Star Trek tends to be remembered as the work of visionaries.  It was years ahead of its time in terms of social impact, gaining support by people like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and inspiring people to fields of engineering, space science, physics, and so much more.  Our technology advanced lightyears with the eventual creation of FaceTime and Zoom meetings, the design of the flip phone as well as the interface for the iPhone, and that barely scratches the surface.  So it’s no surprise that the fans of the show decided to create a series that could tell stories that needed to be told using the very technology at their fingertips to enhance the story exponentially.  

The landing party beams down to render aid to an isolated society, run by Galisti, played by John DeLancie, but when they arrive, their eyesight is affected by the radiation from their sun.  As a result, everyone sees in black and white.  

I haven’t read any reviews of this series since I started writing it but I was curious about where this one netted out from the fans and so, I went to the trusty IMDb to see if there were reviews.  As expected, listed right next to one another, we have a “this is the best” right next to a “this is the worst.”  One reviewer seems to point out the middle ground and that’s probably the best way to approach the episode.  I found it outstanding with the exception being around something that follows the classic crew, not something specific to this episode.  

The issue I took with the episode is that ever-present judgmental take McCoy has on everyone.  In this, he derisively calls Galisti’s people a “hermit race” and says Spock needs to get something through his “computer brain”.  Worst of all, referring to Vulcans being misunderstood as “human females”, he corrects the observer by saying, “If human females looked like that, we’d go extinct!”  I know, I know: it’s done for laughs but if you joke about a thing enough, it normalizes it and I don’t think the message works especially in an episode that reminds us to see beyond appearances. Comedy can, and should, still exist in the show, but it’s done far more effectively when McKenna is standing where McCoy normally stands on the bridge and he pouts: “She’s in my spot!”  That  was actually worthy of an outright laugh.  The jibe about Vulcan appearance… not so much.  

“How often we look, but forget to see.”  The episode does a very clever thing: it sets up an “us vs. them” mindset between Galisti’s people and a neighboring race.  It seems the neighbors have wanted to come to Hyalinus but they are denied entry because they are viewed as savage.  Only when color can be seen do we realize that there are already members of that world living amongst them.  This aspect of the episode couldn’t be more brilliantly depicted.  If we saw everyone without color, would we be so quick to judge?  Would it be easier to accept people?  I always liked Let That Be Your Last Battlefield but it’s far more effective as a message when we can turn off the color on our sets and let it bleed into the story naturally.  

Where I think the episode might put people off is the message about open boarders and immigration.  I think I understand what the writers are trying to say: we should not turn our backs on people who need help.  I agree with that.  But it’s a dangerous blanket statement to imply there should be no control.  They address it saying that to invite some refugees in, they invite all refugees.  From a resource-perspective, that’s unsustainable.  Whether food, houses, jobs… there are limitations and allowing everyone in cannot sustain itself long-term.  At the same time, is it right to deny people looking for help?  

You’ll get no answers from me.  I watched the episode and loved it, but like everything we watch, one fans favorite is another’s most hated.  That’s ok.  We can each get something out of the message, even if we have different values, but I do think the writers and creators did what Trek is meant to do: make us question what’s right and what’s wrong. 

Meanwhile, the series does another amazing job paying attention to the past.  Sulu comments on his carnivorous plant, Gertrude (The Man Trap) while studying the flora of Hyalinus.  The Prime Directive is called into question by the typically superb acting of DeLancie, and his logic is hard to dispute.  And the title is given clarity as well: ships are safe in the harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.  It’s easy to stay safe by not venturing out, but that’s not who we are.  Maybe we all need to go out on a limb even when it makes us uncomfortable.  I can see how this episode might rub people the wrong way, and I respect that; it’s probably not for everyone, but I applaud the writers for giving it life.  I think it’s an important point that still needs to be discussed from both sides.  ML