Plato's Stepchildren 

After Dr. McCoy helps the leader of a planet populated by people with powerful psionic abilities, they decide to force him to stay by torturing his comrades until he submits.

Director:

David Alexander

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (created by), Meyer Dolinsky

Stars:

William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
William Shatner	...	Capt. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy	...	Mr. Spock
DeForest Kelley	...	Dr. McCoy
Michael Dunn	...	Alexander
Liam Sullivan	...	Parmen
Barbara Babcock	...	Philana
James Doohan	...	Scott
Nichelle Nichols	...	Uhura
Majel Barrett	...	Nurse Chapel
Ted Scott	...	Eraclitus
Derek Partridge	...	Dionyd

Storyline

On an urgent medical emergency, Kirk, Spock and McCoy encounter an alien society that had once flourished on earth during the time of Plato. Since reaching their current planet, they've developed psychokinetic powers while also losing their bodies' ability to combat even the simplest infection, making the need for a physician newly apparent. When Dr. McCoy declines their invitation to stay, they begin to make sport with Kirk, Spock, Nurse Chapel and Lieutenant Uhura using their psychokinetic powers.

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Plot Keywords:

dwarf | reference to socrates | reference to plato | greek culture | philosopher king | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

As with other additions from this season, George Takei was unavailable due to his working on The Green Berets (1968).

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Goofs

In his Captain's Log, Kirk states that the Platonians' "planet went nova." Planets don't go nova, only stars.

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Quotes

Spock: [trying to control his rage] Captain...
Captain James T. Kirk: Yes, Spock.
Spock: Do you still feel anger toward Parmen?
Captain James T. Kirk: Great anger.
Spock: And you, Dr. McCoy?
Dr. McCoy: Yes, Spock. And hatred.
Spock: Then you must release it, gentlemen, as I must master mine. I might have seriously injured you, Captain, even killed you. They have evoked such great... hatred in me. I cannot allow it to go further.
[gets up, walks to a table]
Spock: I must... master it. I must... control...
[crushes an object with his bare hand]

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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

Referenced in QI: Kinky (2013)

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Soundtracks

Theme
Music credited to Alexander Courage
Sung by Loulie Jean Norman

User Reviews

Only about 25 minutes of action, and a sizeist joke in closing

I'd forgive this episode some very dated tendencies, but 20+ minutes of dull filler, and most of all, a sizeist joke to close the episode, are unforgivable. If you can (despite the famous inter-racial kiss), I'd skip this one.

Details

Official Sites:

handitv Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

Greek English

Release Date:

22 November 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 DTS (re-mastered version) Dolby Digital (re-mastered version)

Color:

Color Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

4:3