Star Trek Sr V31: Amazon.ca: DVD: DVD

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"Spock's Brain," Ep. 61 - A mysterious woman appears suddenly on the Enterprise, renders the crew unconscious and then disappears with Spock's brain. "Is There in Truth No Beauty," Ep. 62 - Kirk must deal with a possessive female telepath, a jealous engineer and an alien ambassador whose appearance drives men insane.

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Customer Reviews

12 Reviews

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

Average Customer Review

3.1 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)

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3.0 out of 5 stars One high camp, and one very original show, Sep 1 2003

By

toby_tsang (USA River) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Star Trek Sr V31 (DVD)

Spock's Brain-Many have asked whether airing 'Spock's Brain' first sealed Star Trek's fate. More to the point, any brain trust that thought 'Spock's Brain' the strongest of the early episodes was almost bound to produce more lemons the rest of the way. Particularly destructive is the fact that while the episode is high camp, unlike 'I, Mudd', here the cast attempts to play it straight (presumably Frieberger and Daniels were holding up weapons offstage). This must have contributed to the gradual loss of conviction about the product-always a pernicious thing.
Anyway, about the episode, in which Spock's brain is stolen. The basic premise is silly, and most of the plot far fetched. Just a few examples: 1) Carting Spock's brainless body about, 2) Brain and body surviving independently, 3) the reconnective surgery. There is also seemingly little thought behind the separation of the sexes, although we can thank that premise for the description of women as 'the givers of pain and delight." The S & M theme would make a few appearances before season 3 concluded.
As a third season fan, I can't resist pointing out a couple things I like about the episode. First, there is a pervasive mysterious and surreal feel about the episode. The score introduces several dramatic vignettes that would be repeated (and repeated, and repeated..) throughout the 3rd season. There are also some cool shots of the bridge during an interesting scene in which the officers are invited to participate in some decision-making. Finally, the teaser is pretty strong. (2 stars)

Is There In Truth No Beauty? (4 stars) Here's another 3rd season show (see the Paradise Syndrome and the Empath for other nearby examples) that was refreshingly original (it wouldn't stay that way). It involves the seemingly quotidian transport of an Ambassador too ugly (or is it too beautiful?) for the eye. We have a central character with complex and unique motivations, who is more than just a muse for Kirk's latest escape from danger. One of the most original scores of all Star Trek episodes, plus some very trippy fisheye camerawork and psychadelic special effects, contribute to the episode's unusual feel. This thoughtful, even cerebral episode, nevertheless has a couple surprising plot twists. Also admirable is the strong female character with her own interests and passions, whom the males (not surprising) attempt to control.
Like all 3rd season shows, this episode has faults. Muldaur is as wooden here as in Return to Tomorrow, Marvick is only there as a plot device, and both Spock and Kirk's failures to wear the visor are inexplicable (although for very different reasons). (4 stars)

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1.0 out of 5 stars One good One Bad, Mar 30 2003

By

Mario Rosario (Brockton, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Star Trek Sr V31 (DVD)

While I agree that Spock's Brain is not the best effort of the third season, I would rather sit through this episode than "Plato's Stepchildren" or "The Way to Eden" or "The Mark of Gideon". I think these three should have been scrapped before they were aired in 1968-69.
"Is There In Truth No Beauty" has always been one of my favorite episodes since I was a kid. It would be interesting to bring the Medusans back in a future episode to test their great navigational skills. Lots of sequel potential here.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Brain and Brain, What is Brain?, Feb 20 2003

By

Linda Podell "Linda Podell" (West Hollywood, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Star Trek Sr V31 (DVD)

Maybe you'll all think I'm an idiot, but I loved this episode. For 35 years, I would recall one of my favorite phrases coined for my own amusement. After all, Star Trek is supposed to be amusing! I will admit it's hard to think what the moral to this story would be, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment. Also, I never get tired of hearing, "I never should have re-connected his vocal chords" (or was it mouth?) Guess it takes all kinds of Trekkers, or is it Trekkies? I can't keep up. ;D

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars INTERESTING SET OF EPISODES!!!
Volume 31 of The Star Trek DVD Series includes two decent episodes from the haphazard third and final season of the show. Read more

Published on Dec 25 2002 by Jared Insell

4.0 out of 5 stars If the writers only had a brain....
"Spock's Brain" focuses too much on special effects and not on the story...it's very weak. See the premiere of the "rear projection" viewscreen. Read more

Published on Dec 9 2001 by McHenry John