A thought on Miri

[Neopeius]

You know, this is one my least favorite episodes, probably one of the least faves for most people. It has a laughable plot and annoying kid actors.

On the other hand, it is indisputably Trek. Our favorite characters are recognizably themselves and very compelling. The scenes which stand out for me involve the broken tricycle. When the party comes upon it, Kirk and Spock examine the thing with detached interest whereas Bones cradles and replaces the thing almost as if it were a dead child.

Later, when the grupped onlie asks them to fix it, Kirk and Spock make more clinical observations whereas McCoy reassuringly says, "Of course somebody will fix it."

I just thought that was awesome character portrayal.

 

[sbk1234]

Agreed. It just goes to show why TOS is a classic. Even in its worst offerings, there is always something special to see and appreciate.

 

[Red Ranger]

Neopeius:

It's not one of my favorite eps, either. I agree that the part with the pathetic transformed only is one of the more disturbing images, esp. when the poor unfortunate sobs, "It's broken! Somebody broke it!" As I recall, Kim Darby later appeared with John Wayne in True Grit, I believe.

To me, the most memorable parts are the some of the lines of the onlies, or when Kirk, fed up with their incessant blathering, yells out, "NO MORE BLAH-BLAH-BLAH!" Cracks me up every time I hear it. Or when Miri calls Kirk, "Mr. Lovey-Dovey!"

Red Ranger

 

[EEE]

As I recall, Kim Darby later appeared with John Wayne in True Grit, I believe.

You are correct. Oddly enough, I was watching an episode of the X-Files earlier tonight when I realized I was seeing Kim Darby. And I didn't know she'd done anything since True Grit! (a check of IMDB showed that she's stayed busy all these years though)

Or when Miri calls Kirk, "Mr. Lovey-Dovey!"

I just finished Grace Lee Whitney's book the other day. When she was writing it (around 1998) she had three cats... Trouble, Tribble, & Mr. Lovey-Dovey.

As to the episode in question... I actually like it (placing me in the minority at least in this thread).

 

[FalTorPan]

I like "Miri." If you ignore the whole "duplicate Earth" thing, it's a very tragic story.

Bonk! Bonk on the head! BONK! BONK!

 

[TigerOfDarkness]

I like "Miri." If you ignore the whole "duplicate Earth" thing, it's a very tragic story.

Bonk! Bonk on the head! BONK! BONK!

I agree, the probability of the duplicate Earth must be pretty close to 0, but just imagine how it would affect science if we did find one!

 

[Kelso]

I like Miri... duplicate Earth and all.

 

[Neopeius]

I like "Miri." If you ignore the whole "duplicate Earth" thing, it's a very tragic story.

Bonk! Bonk on the head! BONK! BONK!

I agree, the probability of the duplicate Earth must be pretty close to 0, but just imagine how it would affect science if we did find one!

See, that's the part of the episode I actually *liked*. I think it's a neat premise if our Galaxy or Universe is like a fractured mirror with different parts splitting off at various times. It explains why there are so many Earthlike planets out there, and explains why Miri's planet isn't just Earth but 1960s Earth complete with the exact same languages and everything.

It also makes the sheer number of humanoids more plausible too. The Preserver concept helps in that regard but is non-exclusive.

 

[cooleddie74]

Even "Miri" had heart and depth even if the budget was tight. Even if it's never been one of my all-time favorites, it has a place in my heart.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

There was a book sequel to this episode, but for some reason it removed all references to Miri's planet ever being a duplicate of Earth. I think it was because of Richard Arnold.

 

[Rush Limborg]

Here's my $0.02.

The main plot of "Miri" was...okay. I think it could've been improved a bit more. My main problem was the kids' dialogue. It was far too "baby-ish", with the "Bonk-bonk" and "Lovey-dovey", etc.

NOW...for the good qualities of this ep.

It has some of the best character-work of the "Big Three", plus Rand, in the entire first season.

One of my favorite Kirk-Spock moments is here. Spock comments on how difficult it will be to return to the Enterprise, and then he gives a little smile and says reassuringly, "And...I do want to go back to the ship, Captain." Kirk gives him a big grin, nodding his thanks.

Janice has many of her finest moments here. GLW has a good flair for he dramatic--and it shows! Much like Shatner, she knows how to bring an emotion to full intensity. When she cries (not just here, but in "Charlie X" and "Enemy Within"), I can't help but feel a tugging in my gut.

The moment where Rand reaches her breaking point, she clenches her fists, narrows her eyes, and grits her teeth. This moment rarely fails to send a shiver up my spine!

The scene where the crew encounters Miri, has Rand reassuring the girl, much like a loving parent. (Miri: (Scoffs) "Gr'ups don't help...." Rand: (Puts a hand on Miri's shoulder) "But we will.")

The "Triangle" scenes are excellent. When Kirk asks Miri to walk with him, Rand stiffins, and eventually turns to Spock, saying, "That little girl...". Spock tells her to drop it. When the camera focuses on Rand, you just know she's pissed, to put it mildly.

My favorite moment in "Miri", though, is the scene where McCoy reveals that he's finally found the recipe for the cure. Rand's reactions (hopeful, then overjoyed) are just GOLD. I thought she looked positively glowing here, and when Kirk half-embraces her, she noticably relaxes, in a rather romantic fashion....

Get's me right here (pounds chest with fist), that's for sure!

 

[Forbin]

Neopeius:

It's not one of my favorite eps, either. I agree that the part with the pathetic transformed only is one of the more disturbing images, esp. when the poor unfortunate sobs, "It's broken! Somebody broke it!" As I recall, Kim Darby later appeared with John Wayne in True Grit, I believe.

I nominate this "greatest non-seqiuter comment of the day."

 

[Sector 7]

Rush and I never agree on much, but that was a very good critique of Grace Lee Whitney's acting. I agree completely.

I was just entering my teen years when I first saw this episode in syndication. It had a profound effect on me. I was in that 'my life is over thanks to puberty' stage and dreading eventual adulthood. Boy, did Miri ever mirror (pun intended) my life at that time.

 

[Rush Limborg]

Rush and I never agree on much, but that was a very good critique of Grace Lee Whitney's acting. I agree completely.

(Chuckes) Hey, don't worry...I won't let it go to my head.

Thanks, BTW! I myself have spend a great deal of time researching good ol' J.R. GLW's autobiography is the best!

Some time back, I picked up Enterprise: First Adventure. Story's...meh, okay...but the book is a gold mine for info on Rand's past. It's pretty dark.

Speaking of which...there's a curious moment in "Miri", when they all realize that the childeren are over 300 years old. Rand remarks, "Children who never age...eternal childhood filled with play...and no responsibilities...." She sighs and says, "It's almost like a dream...."

GLW delivered these lines in a sad, even regretful tone. Makes me wonder if this is a hint at her past....

 

[Rush Limborg]

There was a book sequel to this episode, but for some reason it removed all references to Miri's planet ever being a duplicate of Earth. I think it was because of Richard Arnold.

(Snorts) I wouldn't be suprised. The man was...weird.

 

[cooleddie74]

There was a book sequel to this episode, but for some reason it removed all references to Miri's planet ever being a duplicate of Earth. I think it was because of Richard Arnold.

"The Cry of the Onlies."

One of my local area libraries used to carry it on the shelf. Not a bad read, but you're right...it jettisoned any reference to Miri's world being a parallel/duplicate Earth.

 

[pookha]

while at its heart the idea of the show is haunting.
but it is partially destroyed with all the baby talk craziness.

considering the children would only age a month for each one hundred years a lot of them would have been 5 - 9 years of age.
and they wouldnt have been talking like that.
anarchy yes,,,but not what we saw.

 

[Sector 7]

while at its heart the idea of the show is haunting.
but it is partially destroyed with all the baby talk craziness.

considering the children would only age a month for each one hundred years a lot of them would have been 5 - 9 years of age.
and they wouldnt have been talking like that.
anarchy yes,,,but not what we saw.

In the mid-1960s they tended to make all children overly child-like. Today I don't think they could get away with it.

 

[gastrof]

There was a book sequel to this episode, but for some reason it removed all references to Miri's planet ever being a duplicate of Earth. I think it was because of Richard Arnold.

WHO IN THE WORLD IS "RICHARD ARNOLD"?!?!

 

[gastrof]

...Some time back, I picked up Enterprise: First Adventure. Story's...meh, okay...but the book is a gold mine for info on Rand's past. It's pretty dark...

Is that the one where it was revealed that she wasn't actually as old as people thought she was, due to having traveled (as a girl) in a ship that'd lost warp and had been at near-light speed for some time before it got to a sector where they could find help? Everyone had aged more slowly than the amount of time that passed for the rest of the universe, so she was at least several years younger than people thought?