Recorder/Translator Used in Arena When Kirk Fights the Gorn

[cgervasi]

The metrons supply Kirk with a recordering-translating device. It seems like it's a device of their invention. The same prop was used in Metamorphosis, though, so maybe it's a device used by Star Fleet and possibly UFP civilians.

A key plot point is Kirk records a log of the fight, recording that he thinks he's losing and details of his search for weapons. Might mistake all of this was transmitted to the Gorn.

How did the Gorn end up hearing everything? Did Kirk simply not know how it worked? Why did Kirk accept a device that new aliens gave him and begin using it to record his private thoughts? Why doesn't Shatner convey an emotion of "oh crap, this was set to communicate!?" in Kirk?

It made Kirk look stupid for me that he almost lost the fight because he was sharing his personal thoughts into a device aliens gave him that he apparently didn't understand. If the writers simply wanted to give Shatner a chance to speak, rather than doing just captain's log voice-overs, they could have left out the part where he doesn't know how to use it. The Gorn could start talking to him, and he could switch it from record to communicate, leaving this whole point out. Did the Gorn overhearing Kirk's thoughts advance the story?

 

[CorporalCaptain]

The Gorn speaking back to Kirk through the translator absolutely did advance the story, because it made both Kirk and crew aware of the possibility that the Gorns had perceived a Federation threat and were just defending their space. This led to Kirk sparing the Gorn and a positive outcome for everybody.

As for how the recording/translating device worked, my interpretation was always that Kirk didn't understand that it was also a transceiver. The Mentrons hadn't mentioned that as a function, and perhaps Kirk assumed that that translation would be provided only if the Gorn were in earshot.

 

[cgervasi]

The Gorn speaking back to Kirk through the translator absolutely did advance the story, because it made both Kirk and crew aware of the possibility that the Gorns had perceived a Federation threat and were just defending their space. This led to Kirk sparing the Gorn and a positive outcome for everybody.

Right, but this is completely unrelated to Kirk misunderstanding the device. The Gorn could have surmised or even just hoped Kirk was running out of strength without hearing Kirk. The Gorn could have switched his device to communicate mode and had the same conversation with Kirk. The only difference is Kirk would have to switch from record to communicate mode, and he wouldn't look foolish.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Right, but this is completely unrelated to Kirk misunderstanding the device. The Gorn could have surmised or even just hoped Kirk was running out of strength without hearing Kirk. The Gorn could have switched his device to communicate mode and had the same conversation with Kirk. The only difference is Kirk would have to switch from record to communicate mode, and he wouldn't look foolish.

My interpretation of the episode is also that the Gorn thought to speak to Kirk, because he understood that Kirk would receive that message due to the fact that he had been receiving what Kirk had been saying. In other words, Kirk's use of the device helped the Gorn understand its function, as well as the other way around. So, again, the answer is, yes, it advanced the story, without question.

 

[Greysun]

I believe the Metron's true agenda was to foster understanding and eventual peace between humans and Gorn. I think it is likely that they deliberately manipulated the device to work the way it did. To me it looked like they were trying to trick the two captains into starting a dialogue rather than have them fight to the death. I think the Metron's actions are similar to the Organian's actions in Errand of Mercy. In my opinion, the Metron solution was actually better than the Organian's. Even after the Organian intervention in Errand of Mercy humans and klingons continued to be enemies for a long time. When McCoy and Spock listened to what the Gorn captain said they suddenly realized they could possibly be in the wrong and started to see the Gorn's point of view.

 

[geotrek]

The Metron did tell Kirk that he would "be provided with a recording-translating device," so I've always agreed with cgervasi that it made Kirk look a bit idiotic. However, I do feel that it was essential to the plot and advance the story.

 

[feek61]

The same prop was used in Metamorphosis,

Actually the prop was modified for "Metamorphosis" with a section being added to it making it longer than the version of it seen in "Arena".

 

[CorporalCaptain]

I believe the Metron's true agenda was to foster understanding and eventual peace between humans and Gorn. I think it is likely that they deliberately manipulated the device to work the way it did. To me it looked like they were trying to trick the two captains into starting a dialogue rather than have them fight to the death.

Yeah, that's a great way of looking at it.

 

[johnnybear]

Kirk was definitely at a disadvantage from not realizing that his enemy could listen in on his meanderings and have them translated as well maybe The Metrons weren't bothered who would win only that these primitives had dared to enter their space and that they were both better off destroyed!
JB

 

[telerites]

He found another use for it when he was making gunpowder.

 

[Spock's Barber]

He found another use for it when he was making gunpowder.

I wonder if he could take a Kirk selfie with it???

 

[telerites]

I wonder if he could take a Kirk selfie with it???

Given Kirk's egoism, he would find a way