Comments on: Review “Charlie X” Remastered

By: Solar Trekkie

Solar Trekkie — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 05:17:41 +0000

“I have generally not been a fan of Dennis Bailey’s reviews on this site but I thought this one was very good and I enjoyed reading it. Nicely done, Mr. Bailey.”

What do you expect from someone who is arrogant, egotistical, and lets his popularity go to his swelled-head. Especially since he repeated himself with the NG episode “Tin Man.” That was based on a 1979 novel he co-wrote with David Bischoff.

Dennis, are you repeating yourself or have you just run out of ideas?

By: Daniel K.

Daniel K. — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 23:43:38 +0000

Just ran across this article from my google alerts on Abraham Sofaer (he’s my grandfather) .. Got to say, I’m bummed out they’ve removed his likeness (albeit very blurry likeness) from the remastered version. I haven’t seen this version… do they keep his voice?

By: GNDN

GNDN — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 02:47:18 +0000

I saw this episode for the first time over thirty years ago, and at the time I thought that Charlie was really misunderstood and pathetic (in the dramatic sense)

Now I am appalled at his tantrums, much as I am often disgusted by my own 17 year-old’s.

What’s really weird is that I haven’t changed at all, but somehow I’ve become Captain Ramart. Not even Kirk; Ramart.

By: GNDN

GNDN — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 02:47:06 +0000

I saw this episode for the first time over thirty years ago, and at the time I thought that Charlie was really misunderstood and pathetic (in the dramatic sense)

Now I am appalled at his tantrums, much as I am often disgusted by my own 17 year-old’s.

What’s really weird is that I haven’t changed at all, but somehow I’ve become Captain Ramart. Not even Kirk; Ramart.

By: Dennis Bailey

Dennis Bailey — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 20:00:13 +0000

#51: “Robert Walker is indeed fearless in delivering a character that the audience is free to sympathize with or hate as they choose.”

That’s exactly it.

Wish I’d said it – and I will. ;)

By: Jovan

Jovan — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 05:47:17 +0000

#18: He’s a masochist throughout the series. It’s not even subtle!

Is it just me, or was one of the ship flybys not very well timed with the sound? I seem to recall hearing the “swish” before the Enterprise even edges near the bottom of the screen. :-/ Otherwise, a very well done episode. The ship shots are, as usual now, nothing short of awesome. The Thasian ship didn’t bother me.

By: mrregular

mrregular — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:08:33 +0000

#28: GNDN:
Agreed. I was just about to post similar sentiments.
#44:
Yes these kids often devolve into the criminal culture that is a parasite on our civilization. Charlie fits the pattern well. No past, present, or future, but a huge mix of rage and power in a young man’s body. Charlie’s treatment of women is criminal and barbaric, as is his ruthless behavior towards men.
Solitary confinement with the Thasians is the only option for this sick adolescent.

By: Spock's Brain

Spock's Brain — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:33:16 +0000

It has always seemed to me that TOS episodes fall roughly into thirds–one third excellent, one third average and one third poor. I’d place Charlie X well into the top third. Robert Walker is indeed fearless in delivering a character that the audience is free to sympathize with or hate as they choose.

I’m surprised that the TOS-R schedule still goes runs only through September 8th. Any word on what happens after that?

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 23:35:25 +0000

Great review and great episode. Funny this one really must of did it for me as I wrote in most of the message boards focused on this episode. Of course I notice many others feel the same way about it. The writing really was strong in this series of TREK and especially the first season. There really was a creepy understated feeling that these first episodes had. Music and lighting a big part to me.

With the strange things that were happening with Charlie aboard like the card tricks, etc. there was a reason know one got too excited. Remember this is the STAR TREK universe with many strange exotic alien creatures with wild powers and technology around every corner. It was a wild place to be.;) Remember the first two pilots of TREK dealt with some wild mind altering happenings. So just another day in the Trekverse.

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 22:57:17 +0000

Re:#47 – Dennis, I agree that the first season of Trek was the best of all of it. It was seat-of-your-pants, edge-of-your-seat stuff, and (almost) none of it had been done before anywhere else. As they groped their way along, finding out what the show was about, establishing the characters, learning how to tell stories set in space, there was both careful production on one hand, and the novelty of discovery and experimentation on the other.

There’s really only one truly bad episode in the First Season (Alternative Factor), a tiny handful of less-than-good ones (Dagger of the Mind, Your Choice Here), and whole bunch of really great hours of television.

Scott B. out.