“Catspaw” is the Star Trek equivalent of a Halloween episode. Given the fact that I greatly enjoy Halloween, there are a number of elements to this episode which I find entertaining – particularly in terms of setting and mood. But make no mistake, this is a terrible episode, hardly worth a second glance (unless, like me, you enjoy the spooky side of Halloween). The plot is formulaic and derivative (of previous Trek episodes, no less), the pacing stumbles, the characterizations are hit and miss, and the visual effects are horrendous – even by Star Trek standards. The result is an episode which can (and should) have only a very limited appeal.

Things begin with a landing party mission in deep trouble. Sulu and Scotty are missing and some poor sap named Jackson beams on board the Enterprise … dead. What follows is a deep menacing voice emanating from the dead man’s mouth, proclaiming that the Enterprise has been cursed at must depart immediately (seriously, you can’t make this stuff up, folks – or, rather you can make this stuff up, and put it into a Star Trek episode, but no one will believe you).

Of course, asking Kirk to leave behind crew members is like asking McCoy to embrace Spock into the brotherhood of humanity. And so Kirk beams down to the planet, with McCoy and Spock in tow, to investigate. And if there is a real strength to the episode, it is in terms of the interactions between these three characters. They are all very comfortable in their roles and interactions with one another, and the result is a genuine camaraderie that is very enjoyable to watch – even if the rest of the episode is as ridiculous as this one.

What follows are a series of spooky, Halloween-like visuals (from disembodied witches, to castles with cobwebbed corridors, to dungeons, to black cats) created by bizarre aliens who have never before experienced any “sensations.” Theses aliens have plumbed the human mind to find these visuals and have used them to set up a series of “tests” that Kirk, Spock, and McCoy must navigate. What is revealed is that the aliens are telepathic and telekinetic and they’ve also managed to ensnare the Enterprise.

The first twenty minutes or so are ultimately hollow and empty, but they do benefit from the actions of the three main characters, as well as the spooky mood. As a case in point, while chained in a dungeon, Kirk turns to McCoy and says, “Bones-” then stops short, noticing a skeleton hanging next to McCoy, then rephrases, “Doc …” It’s perfectly timed and delivered and highly amusing. But if a moment like that is the highlight of an episode … well, you know the episode has issues.

Such as: a cringeworthy scene in which Kirk “seduces” the alien Sylvia (who is masquerading as a beautiful woman, who just so happens to be able to turn into a black cat … and a GIANT black cat). The giant cat scenes are truly embarrassing. Sulu’s and Scotty’s zombie impersonations amount to striking an expression of “Duhhhhh” on their faces. And the final moment, in which the aliens are revealed to be puppets on strings (was that pipe cleaner wire I saw?) is simply wretched.

On the whole, “Catspaw” is just not a good episode. There are some enjoyable interactions between Kirk and Spock, particularly after they beat up McCoy, Scotty and Sulu. But that’s about it. The action on the Enterprise, led by some stand in called DeSalle as a hopelessly uncharismatic officer don’t amount to much. And the interplay between Sylvia and her alien counterpart Korob is just plain bland.

Filed under: Original Series