#first federation

[chernobog13]

The Enterprise encounters the First Federation starship Fesarius in The Corbomite Maneuver.

[catogorizing-like-no-man-before]

TOS S1E11 - The Carbomite Manuever

Rating - ⭐⭐⭐🔘🔘

Aired November 10, 1966 | Stardate 1572.2

Even though this episode feels like one from earlier in the season, I understand why it follows Dagger of the Mind. Kirk and Bones are at odds through the first half of this episode, amplifying the shorter disagreement they had in the previous episode.

It's good I'm invested in the interpersonal dynamics because the plot is a little weak. There's a lot of tense waiting. The interpersonal dynamics carry the plot pretty far, but I don't care about Bailey, so some of the secondary conflict lands flat for me.

That being said, I do love showcasing Kirk's strategic mind, and this is a classic example of his unique approach to problem solving.

The twist at the end is funny the first time, but there's not a lot of rewatch value to this episode. I think part of this is because of the weak plot, and the terrible ending for Bailey.

But aesthetically, even as someone who appreciates the retro graphics of TOS, this episode starts looking goofy and gets goofier. There is also some inexplicably different camera working happening that doesn't add to the show's message at all.

We do get Uhura in gold though, so it's all worth it.

Summary

The USS Enterprise is mapping unexplored space when they run into a giant cube they cannot maneuver around.

When they destroy the cube, an alien ship approaches and contacts them. The alien claims it will destroy the Enterprise for demonstrating violence in ten minutes.

Kirk and McCoy bicker. Spock has no other recommendation. A crewman named Bailey starts cracking under stress.

Kirk bluffs by claiming the ship has a substance that, upon destruction, will also destroy the alien vessel. The alien ultimately delays the threat but drags the Enterprise to a mothership to destroy it there.

Before they get there, the alien ship seems to lose power and starts sending a distress signal.

Kirk decides to help, and he, McCoy and Bailey beam to the alien ship. There, they find a singular alien that looks like a human child, perfectly well, and he tells them the Enterprise passed his test. As a cultural exchange, Kirk leaves Bailey on the alien ship to be picked up at a later time.

For the Time - 😬🔘🔘🔘🔘

Kirk complains about women being yeomen just because Janice is following McCoy's orders? It's odd and unnecessary. He's yelling at her when he should be yelling at McCoy?

It seems like they were still figuring out Kirk's character because he's unusually short with the crew and seems a little tired of being captain. This is especially odd since his bad mood isn't a focus of the episode. His characterization seems closer to what we saw of Pike in the pilot than the Kirk we've known.

Characters

Spock

Sulu

Uhura

Bailey

Bones

Scotty

Janice Rand

Balok

Aliens

The First Federation

Ships

USS Enterprise

Fesarius

The other kind of ships

Because most of this episode is talking, there are some really good moments.

McKirk - This episode demonstrates how much McCoy cares about Kirk even when Kirk can't/won't care for himself. Also, Bones is unafraid of disagreeing with Kirk, even if it's not necessarily his place. I love the moment where McCoy is challenging Kirk and Kirk snaps at him. Afterwards, Kirk tries to apologize and instead McCoy apologizes for his timing. They really care about each other and have a strong bond.

Spirk - All I'm going to say is "It gives me emotional security."

Actually, I'm also going to point out how badly Spock wanted to go on the Fesarius to protect his boys.

AND the conversation when Spock admits he doesn't have a solution to the problem is touching. He's pretty vulnerable in this episode.

[startrekreviews]

TOS Novel: The Face of the Unknown

TOS: The Face of the Unknown by Christopher L. Bennet Book Jacket’s Summary:      “Investigating a series of violent raids by a mysterious predatory species, Captain James T. Kirk discovers that these events share a startling connection with the First Federation, a friendly but secretive civilization contacted early in the USS Enterprise's five-year mission. Traveling to the First Federation in search of answers, the Enterprise suddenly comes under attack from these strange marauders. Seeking refuge, the starship finds its way to the true home of the First Federation, an astonishing collection of worlds hidden from the galaxy beyond. The inhabitants of this isolated realm are wary of outsiders, and some accuse Kirk and his crew for bringing the wrath of their ancient enemy down upon them. When an attempt to stave off disaster goes tragically wrong, Kirk is held fully accountable, and Commander Spock learns there are even deeper forces that threaten this civilization. If Kirk and Spock cannot convince the First Federation's leaders to overcome their fears, the resulting catastrophe could doom them all!” Yeaka’s Notes:     Despite the standard length, this feels like an especially long story, from the depth of explanations to the sheer scale of the discoveries. The tag “new aliens” hardly covers how many species and characters pop up here, but the most proficient are Balok’s (both the true and scarecrow kind) from TOS: “The Corbomite Maneuver.” It’s definitely wise to brush up on that episode before reading this book, as it revolves entirely around the First Federation and their mess. Long story short, Balok’s baby-like kind and his allies are in enormous hiding from the tall blue-ish aliens he first used to threaten Kirk. Kirk has a rendezvous with David Bailey, their UFP contact, sort of has a quick ‘romance,’ and deals with various difficult alien representatives. Spock studies and has a stiff romance with a telepath. Sulu and Chekov have some daredevil fun. Uhura is useful and maybe has some two-way flirtation with Spock. Scotty survives. Bones grumbles. Overall, it’s a steady flow of exploration, fighting, political squabbles, and hefty exposition.     There’s both good and bad to this book. The writing seems convoluted and awkward at times, growing a tad preachy in places, and the original cast characterizations feel occasionally off and somewhat shallow. Some of the relationships feel strained and forced. That being said, there are plenty of new elements to their dilemma, a plethora of other Trek easter eggs, and if your favourite episode was “The Corbomite Maneuver,” this is basically a must have. Otherwise, it’s a decent TOS read.   Noteworthy moments: (below cut)

Ch0/p3 Sulu recalls being an ensign on the Arjuna, Chekov claims Russians invented snowball fights

p15 Spock wonders what it would be like to command a ship of Tellarites and thinks it’d be like an entire ship of Leonard McCoys

Ch1/p22 A commissioner questions Kirk’s actions in “The Corbomite Manuever”

Ch5/p108 Kirk ogles a council woman’s ass??

Ch6/p120 A telepath talks with Spock over how he’s upset to not have a bondmate with the promise of children and a “legacy”, he thinks it explains the Romulan Commander, Zarabeth, and Droxine (apparently he feels perpetually lonely and helpless because of being half human and half Vulcan??)

p124 Sulu and Chekov go parachuting/hang-gliding, Chekov is sometimes intimidated by Sulu’s energy and drive but generally likes Sulu showing him new things except food

p143 Anne Nored (TAS: “The Survivor”) saves Sulu

Ch11/p216 “The sight of Spock’s face cheered Jim Kirk enormously.”

Ch12/p246 After Sulu’s daredevil piloting, Kirk suggests Uhura stay behind and “leave it to the fighters”?? She goes anyway

Ch14/p284 Spock considers his respect for her, her “flirtations,” and vaguely if they could work together romantically

Ch15/p316 Spock and Uhura team up, “working as one”

Ep/p349 Starfleet is given holo technology; Chekov leaves for security on another ship, replaced by Arex; Uhura’s training M’Ress

[chernobog13]

The Enterprise encounters the First Federation starship Fesarius in The Corbomite Maneuver.

[chernobog13]

When you're drunk off your @$$ on tranya and can't stop laughing at everything.

[chernobog13]

The First Federation starship Fesarius approaches the Enterprise in The Corbomite Maneuver, the very first regular episode filmed, but the tenth episode broadcast.

[chernobog13]

Mesmerized by the spinning Rubik’s cube.

[japper2]

Episode Title: The Corbomite Maneuver Air Date: 11/10/1966 Written by Jerry Sohl Directed by Joseph Sargent Cast: W...

“Kirk, becoming desperate, turns to Spock and asks if he thought there’s anything he’s overlooked but Spock simply responds that sometimes in chess you find yourself in checkmate in the game is over.  At this point Dr. McCoy decides it is good time to tell the Captain that he seemed to be a creep with Bailey, and he should be concerned because he’s going to put that in his report. This seems utterly hilarious and it really tells you something about Dr. McCoy.  He is either so dense and so self-absorbed by his own concerns that the entire world disappears around him and he is completely oblivious to the dangers and to the fact he’s probably going to be dead in four minutes; or he is so confident in Captain Kirk’s abilities to save them from this horrible situation that not only does he believe that he will survive he also is of the belief that it is no problem for him to try to save time and distract Kirk with this argument about Bailey while the Captain is directly facing the threat!  I like to think it’s the latter option”.