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Star Trek: The Animated Series
S2.E5
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IMDbPro

How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth

  • Episode aired Oct 5, 1974
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 23m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
545
YOUR RATING
Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973)
  • Animation
  • Action
  • Adventure
The Enterprise runs into a being which once visited Earth and influenced the Mayan culture.The Enterprise runs into a being which once visited Earth and influenced the Mayan culture.The Enterprise runs into a being which once visited Earth and influenced the Mayan culture.
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
545
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • Bill Reed
    • Hal Sutherland
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry
    • Russell Bates
    • David Wise
  • Stars
    • William Shatner(voice)
    • Leonard Nimoy(voice)
    • DeForest Kelley(voice)
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Bill Reed
    • Hal Sutherland
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry
    • Russell Bates
    • David Wise
  • Stars
    • William Shatner(voice)
    • Leonard Nimoy(voice)
    • DeForest Kelley(voice)
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 7User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos107

    Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973)
    Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973)
    Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973)
    Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, James Doohan, and Nichelle Nichols in Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973)
    Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973)
    Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973)
    Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973)
    DeForest Kelley in Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973)
    Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973)
    Leonard Nimoy in Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973)
    Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973)
    William Shatner and James Doohan in Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973)

    Top cast

    Edit
    William Shatner
    William Shatner
    • Capt. Kirkas Capt. Kirk
    • (voice)
    Leonard Nimoy
    Leonard Nimoy
    • Mr. Spockas Mr. Spock
    • (voice)
    DeForest Kelley
    DeForest Kelley
    • Dr. McCoyas Dr. McCoy
    • (voice)
    George Takei
    George Takei
    • Suluas Sulu
    • (voice)
    • (credit only)
    Nichelle Nichols
    Nichelle Nichols
    • Uhuraas Uhura
    • (voice)
    Majel Barrett
    Majel Barrett
      James Doohan
      James Doohan
      • Scottas Scott
      • (voice)
      • …
      • Directors
        • Bill Reed
        • Hal Sutherland
      • Writers
        • Gene Roddenberry
        • Russell Bates
        • David Wise
      • All cast & crew
      • See more cast details at IMDbPro

      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        The presence of Ensign Dawson Walking Bear in this installment means it was the first episode to feature the appearance of a Native American starship crew member on Star Trek.
      • Goofs
        Captain Kirk continuously mispronounces the name "Kukulkan" as "Kuklakan."
      • Quotes

        Dr. McCoy: There's a line from Shakespeare...

        Captain Kirk: Yes, Bones, I remember it: "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child."

        Mr. Spock: Indeed, Captain.

      • Connections
        Featured in Drawn to the Final Frontier (2006)

      User reviews7

      Review
      Top review
      10/10
      Powerful point for diversity
      All evidence indicates that humans have an instinctual desire to create gods. Many of these creations, such as the Greek gods, are based on humans with greater powers, yet still captive to human emotions. However, there are some that are not augmented humans. Some of the gods of the Natives of Central and South America were not derived from humans, many of them were essentially of animal form. One specific example is Kukulkan, worshiped by the Mayas and depicted as a feathered serpent. Another origin theory for the human development of gods is that they were space travelers that landed on Earth and interacted with humans. This episode uses a combination of the space traveling god along with the Mayan god Kukulkan. The Enterprise encounters a spaceship that has the shape of a serpent and it is recognized as Kukulkan by Native American bridge crew member Walking Bear. Kirk, Dr. McCoy, Scotty, and Walking Bear are transported onto the ship into what appears to be an ancient Mayan village. They are told that this is a test of their reasoning skills. It also becomes clear that the creature expects to be once again worshipped as a god. The Enterprise crew members solve the puzzle while Spock is able to break the containment field holding the Enterprise. This combination overwhelms Kukulkan and it is forced to release the Enterprise and drop the pretense of godhood. A Native American appearing on the bridge and being essential to the survival of the Enterprise is a powerful point in favor of diversity. Featuring a "god" that is not based on Greek-Roman mythology is another powerful point in favor of diversity. Finally, the "god" of the story has a non-human form, a cultural fact that is sorely neglected in western education.
      helpful•0
      0
      • cashbacher
      • May 5, 2020

      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • October 5, 1974 (United States)
      • Country of origin
        • United States
      • Official site
        • Official Site
      • Language
        • English
      • Production companies
        • Filmation Associates
        • Norway Productions
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Technical specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        23 minutes
      • Color
        • Color

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