I could try to explain this episode to you, but I’m not really sure I understood it myself. I think somewhere in there is the moral that it is important to sacrifice your life for complete strangers if you want your planet to survive a horrible supernova that will kill billions of strangers on other planets. Or something. This is the cheapest looking set I’ve yet seen on Trek. It’s, like, Dr. Who-looking cheap. Also: actual theremin on the soundtrack. WTF?
Stop right there dude! This was a morality tale that echoes from the deepest Trek. It was about teaching us about the real parts of humanity. The ones that matter and to have them taught to others. To believe in them so deeply you would die for them.
How can you be so small minded here? You know, I have talked to many about Star Trek and very few “get” most of the episodes. Sad really! There was so much in them. Really “fat” stories to chew on for many years. ideas about the human condition and its affect on other races who know mortality as well. It was about sacrifice for your most cherished beliefs and proving it to others.
Then passing on the “great path” to others. What is the “great path” you ask? The path to understanding and compassion. To living it and not preaching it. You should really watch this one again with an open mind. But don’t let me be too hard on you. Your writeup of “Spocks Brain” was right on the money. That was the dumbest piece of crap ever. Plan 9 may have been better.
I actually agree with the entirety of Sven’s first paragraph, and thought this was a decent episode (especially by Season 3 standards).