“Will the last one through the time machine please turn out the lights?”
The sun of the planet Sarpeidon will explode in less than four hours, destroying everything for hundreds of millions of miles around. Since long-range scans show no intelligent life on the planet in need of rescue, Captain Kirk thinks it would be a good idea to go there and nose around for a while just before the big bang.
Who knows, maybe the Prime Directive has a special exemption in these cases for looting or something.
Enterprise’s sensors failed to detect one Mr. AtoZ (A-to-Z! And he’s a librarian! Get it? Get it?) as does Spock’s tricorder. Like many “Star Trek” aliens, AtoZ speaks perfect English but is incapable of communicating in an assertive manner, thus motivating a “Three’s Company” plot – that is, one in which nothing would happen if anyone directly asked or answered the simplest of questions (such as “Where exactly did you come from, especially you there with the pointed ears which we Sarpeidonites noticeably lack?” or “Where exactly did everyone go and exactly how?”)
In short order, Kirk finds himself in seventeenth-century Sarpeidonite England, defending a Sarpeidonite Irish thief from a mob and getting imprisoned for Sarpeidonite witchcraft. Spock and McCoy take a wrong turn and wind up in the Sarpeidonite Ice Age with a young woman named Zarabeth, who evidently shares a couturier with Loana from “One Million Years B.C.” and who wants to jump Spock’s bones.
If you’re keeping score, make that Spock: 1, Kirk: 0
It’s McCoy’s turn to be the deductive and logical one this week, pointing out to an increasingly twitchy Spock that the Vulcan is thinking with a different set of nerve endings than usual.
With the aid of another time refugee, Kirk manages to return to his own time, where he beats a septuagenarian in hand-to-hand combat. Spock returns with McCoy, and Enterprise warps out just before Mr. AtoZ‘s replicas get fired in an unfortunately literal way.
“If my agent calls…”
Mariette Hartley looking fetching in a skimpy outfit, Nimoy’s tough-guy delivery of Spock’s threats to McCoy and Kelley’s reading of the line “Five thousand years before you were born!” are chief among the few pleasures of this lackluster paint-by-numbers episode. At this point in the third season everyone working on “Star Trek” was a few weeks away from unemployment, and distraction from the work on the stage seems evident in many ways. While Nimoy and Kelley do give the silly story their best, Shatner walks through what little he’s given to do. Chomsky’s direction is listless and unconvincing. That last is particularly noticeable in the little bits of physical action scattered through Shatner’s scenes: a swordfight resolved when Kirk’s opponent obviously simply drops his sword on cue, Kirk “overpowering” his jailer with a little spin that would get him booted from an early round of “Dancing With The Stars.”
Basic story logic is muddy at best in “All Our Yesterdays.” For one thing, every other human being on the planet has gone into the past, yet AtoZ is hanging around until the last instant before Armageddon for…what, exactly? There’s no good answer other than “He’s waiting to meet Kirk and Spock so the story can happen.”
A great deal is made of the need for folks to be “prepared” by the “Atavachron” before they journey into the past, lest they die; conversely, once so prepared they will die immediately upon their return to the “present.” This plot point apparently is supposed to justify Spock’s emotional regression during his sojourn to Sarpeidon’s Ice Age, yet aside from a moment in which Spock (and Spock alone) stands next to the Atavachron while conversing with ATOZ there’s neither opportunity nor any evidence that he or McCoy are processed in any way that Kirk is not. Further, the fact that neither of them suffers any ill effects upon returning to the present suggests that they were not prepared by the machine – in which case, why did Spock get so worked up back there in the cave? One can, I suppose, make up explanations for all of that and on a good week it might be worth the effort. “All Our Yesterdays” doesn’t provide satisfactions sufficient to excuse the writer and director for not doing their jobs.
One feels for Hartley. Her character exists in order to provide a romantic interest in the story for Spock, yet in too many scenes her part consists of staring demurely into the middle distance while Spock essentially talks to himself. Damn but she does look good doing it, though.
All in all, this one’s worthwhile mainly for having inspired two good novels by A.C. Crispin and having given Brent Spiner something to tease Hartley about decades later when she interviewed the “Next Generation” cast for “Good Morning, America.”
Find out what Spock left on Sarpeidon
The New Effects
There are only a few new effects shots this week: a new close angle of Enterprise sighting down the length of the port warp nacelle as the ship approaches Sarpeidon, matched planet orbit shots of Enterprise, and a new shot of Sarpeidon’s sun exploding.
Enterprise itself finally looks, these days, as it always should have. The hull colors, plating and specular reflectivity are pretty persuasive. Where planetary globes are concerned CBS Digital seems to be striving for more realism than earlier in the project, with mixed results. Sarpeidon is so Earth-like that comparisons with actual space photography of our world are inevitable, and what can be thus seen is that the CBS rendering is rather painterly rather than photorealistic. While given a specific geography rather than vague general features, Sarpeidon largely lacks realistic variations in specularity from land to ocean or the angle-of-incidence light scattering that the atmosphere should create.
Much realer…but real enough?
The new supernova shot closing the episode is marvelous. The beginning formation of a new nebula is particularly striking. Overall, however, one would expect a brighter flash from the initial explosion – after all, such explosions can be among the brightest objects in Earth’s sky even when occurring half way across the Galaxy.
Nice Boom!
All things considered, this is a rare instance in which the new effects are immediately the best things in the episode…other than Mariette Hartley’s eyes, which are their own kind of special effect.
Side By Side
video edited by Rick Kelvington
Hmm, the colors are stronger in the original version. And I don’t know if a supernova wave could be seen in such a fast time – he explosion happens under light speed…so I don’t now if the original is more realistic…
Oh no! another review by known Trek and puppy hater Dennis Bailey!
…
I must agree that this episode is a swiss cheese of plot holes. Speaking of the atavacrhon preparations…what about Kirk. Atoz must have ‘prepared’ him before he tried to bobsled him through the portal…but Kirk never went so shouldnt he keel over soon after getting to the enterprise?
but the biggest hole is certainly why the hell they were there. Then again to Kirk it was always more ‘the prime suggestion’
thanks for the review Dennis…and thanks for the video Rick!
Although it has its silly points (as the reviewer points out), I feel that the episode does a decent job with the McCoy/Spock problem. Particularly at the end, when McCoy MUST nedle Spock about his show of emotion… Spock’ s retrort is both classic Spock and, at the same time, a bit sad. It is particularly sad that after Spock says that, Beta Naiobe explodes, destroying the planet. The galaxy seems a bit more empty after that shot, mirroring Zarabeth’s own lonliness.
The epsiode is not great, but the ending is worth it…
I always found the 17th century English “Inquisitor”-type guy a bit odd.
I mean, what does it say about you, that of all your planet’s history, you want to go to an oppressive time period and become one of the oppressors?
It takes all kinds, I guess.
I should have mentioned the matte cleanup on Mr. AtoZ’ DVD collection of course. Just overlooked it.
Spock reverted to his horny roots because he wasn’t prepared by the Atavachron. And McCoy was only slightly more cranky because humans have always been barbarians.
Mr. Atoz stuck around because he wanted to make sure all overdue fines were paid.
Shatner’s swordplay was just fine. I think this episode is much better than Mr. Bailey says. I thought Mr. Bailey was on the Fesarius with Commander Balok?
#6: “…on the Fesarius with Commander Balok?”
There were no chicks there.
hey Dennis….
sorry but as somebody else here so elliquently pointed out that the new effect\’s do not have the poignancy of the original.
“They went for a sense of awe in the explosion, and then the envelopment and destruction of the planet;
when it should have been a sense of \’awwwww” ..”
There are many here amoung us who just dont agree with it artistly, I too liked the way they first arrived at the planet, instead of the standard orientation of everything, 1701 is oriented 90 degrees out of phase to what they always have done in the past.
But this was Spock\’s ..”City on The Edge of Forever”…and they ruined the ending by not copying verbatim the effect of Beta Niobe\’s nova….and therby ruining the episode.
Lastly to be honest, your lousy hack review breaks further trashes it almost as much as the crap redone “new” effects in what was this wonderful 3rd season episode.
here\’s to you..hope you understand german.
http://thewikipediahallofshame.blogspot.com/2007/03/time-has-come-xena-gabrielle-hope.html
caio
#8: “But this was Spock\’s ..’City on The Edge of Forever'”
If that were true, one could only say “poor Spock” since this bit of flotsam doesn’t hold a candle to “City.”
#8
— ‘But this was Spock\’s ..”City on The Edge of Forever”…’
No, it *could’ve* been Spock’s “City.” Believe me, that last special effect you seem to so strangely revere had nothing to do with this episode (original or remastered) missing the mark.
Isnt it kinda prophetic a bit how those disks that they put on the reader are about the same size as CD/DVD/HDDVD etc? Just a thought
Yeah, it’s up there with the computer tapes that look so much like floppy disks. :lol:
LOL, #9…number nine…number nine….In your dreams perhaps
Well, perhaps we all have our own thoughts regarding this episode….OTHER do see it in another light…so I guess we have to just disagree?
PEACE
;-)
Until I saw the side-by-side video, I didn’t even realize that the disk effect was “cleaned up”.
Question: Are the outside views of the planet surface (as seen through the windows of the Library) new? I never saw the original version of this episode, so I have nothing to compare the remastered version to.
No, the landscape outside remains the same.
Mea culpa – I knew I should have checked my memory on Hartley’s career as a TV journalist (outside of “Goodnight, Beantown”). She was on the CBS Morning Program, not ABC’s “Good Morning, America,” and it was for the Morning Program that she interviewed the TNG cast.
I was so looking forward to the line that the jailer says, “And he called one of them Bones.” Unfortunately it was edited out here for time considerations. I hate broadcast TV. C’mon DVD’s.
#10..it had EVERYTHING to do with it…
Spock’s greatest love of his life (aside from Kirk), Zarabeth was lost back on that now brilliantly (1969 edition) destroyed planet and star system…buried, burned and blown up….VAPORIZED!!!
Yes, Commander Kor…it seems as you have little or no compassionate sense of reality to have a clue to it’…with it’s not so subtle “hammer over the head”… ending…
…watch it again sometime…and learn from the err’s of your ways !!!
“he’s my lover, and I have to kill him!..” Marta – Whom God’s Destroy
But she wasn’t on the planet. She was in the past. All Spock would have to do is go back in time 5,000 years and she’d be there waiting for him.
I was always under the impression that this episode was regarded as one of the more beloved and poingant episodes. The genisis of this story would have made a wonderful two parter had they been inclined to do to parters in Star Trek (Menagere doesn’t count) . Mariette Hartley was also in a similarly moving epsiode of The Hulk called “Married” Anyway I always liked this episode, Alexander Dumas period costumes aside. I think I appreciated it more so because I read Yesterday’s Son when I was a kid which was regarded as among the best of those 80’s Trek novels with their beautiful painted covers. As for the effects I was again extremely pleased and blown away by that last shot. I also loved Spockboy’s take as well but that opening shot was also really cool and just further disproves the idea that E was only shot from a few angles because it only looked good from those angles. Now Marta be kind our guests will think we are inhospitable
err ummm..sorry…not Datas cat.!.umm that pointy devil eared freak..SPOCK!
Dennis Bailey wrote:
> …a new close angle of Enterprise sighting down the length of the port
> warp nacelle…
Starboard nacelle.
Ohhh My Lord Garth..pleeeeze forgive me?
…just let me dance for your honoured guests..to prove my loyalty to you!?
(p.s.) I will trick Kirk into revealing the chess manuver for you!!!…oh most wise and great one!
TOS – Whom Gods Destroy Dance Scene – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLQM8NKrHuw
“Who knows, maybe the Prime Directive has a special exemption in these cases for looting or something.”
Thank you, Dennis. Wine. Keyboard. Sprayed.
Didn’t know about the sequel book. Thanks.
#22: “Starboard nacelle.”
Not if you watch it standing on your head. ;)
#24: Any time, Scott. :lol:
My impression was that Spock went all medieval due to a psychic connection to the Vulcans back home, as he showed in “The Immunity Syndrome”.
Though this episode certainly isn’t the best of Trek, but it does have some things going for it.
1. The McCoy/Spock Interplay. Though generally good-natured, the friction between these two characters takes a decidedly dark turn in this episode. Both Nimoy and Kelley are up to the task, pushing the McCoy/Spock relationship to the edge.
“Are you trying to kill me, Spock?”
2. James T. Kirk, Witch. I have to disagree with Mr. Bailey on this point. I think Shatner gives a fine performance as Kirk in this episode. When Kirk jumps into the past (lets just forget about aliens carrying rapiers and speaking with brogues), he regards the scene complete affability, as if he’s watching community theater. He even slaps his would-be attackers on the rump with his sword as they flee.
Later, though, when confronting the Inquisitor after knocking out the jailer, Shatner’s performance turns chilling. The stone cold look on his face as he opens his cell door, to the terror of the Inquisitor, is perfect. He’s had it with this time period, and he seems prepared to do anything to get back.
3. Mariette Hartley. Oh my goodness but she’s yummy-looking in this episode. Good thing Kirk never got a gander at her.
Overall, the performances overcome the weak story, and now we have some nifty new FX to boot. As an aside, the lighting on the Enterprise in orbit was better in this episode than any other CBS-D has done so far. They should consider placing the planet’s sun in shot in more episodes.
I wrote:
> Starboard nacelle.
Dennis Bailey wrote:
> Not if you watch it standing on your head
You certainly watch the episodes in a strange way! ;-)
Just trying to find something new on the 213th viewing. ;)
Or were you trying to peek up Hartley’s fur skirt? Hey, who can blame you!!
Busted!
I didn’t get to see the remastered version yet as it was pre-empted last week. Haven’t watched this one for quite awhile, but it was always one of my favorites. Whether or not it makes sense or not really makes no difference.
Again, some good humor in this review, Mr. Bailey.
This seems to be the only episode where none of the scenes take place on the Enterprise. And, only Kirk, Spock and McCoy appear (with a cameo by Scotty’s voice.)
I wonder if Mr. Atoz created his “replicas” by just stepping through the Atavachron to jump back in time just a few weeks (or months; how long to evacuate a whole planet?) Then, he (or his replica) could repeat it again and again until there are as many copies as necessary. But, which one would be the “real” Mr. Atoz… too bad this classic time travel paradox was not touched upon.
Since the Enterprise arrived at the planet mere hours before nova, what did they plan to do if they found the planet full of people?
I personally find Mr. Bailey’s reviews about as competent as Mr. Bailey’s job performance in “The Corbomite Maneuver.” In particular I find his reviews overly negative of the material and I do not find them to be witty. That’s my opinion.
Looking forward to a different reviewer next week.
Well, sounds like SEVEN gave Dennis a SIX for his review so why don’t we take FIVE be-FOUR someone insists on THREE lashes TWO the back of the ONE loser at the end! BLASTOFF!
I always get a good chuckle from Mr. Bailey’s reviews, no exception here. I disagree with his overall negative assessment of the episode though. Yes, there are plot holes you can drive a truck through, but the same can be said for probably three-quarters of Trek. What I continue to like about the episode is the interestiing concept of a culture with clearly advanced technology choosing to escape inward to their past rather than outward into space, and the standout performances of Nimoy and Kelly. I can forgive a lot of unsound logic for the chance to see these guys step outside their usual character confines. And, as noted, there was enough good sci-fi here to spawn the subsequent novels — written without the constraints of a weekly TV series.
Great review.
Excellent side by side comparison.
All is well……… : )
Hello Team,
The internet’s hitch1969 here, back from from we is condemning these foods and things from Rura Pente.
You know, anytime that my absolutely degenerative and dispicable real life gets to bothering me enough, somehow the purity of this site and the folks here realizes to me a sense of redemption and salvation that I find in no other place or time. Perhaps the subject matter in the innocence of my youth is the culprit but then again when I think most intelligently Stanky McFibberich, of course, the reality hits home that no, Classic Trek was only the fulcrum of motivational forces and influences and perhaps that I really DO care about the interwebs 2.0 and the contributors with the contrary opinionations and this sort of thing. What came first? The crack o’ cola or the coke habit as it were? Never get high on your own supply, Tony Montana tells us. What woud Tony Soprano do? this sort of thing.
Good to see you fellas again. I am at arm’s reach, prepared to hand you a condom when you get lucky with the biatches. Holla PRE-NUP.
BEST!!
=h=
#35 Your so right, no offense to Mr. Bailey, but perhaps he needs more Tranya and then he can lighten up and give a great review about this outstanding episode of Star Trek which ranks in the to 2o of every fan list from time immortal.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/ba/All_Our_Yesterdays_Nova.jpg/550px-All_Our_Yesterdays_Nova.jpg
May the joy and peace and tranquility of Landru…fill all your hearts.
Great review Dennis, as always
I find it remarkable that predicatable, meandering and sarcastic reviews like this show up on great fan sites like this.
It’s really easy to poke fun at something and pass that off as wit, but you aren’t fooling me.
I hated this review.
I’m not going to qualify any the points raised in it about the episode itself because I don’t wish to spend time debating with our resident sarcast.
A little more respect for the episodes next time you make a review (if you must) would be appreciated even if you have to tear it to shreds.
Sarpeidon is yet another fine example of Hodgkin’s Law of Parallel Planetary Development! And Zarabeth follows the letter of the law… to a wet T-shirt.
Is it just me or does the women Kirk saves at the start of this episode look like a deranged Beverly Crusher? :O)
Great to see the “E” looking “brighter / whiter” at the start of the episode.
#1 trekmaster
This is yet another comparison video that seems to show very different “colour timings” between the originals and the remastered versions. If these videos are indeed quite a close representation of changes of colour “vibrancy” from the original “saturated” colour to a more “washed out” colour for the remasters, then count me a little disappointed, as the originals were fabulous. Can you throw any light on this aspect Rick? Or indeed anyone?
This episode made the baby-Kirk weep.
Don’t think your pun wasn’t caught Cervantes, illuminating the boards like that with wit and blinding innuendo! Be cautious, too much humor seems to cast a dark shadow and radiate a veritable spectrum of sun in the shade!
You give me too much credit Josh T. That last line on my question just unintentionally came out “pun”-like…but hey, I see how it looks. :)
But can anyone give me the answer?
they ending with the slow dissolve of the planet as compared to the winking out in the original i think is better… im sure it hit spock to be watching it as compared to blink its gone.
#40: “…episode of Star Trek which ranks in the to 2o of every fan list from time immortal.”
I don’t care. Lots of Trek fans like a lot of stuff that’s awful. Now, this episode isn’t awful – it’s just not good, and I’ve no inclination or motivation to humor folks who are devoted to it.