TOS - 1.02

 The second episode of Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS) to air, "Charlie X",  features a scenery chewing guest performance by Robert Walker as the obviously alien and super-powered Charlie Evans.

I must say, before I delve into the many absurdities of this particular story, I do indeed love TOS and I hope my "reviews" of these shows don't come across as too negative.  The story telling of many episodes (not so much this one) is often inspiring and the three main characters are as well fleshed out as any main protagonists on television or in the movies today.

That said, there is a whole lot of nonsense in "Charlie X"

Where to begin?   How about we start with the "singing performance" of Nichelle Nichols as the normally stoic and brave Lt. Uhura.   TOS has many "cringe" moments over it's three seasons, this is the first truly big one.  Uhura's song isn't so much a song as it is a warbling, random, sing-song nonsense diatribe about astronauts and moon beams.  It goes on interminably long and then, infuriatingly - Yeoman Rand blurts out "One more time!"   Oh God.  No.  Just NO.

And if one massive cringe scene wasn't enough - then we have Shatner's pants as he attempts to teach Charlie how to judo.   I need eye bleach after this scene.  Unfortunately some things cannot remain unseen.  And if I have to suffer - so do you.

And finally perhaps the most cringe of all - Charlie slaps Yeoman Rand on the ass, much to her consternation.  And though she is upset she doesn't say what she should say - "Hey!  That is completely unacceptable.  Don't ever do that again.  Do not touch me, stay away from me." or similar - and that unfortunately is understandable because this show was made over 50 years ago.  But what I can't abide or understand is that when Kirk finds out what happened - he too is unable to tell Charlie what needs to be said!  He doesn't say "You don't ever do that.  It's completely unacceptable.  You need to apologize and promise it will never happen again" or similar.  I understand the show is old fashioned but really, Kirk's silence on this matter, be it his uncomfortableness with the situation or whatever it is - is pretty unsettling.

So after nearly half an hour of Charlie obviously using his powers (and again, apparently killing people left and right) it finally begins to dawn on the ever oblivious crew that something's not right with Charlie.  Just when it all seems to go to shit, the aliens finally show up and transport Charlie away and casually mention that all the disappeared people have returned.  Indeed Yeoman Rand shows up at the end, in what is actually an otherwise effecting final scene, as Charlie is whisked away to be with his alien benefactors.  Yeoman Rand cries for him, apparently ass-slappers are endearing or something.

Yes, this is my least favorite episode of the show out of the half dozen so far that I've watched.  The Charlie character is written to be annoying - and mission accomplished. I don't know if I feel better or worse that the sexist dialogue and situations here were written by a woman - DC Fontana, though the original story pitch was Mr. Rodenberry's.

But I guess I should recognize this plot set the template for a lot of similar situations in the future.  Charlie is indeed the original "Q" character who would show up on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Once again the show also suffers from interminable pacing problems.  The good news is, that many very good to great episodes coming up do not.  This one however, is pretty much a turkey and had my mind wandering and my body shifting uncomfortably more than once.