Memory Alpha
Memory Alpha
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==Summary==
 
==Summary==
:''[[Captain's log]]: [[Stardate]] 5501.2. We are orbiting the [[planet]] [[Lactra VII]]. Our mission is to discover the whereabouts or fate of a six member science [[crew]]. Voice contact having yielded nothing, a landing party [[beam]]ed aboard to see if the deserted ship's log and [[computer]]s could give us any information.''
+
:"''[[Captain's log]]: [[Stardate]] 5501.2. We are orbiting the [[planet]] [[Lactra VII]]. Our mission is to discover the whereabouts or fate of a six member science [[crew]]. Voice contact having yielded nothing, a landing party [[beam]]ed aboard to see if the deserted ship's log and [[computer]]s could give us any information.''"
   
Their computer intones, "It is now 32 minutes since our last contact with the three members of our crew on the planet's surface. As the [[senior officer]] aboard I, [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Tom Markel|Markel]], have made the following decision. The three remaining crew members, myself included will beam down to effect a rescue. If for any reason we do not return, be it known that…" Kirk says, "It was against all orders. Bones claims, "The crew was apparently desperate." Kirk states, "The [[Captain]] of a [[ship]], no matter his [[rank]], must follow the book." Spock remarks, "A capability, I'm afraid, out of the reach of most [[humans]]." Kirk wants a [[landing party]] to beam down to the last known coordinates the crew used. "Gentlemen, we'll travel light. [[Phaser]]s, [[tricorder]]s, [[communicator]]s and [[medical kit]]."
+
Their computer intones, "''It is now 32 minutes since our last contact with the three members of our crew on the planet's surface. As the [[senior officer]] aboard I, [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Tom Markel|Markel]], have made the following decision. The three remaining crew members, myself included will beam down to effect a rescue. If for any reason we do not return, be it known that...''" [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]] says, "''It was against all orders.''" [[Leonard McCoy|McCoy]] claims, "''The crew was apparently desperate.''" Kirk states, "''The [[captain]] of a [[ship]], no matter his [[rank]], must follow the book.''" [[Spock]] remarks, "''A capability, I'm afraid, out of the reach of most [[Humans]].''" Kirk wants a [[landing party]] to beam down to the last known coordinates the crew used. "''Gentlemen, we'll travel light. [[Phaser]]s, [[tricorder]]s, [[communicator]]s and [[medical kit]].''"
   
Their communicator picks up a short signal, but there is no trace of sentient inhabitants. They are attacked by a beast that seems similar to one on [[Canopus III]] which is [[light year]]s away but the desert area they now occupy is the same. As they continue walking the environment changes. [[Spock]] doesn't think that two such disparate ecologies could co-exist so closely. [[Montgomery Scott|Scott]] communicates that ship's [[sensor]]s have discovered a large concentration of [[life|life form]]s 98.5 [[kilometer]]s north east. Apparently a [[city]] or central gathering place. Spock's has a theory that they have found a plethora of different [[habitat]]s and their inhabitants. The environments have been manufactured, not created by nature.
+
Their communicator picks up a short signal, but there is no trace of [[sentient]] inhabitants. They are attacked by a beast that seems similar to one on [[Canopus III]], which is [[light year]]s away, but the desert area they now occupy is the same. As they continue walking the environment changes. Spock doesn't think that two such disparate ecologies could co-exist so closely. [[Montgomery Scott|Scott]] communicates that ship's [[sensor]]s have discovered a large concentration of [[lifeform]]s 98.5 [[kilometer]]s north east. Apparently a [[city]] or central gathering place. Spock's has a theory that they have found a plethora of different habitats and their inhabitants. The environments have been manufactured, not created by nature.
   
 
They are attacked by other creatures, but before any harm can befall them the creatures are stopped by a [[force field]]. The crew meets the [[Lactran]]s, a group of twenty-foot slugs who capture them. Spock discovers the Lactrans are [[telepathic]], but the speed at which their thoughts flow is too difficult for him to comprehend, except for the most fleeting image. He realizes that they are advanced as much beyond Kirk as Kirk is to a colony of ants. They are taken to an environment like [[Earth]] and imprisoned along with the three remaining [[USS Ariel|''Ariel'']] [[crew]]members. They have become exhibits in a [[zoo]].
They are attacked by other creatures, but before any harm can befall them the creatures are stopped by a [[force field]].
 
The crew meets the [[Lactran]]s, a group of twenty foot slugs who capture them. Spock discovers the Lactrans are [[telepathic]], but the speed at which their thoughts flow is too difficult for him to comprehend, except for the most fleeting image. He realizes that they are advanced as much beyond [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]] as Kirk is to a colony of ants. They are taken to an environment like [[Earth]] and imprisoned along with the three remaining [[USS Ariel|''Ariel'']] [[Crew|crew members]]. They have become exhibits in a [[zoo]].
 
   
The Lactrans are unaware ''Ariel'''s [[Lieutenant]] [[Nancy Randolph|Randolph]] has become ill, and they were too late to save the first [[landing party]]. They have tried every means of escape they could. They have attempted [[communication]] but only aroused a quivering motion. Kirk asks Spock to try to make contact but he can't. His impression is that they are laughing at him. They all concentrate their need to have [[Leonard H. McCoy|McCoy's]] medical kit that is located outside a force field and succeed.
+
The Lactrans are unaware ''Ariel'''s [[Lieutenant]] [[Nancy Randolph|Randolph]] has become ill, and they were too late to save the first landing party. They have tried every means of escape they could. They have attempted [[communication]] but only aroused a quivering motion. Kirk asks Spock to try to make contact but he can't. His impression is that they are laughing at him. They all concentrate their need to have McCoy's medical kit that is located outside a force field and succeed.
   
Spock notices that the Lactrans can pick up specific thought transmissions from them if they care to go to the trouble. He suggests that one of them should appear to be ill and the rest of them should put strong thoughts in their minds that a communicator is needed for recovery. A child responds, gives them the communicator and Kirk contacts the ship. They are beamed up along with the child. The elders are worried about the child and think Kirk made the child disappear. The child's parents are worried and almost kill Kirk in an attempt to contact him. On the [[starship]], the child reads Scott's [[brain]], all the information contained in the [[library computer]] and sends them flying out of [[orbit]]. Scotty convinced the child, that [[humans]] are not pets and to return and let his parents know what he has learned. The child does so and the Lactrans release the crew from confinement and allow them to leave because the Lactrans do not feel the crew belongs in their zoo. They send a final telepathic message to Spock "humans may return when they grow up, in 20 or 30 of their centuries and it will take Spock some time to figure out how long that is to them." Kirk says, "Either way Mr. Spock, it will hardly be our problem."
+
Spock notices that the Lactrans can pick up specific thought transmissions from them if they care to go to the trouble. He suggests that one of them should appear to be ill and the rest of them should put strong thoughts in their minds that a communicator is needed for recovery. A child responds, gives them the communicator and Kirk contacts the ship. They are beamed up along with the child. The elders are worried about the child and think Kirk made the child disappear. The child's parents are worried and almost kill Kirk in an attempt to contact him. On the [[starship]], the child reads Scott's [[brain]], all the information contained in the [[library computer]] and sends them flying out of [[orbit]]. Scotty convinced the child, that Humans are not pets and to return and let his parents know what he has learned. The child does so and the Lactrans release the crew from confinement and allow them to leave because the Lactrans do not feel the crew belongs in their zoo. They send a final telepathic message to Spock – "''Humans may return when they grow up, in 20 or 30 of their centuries and it will take Spock some time to figure out how long that is to them.''" Kirk says, "''Either way Mr. Spock, it will hardly be our problem.''"
   
 
==Memorable Quotes==
 
==Memorable Quotes==
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==Background ==
 
==Background ==
*The author, [[David P. Harmon]] also wrote [[TOS]]: "[[The Deadly Years]]" and "[[A Piece of the Action]]".
+
*The author, [[David P. Harmon]] also wrote {{TOS|The Deadly Years}} and {{e|A Piece of the Action}}.
   
* There was a seventh season [[TNG]]: "[[Eye of the Beholder]]" and also a classic '''Twilight Zone''' episode by the same name.
+
* There was a [[TNG Season 7|seventh season]] {{TNG|Eye of the Beholder}}" and also a classic ''Twilight Zone'' episode by the same name.
   
* There also was a Star Trek [[novel]] by [[A.C. Crispin]] entitled ''[[The Eyes of the Beholders]]'' published by [[Pocket Books]] in [[September 1990]] but it is an entirely different story.
+
* There also was a ''Star Trek'' [[novel]] by [[A.C. Crispin]] entitled ''[[The Eyes of the Beholders]]'' published by [[Pocket Books]] in [[September 1990]], but it is an entirely different story.
   
* [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Tom Markel]] was shown with [[Commander]]'s stripes on his sleeve.
+
* [[Lieutenant Commander]] Tom Markel was shown with [[commander]]'s stripes on his sleeve.
   
* [[Montgomery Scott|Scott]] was shown with [[Captain]]'s stripes on his sleeve in the scene when [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]], [[Spock]], and [[Leonard McCoy|McCoy]] beam down to the planet surface.
+
* Scott was shown with captain's stripes on his sleeve in the scene when Kirk, Spock, and McCoy beam down to the planet surface.
   
 
==Links and References==
 
==Links and References==
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* [[William Shatner]] as [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]]
 
* [[William Shatner]] as [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]]
 
* [[Leonard Nimoy]] as [[Spock]]
 
* [[Leonard Nimoy]] as [[Spock]]
* [[DeForest Kelley]] as [[Leonard H. McCoy|McCoy]]
+
* [[DeForest Kelley]] as [[Leonard McCoy|McCoy]]
 
* [[James Doohan]] as
 
* [[James Doohan]] as
 
** [[Montgomery Scott|Scott]]
 
** [[Montgomery Scott|Scott]]

Revision as of 15:39, 12 September 2007

See Eye of the Beholder for the TNG episode of (almost) the same name.

Beaming down to a planet to search for the crew of a missing ship, the crew is captured by previously unknown aliens.

Summary

"Captain's log: Stardate 5501.2. We are orbiting the planet Lactra VII. Our mission is to discover the whereabouts or fate of a six member science crew. Voice contact having yielded nothing, a landing party beamed aboard to see if the deserted ship's log and computers could give us any information."

Their computer intones, "It is now 32 minutes since our last contact with the three members of our crew on the planet's surface. As the senior officer aboard I, Lieutenant Commander Markel, have made the following decision. The three remaining crew members, myself included will beam down to effect a rescue. If for any reason we do not return, be it known that..." Kirk says, "It was against all orders." McCoy claims, "The crew was apparently desperate." Kirk states, "The captain of a ship, no matter his rank, must follow the book." Spock remarks, "A capability, I'm afraid, out of the reach of most Humans." Kirk wants a landing party to beam down to the last known coordinates the crew used. "Gentlemen, we'll travel light. Phasers, tricorders, communicators and medical kit."

Their communicator picks up a short signal, but there is no trace of sentient inhabitants. They are attacked by a beast that seems similar to one on Canopus III, which is light years away, but the desert area they now occupy is the same. As they continue walking the environment changes. Spock doesn't think that two such disparate ecologies could co-exist so closely. Scott communicates that ship's sensors have discovered a large concentration of lifeforms 98.5 kilometers north east. Apparently a city or central gathering place. Spock's has a theory that they have found a plethora of different habitats and their inhabitants. The environments have been manufactured, not created by nature.

They are attacked by other creatures, but before any harm can befall them the creatures are stopped by a force field. The crew meets the Lactrans, a group of twenty-foot slugs who capture them. Spock discovers the Lactrans are telepathic, but the speed at which their thoughts flow is too difficult for him to comprehend, except for the most fleeting image. He realizes that they are advanced as much beyond Kirk as Kirk is to a colony of ants. They are taken to an environment like Earth and imprisoned along with the three remaining Ariel crewmembers. They have become exhibits in a zoo.

The Lactrans are unaware Ariel's Lieutenant Randolph has become ill, and they were too late to save the first landing party. They have tried every means of escape they could. They have attempted communication but only aroused a quivering motion. Kirk asks Spock to try to make contact but he can't. His impression is that they are laughing at him. They all concentrate their need to have McCoy's medical kit that is located outside a force field and succeed.

Spock notices that the Lactrans can pick up specific thought transmissions from them if they care to go to the trouble. He suggests that one of them should appear to be ill and the rest of them should put strong thoughts in their minds that a communicator is needed for recovery. A child responds, gives them the communicator and Kirk contacts the ship. They are beamed up along with the child. The elders are worried about the child and think Kirk made the child disappear. The child's parents are worried and almost kill Kirk in an attempt to contact him. On the starship, the child reads Scott's brain, all the information contained in the library computer and sends them flying out of orbit. Scotty convinced the child, that Humans are not pets and to return and let his parents know what he has learned. The child does so and the Lactrans release the crew from confinement and allow them to leave because the Lactrans do not feel the crew belongs in their zoo. They send a final telepathic message to Spock – "Humans may return when they grow up, in 20 or 30 of their centuries and it will take Spock some time to figure out how long that is to them." Kirk says, "Either way Mr. Spock, it will hardly be our problem."

Memorable Quotes

"They don't seem very interested in communicating with us, if they can communicate at all."
"Perhaps not in a way we understand. I keep receiving impressions."
"Any ideas doctor?"
"Well, I've got one and I definitely don't like it. I guess they're doing exactly what we would do. If we came upon an alien creature we'd never seen before the first thing we'd do... the first thing we'd do is to make sure it was free of harmful bacteria, then we'd see if it was intelligent."
"Congratulations doctor. A most logical assumption."

- McCoy, Spock, Kirk, McCoy, and Spock again

"Are the aliens telepathic?"
"I've come to the conclusion they are Captain but the speed at which the thoughts flow is too great for me to comprehend except for the most fleeting image."
"Surely we can communicate with them someway."
"They appear to be as advanced beyond Earth civilization as you are from a colony of ants."

- Kirk and Spock

Background

  • Scott was shown with captain's stripes on his sleeve in the scene when Kirk, Spock, and McCoy beam down to the planet surface.

Links and References

Regular Cast

Guest Stars

References

ant; Ariel, USS; bacteria; Canopus III; Canopus III dinosaur; class M; fever; force field; grass; insect; intelligence quotient; Lactra VII; Lactra VII zoo; Lactran city; Lactrans; Marabel; Marabel dragon; material type infection; medikit; Randolph, Nancy; telepathy


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