The Devil in the Dark

[TiberiusK]

Why was this episode so great? I have my reasons for loving it, but I wonder what other TOS fans think.

My reasons: http://startrekdom.blogspot.com/2007/07/devil-in-dark-as-essence-of-star-trek.html

 

[UnknownSample]

The end which went against the science-fiction (=horror) most people expected. We sympathize with the "monster" and the Earth miners are the real offenders. The hard SF of silicon-based life. They actually get through to us that we need to strain to see alien points of view, and actually make us sympathize with a blob that oozes deadly acid. This is the best kind of message TV can possibly offer.

 

[Michael]

I love this episode for several reasons. First of all because of the aforementioned unconventional depiction of the classic monster/horror theme. This may be the first truly humanistic STAR TREK story. But what I also love is Leonard Nimoys performance when (as Spock) mind-melding with the Horta. Only a true actor can convey the feeling, that he is really alien and has telepathic abilities. Besides I really like the production values in this episode: The caves, the miners office, the Horta herself and the wonderful matte painting showing the mining facilities (which IMHO was screwed up on TOS remastered). And isn't it nice to have an episode NOT starting with the crew of the Enterprise?

 

[Charlie Kelly]

This is one of my favourite episodes of Star Trek, I love the twist at the end where the miners are the 'monsters' and not the Horta. When it comes to explaining to people what Star Trek is about, I find this episode is a very good example.

Charlie

 

[seigezunt]

cry...for the children...

 

[Outpost4]

IDIC before it was named and became a marketing ploy.

This is a classic. Add to that what we now now about Shatner's finding out his father died during the middle of the film shoot, which gives us a window into seeing what a truly great actor he is, and you have a one of Star Trek's finest moments.

 

[Doomsday]

I agree wholeheartedly with all of the above.

In addition, one of the things I always remembered about this episode, is that it always had that same surrealistic feeling that an Outer Limits episode had.

Especially the great scene when Kirk and Spock are in separate tunnels, and the Horta is stalking them...

creepy.

And the twist at the end, where suddenly Kirk is protecting the creature from the miners is just classic.

I agree that Nimoy is probably the only actor who could sell that mindmeld and it not be cheesy. The Horta's despondency will bring you to tears.

 

[TiberiusK]

Charlie Kelly said:
This is one of my favourite episodes of Star Trek, I love the twist at the end where the miners are the 'monsters' and not the Horta. When it comes to explaining to people what Star Trek is about, I find this episode is a very good example.

Charlie

I agree with this, as well as all the other points. The theme is telling because it illustrates that in the Trekverse, conflict often stems from misunderstanding. Once a misunderstanding is corrected, aliens, no matter how different, can coexist peacefully.

It's a little naive, but hopeful, optimistic, and inspiring.

 

[Maurice]

Well, Nimoy does go a tad over the top... PAIN!

 

[Mordock]

DS9Sega said:
Well, Nimoy does go a tad over the top... PAIN!

I tend to forgive him, because it's hamminess in aid of expressing totally abstract concepts (Stanislavksy is notably light on prescriptions for the proper way to express the pain and anguish of alien beings incapable of speech).

Nimoy bravely jumps into the assumption that the Horta's feelings are vast and strange and volatile, and he makes them believable by virtue of his conviction. I love his performance in this episode.

 

[Kryton]

Three words: No Kill I.

Always liked it.

Honorable mention: I'm a DOCTOR, not a bricklayer! It would be cool to own one of the original nodules/eggs.

 

[Therin of Andor]

Kryton said:
It would be cool to own one of the original nodules/eggs.

Yeah - until it hatched!

 

[Kryton]

It would make a good rock polisher.

 

[Nebusj]

I think you'd get in trouble with the federal authorities showing a rock tumbler to an underage horta.

 

[Kryton]

Look, it SAID it was of age! I just BELIEVED it! I SWEAR I was never online as "HottieHortaLover13" in my life! I SWEAR!

You say your name is "Chris Hanson"? Why does that sound somehow familiar?!?.....

 

[Spider]

Devil in the Dark is one of the finest hours in all of Star Trek. It epitomizes what Star Trek is all about and what makes it good and lasting. On the surface it’s an excellent sci-fi episode, but beneath that it carries with it good acting, writing, directing, and for it’s time, outstanding special effects along with the atypical Trek message about “guess again” at your ideas of who’s right and wrong.

 

[Orac Zen]

It's an episode that gets pretty much everything that matters right. It turns various clichés on their heads and presents its various themes ("different" does not mean evil / wrong / inferior and the importance of keeping an open mind being perhaps the most outstanding) in a way almost anyone can relate to and without preaching.

Basically, it's an episode that presents Star Trek in a nutshell. One of my favourites across all series.

 

[Shatmandu]

Orac Zen said:
Basically, it's an episode that presents Star Trek in a nutshell. One of my favourites across all series.

My thoughts exactly. The later series tried to tell similar stories but generally got bogged down in technohorseshit.

Joe, who must curse

 

[Warped9]

This was classic SF in the best literary tradition rather than just run-of-the-mill hoary sci-fi. Everything in it just works.

 

[pookha]

yes if there was one episode to describe trek this would make a great canidate.

from the shear spooky creepiness of the setting to the various flips.
for instance spock goes from

: Or it is the last of a race of creatures which made these tunnels. If so, if it is the only survivor of a dead race, to kill it would be a crime against science

ti when spock finds out that jim and the horta are facing each other..

Kill it, Captain, quickly

and kirk is the one who points out what spock said earlier as kirk notices the horta seems to be waiting..

and i dont see nimory as over acting while within the meld.
remember within the meld there is a channeling of what the other is actually feeling. this goes back to how nimoy performed it in dagger of the mind.
the lines in devil of the dark are..

Waves and waves of searing pain. It's in agony.

and when spock and kirk confront the miners is just classic..

The Horta is intelligent, peaceful, mild. She had no objection to sharing this planet with you, till you broke into her nursery and started destroying her eggs. Then she fought back in the only way she knew how, as any mother would fight when her children are in danger.