The Paradise Syndrome

“The Empire Strikes Back” Called and it Wants its Asteroid Back.

 

22)  “The Paradise Syndrome”  Original Airdate: (10/4/68)  Remaster Airdate: (02/24/07)

 

Evaluation:

The majority of FX shots in this episode, in one way or another, center on the asteroid that’s hurdling toward Amerind (so dubbed in Margaret Armen’s script).  The exceptions are the standard shots of the Enterprise in and leaving orbit and when flashes of light and static discharges—unaltered from the original—zap Kirk, reducing the redoubtable captain to a lovesick amnesiac with a god complex.  The Achilles’ heel of the entire RM project has been the repetition of shots, and this episode is no exception (in fact, it might be the poster child for recycled visuals).  That’s not to say that the shots themselves are poor, because that certainly isn’t the case.  The near 180-degree pan of the Enterprise approaching the asteroid at high velocity is superb—a visual achievement the 60s FX team couldn’t have envisioned in their wildest dreams.  Another example of finely rendered RM FX is an aft/starboard perspective shot that glides along the secondary hull and leaves the ship behind as it pushes toward the rapidly advancing asteroid.  Three types of energy beams are fired at the asteroid: 1. Enterprise deflectors (which are red and emanate from the deflector dish), 2. Enterprise phasers (two parallel, blue beams) and 3. Preserver temple weapon (the pinnacle of the obelisk emits a reddish/yellow beam—the original was blue—which repels the asteroid).  Even though there’s a good deal of repetition, all of these shots are nicely done (phasers and deflectors create a reflective glow on the ship’s hull), as are the shots of the different types of beams impacting on the surface of the asteroid.  Though far from epic, the scene where the Enterprise looses propulsion is well executed: static sounds accompany the nacelles going dark.  Thanks to some memorable new FX, the RM team has done its part in salvaging this largely forgettable, highly improbable love story.

 

Money Shot:  The repulsor beam, emitting from the obelisk, impacts the craggy surface of the asteroid and thrusts it away from the planet.  Also, any of the shots with the Enterprise and new CG asteroid in the same frame.

 

Wish List:  Something more creative than a strobe light with accompanying animated static discharges when Kirk gets memory wiped and more angles/vantages of the asteroid with or without the Enterprise.

 

Remaster Grade:  B+

 

Screencaps:

 

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Wolf in the Fold

Any Idea Where We Should Beam Down? Perhaps That Large Cluster of Lights.

 

23)  “Wolf in the Fold”  Original Airdate: (12/22/67)  Remaster Airdate: (03/10/07)

 

Evaluation:

“The One with Jack the Ripper” had very few visual effects to begin with and required little effort to update.  The only shots that have received a RM upgrade feature the Enterprise in orbit around Argelius II, which has been transformed from a solid blue globe to a cloud covered shadow world with a cluster of lights to denote a major city…a superb addition.  The drawback here is that there’s some repetition of the fore and aft orbit shots later in the episode.  When the spirit of Redjac leaves Hengist and possesses the ship’s computer, the swirling image on the conference room viewer has the same kaleidoscopic visual as in the original show…a disappointment.  Though the RM changes to the original “Wolf” are sharp overall, they’re not nearly as incisive as a Rigelian knife.

 

Money Shot:  The Enterprise in orbit around the re-envisioned Argelius.

 

Wish List:  Less repetition of shots of the Enterprise in orbit of Argelius and a better graphic on the screen when Redjac possesses the computer.

 

Remaster Grade:  A-

 

Screencaps:

 

Original                                                                            Remastered