The Deadly Years
The Deadly Years (Memory Alpha; SD Video) is the obligatory aging-too-quickly episode. What’s that? They already did one? No, this one’s different. In that one, they were trying to avoid aging. In this one, they actually do age.
And snark aside, this episode, which should be terrible, is actually pretty good.
Basically, it’s a pean to Kirk. By aging the captain, they get to show all the little details that distinguish him from a hypothetical older self. If he were a little slower, a little more forgetful, or a little less calculating it could all fall apart. And to top it all off, they show exactly what would happen with another guy in the big swivelly chair.
And for an added benefit, they bring back the Corbomite Maneuver!
Best Bit of Ironic Dialog
Spock: Doctor I have made the necessary computations and produced this serum. It is crude, and dangerous, but we have no time for refinements.
McCoy: Alright! Let’s uh- let’s go!
Spock: It could cure. Or kill, Doctor.
McCoy: Don’t give me any Vulcan de-tails, Spock! Just gimme the shot!
I love that the fact that they may be taking a vial of poison is not just a detail, but a Vulcan detail. Who cares about the difference between medicine and poison? Vulcans! Pfft!
Grade
B+
