First Time Watch: Conscience of the King

[JediKnightButler]

I'm watching TOS all the way through for the first time and finally watched this episode. I was left wondering, did the episode definitively establish that the actor who died at the end of the episode *was* actually Kodos The Executioner? I feel like it did, but I don't think they ever actually clearly stated it and the actor, if he was Kodos, was not the same "person" who committed those atrocities, as he seems to have developed some remorse for his actions over the years and took the......er....phaser for Kirk at the end. Also, Kodos' rationale for what he did reminded me a little of MCU Thanos' misguided rationale for his goals for Titan and for the universe-at-large. Very good/interesting TOS episode.

 

[Vger23]

Also, Kodos' rationale for what he did reminded me a little of MCU Thanos' misguided rationale for his goals for Titan and for the universe-at-large. Very good/interesting TOS episode.

Trek and MCU

 

[Commishsleer]

I think Kodos only killed the colonists because he thought he had to. He selected the "best" 4 000 and killed the rest. If there had been an altnerative he wqouldn't have done it. The alternative was the supply ships coming early (which they did). I believe if he knew the ships were coming early he wouldn't have killed the "lesser" colonists.
Even if the supply ships hadn't come early and the whole colony would have starved then Kodos wouldn't have even been a hero then. His way of selecting colonists for survival. was too arbitrary.

I wonder what I would have done if I had been Kodos. I probably would have let everyone die and not kill anyone off myself. I mean is 1 colonist life worth more than another. Maybe I would have well you know start a canibal programme eating the dead - maybe.So if I was in charge and the supply ships hadn't come early then no-one would have been alive and under Kodos 4 000.

 

[GNDN18]

Kodos clearly admits to the crimes and continues to justify his actions. His only regret is that Lenore was implicated.

KIRK: The play is over. It's been over for twenty years.
KARIDIAN: I was a soldier in a cause. There were things to be done, terrible things.*
LENORE: Stop it, Father! You have nothing to justify.
KARIDIAN: Murder, flight, suicide, madness. I never wanted the blood on my hands ever to stain you.​

He stepped in the path of the phaser to save Lenore from murdering another innocent person. I don’t think it was remorse as much as filial devotion, regret for having destroyed his only child.

*Nice use of the bureaucratic, or I should say passive, voice.

 

[Neopeius]

We just watched "Conscience" too (our review went up just a couple of weeks ago). You are welcome to join us for watchings. They include original commercials.

Not only did Kodos all but admit, but then finally admit he's Kodos, but it was maddening how long it took Kirk to do anything about it. On the other hand, having watched "Balance of Terror" last week, it's been pointed out that indecision is actually one of Kirk's traits (magnified tremendously when Kirk gets split into two parts, one of which has trouble with any decisions). It's making me see him in a more sympathetic light.

 

[NCC-73515]

That dilemma is why the concept it great. He acted like the Vulcans might have - the needs of the many. Dougherty might have agreed as well - how many people does it take...

 

[Maurice]

When you mention original commercials do you mean the ones actually aired on first run?

 

[Neopeius]

When you mention original commercials do you mean the ones actually aired on first run?

No, with the exception of "Space Seed"'s summer rerun, whose commercials (at least for that particular airing in that particular market) are extant.

I put in then-contemporary commercials, exclude ones that were common to other networks, select for ones that are more likely to have been the sponsors (I know a few -- Playtex, for instance), but it's an approximation at best. Still, it's as good as we're going to get.

 

[Maurice]

No, with the exception of "Space Seed"'s summer rerun, whose commercials (at least for that particular airing in that particular market) are extant.

I put in then-contemporary commercials, exclude ones that were common to other networks, select for ones that are more likely to have been the sponsors (I know a few -- Playtex, for instance), but it's an approximation at best. Still, it's as good as we're going to get.

Thanks. I ask because last night @Harvey and I were discussing cigarette advertisements for Trek and what we know about sponsorship and lack thereof.

 

[Neopeius]

Thanks. I ask because last night @Harvey and I were discussing cigarette advertisements for Trek and what we know about sponsorship and lack thereof.

I'd love any insight you could give me! I want to make the experience as close to the original as possible.

 

[Maurice]

I'd love any insight you could give me! I want to make the experience as close to the original as possible.

Trek had trouble with sponsorship. We are trying to determine if that influenced its 3rd season timeslot.

 

[Neopeius]

Trek had trouble with sponsorship. We are trying to determine if that influenced its 3rd season timeslot.

Do you know the main sponsors by season? I imagine there were slots for local ads, as well.

 

[Maurice]

Do you know the main sponsors by season? I imagine there were slots for local ads, as well.

Not yet. We just decided last night that this is something we need to look into. Might not be easy info to find, but we started making a list of things to look for/into.

 

[Neopeius]

I found this instructive (November 1966 issue of Yandro, page 3, under the Harlan letter)

"Write sponsors. Last issue I facetiously suggested girlfans buy a Playtex bra and send the box label and a letter to the manufacturer. I am no longer kidding: Do It. Write Dupont Teflon division (I don't have an address -- you'll have to dig like I will). If you smoke, buy whatever brand of coffin nails sponsors STAR TREK and send the empty wrapper with a letter."

(I read every fanzine every month, and I have access to virtually every extant Trekzine, starting next month, through 1970. I'll keep you up to date with what I find out.)

 

[mb22]

Thanks. I ask because last night @Harvey and I were discussing cigarette advertisements for Trek and what we know about sponsorship and lack thereof.

The Space Seed rerun reel has an ad for Viceroy cigarettes.

Kind of surprising that Geritol was a sponsor for a youth-oriented show like Trek. More appropriately, they were one of the main sponsors for Lawrence Welk.

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[Neopeius]

The Space Seed rerun reel has an ad for Viceroy cigarettes.

Kind of surprising that Geritol was a sponsor for a youth-oriented show like Trek. More appropriately, they were one of the main sponsors for Lawrence Welk.

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Geritol is EVERYWHERE.

 

[Maurice]

The Space Seed rerun reel has an ad for Viceroy cigarettes.

Kind of surprising that Geritol was a sponsor for a youth-oriented show like Trek. More appropriately, they were one of the main sponsors for Lawrence Welk.

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Well, they did promote it as the first adult science fiction drama. I don’t know if they were aiming it at a youth audience early on.

 

[The Old Mixer]

You know who has iron-deficient blood?
Vulcans!

 

[dupersuper]

On the other hand, having watched "Balance of Terror" last week, it's been pointed out that indecision is actually one of Kirk's traits

How in the world do you reckon?

 

[Mytran]

How in the world do you reckon?

In BOT he holds back from committing any direct action a lot.
It's an interesting suggestion about Kirk's character and one I shall certainly be watching out for in the near future to see how well it holds up.