Star Trek Review:
PATTERNS OF FORCE
Director Vincent McEveety's, "PATTERNS OF FORCE," is an
odd but effective mixture of Nazi Germany and Sci-Fi. McEveety also
directed these Classic "Trek" episodes: "Balance
of Terror" and "The Omega Glory", among others. He
also directed some Disney features, including "Million Dollar
Duck"
Writer John Meredyth Lucas' script provides an interesting analog
to Nazi Germany. Instead of Germany, we have the planet, Ekos. And
in place of the Jews, we have the hated residents of the planet,
Zeon. Lucas also wrote, "The Changeling" and "Elaan
of Troyius," as well as other Classic 'Trek" episodes,
and the TV movie, 'City beneath the Sea".
The choice of the name, "Zeon," for the Jewish-type planet
is an interesting one. It's very close to the name "Zion",
which refers to the Jewish faith.
Skip Homeier is effective as bad guy, Melakon. He also appeared
as the big eared Dr. Sevrin, in the infamous 'The Way to Eden"
Space Hippie episode.
Roddenberry was apparently encouraged to make shows like these,
which utilized existing uniforms and sets. Despite that, the concept
of an alien society, modeled after Nazi Germany, is powerful enough
to succeed in spite of it's budget-conscious genesis.
Spock/Nimoy fans will enjoy seeing the sexy Vulcan with his shirt
off. It's the only Classic "Trek" episode to feature a
shirt-less Spock.
"PATTERNS OF FORCE" should be fairly watchable for most
Sci-Fi viewers. Spock fans may enjoy seeing him in a German helmet.
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