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Star Trek: The Original Series
S2.E9
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IMDbPro

Metamorphosis

  • Episode aired Nov 10, 1967
  • TV-PG
  • 50m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
3.3K
YOUR RATING
Leonard Nimoy in Star Trek: The Original Series (1966)
ActionAdventureSci-Fi

While returning to the Enterprise aboard the shuttlecraft, Kirk, Spock, McCoy and a seriously ill Federation diplomat find themselves kidnapped by an energized cloud.While returning to the Enterprise aboard the shuttlecraft, Kirk, Spock, McCoy and a seriously ill Federation diplomat find themselves kidnapped by an energized cloud.While returning to the Enterprise aboard the shuttlecraft, Kirk, Spock, McCoy and a seriously ill Federation diplomat find themselves kidnapped by an energized cloud.

  • Director
    • Ralph Senensky
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry
    • Gene L. Coon
  • Stars
    • William Shatner
    • Leonard Nimoy
    • DeForest Kelley
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    3.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Ralph Senensky
    • Writers
      • Gene Roddenberry
      • Gene L. Coon
    • Stars
      • William Shatner
      • Leonard Nimoy
      • DeForest Kelley
    • 45User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos22

    William Shatner and Glenn Corbett in Star Trek: The Original Series (1966)
    Leonard Nimoy in Star Trek: The Original Series (1966)
    Leonard Nimoy in Star Trek: The Original Series (1966)
    Glenn Corbett in Star Trek: The Original Series (1966)
    William Shatner and Glenn Corbett in Star Trek: The Original Series (1966)
    Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, DeForest Kelley, Glenn Corbett, and Elinor Donahue in Star Trek: The Original Series (1966)
    Star Trek: The Original Series (1966)
    Glenn Corbett in Star Trek: The Original Series (1966)
    Star Trek: The Original Series (1966)
    Elinor Donahue in Star Trek: The Original Series (1966)
    Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, and Elinor Donahue in Star Trek: The Original Series (1966)
    Glenn Corbett and Elinor Donahue in Star Trek: The Original Series (1966)

    Top cast

    Edit
    William Shatner
    William Shatner
    • Captain James Tiberius 'Jim' Kirk
    Leonard Nimoy
    Leonard Nimoy
    • Mister Spock
    DeForest Kelley
    DeForest Kelley
    • Dr. McCoy
    Glenn Corbett
    Glenn Corbett
    • Zefram Cochrane
    Elinor Donahue
    Elinor Donahue
    • Nancy Hedford
    James Doohan
    James Doohan
    • Scott
    George Takei
    George Takei
    • Sulu
    Nichelle Nichols
    Nichelle Nichols
    • Uhura
    Bill Blackburn
    • Lieutenant Hadley
    • (uncredited)
    Lisabeth Hush
    Lisabeth Hush
    • The Companion
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Eddie Paskey
    Eddie Paskey
    • Lieutenant Leslie
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Ralph Senensky
    • Writers
      • Gene Roddenberry
      • Gene L. Coon
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      A few scenes featuring Elinor Donahue had to be re-shot, because the original film negatives were damaged and couldn't be used. Portions of the planet set had to be rebuilt, since other episodes were shot there by that time, using different sets. Meanwhile, Donahue got pneumonia and lost ten pounds. To hide this, they put Hedford's scarf around her neck and upper body. However, her weight loss is still visible on her face. The re-shots were not directed by Ralph Senensky.
    • Goofs
      The Companion fries much of circuitry of the shuttle. At the end, she says the captives are free to go, but it is impossible for her to have repaired all of those components.
    • Quotes

      Captain James T. Kirk: You say you can communicate with it. Perhaps you can find out what we're doing here.

      Zefram Cochrane: I already know.

      Captain James T. Kirk: You wouldn't mind telling us?

      Zefram Cochrane: You won't like it.

      Captain James T. Kirk: I already don't like it.

    • Alternate versions
      Special Enhanced version Digitally Remastered with new exterior shots and remade opening theme song
    • Connections
      Featured in Cinematic Excrement: Spock's Brain (2014)
    • Soundtracks
      Theme
      Music credited to Alexander Courage

      Sung by Loulie Jean Norman

    User reviews45

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Misinterpretation of affections.
    This episode, for some reason, weighs on my mind. For whatever reason, I'm reminded of some cliché love stories depicting the masculine leader of some private firm with a dedicated secretary who secretly has a crush on him, or the captain of the football team or cheerleader who similarly has a secret admirer. There's a difference in social class, whatever it may be, and hence a misinterpretation by the object of affection when presented with friendly interaction by the second party.

    That story is presented here, but given the ending that I think most lonely hearts who've been the third wheel in a love triangle have and will always desire. It's the favorable scenario that hearts of both colors, good and ill, hope to achieve for polar opposite reasons. The good heart wants love and affection for the sake of it, and to be happy and content. The bad heart usually has some ulterior motive, usually material gain.

    The same suspicion is briefly presented, but we the audience are shown the misinterpretation on both counts. Kirk, Spock and McCoy try to apply Star Fleet know how to put themselves back on track, but, to paraphrase Edward Devere; "Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn..." Their efforts are for naught.

    The truth of why they're there is revealed early on in the story, but the real truth becomes manifest later on, and it's not one that we as the audience, nor Captain Kirk, disagree with.

    There are two action sequences, and some usual sci-fi mystery a-la Classic Trek, but once these are set aside (or ever so briefly injected into the plot) the real story is made manifest. We're given the gamut of emotions. From gratitude, to shock, to disgust, acceptance, and all shades of gray in between.

    The physical barrier that separate the two primary focuses are analogous for a variety of social rifts. The rich girl who falls for the bad boy who grew up on the other side of the tracks, or the country girl falling for the city kid, and any other iteration of a Romeo and Juliet theme you'd like to transplant.

    There's an even deeper story being told here as well. The purported inventor of Warp Drive wants off this world, and vicariously through Kirk and crew, intellect is applied to a dilemma of two hearts. This is where the second action sequence comes in. Through this the one true solution is found. The one solution that works and actually resolves one major problem for the Enterprise's commanding officer, and his department heads.

    In this way it's actually a very reassuring story. For with all the strife between the various antagonists of the Star Trek universe, Klingons, Romulans, sundry super-powerful beings and violent primitive cultures in need of quarantine, not to mention the occasional starship captain gone bad or high-tech device gone haywire, there is a spot on some far off secluded and inviting world for two people to spend time with one another, and be happy.

    I don't know that it would make a good date episode, particularly for younger generations, but, if you're a classic Star Trek fan, and have a person of whom you are fond, then this might be an interesting diversion for an hour or so.

    Enjoy.
    helpful•7
    7
    • Blueghost
    • Jun 18, 2009

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 10, 1967 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • handitv
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Desilu Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Desilu Productions
      • Norway Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1
      • 4:3

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