206: Flamenco Stunt Dancer

Plato’s Stepchildren.

Uncontrolled power will turn even saints into savages. This is what Captain Kirk explains to Parmen, the sadistic leader of the Platonians in “Plato’s Stepchildren.” Despite saving the man’s life, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are held hostage and tortured—along with Uhura and Nurse Chapel—when they refuse to leave the doctor behind and accept some random gifts.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Aaron Harvey, Andi VanderKolk, and Mike Morrison to discuss this episode that—despite being amongst TOS’s campiest—has been an inspiration to many since it first aired in 1968.

In our news segment, Aaron shares a first-hand account of the Star Trek Beyond press conference held at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on July 14, and his spoiler-free impressions of the movie, which was shown the day before at LA’s Century City. We also discuss the news that there will be a fourth film set in the Kelvin Timeline and how they should handle the loss of Anton Yelchin.

News
Star Trek Beyond LA Press Conference (00:06:13)
First (Spoiler-free) Impressions of Star Trek Beyond (00:16:21)
A Fourth Film? Do We Want It? (00:20:52)
Sponsor: The Eaglemoss Official Star Trek Starships Collection (00:28:17)

Feature: Plato’s Stepchildren
Synopsis and Initial Thoughts (00:32:04)
Alexander the Great (00:44:54)
The Kiss (00:57:26)
The Ministry of Silly Walks (01:08:16)
A Problem of Pacing (01:11:28)
Bitter Dregs (01:21:03)
Final Thoughts (01:32:53)

Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Aaron Harvey

Guests
Andi VanderKolk and Mike Morrison

Production
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Janeway (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) David Shuford (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)