Changes: The Magicks of Megas-Tu (episode)

Revision as of 18:36, 10 August 2010

Template:Realworld

While investigating the theory of creation, the Enterprise is caught inside an energy/matter tornado. After emerging from the storm, the crew encounter a world where magic works and science doesn't.

Summary

"Captain's Log: Stardate 1254.4. For years scientists have theorized that if our galaxy was created from a great explosion then the center of the galaxy might still be creating new matter. The Enterprise is now on a science mission to investigate. It's an awesome thought that we may actually witness matter being created."

The Enterprise was sent on a scientific mission to find the creation point, an area in the galactic core where matter was being created. Upon arrival, the starship is caught in what Spock described as a matter-energy whirlwind and thrown into an alternate universe. All of the ship's computers and systems begin to fail, and the crew begins to lose consciousness due to the lack of oxygen.

Suddenly, a red-skinned humanoid with small horns on his head appeared on the bridge. He repaired the systems and welcomed the crew as if they were old friends but preached caution. He took them to his planet, Megas-Tu, where he explained that Megas-Tu was not governed by the same laws as their own universe and that magic thrived here. He then sent them back to the Enterprise, seeming afraid that someone might discover them.

"Captain's Log: Supplemental. In this incredible universe it appears to be part of the natural laws that belief is as potent a force as energy and matter are in our own."

Back on board, some of the crew began experimenting with magic, despite Spock's obvious disapproval. It is discovered that in this universe, belief is as real as matter and energy. Spock explored these new abilities by drawing a pentagram on the floor, and while standing in it, used the power of his belief to move a Vulcan chess piece and Sulu used magic to conjure up a beautiful woman. Lucien reappeared, telling them that using these mental powers would attract unwanted attention. Too late – the Megans have noticed the activity and arrived in non-corporeal form on the Enterprise.

The crew is transported to what appears to be Salem, Massachusetts, in what appears to the be middle of a witch trial. The prosecutor, Asmodeus, explained that the Megans had gone to Earth many years prior in search of companions, as there were no other life forms in their own universe, practiced magic, but were met with hatred, fear, and eventually driven out accused of witchcraft. The remaining few gathered together, and combining their powers, were able to return to Megas-Tu.

Spock spoke in defense of the Humans, since he was not from Earth. Kirk also explained how Humanity has grown since 1691, trying to accept all forms of life with an open mind. Kirk invited Asmodeus to view the ship's computer, which convinced him that Humanity has changed, and that they could go free.

However, they were now putting Lucien on trial for bringing evil to their planet, since they expect that the Enterprise will bring more Humans to their world. Lucien's punishment would be to be condemned to Limbo for eternity. Spock and Kirk defend Lucien's actions, but their words do nothing to convince the court. Seeing no other course of action, Kirk used magic himself, against Asmodeus, in defense of Lucien, despite the knowledge that he could not win. He explained that the Megans were in danger of becoming like the Humans they so feared. Despite the knowledge that Lucien was the inspiration, or even the embodiment of Lucifer, Kirk continued to defend him, stating that he would give his life to save Lucien. This impressed the Megans, and they give Lucien his freedom.

The Megans tell Kirk that if any other Humans make it to their planet they would be welcomed, and the Enterprise is returned to its proper universe.

Memorable Quotes

"Ah, humans. Lovely, primitive humans. Can't you do anything right?"

- Lucien

"Children will play."

- Lucien

"These are the defendants, as representatives of the vilest species in all the Universe, treacherous humanity."

- Megas Prosecutor

"Know that once, upon your world, I was known as Asmodeus, he who sees all. Gaze upon my countenance so that you too may see."

- Megas Prosecutor

"Some Humans would attempt to use us to gain power... to serve their own greed and lust. When we refused to serve them they turned against us and taught other humans to fear us, to hate. They called us devils, warlocks, evil sorcerers. Those of us who survived came to the town of Salem in Massachusetts as settlers and tried to live like other men."
"But you made mistakes, used your powers..."
"And burned for it. Burned!"
"As witches."

- Asmodeus, Spock, and Kirk

"We massed together outside the town, immersed ourselves in Megan lore, revived ourselves enough to unite our minds and reach into our own Universe, and tap enough of its power to return from your hellish Earth to Megas-Tu."

- Asmodeus

"You could be found."
"Have been found!! So...the people of Earth would spread the evil to our homes!! We are ready for human supremacy this time!! This time, it is the humans who shall suffer...the humans, and you, Lucien, who shall pay!!"

- Lucien and Megan Spirits

Background Information

This episode's author, Larry Brody, also wrote the story for VOY: "Tattoo".
This is the only episode of the series to feature Earth.
The stardate for this episode, 1254.4 has lower numbered stardate than the first TOS aired Kirk-era episode "Where No Man Has Gone Before" which has a stardate of 1312.4. However, due to the ambiguous interpretation of stardates, there is little assumption that it takes place prior to that episode. Nor is the stardate assumed to be an error.

Video and DVD releases

UK VHS release (CIC Video): Volume 3, catalog number VHR 2537, 20 January 1992
As part of the The Animated Series DVD collection

Links and references

Starring

William Shatner as Captain Kirk
Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock

And

DeForest Kelley as Dr. McCoy

Also starring

Guest star

Ed Bishop as Asmodeus

Background characters

References

13th century; 1691; antimatter; apple; Bacchanais; battery; Big Bang; charting scanners; creation point; chronometer; deflectors; Earth; Earthling; elf; emergency power; galactic core; General Order 1; generalist; hurricane; life support system; limbo; love philter; Lucifer; magic; Massachusetts; matter; matter-energy whirlwind; medical tricorder; Megas-Tu; Megan; mythology; oxygen; pentagram; Radamanthus; Salem; Salem witch trials; Satyr; sorcerer-contractor; space; specialist; subspace radio; time; toast; Vulcan chess; yellow alert

Previous episode:
"The Infinite Vulcan"

Star Trek: The Animated Series
Season 1

Next episode:
"Once Upon a Planet"

@@ Line 87: / Line 87: @@
 * This episode's author, [[Larry Brody]], also wrote the story for {{VOY|Tattoo}}.
 * This is the only episode of the series to feature [[Earth]].
+*The stardate for this episode, 1254.4 has lower numbered stardate than the first [[TOS]] aired Kirk-era episode "[[Where No Man Has Gone Before]]" which has a stardate of 1312.4. However, due to the ambiguous interpretation of stardates, there is little assumption that it takes place prior to that episode. Nor is the stardate assumed to be an error.
 ===Video and DVD releases===