Star Trek Review: PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN

Director David Alexander's, PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN, is a fascinating Sci-Fi yarn. Alexander also directed the classic "Trek" episode, "The Way to Eden". In addition, he directed several episodes of "The Man From UNCLE".

Michael Dunn is sympathetic, as a dwarf who is the servant/toy of the other Platonians. Dunn is best know as the evil Dr. Loveless, in the 60's tv series, "The Wild, Wild West". He received great critical acclaim for his performance in the feature film, "Ship of Fools".

This episode made TV history with the first interracial kiss, between Kirk, (Shatner), and Uhura, (Nichols). Some tv stations in the South refused to air this episode. Informed sources indicate that Mr. Spock was originally supposed to kiss Uhura. Shatner supposedly pulled rank inorder to be the one smooching Nichols.

The teleplay, by Meryer Dolinsky, is stronger than many other third season scripts. Dolinsky also wrote the script for, "The Manhunter".

This is also the only episode in which Nurse Chapel (Majel Barrett) and Mr. Spock (Nimoy) kiss. Because of the circumstances of the kiss, (forced against their will), this moment, long hoped for by Chapel, is not a happy one.

PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN was originally entitled "The Sons of Socrates". The reasons for the title change are obscure.

PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN should be fairly watchable for most Sci-Fi viewers. Toga party enthusiasts will dig this episode.

BACK TO: TREK EPISODE