The next detective story. In Journey to Babel, Spock has already chosen that he's capable inspector. Kirk leading the investigation is much less intriguing. He's just not a very intellectual character. I honestly expected Kirk to start slapping all suspects in the face in order to find out who's the true perpetrator (My intuition wasn't totally wrong: he throws a deadly jab at an alleged perpetrator with his bare hands.). The general idea is classical Star Trek though: a crew member is accused of a crime and imprisoned by local law enforcement. Of course, the other officers try to exonerate him. Plus, as always, the alien justice system ain't exactly compatible with the Federation's crime investigation and penance standards. It turns out to be worse than an ordinary whodunnit: it quickly becomes a mystery/horror episode and I've to admit that I don't like this aspect. To nobody's surprise, the perpetrator turns out be a ghost entity who takes over human bodies and computers and feasts on fear (or something along these lines. It's that strange that you shouldn't really think too hard about the concept. Jack the Ripper? Come on!) And Spock's assessment about the fearful nature of all women is perhaps the most disappointing statement he has ever made in this show. What's next? Spock starts groping and chasing women like the other male officers?
PS: this truth machine is stupid in the first place. It's similar to a polygraph - a technical concept only the American justice systems trusts in.
Review by Alexander von LimbergBlockedParent2022-08-29T10:08:49Z
The next detective story. In Journey to Babel, Spock has already chosen that he's capable inspector. Kirk leading the investigation is much less intriguing. He's just not a very intellectual character. I honestly expected Kirk to start slapping all suspects in the face in order to find out who's the true perpetrator (My intuition wasn't totally wrong: he throws a deadly jab at an alleged perpetrator with his bare hands.). The general idea is classical Star Trek though: a crew member is accused of a crime and imprisoned by local law enforcement. Of course, the other officers try to exonerate him. Plus, as always, the alien justice system ain't exactly compatible with the Federation's crime investigation and penance standards. It turns out to be worse than an ordinary whodunnit: it quickly becomes a mystery/horror episode and I've to admit that I don't like this aspect. To nobody's surprise, the perpetrator turns out be a ghost entity who takes over human bodies and computers and feasts on fear (or something along these lines. It's that strange that you shouldn't really think too hard about the concept. Jack the Ripper? Come on!) And Spock's assessment about the fearful nature of all women is perhaps the most disappointing statement he has ever made in this show. What's next? Spock starts groping and chasing women like the other male officers?
PS: this truth machine is stupid in the first place. It's similar to a polygraph - a technical concept only the American justice systems trusts in.