Television Review: What Are Little Girls Made Of? (Star Trek, S1X09, 1966)

What Are Little Girls Made Of? (S01E09)

Airdate: October 20th 1966

Written by: Robert Bloch
Directed by: Harvey Hart

Running Time: 50 minutes

Star Trek has long been celebrated as the epitome of "thinking man's science fiction," a reputation built on its ability to tackle profound themes such as the essence of humanity and the perennial conflict between emotion and logic. However, the ambitious nature of these explorations often strains against the limitations inherent in a single episode format. A prime example of this tension can be found in What Are Little Girls Made Of?, an episode that, while generally satisfactory, fails to reach the heights associated with the classic episodes of The Original Series.

The script for What Are Little Girls Made Of? was penned by Robert Bloch, a writer renowned for his 1959 novel Psycho, which Alfred Hitchcock famously adapted into an eponymous film. Bloch, a respected figure in speculative fiction, began his career under the mentorship of H.P. Lovecraft, whose novella At the Mountains of Madness is often cited as an inspiration for this episode's narrative.

Set in 2266 AD, the plot unfolds as the USS Enterprise journeys to the frozen planet Exo III in search of Dr. Roger Korby (played by Michael Strong), an exobiologist who vanished during an expedition five years prior. Captain Kirk beams down to the planet alongside Nurse Chapel, who was once engaged to Korby. As they delve deeper into Korby's world, it becomes evident that he harbours a sinister agenda. Having unearthed remnants of an ancient civilisation that abandoned the surface, Korby has harnessed their technology to create androids, including the imposing Ruk (played by Teddy Cassidy) and the beautiful yet emotionless Andrea (played by Sherry Jackson). His vision is to forge a new society populated by androids unencumbered by human emotions or physical needs. To facilitate this plan, he constructs an android replica of Kirk and sends it back to the Enterprise. However, Kirk ingeniously thwarts Korby's deceptions and ultimately turns the androids against their creator.

Despite its intriguing premise, What Are Little Girls Made Of" grapples with the constraints of its runtime while attempting to address significant themes. The need for a tidy resolution within a limited timeframe often leads to a rushed narrative that feels more suited to a science fiction horror film than the thoughtful storytelling typically associated with Star Trek. The episode features familiar tropes: a menacing alien presence, two crew members meeting untimely fates of "Redshirts," and Kirk's introduction of Chapel into the plot appears more as an effort to include a female character than as a meaningful narrative choice. The resolution itself leans towards melodrama, detracting from the weighty themes it seeks to explore.

Contemporary audiences might perceive this episode as sexist due to Andrea's characterisation; she was originally described in Bloch's script as a “mechanical geisha,” and her revealing costume exemplifies the work of William Ware Theiss, the show's renowned costume designer.
.

Conversely, William Shatner's portrayal of Kirk includes a scene where he appears presumably nude during his transformation into an android. Shatner reportedly had to shave his chest for this scene, suggesting that "What Are Little Girls Made Of?" attempts to cater to fan service for both genders. This duality reflects the complexities of gender representation within the series—while Andrea's character may seem reductive, Kirk’s nudity serves as an equalising element.

This episode marks a significant departure from previous ones by centring most of its action outside the Enterprise and minimising Kirk's interactions with regular crew members. This shift provides Shatner with an opportunity to showcase his acting prowess in a dual role reminiscent of his performance in The Enemy Within. His portrayal is complemented by Michael Strong's performance as Korby, whose ambition drives much of the conflict within the narrative.

Ultimately, What Are Little Girls Made Of? presents itself as a solid episode within Star Trek’s canon but may leave many fans feeling it falls short of its potential. While it offers moments of intrigue and explores themes related to identity and humanity, it also suffers from repetitive elements and pacing issues that detract from its overall impact.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

Blog in Croatian https://draxblog.com
Blog in English https://draxreview.wordpress.com/
InLeo blog https://inleo.io/@drax.leo

InLeo: https://inleo.io/signup?referral=drax.leo
Hiveonboard: https://hiveonboard.com?ref=drax
Rising Star game: https://www.risingstargame.com?referrer=drax
1Inch: https://1inch.exchange/#/r/0x83823d8CCB74F828148258BB4457642124b1328e

BTC donations: 1EWxiMiP6iiG9rger3NuUSd6HByaxQWafG
ETH donations: 0xB305F144323b99e6f8b1d66f5D7DE78B498C32A7
BCH donations: qpvxw0jax79lhmvlgcldkzpqanf03r9cjv8y6gtmk9

Posted Using InLeo Alpha