Customer Reviews

Star Trek - The Original Series, Episode 32: Friday's Child [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The first half of this episode was filmed on Capella 4 and the second half was filmed in Calfiornia, thus the changing sky and landscape. No, actually this is a fine episode that really plays on the strengths of the big three more than many other episodes. The big three try to deal with a fight for leadership that puts them on the run and Scotty and the ship try to deal with Klingons out in space. The episodes that show the constants in emotions and feelings in other beings are some of the best and this episode plays it out beautifully. Seeing Spock and Kirk fight with bow and arrow is also a big plus.

"Friday's Child" is one of the best episodes of the original Star Trek. Kirk, Spock, and Dr. McCoy must beam down to Capella IV in order to get some rocks from the planet for their ship. However, there is a major obstacle in their way, a Klingon. Kirk must prove to the new leader of Capella IV that he's worthy of the rocks that he needs. But first, he must do something with the Klingon that has gotten their first.

In "Friday's Child," you will see an exciting adventure while Kirk and the crew try to stay away from the approaching Klingon and the people of Capella IV. In addition to the Enterprise crew, they have brought a woman from Capella IV with them.

If you're a fan of Star Trek, "Friday's Child" is one of the episodes you need to get. Dr. McCoy puts on one of his best performances of the series and you'll see him perform one of the biggest deeds of being a doctor. At the end of the episode, there are many funny lines that you'll remember from the series. "Friday's Child" is one of the best overall episodes of the original series that any Trekkie needs to own.

Lots of good one-liners and an unusually coherent intrigue/diplomacy plot. Scotty takes command while the big three negotiate with the aliens for resources and get pulled into a local power struggle. Kirk and Spock go native, Bones argues with a recalcitrant patient and accidentally becomes a daddy. Up in the sky, Chekov reminds everyone why Russia rocks. Bonus for guest star Julie Newmar.

I can't believe that they would show this awful episode after Journey to Babel. Why would the Federation be dealing with a people who haven't developed light speed? These people haven't even developed the bow and arrow! Despite this huge mistake, the rest of the episode is painful to watch.

The greatest problems in the sciences of politics and sociology deal with what forms of government and social structure are best suited for societies. Some argue that democracy and free market systems are the best for all, yet there are strong reasons to believe that these systems are not the best ones for all societies. Events in human history have demonstrated that an attempt to impose a system on a society generally leads to consequences worse than the original conditions. That is the fundamental problem and point of this episode.
Earlier in his life, Dr. McCoy had spent some time on Capella IV, a planet with a primitive culture. The society is organized into tribes and there are rigid social mores where hand to hand combat is considered sport. Kirk and company arrive at the surface in an attempt to negotiate a mining treaty. When they materialize, they see a Klingon and one of the security people draws his weapon. He is immediately killed by one of the Capellans.
After this unfortunate incident, Kirk begins discussing the treaty with Akaar, the leader of the tribes. Akaar is disposed to offer the treaty to the Federation until he is opposed by Maab, a man who is allied with the Klingons. When Kirk offers medicines and new technologies, the response is not what he expected, as the Capellan society has no need for technology. Akaar makes no decision, but that night, Maab stages a revolt and Akaar is killed. Maab is now the leader of the tribes and Akaar's pregnant widow Eleen is to be killed. However, Kirk's bravery impresses Maab and he delays any action against the Federation prisoners.
Kirk, Spock and McCoy escape with Eleen and flee to the hills, and Maab is in pursuit. The Klingon is with Maab and when the Federation party is cornered and McCoy delivers the baby, Eleen goes to Maab and tells them she killed Kirk, Spock and McCoy. When the Klingon objects, Maab understands his error and gives Eleen her life back and declares his forfeit. He challenges the Klingon and is killed by phaser fire and one of Maab's men kills the Klingon. At the end, Eleen is declared regent for the infant and the Federation has the mining treaty.
Humans, particularly those who are zealots, believe that the system they espouse is the only true one that all societies should adopt. In this case, while the Capellan society is primitive and difficult to understand, Kirk and company must work within it. It is not democratic, it is brutal and much more like the Klingon society than the Federation. Yet, Kirk, Spock and McCoy show that they are flexible in their dealings with other societies and accept and work with their differences. Let us hope that when humans encounter other species in space, the members of both species are as wise and adaptable.

Not to be a Debby Downer, but I've been amazed at how many reviewers of this episode (both here and in the DVD reviews) actually like this episode! Ridiculous-er than usual aliens (complete with language that a Native American might speak in a John Wayne flick), Bones slapping his pregnant patient around ("I'll touch you in an any way or manner that my professional judgment indicates!"), bows and arrows (bows and arrows?!), and Kirk's embrace of revenge ("Why not?") all add up to a bizarre mismatch that's too unsettling to ever feel worth watching. Immediately after this I watched the 3rd season episode, "The Cloud Minders" and felt a wave of fresh air roll over me, as I suddenly had issues, acting, and writing that felt, well, quality. Sorry, "Friday's Child," but I won't be watching you again.