Elaan of Troyius (20 Dec. 1968)

While transporting an arrogant princess for a political marriage, Capt. Kirk must cope both with her biochemical ability to force him to love her and sabotage on his ship.

Director:

John Meredyth Lucas

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (creator), John Meredyth Lucas

Stars:

William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
William Shatner	...	Captain James T. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy	...	Mr. Spock
DeForest Kelley	...	Dr. McCoy
France Nuyen	...	Elaan
Jay Robinson	...	Petri
Tony Young	...	Kryton
James Doohan	...	Scott
Nichelle Nichols	...	Uhura
George Takei	...	Sulu
Walter Koenig	...	Chekov
Majel Barrett	...	Nurse Christine Chapel
Lee Duncan	...	Evans
Victor Brandt	...	Watson
Dick Durock	...	Guard #1
Charles Beck	...	Guard #2

Storyline

The Enterprise transports Elaan, a member of the ruling dynasty of the warrior Elasians, to the planet of their enemy, the Troyians, so that her arranged marriage will halt their interplanetary war. Kirk must teach the arrogant, vicious princess the ways of polite society but falls victim to the legendary weapon of Elasian women: their tears act as a love potion. Spock tracks what may be another ship shadowing the Enterprise and Kirk, distracted by Elaan, must fight against other parties interested in preventing the Federation's peace efforts.

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Plot Keywords:

ambassador | tear | diplomatic mission | sabotage | arranged marriage | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 December 1968 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Television, Norway Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

51 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

France Nuyen, who plays Elaan, starred opposite William Shatner on Broadway in "The World of Suzie Wong" in 1958.

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Goofs

(at around 21 mins) When Kirk responds to the intercom hail from Security reporting a disturbance in the Dohlman's quarters, he is clearly located at Spock's science station. Note the audio speaker, tape player, array of five double switches and earpiece. The subsequent mid-conversation wide shot shows Kirk (and Spock) standing at Kirk's command chair.

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Quotes

Elaan: Captain, there is one thing you can teach me.
Captain James T. Kirk: No, no, you were right the first time: there's nothing I can teach you; there's nothing you do not know.
Elaan: I don't know how to make people like me.

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Connections

Referenced in Star Trek: The Next Generation: Relics (1992)

User Reviews

Glory to Elaan, Dohlman of Elas

Federation space politics and diplomacy are at the forefront of the plot, exemplified earlier by the well-known "Journey to Babel" episode. Kirk and his ship do not play courier to dozens of ambassadors as before; here there's only one. Oh, and a creature known as the Dohlman (translation: spoiled brat of a princess i.e.more trouble than a 100 ambassadors), whom the ambassador must train for her role as wife to the Troyiun prince. Some ground rules to observe when hosting a Dohlman: (1) kneel in her presence; (2) do not speak unless permitted; (3) do not leave without permission; (4) provide her with the best quarters on the ship; (4a) failing that, find other quarters; (5) provide breakable objects for her, but no pillows. These are for starters. Such a sophomoric attitude does provide more entertainment than the typical 3rd season episode and there are added elements of another touchy mission for Starfleet to bring peace to a region of space, as well as an unexpected attack by a Klingon warship. The likewise warlike Elasians make the Capellans of "Friday's Child" seem quite laid back by comparison. The story holds together well with all these plot turns in the first couple of acts and this episode is not boring - that's a given.

There's a switch to more silly-like plot contrivances in the 2nd half of the episode, when Kirk becomes infected by Elaan's tears. According to legend, and 23rd-century biochemistry, tears of such a female enslave all men. This provides another excuse for Kirk to, uh, fraternize inappropriately with an alien woman who is generally regarded as off-limits. It's similar to his tryst with the female invader in "Wink of an Eye" only a few episodes earlier (Kirk really got going in this area of interstellar relations during the 3rd season). As the beyond-arrogant royal bitch, actress Nuyen was well cast; helped by her accent, she brings a suitably exotic flavor to the role, flinging knives and enjoying a meal with equal aplomb. My favorite scene is probably her put-down of Scotty; oy, watch what you say to a proud Scotsman! To the episode's credit, the audience should feel at least a twinge of pity for her by the conclusion, despite her earlier antics. One is reminded that the episode's title is "Elaan of Troyius" not 'Elaan of Elas.' She seems doomed and forsaken at the end to spend the remainder of her life behaving in a certain fashion, contrary to her nature. I also liked the space battle in this one; the music, especially, called to mind the battles of a decade later in "Star Wars."