4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Will this be their last battlefield?, September 20, 2000
This review is from: Star Trek - The Original Series, Episode 70: Let That Be Your Last Battlefield [VHS] (VHS Tape)
"Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" is about two humanoids that appear on the Enterprise. One (Loki) is supposedly a criminal who is begging for help from Captain Kirk and the crew, and the other one is out to capture Loki. The only difference between them is that their black and white colors are on opposite sides of their faces. They mainly just fuss between each other, but when they start changing the course of the Enterprise, Captain Kirk decides something has to be done.
"Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" is interesting and it isn't a bad episode if you're a Star Trek fan. I recommend anybody who likes Star Trek to watch or buy this episode.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
great show of horrible racism, June 8, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Star Trek - The Original Series, Episode 70: Let That Be Your Last Battlefield [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This episode shows just how horrible racism can be, and it's a really great story. Currently I'm reading a book on racism, and this episode seems even better now. Plus, in my opinion, this is a classic of the original series, and any fan would like it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Almost preachy, and low budget, but the acting would win it big awards., January 17, 2008
This review is from: Star Trek - The Original Series, Episode 70: Let That Be Your Last Battlefield [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Indeed, not one person's acting in this episode is anything less than stellar; and Frank Gorshin, if he hadn't won any awards for this episode, definitely deserved as many as theoretically possible.
The story is basic - distant planet, two humanoid species hating each other because of skin color. Indeed, this is the closest original Trek ever got to telling people how to be politically correct, but in this case it's justified, immensely well told, and there are little gems of dialogue scattered all over the place in this episode. And, quite frankly, having seen it a thousand times or for the very first time, it takes little time for the viewer to be caught up in the intrigue and kept hooked thanks to the dialogue and quality of the actors' performances.
Even when there are obvious gaffes:
* Spock thinks Lokai's color scheme is impossible and goes through the range of human pigmentations, but has he never seen a zebra?! Such a dual skin tone is hardly unique, impossible, or anything else.
* Spock doesn't see the difference between Lokai and Bele (one is black on the right side, the other is black on the left)
* The conservative element (Bele) is "right on the white side" - that and subsequent dialogue making an (incorrect) inference that only white is right.
I'll ignore the obvious re-use of Enterprise shuttlecraft footage. This was the no-budget season 3, which had to rely far more on character than what any special effect could do to carry.
But later, Spock (who's otherwise remarkably obtuse in this episode) points out to Lokai that, for all Lokai's talk of revolution and "justice", Lokai himself doesn't seem to want to put in his own weight; thereby diminishing his credibility. The whole scene is so well thought out, it more than makes up for the earlier gaffes. It defines the story.
Given this was season 3, with no budget and time available, what was made is astonishingly good and that needs to be taken into account.
This episode is a winner. Loud, proud, thought-provoking for all the right reasons; it's definitely worth the purchase.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
