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Within the “Star Trek” episode “The Satan within the Darkish” (March 9, 1967), the usS. Enterprise visits a distant mining colony the place the miners are being attacked and killed within the deep, subterranean tunnels by a mysterious creature. Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and Spock (Leonard Nimoy), despatched to research, discover that the creature can “burrow” via the rock utilizing a naturally highly effective acid, and that it appears to be intentionally destroying mining gear, implying that it is clever. Finally, Kirk and Spock discover a mound-like animal known as a horta, and Spock manages to mind-meld with it. The creature is ready to burn phrases into a close-by rock, conforming its intelligence.
Kirk and Spock discover that the horta wasn’t killing miners out of malice, however to guard the hundreds of horta eggs littering the tunnels. Evidently horta go practically extinct sometimes, and one is left alive to hatch a brand new era. The miners and the horta study to stay collectively. It is a very “Star Trek” ending.
In his 1993 memoir “Star Trek Reminiscences,” William Shatner confessed that “Satan” was his favourite episode of the unique sequence, because it was “thrilling, thought-provoking, and clever.” It had horror parts, a cool monster, a intelligent resolution, and a really diplomatic ending emblematic of the sequence; the monster was merely misunderstood. “Satan” is often listed as one of many present’s finest episodes total, and the horta is among the franchise’s most infamous killer creatures.
There’s one challenge with “The Satan within the Darkish,” nevertheless: it is the one episode of “Star Trek” whereby not one of the feminine characters have any talking components.
The Satan within the Darkish has no talking components for the feminine Star Trek solid members
This was, after all, acknowledged, even on the time. “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry, though a identified womanizer, all the time wished to characteristic ladies in additional outstanding roles on his sequence, and even solid Majel Barrett because the Enterprise’s first officer within the present’s authentic pilot. The present was ultimately reworked, with solely Nichelle Nichols remaining as one of many present’s common ensemble, and with Grace Lee Whitney as a recurring character (who was ultimately reduce). Barrett returned as Nurse Chapel, however that was it, aside from a rotating steady of visitor stars.
When the community noticed “The Satan within the Darkish,” they famous that the complete episode was about males. Kirk and Spock ordered round a bunch of male miners and male safety officers. The episode’s author, “Star Trek” veteran Gene L. Coon, even wrote a letter to Roddenberry, discussing a notice from NBC concerning the episode’s absence of girls. Coon needed to remind Roddenberry that “Star Trek” was a gender-neutral utopia. The letter learn:
“Per NBC’s continuous reminder to us, one which I discover myself agreeing with, we must always make some extra use of females as crew members in planet tales, or discover a way embrace females amongst teams of miners, who’re right here on a planet, years at a time. Granted once more that this may get phony and unbelievable if not dealt with proper, however let’s remember the fact that we’re in a century the place ladies are granted equal standing and duty with males. We should always hold reminding the Assistant Administrators of this and talk about similar with Administrators, in order that they will oversee and management similar.”
Later “Star Trek” spin-offs would get quite a bit higher about gender parity and together with extra feminine characters on harmful away missions. And the latest spin-off, “Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds” at present has three most important male characters, and 6 most important feminine characters. Again within the Nineteen Sixties, although, even a progressive sequence like “Star Trek” wanted to be reminded of its personal utopian beliefs.
