Star Trek Review: THE CLOUD MINDERS

Director Jud Taylor's, "THE CLOUD MINDERS," is a provocative, thinking person's Sci-Fi episode. Taylor's other directing credits include: "The Paradise Syndrome", "Wink of an Eye", and "The Mark of Gideon".

"Trouble with Tribbles" author, David Gerrold, co-wrote this episode's Story with veteran television writer, Oliver Crawford, (Teleplay by Margaret Armen). While this Story lacks 'Tribbles" humor, it's a top drawer episode, dealing with racial issues in a Sci-Fi context.

Jeff Corey ("Beneath the Planet of the Apes", "Seconds") as Plasus, ruler of Stratos, is excellent. Under Taylor's self assured Direction, Corey shows us an intellectual man, forced to come to grips with his prejudices.

This is one of those rare episodes where Spock gets to schmooze with a woman. Droxine, daughter of Plasus, as played by Diana Ewing ("Washington Behind Closed Doors") who is bright, cultured, and worthy of the logical Vulcan.

The matte painting of Stratos, the floating city, is quite good. While not entirely realistic, it is poetic and quite beautiful.

"THE CLOUD MINDERS" should be rather watchable for most Sci-Fi viewers. Fans of actor/acting teacher, Jeff Corey, will dig this episode. "THE CLOUD MINDERS" has a silver lining.

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