In "Return to Tomorrow", the Enterprise encounters the remnants of an ultra-intelligent, long forgotten race who requires the crews' assistance. The 3 remaining aliens have taken on the form of pure energy to survive for half a million years; they want to borrow Kirk, Spock, and a female doctor named Ann Mulhall's bodies temporarily so that they can build themselves android shells and lead a semi-normal life. There are a few issues with this: 1) these lifeforms can only survive in human bodies for short periods of time without killing there surrogates; they come narrowly close to killing Kirk multiple times. 2) While the leader and his wife are cool, the third member named Henoch enjoys life in Spock's body and has plans on keeping it. To do this, he also plans on killing the Sargon the leader whilst Sargon is in Kirk's body, trapping Kirk's consciousness in a ball of energy.
Luckily Sargon is able to outwit old Henoch and gets him to kill himself without harming Spock. Sargon realizes that the temptation of the flesh (in more ways than one) is too much for him and his wife after thousands of years and they agree to fade out in oblivion, leaving the Enterprise to continue its exploration.
I thought this episode had a good idea going: ancient aliens needing humans as conduits to rebuild their society. In exchange, they would teach us their technology and wisdom. But as it turns out, these guys might not be as superior as they make themselves out to be. Their chief concern (besides Sargon) is maintaining their fleshy bodies. They all seem to have some pent-up sexual energy (and who could blame them?) and this allows them to wander into the temptation of trying to keep their human bodies.
The episode is okay but there are a few issues with the script. Sargon's constant reference to the crew as his "children" never amount to anything. There's also no payoff as to why he says without his help, the human race will perish. I guess he means they need his wisdom but that's half-baked at best. Henoch's such a villain, he doesn't even try to hide it. Nimoy might as well be twirling his mustache!
Anyways, a fairly forgettable episode with one exception: this was George Takei's first episode filmed since returning for Season 2. I look forward to more Sulu hijinks in the future!
Luckily Sargon is able to outwit old Henoch and gets him to kill himself without harming Spock. Sargon realizes that the temptation of the flesh (in more ways than one) is too much for him and his wife after thousands of years and they agree to fade out in oblivion, leaving the Enterprise to continue its exploration.
I thought this episode had a good idea going: ancient aliens needing humans as conduits to rebuild their society. In exchange, they would teach us their technology and wisdom. But as it turns out, these guys might not be as superior as they make themselves out to be. Their chief concern (besides Sargon) is maintaining their fleshy bodies. They all seem to have some pent-up sexual energy (and who could blame them?) and this allows them to wander into the temptation of trying to keep their human bodies.
The episode is okay but there are a few issues with the script. Sargon's constant reference to the crew as his "children" never amount to anything. There's also no payoff as to why he says without his help, the human race will perish. I guess he means they need his wisdom but that's half-baked at best. Henoch's such a villain, he doesn't even try to hide it. Nimoy might as well be twirling his mustache!
Anyways, a fairly forgettable episode with one exception: this was George Takei's first episode filmed since returning for Season 2. I look forward to more Sulu hijinks in the future!