“The Deadly Years” is an episode about geriatrics – about the ravages of growing old and losing one’s mental and physical abilities. It’s a topic that isn’t often raised within entertainment, and is certainly a worthy topic of exploration. But the episode’s central mystery, pacing and structure do not allow the topic to be presented in a way that makes the story compelling. I’ve said before that there is a difference between having a good story to tell and telling a good story. This episode has a good story to tell, but doesn’t tell it very well at all.

On a mission to Gamma Hydra IV, the Enterprise crew becomes infected with a bizarre affliction which makes the landing party – which includes Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Scotty – age thirty years for every day that passes. Only Chekov is able to resist the effects of this affliction, for reason as yet unknown. What this plot device does, though, is to allow an exploration of what happens when our favorite years literally grow old before our eyes. Watching them deteriorate is frustrating, maddening and just plain difficult to witness – as it is in real life.

When Kirk finally has to be removed from command because his “old age” it is a deeply tragic moment. And as long as the episode stays close to these concepts it fares reasonably well. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of contrivance and redundancy involved to get there, so much so that the episode runs the risk of simply losing viewers long before it ever gets to make its statement – done most forcefully during the hearing to remove Kirk from command.

Part of the problem is that while the actors do their best to “act old” the whole concept of aging fast is just a bit too esoteric to be taken completely serious – even in a sci-fi show. Of course, watching sci-fi means that viewers have to be able to suspend a healthy amount of disbelief, but the episode doesn’t do a whole lot to help viewers accept that this particular affliction is plausible. Indeed, the final solution – that Chekov’s fear caused adrenaline to be pumping and therefore insulated him from the affliction – is very poorly contrived and further undermines the whole concept.

Likewise, the trial itself is an exercise in redundancy, asking the viewers to sit through testimony about several scenes that had just been presented. The trial itself is a mere formality – everyone knows that Kirk is unfit for command. Had the themes presented during the trial been presented during some other activity – perhaps an intimate discussion between Kirk, Spock and McCoy following the off-screen trial, there would have been more room not just for the themes, but for character as well.

And the whole Romulan subplot, about having the Enterprise square off against roughly ten Romulan Warbirds, is just plain ridiculous and was inserted solely to have one of the most self-indulgent moments of the series: a rejuvenated Kirk leaping onto the bridge in the nick of time to save his ship while the hapless Commodore who has never served on board a Starship watches in awe (how does one get to be a Commodore without having experience on a Starship?).

Though, to give credit where it’s due, the Commodore is a very compelling character – unlike many of the guest stars who try and take over the ship, Commodore Stocker does so with compassion, empathy and regret. It’s clear he doesn’t want to remove Kirk from command, but it’s also clear that he knows leaving Kirk in command would be fatal.

There are two things which save “The Deadly Years” from complete disappointment: Commodore Stocker’s interactions with the crew, and the commentary on growing old. The rest is just not up to the task of telling such a nuanced story – right down to the embarrassing makeup and acting used to simulate old age.

Filed under: Original Series