One message I got from this episode is that love is universal. The Companion cares for Zefram Cochrane but it is a selfish love. Instead of letting Cochrane leave the planet, she kidnaps other humans so that he won't die of loneliness and so that he would want to stay on the planet. The Companion doesn't want to lose Cochrane. Lucky for all of them that Nancy Hedford is terminally ill and the Companion is only able to experience human love when she merges with Nancy Hedford. So for the first time Nancy Hedford is loved (by Cochrane) and for the first time the Companion experiences love (the Companion's love for Cochrane and Cochrane's love for Hedford) in a human body and therefore her love is finally fulfilled. Another message of this episode ties in with the message of "Arena." Talking might solve the problem, war might be avoidable. The Companion doesn't ask Kirk if he wants to keep Cochrane company on the planet or if he knows a solution, she just kidnaps him and his crew. And since the Companion doesn't speak like a human does and the outcome of Cochrane's telepathic communication with the Companion only is that she can't help Nancy Hedford (jealousy?), Kirk does the most obvious to save his crew: he tries to kill or at least disable the Companion. When he is unsuccessful he takes Spock's advice to find a way to communicate with it. One of my favorite Star Trek episodes of all seasons: easily 8/10.
You nailed it here. I too was aware of this episode's many shortcomings, but it's the one I've probably rewatched more than any other. By that measure, I'd say it's my favorite. You may have mentioned this; but in addition to all of the artistic merits, this episode has an original music score that perfectly fits the visuals and episode's emotional instensity. Plot and the question of "what happens next" make for a great first watch, but character, style, scene, mood, pacing, music, are what keep me coming back. BTW, Metamorphosis is unique in that it had no scenes with Kirk or Spock on the Bridge. I think Paradise Syndrome would be the only other case of this. That and Spectre of the Gun were other beautifully atypical and evocative episodes. Keep up the great reviews!
Whoa that was weird!! The photography is excellent and some of the shooting angles are really clever...the colours sublime...but BUT...to a non trekky like myself who has memories of their 1st airing if not of specifics the over arching attitudes to women really smarts...the 'commissioner'..surely someone of substance gets patronised into beigedom. ...to the Joe Public consumer like myself it gets a bit to intellectual LOL for early evening consumption when considering the implications..Zephram..a corner stone of star trek going from inventor of warp drive to resident of alpha centauri..hmmmm...all a bit much for me...bare in mind I have to watch this on CBS edited butchery channel U.K. freeview...started well...slid off on closer observation...6 out of 10👉🤢👈😈💎⚠️👜 ps...how simple things were in the 60s...just 2 genders!!
Just started freeview CBS uk...looking good..get back to you after I've watched this episode and then checked our 'quick thoughts'...give me an hour and a half😈👜💣ps zephrain!!
One message I got from this episode is that love is universal. The Companion cares for Zefram Cochrane but it is a selfish love. Instead of letting Cochrane leave the planet, she kidnaps other humans so that he won't die of loneliness and so that he would want to stay on the planet. The Companion doesn't want to lose Cochrane. Lucky for all of them that Nancy Hedford is terminally ill and the Companion is only able to experience human love when she merges with Nancy Hedford. So for the first time Nancy Hedford is loved (by Cochrane) and for the first time the Companion experiences love (the Companion's love for Cochrane and Cochrane's love for Hedford) in a human body and therefore her love is finally fulfilled.
Another message of this episode ties in with the message of "Arena." Talking might solve the problem, war might be avoidable. The Companion doesn't ask Kirk if he wants to keep Cochrane company on the planet or if he knows a solution, she just kidnaps him and his crew. And since the Companion doesn't speak like a human does and the outcome of Cochrane's telepathic communication with the Companion only is that she can't help Nancy Hedford (jealousy?), Kirk does the most obvious to save his crew: he tries to kill or at least disable the Companion. When he is unsuccessful he takes Spock's advice to find a way to communicate with it.
One of my favorite Star Trek episodes of all seasons: easily 8/10.
Glenn Corbett (1933-1993).
You nailed it here. I too was aware of this episode's many shortcomings, but it's the one I've probably rewatched more than any other. By that measure, I'd say it's my favorite. You may have mentioned this; but in addition to all of the artistic merits, this episode has an original music score that perfectly fits the visuals and episode's emotional instensity. Plot and the question of "what happens next" make for a great first watch, but character, style, scene, mood, pacing, music, are what keep me coming back. BTW, Metamorphosis is unique in that it had no scenes with Kirk or Spock on the Bridge. I think Paradise Syndrome would be the only other case of this. That and Spectre of the Gun were other beautifully atypical and evocative episodes. Keep up the great reviews!
The Federation: Totally fine with possession of unwilling beings by powerful entities
Whoa that was weird!! The photography is excellent and some of the shooting angles are really clever...the colours sublime...but BUT...to a non trekky like myself who has memories of their 1st airing if not of specifics the over arching attitudes to women really smarts...the 'commissioner'..surely someone of substance gets patronised into beigedom. ...to the Joe Public consumer like myself it gets a bit to intellectual LOL for early evening consumption when considering the implications..Zephram..a corner stone of star trek going from inventor of warp drive to resident of alpha centauri..hmmmm...all a bit much for me...bare in mind I have to watch this on CBS edited butchery channel U.K. freeview...started well...slid off on closer observation...6 out of 10👉🤢👈😈💎⚠️👜 ps...how simple things were in the 60s...just 2 genders!!
Thanks for getting back to me...they'll be more...I might even get a DVD player and some original Star Trek episodes⚠️👍👜!!
Just started freeview CBS uk...looking good..get back to you after I've watched this episode and then checked our 'quick thoughts'...give me an hour and a half😈👜💣ps zephrain!!
Gotta say, I much prefer the TNG novel called Metamorphosis, centring on Data… Much better than this episode of TOS.
Not sure if I read it. Yet
oh dear ...I fell asleep!! will have to catch the repeat!! hear soon!!🤢
Lol