3.70 : Let That Be Your Last Battlefield. - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Dave · 25th April 2002, 10:07 PM

The one with the two-tone aliens.

The Enterprise must intercept a shuttlecraft, stolen from Starbase 4 by Lokia, a native of the planet Cheron, and half-white and half-black. He is followed by Bele (Frank Gorshin), another native of Cheron, and also half-white and half-black.

This examination of predjudice wtihout any subtety, literally tackling the problem in 'black and white', actually works. I remember as a child, that I had no idea that although they were both bi-chromatic, that they were coloured exactly oppositely.

Eventually, they discover the inhabitants of Cheron have killed each other with their senseless fighting. To labour the point further, the pair continue to blame each other for the devastation and beam down to the surface of the dead world to continue their battle.

Most of the shortcomings of this episode are due to budget considerations: Bele's ship is fast, streamlined and also invisible (that must have saved them some money), stock footage abounds, we here about concerned personnel on Starbase 4 and on Ariannus, but we do not see or hear them.

CommanderCain · 6th July 2003, 03:49 PM

This episode was one of the best from season 3. The issue of prejudice and racism is excellently done and is to the point. Roddenberry was a genius at morality plays. Spock's speech to Bele is a waste of time because Bele is consumed with hatred for Lokia. In the end they must both end up dead. What a waste.

25th April 2002, 10:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dave Wherever I Am, I'm There Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Greater London Posts: 11,531	3.70 : Let That Be Your Last Battlefield. The one with the two-tone aliens. The Enterprise must intercept a shuttlecraft, stolen from Starbase 4 by Lokia, a native of the planet Cheron, and half-white and half-black. He is followed by Bele (Frank Gorshin), another native of Cheron, and also half-white and half-black. This examination of predjudice wtihout any subtety, literally tackling the problem in 'black and white', actually works. I remember as a child, that I had no idea that although they were both bi-chromatic, that they were coloured exactly oppositely. Eventually, they discover the inhabitants of Cheron have killed each other with their senseless fighting. To labour the point further, the pair continue to blame each other for the devastation and beam down to the surface of the dead world to continue their battle. Most of the shortcomings of this episode are due to budget considerations: Bele's ship is fast, streamlined and also invisible (that must have saved them some money), stock footage abounds, we here about concerned personnel on Starbase 4 and on Ariannus, but we do not see or hear them.

6th July 2003, 03:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
CommanderCain Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 44	This episode was one of the best from season 3. The issue of prejudice and racism is excellently done and is to the point. Roddenberry was a genius at morality plays. Spock's speech to Bele is a waste of time because Bele is consumed with hatred for Lokia. In the end they must both end up dead. What a waste.