Star Trek #12: Miri

One of the most disturbing of the 1st season shows, Miri concerns a fatal fungus-like disease that strikes only adults. This cautionary tale about possible unforseen consequences of biological engineering should not fall on deaf ears today. The early parts of the episode wield a claustrophobic suspense more akin to a sci-fi/horror movie. The kids are quite chilling as well in the extent to which they have gone wild, and in their capacity for denial in the face of trauma. Kim Darby's performance also boosts the show, injecting an element of hope and a bridge between the 'young' and the 'old.' The taboo subject of adolescent female sexuality is handled gracefully and respectfully. The solution found to the illness is a bit anti climactic, but Star Trek certainly saw worse. At least here McCoy is allowed to shine; by the 3rd season all to often only Kirk, and Kirk alone, was allowed to be hero.

The episode is certainly not without its faults though. Several questions are left unadressed, including the discovery of another earth. The landing party is impossibly obtuse in putting the pieces together behind the illness. You can also feel the production team's uncertainty about whether Yeoman Rand and Kirk should be romantically involved. It seems to me they made the right choice in dispatching her after the next episode. She certainly is not a strong character here. Kirk is also gruffer and more bureaucratic in these early episodes. His snub of Rand ant the end of this show is particularly harsh.

While reviews of this Star Trek episode are usually negative and while it is a sad example, it has to be taken with on it's own terms. It is certainly one of the least viewable and unenjoyable, though the potential was there. The budget was not. I find it unfair that so many harsh words were said of Grace Whitney. Anyone who has done any genuine research into the history of the series will know she was not dropped because of poor acting ability, her appearance or any of the other harsh and sometimes cruel stories that have been circulating over the years. It was partially a production decision on behalf of the network and because of some very difficult personal problems in her life. It would have been interesting to see her character develop, but dreadful writing and sad circumstances prevented that from ever happening. With that said, this episode is a sad reflection on a very interesting idea gone completely wrong. As with "Plato's StepChildren", this episode is among the worst in being overdone in terms of acting and production. Definitely stay away if you are not a Trekkie and try to bear with it if you are. Worth wondering what it would be like if it were interpreted differently. Like a Ken Russel nightmare. Suprising it was ever released at all, but despite horrid production, a very interesting story line.

There are some good ideas and concepts within this episode, but they are drowned out by the annoying chants of too many children.

Yoeman Janice Rand has a decent role in the story. Unfortunately, it was probably this episode that helped the producers to decide to writer her out of the show.