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Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 4, Episodes 8 & 9: Charlie X/ Balance of TerrorRating:
Release Date: 19 October, 1999 Retail Price: $19.99 Sorry, this product is not currently available. Cast: Complete Cast (6 total) |
Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 4, Episodes 8 & 9: Charlie X/ Balance of Terror Reviews
Twilight Zone Revisited & the Romulans Introduced!
2 more additions to the continuing episodes of the first season: "Charlie X" which is strikingly similar in storyline albeit different in setting to a very memorable "Twilight Zone" episode and "Balance of Terror" where we are introduced to the Romulans, that cousin race to the Vulcans which evolved in a very different direction.
"Charlie X" echoes a theme from the first episode in this series, "Where No Man Has Gone Before", by asking the question, can man given great powers suddenly be able to act responsibly and for the good of all or will he eventually end up destroying all around him? A young boy is given incredible powers, "Q-like" using TNG lingo by a bunch of well-meaning aliens who are simply trying to save the sole crash survivor from certain death on a desolate planet. Charlie is finally rescued by a Federation vessel which is extremely happy at being able to pass him over to the Enterprise. The final scene is touching as the painful and difficult decision about how to deal with this troublesome teen is made.
"Balance of Terror" is a little less complicated plot-wise but very importantly introduces us to the Romulans who play continuing and recurring roles throughout the entire Trek-dom. Curiously, the Romulan commander here eventually is re-cast as Spock's father Sarek in later episodes although none of the crew seems to notice. This episode is one of the better space battle episodes where we see Kirk and his counterpart pit their wits against each other in a winner take all contest.
Gene Roddenberry's ideas are also represented here in a very interesting element where the clear anti-bigotry stance shown by Kirk when he tells a crewman who is prejudiced against Spock and his resemblance to the Romulans to "keep your bigotry in your quarters as there is no room for it on the bridge".
2 of the better episodes in the series and a keeper.
DMZ
Balance of Terror illustrates a moral dillemma of a DMZ. DMZ represent a stalemate and the pride and arrogance of two nation engaged in a conflict with nether nation willing to admit defeat and end the useless conflict.
The Romulans ended a 70 year war with the Federation. Undoubtable the Federation make numerous errors; the Federation had superior military power and the Romulan territory should have fallen as a Federation domain.
The peace treaty establishing the Neutral Zone could not be enforced because Federation Ships could enter intentional or accidentally into the zone. The Romulans using cloaking technology had the distinct advantage with the capability too move through the neutral zone into Federation space undetected.
The Romulan empire was impoverished. The Romulan empire was not a Roman empire of great power. The Roman empire continually extended its power through constant conflicts throughout the middle east and Europe with many nations becoming subject to Roman rule. The Romulan empire does have an Roman like form of government, a military ruling class, and a warlike society. However, the society is N Korean pour. They have no industry, they are a constant threat too the federation, and historical silent for the last 70 years, in the activity of the world. The Romulans are desparate for Federation technology, education, and help.
Kirk defeats the Romulan cloak ship, but fails to understand the Romulan crisis. The Romulan ruling class arrogantly ignore the suffering of their people. The Romulan people are arouse to militant hatred of the federation, the only people who can liberate them from their improvishment. The Romulan empire never built industry, thriving and prosperous societies, nor prevail militarily against the Federations, Western Warfare - democratic way. Only Spock, a distance relative to the Romulans would understand their desparation. However, one could see Spock's cowboy diplomacy would be ignored by the Federation for another 100 years and the Romulans would continue in their peril. Some Romulans want free trade, new idealogy, and freedom; the Romulan empire will not die immediate and just as the Roman empire last 20 decades in decay, so will the Romulan empire continue its slow descent down.
The Vulcan hold the best hope for the Romulans. The Vulcans are skilled educationally, prize peace, and possess technology; Romulans have a false sense of superiority and pride, but they are increasing impoverishing the people from long military campaigns against the Federation.
The Romulan empire does not value free trade and the Vulcans are not wanted by the ruling elite. However, some of the Romulan elite want a trade agreement between Romula and Vulcan and hope for reunification between the two peoples. Eventually Romula will begin too break down and look to Vulcan for support.
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