| Star Trek Review: THAT WHICH SURVIVES
Director Herb Wallerstein's, "THAT WHICH SURVIVES," is an intriguing
Sci-Fi yarn. Wallerstein also directed: "The Tholian Web", "Whom
Gods Destroy", and "Turnabout Intruder".
The Enterprise arrives at the alien planet, Kalanda. Although the science
colony there, at first, seems deserted, the landing party eventually encounters
a beautiful hologram woman.
The alien woman, named Losira, turns out to be a weapon who can kill with
a touch. Following the death of a crew member, the remaining landing party
members struggle for survival against the beautiful, and persistent, killer.
Lee Meriwether ("The Time Tunnel" and "Batman") brings
credibility to the character, Losira, who might have come across silly
in less capable hands. The former Miss America is best known for playing
Buddy Ebsen's secretary, on TV's long running "Barnaby Jones"
series.
The concept of a female hologram designed to "defend the fort"
is a clever one. The fact that she kills with a touch is a nicely odd
Sci-Fi touch.
This change of pace episode has a Teleplay by John Meredyth Lucas, ("The
Changeling", "Elaan of Troyius"), with a Story by Michael
Richards. Richards is actually a pseudonym for frequent Classic "Trek"
scripter, D.C. Fontana, ("Journey to Babel"), but why she chose
to use a pseudonym for this quality story is unclear.
This is one of those episodes where First Officer Spock gets to run the
Enterprise in Kirk's absence. The logical Vulcan looks quite at home in
the command chair, and manages to not get anybody killed, unlike his problematic
command turn, in "The Galileo Seven".
"THAT WHICH SURVIVES" should be fairly watchable for some Sci-Fi
viewers. "Barnaby Jones" fans may dig this episode.
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