Is There in Truth No Beauty? 

Lovely telepath Miranda is aide to Ambassador Kollos, in a box to stop insanity when humans see Medusans. She rejects Larry, a designer of Enterprise, and senses murderous intent nearby.

Director:

Ralph Senensky

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (created by), Jean Lisette Aroeste

Stars:

William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
William Shatner	...	Capt. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy	...	Mr. Spock
DeForest Kelley	...	Dr. McCoy
Diana Muldaur	...	Dr. Miranda Jones
David Frankham	...	Larry Marvick
James Doohan	...	Scott
George Takei	...	Sulu
Nichelle Nichols	...	Uhura
Walter Koenig	...	Chekov

Storyline

The Enterprise transports the Medusan Ambassador Kollos; his telepathic interpreter, Dr Miranda Jones; and Engineer Laurence Marvick. Only Vulcans and those trained in Vulcan self-control can handle the horrible sight of a Medusan (and then only with eye protection). Attempting to kill Kollos, Marvick (jealous of Miranda's interest in Kollos) goes insane at the sight of the Mudasan ambassador. Before dying Marvick, one of the designers of the Enterprise, takes the ship outside the galaxy where it is hopelessly lost. Once it is discovered that Miranda is blind (she had fooled them with a complicated neural sensor in her dress) and cannot guide the Enterprise, Spock mind-melds with the navigationally proficient ambassador who quickly gets the Enterprise back in known galactic space. However, while severing the mind-meld, he forgets the visor, sees Kollos, and goes insane. Because of her jealousy of Spock's relationship with Kollos, Miranda hesitates to give help, but with Kirk's urging ...

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Plot Keywords:

fish eye lens camera shot | officer's lounge | vulcan idic | ambassador | telepath | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 October 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:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was Eddie Paskey's last appearance in the series.

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Goofs

When Kirk enters Sickbay to confront Miranda, she has removed her sensory web, and she is unable to tell who has entered the room. Also, she frequently has to react to the sound of Kirk's voice to tell where he is--as a normal blind person would. However, Miranda is a telepath, her telepathy is inborn (not part of her sensory web) and is not dependent on physical contact (as Spock's is), and she has had ample time and opportunity to familiarize herself with Kirk's mind. She should be able to tell who he is and where without even thinking about it.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Captain James T. Kirk: Captain's log, stardate 5630.7. We have been assigned to convey the Medusans' ambassador to the Federation back to their home planet. While the thoughts of the Medusans are the most sublime in the galaxy, their physical appearance is exactly the opposite. They have evolved into a race of beings who are formless, so utterly hideous that the sight of a Medusan brings total madness to any human who sees one.

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Alternate Versions

Special Enhanced version Digitally Remastered with new exterior shots and remade opening theme song

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Connections

Featured in For the Love of Spock (2016)

User Reviews

the most sublime in the galaxy..

Star Trek

A cultural hub and by far one of the most loved and respected tale, Star Trek is created by Gene Roddenberry who wrote this brilliant concept, ahead of its time and is probably why it still doesn't fail to entertain us after these many years. It was written "for the future" in many aspects as it even though is smarter, wiser and powerful it still seeks for emotion and the force that binds it all. The relation between Spock and Kirk; despite of its premise, is the most human thing in this majestic tale where the adventures are endless. Encountering this original series, at this stage makes the execution look petty and a bit loose (the small technical aspects can be negotiated) but the writing is smart, gripping and hence completely overpowers it. The series didn't seem to mature as it should have but definitely has improved on terms of implementing smarter approach, parallel plot lines and thought provoking concept.

Season 03

Contrary to expectations, second season failed to project the essential character development which would have give a perfect arc to the series and instead focused on different cases. In this final season the expectations are still higher as they have somehow glued their audience with their gripping screenplay and innovative imagination that doesn't flinch on pushing the boundaries.

Is There In Truth No Beauty?

The writers seem to be running out of ideas and are dwelling onto the old cases that were already a misshaped misogyny that never was able to express its vision and views. It does give Leonard Nimoy some range and room enough to flaunt his skills on screen.