Star Trek Initiation: "The Naked Time" (episode 104)

Alas, this episode does not include a cameo from Professor Dumbledore...though it does include almost everything else. This week begins as the crew of the Enterprise is sent to watch a planet explode. Sounds exciting, right? But also, obviously, dangerous. Everyone needs to be as competent as possible or the ship will be pulled into the planet's shifting gravitational field and explode.

Two crewmen are sent down to retrieve the scientists who are still living on the doomed planet, only to find them all inexplicably dead. It soon becomes apparent that the scientists were killed by a disease that is spread by human contact, and even more apparent that said virus has made its way onboard the ship. The physical symptoms include excessive sweating--which is how the disease is spread--and reduced inhibitions. This usually leads to excessive laughter. Sulu begins challenging everyone to fencing matches. A crewman takes over the control room and serenades the crew with Irish songs. Oh, and Spock has a nervous breakdown. It all ends with the crew imploding their own engines and discovering they can travel back in time.

There was a lot going on in this episode. I was trying to figure out all of the ways the crew was screwed. First, they are lost when their communication system is compromised. They have twenty minutes to hack into the hijacked control room. It's interesting how the doors have become a hindrance in almost every episode. When they're supposed to be keeping someone in, they fail. When people are supposed to be able to access a room, they're locked out.

Of course, once they cut a Texas-shaped hole in the wall and get back into the control room, we find out that there isn't enough time to get the engines warmed up before they spiral down to doom. So they decide to try this formula--which only has a 1 in 10,000 shot of not blowing them all to kingdom come--and the man behind the plan (Spock) is crying for his mommy. Although, to be fair, the doctor has come up with a cure by this time. So they get better just in time to implode the engines.

And then there was the time-travel bit. They only traveled back in time three days. Does this mean there's another Enterprise now for the next three days? Are they going to meet themselves in the next episode? There was some foreshadowing about using the time-travel formula at some point. Now they can also boldly go WHEN no man has gone before!

Favorite character this week: Sulu. I laughed out loud when he appeared dressed to fence and challenging everyone. Incidentally, where people surprised when George Takei came out of the closet?

The 3-D chess made a brief appearance, along with what I believe was 3-D checkers.

Don't forget to comment! I'd love to hear your thoughts on Star Trek, the blog, or anything else. Or e-mail us at videorevue@gmail.com

"Star Trek" clip--hilarious!

In lieu of an actual episode review this week, please enjoy the funniest "Star Trek" clip I've ever seen (courtesy of the Carol Burnett show).

Must-See TV

The best of what's on television right now, in my humble opinion:
-Heroes. Season 4 debuted on Monday night and it kicked butt. I can't wait to see what's going to happen this time around. Though I have to say I like Hiro better as Batman than as Alfred. Poor Ando...

-Leverage. The new show on TNT follows a group of criminals out to rob the bad guys and return the money to the people who've been wronged by the giant corporations. Oh, and one of the characters is played by Christian Kane, who in a past life worked for Wolfram and Hart (the evil law firm from "Angel").

-Mythbusters. Adam and Jamie continue to blow stuff up in the name of science. This week they proved that ninjas are ALMOST as awesome as the myths say they are.

-DOLLHOUSE!! The latest show from Joss Whedon, Evil Genius. Why does he have the title "Evil Genius"? Simple. He creates brilliant, dynamic characters that the viewers can relate to and care about. That's genius. Then he makes their lives a living hell. That's evil. Therefore, he shall be known from now on as Joss Whedon, Evil Genius. Anyway, his new show stars Eliza Dushku. The basic plot is that there is a secret organization where people can basically rent people called "Actives" to do whatever they want, anything from international espionage to sex. Once their job is done, the Actives forget their missions entirely...or at least, that's how it's supposed to work. If only it weren't in the Timeslot of Death (Fridays from 8-9). At least it's not on CBS...

(Who, me? Still upset that Moonlight was canceled? What ever gave you THAT idea??)

Side note: I may have to take a break from the Star Trek postings for a week or two while I wrap my head around all of the work I need to do this semester. And there will be another podcast at some point in the future.

RANDOMNESS FROM JOHNNY IN FORM OF VIDEO

A highly addictive, yet also extremely random music video (YTP) based off of Japanese McDonald's commercials. I love this, but who else??

Hulu's Superbowl Commercial

Definitely one of the best Superbowl commercials this year. Can't say any more without giving away the ending...

Enjoy!