"That Which Survives" at 50

[Damian]

I was reading on the official Star Trek website that yesterday was the 50th anniversary of "That Which Survives." They had an article about the initial outline by DC Fontana vs. the final episode that was produced. This has always been a favorite of mine (probably one of my top 10 episodes). I love suspense, and there certainly is a lot of that in the episode. First, the crew being stalked by Losira, and of course the Enterprise being flung a great distance, having to return while dealing with sabotage at the same time. It has 2 competing story lines in many senses, but they work well together and neither storyline overwhelms the other. Losira is well played as well, the reluctant killer. Someone who feels she is doing her duty, but is deeply saddened by it.

And of course the landing party didn't know the Enterprise was intact, and the Enterprise was rushing back because they did not know the condition of the party. It was also interesting because it was one of those rare episodes that split up Kirk and Spock. We get to see a bit more Sulu in this episode than normal as well. And there is the mystery of the planetoid.

All in all a well written, executed and acted episode. One of the Gateways novels followed up on the events of this episode, which was an interesting read as well. The 3rd season doesn't always get high marks in general, but it still had some great episodes, including this one.

 

[gottacook]

This one was on H&I last night, and my older daughter watched some of it with me - I told her I'd first seen it on NBC (when I was 12) and figured it was around this same time in 1969, then checked Memory Alpha and was surprised to find it was exactly on the same date in January.

For me, the scenes of Mr. Scott saving the ship (while being coached by Spock) are the highlight, taking place in a horizontal access crawlway with electric-blue oscillating field superimposed. (In fact I always liked seeing previously unseen parts of the ship; the viewport scene in "Mark of Gideon" was the only part of that episode that didn't totally insult the viewer's intelligence.)

I also remember seeing the "next voyage" preview for the episode, which of course featured the special effect by which Losira disappeared.

 

[Pauln6]

Yeah I rather like this one too. It's a decent ensemble episode. It has some neat science fiction ideas, and some nice dramatic tension in the arms race as Losira pits her programming against the tactics of her targets. It's one of Sulu's best episodes in season three. My main criticism, as is often the case, is that it's a sausage fest on the landing party.

 

[Kor]

I am in the middle of viewing this episode. There are some genuinely creepy moments.

Kor

 

[Phaser Two]

Good OP! As a big S3 honk I like this one quite a bit too. It has, I believe, the most in-depth Spock-Scotty interaction in all of TOS, and almost the only Spock-Scotty action lasting longer than a scene or so without McCoy also present. And their dynamic is fascinating.

I do disagree that splitting up Kirk and Spock was rare in S3. With Nimoy's popularity growing all the time and him supposedly demanding more screen time and character development as a result, and with Nimoy and Shatner allegedly feuding, the S3 writers split Kirk and Spock up constantly, often for most of the episode. Examples besides TWS: Tholian Web, Paradise Syndrome, Mark of Gideon, Wink of an Eye, All Our Yesterdays, Enterprise Incident, Spock's Brain. That's a third of S3.

 

[alchemist]

This was the first episode of TOS I ever saw as a kid (in 1969) and, even though I watched it then on a black and white television, it made me fall in love with Star Trek. Now, as I look back, with glasses that are probably colored with nostalgia, this is my favorite episode.

PS. Thanks for reading that article on startrek.com!

 

[Ssosmcin]

I love the third season overall. but this is a favorite that I return to fairly often. The third season was generally creepier and less homey. It felt a little darker, befitting it's 10 pm time slot.

 

[Delta Vega]

I quite liked this episode, not a classic, but solid.
Losira was a beautiful "villain" if an unlikely or unwilling one
Beautiful girl, crap costume, nice effect when she disappears

 

[Damian]

I do disagree that splitting up Kirk and Spock was rare in S3

I was thinking overall the entire series. But yeah, thinking of season 3 it wasn't that uncommon for them to be in 2 different places. I guess in a sense what I liked about this episode is it was 2 concurrent storylines, both intertwined, yet separate, and neither story overwhelming the other.

It has, I believe, the most in-depth Spock-Scotty interaction in all of TOS, and almost the only Spock-Scotty action lasting longer than a scene or so without McCoy also present. And their dynamic is fascinating.

Yeah, it has some great interactions between characters that don't always have a ton of interaction. Sulu has more to do, and even some of the Lt Rahda scenes were pretty good for a one shot character (I believe she also appeared in the 'sequel' novel from the Gateway series).

This was the first episode of TOS I ever saw as a kid (in 1969) and, even though I watched it then on a black and white television, it made me fall in love with Star Trek. Now, as I look back, with glasses that are probably colored with nostalgia, this is my favorite episode.

PS. Thanks for reading that article on startrek.com!

Definitely in my top 10. Season 3, despite it's reputation, has some great episodes. Though I don't hate any episode of Star Trek. I'll admit, as ridiculous as 'Spock's Brain' and 'And the Children Shall Lead' can be, I still enjoy them. Cheesy can be a guilty pleasure

 

[Marsden]

The first time I saw Losira do that disappearing effect I couldn't believe it, that was so cool! It still is now really but I'm sure the computer raised generation may not think so.

A very good episode, kept from being one of the greatest by having Spock accidentally set to "prick" by the occipital area of his head impacting the arm of the chair.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

The first time I saw Losira do that disappearing effect I couldn't believe it, that was so cool! It still is now really but I'm sure the computer raised generation may not think so.

A very good episode, kept from being one of the greatest by having Spock accidentally set to "prick" by the occipital area of his head impacting the arm of the chair.

That's the only trouble with this episode, that Kirk and Spock were both needlessly corrective toward their direct reports. A leader shouldn't jump into little conversational quibbles just to put people down. When you're watching as a kid, you see yourself as the boss one day, so it seems fine. But as an adult, maybe you didn't become the big honcho, and boss-as-jerk isn't fine anymore.

I just realized that the situation here is the exact opposite of "The Gamesters of Triskellion." Instead of the ship being flung away from the landing party, Gamesters has the landing party flung away from the ship. But the plot device is pretty similar, with Spock in command, racing to where Kirk has beamed.

 

[Enterprise is Great]

It would be hard to resist Losira's "I'm for you" tactic since she was very beautiful. No surprise since Lee Meriwether was Miss America. She did a good job here. Also she was pretty good as Catwoman in the Batman 1966 movie

 

[ZapBrannigan]

It would be hard to resist Losira's "I'm for you" tactic since she was very beautiful. No surprise since Lee Meriwether was Miss America. She did a good job here. Also she was pretty good as Catwoman in the Batman 1966 movie

She also broke into the male-dominated I.T. field with her computer technician role on The Time Tunnel.

 

[johnnybear]

I quite liked this episode, not a classic, but solid.
Losira was a beautiful "villain" if an unlikely or unwilling one
Beautiful girl, crap costume, nice effect when she disappears

I was thinking that as well! Lee Meriwether was an extremely attractive woman and yet they gave her a costume similar to a pair of pyjamas instead of something akin to Elaan's hot outfit in Elaan of Troyius earlier on in the season!
JB

 

[Delta Vega]

I was thinking that as well! Lee Meriwether was an extremely attractive woman and yet they gave her a costume similar to a pair of pyjamas instead of something akin to Elaan's hot outfit in Elaan of Troyius earlier on in the season!
JB

My favourite three female lead costumes in TOS are France Nuyens, Angelique Pettyjohns, and the girl who plays the "lovely" Droxene.

 

[johnnybear]

Droxine? Nah, I preferred Vana myself!
JB

 

[Thanos007]

Droxine? Nah, I preferred Vana myself!
JB

Totally agree. Vana was smoking hot.

 

[johnnybear]

Charlene Polite was wed to Ramon Bieri, an actor on the large side who always played bad guys and killers! He appeared in the final episode of Starsky and Hutch's first season, The Bounty Hunter, which also featured Sherry Jackson as a go-go dancer! I never could understand the luck of the guy?
JB

 

[Ssosmcin]

Star Trek always kinda stressed the physical aspects of women, so this episode is against the norm in that Lee Meriwether’s beauty is downplayed and even concealed behind unflattering makeup. It actually is a better showcase for her talents. She was always a VERY classy lady and a very good actor, and she gives a wonderfully sympathetic performance while killing people left and right.

She’s up there with Diana Muldaur, as far as very strong female guests.

Even tho Kirk and Spock treat their people like idiots, the supporting cast really shines in this one. Even more D’Amato. What a sweet guy. His death really resonates.

 

[Phaser Two]

My favourite three female lead costumes in TOS are France Nuyens, Angelique Pettyjohns, and the girl who plays the "lovely" Droxene.

Deela, Queen of Scalos calling. Evening wear-style on the left, swimsuit-style on the right. She must have loved asymmetry. Bonus points for the hidden, Velcro-secured, wrist-holstered weapon.

Droxine was played by Diana Ewing. Definitely lovely.

Droxine? Nah, I preferred Vana myself!
JB

JB, you must have an alert set. Any mention of Droxine triggers you to say this!

Star Trek always kinda stressed the physical aspects of women, so this episode is against the norm in that Lee Meriwether’s beauty is downplayed and even concealed behind unflattering makeup. It actually is a better showcase for her talents. She was always a VERY classy lady and a very good actor, and she gives a wonderfully sympathetic performance while killing people left and right.

She’s up there with Diana Muldaur, as far as very strong female guests.

Even tho Kirk and Spock treat their people like idiots, the supporting cast really shines in this one. Even more D’Amato. What a sweet guy. His death really resonates.

Total agreement. Lee Meriwether gave a top-notch performance. I love the "My fellow Kalandans" speech at the end, and her portrayal of the conflicted computer-generated image of Losira is fantastically nuanced. Great guest star. BTW I didn't find the makeup unflattering, but the costume was (perhaps deliberately?).

And hella yes as to D'Amato. Loved him. His death makes me sad.