Star Trek Review: THAT WHICH SURVIVES

Director Herb Wallerstein's, "THAT WHICH SURVIVES," is an intriguing Sci-Fi yarn. Wallerstein also directed: "The Tholian Web", "Whom Gods Destroy", and "Turnabout Intruder".

The Enterprise arrives at the alien planet, Kalanda. Although the science colony there, at first, seems deserted, the landing party eventually encounters a beautiful hologram woman.

The alien woman, named Losira, turns out to be a weapon who can kill with a touch. Following the death of a crew member, the remaining landing party members struggle for survival against the beautiful, and persistent, killer.

Lee Meriwether ("The Time Tunnel" and "Batman") brings credibility to the character, Losira, who might have come across silly in less capable hands. The former Miss America is best known for playing Buddy Ebsen's secretary, on TV's long running "Barnaby Jones" series.

The concept of a female hologram designed to "defend the fort" is a clever one. The fact that she kills with a touch is a nicely odd Sci-Fi touch.

This change of pace episode has a Teleplay by John Meredyth Lucas, ("The Changeling", "Elaan of Troyius"), with a Story by Michael Richards. Richards is actually a pseudonym for frequent Classic "Trek" scripter, D.C. Fontana, ("Journey to Babel"), but why she chose to use a pseudonym for this quality story is unclear.

This is one of those episodes where First Officer Spock gets to run the Enterprise in Kirk's absence. The logical Vulcan looks quite at home in the command chair, and manages to not get anybody killed, unlike his problematic command turn, in "The Galileo Seven".

"THAT WHICH SURVIVES" should be fairly watchable for some Sci-Fi viewers. "Barnaby Jones" fans may dig this episode.

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