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UNCUT REACTION - Star Trek TOS - The Way to Eden S3E20 (Patreon)

Published:
2023-04-09 16:06:44
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

It's the Hippie episode!

Here is our full uncut reaction to The Way to Eden

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this one because we are not very familiar with hippie culture from the 60s, so we had even more of an outsider perspective on this one than usual. 

Only four episodes left and we will be finishing watching the show this week. Still surreal to think about that. Remember to join us LIVE on YouTube if you are able for our rewatch of episode 19. Wednesday at 5pm US Eastern

Happy Easter to those who celebrate!

Thank you for being a Patron & enjoy!

Files

Previews only

Patreon UNCUT REACTION - Star Trek TOS - The Way to Eden S3E20

Comments

Dion James Pitman

I've always quite enjoyed this episode, even though everyone else seems to hate it. Guess it didn't reach them. I enjoyed the singing, but wish Uhura was there and that maybe she could have joined in too since she sang a few times in season 1. I am wondering what it would have been like if DC Fontana's original plan for the episode had been able to be depicted. I'm hesitant to say what that was, although I'm sure somebody else will say something about it since it's not really a spoiler.

Jonathan

I like musicals, I like 60s culture and this episode still bugs me. This is one of the 3 episodes that comes to mind when people trash season 3. The kids was one and the third one is coming up. This is the typical making fun of hippies that tv did at this point. The biggest show that makes fun of hippies is Dragnet which Gene Rodenberry helped write story pitches for 15 years earlier.

Rich Cirivilleri

If you don’t enjoy this episode, then you are definitely a Herbert. Looking forward to watching along.

MntrTodd

This is one of the most derided and ridiculed episodes of the original series. It'll never be listed in my top ten, but I kind of like it. Yes, it has a lot of goofy stuff, but there's also a lot of positives. Hippies were a cultural phenomenon of the time, so it was perfectly valid to make an episode as a social commentary on them. I liked how Spock "got" the hippies while the rest of the crew was just befuddled by them. Skip Homier had a really good performance as the cult leader. And Chekov got a choice role, and his relationship with the Hippie girl was nicely handled. The twist of Eden actually being a deadly paradise was a deft touch. Charles Napier spent most of his screen career playing tough guys and heavies, so it's funny to see him as a guitar strumming Space Hippie. A few years ago I was in Virginia Beach and was walking past a pavillion with a band playing. My jaw dropped when I realized the tune they were doing was Spock's instrumental jam from this episode. It was unmistakable.

MntrTodd

Spock proclaims Dr. Sevrin insane. Didn't the Federation invent a cure for insanity a few episodes ago? Or did they forget about that? BTW, the Manson killings happened in August 69 after STAR TREK had completed its run. This episode was filmed in late 68.

deconstructionist66

Not all bad, but I don't enjoy the singing. When I saw this as a tiny person in 1969 I was frightened by the grass that burned your feet.

Tom Occhipinti

Did I miss your reaction to S3E19 (Requiem for Methuselah)? It doesn't appear on your feed.

Collin Freeman

Ah yes, the hippie episode. "Headin' out to Eden, yea brother." One of the most disliked and maligned episodes, and from my standpoint, with good reason. I rate it somewhere in my bottom 5 of TOS. For 1 thing, unlike the really good episodes of TOS (like The Enemy Within, City on the Edge of Forever, The Doomsday Machine), this one is completely dated to when it first aired. Really good sci-fi is timeless; this one was so stuck in the late 1960's, and not very well done, either. Very condescending to the youth and hippie movement of that time. Of course, it was written by a bunch of Herberts, so what can you expect. I will take the cue from Dion James and say this episode was originally written by DC Fontana to feature more of McCoy (which is ironic considering how little screen time he ends up getting) and was supposed to be 1 of the first episodes of the 3rd season, introducing us to McCoy's daughter Joanna. That all was shelved when NBC renigged on their promise to give the show a great time slot and Roddenberry all but exited the show.

James H

Wondering what's gone wrong on Patreon lately that makes special characters like quotation marks and ampersands show up all weird. " &

Andreas Schmitt

Alex, you're now so much of a Trekkie that you already have Transporter Phobia :D

Andreas Schmitt

The scenes between Chekov and the girl seem almost out of Forest Gump hehe. The soldier and the flower girl. Two friends in completely different world views.

MntrTodd
>>105994032

This planet has grass and acid. The hippies should have been happy here.

David Felgate

The actor who played Dr. Sevrin in this episode also played Deputy Führer Melakon in the episode Patterns of Force. He has less hair and larger ears here, but the face and voice are unmistakable.

Andreas Schmitt

If you want to know how to pronounce Walter Koenig's last name, google the German translation for 'king'. His Last name basically means 'king' in German, and it's pronounced like the German translation 'König'. In German you can spell the Umlaut letters ä,ö,ü by using the normal letters and adding an e. That's a spelling you can use if you don't have the Umlaut letters available. So Koenig is a different spelling of König.

Andreas Schmitt

I guess I never connected with this episode because I don't like 'movements'. I'm old enough to have seen plenty of them. Every young generation, usually lead by less than intelligent promiscuous pretty girls and not very successful in life guys, somehow thinks they are the first generation that notices that the world isn't perfect, thinks if the older ones don't listen to them the world will end. And of course they always demand solutions from their elders without having any suggestions on their own. Be it hippies, or 'The last Generation' or everything in between. They all have their own way of blaming the older generation for the world ending, be it climate change or cold war nuclear weapon threat or the Vietnam war. None of them ever know enough about history to be able to properly judge how those problems came to be, and none of them have the foresight to instead of blaming everybody, going to school and solving the actual problem, let alone acknowledge how much positive was achieved by those who came before them. Because as you will notice in history.. none of these 'movements' ever solved any of the issues they were shouting about. they're always too busy having sex and consuming the latest cool new drug and getting high, while the 'stiffs' and 'normies' and the uncool people are the ones actually working on solutions. I never had much sympathy for movements of any kind. They're always arrogant, always claiming to reject authority, yet always following some kind of Guru. I find them highly unpleasant, and I'd be less tolerant than Spock was here. But this is Star Trek so it at least tried to show their side of things a little bit. Me personally... I've seen 4-5 young generations now that think they have all the answers. And they won't be the last. I didn't like them when I was 19, and that hasn't changed much in the last 25 years

David Felgate

I've always enjoyed the music in this episode, but I also have a strong aversion to obvious lip-syncing. so it's a bit of a mixed bag for me.

Steven Johnson

"Goddamn hippies." Walter Koenig's last name is pronounced KO-NIG. Models/effects: Romulan ship was around in Season 1 for Balance of Terror. The model was either intentionally or accidentally destroyed. Dropped and shattered. Any time we see the Romulan ship from BOT in later episodes it was stock footage. In Season 3 we finally got a ship for the Klingons. Any time prior to that when the Klingons "have a ship" we never saw the ship. It was either too far away or just never seen on screen. Man. Half dozen episodes left to go, guys.

Steven Johnson
>>105993475

So what you're saying is their theory that Manson was inspired by this episode was accurate. (Sarcasm.)

Steven Johnson
>>105991827

I think the big problem, like a lot of these third season episodes, is the idea is padded out with fluff. All the singing could have been condescended down by half and you wouldn't lose anything. I think having Adam riff here and there, and then one scene with a longer song.

Steven Johnson
>>106005928

I don't consider this a spoiler because it tells you nothing, but there is an episode of TNG with a bunch of Irish-Amish-backwards types that always reminds me of this episode. And no, it's not a highlight of TNG. I don't mind this episode, but it's not one that I have ever sought out to rewatch. Unlike Spock's brain it doesn't quite have that same... It doesn't sound, brethen.

Brad Barter

We have seen Spock play his Vulcan Lyre before including early in season one in Charlie-X where Uhura sings to Charlie but as he wants Janis' attention he used his powers to keep Uhura from singing and Spock's instrument from working. He also held it at least in the episode with Kirok as he studied the obelisk and determined that the symbols were musical notes. The actor who played Adam will be seen in an episode of DS9 as a human military officer but not in Star Fleet. I don't want to give anymore spoilers than that but simply saying we will see him again but not for quite some time. The woman who sat in for Nichelle Nichols at the Communications Station was the same blond who was there in The Doomsday Machine. Not sure if Nichelle had something else to do, was sick etc but as the series was coming to a close it probably cost less to have stand-in actors you could pay less than having the full cast in place, this is most likely another reason Bones wasn't around much as you stated. Less or no lines given less or no money to pay out. You may or may not have noticed that there were 3 shots of Kirk that the image is reversed. So his hair and Star Fleet symbol was switched with the symbol (facing him) on his left side of his chest instead of his right. One of these scenes was in the Enterprise corridor outside Sick Bay with the other 2 on the surface of Eden which I had hoped they would've fixed in the remastered version but they didn't. Incidentally the remastered version of the planet Eden both in orbit and on the surface is really breathtaking compared to the original release.

Brad Barter

As we close out the series and move towards the animated series, as they are twenty minute episodes will you be reacting to two at once to get done faster or one at a time. Also with regards to Star Trek The Motion Picture will you be reacting to the Director's Cut which was once again remastered in 4k recently or the original 1979 version. You may want to poll the viewers as to which version to watch as some may object to the original version.

Prof Moff

I like this one. Don't love it but liked it. It is one of the ones I like that really is a good rewatch because I like it and there is no shock moments really. It is just a light hearted fun ep but when you really think about it ( if you want to) it could have deep meaning

Target Audience
>>106011777

We will be watching multiple episodes at once but each one will still be its own video. Undecided on the movie. Many people have recommended watching the director’s cut.

Brad Barter

When the purple haired guy asks Chekov why he wears all those clothes and how does he breathe. In the 1960s they believed the skin took in oxygen so a reason for this question other than simply being overdressed. In the 1964 classic James Bond 007 movie Goldfinger they touched on this subject briefly when Jill Masterson was killed by being totally coated in gold paint. Bond says it happens sometimes if the skin doesn't have a patch to breathe through and performers would have to leave a bare patch of skin open at the bsse of the spine to prevent such a death.

deconstructionist66
>>106011777

The 1979 TMP is the cut no one liked and no one at Paramount considered finished. The color grading was never done, the sound effects track wasn't assembled, and Robert Wise never even saw the entire film put together until the premiere (and he liked to preview all his films to see what audiences thought of them well ahead of general release.) I just don't see honoring the historicity in regards to the theatrical cut of this film. The 4K Director's Edition has flaws of its own, but in every regard is a vast improvement (while still being so slowly paced that only the patient can enjoy it. I fear Alex falling asleep to this one.)

Ken R

I don't think the show was mocking hippies but it was saying that their naive but well meaning beliefs could lead to disaster. The whole movement predates Woodstock, Mamas and Papas scoring their first hit in 1966 for example, and another famous song in 67 urged people to wear flowers in their hair if going to San Francisco. I have a lot of sympathy for hippies in those old photos and they had cool clothes. Barefoot is always seen as this hippie, back to nature shorthand for non-conformity, and even Iron Fist walked around NYC that way, but while it's cool in concept, it seems like it could lead to diseases and I just saw a squished dead rat on a NYC street so I'll keep my shoes.. This plot was pretty flimsy , and they could have cut a song or two, or maybe show a red shirt or two actually joining their cult. The ear guy we've seen before in the nazi episode I think, or at least he looks like the guy in that one.

Stardate 1312.4
>>106011396

Regarding the reversed shots, they are often used when a character is looking in the wrong direction when reacting to some off-camera action. If they were more careful in setting up the reaction shots they wouldn't have to resort to this.

Brad Barter
>>106011396

Yes but in this case especially on Eden Dr. Sevren ran to the right as everyone including Kirk was to his left but as he climbs the tree with the backwards image Kirk is now looking to the left instead of looking to the right which is the proper direction.

Firekrys FWO

Yeah as a kid the concept of 'hippies' went way over my head. I just saw them as a high energy group on the way to 'Eden' and it seemed kinda weird to begin with. And as I got older it just got more cringe. Once again, not a bad concept, but it just doesn't sit with me after the years

Mark Chrisco

Well the original D.C. Fontana script had a somewhat similar story, and was called "Joanna." The twist was Joanna was Dr, McCoy's estranged daughter. This caused a bit of tension between McCoy and the Captain, when sparks flew between Kirk and her. The story changes enraged Dorothy Fontana to no end. Joanna McCoy did finally appear in one of the novels.

James H
>>106132846

I seem to remember they also did a Joanna story in the 1980 Marvel Comics series.

Charles Regazzi Jr

Leonard Nimoy with his versatility. Spock relates to the hippies 😂 I haven’t watched this episode in years but it strikes me that much of the material is relevant to current cultural struggles. Even Dr. Severin’s remarks about being incarcerated. As always I love watching with you guys 👏👏

Charles Regazzi Jr

One thing about your discussion about transporter issues- they finally show a disturbing accident in the first feature film.

Rich Cirivilleri

You know, ever since I first started watching these reaction videos with target audience way back in the early first season of Star Trek, every time that I took pleasure in their delight in discovery of Star Trek always the image popped up in my head of the red shirt on the bridge playing air guitar, and I knew that eventually they’d have to discover this. The time has come.

Diane Lynn

Walter Koenig (pronounced Kay-nig) did NOT like this episode. His character was originally postulated to be a young, irreverent guy who didn’t always go by the rules. Koenig himself is that type of person lol. His autobiography is fascinating, to borrow a term from you know who. I knew a lot of hippies lol. I would’ve killed to have been at Woodstock but was a tad too young. The 50s were so rigid and restricted, especially for women and minorities. The 60s was so goddamn great lol. In Canada here, the highways were jammed with young people hitchhiking across the country. If you couldn’t pick some up, they still gave you the peace sign. We often picked them up, my parents and I. It was a time of as Mike Myers, who did the Austin Powers movies said “a handmade sensibility’. We weren’t into consumer goods or brand names. The whole point was to make your clothes your own so we all embellished our clothes with tie-dye or sewing, etc. It was a time of personal expression. For the most part it was great. The music- damn! It was such a turbulent time, so much upheaval, and yes, the Mansons pretty much put an end to it.

Shane Davis

This was the FUNNIEST (unintentionally) episode of TOS, period. I love TOS and argue with most people over the poorer episodes that they're not that bad, but this one? Goin' to Eden, aaay brother! BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!

Scarpad’s Domain

I still sing the songs from this, especially the doctor McCoy rhyme . Even as a kid I knew this was the goofy hippie episode but I liked it

Timothy Nikiforovs

I think I'm more with Alex on this one. Watching this time I didn't feel it was anywhere near as bad as it tends to get a reputation for being. At the same time though, there's nothing particularly good about it. The singing I didn't find too intrusive. The hippie movement was way before my time, so a lot of that is lost on my. It also wasn't as boring as Zetar or Empath, but those had more going for them in other areas. Basically I'm completely neutral on this episode. It's just there for me. There's nothing good to hook me in, but nothing so bad it pushes me away. Arguably that makes it one of the worst episodes, in that it made me feel absolutely nothing at all.

Patrick Smith

While the music was lyrically vague, it did get me moving. 7/10 If I watch with people under the influence. It heightens it to 8 if the music will make us dance. 9 only if we get on our instruments and jam to the episode. I am sure in Hippie commie cults this episode is an 11/10. Remember, Star Trek is representation.

Prof Moff

TOS Sex Scoreboard Iraina checks off Chekov Kirk 11 Chekov 4 new +1 Spock 2 Bones 2 Scottie 1 Extras: Russian women have a charm spell that is hard to resist. Chekov couldn’t and spilled the beans.