Plato's Stepchildren
- Episode aired Nov 22, 1968
- TV-PG
- 51m
After Dr. McCoy helps the leader of a planet populated by people with powerful psionic abilities, they decide to force him to stay by torturing his comrades until he submits.After Dr. McCoy helps the leader of a planet populated by people with powerful psionic abilities, they decide to force him to stay by torturing his comrades until he submits.After Dr. McCoy helps the leader of a planet populated by people with powerful psionic abilities, they decide to force him to stay by torturing his comrades until he submits.
- Lieutenant Hadley
- (uncredited)
- Yeoman
- (uncredited)
- Enterprise Lieutenant
- (uncredited)
- Spectator
- (uncredited)
- Director
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- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaNetwork executives ordered director David Alexander to shoot a take where Kirk and Uhura did not kiss, just so it would be available. However, William Shatner crossed his eyes at the camera, making the take useless.
- GoofsIn his Captain's Log, Kirk states that the Platonians' "planet went nova." Planets don't go nova, only stars.
- Quotes
Captain James T. Kirk: Alexander, are there other Platonians like you?
Alexander: [defensively] What do you mean "like me?"
Captain James T. Kirk: Who don't have the psychokinetic ability.
Alexander: [relieved] I thought you were talking about my size, because they make fun of me for my size. But, um, to answer your question, I'm the only one who doesn't have it. I was brought here as the court buffoon. That's why I'm everybody's slave, and I have to be at ten places at once, and I never do anything right.
Spock: How does one obtain the power?
Alexander: As far as I know, it just comes to you some time after you're born. They say I'm a throwback. And I am, and so are you... Sorry. I shouldn't have said that.
Captain James T. Kirk: Don't worry about it. We're happy without it.
Alexander: You know, I believe you are! Listen, where you come from, are there are lot of people without the power and my size?
Captain James T. Kirk: Alexander, where I come from, size, shape or color makes no difference. And nobody has the power.
- Alternate versionsSpecial Enhanced version Digitally Remastered with new exterior shots and remade opening theme song
- ConnectionsFeatured in William Shatner's Star Trek Memories (1995)
They've developed their minds and psychokinetic abilities to such a degree that they make everyone else dance to their tune. Such is what they do for amusement to several Enterprise crew members. They do have a purpose in mind. They're a finely tuned genetic machine these Platonians, but having achieved almost immortality and eradicating those pesty one celled things that cause disease they're immune systems are non-existent. When DeForest Kelley treats the head Platonian Liam Sullivan for a simple cut that has grown infected, Sullivan decides a Platonian doctor on call is what the planet lacks.
Sullivan is also willing to go any lengths to keep Dr. McCoy there at his beck and call. And of course making the Enterprise crew do what you want them to do is good amusement. Previously the only one whom they could do it to was dwarf Michael Dunn.
An interesting parable about absolute power. This Star Trek episode should be seen back to back with Forbidden Planet.
- bkoganbing
- Jun 6, 2014
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