr. Spock, through his cslm demeanor and pure logic, always won out making the good Doctor feeling somewhat defeated in his efforts as well as his arguments he always had with Spock. HOWEVER, when real friendship and trust was needed, they both were there for each other when they truly needed each other, always true friends to the very end.
It also seems that, after this, the rivalry between Spock and McCoy was not as barbed as it had been up to that point, and some of the barriers between them had dropped. There is a moment in "For The World Is Hollow And I Have Touched The Sky" when Spock reaches out to support McCoy when he seems to be struggling to rise from the couch he was resting upon, because Kirk had told him about McCoy's xenopolycethemia condition. And later, in "Plato's Stepchildren", when Spock is struggling to gain control over his rage at what the Platonians forced him to do, McCoy tries to help him through it. They finally start admitting their own friendship to one another due to their experience with the Vians.
@@danbasta3677
Very heartfelt and studious analysis. I think the greatest interaction between McCoy and Spock was during All Our Yesterdays.
I agree that McCoy had strong feelings for Spock, but I believe that he would have done the same for anyone. He was, first and foremost, a doctor. I particularly like the moment when the empath realized that Spock also had deep feelings, and that he planned to sacrifice himself for the others.
"Not this time, Spock." One of the many moments that make Bones my favorite ST character. His serenity in the face of such danger... Truly amazing. :'(
Of all the Star Trek characters, Bones is my favorite too.
You just now that Bones is also thinking “The Enterprise can always get another doctor. You and Jim can’t be replaced.” When he takes off his medical pouch and tells Gem that his unconscious friends will take care of her then goes willingly to his probable death….very powerful moment. Quality of television has really gone away in 53 years.
Agreed. McCoy had a dignity that was all his own. He was entirely committed to saving lives. Yes, he would declare that he was a doctor passionately, but I think his commitment to being one was his quiet core. Yes, Kirk and Spock were his dearest friends, but McCoy would have done the same, for anyone.
This was McCoy's favorite because he plays the hero in this episode. Even after his life is saved he boasts on the bridge to the captain and Spock that human emotion won out in the end over intellect. His arrogance in not being grateful that he was saved by Kirk and Spock shows just how self centered he really is.
One of the worst actors in the whole series
@@InCountry6970 - ??
Bro, you sound more like "BAKED One" - that was QUITE the obtuse take on McCoy and their dynamic.
Now get this! Gem is an empath, which means when she touches people, she can feel their feelings. When Gem places her hand on Spock's shoulder, she immediately looks at McCoy and kind of smiles sadly. Spock isn't going in place of McCoy because it's logical- far from it as Bones noted earlier. Spock is going in place of McCoy because he _cares_ about him. Spock considers him a friend, so much so that he's willing to lay down his life for him. But, what Spock didn't anticipate was that McCoy cared for him in the same way.
Basically, these four minutes are Spock and McCoy trying to save the other's life. McCoy knocks Kirk out because he believes Spock will make the logical choice and volunteer him. Spock lets McCoy knock Kirk out because then there's a zero percent chance Kirk could volunteer McCoy. Spock's error was that he miscalculated how much McCoy was actually willing to go in order to save his life. McCoy then saves Spock by knocking him out, therefore putting himself in command. Spock tries one last time to save McCoy right before he passes out, telling him, "I find your decision highly unethical" (Bones' decision isn't unethical, this is Spock's last ditch attempt to get McCoy to reconsider what he's doing because ethics are something Bones strongly believes in) then, "my decision still stands."
Incredible writing beautifully acted out. I love Star Trek.
Incredibly well said, this is perfect❤
This is one of my favorite episodes of TOS. Perhaps because at 13 or 14 I didn’t understand this kind of love. (Long story.)
Consider that Spock is the logical choice because he has more stamina and is stronger. That is part of the reason he wants to go. Bones is driven by his Hippocratic oath to save the other two.
I think Spock and Bones bond over their commitment to the Captain. Not only is he the more important person based on rank, he is also in bad shape and probably wouldn’t survive whatever is planned.
Finally, the presence of Gem brings out the ‘humanity’ in all three of them. Their hearts are opened by her willingness to die for Bones, as she would have for any of the three.
Indeed, great writing.
when Spock invited McCoy for his Pon Farr Ceremony, that's all that matters to me. Dude loves him. This is why the whole data-pelowski shit didn't work. You can't just sign up to enterprise and start making fun of Data. McCoy's banter is more of mocking a collegue who's working with you for years, each other saving each other's lives dozens of time across the quadrant.
Then there's the latter scene, where Gem reaches for McCoy, and McCoy begs Kirk and Spock to stop her. Then, as she absorbs his injuries and begins to cry, it's so heartbreaking.
That beautiful lady was on of Glenn Fords wife.
Kathryn Hays (born Kay Piper; July 26, 1934 - March 25, 2022) was an American actress, best known for her role as Kim Hughes on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns from 1972 to 2010...
I love it how Bones gently eases Jim onto a bed and then just lets Spock full on collapse onto the floor
He’s not quite perfect in his feelings yet for Spock. Being tortured to almost death shows him that Spock is his friend too. When he says that Spock has a good bedside manner he makes up for not helping Spock.
Vulcans are more sturdier than humans !
I thought you get the bends from depressurizing too quickly, not while you remain at pressure
@@kevinlcarlson technically, the bends are just nitrogen bubbles in blood. Guess they found a sciency way to cause that without pressure change
Deforest Kelley once said this was his favorite episode.
"I'm a DOCTOR, not a script writer!"
I love this episode too.
I do not understand folks who hate it.
How much do you want to bet that McCoy has a hypospray labeled, "Spock," and "Kirk,"?
Due to two different physiologies, I wouldn't be surprised.
That would be a "sucker bet". 😅
I disagree. Its definitely "sucker 1" and "sucker 2"
This comment is still amazing five years later
The most underrated and under-appreciated episode in all of Star Trek. “The Empath” is a pure morality story based on classic literary themes of honor, friendship and heroic sacrifice. Science fiction at its best!
There is another: When McCoy tries to explain to Spock about the follies of love. Thinking Spock couldn't understand. It's the ending of Requiem for Methuselah.
I guess I missed the point of this episode back in the day and continuing till now. One of the half dozen or so TOS episodes I truly detest.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends
Coral Roper Amen=)
I was thinking that very line
(Snif) (sob) I'm not crying. I'm...I'm...I'm BLUBBERING! WAH! (grabs tissue) (HONK!)
I can only imagine how people reacted at the end of The Wrath of Khan back in the day in theaters. Then again, I was nearly crying at the end of The Last Jedi, and I honestly WAS crying at the end of Rise of Skywalker.
I’m only thinking of Hannibal lmaoo
I loved this episode because it showed Bones as the brave hero willing to sacrifice himself for his friends.
+kataisa3 McCoy was the biggest badass in all of Trek. Who else talked trash to Khan Noonien Singh when the Augment had him by the throat with a knife in his hand? Who else had the dangling anatomy to inject himself with a potentially deadly antidote for an aging virus?
McCoy stared down a charging knight, stood his ground against the unethical demands of Sargon's omnipotent mate, blithely replied "I choose the danger" at Mt. Seleya, and called out the bogus "god" of Sha'Ka'Ree after it had leveled Kirk and Spock.
Courage is a function of compassion, and McCoy embodied compassion, albeit of a cantankerous variety.
+FreedomZealot This scene reminded me of the one in "Miri" that you referenced. Very powerful, both of them, showing Bone's ability and willingness to sacrifice when the chips are down.
Not to mention, when he had thought the entity before them was really 'The Almighty' and it smoted Kirk and then Spock, before questioning if Bones believed it was God, and he stands up, all defiant and steady, telling it, "I doubt any god who inflicts pain for his own pleasure". That man was the most under-rated, bad-arse villain-effer in the Trek universe.
Gimme a South populated by men like this...and America would be a hell of a lot better.
Yes. Bones was the physically weaker of the three men by far. But willing to lay down his life for his friends. There is no more noble act than that of self-sacrifice.
It was, and still is, amazing to me how the actress who played Gem could display so many emotions and feelings without saying a word. We saw the depth of Love, the bonds of Selflessness and the Strength of Friendship these three had for each other in her eyes, the expression on her face, the way she held herself; even the way she touched each of them individually. All of this without saying a single word or uttering a sound.
Yeah, she’s wonderful.
Totally agree with you William, when I first saw this episode I was seven years old & understood what Kirk, Spock & McCoy meant to each other. Kathryn Hays was brilliant as the Empath.
Magnificent acting by Hays that brought this episode to life without a word.
This episode absolutely ruins me every time I see it. I'm a large brown guy who can bench-press nearly a quarter-ton, and it leaves me blubbering like a child. I've told my six kids, "You can't watch this with me, because you shouldn't see daddy cry."
same here its close to the end that hits me the hardest at the end were the vians say farewell just before leaving with gem in her weakest state.
peace freedom you are alone it makes me cry too!
FreedomZealot i feel u bro me too i love it!
FreedomZealot actually they need to see daddy cry
We are all in the same boat about this episode. I think the music is what hits you the hardest about it.
Love when she touches Spock and looks confused...at first. Then she realizes.
Spot on. Gem, being an empath could read a person's heart and emotions.The look on her face while touching Spock says it all about his heart and what he feels deep down for his Captain and friend.
This is a very underrated episode. I've always loved this episode so much that I would put it in my top ten personal favorite TOS episodes. :)
My favorite episode.
@@rconger24 Mine too.
:)
Really? This is my least favorite episode. And no need for any snide replies. It's just my opinion. :)
@@dnac1899,no judgment, except to ask: you really dislike this episode more than such clunkers as "And The Children Shall Lead", "The Way to Eden", "Spock's Brain", and "Turnabout Intruder"? Wow.
As a kid watching this, the background was "dark and murky". As an adult watching later I realized there was NO background (black sheets? dark room?) and that the whole episode was like a stage play done with minimalist props. One of the most memorable/favorite episodes for me.
Same
NBC slashed their budget but they managed to cleverly use that negative into a wonderful and emotional story.
Kathryn Hays spoke no words in this entire episode yet you knew exactly what she was thinking and how she felt. Remarkable actress. She was beautiful then and she still is today, after decades as a soap opera actress.
I am glad that someone else remembers her from her acting stint in soap operas.
Now I understand better the meaning of this scene. Gem observes what's happening between Spock and McCoy, their intention to sacrifice themselves to save the other, so she puts a hand on Spock's shoulder to understand better.
But in this relationship the writers would have never ruled out Kirk (much less Spock, who watches his friend one last time as a farewell). What Gem catches in that moment is the loving relationship among all three. So it's not only between Spock and Kirk or Spock and Bones; the particular relationship is among the Trio.
"Your actions were spontaneous. Everything that is truest and best in all species of beings has been revealed by you. Those are the qualities that make a civilization worthy to survive. "
Ya hear that Q? JFC, these powerful cosmic aliens need some kind of message system, would save a lot of trouble!
When Gem puts her hand on Spock's shoulder, she feels the humanity in him, and you see it in her expression. One of many beautiful moments from Star Trek TOS.
I also like how Spock tends to look away from her; he just does not get her and finds her presence disturbing.
@@Talba007I think Spock does understand her. Her presence is not disturbing but it does show Spock a side of himself that he is trying to suppress. He (Spock) is the only one of the three who tries not to look her in the face. He is afraid(?) of what he’ll see of himself in her eyes.
First who is cutting a pound of onions? I’m in tears watching even this small segment. This almost should have been the last episode. It shows the deep love, respect and friendship that they had for each other. McCoy knows he is going to die and that he has to save his friends. Powerful episode produced on a 100 budget but that’s what makes it great. We will never see television like this again. Glad Bones has this for us to remember him by.
2:54 .. Gem realises how much Spock loves and cares for his captain...beautiful 💖💖💖
Vulcan emotional supression means shit to someone who can feel everything. :)
I wish I had hyposprays that I could use to stop my friends from making choices that would harm themselves....
I wish my friends had hyposprays that they could use to keep me from making such choices.
TheCleverArachnid If my soon-to-be-a-doctor-graduate friend had a hypospray for every situation I was in that would get me hurt, I'd be in a coma until I'd die.
me too.
So much in Spock's reaction to being drugged, all at once. (1) This is mutiny. (2) The doctor is sacrificing himself for me. (3) The doctor outsmarted me, and even though he did the same thing one minute ago, I did not see it coming and should have.
Yes, Spock should have! 😒
Even if he was disturbed and paying attention as usual, Spock would still have known Bones well enough to keep an eye on him.
Poor writing. 😒
I hadn't watched The Empath in some time and watched it last night. I had forgotten what a powerful episode it was and loved how it showed the true friendship shared by Kirk, Spock & McCoy.
"Greater love hath no
man than this, that a
man lay down his life
for his friends." John 15:13
~ The Bible - American
Standard Version
Thank you for sharing.
So much is expressed with no dialog.
I believe that this episode to be a work of art capable of
healing ones spirit.
+Pedro Serrano The moment where Spock sits down beside the sleeping Kirk and looks at him with absolute pity and compassion and yes, love, and then realises Gem is watching him and immediately switches his human side off - she could see right through what he always worked so hard to hide. You get glimpses of it here and there throughout the episodes, sometimes it is McCoy that he watches. He always hotly claims to not be able to understand their human emotions but the truth is that he understands completely, but cannot admit it. Watch the episodes again and notice how many little side-long looks there are between the three of them - that is what makes them such effective actors.
+Pedro Serrano I'm told that this episode was written by a professing Christian, which would explain the extensive emphasis on sacrifice for others.
+rredhawk Yes, the entire episode is a Christian allegory.
+Finn McCool I think the story of the pearl of great price as alluded to by Scotty at the end is also a Bible story.
I googled, "pearl of great price and indeed. "The Parable of the Pearl (also called the Pearl of Great Price) is one of the parables of Jesus. It appears in Matthew 13:45-46 and illustrates the great value of the Kingdom of Heaven."
Their mutual bonds of affection and love hold them together even in the bleakest,most inhospitable environments and enabled them to survive tough situations.Their remarkable willingness to sacrifice their lives for one another shows that despite our technological complexities simple humanity and pure,genuine ,warm human feelings are the hardest and most difficult concepts to reproduce successfully and are more elusive today than ever!
Your statements are so profound and true
This is why the Original Star Trek Series is much more superior than that next generation stuff. Originsl Star Trek Series Rules!
I love bones so much!
almost as much as spock loves kirk
Same!
But you're right, I don't think you can ever love someone as much as Kirk and Spock love each other😏
I will *never* understand those who consider this one of the worst, or even the worst episode of TOS. It's always been in my top 10, possibly even top 5 (it's certainly the peak of the third season). "The Empath" is an extraordinary tale that crystallizes what made the K/S/Mc triad so magical. Add in the starkly minimalist black sets, the incredible musical score, and Hays' astonishing performance and you get one of the most moving episodes I've ever seen on TV. It's truly baffling to read the bad reviews of this one, I don't get it at all. Sure, I can see why "And The Children Shall Lead" sucks, but THIS? SMH At least most of the comments here seem to understand why this is so transcendent.
Agree. It continues to astonish me, as well.
Yep, it’s a hidden gem. I haven’t seen anything like it in the other Star Trek shows I’ve watched and it has the best Spock-McCoy moment in the show.
I feel like it ranks so low for some people because much of the story's concept/ setup makes little sense when examined in any depth. Like the powerful aliens randomly selecting one specimen to have to prove herself for her entire species while also not telling her how or why to do so, kidnapping random people to be props in these tests... it's a lot to just accept. Even if in the story they are morally wrong, it's hard to see them as a species with super high intellect and low empathy when again the actual plan is kind of stupid. Also by the climax it felt like we were going slightly off the rails and then the seemingly unresolveable conflict is resolved almost immediately.
However, the character work and storytelling is so so so good that I just ignore it. It's not like Star Trek in general wasn't known for insane stuff happening basically all the time. Gem touching our regulated, repressed Spock's shoulder and instantly understanding what love is? Literally some of the best stuff that ever happened on the show. The music and her expression when she understands what it means to love someone so deeply that you will sacrifice for them, that was remarkable. This episode was so good for developing our two supporting leads.
@@ryangriffin5362 the way I see the plot setup, yes I agree that it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense on the surface--BUT we already have plenty of experience on our own planet of scientists conducting cold, heartless, and seemingly nonsensical "experiments" even when they should know better that the setup of their experiment is flawed. I'm thinking in particular of a lot of experiments done with animals, although things like the Tuskegee Experiment also come to mind--when you read through the details of that one, it's like "HUH?" in terms of what the scientists expected to get out of that one, or why they chose to go *that* route when there were less traumatic ways they could have got their answers. Sometimes these people just have sadist tendencies, and I don't see why aliens couldn't also (especially ones like we see on Star Trek, which were/are often used as metaphorical stand-ins for comments on humanity).
Also, I believe that the reason why the aliens didn't reveal to Gem everything they were doing is that they needed her to accept the premise as really happening in order to get a "pure", truly innate response from her that wouldn't be tainted by knowing it was all just an experiment (the aliens mention something like this to Kirk at one point). I'm not exactly sure why they thought that her sole actions would be representative of the entirety of her people, but perhaps that's something they knew about her race (ie. that they all shared an innate collective morality). In any case the setup is admittedly shaky but again, we literally get these kinds of shaky, WTF? experiments all the time in reality, even (and sometimes even especially) from highly intelligent people who should know better.
In any case I think you'd probably agree that if we were to always to trash an episode merely for a few plot holes, we'd have to do that to 90% of the episodes, LOL. You make a great point, which I completely agree with, that it's the emotions, the visual design and overall "vibe" this episode puts out that totally transcends any plot holes. Honestly, though, I've never really heard any specific reasons (good ones or otherwise!) given by the episode's haters as to why they believe it's so awful. I know some say they don't like the torture element, and yes, I've heard a few things about the sensibility of the plot setup. But man, how one could dismiss the episode that has a scene as powerful as the one clipped here--with the stark visual setup, the haunting music, the acting, the realization of what's at stake for these characters--I'd have to ask, "do you have a soul?!?"
It's an outlier episode - one that gives the creatives a chance to not just stretch a bit but also stretch the audience. THE PRISONER's "Living In Harmony" (s1e14) is like that.
My favorite episode of all. It never ages. Love and the sacrifice because we care.
My favorite episode as well!
What made the original Star Trek series was the relationships between the characters, the sci fi themes were incidental to that. That's what the subsequent series lacked-they had relationships between the characters but it lacked depth and sincerity.
That's it! Incidentally. How well said!
This episode taught me, as kid of eight or nine, what the meaning of friendship, loyalty and, frankly, love really was. It also taught me about self-sacrifice and honor. These characters were such wonderful teachers on an array of topics including Spock's approach to a situation with logic and Bone's with heart and old fashion human emotion. Kirk, always trying to be the moderator and wise older brother making the choice between the two approaches. So very grateful for this show and Star Trek in general (except Discovery because lizard Klingons, just why?).
Even if they agree on something, Spock and Bones have to do it disagreeing *rolling eyes*
Absolutely agree. The totality of the relationship among these three is shown in just these 4 min. Brilliant.
The Empath is one of my top 5 TOS episodes. That in it self is amazing because it’s from the very lack luster third season! I love Gem and wish we could know more about her. It would have been nice if there was a follow up on her an McCoy! I think they had a few sparks going there. The actress who plays her is so gorgeous!!! Just the epitome of the Sixties idea of beauty! Love this.
My favorite episode.
they can do so much with so so little
amazing
Good writing, decent acting, and good direction can make up for low budget visual effects.
This is one of my favorite episodes. What I like about the original series is that many times all there technology can't get them out of the trouble they are in and they have to rely on their personal strengths.
a million times better than all these cgi crapfests nowadays.
This was always my favorite too. True love. May we all find such a thing.
I heard they had to reshoot several scenes because the woman forgot her lines.
Now *that's* funny!
I see lots of criticism of this episode on-line, but I am with you all the way. We love TOS, because we love the characters, and this episode especially gives us reason to do so.
This episode expresses the uttermost lack of funding the producers of TOS was willing to spend on special effects. That was, "zero". In case you don't under stand the word "zero funds for productions" let me use another word. Let's call that word "Nada". Just look at he lack of special effects which were (not spent) on this particular episode. Despite its good artistic demonstration, the lack of spending any significant amount of money on "Artistic work" really demonstrates how much the "Desilu Productions" were willing to spend valuable resources on a third year TV series that was presumed to become a piece of history that would have fallen into the doldrums of deposited into the wasteland of TV history.
Man, where they wrong. The final films were saved and were sold by "Desilu productions" into what was later known as "syndication". That was the code word for other companies to purchase a "lost cause" and use it as the time because they purchased it to their advantage. Nobody knew that the "syndicated version of "Star Trek" would have such a loyal following during the early to mid 1970s. It was only after the "syndication version" of the DesiLue version of the original Series did TOS suddenly take off.
I'm a prime witness to this. I was a first time 16 years old kid who watched the original TV series of "Star Trek" sitting next to a TV with my dad. My dad and I were the original "addicts" of "TOS" before the term was ever recognized. But later, after I went to college from 1970 to 1974, my Dad and I became TOS addicts from the original show, before any CGI was ever introduced into the mix.
Now, 50 years later, I still watch TOS on Netflix. I remember my dad watching the original series with me but without the CG effects.
Everytime I watch the Netflix version of TOS, I imagine my dad sitting next to me watching the original series.
Most of all, I recall my dad commenting on the mistakes the producers made during the original series. We would laugh together because we never would have dreamed that what we were watching would become the ICON of future Sci-Fi movies.
I miss you Dad. I hope from where you are now you are able to correct the mistakes the producers and writers made.
The Empath is one of the best Star Trek episodes. Very clever writing/story line.
I've always thought of the three representing Freud's schema: McCoy as the Id: Spock as the Superego; Kirk as the Ego.
Glad I'm not the only one who saw this. I made almost the exact same comment you did here on another Trek thread a while back.
Kirk is the Id-- he is the childlike one full of wonder the other two have to run after to keep safe.
Thing is McCoy is a very empathetic character...not something I associate with the ID...having said that...good call!
@@starguy2718 None, he was referring to the Triumvirate, Kirk/McCoy/Spock
J’aime beaucoup les commentaires ci dessous
Pour ma part j’adore le moment où Gemme , qui ressent la personne à travers le touché , pose la main sur l’épaule de Spock,
Son visage magnifique reflète , la bonté ,l’empathie et bien d’autres sentiments
En fait tout ce qui est Spock.
Cet épisode a beaucoup d’importance et d’intérêt
Car il nous montre la véritable nature des trois amis
Love star trek original pour toujours
Thank you, I agree.
Kathryn Hays ... one of the ... oh, heck .. THE BEST actor ever to appear as a guest star on Star Trek. May she rest in peace.
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
It is rare to find two people who feel this way about each other. But to find THREE of them together at the same time is possibly the greatest sign of affection and concern for the others than anything else. Bones felt sympathy over Kirk's physical condition, knowing Kirk planned to give himself up all along. When Spock said that he would do the same thing, Bones knew what he had to do to prevent it. And the tear from the woman shows that while unable to communicate the understanding of what all three men were thinking, she knew how each one felt. Just look at how she smiled upon touching Spock. She felt Spock's love and friendship for each of the men, and knew that his decision wasn't based on simple "logic" but on his emotions being covered by "logic".
This was always one of my favorite episodes. It made such an impression on me when I was young that whenever I get that "what super-power would you like to have?" question on questionnaires, I invariably said, "the power to heal." :)
Everything about this episode is way beyond its time...hell, it's way beyond _today's_ time, considering the recent GermanWings tragedy. We need a system that openly questions and/or negates suicidal/homicidal flightpath instructions. Or am I simply being too reactionary?
A beautiful and moving episode. This episode gets me teary eyed all the time.
Also a fantastic scoring to this episode.
One of the prettier score in Star Trek! Sadly used in other episodes (Requium for Methuselah for one) makes me upset when they use it in other episodes, this is Gem's Theme!
When I was a child this was one of my least favorite episodes. Now it is one of my true favorites.
Completely agree. The bond between the three friends has never been truly duplicated in any other Trek. I also love the Tableau image of the three in the darkness. Tidbits of what made Star Trek so special.
This episode has such a unique style! They probably had the black background because of budget cuts but it produces this kind of dreamlike quality and it kind of looks like it’s set on a stage!
Rather Lost in Space-like. Even the freezing tubes!
RIP DeForest Kelley aka Bones & Spock aka Leonard Nimoy.=(
Such a memorable episode.
I love this episode... one of the most beautiful & emotional ones. Maybe not as exciting as others but still a gem
MidnightEkaki q
My favorite episode.
McCoy is:
-Not a coal miner
-Not a scientist
-Not a psychiatrist
-Not an engineer (was, temporarily)
-Not a mechanic
-Not a torpedo technician
-Not a magician
-Not a bricklayer
-Not a moon shuttle conductor
-Not an escalator
-Definitely not an old country-side doctor
-A normal surgeon
-A chief medical officer
-Not M'Benga
You're right, he is none of those things, but what he was is a hero.
I always wondered what happened when The Empath touched Spock and why she smiled because Spock has no feelings but now I’m thinking was it that she saw deep down that he cares about the captain.
Correct, Spock suppresses his feeling because he follows Vulcan philosophy but he's half human. Yes, Jim and Bones are his best and possibly only friends, so he loves them very much.
Gem puts her hand on Spock's shoulder and immediately looks at McCoy, lightely smiling. I think Spock's emotions, in that moment, are for McCoy, not for Kirk.
Self-sacrifice is the most noble human virtue.
Ayn Rand would disagee with your statement.
DO get the Blu-Ray edition of "Star Trek- The Original Series". It is worth every penny.
It shows that the original Star Trek was the only genuine Star Trek.
A few season three episodes were actually very good, for me season two actually had the most duds..This was a good ep, well acted, great score underpinning it.
This is bones only act of mutiny. He drugs both Kirk and Spock. I've never ever seen him take an active row in his dissension. He typically will complain like hell but always follow orders. Here, he disobeyed Spock's direct orders and got away with it without a court martial. I guess when it comes to friendship, Spock just let it slide. Great show BTW and GEM is the most beautiful woman ever to grace any Star Trek episode or movie.
THIS WAS SUCH A TOUCHING SCENE. IT HAS BEEN ALONG TIME. I ALMOST FORGOT ABOUT IT. THANK YOU FOR THE UP LOUD. LIVE LONG AND PROSPER.
My decision…stands…
*CAN’T STAND*
The makeup on Kathryn Hays' eyes gave her face a countenance of sadness.
Mcoy showing them both who the daddy really is.
He tops them both
Well, he is from Georgia.
Darn right. Bones has to take care of his boys.
@@robertmiller7721 Yeah, but then who takes care of Bones?
Pssht! "Your actions are highly unethical"
"YOU HAVE VIOLATED THE LAW!" -Oblivion Soldier
I AM... THE LAHW ! - JUDGE DREDD
"Sue me"- popular meme
omg this moment is so gut wrenching
This episode was filmed in the middle of the third season, when the show was starting to run out of money. It definitely shows, as it looks like they shot the entire thing in a dark, empty gymnasium with curtains all around.
Gotta say I'm not the biggest McCoy fan but this bumped him up considerably.
I always loved the line, something to the effect of, "I may be a doctor, but do you want to see how fast I can PUT you in a hospital?"
spoken to elias sandoval just before both he and mccoy are no longer affected by the spores. Pretty good gut shot by mccoy if I recall
Absolutely love this episode. The only one in the third season in my top 10.
"I'm a doctor, not a coal miner" - ver well delivered, Bones.
Spock being half human was a brilliant narrative choice by Roddenberry. In this case it means Gem was able to connect with his human half he suppresses and can't negate. Leonard's choice to sacrifice himself was both logical AND emotional for once. That's what doctors do, if they actually follow their oath, which I'm sure Gene knew, most American doctors DON'T do.
I wonder if there was also something in his Vulcan telepathy that she responded to since many of them are touch telepaths. It seems in this moment both sides of him had come together as one so that he could make the logical and emotional decision to act. But then, so did McCoy
I will always love the friendship between those three. Each friendship they have with each other and as a trio. They balance each other perfectly. Despite differing personalities and opinions would risk their lives to save each other if they could. Such a simple thing but never fails to make me emotional.
yes this episode can really pull the heartstrings it always gets me just love the empath so much.
As Kirk said at the end of Star Trek 5 "I said men like us don't have families. I was wrong". He was referring to himself Spock and McCoy. They are family to each other
All these years of time later I am just now realizing that Gem is one of the most beautiful of the star trek TOS women. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of "sexy" star trek women, but Gem is beautiful in both form and in mentality. She enchants the screen with a strange radiance, despite having no lines in the episode.
I've always thought the often-maligned third season is terribly underrated, with some of the very best episodes. Having said that, l believe "The Empath" is one of them, and one of the single most important episodes, because it examines more deeply than at any other time the true nature of the relationship between Kirk, Spock, and McCoy - that each would gladly sacrifice himself for the others, and, in particular, that despite their frequent friction and occasional bickering, both Spock and McCoy would without a second's hesitation lay down their lives for each other.
The Empath and The Tholian Web are my two favorite episodes in season 3.
@@philosopherscribe39 Mine as well - along with Day of the Dove. Kang was the most badass Klingon of all time in my opinion.
one of the most unbelievable beautiful guest stars in all of Star Trek history.
In this episode, and also in "Mirror, Mirror, " McCoy shows his incredible bravery and deep compassion---putting himself on the line for his friends. Great 👍 choice!
In this episode, written by Joyce Muskat, we see that Bones is Kipling’s “Thousandth Man”. And I’m sure De Kelley poured a lot of himself into his performance.
The Empath is one of the best stories in TOS.
The trinity.
Because Spock demands of himself such absolute control over his emotions, and though being human, they constantly seek to surface, when Spock acts with emotion, he does so with powerful force and commitment that he dared not speak of his intentions. And at that precise moment, McCoy keenly aware of Spock's Vulcan nobility and his d@mned interminable logic, bested both Kirk and Spock...because they matter to him more than anyone else in the wide expanse that they have traversed. It was perhaps the best demonstration of the deep bonds of affection that they all three carry for one another though none of them would admit it openly!
This ep always made me cry
I like the Idea that she sees Spock's human side
I'd long wondered about that look. Verging on, "Hey you. I know."
Too many Trek diehards poo poo TOS S3
One hard scifi Trek regular over on trekbbs years ago stated he only counted Tos S1 as "real Trek"!?
But S3 was full of these types of talky "soft" plots that were character development centric.
I approve
Btw my aunt looked like a twin or at least sister of Gem during my nascent Trekkie days in the 70s.
She turned 80 this past Sunday, and still looks like Gem, hairstyle and all 😊
Spock: While the captain is asleep, I am in command.
Right, Spock.
And while you are asleep, McCoy is in command.
Re-viewing this episode always gives me pause. It certainly did when I viewed its Stateside network television premiere so many decades ago. It wasn't your average TV drama let alone the average TOS episode. The network censors probably winced at parts of the script but had no idea what they were in for if they couldn't view "the rushes." It doubtless appealed to the actors. Its director John Erman was also involved with The (original) Outer Limits; I recommend you sit through that series' episode "Nightmare" for comparison (he directed that as well). If you haven't sat through this episode, "park it in neutral" and stay with it from start to finish, preferably without commercial interruption. You may feel compelled to soon do that again.
I love the comments here so much. They are as moving, powerful, beautiful and relevant as this fantastic episode. You all gave me some faith today. Thank you.
Hands down, the music in "The Empath" is the most haunting, yet most touching" in all of TOS. (It also played in "All Our Yesterdays"). Superb.
Season 3 of Star Trek was affected by budget cuts, but it managed to prove that it could still tell a good story, even with a sparse number of sets. The Empath is not one of my favorite Star Trek episodes, but it’s still a good episode. This scene proves that although McCoy doesn’t have the same healing powers Gem has, he is empathetic enough to volunteer to be tortured by those two evil aliens so that Kirk and Spock do not have to suffer.
been a huge fan of star trek since the early 80 and this episode has always been one of my favorites but I love all 80 of them.
This episode changed me as a person first back in the 60s and every time I saw it afterwards.
That wonderful episode was created during a period of great upheaval within a divided nation and violent world. Sadly, its importance is greater than ever today. The gentle compassion from the musical composition and the sweet, caring yet strong expression of the Empath is so emotionally powerful. Exquisite.
McCoy was such a Gryffindor.
Kathryn Hays was a talented actress, she died in 2022 at the tender age of 87. She was living in a home for assisted care as she had suffered from dementia.
Great great episode. For many years this episode was looked down upon. But nowadays there is a great appreciation for it. The very minimal sets were actually due to severe budget restraints, but they work so very well here. Very effective. And the music is fantastic.
They all sacrifice or give the chance to sacrifice themselves for each other, Kirk was willing to stay behind if his men could leave, Spock would have easily given himself up after Kirk was asleep, McCoy tricked them both so he could sacrifice himself and the empath learned from all three how to care for your friends
You are not alone...thank you for posting....the day sentimentality is "sappish," is the day we lose the last of what we are that makes us noble. Love that you shared this....these men taught me how to be loyal, courageous and compassionate....what else is there?
A great episode with great music! Kathryn Hays was wonderful! A real classic.
RIP Ms. Hays!
The set design budget for this episode was about $11 dollars.
But, it worked.
Since you are checking their books how much was their makeup budget for this one?
I bet they were the most expensive visual effects that week. 💸💸💸
This unusual episode was always one of my favorites. I'm a sentimental sap too!
The comment section is bringing me to tears, I've seen the reactions of fans and it makes me sick to my stomach. Where are the fans who arranged Blood drives at Cons? Where are the fans who wrote NASA and demanded they name the first Space Shuttle Enterprise? Where are the fans who truely understood what the show, and Gene Roddenberry AKA the Great Bird of the Galaxy was trying to say? I'll tell you where the true Fen are!! In the comment section!!! Thank you ppl, from an old seylot who's seen to much and been through enough. Thank you all. Live long and Prosper.
By any chance, did you graduate from PVHS in the late 50's ? Thanks for your comment.
Ok, I'm confused, there are fans who shit on this bit?