User reviews

The Enterprise crew once again encounter highly advanced/highly evolved aliens, who, in this case, wish to study the concepts of good and evil (a bit ironic as I thought humanity had evolved beyond the simplistic notion of such concepts by the 23rd century) and use crew members as pawns in their inquiries. This episode, a morality tale, borrows elements from some of the better episodes of the past, such as "Arena" and "Day of the Dove," as well as "Spectre of the Gun" and even "The Devil in the Dark," which had another silicon-based lifeform. The better scenes, however, are not the later action sequences, but when Abraham Lincoln beams aboard the ship and gets acquainted with Kirk and the crew. It's an excellent guest appearance by actor Bergere, who is given some entertaining dialog, mirrored later by actor Atwater, who plays the famous Vulcan, Surak. The crew reactions to such famous personages and their debates about the nature of these obvious aliens-in-disguise is what elevates this above the average 3rd season episode. Doohan, as Scotty, steals a couple of scenes here, as usual.

In the last two-thirds of the episode, Kirk & Spock, along with Lincoln, beam down to the planet, meet Surak, and then are forced to confront four other famous, er, infamous figures from the past: Colonel Green, Kahless the Unforgettable, Zora (who?) and Genghis Khan. Col.Green made his name in some genocidal war in the 21st century (probably related to the 3rd World War brought up in later Trek series). Kahless, of course, is the famous/infamous Klingon, reinterpreted on the TNG series. The plot, at this point, is fairly simple: with no advanced weapons, using whatever resources are on hand in the primitive setting, such as spears, the two quartets must fight it out until one side is the victor. It's very basic, very primal, with our heroes and villains reduced to chess pieces on the cosmic board of some higher powers. There are no astonishing revelations towards the end, with Kirk & Spock merely showing that their Starfleet training can be put to use, if required. Even so, it seemed to me they were lucky in the end - that Green miscalculated and didn't press on to victory when he had the chance, due to, I suppose, cowardice. This episode also showed, again, the ingenuity necessary to come up with unusual-looking aliens when you have almost no budget for special make-up and FX.

I've always enjoyed this solid 3rd seasoner from the gitgo, for various favorable points reviewers here note. The bravura performance by Lee Bergere as Abe Lincoln makes this episode memorable by itself. Seeing it again recently after some few years I was struck anew. All the way back to first season, other episodes (Corbomite Maneuver, Arena etc) have featured Kirk and crew forced into confrontations staged by superior aliens. But "Savage Curtain" stands out among them for its unusual down beat ending theme of futility and frustration, redeemed by resolve to overcome. Equivalent scenarios in other episodes mostly ended with promising outlooks (Arena) even open invitations after winning over alien hearts and minds (Specter of the Gun, Corbomite) - the beginnings of what could be beautiful friendships. The closing perspective in Savage Curtain is sadder but wiser, and far more solemn - uniquely for this ST subgenre. After testing the humans and their moral concepts without satisfactory result, the unimpressed alien dismissively releases Kirk and Spock, letting them go back to their ship. But its one of Kirk's lines that, for me, tips off the subtext - about how hard it was so distressing to witness the death of the Abraham Lincoln character: "It was so hard for me to see him die again. I feel I understand what Earth must have gone through to achieve final peace." The context of the times when the show first ran, with what the country was going through in months preceding it, especially - the assassinations of RFK and Martin Luther King echoed between the words loud and clear, even though I never caught it previously. As an icon of civil rights. and an assassinated US president as well - the Lincoln character by association evokes MLK and JFK both in a single stroke. This episode's finale sounds a dramatic note as if consolatory, of grief understood and shared by the show's creators with its audience - at the time reeling alike, under the traumatic impact of violent, historic political tragedies in the news. This aspect reaches its peak when, after the seemingly dismal failure of an alien encounter so harrowing, amid bloodshed with nothing gained - Kirk reflects on the heroic inspiration of figures such as Saruk and Lincoln: "So much of their work remains to be done in the galaxy." In this one episode TREK offers the exception to its own rule, deviating from its usual idealism, whether in tragedy or comedy - by an unrelenting realism of urgent perspective. Dion's 'Abraham, Martin and John" offers an ideal comparison for this episode, from pop music of the era, in terms of themes and context. The song ministers to mass grief in the wake of real life events its lyrics reference literally, to which 'Savage Curtain' alludes figuratively by allegory (a fave among good ol' TREK's many tricks). So I rate this one a uniquely good voyage from the hallowed cellars of 1960s TREK - 'the real thing' (not the pepsi generation). Its like fine wine - some stuff only gets better with age.

Summoned to fight with sticks and with stones, by a blob with claws but without any bones, it's good verses bad, sane verses mad, the losers are the ones overthrown.

Greeted by Abraham Lincoln the crew of the Enterprise come under threat from a pile of rocks.

In theme and approach, this one is so quintessentially "Star Trek". Mind you, it's a bit too close to an old "Outer Limits" episode called "Fun & Games", but Trek's version is, arguably, the better of the two.

While searching for signs of life on an unexplored planet, the Enterprise is visited by Abraham Lincoln. Yes, that's President Abraham Lincoln, but it doesn't come off as silly as it sounds. In this story, a mysterious alien race creates a living breathing Honest Abe (a boyhood hero to Kirk) who issues an invitation to Kirk and Spock to beam down with him to the planet surface. Upon their arrival they encounter other historical figures: Genghis Khan; Kayless, the ruthless Klingon warlord; genocidal war criminal, Colonel Green; Zora, a sort of alien Dr. Mengela; and for Spock's titillation, Surak, the intellectual father of the Vulcan race.

Next enters one of "Star Trek's" wildest creations, a hulking alien made of volcanic rock. With it's multiple eyes flashing in rhythm with it's strange, tremulous voice, the creature informs Kirk and Spock that they are to be part of an experiment. An observed conflict in which they will oppose Col. Green and his associates to prove whether good or evil is the stronger philosophy. When Kirk informs their host that he and Spock refuse to participate, the alien coolly assures him, "you will decide otherwise." Suddenly the Enterprise's engines begin to overload, and Kirk is given a cause to fight for: defeat "Team Evil" or his ship and crew will be destroyed.

"Star Trek" may be an ancient, low budget sci-fi series, but the show's attention to character development really wins out over it's age and dated effects. Lee Bergere's performance in particular is one the most effective portrayals of Abraham Lincoln ever put on film. Noble and wise with a gentle wit, his Lincoln works beautifully as a character in this story of men who are forced into a conflict they want no part of. Credit is due the writers for striving to capture the kind of inner turmoil Lincoln must have experienced as president during the civil war and drawing on that to enhance the story. Example: he tells Kirk in one scene, "There is no gentle way to kill. No honourable way to destroy. There is nothing good in war except it's ending, and you're fighting for the lives of your crew." Excellently written, and believably delivered by Bergere.

Barry Atwater, who plays the Vulcan pacifist, Surak, deserves a nod as well. Not all actors wearing those pointed ears have been able to perform to the same standard that Leonard Nimoy set for playing a Vulcan, but Atwater is one actor who rose to the challenge admirably. His character's own moral conflict over the question of whether or not to fight also adds emotional depth to the story, as well as to this interesting, memorable character.

A few gripes about "Savage Curtain", (besides the fact that two of the "Team evil" characters don't have a single line of dialog):

-The occasional low rent aspects of the fight sequences. For example, the throwing around of rubbery looking rocks hurts the realism of the battle scenes. Also, the sound of their spears in flight would have been much more effective had the audio department added some better sound effects.

-Herschel Daughterty proves he's no master action director with a protracted, embarrassingly clumsy-looking shot of Mr. Spock grappling with a woman.

-When one character is taken prisoner, the director settled for the most half-hearted cries of distress ever heard. In fact, as kids, to crack ourselves up we would imitate these sad cries around the house. If you see my brother just say in a flat, disinterested tone, "help me, Spock". He'll know what you're referring to.

But those flaws aside, "Savage Curtain" is really a triumph thanks in large part to the richness of the characters as well as the quality of the performances. There are some genuinely compelling dramatic moments here, and this is what "Star Trek" did so well that other sci-fi shows of the day generally couldn't match. Sure, it wanted to be exciting and entertaining, but it also strove to be thoughtful and moving as well.

The Enterprise is in orbit around a planet of molten lava with a poisonous atmosphere, which makes the life reading from the surface most perplexing. Even more confusing is the appearance of Abraham Lincoln on the ship's scanners.

Beaming the president on board, Kirk is amazed that Lincoln appears to be exactly who he claims to be. Spock and Kirk agree to accompany Lincoln to an area on the planet's surface that has transformed into an Earth-like environment; there they encounter a rock creature that seeks to understand about good and evil, in particular, which is stronger. To that end, it pits Kirk, Spock, Lincoln, and famous Vulcan Surak in a fight to the death against four historical villains.

This episode reflects moments in America's history that have demanded sacrifice, wisdom and bravery from its leaders in order to try and bring about equality and peace. Lincoln is obvious -- he united America -- but at what cost? Surak, on the other hand represents those who have taken a more peaceful stance against prejudice and violence and who have paid the ultimate price for their beliefs, in particular civil rights leader Martin Luther King, a recent tragic figure at the time this show was made.

That said, what I REALLY liked about this episode was the cool rock monster -- a really bizarre creature with a mean pair of claws and multiple eyes that flash in time with its voice -- and the fact that Lincoln goes mano a mano against Genghis Khan (would have loved it even more if Kirk had shouted 'Khaaaaaan!' at some point).

6.5/10, rounded up to 7 for IMDb.

Season 3, episode 22. The Enterprise arrives at the volcanic planet of Excalbia for a geological expedition where their sensors detect carbon-based life forms. Suddenly an image of Abraham Lincoln appears floating on the ship's screen. Spock says its not the real Lincoln but Kirk invites Lincoln aboard the ship with honors. Lincoln claims to be human but knows nothing of technology past the 19th century but knows the Vulcan philosophy of Nom (meaning "all"). Lincoln invites Kirk and Spock to the planet where an area is earth-like. Scotty and McCoy protest the idea but Kirk and Spock go anyway. Once there they find their phasers, tricorder and communicators gone and out steps the Vulcan Surak who is the father of the Vulcan civilization - Spock again does not believe: Not in Lincoln now Surak. Next a boulder becomes a rock-like creature and the alien, Yarnek, announces to inhabitants to conduct an experiment: which opposing human philosophy is stronger good or evil. The alien puts Kirk, Spock, Lincoln, and Surak against Colonel Green, the Klingon Kahless, Zora, and Genghis in a fight to the death. To force Kirk and Spock to fight, the alien has set the Enterprise to explode in 2 hours if Kirk is defeated and all the Enterprise can do is watch on the screen.

Not great but it's Star Trek fun! Very entertaining.

8.5/10

Lets have Abe Lincoln and Sarek and the starship guys go against the bad guys from other eras, including Ghengis Kahn and some Klingon warrior and see what happens. This is all set up by a rock who has flashing eyes and can talk. Just your every day event. If one can get by this idiocy, it is an intriguing event. Kirk and Lincoln work together to defeat the Gorn (Oh, wait! That was another episode). They must figure out how to impress the rock so it will have an understanding of something or other. Lincoln seems perfectly comfortable in his role. Is it really Abe or a made up Abe. The thing we need to ask ourselves is how many aliens have to entertained by Enterprise combatants and their associates to make an episode? Ingenuity is the name of the game because pure and simple might is on the opponents side. That Ghengis Khan would have made a hell of a linebacker.

Gene Roddenberry's stories tended to reflect his social views, and "Star Trek's" sci-fi dramas were frequently metaphors for social and historical issues. The 3rd season's "The Savage Curtain" was Roddenberry's take on President Lincoln and the American Civil War. Specifically, Roddenberry explores the ethics of the leadership provided by Lincoln and weighs in against those who bemoan Lincoln's willingness to adapt expedient but extra legal tactics against his opponent.

In the episode Roddenberry nicely illustrates this by using two Lincoln's. Surak is the newly elected Lincoln, a President significantly more moderate and conciliatory than most of his party. Someone who arrived in Washington fully convinced that the union could be preserved peacefully.

And during his first couple months in office many Unionists began to question whether they had put the right man in the White House for the unprecedented crisis faced by the country. They feared he lacked iron and would be unable to rise to the occasion.

Colonel Green appears to be a blend of John Floyd (Buchanan's outgoing Secretary of War) and Brigadier David Twiggs (Army commander of Texas); who had specialized in especially deceptive (and unnecessary) acts of treason following Lincoln's election. Aggressively abusing their positions of trust and violating their oaths of office; all in the service of gaining a short-term advantage. From the devious actions of opponents like these Lincoln learned that pro-Union people would be increasingly vulnerable should they expect the old rules to still apply.

As occurred in history, the Surak Lincoln is only briefly a part of the equation. Replaced by the Lincoln who when finally compelled by events to accept the gravity of the situation, worked extra-legally to prevent the secession of Maryland and Missouri. In the episode this Lincoln states: "We fight on their level with trickery, brutality, and finality".

In the end the creature poses the same question often posed by students of the American Civil War: if good and evil use the same methods toward the achievement of the same results, what is the difference between them? Of course, Roddenberry has already answered it; Kirk is fighting for the lives of his crew and in a bigger sense his mission of advancing civilization. His opponent is fighting for the rewards of power, fighting to gain an advantage over others.

Kirk and Spock's final confrontation with the evil forces is deliberately listless; representing secession as the retreat of evil when forcibly confronted. As in 1865, evil retreats to preserve itself - knowing there will be less direct ways to protect its advantaged status.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

"History tends to exaggerate," says, Col. Green, one of history's most evil people. He makes an interesting point. Perhaps history does exaggerate. And perhaps history does much, much worse.: perhaps history even lies. Humans have a difficult time extricating themselves from their many webs of lies. Surely it has invaded our history. Who knows what really happened? Who indeed.

But that's not really the main point of this episode. It's good vs evil. Pure and simple. It's so simple it's almost like a Saturday morning kid's show. But that's part of its charm. This episode has a folksy charm to it, like an old western TV show where good guys both sing and defeat evil all in a day's work. But it does have depth of ideas even if they are presented as simple as possible. Simplicity is not always a weakness. It can also bear strength, like a rock, if you'll pardon the pun.

My main complaint is the cheesy looking alien/rock thing with flashing lights. Not good. It's just a big blob of rubber. The best part is the performance by Lee Bergere as President Lincoln. And his lines are very well written also. I also like the scene early in the episode when Dr. McCoy and Scotty are trying to talk Kirk out of going down to the planet. They think it's going to be suicide. Kirk reminds them of the basic mission to seek out new life. It is indeed their #1 mission. It's a good scene. Familiar, but good.

I think this is an underrated episode. Not great, but underrated. Look past the childlike simplicity. Don't hate it. It's not something you hate. Eat your popcorn and enjoy it. It's Star Trek.

What I would have liked to have know was how were the molten rock creatures going to give those notorious historical villains Ghengis Khan, Colonel Green, Zora and the Klingon Kahless the Unforgettable the power they wanted so much?

If this is "true Star Trek" then Star Trek is nothing but a bunch of fanciful fantasy buffoonery. Abraham Lincoln shows up on screen, saying he's the real deal, but can't explain why, and Kirk has absolutely no guard up. Huh?! Then they all beam down to a volcanic planet and go through another arena experience as heroes versus famous evil folks duke it out with sticks and stones, a fight hosted by .. eh, I don't remember .. oh that's right, a ROCK MONSTER, one that dances a little when fighting commences. The ending had NO MORAL, of course Kirk and his closest cronies survive because the series must go on so this is no spoiler, but really I didn't pick up that anything really happened. The aliens responsible for this didn't learn anything about human philosophy, and Kirk and the crew didn't grow from the experience either. Just a total waste of time.

I'm utterly shocked and confused that "Spock's Brain" is so frequently referenced as the worst TOS episode yet this one isn't. I'm going through the whole series and this one takes the cake. There's no sci-fi, no interesting dialog, no lessons, it's like a stupid bad dream, as if the writers sat down cobbled together the most formulaic Star Trek ideas (hallucinations, arena fighting) and slapped it into a script without any intention to produce anything interesting except only to ogle the history of Abraham Lincoln's presumed personality. This is beyond meaninglessly stupid and a waste of time.

This episode shows how truly tired the Star Trek writers were getting. At least twice before William Shatner was captured by aliens and put into combat situations for some gain or amusement of superior aliens. In this one he has Leonard Nimoy for company and a pair of giants from earth and Vulcan history. Lee Bergere and Barry Atwater playing Abraham Lincoln and Surak the founder of Vulcan logic philosophy.

Some volcanic rock creatures with some amazing powers have decided to see what the concepts of good and evil are all about. They also recreate four people who are considered villains in universal history.

Really though, to make this truly even as it seems only contemporary good had anything to lose I would have had two people defined as evil in the Star Trek world also competing. That would have made it more interesting.

Star Trek prime was grinding to a halt and this is why.