Product: Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 34, Episodes 67 & 68: Plato's Stepchildren/ Wink Of An Eye (1966)
Rating: 3.0
TV's First Interracial Kiss...OR IS IT?
Volume 34 of Paramount's complete reissue of Classic Trek contains two episodes which could best be described as fair-to-middling in quality.Plato's Stepchildren made history of sorts by containing the first interracial kiss (inter-ETHNIC, really, since Kirk and Uhura are both of the same race--the HUMAN race) on network television. But William Shatner, in his book Star Trek Memories, pointed out that TWO versions of the kiss were filmed--one as a full-on kiss, and one where the actors' lips didn't actually meet. The second take was used, which means the highly touted kiss is actually a fake! (Watch the episode and you'll see what I mean.) Perhaps the publicity mavens connected with Trek actually are referring to the smooch between Spock and Nurse Chapel when they refer to an interracial kiss--which would fit the bill since Spock is half-Vulcan. The rest of the episode is a mix is sillyness, some cringeworthy moments from the actors, and lightweight sermonizing.Wink of an Eye is a bit better. The idea of life-forms existing out of sync with each other has served Trek well and often. Generally, this episode is well made, although there are inconsistencies. It is never fully explained how the accelerated Scalosians can function on the Enterprise (the doors to the turbolift and corridors remain conveniently open for much of the episode). Uncharacteristically, after the Scalosians have been defeated, Kirk does not extend the hand of friendship and offer them a cure for their ailment, but rather sends them on their way. NBC's censors must have been asleep during the infamous scene where Kirk--after a coital romp with the Scalosian queen--pulls his boots back on. There is an inventive touch late in this episode, where some stock music is played at the wrong speed to increase the disorienting effect.Picture and sound are fine.