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UNCUT REACTION - Star Trek The Original Series - Is There in Truth No Beauty? S3E5 (Patreon)

Published:
2023-02-11 22:28:38
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2026-06
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Content

We have reached the only Ralph Senensky directed episode of Season 3

Here is our full uncut reaction to Is There in Truth No Beauty?

Very excited to hear what everyone thinks of this episode as well as our reaction and thoughts on it

Thank you for being a Patron & enjoy!

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Patreon UNCUT REACTION - Star Trek The Original Series - Is There in Truth No Beauty? S3E5

Comments

Michael Nemo

Budget on this ep was so low they didn't even make nose slots for the masks...

Brad Barter

This is one of my favourite TOS episodes. Spock and Bones (still to come) get some really good episodes this season. Diana Muldaur was seen in a previous TOS episode as Dr. Ann Mulhaul who willingly took one of the God like sphere entities into herself. We will see the same actress again in Trek but not until season 2 of TNG.

Ricky Johnson

This is not the last time you will see Diana Muldaur - just the last in TOS. I like this episode but as a kid I didn't understand it. Effects are really good - the lighting effects for the ambassador I think are quite innovative for the 60s. Now that I am older I like the plot and like you guys it always good to see Nimoy get to stretch his acting chops. This is what I call a thoughtful episode - there are several of these in season 3. I may have to revise my prediction - season three may be Alex's favorite season too. Also, I do think Josh will like one of the coming episodes more than this one.

Collin Freeman

I consider this an above-average episode, but not 1 of my favorites. I do think Josh is right: Ralph Senesky was consistently good as a director, which probably elevates this episode a little from what it might have been under another director (might have been worse with Joe Pevney). Good thought on the writer, but that was her real name: Jean Lisette Aroeste. No big mystery. She was a librarian and writer who only managed to sell a couple scripts to the Star Trek producers. The second episode will show up close to the end of season 3.

Rich Cirivilleri

Technically, this isn’t Senensky’s last episode. It’s estimated that he directed about 1/2 to 3/4 of the Tholian web before Fred Freyberger fired him. Freiburger did not like Ralph Senensky. He thought he was to Artie, and took too much time. Fred Freyberger had a problem with talent. He didn’t like it. And he tried to suppress talent and creativity wherever he could. When you watched going in the web, you’ll probably see Ralph’s fingerprints all over it. Looking forward to watching along tonight with you guys.

Jeff Cornell

I can really appreciate this episode, but at least to me, it's an episode that's much better on first viewing and doesn't hold up that great on re-watches. I think because most of the drama is about the guest stars, and it's in the form of a series of minor mysteries and reveals. So when I already know the answers to the mysteries about characters I wouldn't otherwise care much about, it starts to fall a little flat to me. But seeing it vicariously through fresh eyes, I can definitely appreciate how well written all of those little mysteries and reveals are on a first viewing.

Tom Occhipinti
>>101704033

I read that many people in the fandom disliked her in TNG... but I rather liked her. I think many people were just reacting to the fact that she wasn't Gates McFadden.

Brad Barter
>>101704033

I liked her too. She didn't have many episodes focused solely on her. It was bad writing having her as the Doctor take on exact traits as Bones not liking the transporter. Also her frigid relationship with Picard and Data didn't have a chance to smooth itself out. All of this plus her as an actress preferred her time on TOS as their scenes were more stage like than in TNG. So at least she left before her personal feelings affected her on screen performance and at least TNG wrote it so Crusher could come back. It's too bad that we never heard of any breakthroughs or call backs to her time as head of Star Fleet Medical.

Steven Johnson

Not one I've ever thought particularly highly of. I've seen TOS dozens of times. But you guys have given me a new perspective and appreciation for this one. I noted some people thought a little lower of this one, and then, seeing it again has really changed my view of it. Night shift: We actually do cover the night shift in TNG and Voyager. TNG gets a little more into "slice of life" type stories. But I digress, On the subject of science, this episode did inspire several doctors and engineers to try and develop a sensory suit similar to what we see in the episode. Some of that technology ended up in what we now know as MoCap. We will also see Diana Muldar later on in future Star Trek series. She was quite a beauty in her time. You guys are about to hit a really strong stretch of season 3. Episode 6 - 9 are back to back bangers. Spectre of the Gun, Day of the Dove, For The World is Hollow and I Have Touched The Sky, and ending that stretch with The Tholian Web. Season 3 has more good episodes after this, but I think personally this is the strongest block. One last thing, but I thought I'd leave a little insight into Gene Roddenberry. While he was casting for Star Trek TNG he had a meeting with Jonathan Frakes, who would go on to play Commander Riker. During the meeting, Gene Roddenberry said to him "In the 24th century there will be no hunger, there will be no greed, and all the children will know how to read." I wanted to share this because... So much of our culture these days is nihilistic, and grim, and sarcastic. Optimism is often in short supply, and I'm sad to say that when Star Trek returned to "TV" in 2017... It was very much of that culture. Nihilistic, grim, depressing, violent, sarcastic. A lot of the new Star Trek doesn't feel in anyway like it was touched by the spirit of Gene Roddenberry. Generations of young people were inspired by TOS to become doctors, engineers, scientists. Patrick Stewart received a letter from a police officer who told him that he would work all day and be absolutely drained and demoralized by the end of it, and wonder if there was any point to it at all... and then he'd watch Star Trek, and it would put some hope into him that maybe... Maybe we're going to be okay. That's what classic Star Trek means to a lot of people. We, the human race, we're going to be okay.

Prof Moff

I am going to go off topic because of what you said about loving things that are set up but you don't know it as a viewer and then revealed. No show ever (IMO) does the subtle hint you sort of remember when the reveal happens and then you hear yourself say OH! That makes so much sense. Problem is I am not sure it will work on your channel it has tons of nudity and language. Black Sails. I think the best character written show ever done.

Brad Barter

As you guys have pointed out last season there was a lot of reused music cues throughout. This season especially you will notice that there is a lot more new music this season and just like this episode music will definitely carry numerous upcoming scenes that without it would seem less dramatic, soothing or heart felt so am looking forward to hearing your take on it as well.

David Felgate

The IDIC symbol that Spock wore on his dress uniform during the dinner party was first introduced in this episode. It was something that Gene Roddenbury came up with, and Leonard Nimoy was annoyed about having to wear because he saw it as a cheap ploy to create a piece of merchandise that could be sold to fans. Whatever its origins or intent, the symbol shows up numerous times throughout the various Star Trek shows. IDIC is an acronym for "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations", which is a core Vulcan philosophy.

Brad Barter
>>101711558

A large version of the Vulcan IDIC will be seen in Star Trek II when we get to it so make sure to watch for that. Am certain many people who have seen the movie dozens of times have no idea that it's in that movie.

James H
>>101705922

The excuse for Senensky's firing was a shooting delay that was absolutely not his fault. It's all explained in the Enterprise Incidents podcast for that episode.

Mark Chrisco

Senensky has spoken extensively about a loud showdown on the dinner set between Nimoy Shatner and Gene Roddenberry over the IDIC medallion with Nimoy refusing to wear it and Shatner backing him up. They compromised with Spock only wearing it in the final scene. A little research finds Ralph has a Facebook page. It might be worth a shot to message him and possibly arrange an interview. Hey, you mever know.

Andreas Schmitt

I just want you to know that I had a big smile on my face watching this reaction. When you guys REALLY enjoy a Star Trek episode it truly warms my heart :) It's like giving a friend a birthday gift and see that they enjoy it even more than you expected :) I'm really happy that your favorite ST director came through for you, Josh :)

Dan Krantz

That is the writer's actual name, She was not a professional writer, but a librarian who loved Star Trek. She submitted a spec script titled "Miranda" for the show and the producers bought it. The final screenplay was written by her and story editor Arthur Singer. She writes one more this season, which is an excellent episode. That's all I'll say. No Spoilers.

Andreas Schmitt
>>101705866

It's actually not that unusual. As I said several times, these shows back then, especially sci fi shows, were desperately looking for scripts and I think TNG often used scripts that fans, unpublished authors, sent in, and ended up hiring a few of them later. So using scripts by people that never ended up getting published again... that's just what happened then. But given the quality of the writing here... yes she should have been more successful... but who knows... maybe she found another calling and this was just a hobby for her.

Andreas Schmitt
>>101704387

I personally can't wait for the first TOS movie... you're either going to completely hat it or absolutely love it lol. Because that one is absolutely another one the fanbase is completely split over. Some call it the worst ST movie by far, others really like it. it'll be interesting what you think of it. (btw, get the director's cut)

Andreas Schmitt

Ralph Senensky might have been too 'artsy' for some on the people back then, but I think for this episode his choices were perfect. The episode was about beauty and ugliness. About being blind and truly seeing. About going insane from being too ugly, about pity for not being able to see that ugliness, about seeing things in a new way. We saw the guest star in a new way after learning she was blind. Her cloak allowed her to see things in a different way. Her mind melding with the Spock allowed her to see the Medusan in a new way. The friend-zoned engineer wished she could see him in a different way... Considering this theme, showing us the characters and the ship in ways we had never seen them before, with different lenses and different camera angles, was the PERFECT choice there. It was perfectly fitting what the episode was about. In a normal episode those extreme camera angles would have been to over the top and pointlessly artsy, yes. But this wasn't him playing around for fun... I'm almost sure he did this on purpose because it fit the themes in the script.

Ken R

This episode was never one of my favorites, and for me it looks like someone bought a new lens and they went crazy looking for excuses to use it, The extended walks through the hallways seemed like they were padding an extra few seconds here and there. I just don't see how the story was served by these shots outside of the scenes when someone was going insane. Then the ending sort of came abruptly, she just changed her mind, problem solved. It's okay, but not one I watch often. And that wasn't even the first problem solved in as undramatic was as possible; the lost outside the galaxy bit was solved 1-2-3 just by plotting in a new course. I like Diana Muldaur and the acting was good, I just wish the story had stakes and things were not dismissed to get to the next little problem. Spock came in dazed and confused, Miranda is missing after what we were told was a life and death gambit to save Spock. So why did the show highlight she was not with Spock or in the hallway? No idea because the next scene she is all better and time to say goodbye. I give this a solid 7 out of 10 but can't go much higher.

PFCoffey

I sincerely believe the next two episodes of TOS will top this one on "Whatever this is".

Jeff Cornell

You mentioned the concept of a show following the night shift of a ship like Enterprise. It's not exactly that idea, but the animated show Lower Decks is kinda the same theme, as it mainly follows a bunch of low-ranking officers on a ship much less prestigious than the Enterprise. So a lot of it is about the characters being out of the loop but still having to cope with whatever crazy situation the higher-ups have gotten them into. But I guess it'll be about 5 or 6 years before you get to that one.

Gary Leyh

This was a great reaction to a wonderful episode. I've always loved this one but you guys really helped me appreciate it more - especially the writing. I have fun when you have a negative reaction to episodes (especially ones I also dislike) but when you love an episode it gets me all jazzed about Star Trek again. Thanks so much!

Rhett Coates

Guest actress Diana Muldaur was indeed in a previous episode and did well in both stories. She did so well, in fact, she was asked back to Star Trek for The Next Generation spin-off series, as the Enterprise-D's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kate Pulaski, in their second season, which takes place almost a century after TOS. Good work, guys: I agree with Gary (above message) that you two are bringing such a fresh perspective to TOS, it's making it new all over again, especially for episodes that don't hold my attention as much as some of the others. THANK YOU both for that.

deconstructionist66

This is the first script Frieberger bought beyond the 19 stories Roddenberry had left him. NBC said the female demographic was soft, so Frieberger hired more female writers and had stronger female characters than Trek had under Roddenberry. Roddenberry had nothing to do with this episode beyond adding the IDIC medallion scene which his company Lincoln Enterprises were already advertising as merchandise. Nimoy and Shatner both mutinied over the scene and walked off the set for the rest of the day, forcing Senensky to reshuffle the schedule to shoot scenes in which they didn't appear. Bill and Len returned the following morning and rewrote the dialogue to what we see on the screen. NBC also thought this script was too cerebral and wanted more action, but Frieberger reduced the action further to focus on the characters. Senensky finished this one day over schedule, and since every episode was running over budget, he was fired after three days of shooting The Tholian Web when it too fell half a day behind.

Brad Barter

Unless they somehow locked the Medusan's case at the end to ensure no one accidentally saw the alien it made no sense that Kirk was there unprotected from it especially if somehow you could see it during transport which made sense to wear the red visor then. I believe Spock put his visor on at the end to once again see Miranda as he did when she first came aboard for sentimental reasons not protection nor emotionally. Also in the updated CGI version when Miranda goes to "see" Colos after Larry Marvick saw it the head and upper body of the Medusan is added which the original version obviously didn't have just the light effects.

Brad Barter
>>101743625

Well after seeing what happened to Spock and Marvick and all the previous precautions you'd think he wouldn't even consider being there and even with the visor Spock initially felt a wave go through him when he first saw the Medusan with the Visor. Supposedly humans except Miranda go insane even if they did have a visor on.

deconstructionist66

Fred Freiberger produced all of Season 3, but here are where the stories and/or scripts originated: Gene Roddenberry episodes: Spectre of the Gun w: Gene Coon d: Vincent McEveety Elaan of Troyius w: John Meredyth Lucas d: John Meredyth Lucas The Paradise Syndrome w: Margaret Armen d: Jud Taylor The Enterprise Incident w: Dorothy Fontana d: John Meredyth Lucas And the Children Shall Lead w: Edward Lakso d: Marvin Chomsky Spock's Brain w: Gene Coon d: Marc Daniels Day of the Dove w: Jerome Bixby d: Marvin Chomsky Wink of an Eye w: Gene Coon and Arthur Heinemann d: Jud Taylor That Which Survives w: Dorothy Fontana and John Meredyth Lucas d: Herb Wallerstein Let That Be Your Last Battlefield w: Gene Coon and Oliver Crawford d: Jud Taylor The Way To Eden w: Dorothy Fontana and Arthur Heinemann d: David Alexander Requiem for Methuselah w: Jerome Bixby d: Murray Golden The Savage Curtain w: Gene Roddenberry and Arthur Heinemann d: Herschel Daugherty Turnabout Intruder w: Gene Roddenberry and Arthur Singer d: Herb Wallerstein Fred Freiberger episodes: Is There In Truth No Beauty? w: Jean Aroeste d: Ralph Senensky The Empath w: Joyce Muskat d: John Erman The Tholian Web w: Judy Burns and Chet Richards d: Ralph Senensky and Herb Wallerstein For the World Is Hollow and I Haved Touched the Sky w: Rik Vollaerts d: Tony Leader Plato's Stepchildren w: Meyer Dolinsky d: David Alexander Whom Gods Destroy w: Lee Erwin d: Herb Wallerstein The Mark of Gideon w: George Slavin and Stanley Adams (who played Cyrano Jones) d: Jud Taylor The Lights of Zetar w: Jeremy Tarcher and Shari Lewis (yes, that Shari Lewis) d: Herb Kenwith The Cloud Minders w: David Gerrold and Margaret Armen d: Jud Taylor All Our Yesterdays w: Jean Aroeste d: Marvin Chomsky

AzoriusMage

Long time since I have seen this one but thoroughly enjoyed it again especially your reactions. Camera work was crazy perhaps giving us a sense of the insanity. Thanks both for making great content as always.

StealthMomo

You will be seeing Diana Muldar again. She plays the Enterprise's chief medical officer, Doctor Pulaski, in season 2 of TNG.

StealthMomo

Sorry. Me again. Oh, the pendant. The IDIC pendant. (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations). This was Gene Roddenberry's marketing techniques in action. I owned one. As well as some Tribbles, clothing patterns for the male and female uniforms, all three uniform badges (command, engineering, sciences), and painted portraits of all the cast. For 12 year old me in 1973, Roddenberry's Lincoln Enterprises was a treasure trove of all things Star Trek.

Timothy Nikiforovs

Definitely one of the more unusual episodes of the series. I think the weird camera lens made sense to portray someone losing their mind, but it felt a little overused. Still, Muldaur and Nimoy did some great work in this one. Though on the one hand I'll grant Muldaur was a very attractive woman in her youth, she's hardly more so than any number of very attractive young women who have guest starred on the show before, and many of their characters were far less cold in personality. I just don't buy the senior staff being THAT taken with her. Marvick sure, he knew her and had the whole unrequited love thing going, but senior starfleet officers who all just met her? I think before the reveal that she's blind one of the first assumptions many might make is that she can look at the ambassador because she's already seen him and gone insane, and is just hiding it better. Especially since we hadn't seen the kind of violent insanity we did from Marvick and Spock yet. The idea that the medusans are "too ugly" to look at seems a little on the nose to compare them to the legend. Seems more likely their appearance is more like a neuralizer from MiB, except it makes you go insane instead of forget things. I also like that we get a little expansion of Vulcan lore. I know the IDIC thing caused some conflict on set and was a merchandising stunt by Roddenberry, but the Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations philosophy has become a somewhat important part of the vulcan culture over the years. Also I believe this is the first time they expanded on the vulcan salute by having one person say "live long and prosper" and the other say "peace and long life". Pretty similar, but the prompt and response has become cemented in the lore.